Amidst the Winds.

Finally, after a series of relentless attacks and the perfect coordination between the three of them, the Alpha Boar could no longer hold its ground.

Its massive body collapsed onto the ground, accompanied by a mournful roar that echoed throughout the area.

The creature's blood shattered into red pixel fragments, scattering across the surrounding space, creating an explosive burst as if the whole world was collapsing in that instant.

Sweat beaded on the foreheads of the three, their breaths ragged, their bodies still weary from the tension, but their eyes remained fixed on the boss's fallen corpse, a mixture of exhaustion and pride in their gazes.

Ren stood firm, despite his trembling body, breathing heavily. His hands still gripped the sword tightly, his eyes locked on the boss's fallen form.

Yuna stood beside him, equally exhausted, but her eyes sparkled with trust and pride.

As for Nautilus, though tired from the intense battle, a small smile played on his face, a sign of joy and satisfaction.

At that moment, the system notification sounded, drawing all three of their attention to an important announcement.

[System Notification]

Congratulation!

You have defeated Alpha Boar!

Rewards:

XP: 300 Gold: 500 Cor

Item: Beast's Fang 

The system's rewards appeared, with the light from the system announcements gleaming in the air, creating a mystical and impressive atmosphere.

Ren looked up at the rewards, a surge of excitement rising within him. "We did it," he said, relief washing over him, but pride still visible in his eyes.

What they had just experienced was not just a victory in strength, but a victory of friendship and teamwork.

Yuna, with a soft smile, gently shook her head. "It wasn't just me or Nautilus. This was the effort of the whole team." She spoke calmly but confidently.

Nautilus, though physically drained, couldn't stop smiling. "We made it through together," he said, his gaze directed toward Ren with unwavering trust. "I knew I could count on you guys."

Ren looked at his two companions, feeling the strong bond between them, a warm feeling rising in his chest. "Thank you, you both did great."

Ren spoke sincerely, then turned back to the system rewards. He didn't forget to check the rare item, Beast's Fang, knowing it would be useful in upcoming battles, especially when facing even stronger monsters.

"So we've taken down this miniboss," Ren continued, his voice calm but filled with determination. "There are many challenges ahead, but this is just the first step."

The three of them exchanged glances, no further words needed, for their eyes spoke everything.

This battle, though tough, had proven that they were not just independent warriors but a strong, steadfast team.

Together, they would face every challenge on their journey ahead, nothing could stop them.

It was still early, the sunlight filtering through the tree canopy, casting shimmering streaks on the ground, but the air around them remained still and quiet, only the sound of their breathing remaining after the intense battle with the Alpha Boar.

The trio sat down, exhausted but proud, and began to regulate their breathing, stretching and recovering their strength after the fierce confrontations.

The sweat had started to dry on their bodies, and the mild aches began to subside.

None of them spoke immediately; each was silent, but in their eyes, there was a shared sense of satisfaction and pride in what they had just achieved.

It was not just a victory, but a triumph of unity and persistence to the very last moment.

Ren, still feeling the adrenaline of the battle, leaned against a nearby rock, his hand lightly tracing the sword's blade, feeling the lingering warmth from the recent strikes.

He looked up, his gaze drifting over to Yuna and Nautilus, both checking their gear, their spirits still not fully at ease.

Ren glanced back at the system's reward notification, then looked at his two companions, his eyes brightening slightly as he saw them still standing strong, showing no signs of fatigue.

Yuna was the first to speak, her voice gentle but firm. "My gear's good, HP's still at a safe level."

She cast a light glance at Ren. "We can keep hunting a few more monsters."

Nautilus, with his usual calm demeanor, nodded. "Right, we still have time and energy. With the current situation, I think I won't have too much trouble. Just need to avoid any large packs."

Ren smiled faintly, his eyes glowing with confidence.

Though the battle had been tough, the coordination between the three gave him a sense of security and pride. "I agree," Ren said, his voice firm. "The monsters around here aren't a big problem, as long as we stay cautious when they group together."

The group sat together for a moment, discussing their hunting plan, pointing out areas where monsters might appear and avoiding spots where large packs could form.

Everything was thoroughly checked, and the atmosphere became lighter, an exciting energy spreading throughout the space.

They had regained their strength and were ready to continue on the challenging path ahead.

Yuna finally broke the silence, her gaze resolute. "Alright, let's keep going," she said. "We'll hunt a few more and see if there are any interesting items."

Nautilus drew his sword back, feeling the power in the weapon, and despite his fatigue, he didn't forget to smile. "We'll do fine," he said, his eyes full of trust as he looked at Ren. "This is just the beginning."

Ren stood up, the fatigue not diminishing his resolve. The feeling of mental recovery made him more confident than ever.

Looking at Yuna and Nautilus, Ren felt the strong bond between them. "Alright, let's go," Ren said, his voice calm but determined. "Everything will be fine, as long as we stick together."

The group stood up, re-equipped and ready for the next leg of their journey.

They knew that, though the battles ahead might be fiercer, as long as they kept their team spirit strong and prepared well, they could overcome anything.

The battle with the Alpha Boar had proven they were a strong team, and as they went further, their bond would only grow stronger.

The trio continued deeper into the plains, the regular monsters still appearing non-stop, wave after wave, as if there was no end.

The clash of steel, the growls, and the pounding footsteps all mixed together, creating a tense yet lively scene.

But right in the middle of this ongoing battle, as the three of them worked together to take down a group of Wild Boars, Nautilus suddenly broke the atmosphere with a question that made Ren hesitate in his movements.

Nautilus' gaze remained fixed on the monster in front of him, but there was a hint of contemplation in his voice, as if the question had been lingering in his mind for quite a while.

"Ren, I've noticed something..." Nautilus' breathing remained steady, despite the beads of sweat on his forehead. "When we fought that miniboss… both Yuna and I were a bit afraid.

The feeling of being stared at by it made my back feel cold. But you… you didn't flinch at all. No hesitation, no worry. It's like you've grown used to that feeling."

Ren didn't respond immediately. He swung his sword, spinning around to dodge a charge from the wild boar, then counterattacked with a clean cut to its front leg.

The creature let out a painful scream before fading into a stream of faint light. Only when the moment settled did Ren speak.

He didn't look at Nautilus, offering only a vague smile. It wasn't a smile full of joy; it carried a quietness, a touch of loneliness, and even an imperceptible weariness.

"Probably because I've faced much worse…" Ren's voice was low, but each word seemed to leave a mark in the air.

"Back in the Starting Town, sometimes fear comes so quickly that you don't even have time to react. And if you don't rise immediately, you're swallowed, not by the monsters, but by your own sense of helplessness."

At that, Ren turned to look at Nautilus. His eyes weren't cold, but they were calm. Like the deep surface of a lake, still, with something hidden beneath.

"There, if you allow yourself to be afraid, even for just a second… you might never get the chance to fear again."

Nautilus paused, not responding. He just stood there, silent.

A strange feeling welled up inside him, not doubt, but a vague realization that the teammate standing beside him might have seen a different side of this world, one where there's no room for the weak.

Yuna, who had been nearby, heard it too. She silently turned her head to look at Ren. The wind blew through her long hair, carrying an unspoken gaze.

It wasn't pity, nor was it pure curiosity, but rather a quiet understanding that began to grow within her heart.

And then, no one said anything else. The three of them continued forward, swords sheathed, their footsteps once again in sync with the rustling grass.

But amidst those sounds, something had changed. They were no longer just three companions.

From that moment on, an invisible bond began to form between them, forged in the heat of battle, from those quiet words… and from a past that only Ren truly understood.