Chapter 2: The Girl with the Magic Hat – Roxy

Emerging from the darkness were four monsters.

At the forefront was a mutated monster walking on two legs with four arms—the End Boar. Standing nearly three meters tall, its massive head bore crimson eyes that stared directly at Allen, who stood a few meters away. Two tusks protruded from its mouth, dripping with saliva as it snorted heavily.

Behind it were three dog-like monsters resembling Dobermans—the Assault Hounds. Their sharp, white teeth glistened as they pawed at the ground, clearly eager to tear Allen apart.

The light of the campfire had attracted the forest's predators.

The End Boar suddenly stopped, shielding the less intelligent Assault Hounds in front of it as it squinted its crimson eyes to assess its prey.

It sensed danger from the weapon at the prey's waist—a long, blade-like object it had seen before.

In a village to the south, a terrifying human male had once used a similar object to slaughter a stronger member of its kind in the blink of an eye.

In front of it, the 'prey,' who only reached its waist and was barely taller than the four-legged Assault Hounds, raised an eyebrow.

Allen stepped forward with his right foot, sinking into a low stance, his right hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

He smiled carelessly, his expression brimming with excitement.

"It seems the village isn't far. I've actually run into the plot device boar from the novel. Good thing I didn't risk coming here at four years old. If I'd been unlucky and ended up as pig food, that would've been hilarious."

"But now, times have changed. The one with bad luck..."

As he spoke, shhh! The soft, damp soil of the forest was gouged by his toes.

"...isn't me."

With a burst of speed, Allen shot forward like an arrow, leaving behind an afterimage as he charged at the monsters!

The monsters had some intelligence, but not much. Seeing Allen's sudden charge, the End Boar let out a furious roar and charged forward, its massive body barreling toward him like a freight train!

In that instant, a sharp voice cut through the air.

"Get out of the way!"

A water sphere, glowing faintly in the darkness, shot through the trees, heading straight for the End Boar. The spell was fast, but Allen was faster.

His eyes narrowed, and time seemed to slow down.

The world around him became a series of frozen moments: the rustling leaves, the wind brushing against his skin, the glint of the boar's tusks, and the faint smell of damp earth mixed with the stench of the monsters.

Allen's mind raced.

'A water sphere? Intermediate-level water magic? No, it's too small. It must be a basic water spell, but the speed and power are amplified. Whoever cast this didn't expect me to charge in. They're trying to save me, but they're too late.'

The End Boar's tusks were now inches away from Allen's face, and the water sphere was closing in from behind.

Every cell in his body screamed at him to dodge, but the cool grip of his sword hilt steadied him.

A smirk spread across his face.

'Get out of the way? No need.'

In a flash, Allen moved.

He sidestepped the boar's tusks, ducked under its swinging claws, and slipped past one of the Assault Hounds. His movements were fluid, almost like a dance, as he weaved through the monsters with precision.

The campfire's light reflected off his blade, flickering rapidly as he struck.

Five flashes of light.

Then silence.

Allen stood on the other side of the monsters, his sword still sheathed, as if he had never drawn it.

The water sphere, now split in two, flew past him, crashing into the trees behind him with a deafening roar. Two thick trees toppled over, their trunks shattered by the force of the spell.

But behind Allen, the four monsters stood frozen.

Then, with a series of sickening thuds, their heads slid off their bodies and fell to the ground.

Four clean cuts.

The fifth flash of light had been for the water sphere.

Blood gushed from the monsters' necks, raining down in a gruesome shower.

From the shadows, a small figure emerged, running toward the scene. She wore a large wizard's robe, carried a massive suitcase, and had a wide-brimmed magic hat perched on her head. The hat's brim cast a shadow over her face, but her bright blue eyes were visible, wide with shock.

Allen turned to face her, his expression calm.

"Thanks for the warning," he said with a smile.

The girl—Roxy—stopped in her tracks, her chest heaving as she caught her breath. She looked at Allen, then at the decapitated monsters, and finally at the trees that had been split in two by her own spell.

Her mouth opened, but no words came out.

'He... dodged it?'

She stared at Allen, her mind struggling to process what had just happened.