Fangs of Fate

The figure stood and began heading toward the boy…

Meanwhile ~

Unaware that something—or someone—was stalking him, Davin wandered the glowing woods, his pace unhurried.

That's when it happened.

His system screen suddenly flushed red, and alarming words pulsed onto it.

[Threat to Time Orb detected.]

"Huh?!"

[Incognito measures initiated.]

"Incognito? Is the system going to watch por—"

[From now on, you won't be able to speak to me—verbally or telepathically. Please do not attempt it.]

"...Why?"

[A being is attempting to read your thoughts. I could block it, but doing so might provoke hostility—and believe me, you wouldn't survive that. It could crush you like a bug.]

[So if you do meet it, smile. Be friendly. That might be your 0.01% chance at surviving.]

'Why does the universe hate me…?'

[You also won't be able to access your system screen. Only auto-notifications will appear. I'm hiding in your subconscious until the threat passes—or I figure out how to bypass its detection. Until then… good luck, host.]

Gulp!

"So I'm all on my own?" he whispered.

[...]

'Well... technically, I've been on my own for two months now. Or is it three? I've lost count…'

He looked ahead.

'If I'm supposed to follow my heart, and I'm already heading that way, then... that should be the right path, right?'

Unbeknownst to him, the direction he was heading radiated with the aura of something both powerful and dangerous—so immense, that even in his Prideful state, he would still be no match.

Later that day ~

After pushing past yet another lush bush, his foot struck something with a rattling clang.

He glanced down—and froze.

A moss-patched skeleton in rusted armor sat slumped against a tree. And gentle wind whispered through the grass around it, as if mourning.

'...Bro, what happened to you?' he thought as he crouched beside it.

His eyes caught something clutched in the brittle fingers—a rolled up parchment.

"A letter…?" he murmured, carefully easing it free.

He unrolled it and began to read:

'To my dearest Nisha,

I'm sorry, but I won't make it to our wedding.

Please forgive me for failing to come back to you.

We trained side by side. Fought through fire and frost. You knew every scar on my body, every weakness I tried to hide—and still, you stayed. You believed in me when I could barely believe in myself.

Now, I only wish this letter carried better news.

They led us here, with whispers of glory and promises of absolution for all the blood on our hands. But it was a lie—carefully crafted, and cruelly told.

And we were too damn loyal to question it.

The others are gone now. I watched them fall, one by one. Brothers and sisters in arms—knights who would've followed any command, even into hell.

We followed them like loyal dogs. And still, they left us to die.

I fought, Nisha. I fought like hell. Hoping—just one more breath, one more swing, and maybe I'd live to see your smile again.

But my sword is broken. My legs won't move. And the ground is drinking my blood dry.

So I write this with trembling hands and too little time.

Do not trust them. No matter what face they wear, no matter what flag they raise. Mark my words—they lead lions to slaughter with silver tongues.

Live, Nisha. If not for me, then for those who fell beside me. Remember their names. Speak them, so the dead are not forgotten.

Nisha... if this letter finds you, don't seek vengeance blindly. Please—stay alive. That's my final wish.

And if the day ever comes when you stand against them, blade drawn and breath steady—

I know you'll finish what we never could.

With that… my love, my beautiful comrade, and my flame—

May fate light your path.

And may your days be filled with laughter, even if I'm not there to hear it.

—Yren'

"Damn… so sad…" Davin muttered.

He gently rolled the letter back up and placed it in the knight's hand with quiet respect.

As if on cue, his system screen flashed to life.

[New Mission!]

—Deliver the letter to Nisha.

[Reward:]

—Skill: Swordsmanship | Tier: Rare

'Ugh… how in the world am I supposed to find Nisha?!'

[...]

'Fine. The reward's too good to pass up anyway.'

He sighed and slipped the letter into his bag.

'Still... why is the Time Orb interested in this girl? Guess I'll just have to follow my heart again and find out…'

That's when he saw it—from the corner of his eye.

The skeleton's head shifted slightly.

"What the—"

He flinched, but before he could react, a black blur shot out from the empty eye socket—straight for his hand.

"Gyaaa!" he shrieked as sharp pain flared across his wrist.

[Hp: 275/280]

His jaw dropped in shock, as he stared at the thing clinging to his skin.

A black snake. Its fangs buried deep into his flesh, pumping venom into his bloodstream.

He didn't even try to shake it off.

'Welp… that's it. My fate is sealed. I can feel my heart slowing down already. I've got maybe a few minutes… or hours if I'm lucky.'

Resigned, he sat opposite the skeleton and pulled the knight's letter from his bag again.

'Might as well write something to Mom and Dad before I croak.'

He began scribbling messily on the back:

'Hey Mom… sorry to say this, but I'm dying soon. Just wanted you to know—you were the best. I turned out to be a good boy because of you. But I really didn't like how Dad touches your—'

[Poison detected… Analyzing.]

[Time Orb has activated.]

[Poison successfully nullified.]

Navy-blue letters shimmered across his system screen.

"…"

He sat there, stunned into silence.

[Taming the Magical Beast…]

"Huh? That's a thing?!"

Golden particles swirled around the snake still latched to his hand.

[Magical Beast tamed successfully!]

"...It worked?" he said in disbelief.

The little black snake blinked up at him, confused...

'What kind of beast is this thing…?' He activated his skill.

[Skill Activated: Celestial Eye]

[Name: ***]

[Rank: Mystic]

[Tier: Low]

[Threat Level: D-Class]

[Affinity: Darkness Element, Wind Element]

[Tamed: Use it as you deem fit.]

"It's that strong?!" He gasped in awe...

And yet… no name?

'Why can't I see its name...?'

[...]