Each time Riven slashed, the bear immediately retaliated with a frenzy of blind rage. Its attacks were wild, savage, as if it didn’t know pain. Those massive claws tore through the air, forcing Riven to keep retreating, his quick footwork barely keeping him alive. He had no chance to pause, let alone activate Riftmaker’s ability.

Huff… huff…

His breaths came heavy, chest rising and falling fast. From time to time he managed to strike back, his blade cutting into the bear’s flesh, but the wounds were shallow, meaningless. The beast still stood tall, roaring with eyes full of hate.

The night only made it worse. The dim moonlight barely pierced the canopy, blurring his vision. Riven knew—one misstep, and those claws would rip him apart.

But then, amidst the chaos, his eyes caught something odd. When the moonlight fell brighter across the bear’s face, he saw it clearly.

Blood.

Dark liquid seeped from its ears, dripped from its nose, streamed from the corner of its mouth, even welled up in the corner of its eyes. The bear’s face wasn’t just angry. It looked broken, wracked with an indescribable pain.

Riven froze for half a heartbeat. What…?

The beast’s body looked intact, yet its movements began to falter. Its breathing grew harsh, its frame shuddering with every step. An inner wound? What could hurt something this massive from the inside? Poison? He didn’t know. And maybe he never would.

But that was good news.

If he could hold on long enough, the monster’s strength would drain away. When an opening came, he’d have his chance.

Riven clenched his teeth. The bear’s furious strikes came again. Its claws sliced the air inches from his face, close enough that he felt the sting of their wind. His body moved in rhythm with the combat drills Ashtoria had once taught him—light, precise, as if his feet understood the earth. He knew without that training, he’d already be dead.

The bear lunged again, but this time, slower.

Riven felt it—

An opening.

He surged forward without hesitation. Both hands gripped Riftmaker as he called forth its ability. The runes etched along the blade glowed with a faint golden light, and in the next instant the weapon turned insubstantial, like an illusion.

His thrust pierced straight through the bear’s chest, passing through flesh and bone without leaving the slightest wound. It was as if the sword wasn’t real at all.

But in the very next instant, the beast let out a thunderous roar. Its claws lashed out wildly at Riven.

Instinct took over. Riven released his grip. Riftmaker remained embedded in the beast’s body as he slid past its massive frame, narrowly dodging a claw that nearly tore across his face, and came out behind it.

The moment he released it, Riftmaker’s ability vanished. The once illusory blade solidified again. And this time, the bear’s body felt the wound for real.

Thukk!

The sword punched clean through its chest. The beast froze, eyes bulging, its body convulsing violently before it slumped. With a thunderous crash, it hit the ground, shaking the earth and showering leaves down from above.

Silence returned, broken only by the faint chorus of night insects.

Riven stood there, chest heaving. Sweat poured down his face, dripping from his chin. He wiped it with the back of his hand, then stared at the lifeless carcass.

He was alive. He had killed the bear without taking a single wound.

But though his body was safe, his mind churned with questions. What had happened to that bear? He drew in a long breath, forcing calm. For now, one thing was certain: he had survived.

Still panting, Riven fixed his eyes on the corpse lying cold on the ground. His breathing steadied, but his thoughts shifted elsewhere—Melly.

He glanced around. Towering trees loomed, dark and unfamiliar. He didn’t know exactly where he was. In his fight, he’d only focused on staying alive, on dragging the beast away from his sister. Now… he was lost.

Damn it… I need to get back.

Riftmaker was still buried in the bear’s chest. Riven yanked it free in one pull, the blade catching the moonlight for a heartbeat before dimming again. Without wasting time, he hurried to follow the beast’s tracks, faint imprints scratched into the soil and grass. His pace quickened, breath loud, eyes scanning for signs.

Then suddenly—

A strange sensation washed over him. Cold, faint, yet familiar. Riven froze, glancing to the side. Far among the trees, something pulsed. Closing his eyes, he reached for the flow of mana around him.

That rhythm, that pulse—he knew it. Aria’s mana.

He couldn’t be mistaken. Her energy had once flowed into his own body; he knew its feel better than anything. His body recognized it instinctively, like an old memory awakening.

“Aria…” he muttered, brows furrowing. He didn’t know what was happening, but his priority remained: keep Melly safe.

He pushed forward, faster now. Breath ragged, he finally found his sister, still lying peacefully beneath a thick blanket, sleeping soundly as though nothing had changed in the world.

Riven knelt, staring at her innocent face. A strange relief pressed against his chest. Carefully, he lifted her, blanket still wrapped tight, and placed her inside the wagon behind the driver’s bench. He tucked the blanket closer around her small body.

Then he straightened, eyes on the forest. Tonight alone, he had faced two predators: a white tiger and a black bear. Who knew what else lurked in the dark?

This area was clearly unsafe.

He stirred the horse at the wagon’s front, patting their necks to rouse them. But doubt gnawed at his mind.

Should I leave now with Melly? Or… go after her?

Aria’s image flickered in his thoughts. Her sharp gaze, her cold yet certain voice, all the lessons she had given him.

Riven clenched his fist.

He couldn’t abandon her. Not like this. There was still too much he had to learn. And beyond that… he didn’t want to leave her behind.

Decision made, he looked once more at the wagon, ensuring Melly was safe. Then he broke into a run, plunging into the forest, chasing the mana he had felt.

Wet leaves brushed against his face, branches snapping underfoot. His chest thundered, not only from exhaustion but from adrenaline tangled with worry and fear.

Each step carried him closer to the source. That familiar pulse of mana, warm, guiding him forward. And then, finally he saw her.

In the distance, bathed in moonlight filtering through the trees, stood that familiar figure. Long red hair spilled down, glowing faintly like embers cradled by the night.

But almost in the same moment, something inside Riven shuddered violently.

“Ugh—!”

The sound slipped unbidden from his throat. His body staggered, steps faltering. Hot blood surged up and burst from his mouth, splattering onto the dark earth. His nose gushed red, staining his lips and chin.

His vision shook, the world swaying around him. Muscles tightened, then slackened, his legs barely holding him upright.

His body rebelled.

Each breath stabbed him from within. His chest throbbed, not with mere pain, but with something cracking, breaking, slowly exploding from inside.

His hand groped for a nearby trunk, but his fingers trembled, powerless. Blood dripped from his lips, falling one by one to the damp forest floor.

As if his very being… was shattering from within.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep