Chapter 5: A Perilous Descent

The forest was silent, save for the faint rustling of leaves underfoot. Darkness cloaked the dense trees as I moved like a shadow, each step calculated and precise. My past life's training guided my movements—every breath, every shift of my body had a purpose.

I wasn't here for glory. I wasn't here for recognition.

I was here to find Claire.

The enemy’s hideout came into view. Crude structures surrounded by flickering torches dotted the clearing. Two guards stood at the entrance, oblivious to their impending deaths.

I crouched low, steadying my breath.

Their lives ended quietly.

I slipped through the perimeter unnoticed, the blade I had taken gleaming faintly in the dim light. One by one, enemies fell—silent and unaware of their fate.

As I moved deeper into the hideout, my instincts flared a warning. I froze, senses sharpening.

A towering figure stepped out of the shadows, oppressive energy radiating from him. His presence crackled like an invisible storm.A Focused Aura, Stage 3.

His eyes gleamed with malice. "Impressive for a child. But this is where your luck ends."

I knew I was outmatched. His presence alone pressed against my body like a crushing weight. But retreat wasn’t an option. I tightened my grip on the blade and lunged forward.

The clash was brutal. I struck with precision, aiming for vital points, but his sheer strength and speed dwarfed mine. My attacks barely grazed him, while his counterattacks left searing pain in their wake.

Blood dripped from a deep gash on my side. I gritted my teeth and pressed on, but each strike drained me further.

A sudden blow knocked me off my feet. I crashed to the ground, my vision blurring. My body screamed in agony.

He loomed over me, triumphant.

"You should've stayed hidden, boy."

His blade gleamed under the flickering light.

Before he could deliver the final blow, a surge of overwhelming energy swept through the hideout.

Father and Edwin had arrived.

The captor’s expression faltered as Alaric Wolfhart's aura clashed against his. The ground trembled from the sheer force of their confrontation.

I seized the chaos, gritting my teeth against the pain. Dragging myself into the shadows, I vanished from sight.

The clash was brief but decisive. Father’s power crushed the captor. He crumpled to the ground, defeated.

Edwin rushed to Claire, who lay unconscious but unharmed.

I kept my distance, hidden from view. My body throbbed with pain, but I refused to show weakness.

The journey back was agonizing. Every step felt like a battle. Blood seeped through my wounds, but the pain couldn't compare to the weight crushing my thoughts.

I lost.

Despite everything I had learned in my past life, I was powerless here. That cold, undeniable truth gnawed at me. If Father hadn’t arrived in time, Claire would’ve—

I clenched my fists. The sting of my injuries was nothing compared to the sting of my failure.

What was the point of being strong if I couldn’t protect anyone when it mattered?

In my previous life, power was a solitary pursuit—a shield I crafted for myself out of pride and necessity. But now...

Now, I have Claire. Mother. Even Father, who despite his cold demeanor, stood against the world for his family. They gave me a reason to fight—a reason beyond myself.

Yet, reality reminded me of one cruel fact.

I was still weak.

My body trembled with exhaustion, and my steps faltered. Loose gravel shifted beneath my feet near the edge of the cliff.

I reached out instinctively.

Too slow.

The ground vanished beneath me, and I tumbled into the abyss.

The wind roared in my ears, drowning out my thoughts.

Darkness swallowed me whole.

Consciousness faded.

To be continued