CHAPTER TWO — Days in the Village

Ivan and Elen stayed in the village for a few days. At first, the villagers were cautious of the strangers, but slowly—things changed.

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⭐ Day One — First Impressions
A curious little girl named Lina followed Elen everywhere.
“Can you teach me how to make medicine?” she asked shyly.
Elen knelt, showing her how to mix simple herbs. Lina’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
An elderly man watched Ivan treat minor injuries.
“You have steady hands… and calm eyes. Maybe we’re lucky you came here,” he murmured.
Ivan simply nodded, offering advice and simple remedies.
A farmer approached nervously.
“My fence is damaged… something’s been stealing my livestock. Wolves—or demons.”
Ivan inspected the fence and helped reinforce it, guiding the farmer patiently.
By evening, the villagers began to relax. Stories were shared—rumors of demons, bandits, and hardships. Lina stayed close to Elen, admiring her kindness.

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⭐ Day Two — Helping Hands
Ivan taught villagers how to treat small wounds and identify useful plants.
Elen cooked meals, comforted a sick child, and continued learning medicine by observing Ivan carefully. Her confidence grew with every question she asked.
Ivan, however, noticed something unsettling—shadows lurking near the forest edge.
“Something isn’t right,” he whispered.
Elen felt it too—a quiet dread.

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⭐ Day Three — Signs of Danger
Livestock vanished. Footprints appeared near the forest. Small structures were damaged.
Ivan examined the tracks.
“Low-class demons… but it’s strange. They don’t usually attack like this.”
Elen’s eyes widened.
“Do you think they’ll come tonight?”
Ivan tightened the strap on his sword.
“Most likely. Prepare the villagers.”
Barricades were built. Children were taken to safety. The farmer stared anxiously at his repaired fence.
“I hope this holds…”
Night was coming.
And with it—something darker.⭐ Nightfall — The Village Under Attack
Darkness swallowed the village. A cold wind swept through the streets, carrying an eerie silence.
Then—
Rustling. Scraping. Growling.
Shadows crept between houses.
Small, hunched creatures emerged—twisted humanoid forms with gray-green skin, jagged horns, and glowing yellow eyes. Their claws scraped against wood as they crawled across rooftops and tore through fences.
Low-class demons.
They moved with unnatural hunger.
Doors shattered. Carts toppled. Screams echoed through the night.
Elen’s heart pounded as villagers panicked.
“Everyone, this way!” she shouted, guiding people toward safer houses. She bandaged cuts, calmed crying children, and kept them close.
Lina clung to her arm, trembling.
“Are we going to die…?”
Elen forced a gentle smile.
“No. You’re safe. Stay with me.”
Then she looked toward the village entrance—where Ivan stood alone, sword in hand.
His voice was calm.
“I’ll handle this. Protect the villagers.”
Elen grabbed his sleeve.
“But—it’s dangerous!”
He placed a steady hand on her shoulder.
“I promised you—I’ll come back.”
And he stepped forward.

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⭐ Ivan vs. the Horde
The demons lunged.
Ivan moved like a flash.
Steel gleamed. Claws shattered. Bodies fell.
He parried vicious strikes, dodged swipes, and countered with precise, lethal blows.
But there were too many.
“Why are they attacking a village?” he muttered between strikes. “This behavior… it’s not normal.”
A demon rushed from behind— Ivan spun, slicing through its throat.
More came.
Dozens.
Sweat dripped down his face. His breath grew heavier—but he didn’t retreat. He used walls, carts, and fences as shields, guiding demons away from the villagers.
Every move was calculated. Every strike—protective.
Inside the safe house, Lina peeked through a crack.
Her voice trembled with awe.
“He’s… amazing.”
Elen hugged her tightly, but her eyes stayed locked on Ivan’s figure.
Fear and faith battled in her chest.

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⭐ The Turning Point
The ground trembled as the last demon charged toward a fleeing villager.
Ivan leapt forward—his sword cutting through the creature in one decisive strike.
Silence followed.
The remaining demons hesitated… then fled back into the forest.
Ivan exhaled shakily. His knees almost buckled, but he steadied himself and sheathed his sword.
“You’re safe… for now.”
The villagers emerged slowly:
The village elder bowed deeply.
“Young man… you saved us.”
The farmer lowered his head.
“Thank you. I’ll rebuild my fences stronger.”
Lina ran to Elen, eyes shining.
“I want to be like him someday… strong and brave!”
Elen smiled softly.
“One day. But for now, stay safe.”
Ivan approached her, exhausted but smiling faintly.
“I told you I’d come back.”
Elen grasped his hand, relief trembling through her fingers.
For the first time in days, the village slept without fear.
But Ivan and Elen knew the truth—
This was only the beginning.
Something far worse was coming.