Arlon looked at the wolf-like Keldar standing before them and let out a quiet sigh.
If he let this Named Monster escape, it could cause serious trouble.
It wasn't just about the risk of it reporting back to a Demon—though that alone was reason enough to be cautious.
Normally, Keldars weren't particularly organized, and players hunting them wouldn't be considered noteworthy.
Even if one did report to a higher-ranking Demon, it wouldn't necessarily care about such a minor skirmish.
But this situation was different.
There weren't supposed to be players in this area yet.
And more importantly, the players weren't just random adventurers—they were moving in coordination with three administrators, methodically clearing Keldars around multiple cities.
From Keldars' perspective, that was suspicious. Very suspicious.
That was why catching up to the Keldar before it escaped had become a necessity.
The hunt had started when the group decided to split to cover more ground after Leon's suggestion. Since the players had already gotten used to killing Keldars, it was the best way to maximize efficiency.
Arlon, June, Pierre, and Lei had formed a team with Leon and Arlon the guide, while the others—Zack, Carole, Maria, Carmen, and Evan—had gone with Nova.
Nova was by no means weak. In fact, he was more than strong enough to take down a Named Monster by himself.
But Arlon understood exactly why Nova hadn't stepped in.
He had wanted the players to handle it. They needed the experience.
I would've done the same thing, Arlon thought, glancing around the battlefield. Nova was probably nearby, watching and waiting.
Just as that thought crossed his mind, a figure stepped out from behind a nearby tree.
"Ah, you're here," Nova said casually, his posture relaxed. "I was following it just in case you couldn't make it in time."
Arlon gave him a knowing look. "So, you weren't going to let it escape either."
Nova smirked. "Of course not. But I figured I'd let you guys try first."
That confirmed it—Nova had been thinking the exact same thing Arlon had. The monster wasn't leaving here alive, one way or another.
Still, Arlon felt a small pang of regret that he hadn't sent Arlon the guide with the other group. If he had, he could've had eyes on both sides.
"Well, we're here now," Arlon said, turning back toward the Keldar. It stood firm, watching them with its intelligent, calculating gaze. It knew it was being hunted.
That was fine.
Arlon took a step forward, then glanced back at the three players behind him.
"I think this will be the best practice for you," he said, looking at Lei, Pierre, and June.
Nova raised an eyebrow. "You're not going to fight?"
"I don't hesitate to kill Keldars. But for them…" he gestured toward the three, "…this is a rare chance. A Named Monster isn't something you get to fight often."
The players could hear him, but they didn't refuse. Arlon could see that they were already hesitating about killing an intelligent being.
Arlon approached them, "I can't help you this time," he said. "But, this Keldar will die today, even if you are not the one.
And if you are going to continue to help the Trionians, one day, probably tomorrow, you will need to kill them.
So, it is better if you do it today instead of tomorrow. Because today, you will revive in the worst-case scenario and I will kill it."
"Don't worry, I don't plan to go back on my word," June said, walking toward the wolf-like Keldar.
The others also followed her.
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"So, you are done with your planning?" The Keldar finally talked, making the players realize the reality once more. "I don't know what you are doing here, but you won't get out of this forest..."
"Enough with the villain lines. Let's finish this," Lei said.
With that, the first fight between the players and a Named Monster except for Arlon started.
---
"Damn it!"
Zack kicked the ground in frustration, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. A small cloud of dust rose where his boot struck, but it did nothing to ease the burning disappointment in his chest.
"Sigh… It's okay," Maria said gently. "We'll have more chances."
But Zack wasn't hearing it.
"I thought I could do it," he muttered, his voice lower now, his fists trembling slightly.
"You weren't the only one," Maria reminded him. "All of us hesitated. Don't put this all on yourself."
"Carole didn't!" Zack shot back, his voice cracking slightly. "She tried her best, but I…" His throat tightened, cutting off the rest of his words.
Carole, who had been silent until now, finally stepped forward. "Zack," she said firmly, "it's okay. You also tried your best."
Zack shook his head, frustration still evident in his expression. "But you were so determined. You didn't hesitate, you—"
"Determination isn't enough," Carole interrupted, her tone unwavering. "I wasn't strong enough to kill it by myself. None of us were. That means I have no right to put this all on you."
Zack swallowed hard, looking down.
Carole let out a quiet breath before continuing. "And if you keep going on like this," she added, glancing past him, "you're going to hurt them."
Zack followed her gaze.
Carmen and Evan were standing a little apart from the group, silent. Their expressions were hard to read, but Carmen especially looked shaken.
It wasn't just frustration or disappointment—it was something deeper.
Shock.
"This isn't about just you," Carole continued. "We all felt it. But if you let this get to you too much, it'll affect them too."
Zack's eyes lingered on Carmen for a moment longer. He opened his mouth, then closed it again, as if realizing what he had been doing.
Then, Evan spoke.
"We're not children," he said simply.
His voice wasn't harsh, but it was firm.
"We understood the situation, but we still chose to keep fighting. All of us. So don't worry about us."
He made sure not to exclude Carmen in his words. He had already tried stopping her once, but she wouldn't back down.
Carmen was just as determined as he was.
They had both made their choice—to fight for Trionians, to fight for Trion.
"We're already eighteen," Carmen said quietly. "I know it's hard, but we'll be okay."
Zack exhaled, rubbing his face with one hand. He had let his emotions overwhelm him again. He knew Carmen and Evan weren't weak. He knew they weren't children.
But he hated losing.
Especially when the enemy had been right there.
After a long pause, Zack clenched his fists one last time—then released them.
He took a deep breath, steadied himself, and straightened his back.
"I swear," he said, his voice filled with renewed determination, "next time, we'll do it right."
His eyes burned with conviction.
"We will be the ones to kill the Demon."