In the distance, from a land where colossal tree trunks stretched toward the heavens and a crystal-clear lake lay still, a blinding yellow light flashed. Its glow poured into the shadows of the forest, stirring the fallen leaves across the ground.
At the center of that radiance stood a figure—it looked like a divine being, exiled from the skies.
"What is this?" Bill murmured, glancing around.
His hands, his feet—his entire body was being consumed by the luminance.
Suddenly, the light vanished, as if he had absorbed it entirely.
His mind felt sharper, his body renewed. He wasn't tired anymore; even the wound on his shoulder seemed to have sealed.
"...Strong," he whispered to himself.
His body felt different—slightly tougher... but not nearly strong enough to take on a hundred men.
He turned his head, searching for the man who had been with him. The latter now looked even more bewildered, a flicker of fear in his eyes. His blonde hair swayed in the wind.
A comical sight.
"Since when do I start mocking others?" he thought.
He glanced briefly at the yellow window floating before him, now showing new information:
[Corporeal Shel: a lost martial art of the orcs, meant to provide physical and mental protection. (Passive use)]
"So there really are all kinds of strange creatures out here..."
"Hey, Svend."
"Yes? What is it, sir?"
"Remind me... what's this place called?" Bill asked, placing a hand above his eyes, peering into the distance, where nothing could be seen but towering trees.
Svend's face twisted in confusion.
...
"Are you sure this is the way?" Bill asked as they pushed through the undergrowth.
"Yes, sir..." Svend replied, even paler than before, nearly collapsing, weakly leaning on Bill's shoulder.
Bill didn't like the idea of carrying a potential enemy, but then again, he was the one who had mutilated him. He had no real choice.
Besides...
A dark, serious look crossed his face.
He had other plans for him.
Soon, they reached the great lake where, according to Svend, a monster lay hidden in its depths.
Bill had considered reasoning with the army, but with one of their men dead, another injured, and a royal-sealed letter accusing him of being a threat, he doubted they'd be willing to listen.
And judging by how his body had reacted involuntarily to the emblem they wore… he wasn't sure he'd be able to restrain himself if things went wrong.
At last, they arrived.
A mirror of crystal water lay before them, so pristine it tempted one to dive in.
"Whatever's down there... I hope it helps me."
He turned to Svend, looking him straight in the eye.
"Do you trust me?" he asked.
Wounded and trembling, Svend swallowed hard and slowly nodded. He didn't really have a choice.
"Good. I do too. Wait here for your comrades."
He left Svend propped against a rock near the lake.
Then, he slipped back into the forest.
According to Svend, the soldiers would be arriving from the north, from the kingdom of Camelot, and they would have to cross the lake.
Dry leaves crunched beneath his feet as he returned to the camp—where something awaited him. Something that could decide the outcome of the battle.
Svend remained by the rock, mutilated and nearly spent. His dented metal armor gleamed faintly, and his dim green eyes twisted in pain.
"Shit... he's not leaving me here to die, is he? Or... is he expecting that monster to eat me? No... no way... right?"
Then, a thought struck him.
"Monster... I'm... I'm bait!"
That's why Bill had asked for his trust. That's why he told him to wait for the others.
From across the lake, the sound of armored footsteps and faint murmurs began to rise.
"They're here! What do I do? Should I warn them? No… I don't have to do anything. Isn't this why I joined the army in the first place? I can just stay here... and watch those kingdom worms get torn apart!"
For the first time in a long while, Svend felt hope.
One by one, the soldiers emerged from the forest, their eyes fixed on him.
Cautiously, they began to approach, not daring to disturb the lake.
Then, just as nearly a hundred men had gathered near the shore, something flew through the air—a decapitated body.
The corpse hit the ground with a sickening thud, splashing a few soldiers standing near the edge. Some looked confused, others drew their weapons. But most—if not all—felt a shiver of terror at the ripples in the disturbed water.
A chilling silence spread.
It wasn't the body that had paralyzed them. It was what emerged from beneath it:
A colossal creature with a grotesque jaw, which devoured the corpse in a single bite.
Its rough, cracked skin resembled stone, hiding a brutal strength. Its elongated, ravenous maw looked designed to devour entire worlds. And its eyes—dull, lifeless spheres—stared with pitiless contempt at the mortals who had dared to trespass its realm.
A titan from forgotten ages had awakened.