Later that night
I lay on my back, eyes tracing the ceiling's wooden beams, lost in thought. The sparring matches with the heirs had been disappointing. Controlled. Predictable. I hadn't come this far to dance around with padded swords. I needed something real—something that pushed back.
Earlier today, I'd asked my father for a proper match in the arena. He gave me a small, knowing smile and began walking forward—his body language said finally. Just for a second, I let myself feel hope rise in my chest.
But then—
A Viking burst through the door, urgency written all over him. He leaned in and whispered something into my father's ear.
The shift in him was immediate. His jaw clenched tight. Eyes darkened, as if shadowed by some distant storm.
"I'm sorry," he said, voice lower than usual, barely meeting my eyes. "Something's come up. I need to speak with the king."
I nodded, but inside, something cracked. The tension, the need for release, all coiled tight in my chest.
I waited, pacing, the seconds dragging like hours, until he returned.
His face hadn't softened.
"I have to head back to Berk," he said grimly. "It's urgent. You'll need to stay behind until the festival ends."
A long breath escaped me, shoulders sagging like I'd taken a blow. "…Fine. Just don't take too long."
He gave me a firm nod and walked out.
The moment he was gone, the silence came crashing in. The room suddenly felt too small, the walls too close. My breath turned shallow.
I moved without thinking, crossing to the window and flinging it open. Cool night air rushed in and wrapped around me like a cloak, washing the heat from my skin.
That's when I saw it—the forest, stretching out into the night like an open dare.
A slow grin found its way onto my face.
"Yes… a forest," I muttered. "Let's see what's dumb enough to pick a fight."
No hesitation. No more waiting. I slipped out the window and vanished into the dark.
Hours later
Still nothing. Not a whisper of danger. Not a single predator. Just the sound of my boots crushing dead leaves beneath me.
"Tch… I came out here for a fight, not a nature walk," I muttered. The irritation wasn't just frustration—it was restlessness clawing at my insides.
Then—
A claw mark. Deep. Violent. Etched into a tree like a warning.
I crouched, fingers brushing the gouge. My breath hitched.
"Big bear," I murmured. "Finally."
A grin cut across my face as I sprinted into the trees, heart hammering with raw anticipation.
Then I heard it.
Shouts. Steel. A bear's roar splitting the quiet like thunder.
I didn't think. I moved.
I burst into the clearing—and stopped cold.
The princess stood with a bow drawn, hands trembling. The arrow aimed—not at the beast—but at her father.
Behind her, a massive bear lay ensnared in ropes. Soldiers shouted. Faces confused. But I saw what they couldn't.
"…No. It can't be…"
I stepped forward, voice cutting through the chaos. "Stop!"
Heads turned.
"That bear… is the queen!"
Silence dropped like a stone. Even the princess's bow lowered, her expression cracking into disbelief.
Then the air changed. Sharp. Charged. The kind of quiet that screams something's coming.
I turned. I felt it before I saw it.
And there it was.
Another bear. Towering. Foaming. Its eyes gleaming with rage that wasn't human. Mor'du.
The king's face was drained of color. "CHARGE!"
The soldiers surged—but they were ants in a flood. Mor'du tore through them without pause.
"I'll take you on with my bare hands!" the king roared.
He barely finished the sentence before Mor'du's paw sent him flying like a ragdoll. He hit the ground hard. Too hard.
"Dammit!" I choked, excitement and worry flashing white behind my eyes. I moved, no hesitation.
I slammed into Mor'du. We crashed, and I twisted midair to land on my feet.
He rose, snarling. His eyes locked onto mine.
I dropped into my stance, blood pounding in my ears.
"Too slow," I growled.
I drove a jab into his eye. He howled.
A low kick—his leg buckled.
"You don't scare me!"
He lunged.
I rolled behind him, grabbed fur, muscles screaming in protest.
"HAAH!" I roared, hurling him into the ground.
I leapt on his back, arms locking around his thick neck.
"You're not getting up this time…"
He thrashed. My arms burned. My chest heaved. I didn't let go. I wouldn't.
He bucked, roared—and then, slowly… he stopped.
Stillness.
Then silence.
I rolled off him, staggering, chest heaving.
Around me, no one moved. No one breathed.
The queen—now human, blanket wrapped around her—stared at me like she wasn't sure I was real.
"…Erik," someone whispered.
"Did he just…?"
"ERIK!" another voice cried out.
And then they all joined in.
"ERIK! ERIK! ERIK!"
The chant filled the night. A rhythm of disbelief and awe.
I stood there, swaying slightly. Sweat slick on my skin. Heart pounding.
A laugh slipped out—soft, breathless.
"Guess that counts as a proper test."
A few hours later
Back in my room.
Still buzzing. Still on fire inside.
It'll take weeks before my father returns… so I wait.
System:
Host, you seem to be bored. Why don't you check out your rewards for defeating Mor'du?
I sat up, pulse still elevated.
"You're right. Thanks for reminding me."
I opened the inbox.
Legendary Achievement Accomplished – Mor'du Slayer
Gained: Title "Mor'du Slayer"(3 percent boosts in all stats), 50 Tickets, 100,000 Points.
My eyes widened. My breath caught.
"How…?" I whispered.
System:
Host, Mor'du, is a legendary figure in this place. This was also a limited-time quest, making it more difficult. If anything had gone differently, you wouldn't have been the one to kill it.
"…I see."
A strange laugh crawled its way out of me. At first just a breath. Then a chuckle. Then full-on laughter. Hands clenched tight. Shoulders shaking.
"Heh… heh… hehehe…"
Then—
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.
I stopped.
Turned slowly. Heart still beating fast for a whole different reason.
I opened the door—and froze.
"Princess? What are you doing here?"
She didn't meet my eyes. Her head was bowed. In her hands—something clenched tightly.
Without a word, she shoved it into mine.
"…Thank you," she whispered, voice barely audible. Like if she said it too loud, it might shatter.
Then—she turned and ran.
Gone before I could even breathe her name.
I stood there, staring after her, the weight of her gift in my hands.
"…Huh?"