Chapter 2

Fortunately, the Shield of Light absorbed the force of that blow. But it could only withstand one fatal strike—the barrier shattered, and Naya was thrown to the ground by the residual impact.

The giant goblin raised its club high above its head again.

“Am I… going to die here too?”

Perhaps… I’ll see Jie’er and the others soon…

Naya was about to close her eyes when, at that critical moment, a figure leaped into her view—a black-haired boy! He looked about her age. With a swift sword strike, he knocked the club from the giant goblin’s grasp. The massive creature stared in confusion at the sword mark on its arm; the blow had been too fast for it to see. Even Naya was dazzled—it was simply unbelievable.

But—the wound was too shallow. It wasn’t the goblin’s thick hide; the sword itself was poor quality.

“Aim for its head!” Naya shouted immediately.

Enraged, the giant goblin let out a deafening roar—and the boy thrust his sword straight into its mouth.

In an instant, the colossal beast collapsed! The other two goblins had already fled without a trace.

“Are you okay?” the boy asked with concern.

“I’m fine… thank you for saving me,” Naya said, wiping away her tears as she shakily stood up.

She picked up a dagger dropped by a goblin and silently began digging the earth.

The boy glanced at the gruesome corpses, then at Naya. He noticed a star-shaped badge pinned to her chest.

“Your… one-star adventurer team was wiped out by goblins?”

“If you truly understood what a one-star team represents, you wouldn’t say that.”

“Sorry. Today’s my first adventure—I know nothing.”

“Really your first time???” Naya stared at him incredulously. His skills just now didn’t look like a beginner’s at all…!

“Yeah. My home’s in a village nearby. Never expected to face something like this on day one…”

He glanced at the human and goblin corpses.

“…situation.”

“…Still, thank you for saving me,” Naya murmured, tears dripping into the soil.

The boy saw it all. Understanding her intent, he used his sword as a shovel and joined her digging.

“You…” Naya was stunned he’d do this. This boy had touched her at her most vulnerable moment—especially after saving her life.

“Thank you…”

“Alright, you’ve thanked me three times today. I’m Leon Brad. And you?”

“Naya Trei.”

With Leon’s help, the four graves were dug quickly.

Later, Leon carried Jie’er’s body back from afar… Naya clutched Jie’er’s collar and cried for a long time…

And so, this dense forest gained four new tombstones—Naya’s former companions buried here forever…

After leaving, Leon noticed the Priestess girl following him.

“What’s your plan next? Won’t you return to family?” he asked.

“I have no family left. My parents died in the calamity ten years ago.”

“Uh, sorry.” Leon realized he’d hit a sore spot. He knew little about that continent-shaking calamity—only that it killed all Sorcerers. Maybe Naya’s parents were Sorcerers too.

This girl… how had she survived a decade alone?

“How about we head to Roaring Mountain Town together?” Leon suggested.

Naya pointed ahead. “I’m returning to Roaring Mountain Town. This road leads straight there, right?”

“Uh…” Leon scratched his head sheepishly. “No wonder you’ve been following me—same route.”

Naya watched him silently. They naturally became travel companions.

Roaring Mountain Town was the region’s largest settlement—an hour’s walk away. The trek was tough for a girl, yet Naya accompanied him without complaint. Leon was surprised; she wasn’t as delicate as she looked.

“Leon? Who taught you swordsmanship?” Naya asked as they entered town.

“A benefactor. The strongest person I’ve ever met.”

“Your village hides such a master? Can I see your sword?”

Leon handed it over without hesitation.

The blade—even to Naya’s untrained eye—was pitiful. Rust streaked its surface, dull enough to be useless for chopping wood… No wonder it couldn’t pierce the giant goblin’s hide. Truly a beginner’s sword, hard to bear looking at.

“You… should get a sword worthy of your skill,” Naya said, noticing they passed a weapon shop.

“I’d like to, but I need adventuring funds for a new weapon.”

The team’s money had always been Jie’er’s responsibility—Naya just recalled it was buried with her in the forest.

“Since we’re here, let’s peek inside?” Naya suggested, dragging Leon through the shop’s wooden door—

Leon was instantly drawn to the displayed weapons. Naya strode straight to the shopkeeper. “Show me your best sword.”

The man eyed her silently, then brought out a long box from the back. “This is the Light Roar Sword. Ten gold coins.” As the lid opened, the blade gleamed with bright silver light—even Leon edged closer.

Of course, the price was equally “touching.” Naya had only two silver coins.

“Is the cost all in the name?”

“Nonsense. Forged from Roaring Mountain Town’s rare ore.”

Leon watched as Naya quietly removed her earring.

“This is a Magic Empire relic—long out of production. Sell it in Dawn City, and it’ll fetch far more than ten gold.”

Leon stared in shock. He never expected her to trade something so precious for his weapon.

“Oh? Sorcerer-made?” The shopkeeper examined the earring with a magnifying glass.

After the calamity, Sorcerer-crafted items were the most valuable on the continent. The deal was sealed.

Outside the shop, Leon admired his new sword like art. Guilt gnawed at him for Naya.

“Thank you for this sword. That earring… wasn’t it precious to you?”

“It’s unimportant now. Nothing.”

Naya counted her silver coins. Logistics had always been Jie’er’s duty—now she had to manage it herself.

“I’ve only two silvers left—just enough for tonight’s lodging. Tomorrow, I’ll take guild quests to earn money.”

“Leave monsters to me,” Leon said confidently. “You gave me a sword; I haven’t repaid you yet.”

“No repayment needed… you saved my life. As for teaming up,” Naya met his gaze. “I’m alone now anyway.”

They naturally formed a team.

To be continued.