The Last Nightmare

The battlefield was silent, save for the crackling flames and the distant howls of unseen creatures.

The corpses of the scavengers lay scattered around them, their bodies twisted in unnatural angles. The smell of blood clung to the cold air.

Kai crouched beside one of the fallen scavengers, his golden eyes glinting under the firelight. He pulled out a small dagger, its edge gleaming as he adjusted his grip.

Then, with practiced ease, he drove the blade into the creature's chest.

Nate watched in silence as Kai worked. There was no hesitation in his movements—just cold efficiency. His fingers slipped inside the wound, searching for something.

A moment later, he pulled out a dull, grayish crystal the size of a walnut. The scavenger's core.

Kai flicked the excess blood off his dagger and examined the core under the firelight.

"Not bad," he murmured. "Might fetch a decent price."

Darius, who had been leaning against his battleaxe, smirked. "You and your damn cores."

Kai rolled his eyes. "Unlike you, I actually care about making money." He tossed the core into a small pouch at his belt before moving to the next corpse.

Nate remained quiet, his gaze flickering toward the goblin core in his pocket.

The first one he had ever taken.

Back then, he had hesitated, unsure if he could stomach the act. But survival had a way of eroding hesitation. He had done it, even if his hands had trembled afterward.

But compared to Kai's efficiency, Nate's own actions felt painfully amateurish.

Nate remained seated on the cold rock, his body aching despite the lingering warmth of Elena's magic. The soft blue light around her fingers had faded, but a gentle hum of energy still hung in the air. Her violet eyes were focused on his wounds, as if trying to determine if she had missed anything.

She was too close.

Nate resisted the urge to shift away. Not because he distrusted her—at least, not entirely—but because the unfamiliar warmth of someone tending to his wounds unsettled him.

She tilted her head slightly, studying him.

"You're tense," she murmured.

Nate exhaled slowly. "Not used to this."

A faint smile touched her lips. "Being healed?"

He hesitated, fingers tightening around his katana. "Being cared for."

A flicker of emotion crossed her face, but she didn't push further. Instead, she placed her hands on her lap and glanced toward the other two.

Elena must have noticed his expression because she gave him a small, reassuring smile. "You're not used to this, are you?"

Nate shook his head. "No."

Darius chuckled. "You'll get there. First few times are always messy."

Kai scoffed. "If he survives long enough."

Nate ignored him.

Instead, he shifted his weight, adjusting his sword beside him. The katana still felt foreign in his grasp, like an extension of himself that hadn't fully bonded yet.

Elena hesitated before speaking again. "Why are you here, then?"

The question was soft, but it cut through the air like a blade.

Nate didn't answer immediately.

He had thought about lying—keeping his reason hidden.

But… what was the point?

He exhaled slowly.

"…Money."

Darius raised an eyebrow. "Aren't we all?"

Nate shook his head. "Not like that."

Kai, who had just finished pulling out another core, glanced at him. "Then how?"

Nate's fingers curled slightly.

"My mother is sick," he admitted, his voice steady but quiet. "Advance potion aren't cheap."

For a moment, no one spoke.

Even Kai, usually sharp-tongued, simply watched him.

Elena's expression softened. "…That's why you're fighting?"

Nate nodded. "I don't have a choice."

Darius let out a low whistle. "Damn. That's rough."

Kai twirled his dagger between his fingers, eyes thoughtful. "You're not a mercenary. Not really."

Nate met his gaze. "No."

"You're learning," Kai continued, his voice more observational than mocking this time. "Your swordplay… it's not bad. But it's not refined either."

Nate said nothing.

Darius smirked. "I'd bet you picked up that katana not too long ago."

"….Maybe one week"

Elena blinked. "That's… not a long time."

Kai chuckled. "No wonder you struggled."

Nate's grip tightened around his sword.

Kai tilted his head. "Relax. I'm not insulting you. If anything, it's impressive you're still alive."

Darius grinned. "Yeah, kid. Most people wouldn't last a week out here, let alone one week."

Nate didn't know how to respond to that.

Elena shifted, brushing her fingers against the fire's glow. "What about before this? Before you started fighting?"

Nate hesitated. "…I helpin my father in the shop."

Darius laughed. "A shopkeeper, huh? Guess that doesn't explain why you're carrying that thing around?" He questioned toward the katana.

Nate glanced down at it. The blade was still in good condition, despite the battles he had faced. He had taken care of it—just as he had been taught.

"…It was my father's," he admitted.

Elena's eyes softened. "He…?"

"He has given it to me before I came to the dungeon."

A simple line. But heavy enough to carry an entire story.

No one pushed further.

For a while, silence settled over them again, the fire crackling between them.

Darius leaned back, staring at the flames. "Well. If nothing else, you've got a reason to fight."

Kai nodded slightly. "Doesn't mean we trust you."

Nate met his gaze. "I wouldn't trust me either."

Kai smirked. "Smart answer."

Elena sighed. "You two are exhausting."

Darius chuckled. "Agreed." He stretched before standing. "Alright. If we're resting here for the night, we might as well do something useful." He glanced at Nate. "You ever sparred before?"

Nate hesitated, remembering the midnight-blue-haired girl who had helped him in his time of need.

"A little."

Kai rolled his eyes. "So that's a no."

Darius grinned. "Then how about a little practice?"

Nate frowned. "Now?"

"Why not?" Darius smirked. "You'll need to get better if you wanna keep surviving."

Kai stood, flipping his dagger once more. "He's right. We should see how well you handle yourself."

Nate exhaled slowly.

His body was sore. His mind was tired.

But they weren't wrong.

If he wanted to survive…

If he wanted to earn enough to save his mother…

If he wanted to return to his family..

He had to get stronger.

He slowly pushed himself up, fingers tightening around his katana.

"…Fine."

Darius grinned. "That's the spirit."

Kai twirled his dagger, his golden eyes glinting under the firelight.

Elena sighed but smiled slightly. "Try not to break him."

Kai smirked. "No promises."

Nate readied his stance.

The fire flickered between them, casting long shadows across the battlefield.

And then—

Kai moved.