The forest was thick and oppressive, each step forcing Miguel to push harder against the brambles and roots. His body ached from days of travel, but something gnawed at him — a faint, desperate cry that had reached his ears not long ago.
It could be a trap… he thought, gripping the crude spear he had fashioned from a broken branch.
But he pressed forward. His heart wouldn't let him walk away.
Finally, he broke through a dense thicket and froze.
There, beneath the withered arms of an ancient tree, a figure slumped against a thick wooden post — chained like an animal.
Her skin was a pale dusky tone, her silver hair matted and tangled with blood and dirt. Torn rags barely covered her battered body. Pointed ears twitched weakly.
A dark elf.
Miguel hesitated.
Am I really seeing this?
In all the anime and games he loved back in Japan, dark elves were either fearsome warriors or tragic beauties. But this — this was no fantasy.
This was real.
This was suffering.
"Hey!" he called out cautiously, stepping closer with his spear lowered. "Are you alive?"
The elf flinched at his voice, barely lifting her head. Her eyes — a deep, vivid violet — were clouded with pain and distrust.
"Stay back…" she croaked, her voice hoarse. "Don't… touch me."
Miguel raised both hands in surrender. "I'm not here to hurt you," he said slowly. "I just want to help."
A low growl echoed through the trees.
Miguel turned sharply — three grotesque, dog-like beasts were emerging from the shadows, their skin mottled and torn, their eyes burning with hunger.
Monsters.
His mind raced.
He had no magic. No armor. Just a makeshift spear and adrenaline.
The system pinged.
[Quest Alert: Protect the Captive!]
[Rewards: +50 EXP, +10 Reputation, Unlock Trust Path]
Miguel gritted his teeth.
No turning back.
He lunged at the nearest beast, jabbing the spear into its throat. The monster yelped and recoiled, blood spraying onto the ground.
The second beast leaped, fangs snapping — Miguel dodged awkwardly but stumbled, feeling claws rake across his arm.
Focus!
He rolled to his feet, driving the spear upward as the third creature pounced. The point pierced the monster's underbelly, and it collapsed with a pained howl.
The first beast, now furious, lunged again — but Miguel was ready. He sidestepped and slammed the shaft of the spear into its head with all his strength.
It fell, twitching, then lay still.
Heavy breaths tore from Miguel's lungs. His hands shook — not from fear, but from the raw surge of survival.
The system chimed again:
[Quest Completed!]
[+50 EXP Gained!]
[+10 Reputation with Sylvara (Dark Elf Slave)]
He turned back to the elf. She stared at him with wide, disbelieving eyes.
"You… you fought for me?" she whispered.
Miguel nodded, wiping blood from his cheek. "You need help. Let me get those chains off."
Cautiously, he approached and examined the cuffs. Old and rusted. He found a large stone nearby and after several strikes, managed to break the locks.
The chains fell away with a heavy clang.
The elf collapsed into his arms, too weak to stand.
Miguel caught her, cradling her gently.
"My name's Miguel," he said. "What's yours?"
She hesitated, shivering from exhaustion. "Sylvara," she murmured.
"Alright, Sylvara. Let's get you somewhere safe."
He hoisted her onto his back carefully. She was light — far too light for someone her size.
As he carried her through the woods, she spoke in broken phrases, revealing bits of her story.
"I was… a slave," she said. "Captured… sold… abandoned when I became… useless."
Miguel's heart twisted.
"This world isn't a dream… it's brutal."
They found a small cave hidden by thick vines and settled there for the night. Miguel started a fire and gave her some of his dried rations.
Sylvara ate slowly, still wary.
"You don't have to trust me yet," Miguel said, noticing her glances. "But I don't plan to hurt you. I'm just… trying to survive. Like you."
She studied him for a long moment. Then, silently, she nodded.
Miguel smiled tiredly. "Rest. Tomorrow… we figure out what's next."
As the fire crackled, Miguel leaned back against the cave wall, spear within reach.
He stared into the flames, feeling the weight of this strange world pressing down on him.
Saving one person doesn't change the world, he thought. But maybe… it's a start.
Somewhere deep inside, the System pulsed quietly —
— a reminder that choices shape destinies.