Lily crept through the dense underbrush of the forest, her heart pounding in her chest. The moon

  cast a silvery glow over the landscape, creating eerie shadows that danced in the corners of her

  vision. She moved as quietly as she could, her senses on high alert for any sign of the wolves that

  had been terrorizing the farm.

  As she navigated through the trees, she heard a rustle nearby. She tightened her grip on the

  dagger, her eyes scanning the darkness. Suddenly, a familiar figure emerged from the shadows.

  "Elias?" she whispered, her voice a mix of surprise and annoyance.

  Elias looked equally startled to see her. "Lily? What are you doing here?

  Before she could respond, a low growl echoed through the forest, sending a chill down her spine.

  The wolves were nearby.

  Elias's expression hardened, and he drew his sword. "Stay behind me," he ordered.

  Lily bristled at his commanding tone. "This is my quest," she snapped. "Don't think you can just

  take over."

  The wolves burst from the underbrush, their eyes glowing with a predatory light. Elias moved

  swiftly, engaging the first wolf with a series of precise strikes. Lily tried to help, slashing at a

  wolf that lunged at her, but her inexperience showed. She stumbled, narrowly avoiding a set of

  snapping jaws.

  "Watch out!" Elias shouted, dispatching another wolf before rushing to her side. "Stay focused!"

  Together, they fought off the pack, Lily doing her best to keep up with Elias's skillful

  movements. She managed to land a few hits, but it was clear she was struggling. Finally, the last

  wolf fell, and an uneasy silence settled over the forest.

  Lily turned on Elias, her frustration boiling over. "I told you; this is my quest! I didn't need your

  help!"

  Elias wiped the blood from his sword, his expression unreadable. "You would've been killed

  without me."

  Before Lily could respond, a shadowy figure stepped into the clearing. The man was tall and

  muscular, his presence exuding an aura of menace. He moved with a predatory grace, his eyes

  fixed on Lily and Elias.

  "Who the hell are you?" Lily demanded, trying to mask her fear with bravado.

  The man didn't answer. Instead, he lunged forward with shocking speed, grabbing both of them

  by their collars. Lily struggled, but his grip was like iron. Elias slashed at the man's arm, but the

  blade barely made a mark.

  With a grunt, the man dragged them through the forest, his strength overwhelming. They soon

  reached a cliff overlooking a deep ravine. The man didn't hesitate; he hurled them both over the

  edge.

  Lily screamed as she fell, her heart leaping into her throat. She felt Elias grab her hand, and

  suddenly their descent was halted. She looked up to see Elias's clinging to the cliff's edge with

  his left hand, his right hand gripping hers tightly.

  "Hold on!" Elias grunted, his muscles straining with the effort.

  Lily's mind raced. They were hanging precariously, the ground far below. "Don't let go!" she

  cried, desperation in her voice.

  Elias's face contorted with effort and pain. "Sorry," he muttered, his eyes locking onto hers for a

  brief moment. Then, to her horror, he purposefully let go.

  Lily's scream echoed through the ravine as she plummeted into the darkness. The world spun

  around her, and she felt a sickening jolt as she hit the ground below.

  Then, everything went black.

  When Lily's eyes fluttered open, she found herself in the main room of the tavern in Solace. The

  familiar surroundings were a stark contrast to the terrifying fall she had just experienced. She

  was lying on the floor where she and Elias had sat earlier.

  She sat up, gasping for breath, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. The Mark of Undeath had

  worked. She had respawned, just like Elias had said.

  Rage bubbled up inside her. Elias had let her fall. He had deliberately let her go. But why?

  Determined to get answers, she stood up and marched out of the tavern, ignoring the curious

  looks from the patrons. She headed back towards the woods, her mind focused on finding Elias

  and demanding an explanation.

  The night was still dark, the moon casting an eerie glow over the landscape. She moved with

  purpose, her anger fueling her steps as she retraced her path through the forest.

  "Elias!" she shouted into the darkness, her voice echoing among the trees. "Where are you?"

  Her only response was the rustle of leaves and the distant call of an owl. She continued forward,

  determined not to stop until she found him. She would get her answers.

  Lily pushed through the dense underbrush, her anger propelling her forward. Her heart pounded

  in her chest, the memory of Elias's betrayal burning in her mind. She stumbled over roots and

  brushed past low-hanging branches, her eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of him.

  As she moved deeper into the forest, she saw a flicker of light through the trees. A campfire. Her

  anger flared even hotter, and she burst out of the bushes, ready to confront Elias.

  But it wasn't Elias.

  The man who had thrown her off the cliff sat by the fire, his hulking form casting long shadows.

  Next to him, a small, scared boy huddled close, his eyes wide with fear. The overgrown man

  looked up as she appeared, a cruel smile spreading across his face.

  "You," Lily spat, her voice trembling with rage and fear.

  Before she could react, the man lunged at her, his massive hand wrapping around her face. His

  grip was like a vice, his fingers digging into her skin. Flashes of the cliff rushed through her

  mind, the terror of falling, the betrayal. She flailed and fought back; her dagger clutched tightly

  in her hand.

  With a desperate swing, she sliced his arm, the blade cutting through flesh. The man grunted in

  pain, releasing her as he staggered back. Lily took a step back, her breathing ragged, her mind

  racing.

  The man's eyes blazed with fury as he charged at her again, his intentions clear. Just as he was

  about to reach her, a swift motion caught her eye. Elias emerged from the shadows, his sword

  flashing in the firelight. With a precise, practiced movement, he slit the man's throat.

  The overgrown man fell to the ground, his lifeblood spilling onto the forest floor. Elias stood

  over him, his expression unreadable, his sword still dripping with blood.

  Lily's heart pounded as she stared at Elias, a mix of relief and confusion flooding her mind.

  "You," she said, her voice trembling. "You let me fall."

  Elias wiped his sword on the man's cloak, his eyes meeting hers. "I had no choice," he said, his

  voice steady. "We both would have fallen."

  Lily's anger flared again, but before she could respond, the small boy whimpered. She turned to

  look at him, his eyes filled with tears and terror. Her heart softened.

  Elias sheathed his sword and stepped towards the boy, his movements careful and deliberate.

  "It's okay," he said softly. "We're not going to hurt you."

  The boy looked between Lily and Elias, his small frame shaking with fear. Lily took a deep

  breath, trying to push aside her anger and confusion. She knelt down, holding out her hand to the

  boy.

  "What's your name?" she asked gently.

  The boy hesitated, his eyes darting to the dead man and back to her. "J-Jonah," he whispered.

  "Jonah," Lily repeated, offering a reassuring smile. "It's okay, Jonah. You're safe now."

  Elias nodded; his gaze still serious. "We need to move. There could be more of them."

  Lily stood up, her mind still reeling from the night's events. She looked at Elias, her eyes

  searching for his face. "We need to talk," she said firmly.

  Elias met her gaze, his expression softening slightly. "We will. But first, we need to get Jonah to

  safety."

  Lily nodded, understanding the urgency. They couldn't stay here. Together, they helped Jonah to

  his feet, and Lily cast one last look at the campfire, the dead man lying beside it. She took a deep

  breath, her resolve hardening.

  They moved through the forest, the weight of their experiences pressing down on them. Lily's

  mind churned with questions, but for now, she focused on the task at hand. They would get

  Jonah to safety, and then she would get the answers she needed.

  As they walked, the forest seemed to close in around them, the darkness deepening. But Lily felt

  a strange sense of determination. She was in this world now, with all its dangers and mysteries.

  She would find her place.

  Lily and Elias walked back to Solace in silence, Jonah holding tightly to Elias's hand. The boy's

  small frame trembled with every step, but he seemed to take comfort in the presence of his

  rescuers. The night air was crisp, and the forest's sounds provided a constant, uneasy backdrop to

  their journey.

  They arrived at the edge of town just as dawn was breaking, the first light of day casting long

  shadows over the buildings. The town's familiar voice echoed in Lily's head: "Welcome to

  Solace." She glanced at Elias, remembering his earlier surprise at her ignorance of such basic

  magic.

  They parted ways at the village square. Elias took Jonah to his mother, a woman with tearstreaked cheeks and a look of profound relief. She threw her arms around her son, murmuring

  words of thanks to Elias, who simply nodded and stepped away.

  Lily headed to the mayor's office, her mind still replaying the night's events. She handed in her

  wolf quest, the mayor nodding approvingly as he counted out her reward. The weight of the gold

  coins in her hand felt reassuring, a small but significant step toward establishing herself in this

  strange new world.

  Later, Lily and Elias found themselves back at the tavern, seated at the same table where they

  had first met. The tension between them was palpable.

  Elias broke the silence. "Why did you come back after I followed you? Why buy a dagger

  instead of a night's sleep?"

  Lily met his gaze, her eyes defiant. "I wanted to prove I could handle myself. That I wasn't just

  some helpless girl from another world. And I figured if I couldn't complete the quest, it wouldn't

  matter where I slept."

  Elias sighed, leaning back in his chair. "You want to join me, learn from me. Why?"

  "Because I need to survive here. I don't know this world, its rules, its dangers. But I know I have

  this mark," she said, showing him her wrist. "I can't die, but that doesn't mean I can't suffer. I

  Stolen novel; please report.

  need someone to teach me, and you're the only one I know who can."

  Elias studied her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "Alright. But there are

  conditions. I will not risk my life for you. You're here to help me get bigger quests, make more

  money. As soon as you're not useful or become a burden, I will leave you on the side of the road.

  Understand?"

  Lily nodded; her jaw set with determination. "I understand."

  Elias leaned forward; his eyes intense. "This world is cruel and unforgiving. If you want to

  survive, you have to be the same. No hesitations, no second thoughts. If you can't handle that,

  you'd better find yourself a nice husband and settle down. Because out there," he gestured toward

  the window, "mercy will get you killed."

  Lily felt a chill run down her spine, but she didn't back down. "I'm ready."

  Elias gave a curt nod. "We'll see. Meet me at dawn. We'll start with something simple, and we'll

  go from there."

  Lily watched him for a moment, then asked, "Why did that man kidnap Jonah?"

  Elias's expression darkened. "It's never good to ask why a man kidnaps a young boy. The answer

  is never good."

  With that, he stood up and left the tavern, leaving Lily alone with her thoughts. She stared at the

  table, the weight of his words sinking in. This world was nothing like the one she knew, and the

  path ahead was fraught with danger. But she was determined to make her way, no matter the

  cost.

  As she headed to her rented room, she glanced at her reflection in a nearby window. Her red hair,

  like a rose in bloom, framed her face, a stark contrast to the dark, unforgiving world around her.

  She took a deep breath, her resolve hardening.

  Tomorrow would be the start of a new journey, one that would test her limits and push her

  beyond what she thought possible. But she was ready. She had to be.

  Lily closed her eyes and lay down, the events of the day replaying in her mind. She was in this

  world now, and there was no turning back.

  Lily woke to the sound of bustling activity outside her window. She groggily rubbed her eyes

  and sat up, the events of the previous night coming back to her in a rush. She dressed quickly and

  made her way downstairs, finding Elias waiting by the tavern's entrance. He looked as if he'd

  been up for hours, his expression as stern and focused as ever.

  "Good morning," Lily said, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep.

  Elias nodded. "You're late. We need to get moving."

  "Where are we headed?" she asked, falling into step beside him as they left the tavern and

  stepped into the crisp morning air.

  "We're in the nation of Ardean," Elias explained, his eyes scanning their surroundings. "We're

  heading south to the border town of Stormwatch. After that, we'll go east into Drakoria.

  Stormwatch is known for its heavy storms, and there's usually plenty of opportunity for making

  money there."

  Lily nodded, absorbing the information. The streets of Solace were already busy with townsfolk

  going about their daily routines. She felt a mix of excitement and anxiety about the journey

  ahead.

  They walked in silence for a while, the town slowly giving way to open fields and dense forests.

  The path they followed was well-trodden, but the terrain grew increasingly rugged as they

  moved further from Solace.

  "Why south?" Lily asked, breaking the silence.

  "The storms," Elias replied without missing a beat. "They create chaos, and where there's chaos,

  there's work for people like us. Repairs, protection, monster hunting. It pays well."

  Lily nodded, though she couldn't help but feel a pang of unease. The idea of battling storms and

  whatever creatures thrived in such conditions was daunting. But she steeled herself, determined

  to prove her worth.

  As they traveled, Elias kept up a brisk pace, barely glancing back to see if she was keeping up.

  He seemed to move with a purpose, his every step measured and deliberate.

  "What's Drakoria like?" Lily asked, trying to make conversation and learn more about this world

  she now found herself in.

  "Harsh," Elias replied. "It's a land of deserts and rocky plains. The people there are tough, used

  to living in unforgiving conditions. There's a lot of wealth in Drakoria, but it's hard-earned."

  Lily fell silent again, her mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead. They continued

  southward, the sky gradually darkening as thick clouds rolled in from the horizon. The air grew

  heavy, a sure sign that storms were indeed common in this region.

  By midday, they reached a crossroads marked by a weathered signpost. One arrow pointed

  towards Stormwatch, its paint faded but still legible.

  Elias said, adjusting his pack. "Stay alert. The closer we get, the more likely we are to run into

  trouble."

  Lily nodded, gripping her dagger tightly. As they moved on, the wind began to pick up, and the

  first drops of rain splattered against the dusty path. She pulled her cloak tighter around her,

  bracing herself against the coming storm.

  The journey ahead was uncertain, filled with potential danger and the promise of hard-earned

  rewards. But Lily was determined to face whatever came her way, ready to carve out a place for

  herself in this harsh new world.

  They traveled for days, the landscape shifting from dense forests to open fields and back again.

  By the third night, they made camp next to a gently flowing river. The air was cool and the

  sound of the water soothing.

  Lily looked at the clear, inviting water. "I'm going to take a bath," she announced, grabbing her

  things.

  Elias nodded absentmindedly, busy setting up the campfire.

  Lily walked to the riverbank, relishing the rare opportunity for some privacy. As she undressed,

  she looked at her bra and grinned, flinging it into the river with a loud, "Thank god." The current

  quickly carried it away, and she laughed to herself.

  She waded into the river, enjoying the feel of the cool water against her skin. As she washed, she

  didn't notice that she had placed her pants too close to the edge. The current grabbed them,

  sweeping them away before she could react.

  "Shit!" Lily exclaimed, trying in vain to reach them. She watched helplessly as her pants

  disappeared downstream. Sighing, she finished her bath and trudged back to camp in her

  underwear and band T-shirt, feeling more embarrassed about losing her pants than being halfnaked.

  Elias looked up as she approached, taking in her state. A rare smile tugged at his lips, and he let

  out a low chuckle. "Lost something, did you?"

  Lily's face flushed. "Yeah, my pants. The river took them."

  Elias shook his head, still amused. "Hold on." He rummaged through his bag and pulled out a

  pair of sweatpants. "Here. We'll have to buy you more clothes when we reach Dolor."

  She gratefully took the pants and slipped them on. "Thanks."

  As they settled down for the night, Lily glanced over at Elias. "Could you tell me a bedtime

  story? Something about this world?"

  Elias raised an eyebrow. "A bedtime story? Alright. How about the legend of Wraith, the last

  dragon slayer?"

  Lily nodded eagerly, and Elias began.

  "Wraith was a warrior from the north, fierce and unyielding. She was renowned for her skill in

  battle and her unwavering determination. When the last dragon terrorized the land, Wraith took it

  upon herself to end its reign. She tracked the beast for weeks, through mountains and valleys,

  until she finally confronted it in a fiery showdown.

  "The battle was fierce, and Wraith barely emerged victorious. But as the dragon drew its last

  breath, it bestowed upon her a gift—a mark of the dragon. This mark gave her extraordinary

  strength and the ability to understand the language of dragons. She became a legend, a symbol of

  courage and power."

  Lily listened, captivated by the story. "Did she ever use the mark for anything else?"

  Elias shrugged. "Some say she continued to protect the land from other threats, others say she

  disappeared into the mountains, never to be seen again. But her legend lives on."

  As the fire crackled and the night deepened, Lily's curiosity got the better of hers. She turned to

  Elias, her eyes reflecting the flickering flames.

  "Do you have a title, Elias?" she asked, trying to read his expression in the dim light.

  Elias was silent for a moment, his gaze distant. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and measured.

  "Yes, I do. But it's not something I wear with pride."

  Lily leaned in, intrigued. "What is it?"

  Elias hesitated before answering, his eyes meeting hers. "Elias the Death Dealer."

  Lily's eyes widened, the weight of his title sinking in. She wanted to ask more but sensed that

  now was not the time. Instead, she nodded, understanding that there was much more to Elias than

  he had revealed so far.

  They sat in silence for a while, the fire providing a comforting warmth. Eventually, Lily broke

  the quiet, feeling a need to share something personal in return.

  "You know," she began, her voice soft, "I've always had a hard time because of my red hair. My

  family loved it. They said it reminded them of a rose. But people, including my friends, would

  often make fun of me. They'd say I was more like the thorns than the rose."

  Elias turned to look at her, his eyes reflecting the firelight. "People can be cruel," he said simply.

  "But they don't define who you are."

  Lily nodded, feeling a pang of emotion. "It was tough, though. I tried to brush it off, but it hurt.

  My family always tried to make me feel special about it, but the comments from others... they

  stuck."

  Elias was quiet for a moment, then spoke with a hint of something softer in his voice. "You have

  to learn to find strength in what sets you apart. It's not easy, but it's necessary."

  Lily took in his words, feeling a strange sense of camaraderie with this enigmatic warrior. They

  both carried burdens, titles, and pasts that shaped them in ways not easily understood by others.

  As the fire died down, Elias lay back, staring up at the night sky. "Get some rest," he said. "We

  have a long journey ahead."

  Lily nodded, settling down on her blanket. The warmth of the fire and the shared stories gave her

  a sense of comfort she hadn't felt in a long time. She closed her eyes, her mind still whirling with

  thoughts and emotions, but exhaustion soon claimed her.