— Leave him, Pike.
A new voice — calm, yet laced with something that made even the stranger freeze.
Through the haze of pain, Gray saw him.
— Raine? — Pike's grin twisted. — Collecting strays again? Try and take him.
"Raine... That Raine?"
Raine stood relaxed, yet poised. His clothes—simple, functional. A katana at his hip. But his eyes... They burned with something hungry.
— Bad move. — Raine smirked. — We both know how this ends.
— Prove it.
Pike lunged.
Where Raine had stood was now empty air.
The fight lasted one second.
A blur of motion—then Pike hurtled backward, skull ringing from a brutal kick. The air warped around them, pulsing with barely visible energy.
"That fast...?"
Gray had never seen such speed. The realization burned worse than his wounds.
Pike stood, wiping blood from his lips. Raine brushed dust from his cloak.
— Could've used my sword. — Raine tilted his head. — You wouldn't be smirking then.
— You'll regret this, Raine. — Pike spat crimson. — This trash will drag you down.
He vanished into the trees.
Raine hauled Gray up like a sack of grain, carrying him to a nearby stream. The water here was clean—a miracle in these lands. Icy, but he soaked a rag and wiped the blood from Gray's face.
— Still alive? — He uncorked a vial. — Drink.
Gray tried to turn away, but his body refused. The liquid burned his throat—sweet, then bitter. Heat flooded his veins. The pain dulled.
— Why? — Gray rasped.
— I've been looking for you. — Raine's eyes gleamed. — Heard there was a hunter who fears neither monsters nor Griefers. I need someone like that.
Gray laughed weakly, spitting blood.
— Saw how he wrecked me. I couldn't even—
— You haven't reached your limit yet. — Raine offered a hand. — I'll teach you.
Gray stared at that hand. A chance.
"Raine... The man who raids them alone."
"If I refuse... I stay weak."
He grabbed it.
— Then lead the way.