Chapter 3: The Great Escape

Before starting their journey, Rika wanted to clean herself up but she ran away when she remembered what happened before when she was betrayed by her own guard.

As Rika was running, she was attacked by a group of bandits. But Vell swiftly saved her and fought against the bandits with his martial arts, though he wasn't able to kill all of them.

Vell asked Rika why she ran away but she didn't answer anything and Vell didn't force her and understood that Rika still didn't trust herself.

"Rika, what's wrong? Why did you run away?" Vell asked.

Rika didn't answer and kept quiet.

"It's okay, I understand if you don't want to talk about it now. Let's get moving," Vell said with a warm tone, trying to ease the tension between them.

But as they continued their journey, the bandits came back for revenge.

"Vell, they're back," Rika warned.

"Don't worry, I'll handle it," Vell replied confidently.

The bandits charged at them but Vell was quick to defend, using his martial arts skills to fend them off. Rika was surprised at how skilled Vell was in combat and she couldn't help but admire his bravery.

Despite the odds, Vell and Rika managed to defeat the bandits and escape unharmed.

"Wow, you're really good," Rika said, impressed.

"Thanks, I've been training for years," Vell replied modestly.

The two continued their journey and their relationship began to change. Slowly, Rika started to open up to Vell and trust him more. Vell also began to understand Rika's past and why she was so distant towards him.

The journey ahead was not going to be easy, but they were determined to reach their destination and complete their mission together.

Vell and Rika finally arrived at a city that was destroyed by demons. Rika looked around in awe, amazed by the destruction she was witnessing.

"What happened here?" Rika asked Vell.

"This city was attacked by demons," Vell replied. "They're creatures that feed on human suffering and destruction. They've been a problem for centuries, and they've destroyed many cities like this one."

Vell and Rika began to explore the city, looking for food and supplies. Rika was fascinated by all the new things she saw in the city, including the bell tower, the kitchen, the beds, the wardrobes, the piano, and the horse-drawn carriages.

As they were exploring, Rika asked Vell if he could play the piano. Vell agreed and began to play Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 17 "Tempest". Rika was mesmerized by the beautiful sound and she couldn't help but feel a sense of peace in the midst of the destruction around her.

After their brief moment of respite, Vell and Rika continued their journey. They needed to go underground to get some supplies that Vell had hidden away. To get to the supplies, they had to swim, but Rika didn't know how to swim. Vell quickly found a board and helped Rika get across the water.

When they finally found the supplies and brought them back to the surface, they were attacked by a group of demons. Vell ordered Rika to retreat to the back while he fought off the demons. Rika did as she was told, but she was attacked from behind by one of the demons. Vell came to her rescue and saved her, but she was injured in her shoulder. Another demon attacked Vell, but he fought back with all his might.

As they continued to fight off the demons, Vell and Rika's dialogue was intense and full of adrenaline. They were both determined to survive and protect each other from the demons. Their fight was intense and Vell's skills were on full display, showing how much he had grown as a hunter.

In the end, they were able to escape the city and continue their journey to the Kingdom of the Sacred. But the battle with the demons had left its mark on both of them, reminding them of the dangers they would face in their journey ahead.