Yuki ???? ??????????

[New Quest Complete: Kill the Seismoworm]

[Reward: 300 Exp Points]

[Current Exp: 2,250/8,000]

[Aura: 350]

[Level Up]

[Level Up]

[Level Up]

[Level Up]

[Level Up]

Zaire's hands trembled, a mix of adrenaline and exhaustion coursing through him. "This world is insane. I almost died again," he muttered aloud, his voice echoing in the stillness of the forest.

"You almost died?" came a voice from behind. Zaire turned to see the boy with black, tousled hair and piercing red eyes approaching him. The boy's intricate blue tattoo seemed to glow faintly under the forest's dappled light.

"Yeah, it was close... Wait, you're that underdressed kid from earlier," Zaire said, recognizing him immediately.

The boy smirked. "Underdressed? Look at yourself, you're practically wearing a bush. What are you, a caveman?"

"Hey, show some respect when you're talking to a dragon," Zaire retorted, puffing out his chest.

The boy burst into laughter. "A dragon? Seriously? There haven't been any normal dragons around for ages."

"Wait, I thought you'd freak out knowing I'm a dragon and all," Zaire said, a hint of confusion in his voice.

"You're not a dragon," the boy replied dismissively.

"I am!" Zaire insisted, his eyes narrowing.

The boy shrugged. "Even if you are, look around. This world is full of monsters and humans, so nothing surprises me anymore."

"Hold on, does that mean you're a monster too?" Zaire asked, suspicion creeping into his tone.

"Yep," the boy said nonchalantly.

"What kind of monster are you?" Zaire pressed, stepping closer.

"That's not something I can disclose," the boy replied, his eyes glinting mysteriously.

"Okay, I guess. I'm Zaire el Hunter," Zaire said, extending a hand.

The boy's eyes widened slightly upon hearing Zaire's full name. "Huh? What's wrong?" Zaire asked, noticing the boy's reaction.

"Nothing, I'm Yuki," the boy replied, a bit more guarded now.

"Anyway, bye," Zaire said, turning around and starting to walk off.

"If you're trying to get out of this forest, you're going the wrong way," Yuki called after him. "Plus, even though you're living in a monster world, you are required to wear clothes."

Zaire stopped, chuckling awkwardly. "Oh, hahaha. But you're talking like they'd kill me or something."

"They would. There's a law," Yuki said seriously.

"Oh," Zaire responded, the gravity of the situation sinking in.

"Actually, the way you were coming from is the way out, you know," Yuki added, pointing in the direction Zaire had been walking from.

Zaire looked at Harry, his loyal lizard companion perched on his shoulder, and sighed. "So we were walking lost, huh?" he muttered to himself.

As they started walking together, Yuki suddenly noticed Harry on Zaire's shoulder and stopped dead in his tracks. "Shh, don't move. There's a lizard on your shoulder. I'm gonna kill it," Yuki said, his eyes narrowing as he prepared to strike.

"Oh, thank you," Zaire began, then his eyes widened in realization. "Wait, what?!" He ducked just in time as Yuki's hand slapped down where Harry had been moments before.

"Are you crazy? You almost killed him! His lizard life flashed before his lizard eyes!" Zaire exclaimed, his voice a mix of anger and disbelief.

"Stop being such a drama queen," Yuki said, rolling his eyes.

"Shut up, you murderer!" Zaire shot back.

"I'm not a murderer; I didn't know he was your pet," Yuki defended himself, crossing his arms.

"He's not a pet; he's my friend," Zaire replied, his tone softening as he gently patted Harry.

"Okay, weirdo," Yuki said, shaking his head with a smirk.

The two continued their banter as they made their way through the forest, each step bringing them closer to the unknown adventures that lay ahead, the forest around them alive with the rustling of leaves and the distant calls of strange creatures.