Summoned with an SSS-Rank Portal Skill

Sarah had changed a lot since the last time William had seen her. It wasn't her appearance—her face was still the same, warm and familiar—but her aura. She radiated a strength and confidence that hadn't been there before. It was clear that her training with Master Elric had paid off. She carried herself with the poise of someone who had faced challenges and come out stronger.

Unlike William, who relied on his sword, enhancing magic, and his newfound demonic powers—though he couldn't use those around Sarah—Sarah had a different approach to combat. Strapped to her back was a sleek, intricately designed magical bow.

She was a Magic Archer, a rare and highly skilled class that combined precision with powerful magical attacks. William couldn't help but feel a pang of envy.

He had always focused on close-range combat, but seeing Sarah's bow made him realize the value of having a long-range option. It was something he'd need to consider learning in the future.

"Is it hard to use the bow?" William asked, his tone casual but curious. "It looks… impressive."

Sarah laughed, a light, melodic sound that brought back memories of their time on Earth. "I'm sorry," she said, still smiling. "It's just so nice to talk to someone I actually know. It's been a while since I've had that." She paused, then answered his question. "It's not too hard to use, at least for me. I can teach you someday, if you're interested."

William nodded, though he wasn't sure if he'd ever get the chance. His demonic abilities made it difficult to blend in, and he couldn't risk revealing too much to Sarah. Still, the offer was tempting.

Victoria, who had been quietly observing their interaction, felt a strange unease settle over her. She couldn't quite put her finger on why, but seeing William so comfortable and familiar with Sarah bothered her. She told herself it was just because she didn't know Sarah well, but deep down, she knew there was more to it. She pushed the feeling aside, focusing instead on the task at hand.

That night, they decided to stay at the tavern, each taking a separate room. William made a point to speak with both Sarah and Victoria in private, for different reasons.

With Sarah, he emphasized the importance of keeping their identities as summoned heroes a secret. "Not everyone here is friendly," he explained. "If people find out who we are, it could put us in danger."

Sarah nodded, understanding the need for caution. "Don't worry," she said. "I won't say anything."

With Victoria, the conversation was more delicate. William needed to ensure she didn't reveal his demonic nature or the true purpose of their mission. "Sarah doesn't know about my… abilities," he said carefully. "And it's better if it stays that way. For now, at least."

Victoria raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. "Alright," she said. "I'll keep it to myself."

As William lay in his room that night, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt. He had asked Sarah to trust him, to work together, yet he was keeping so much from her. But he reminded himself that she was likely doing the same. Master Elric had sent her on a mission, and William doubted she was sharing all the details with him. Trust was a two-way street, after all.

The rooms in the tavern were simple, not particularly clean, and clearly not designed for frequent visitors. But after days of traveling, William wasn't picky. A bed was all he needed, and he fell asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow.

The next morning, they gathered outside the tavern, ready to depart. The village was quiet, the early morning light casting long shadows across the dirt road. The forbidden zone loomed ahead, its dark, foreboding presence a stark contrast to the relative safety of the village.

William took a deep breath, his resolve hardening. "Let's move," he said, his voice steady. "We've got a long way to go."

Together, the three of them set off toward the deeper parts of the forbidden zone, each carrying their own secrets and motivations. The road ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: they would need to rely on each other if they hoped to survive.

They followed a narrow, muddy road that wound its way deeper into the woods. The further they went, the more the atmosphere changed. The cheerful sounds of the village—the chatter of villagers, the clinking of tools, the occasional bark of a dog—faded into silence. The air grew colder, and a chilling breeze swept through the trees, carrying with it an eerie stillness.

"Winter makes it even harder to walk around here," Sarah commented, her breath visible in the cold air. She adjusted the strap of her magical bow as she spoke. "The snow is a pain to trudge through, but at least some of the beasts are hibernating. Makes things a little easier."

The way she spoke made it sound like she had experience in this area, which caught William's attention. He glanced at her, his expression curious. "This isn't your first time here, is it?" he asked.

Sarah hesitated, her steps faltering for a moment. "It is my first time," she said quickly, though her tone lacked conviction. "Why would I come here before?"

William raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. He could tell she wasn't being entirely truthful, but now wasn't the time to push. Instead, he nodded, pretending to believe her. "I see. But yeah, you're right about the snow."

Victoria, walking a few steps behind them, chimed in. "Where are all the beasts everyone keeps talking about?" she asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and skepticism. "Everyone says this place is practically a death sentence, but I don't see the reason. It's just… quiet."

As if on cue, Victoria's words seemed to summon trouble. From the shadows of the forest, a group of skeletons emerged. These weren't the frail, disjointed skeletons one might expect. They were clad in rusted plate armor, their bony hands gripping weapons—swords, axes, and shields. Their hollow eye sockets glowed with a faint, menacing light, and they moved with an unnatural coordination.

William cursed under his breath. Without his sword—Victoria was still carrying Asura—he was left with only his fists. He clenched his hands, preparing for a fight, but Sarah was already in action.

She nocked an arrow to her bowstring, her movements fluid and precise. As she drew the arrow back, her fingers traced glowing runes along its shaft. The arrow began to emit a bright blue light, pulsing with concentrated mana. Without hesitation, she released it.

The arrow shot forward with incredible speed, piercing through the first skeleton with a loud crack. But it didn't stop there. The arrow continued its trajectory, obliterating four more skeletons in its path. Bones and fragments of armor scattered in all directions, one piece nearly hitting William in the head. He ducked just in time, his heart racing.

"Incredible," Victoria murmured, her eyes wide with awe.

William was equally impressed. Sarah's attack had been swift, precise, and devastatingly powerful. The fact that she could unleash such force from a distance was both impressive and intimidating. It made him wonder—if it came down to it, could he win against her in a fight?

The remaining skeletons, undeterred by the destruction of their comrades, continued to advance. William shook off his thoughts and focused on the immediate threat. "Stay sharp," he said, his voice firm. "There's more coming."

This time, it was William who took the initiative. Without hesitation, he dashed toward the group of skeletons advancing on them. His movements were swift and precise, his body fueled by the mana now flowing freely through him once again. He didn't need to rely on magic for this fight—his enhanced physical strength was more than enough.

One of the skeletons, wielding a rusted scimitar, swung its weapon in a wide arc aimed at William's neck. He ducked effortlessly, the blade whistling harmlessly over his head. In the same motion, he drove his fist into the skeleton's torso. The impact was devastating; the skeleton's ribcage shattered, its bones scattering across the ground.

But William wasn't done. Six more skeletons surrounded him, their weapons raised and ready to strike. Yet, despite their numbers, they were no match for his speed and reflexes. Their attacks were slow and clumsy, and William dodged them with ease, his movements almost fluid.

As the fight progressed, it became clear that William was only getting faster. His body, which had been dormant for so long, was quickly adjusting to the rhythm of combat. Each punch, each kick, was delivered with precision and power, dismantling the skeletons with brutal efficiency. Bones crunched and armor clattered to the ground as William tore through the undead foes.

Victoria watched from a distance, her grip on Asura loosening as she realized she didn't need to intervene. William had everything under control. Sarah, too, stood back, her bow lowered. Her initial attack had been impressive, but William's display of raw strength and skill was on another level.

When the last skeleton fell, its bones scattering across the muddy road, William straightened up, his breathing steady despite the exertion. He turned back to the others, his expression calm but satisfied.

"That was impressive," Sarah said, her tone a mix of admiration and curiosity. "And you weren't even using spells. How do you have such a strong body?"

William hesitated for a moment, his mind racing for a plausible explanation. The truth—his demonic bloodline—was something he couldn't reveal. Instead, he smiled and shrugged. "Lots of strength training," he said casually. "I followed the regimen of that bald man…"

Sarah burst out laughing, immediately recognizing the reference. "I see," she said, still chuckling. "Be careful, or you'll end up bald too."

William grinned, relieved that she had taken the explanation at face value. "I'll keep that in mind."

Victoria, who had been silent during the exchange, finally spoke up. "Let's keep moving," she said, her tone practical. "Before more skeletons show up."