CHAPTER 31: YOUR NAME SHALL BE LUNA

Dante wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He grinned and resumed devouring the meal, the crackle of the fire and distant forest sounds his only company. While eating, he glanced up and noticed the starry night that caught his attention. Stars lit up the sky like a celestial painting he’d seen back on Eldoria.

The thought of that land caused him to grow angry, but he shook his head. ’I need to control my rage, they can’t keep having something over me.’’

Afterward, Dante continued eating and drinking until his belly was full while his head spun thanks to the alcohol. That’s when Raoul commented from the other side of the fire. ’’My Lord. Go sleep, you’re drunk as a skunk and need some rest.’’

His red eyes narrowed at the Death Knight, but a sigh escaped his lips, answering. ’’You’re right, make sure none of those monsters sneak up on the tent.’’

The Goblin dipped its head in a bow as Dante stepped into the tent, its coarse fabric flapping softly in the night breeze. He slipped beneath the heavy, woolen sheets, their weight a comforting shield against the biting chill of the forest. As he settled in, the howls of beasts and the gentle rustling of the canopy overhead wove a wild lullaby.

His eyes grew heavy, and he drifted into a deep sleep, lulled by the untamed symphony of the wilderness. Outside, his Death Army and knight stood guard. They patrolled the perimeter, driving off any curious or daring creatures that ventured too close. By the time Dante woke up the next morning, he stepped outside only to be shocked at the sight.

Several giant tigers lie dead, causing him to recognize the beasts. ’’The killed Night Tigers, when did they try to attack?’’

’’An hour after you fell asleep, my lord,’’ Raoul answered from nearby.

Dante glanced at the Goblin and nodded. ’’Now let me dismiss seven weaker monsters to claim these. They are B Rank beasts.’’

Following that, he gathered up the corpse and pointed his hand at it. ’’Arise.’’

A surge of red mana erupted from Dante’s outstretched hands, crackling like wildfire as it ensnared the Night Tigers in a vortex of death. The beasts snarled, their bodies twisting and expanding. Muscles bulged, claws sharpened to wicked points, and their once-sleek fur blazed with an eerie red glow that pulsed like a heartbeat.

Their eyes, now twin orbs of red, just like his. As the transformation reached its climax, the largest of the pack threw back its massive head, its jaws parting to unleash a bone-rattling roar that shook the forest, sending birds scattering from the treetops and echoing through the night like a war cry from the abyss.

[Death Tiger - B Rank]

Dante looked amazed as the Death Tiger leader approached him and rubbed its giant head against his body, only for him to realize that it was a female. His hands ran through her soft black fur, making the beast purr. The sound reverberated through his entire body, putting a smile on his face.

’’You’re a strong girl, aren’t you?’’ he muttered in a soft voice.

The tigress rumbled a deep growl of agreement, her rough tongue swiping across Dante’s face in a surprising gesture of affection. A grin broke across his features, warmth flooding his chest as the sensation stirred memories of Luna, his loyal wolf companion. Her playful nudges and presence flickered in his mind, but the joy quickly soured.

His smile faded, replaced by a heavy frown as he recalled Luna’s sacrifice, a desperate act to protect him that was useless. The weight of that loss settled over him like a shadow, his gaze distant as the tigress’s steady breathing anchored him to the present as he remembered the day he met her as a pup.

***

’’Dante!’’ Ben called out. ’’Leave the wolf pup alone! She doesn’t want your help.’’

He ignored his best friend and scooped the little black wolf up and looked into her bright blue eyes. ’’I know your parents were killed by the Demons, but do you want to come with me? I promise to look after you?’’

As the tiny creature heard his words, her head tilted, her bright eyes sparkling. An excited yip escaped her, a sound so endearing that it put a warm smile on his face. Moments later, he wrapped his arms around the small beast, pulling her close in a gentle hug. ’’Perfect!’’ he declared. ’’From this moment on, your name shall be Luna and will stand by my side through every adventure.’’

The wolf pup, as if sealing their newfound bond, eagerly licked his face, her rough tongue tickling his skin. From that day forward, Luna became more than just a companion; she became an inseparable part of his world. She trailed faithfully at his heels, her playful energy and loyalty weaving her into the fabric of his life.

Her presence was a constant source of happiness for him, though it sparked a flicker of envy in Ashley, who couldn’t help but notice the connection between them. Dante, however, brushed off her concerns with a chuckle. But the wolf’s devotion knew no bounds, and her place in his heart only grew stronger with each passing day.

***

Tears brimmed in Dante’s eyes, threatening to spill over as the agonizing memory of Luna’s brutal death clawed at his heart. The pain was a raw wound, so unbearable that he forced himself to shove it aside, refusing to let it consume him. He shook his head sharply, his voice a low, furious mutter.

’’Never again,’’ he growled, his fists clenching until blood poured out. ’’They’ll never take anything I love from me ever again. My life and hers! For what! Your fucking paranoia! When I only ever wanted to retire in the south!’’

Sensing the storm of emotions raging within him, the tigress pressed closer. Her rough tongue flicked out, gently licking his tear-streaked face in a quiet gesture of comfort. Then, with a soft thud, she flopped onto her side, exposing her soft underbelly in a display of trust and vulnerability.

A faint smile broke through Dante’s despair as he reached down, his hand finding her warm fur. He began stroking her belly, the motion soothing both the beast and himself, grounding him in the present as the weight of his vow settled deep inside his soul. ’’How did you know to do this? Only she ever did that,’’ he questioned with shock in his eyes.

The tigress let out a low growl as if to answer, but he didn’t care to understand and continued stroking the beast until Raoul’s voice sounded from behind him. ’’I see that brought back something from the old life, you froze and never showed emotions apart from anger and twisted joy.’’

’’Yes, you’re right,’’ he answered. ’’Luna’s death is something that plagues me. Every night I dream of her and none of the humans I once knew, how come things change so much that I care more for her than the people I lost.’’

’’They weren’t worth your time,’’ the Death Knight countered. ’’They murdered you after helping them take care of the Demon King. Those humans are stupid and deserve what you’re going to do to them.’’

’’Yes, they will suffer and burn for what they did,’’ Dante replied, his rage coming back to the forefront. ’’I’ll make sure that the heroes, emperor, and the entire human population of the Sunreach Empire will become my soldiers to destroy the other realms.’’

After speaking, he felt the determination of the Death Knights and the army as they wanted to unleash their wrath on the people who killed him. Following that, Dante shook his head and continued toward Dreadport City while plotting for their downfall thanks to all the monsters he’d been collecting.

By the time the walls came into few, the defenders had pulled everyone back, thanks to them knowing someone was killing off the groups. When Dante saw this, he didn’t know what to do, but soon got an idea as he thought. ’I should pretend to be one of the adventurers, maybe I could use Bella to get inside?’

He looked at the blonde elf who was still quiet next to him and spoke. ’’Do you want to pretend to be lovers? They’ll let us in if I turn up with a merchant?’’

When the young woman heard this, her face went bright red, forcing him to reassure her. ’’It’s only an act so I can get into Dreadport; otherwise, the guards won’t let me in, considering I look evil.’’

’’Okay then,’’ she answered, steeling herself before looking at him with a determined expression. ’’Only on the condition you don’t kill any innocent elves, the others I don’t care about. The Darkmoore humans are nasty people and hate other races, but pretend not to.’’

Dante’s eyes narrowed in annoyance, but he nodded. ’’Alright, but be warned if any attack me, I’ll kill them either way.’’

’’That’s fine,’’ she replied with a smile that caught him off guard.

He shook his head and dismissed Roaul while walking toward the city. ’’Don’t smile at me like that.’’