Death Guns In Another World

The sky was a clear sapphire blue, painted with streaks of drifting clouds that resembled brushstrokes across a tranquil canvas. The cries of mountain hawks echoed faintly in the distance as Alex and Saeko walked along the narrow trail winding through the forest behind the mountain. Shafts of sunlight filtered through the leaves, scattering golden light upon the moss-covered ground.

They had spent hours sparring earlier that day, their blades clashing like lightning and thunder—metal ringing, dust swirling, the air trembling with power. Now, silence replaced the storm.

Alex walked ahead, his cloak swaying lightly, the faint sound of his boots pressing into the grass blending with the whisper of wind. Saeko followed a few steps behind, her breathing calm yet faintly uneven from the strain of their earlier battle.

“You’ve gotten stronger,” Alex said suddenly, his voice steady and warm.

Saeko smiled faintly. “Not strong enough to make you take me seriously.”

He glanced over his shoulder with a small grin. “You’re wrong. I was serious… in my own way.”

She rolled her eyes softly. “If that’s what you call serious, then I’ll have to train until you actually try.”

The banter between them faded into comfortable quiet as the sound of rushing water grew louder. After several more minutes of walking, the trees opened up into a breathtaking scene—a secluded glade surrounded by cliffs, where a waterfall cascaded from a height of nearly thirty meters into a crystalline lake below. Mist rose from where the water struck the surface, scattering rainbows in the sunlight.

Saeko stopped in awe. “It’s beautiful…”

Alex smiled at her reaction. “I found this place during one of my training sessions with Nyx. It’s quiet—no one ever comes here.”

The two descended to the lake’s edge, their boots brushing against smooth river stones. The air was cool and damp, carrying the scent of water and pine. Alex knelt beside the water and cupped a handful to drink—it was cold and clean, refreshing as mountain ice.

After setting down their packs, he turned to her. “You’re sore, aren’t you?”

Saeko hesitated but then nodded slightly. Her battle against him earlier had left her body aching, especially her arms and shoulders from parrying his overwhelming strength.

Alex smiled gently. “Then let’s fix that. I’ll help you recover.”

He waved his hand, summoning light from his item box—a thick woven mat, large enough for two, and two light towels that glowed faintly with runes of purification.

“We’ll clean up first,” he said casually, walking toward the lake.

They stepped into the shallows together, dressed in light wraps tied securely around them. The cool water rose to their waists, and Saeko gasped softly at the chill.

“Cold?” Alex teased.

She shot him a sidelong glare but smirked.

“I’ll manage.”

They stood under the waterfall next, letting the stream crash down on their shoulders. It wasn’t as harsh as it looked—the falling water felt like thousands of soft fingers drumming against their skin, washing away the fatigue of battle. The roar of the waterfall drowned out the world.

For a moment, there were no words—only the sound of water, the rhythm of their breaths, and the faint thrum of mana that seemed to pulse with the heartbeat of the earth.

Saeko tilted her head back, letting the water pour over her face, her hair clinging to her shoulders. She closed her eyes, her expression softening—peaceful, almost childlike.

Alex watched her for a moment from beneath the veil of water.

“You really do look at peace when you stop trying to be a warrior every second, it reminds me you’re a sheltered princess before” he said quietly, recalling the past.

She opened one eye. “And you look less like a god of war when you stop training for once.”

He chuckled. “Fair trade.”

When they returned to the mat spread near the water’s edge, the afternoon light had turned warm and golden. Alex motioned for her to sit, then lie on her stomach.

“I’m going to use mana flow to ease the tension,” he explained, kneeling beside her. He was using his dexterous fingers, once upon a time he got the title related to his fingers.

“It’ll feel warm. Tell me if it hurts.”

Saeko rested her head on her folded arms and nodded silently.

Alex placed his hands gently on her shoulders. Soft blue light spread from his palms, seeping into her skin like waves of calm energy. He began to move slowly, his fingers tracing along the muscles of her neck and back, releasing the knots of strain one by one. His movements were steady and precise—like a swordsman performing a kata.

The magic pulsed rhythmically, in harmony with her breathing.

Saeko exhaled deeply, her body relaxing against the mat. “You ate still good at this.”

”Well, I used to massage you and the others a lots.”

The air was filled with the gentle hum of mana, the scent of crushed herbs, and the low murmur of the waterfall.

He shifted his hand down to her lower back, applying just enough pressure to melt away the stiffness from her sparring movements.

“Your stance today—better than before. You’ve improved your control over the wind,” he said.

Her lips curved faintly. “I’ve been training to catch up with you.”

“You don’t need to catch up,” he replied quietly. “Just walk beside me.”

For a moment, Saeko’s heartbeat quickened—not from the magic, but from his words. She turned her head slightly to glance up at him, her eyes reflecting the gold of the setting sun. “Then don’t leave me behind again.”

“I won’t,” Alex said, and the promise in his voice was firm, unshakable.

When he finished, Saeko sat up slowly, rolling her shoulders. The fatigue was gone—her body felt light, almost floating. “I feel amazing,” she admitted.

“Told you.” Alex smiled, dispelling the remaining traces of mana from his hands.

“Now, we rest.”

He lay down beside her, both of them sitting up after a moment, gazing toward the distant horizon. The waterfall shimmered like liquid glass as twilight descended over the forest. Fireflies began to drift from the trees, their golden lights dancing in the air.

Alex opened his item box once more, taking out a bottle of fine red wine and two small glasses, along with a plate of fruit and biscuits.

“Wine by the lake,” Saeko said, amused.

“You really came prepared.”

He smirked. “Always.”

They toasted lightly and drank. The wine was smooth and rich, its flavor deepened by the mountain air. Saeko leaned slightly against him, her head resting on his shoulder as they both looked up at the sky.

The stars emerged, one by one, until the heavens were painted in silver constellations. The sound of the waterfall became a soothing lullaby.