Reeve and the girl moved across the dead stretch of Frostveil, their footsteps crunching softly against frozen soil. The land felt endless—no landmarks, no warmth, no sign of life. After a while, Reeve finally spoke.
"…We're really far from Grimfang Wastes, aren't we?"
"Yes," she replied calmly. "Very far."
Reeve sighed. "Then… is there anything to eat nearby?"
She glanced at him, then nodded once.
"There is."
The air in front of them shimmered, and suddenly a wall of white smoke rose from the ground, stretching upward like a curtain between worlds. It didn't feel hostile—just unfamiliar.
She stepped forward, then stopped. Turning back, she said,
"Come inside. Into your world."
Reeve blinked. "Huh? My world?"
"Yes," she said. "On the opposite side of this smoke lies a world similar to yours. Food. Trees. Life."
Still confused, Reeve followed her.
The moment he crossed the smoke—
His eyes widened.
Fruit trees stood tall and healthy, their branches heavy with colors he hadn't seen since leaving his original world. The air was warm. Alive. Familiar. Apples, berries, grains—things he recognized.
"…This," Reeve whispered, smiling for the first time in a while, "this is amazing."
He turned toward her, about to praise her—then hesitated.
"…Wait. I don't even know your name."
She looked at him, moonlight reflecting faintly in her eyes.
"My name is Tsukiyra."
Reeve smiled wider. "You're amazing, Tsukiyra."
He reached up, plucked a fruit from a tree, and took a bite. Sweetness filled his mouth—and with it, relief. As he ate, he looked around again, frowning slightly.
"…This place," he said slowly. "It didn't feel this big before."
Tsukiyra nodded. "That is because I bonded with you. This world expands as your mana expands."
Reeve froze mid-bite. "…Then one day, this could become a whole new world?"
"If you survive," she replied simply, "yes."
After finishing his meal, Reeve dusted his hands. "Alright. I'm done."
"Then let's go," Tsukiyra said.
Just as Reeve took a step—
"…Wait," he said, narrowing his eyes. "Who's that behind the tree?"
Tsukiyra glanced over. "I don't know. Perhaps someone I saved."
A man stepped out cautiously, lowering his head.
"Thank you," he said, voice trembling. "For saving my village. For giving us a place to live."
Reeve watched as the man gestured behind him—small homes, newly grown trees, signs of life forming a quiet settlement.
"You even increased the land," the man added. "And gave us more forests."
Reeve looked at Tsukiyra and smiled.
"I thought you were a demon," he said softly. "But what is this?"
The man stiffened when he heard that word.
In an instant, he drew his weapon and lunged toward Reeve.
Before the blade reached him—
Tsukiyra vanished.
She reappeared beside the man, her hand locked around his neck, lifting him effortlessly. Her eyes burned crimson.
"You want to die?" she whispered.
"N–No! I'm sorry!" the man choked, then forced a nervous laugh. "I didn't know—"
"He is my master," Tsukiyra said coldly. "And therefore, yours as well."
The man's eyes widened. "I—I'm sorry, Master."
Tsukiyra released him. Silence returned.
---
She turned to Reeve and began to speak of her world.
"This realm was once empty," Tsukiyra said. "A sanctuary for those erased by war, famine, or demons. Souls with nowhere to return."
She gestured around them. "When I ruled alone, it remained small—unchanging. But now… it reacts to you."
Reeve listened quietly.
"Your mana doesn't just strengthen you," she continued. "It creates space. Stability. Growth. That is why the land expands."
The man stepped forward again, bowing deeply.
"My village was destroyed by demon beasts," he said. "She saved us when no one else did. We built homes here… slowly. Carefully."
"We live because of her," he added. "And now because of you."
Reeve looked around—the trees, the homes, the people who should've been dead.
"…This place isn't a demon's world," he murmured.
Tsukiyra smiled faintly. "No. It is a refuge."
And somewhere deep within Frostveil, the world responded—quietly expanding, preparing for what was to come.