In the dark, dark forest, you were destined to die. It was obvious, it seemed destined, when you felt the monster's cold saliva dripping down your neck. The demon was huge and hideous, its body covered in blisters and bearing little resemblance to a humanoid creature. And after Guts' bloody intervention, it looked even more like a pile of rotting meat.

"Better not touch that."

The man was kneeling by the shore, wiping the blood off his prosthetic, not paying much attention to you. Gats didn't ask how you were feeling, if you were hurt, if you needed help. He only said his name, helped you up, and left to wash himself in the stream beneath your feet. And this was the famous Black Swordsman? You didn't know whether to thank him for saving you or for not killing you. Down where he stood, the water was stained with blood, reminding you again of the terrible massacre Guts had caused.

It was more like a meat grinder than a fight and bloody images began to flash before your eyes. Your stomach twisted a second time, but you managed to restrain yourself, especially when Guts addressed you again in a hoarse tone.

"These things can secrete corpse poison immediately after their own death. Or even before. Make sure this thing doesn't explode right under your nose."

He nodded towards the demon carcass, looking at you with his brown as amber eyes. The swordsman then removed some of the armor from his hands to clean the blood from them. A familiar growl was heard from the forest.