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

"Better not touch that."

The man was kneeling by the shore, washing the blood from his blond hair and hands, not paying much attention to you. Ivar didn't ask how you were feeling, if you were injured, or if you needed help. He only said his name, let you get up, and left to wash himself in the stream that flowed beneath your feet. Below where he stood, the water was stained with blood, reminding you again of the terrible massacre.

Your stomach twisted a second time, but you managed to hold it together, especially when Ivar addressed you again in a husky tone.

"These things can secrete corpse poison immediately after their own death. Or before."

He nodded towards the demon's carcass, looking at you with his eyes as gray as the moon's glow. The swordsman then removed some of his armor from his hands to clean the blood from them as well. Ivar didn't even take off his helmet.