The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

KEITH followed where the voices were coming from. His hand was already at the side, ready to take out his sword at any sign of danger. He hadn't yet arrived at the place and yet he could already feel that disgusting aura that was unique to demons.      

If he was still apprehensive at the start, he was the total opposite now. He did not hesitate to run towards where the voices were coming from. It didn't take long for him to arrive there.      

The first thing he saw was the three people being surrounded by a group of demons. And they were not just ordinary demons, they were at least mid-grade. The three people being surrounded were two men and a woman. The two men were standing in front of the latter. Just based on their body language, anyone could see that they were protecting the woman.     

Keith didn't care much though. He only came here so he could kill some demons.      

He rushed forward without saying anything. He took out his sword and coated it with his aura. And he didn't hesitate to attack.     

The three people were startled by the young man's sudden appearance. They were even more surprised by the ease the other was killing these demons. The young man's technique was not sophisticated like a knight nor as powerful as a swordsman. His blade was efficient and swift.      

Every time he moved, there would be a demon dying by his blade. The parts that he slashed were all fragile parts that could cause instant death once they were inflicted. Cutting the head or stabbing through the heart were just two examples.      

The young man didn't miss every time he attacked. Instead of a swordsman, the other looked more like a butcher. The two men watching couldn't help but have goosebumps. The woman, on the other hand, had a different feeling about it.      

Although she was surprised, she was, by no means, scared. What she's feeling was more of… anticipation. She wanted to see just how good the young man was. That's why she didn't dare look away.     

"Go and help him," she said to the two knights by her side.     

"But your highness—"     

"Go. I will be fine here," she said, cutting off whatever the two was going to say. Because she already knew what it would be. They would just say that they had to protect her. "We can't just let someone who's kind enough to help us fight those demons alone."     

The last thing she said seemed to get through her two knights. But they still looked very reluctant to leave her alone. So, as a compromise, one knight stayed by her side and the other helped the young man.      

With the two working together, defeating the demons became much easier. Although it took quite a lot of time, they managed to kill them all without any casualty.      

Keith swung his sword to the side, making the blood of the demons he killed shook off at the force. He was planning to continue hunting when a voice called out to him from behind.     

"Wait, please."     

He glanced back and saw that it was the woman. Now that there were no demons around, he finally had a good look of the three people. Among them, the woman was definitely the most remarkable.      

She had long strawberry blond locks and a pair of baby blue eyes full of determination. Keith could quickly tell that the other must be one of those aristocrats. He had dealt with one or two before when he went to the nearest town to sell the remains of the demons he killed. But the impression he had of them was the worst.     

In this era when everyone could be killed easily by a demon attack, they still think that they're above everyone else. He didn't like that. He didn't like the fact that they think their lives were more important just because of their bloodline.      

So, seeing the woman, the frown on his face became even more prominent. "Is there something?"     

The question was sharp and neat, just like the way he fought with his sword. Somehow, the woman felt like she's being hated for no reason. But because of her upbringing, she did not get angry or annoyed. Maybe the other was just the type who didn't trust people easily.      

That's why she still said in a good-natured way, "Thank you so much for helping us get rid of those demons. If it's okay with you, can you escort us to the nearest town? I promise, you'll be compensated well."     

Keith was slightly startled by the woman's generous attitude. Because it was too different from the aristocrats he had met before. And it didn't feel force as well. The rejection he felt at first for the other lessened a bit.      

Thinking of the other's request, he could kill demons while earning good money on the side. And since the other seemed to be a good enough person, there's really no reason for him to reject her offer. So, he agreed at the end.     

The woman smiled brightly with that. "Great! I'm Eleanor, by the way. What's your name?"     

"Keith."     

=====     

That's how the characters of Stephen and Sienna met.      

Keith accompanied Eleanor and her party to the nearest town, killing all the demons he saw on their way. Arriving at the town, Keith didn't plan to stay. After getting his money, he was planning to leave but Eleanor stopped him again.      

This time she told him that the kingdom of Apyrus, the place where they lived, was planning a demon subjugation. If he's interested, he could sign up for it at the mercenary guild of this town.      

Keith was obviously very much interested just based on his expression. Everyone in the audience could immediately tell what he's thinking – a chance to kill more demons!     

He immediately signed up for this subjugation. He was told of the date and the place everyone participating would gather.      

It was there that the plot of the movie fully took off.