'Is it over?'
After the sounds of battle ceased, Shama tried to peek out from between the arms of her sister, who was holding her tightly. The scent of fear still lingered in the air, mingling with the dust of the unsettled battlefield.
"Sister," Shama whispered, "the hero has won."
Her words were like magic, pulling her sister out of her trance. Her grip loosened slightly, though not before confirming the situation for herself.
When Shama finally broke free, she rushed forward with excitement, but her sister—predicting her move—grabbed her quickly.
"Shama, stop! Have you lost your mind?" she cried, her voice choked with worry.
In the middle of her scolding, Shama suddenly covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes widening in shock, leaving her sister puzzled.
"W-What?"
"Sister," Shama whispered, pointing a trembling finger at her sister's face, "your face... It's uncovered."
A cold shiver ran down the elder sister's spine. She touched her face with trembling fingers and discovered the horrifying truth—her veil had been lost during the battle, likely blown away when Vio had carried them with his incredible speed.
"Quickly," she said, grabbing Shama's hand, "we need to return home now."
"But sister," Shama protested, "the hero—I mean, the honored one—ordered us not to move. He might be angry if he returns and finds we disobeyed him."
Her sister narrowed her eyes at Shama, scrutinizing the shift in Shama's tone when she mentioned the hero.
"At least one of us should stay," Shama added hastily, trying to mask the faint blush creeping onto her cheeks. "Someone has to remain. I'll go. But... the honored one might see your face."
Although her younger sister's manipulative attempts were obvious, the thought of someone seeing her unveiled face filled the elder sister with a deep dread. She let go of Shama's hand and ran toward their home, leaving her sister behind.
Shama didn't move until her sister disappeared from view. A faint smile crept onto her lips.
'My poor, silly sister... The hero already saw your face. What's the harm if he sees it again?'
Her smile brightened as she began to move lightly, hopping over the debris left by the battle. She stopped abruptly when her gaze landed on Zaves's severed head.
She tilted her head, studying the frozen expression of pain on his face. Sticking her tongue out childishly, and resumed her journey toward the hero, completely unaware of the strange phenomenon that turned Zaves's head into a black skeleton.
Cheeks flushed as she saw Vio sitting on the ground, catching his breath, blood surrounding him. She observed his disheveled hair and the strong features of his face, stained with his enemy's blood.
'The hero is so strong...very strong.'
Continued to study his features, recalling the moment he saved her and how he had wrapped his arms around her waist. Her blush deepened, adding a special charm to her natural beauty.
Vio suddenly stood, regaining his energy with surprising speed. He began scanning the horizon, which piqued Shama's curiosity.
'Wow, the hero recovered so quickly... but what is he looking at?'
While Vio communicated with the system, Shama observed the changes in his expression, shifting from frustration to fear, then to excitement.
"Oh, right, of course," Vio muttered.
This only deepened Shama's confusion.
'Hu, the hero doesn't speak our language.'
She remembered that since he arrived in the village, he hadn't said a single word. Even when he asked them to stay in place, he had only gestured.
Vio began searching Zaves's corpse and retrieved a key. Shama watched him, realizing he wasn't from Baniaasif.
'The people of Baniaasif don't search for the dead. So, the hero isn't from here.'
Holding the key, Vio looked dissatisfied about something.
'A key... does he want to use that demon's key? I have to help him.'
She strained her memory, trying to recall the identity of the demon. However, her memory—much like Vio's—only retained what was deemed useful. Ugly faces were not something she bothered to remember, leaving her unable to recall anyone.
'No matter, I'll ask the village elders. They have to be useful for something.'
Vio suddenly turned, meeting her gaze. Her heart raced, unsure of what to do.
He gestured for her to step away.
'Does he want me to come closer?'
While lost in thought, her feet began moving on their own.
Vio turned and walked away, prompting her to quicken her steps to walk beside him.
He stopped, so she stopped too.
'What? Is there...'
A deep growl interrupted her thoughts.
Grrrr, grrrrr
In a split second, Vio wrapped his arms around Shama's waist, pulling her away from the jaws of a wolf that had appeared behind her, attempting to bite.
The wolf's attack missed, and it stepped back slightly. Vio narrowed his eyes, anger surging within him—this creature had nearly destroyed all his efforts by trying to kill Shama.
The wolf growled, its hatred blazing in its eyes. It opened its mouth recklessly, still intent on attacking Shama.
With a swift movement, Vio sidestepped, dodging the attack, then raised his foot with lightning speed and brought it down on the wolf's head.
"Thud!"
He made sure not to strike too hard— didn't want to blow its head off.
'You bastard, sneaking around in the shadows trying to ruin my reward!'
Lifting his foot again, lammed it down on the wolf's head.
"Thud!"
His anger wasn't appeased, so he repeated the motion over and over.
"Thud!"
"Thud!"
"Thud!"
He didn't stop until he saw the spark of determination fade from the wolf's eyes. As he noticed sparks of electricity dancing across the wolf's fur, his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of clapping nearby.
Shama, her eyes shining and smile radiating admiration, was clapping for Vio, who smiled at her awkwardly.
Raising his foot once more, stomped down again.
"Thud!"
The clapping grew louder.
He repeated.
"Thud!"
The applause became even more enthusiastic.
Vio didn't stop until the wolf was on the verge of drawing its last breath.
In a sudden moment of awareness, Vio realized Shama's mature figure was still in his arms. Embarrassed, he let her go.
'Get a grip, Vio. What's wrong with you? Have you gone mad?'
Shama stepped aside. A flicker of hesitation crossed her face, but it quickly disappeared. She then raised her hand toward him.
Vio looked at her delicate, beautiful hand.
'Does she want a handshake? Is this their way of showing gratitude here?'
He shook her hand casually. She bowed her head, her face flushed, and mumbled something he couldn't catch—and even if he had, he wouldn't understand it.
"Shama!" Her sister's voice broke the moment, making Shama quickly withdraw her hand and step back.
The older sister arrived, bowing her head to Vio.
"Thank you, honored one, for saving us," she said before pulling Shama away with her.
Vio turned his attention back to the wolf, noting how it differed from the wolves he had faced before. It was larger, more muscular, with red eyes and sharper fangs. Fortunately, he sensed its danger at the last moment.
It reminded him of the demon—it had also been difficult to detect.
'Could the demon be your master?'
Vio's gaze made the wolf tremble violently, as if it had realized its fate. He dragged it away from the villagers' sight, like a butcher hauling his prey to the slaughterhouse.
Eventually, the wolf collapsed, lifeless, its body emitting smoke from the electric shocks.
[Activated 'Micro Repair']
[Health]
Overall Health: 100%
'Not bad.'
[EP Charged: 100/100]
[66XP Gained]
Vio exhaled deeply as the Mission was finally completed.
[Mission 'Protect Zeer Village' Completed.]
[Surviving Souls: 420/1,579]
[Most Valuable Soul: 1/1]
[Mission Updated]
[Mission: 'Protect Zeer Village']
Type: Protection
Requirements: Threat to the village.
Restrictions: None.
Description:
A hero is called a hero because they do heroic deeds. When the opportunity arises, be a hero.
Objective:
Protect the villagers of Zeer Village.
Rewards of all surviving souls:
40 XP
8 Plastic
16 Metal
4 Steel
4 point
Special Bonus:
Every soul is precious, but some souls are more valuable than others.
If the hero can save the most valuable soul, he will be blessed.
Penalty for Failure: Minor Punishment: A hero's shame.
[Grade: A]
[All Rewards Will Be Multiplied by 6.]
[Rewards Obtained: 240XP, 48 Plastic, 96 Metal, 24 Steel, 24 Points.]
[Congratulations! You saved the most valuable soul and received the blessing: 'Savior of Souls.']
[Savior of Souls]
You are called a hero for a reason. You have saved and will save many lives. We cannot simply stand by and watch. From now on, all of the hero's stats will increase by 300% while saving others.
[New Title Earned: 'Wolf Slayer']
[Wolf Slayer]
It seems the hero enjoys hunting wolves. From now on, when fighting wolf-type creatures, the hero's stats will increase by 100%.
[The hero killed a Demon.]
[The Demon's Chest Obtained.]