As Srides and Sader delivered their report, Jamie's keen senses remained alert, his eyes methodically scanning their surroundings. The forest's usual ambient sounds had grown peculiarly muted, and something in the air felt off. Years of survival had taught him to trust these instincts, even while handling other matters.
Srides, noting his divided attention during their crucial report, paused mid-sentence. Her brow furrowed as she studied his alert posture. "What's wrong?" she asked, concern evident in her voice. "Did something happen? And more importantly, did you get anything of what we said while you're continuously keeping alert?"
Jamie's eyes continued their careful sweep of the perimeter, his mind processing both the report and his surroundings simultaneously. "Yeah, for reference, do you know anything about the seven monarchs of reality?"
The question caused Srides to stiffen visibly, her hands instinctively tightening around her staff. "Why? Those are the ones I'm most concerned about. Shadow informed us he has seen some strange humans walking towards our tribal grounds with ease, as if they've already bagged the trophy of the attack." Her words carried the weight of genuine concern, reflecting the gravity of the situation.
"About that," Jamie said, his voice carrying a hint of satisfaction tinged with caution, "I fought with all of them, and they weren't so strong as I thought, just barks considering their overly flashy names." He kept his tone measured, stating facts rather than boasting.
"What!?" Srides exclaimed, her eyes widening in shock, the implications of his words clearly affecting her.
Sader's reaction provided a sharp contrast, his weathered face breaking into a broad grin. "You've defeated them, huh! That's so like you!" His voice carried both pride and admiration for his leader's capabilities.
"Thanks!" Jamie replied, but the moment of acknowledgment was brief and businesslike.
Srides's expression darkened with urgent concern, her tactical mind already racing ahead. "Did you make sure to kill them afterwards?" The question came sharp and direct, loaded with years of experience dealing with dangerous adversaries.
"No," Jamie answered matter-of-factly, "I already gave them a humiliating thrashing. Let alone mercy by death further, as it would have only made me bittersweet to remember by all." His words reflected his principles rather than mere mercy.
"You idiot!" Srides exploded, anger flashing in her eyes as she took a step forward. "Those are bunch of ruthless fugitives! They've killed countless ones, and they'll come back at you one way or another!" Her words echoed with the weight of hard-learned lessons.
The conversation was abruptly cut short as several grenade-like artifacts landed in front of their tribal grounds, their metallic shells glinting ominously in the light. The attack that followed was precise and coordinated, suggesting military training. When it suddenly stopped, the silence felt more threatening than the preceding chaos.
Through the settling dust, a man in his forties stepped forward, his bearing marking him as the leader. His voice carried across the clearing with practiced authority. "You monsters! Come out and serve us from now on to survive, or face death!" The ultimatum hung in the air, heavy with menace.
Jamie's response was immediate and deliberate. Reverting to his unrestrained wolf form, he approached the man with calculated steps, each movement radiating controlled power. His voice, when it came, carried both strength and reason. "We are not slaves, we are beings, and we feel as much as you humans do!"
"You feel!?" the man's voice dripped with rehearsed contempt. "Fuck that short speech and bow down!" His words revealed both arrogance and ignorance.
"Wait, let me be frugal," Jamie said, smoothly shifting into his human form. The transformation sent visible shockwaves of surprise through the gathered crowd, their weapons wavering slightly in uncertain hands.
"He's a demon worshipper!" the man bellowed, falling back on familiar prejudices. "Kill him right now!" The order came swift and harsh.
The soldiers raised their weapons with military precision and opened fire. A protective shield materialized around Jamie—Srides's work—but the continuous impact of bullets began to wear it down, each hit creating visible cracks in the magical barrier.
Noticing Srides struggling to maintain the shield, her face contorted with effort, Jamie called out, "Don't worry! They won't see what's coming!" His voice carried confidence rather than bravado.
"Are you sure?" Srides managed through gritted teeth, her concentration evident in every line of her body.
"Yes, I'm positive!" Jamie's reply was firm and decisive.
"Okay, just so you know, it was nice meeting you," Srides replied, her voice carrying an odd gentleness despite the situation.
"Are ya interested in seeing me die or something!" Jamie yelled back, his tone more exasperated than angry.
"Oh, you jest me!"
"Then why the farewell line at the end?"
Srides blinked her left eye mysteriously, maintaining her concentration on the shield. "Who knows!? Just in case!"
Jamie sighed in defeat at her cryptic response, but before he could press further, Sader's voice cut through the chaos with characteristic timing. "Good fortune may be upon you!"
"Thanks!" Jamie called back, taking a striking position as he analyzed the tactical situation.
His attack was precisely calculated—a single punch delivered with devastating force. The leader flew backward at supersonic speed, his body impacting a spiky tree with lethal precision. As his head slumped forward, the finality of death was unmistakable.
The remaining attackers, rather than retreating as expected, raised their weapons with desperate determination. Jamie hesitated momentarily, his tactical mind assessing the unknown capabilities of their weapons. The situation hung in precarious balance until a familiar voice cut through the tension.
"Yo! How we doing with the troubleo?" the goddess's voice rang out, carrying its usual inappropriate cheerfulness.
"Such worse timing," Jamie muttered as time froze around them, the air becoming thick and static.
The goddess's presence manifested with tangible irritation. "I looked after you all this time, and yet you hate me like I'm some spoiled peach!"
"Who told to help this cucumber!?" Jamie's response was automatic and undiplomatic.
"Forget it!" the goddess snapped, getting to the point. "These people are not your enemy. The seven monarchs of reality are. There are mainly seven monarchs reserved for humans, and the rest three are for monsters. Among them, one of your wolf allies whom you've named Fear has obtained one, and surprisingly, his future wife also has one—Resolution, the epitome of will." Her words carried the weight of divine knowledge.
"And the last one?" Jamie asked, his tactical mind already processing the implications.
"It's better if you don't know," the goddess replied with uncharacteristic seriousness. "Times up! Fight and win!" The abrupt dismissal left no room for further questions.
As time resumed its normal flow, the humans unleashed their full arsenal. Dark smoke engulfed Jamie's position, but when it cleared, he stood unharmed, the ground around him untouched while the surrounding area bore testament to the attack's power.
The crowd's panic manifested in another desperate volley, their certainty of victory crumbling as Jamie merely coughed and said, "Nice try!" His casual response carried more impact than any threat.
As the attackers retreated in horror, Jamie modulated his voice to convey sincerity rather than superiority. "I won't kill you! I'm here to show you our power to highlight the fact that we don't attack despite having such abilities. To be honest, we mainly want to coexist with your kind." Each word was chosen carefully to bridge the gap of understanding.
"Coexist!?" one man shouted, raw emotion breaking through his military bearing. "Don't make me laugh! I lost my daughter two years ago due to your wolf kin! I don't know how you can become human despite being a wolf, but you're nothing but an abomination at heart!" His words carried the weight of personal tragedy.
Jamie's response was both dramatic and precisely calculated. Using his White Out skill to control blood flow and organ displacement, he punctured his own heart and removed it, the action serving as a powerful demonstration rather than mere theatrics. The man fell to his knees, and others turned away, their certainties shaken to the core. When Jamie returned his heart to his chest, leaving no trace of injury, the impact of his demonstration was evident in their stunned expressions.
The man who had spoken of his daughter covered his face, weeping not from weakness but from the profound shock of having his worldview challenged so fundamentally. "Why go so far?" he asked, his voice carrying genuine confusion rather than hostility.
Jamie's response came with a measured smile, neither triumphant nor condescending. "The world's a small place. It's awesome that you understood it soon enough!" His words offered hope rather than threat—a bridge across the divide of understanding that had claimed so many lives.
The man remained silent, his previous certainties crumbling in the face of this encounter. Around him, other soldiers lowered their weapons, not in defeat but in recognition of something their training hadn't prepared them for—the possibility of considering that their enemies were not the monsters they had imagined them to be.