...No, it can't be.
Faya thought.
There's no way he would know, Faya got the job secretly after all. But there's no way to misjudge those swings and that swordsmanship. There's no mistaking, it's him.
...Damn.
Even from where he is, he can feel how those huge slashes are reverberating. The Creepers looked like they are being sucked by that person's sword. Definitely, experiencing the worst moment in their life.
How can someone be that strong? That's beyond unfair, he thought.
...Crap! He's actually here. How did he know? Can I outrun him? I'm still surrounded. Did he already know I was here? Damn. I can't get away with these injuries.
The creatures in front of the boy didn't hesitate anymore. Knowing that they are being attacked from behind they all went and attack him in no time.
...Wha!
His hands move on their own as if had wills of their own.
He was astonished.
In his previous supposedly last moments, he was already prepared to die but his body moved, blocking the attack as a result.
Though that might've been a close call, he still smiled. However, that weird smile on his lips wasn't because of the relief of being rescued. It was probably because, in amidst of giving in to death, his body moved to prevent his end. He didn't want to die, after all.
It was fortunate to block the almost unseen attack but this isn't the end. He was still in trouble.
His side was wounded and so are his arms and wrists. There's no way he can defend himself with those all Dark Creepers ganging to him.
It was already a miracle he could move and on top of that made it that far with those injuries.
He let out a complaining groan as they push him hard to the trunk of the tree he was leaning on.
Just when he thought the other creepers were making their onslaught, a huge silhouette came from above then landed before him showing his broad back.
He didn't literally come out from nowhere though Faya almost thought of that.
There's a tree behind him. That might've been where the man came from.
"Faya! Here you are, you stupid pupil of mine!" A voice began to echo amidst the dark forest. No, this was not just a voice. It was the deep voice of a man. A shadow that resembles a human began to shape in his eyes.
The man soon glanced to his back looking at Faya with eyes as if inspecting a corpse. After running his eyes through Faya from his head to toe, he let out a sigh fogging the cold space in front of his mouth.
"I can see you still block like a princess." The man bellowed a laugh.
Faya can't even talk back.
A man looking in his late thirty's came greeting Faya's miserable state. The man closely resembles a huge bear because of his huge muscular build, wearing his heavy armor.
Surrounding his neck down to his shoulders, armpits, and waist is a chain mail. Covering the chainmail is a heavy breastplate that housing his chest down to his abdomen. He's covering his arms with metal armguards with shimmering stones tied to them. Anything down to his torso is leathered.
Faya wondered how can that man wear those stuff and still move at an incredible speed and not even drop one bit. And let's not actually include the huge and heavy sword that's taller than himself that he's been swinging around like a toy while carving creepers.
Everyone called it a Barbarian sword but it has an actual name, Expunger; it's his 'favorite' weapon.
Looking at his waist is a normal-looking sword that remains sheathed. It has a lock having signs of being unused for a long time.
Faya wondered when will he use that blade.
After taking care of the initial trouble, the man looks at him squinting his eyes for a moment then heaves a sigh before widening his eyes.
Something is about to go down.
"You've done it, kid. You really did. How dare you do this to me?"
The man pauses for a moment to collect his thoughts. His anger is in plain sight yet he still struggling to keep it in check by massaging his temples.
Faya looks quizzical.
...Uhhm? E-Excuse me? N-Now's probably not the time. T-Take a moment and look around. C-Can't you see that we're surrounded?
Even in his mind, Faya is vocalizing broken words.
"Master, is something wrong?" Faya tried to break the tension.
"You certainly got a nerve to ask me what is wrong?!" This man whom he revered as master yelled at him.
"How many times do I have to tell you that these areas are off-limits." He pointed to Faya's chest that pushes him back to the tree.
"But -
"You're supposed to teach basic skills to our new recruits."
He didn't let Faya speak.
"You left your post!"
"You stole my gambling money!"
"Hey, it's not me." Faya immediately answered.
His master pauses for a moment to inspect Faya's reaction expecting to capture a liar's face.
"Anyway, you disappoint me."Another sigh from the man.
"I know that already. I always do." Faya replied.
He tried to smile but it turns into a frown.
...I'm not that stupid. I know how dangerous the dark lands can be. Master Rokusai is just being a worrywart.
Faya said in his mind as he turns away.
"This boy..." His master observes him as an unseen creeper pounces at him.
Rokusai massages the bridge of his nose looking at the boy as the creeper forces its hairy limbs towards Faya. As if that's not worst enough, another two creepers pounce at him as well.
"O-Old …man?" Faya let out a weird forced smile.
"Dark Creepers are known species for their huge strength in numbers. They may be small in size and said to be the weakest but their numbers can never be underestimated. How many times do I have to tell you that?"
"Aren't you here to help me or what?" Faya yelled frantically at him as their sharp fangs rubbing and fending to his sword deepens.
Their total mass made his knees bend in agony. His hips were convulsing so are his wobbly arms.
The sound was disturbing his ears when their hardened limbs are rubbing at his sword. Just a few more centimeters in and they're about to stab him with it.
Their blue eyes glimmer in madness and strange whitish fluid exits their mouth dripping to his bloodied leather armor.
"What?!" His master looked furiously with pointy eyebrows and having lines carved within his face.
"I mean, please help me, Master?" It sounded a huge yell but meant to plead like a cat. Faya said while pushing back the ferocious creature. A large swing from his sword pushes it back.
Seeing it lose its balance, he knew he can't let this chance go. As his sword was swung upwards, he suddenly pulled it back without delay then assumes a charging pose. With his left foot at the back and the right at his front, he swung the sword as quick and strong as he could upwards. A clean hit perhaps. He smiled and sighed for what he did then look at the man who is watching.
...See that? Hahaha!
From that stance, he made a boastful face almost celebrating his victory.
The Master notices despite managing to hit a successful slash, the creeper is still moving.
"You never learn Faya. Hurry up, you stupid student of mine!" The man yelled as he quickly jump forward to block the swift unseen attack towards Faya.
"Always deliver a decisive blow. Always swing your sword with the intent to kill. How many times do I have to remind you that?" His master stressed out.
The creeper is not dead yet. It readies its next attack. Knowing this, the Master pushes Faya forth letting the creature hit its fang to Faya yet narrowly evade it by a hair.
Seeing the moments occur, Faya let out a gasped almost bulging his eyes. The Fangs got through near between Faya's left shoulder and armpit, shallowly piercing his shoulder armor.
The master then instantaneously pulled him throwing him outside the battle. Faya lands horizontally before brushing a few more meters away.
...Damn. Can't you think of any gentler way to save me next time?
Faya groans while using his sword to stand on his feet as he tries to go farther from the fray. Backing a few meters is all he can do. When he found a rock that he can lean on, he sat and rested.
Thanks to his master's huge existence on the battlefield, he's safe. All Dark Creepers seems to be taunted by his Master's presence.
...I know Master Rokusai can be a pain with the sharpness of his tongue but his skills are the real deal. He is known for being called the Weapon Meister. Indeed, a fitting name for someone who mastered all weapons.
As Faya closely look how Master Rokusai magnificently beat the heck of all monsters in front of him, he was breathless. Looking at his broad back made him realize the power scaling between him and his master is huge.
Faya's eyes were soon turned to his Master's enemies, the poor creepers.
...There were twenty or more like thirty? I guess that was too much. But still, it's too many. Can he still be fine?
Faya was just so awed by the view he was seeing. He can watch this all day without complaining. He's seeing the Weapon Meister in action.
Those Creepers are not exactly weak. How can that fight be so one-sided? A simple answer surfaces and that is because his master is just too strong.
...No mercy at all. He knows he's strong and he's flaunting it. Those huge swings and powerful slices.
He can hear those slashes cutting creepers as if they are just wind.
But little did Faya know, while he's busy observing his Master swordplay, silhouettes started to get nearer towards him.
...This is bad.
He commented in his head as soon as he notice. Creepers are starting to gather around him. These are probably the ones who strayed from the fight.
However, before he can stand and assume a battle stance. A loud roar interferes that makes Faya lose his balance bumping his butt cheeks on the ground.
"This is..." His eyes scan the area around him.
...The trees are shaking?
He heard of this before. A basic skill that requires intense vocal exercise. It's basically shouting aloud. The effects of this skill differ for every user but the goal is to halt the target's movements.
...A taunting roar.
All creepers around stop moving for a moment. Some are twitching and some seem irritated. After the roar ended, all of them began crawling towards Master Rokusai.
...I guess I'm safe.
During the rowdy battle between his outnumbered Master and the creepers, a voice came to his ears from the back.
As soon as he heard this voice, his face turn sour.
The voice laugh.
"Serves you well!" The voice said. It almost sounded from an angel from its pitch and tune. However, the choice of words made Faya's face more dejected.
The voice came from a girl.
He searched for the owner's voice only to be disappointed. You can really tell from his "Ugh" face.
...Not this again.