Deep within the cave, an intense battle raged between two unlikely opponents. Derick, a formidable beastman, and Rizki, a visitor who had spent three years in the peaceful elf village, clashed furiously.
Rizki, initially indifferent to the village's affairs, had been pulled into this conflict because it involved innocent children. His heart blazed with anger as he confronted Derick, who had endangered the safety of the village's youngsters.
With each strike, Rizki's determination blazed forth. He had picked up some tricks from Liora, and now he used them to fend off Derick's relentless attacks. Their duel was a wild display of power and skill, a chaotic dance of fists and blades. Derick, the beastman, matched Rizki's every move, refusing to yield an inch.
Hidden within the cave's shadows, a group of elf children watched the battle in awe. They stared at the human who fought valiantly to protect them, their eyes wide with admiration and gratitude.
Rizki's relentless assault showcased the fruits of his three years of grueling training. Memories flooded his mind, reminding him of the days he had been thrown into icy lakes, forced to dive deep, and trained to dodge attacks even in his sleep. He vividly recalled the lightning-fast arrows he had dodged, each trial shaping him into the warrior he had become.
As Rizki pressed his advantage, Derick found himself on the defensive. He muttered quietly to himself, nearly drowned out by the clashing of weapons, "He can use all three battle arts. If I want to exploit these kids for profit, I need to find his weakness."
In his mind, Derick repeated the word "weakness" like a mantra. He watched Rizki closely, searching for any sign of vulnerability. And then, in a fleeting moment, he saw it—a brief lapse in Rizki's defense.
With the precision of a seasoned warrior, Derick seized the opportunity. A powerful strike landed squarely on Rizki's chest, causing him to cry out in pain as he was sent tumbling backward. Blood trickled down Derick's face, a testament to Rizki's formidable skills.
Gritting his teeth, Rizki managed to rise to his feet, clutching his injured chest. He spat out a mouthful of blood and declared, "I came here as a visitor, never wanting to harm anyone. But you've crossed a line by hurting Liora, who isn't even at her full strength anymore."
He paused, catching his breath, his words filled with conviction. "Even if Liora still possesses great strength, believe me, you've crossed a line by killing her children and harming innocent people. Such actions are unforgivable, even for a villain."
Derick's response was a maniacal laugh that echoed through the cave. He raised his sinister scythe, positioning it menacingly at Rizki's throat. "You have no idea how she obliterated my daughter and wife! Their lives are a paltry price to pay for shattering her."
In a tense standoff, Derick's scythe hovered dangerously close to Rizki's throat. "I can end you right now," Derick taunted. "But given our shared heritage, I'll give you a choice. Join me in my endeavors, and we can both profit."
Rizki fixed Derick with an icy glare, his gaze unwavering. "You call this business?"
With a grin that oozed malice, Derick chuckled. "You've got some guts, I'll give you that," he replied, the sinister gleam in his eyes intensifying. Then, in a swift motion, he brought the scythe even closer to Rizki's neck.
But before the fatal blow could land, an interruption came from afar. A brilliant azure-colored magic spell struck Derick's shoulder. Though it didn't inflict any visible harm, it sent him reeling backward.
"I'll let this slide, Rizki," Derick sneered, a hint of frustration in his voice. "Real men don't call for reinforcements."
With a swift teleportation, Derick vanished, leaving Rizki gasping for breath on the cave floor. Two women, Eve and Everyn, soon appeared at his side. They were Rizki's wives, two of the four women he cherished.
"Thank goodness Everyn's mirror allowed us to pinpoint this location!" Eve exclaimed with relief. She then turned to Rizki and asked, concern lacing her voice, "Are you alright, Rizki?"
Rizki coughed up more blood but managed a weak smile. "He struck me right in the heart, but it's nothing I can't handle."
He gestured toward a nearby cage, prompting Eve and Everyn to gasp in shock at what they saw.
Eve and Everyn's hearts ached as they observed the distressed elven children. They couldn't bear to see the little ones suffering in captivity. With heavy hearts, Eve spoke, "They're all from our village, Everyn."
Without hesitation, Everyn rushed to the cages and began to remove the seals one by one. She gently reassured the frightened children that they were safe now.
One of the children, with striking yellow hair and two different colored eyes, approached Everyn. She pointed toward Rizki and said, "That brother... he is strong..."
The young elf then walked over to Rizki, gratitude in her eyes as she thanked him softly. Rizki, his mannerisms refined by the teachings of Liora, bowed respectfully in return. He had come a long way since he first arrived in the elf village, now understanding the value of their culture and traditions.
As Rizki observed the children more closely, he noticed something troubling. Chains still dangled from their wrists, and it angered him. He asked with a growing sense of frustration, "That chain..."
"Oh, those?" Everyn replied, effortlessly breaking one of the chains. "They knew these children wouldn't fight back, so they gave them dummies."
Rizki's expression darkened. "It was the act of a beastman hero," he declared, his voice filled with anger. "That man committed unspeakable acts against the girls. I don't care about the cuffs, but enslaving them..."
Rizki tried to stand once more, but the pain coursing through his body overwhelmed him, and he cursed aloud. "Damn it! If only I were stronger! Not in my world, not in this world... People are powerless in the face of such atrocities!"
Eve held Rizki firmly, comforting him with her presence. "You did what you could, Rizki," she reassured him. "You protected these children, and that's what matters."
Rizki, despite his determination, found himself unable to rise. The elven children, around twenty of them, surrounded him with expressions of gratitude and admiration.
One of the children, the same one who had patted his head earlier, spoke with a gentle smile, "Don't blame yourself, brother. You saved us, and we are happy about it."
The other children nodded in agreement, their eyes filled with gratitude.
Moments later, the girls returned with the village guards, ensuring the safety of the rescued children. Meanwhile, inside the cave, elf medics attended to Rizki's injuries, which were severe given the intensity of the battle.
As Rizki received medical attention, he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude and responsibility. He looked at the elf medics and asked, "Is there anything I can do to help you guys? I want to repay your kindness."