Faster!
I have to get there faster!
This bad feeling in my chest can't be something good!
I looked behind me, seeing if Titan could still follow behind me. After the bad feeling arose, I sprinted towards the direction of home.
*Rustle*
"Grahh!!" A wolf with red eyes tried to bite me but, I dodged to the side and stabbed the ice dagger down it's throat.
This isn't good. Why are the monsters from the eastern side of the forest here!
The wolf collapsed with a final, pitiful growl, its body twitching before going still. I yanked the ice dagger free and glanced at Titan, who had just crushed another wolf under his massive paw. His glowing blue eyes met mine, and he gave a nod, as if urging me to hurry.
"I know, Titan! Let's move!"
We darted through the forest, the trees blurring past us. My heart pounded, not from the exertion but from the growing dread clawing at my chest. The bad feeling only intensified with every step.
The sounds of battle reached my ears—shouts, growls, and the unmistakable crash of something massive hitting the ground. My village!
I didn't think twice. "Titan, charge!"
Titan rushed forward, his sword shining a dangerous gleam.
---
The scene that greeted me as we burst into the clearing made my blood run cold.
Scarface was grappling with a giant scaled beast, his massive frame straining as he held its jaws open. Gorn was darting around, trying to find an opening to attack, while Tink threw small but precise explosives at the creature, which only seemed to irritate it further.
Boulder stood protectively in front of a group of young monsters, his massive body acting as a shield. Grumpy was trying to help the adventurers, who were clearly overwhelmed despite their best efforts.
"Hold the line!" Scarface roared, his voice booming.
The merchant and her party looked battered, their movements slowing as exhaustion began to set in. One of the adventurers was bleeding heavily, barely able to stand.
The beast roared again, throwing Scarface off with a powerful thrash of its head. The ogre flew back, landing with a sickening thud.
"Scarface!" Gorn shouted, his voice cracking with panic.
"Agh!" Grumpy's pained cry echoed through the chaos, his usually gruff tone now filled with pain.
Oh, this guys are dead.
The fuck they think they're doing to my brother?
To my fucking employees?
And that's when I decided enough was enough.
---
"Get down!" I shouted, my voice cutting through the noise like a whip.
Everyone froze for a moment, their eyes snapping to me. Without missing a beat, I raised my hand and summoned Glacier Spikes.
Ice erupted from the ground, piercing the beast's leg and pinning it in place.
The creature howled in pain, thrashing violently.
"Aria!" Gorn's face lit up with relief, but he quickly refocused. "It's about time!"
Titan lunged at the beast, his sword raking across its side. The beast roared, trying to swipe at him, but Titan was fast, darting in and out of range with terrifying precision.
"Gorn, Tink, flank it! Scarface, Boulder, Grumpy—focus on protecting the others!" I barked out orders, my voice firm and commanding.
The monsters snapped into action, moving with a renewed sense of purpose.
I took a deep breath and activated Frostbound Aura. The temperature in the clearing plummeted, frost spreading across the ground and coating the beast's scales. Its movements slowed, and its growls became more labored.
"Let's end this," I muttered, summoning an ice spear with a flick of my wrist.
With a running start, I hurled the spear with all my strength. It flew through the air like a shard of lightning, striking the beast squarely in the chest. The ice spread rapidly, encasing the creature in a frozen tomb.
Titan leaped onto the ice-covered beast, delivering the final blow with a slash to its neck. The creature let out one last, pitiful roar before collapsing.
The clearing fell silent except for the sound of heavy breathing.
---
Scarface slowly got to his feet, wincing but managing a grin. "You really know how to make an entrance, Boss."
I smirked, trying to hide how much my legs were shaking. "Well, someone has to clean up your messes, right?"
Grumpy approached, his expression softening as he said, "You came back."
I looked around at the relieved faces of my people—Scarface, Gorn, Tink, Boulder, Grumpy—and the exhausted but grateful adventurers.
"I promised I'd help you build a better future," I said quietly, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside me. "That doesn't mean abandoning you when you need me most."
Titan padded over, his armor streaked with blood but his posture proud. He let out a satisfied huff, as if to say, Job well done.
I patted his side, then turned to the merchant and her group. "Let's talk trade. After all, that's what you came here for, right?"
The merchant blinked, then let out a breathless laugh.
As well as murmured, "You really are full of surprises, huh?"
Scarface chuckled, clapping me on the back—gently, for once. "Welcome home, Boss."