The morning sun shone brightly in the sky, and the clouds parted as the rays illuminated Guts' eyes. With an energetic sigh, he got up to don his armour and weapons.
Clang!
The Dragon Slayer rested comfortably in its holder. A soft hum emanated from the sword, its black lustre and the faces, eyes, and mouths constantly shifting on its surface, giving it an eerie aura.
As Guts prepared for the journey, the others woke up as well. Serpico donned his wind-blessed cloak and equipped his wind-blessed feather sword.
Isidro fastened the fire-blessed dagger to his waist. Everyone was awake by 7 in the morning, having enjoyed eight hours of sleep for the first time in a long while.
Flora smiled from the balcony as she took a sip of the tea she had made. Guts walked onto the patio, a smile on his face.
"What is your request? I will do my best to do it."
Guts asked as he sat down in a chair.
Flora looked up into the sky with a smile as she recalled what Shierke had said to her the previous night after everyone had gone to sleep:
"I want you to take Shierke with you on your journey."
She glanced down from the patio to see Shierke and Isidro arguing. Serpico was keeping an eye on Casca and Farnese. Flora felt happiness watching Shierke so animated and lively.
Shierke had never talked much when she was alone with Flora. She always kept to herself and often felt lonely being with someone as old as Flora, having no friends to play or talk with.
It brought Flora joy to see that Shierke finally had someone to talk to—someone who would not judge her for being a witch.
"Consider it done. I actually think that she is the perfect last member of our group."
Guts smirked as he looked at the team on the ground.
The team soon had some food for the day. They set off for the village close to the forest. Guts smirked as he thought about the hundreds of trolls.
If he manages to kill those trolls. His strength, durability, and speed will increase massively, boosting every part of his body. It will take him one step closer to destroying the Godhand.
And he now has the weapon to kill the Godhand.
"Goodbye Flora"
Guts bid goodbye to Flora. He turned around and started walking towards the barrier. Upon crossing the barrier, the ghosts and monsters immediately noticed him.
But Guts did not care. Guts can make Dragon Slayer more powerful by absorbing anything supernatural. He wants them to try and attack him.
"looks like we are being attacked already..."
Serpico looked into the sky as a whirlpool of ghosts swooped down towards Guts and Casca. They got ready for a fight with their new weapons. Guts did not interfere.
"haa!"
Serpico dashed forward and delivered a sharp stab towards 3 ghosts in front of him. The silence was heard from the start before the ghosts were sliced in half. Killing them.
Guts smirked as he watched. Serpico continued with his attack, killing the ghosts very efficiently. The group watched with amazement while Farnese was a little bit conflicted.
In the end, the ghosts ended up overwhelming Serpico due to their massive nubers. Guts had to take action and with a single swing he sent out a fan shaped space slash.
"I knew Boss's new weapon was the strongest!"
Isidro looked at the fan-shaped destruction in front of him in amazement. Everything in a fan shape was cut in half. The space itself is being cut. Dragon Slayer can hurt even the Godhand now.
"T-this kind of power is not human..."
Shierke looked at the scene in front of her with shock. Her eyes landed on Guts, and she gripped her staff as doubt made it into her mind. Was she really destined to walk with this man?
"Boss! Teach me how to do that!"
Isidro ran towards Guts as he took out his fire dagger. Looking down at Isidro, Guts smirked as he absorbed the ghosts into Dragon Slayer, strengthening.
"We have to get going before the nearby village is destroyed."
Isidro nodded his head as he put his dagger back in the sheath. The group set off again towards the village, arriving in half an hour on foot since they had no mounts.
"By the way. Don't talk to anyone. Just get a room and wait until the trolls attack the village."
Guts explained as they saw the village from a distance. He has no patience for the villagers and the monk. He will also certainly not allow them to harm Shierke.
The team entered the village. Evarella and Puck hid with Shierke and Guts until they got room to rest and wait for the troll attack.
"Boss. Can you teach me in the meantime?"
Isidro asked with a smile as he took his dagger out. Guts nodded as he picked a knife from his holder. He promised to teach Isidro how to fight after all.
"Come at me."
Isidro nodded, and he ran towards Guts with surprising swiftness. The large sword from before held him back from using his body as he liked. That is no longer a problem.
Attack power is also not a problem since his dagger is blessed by the salamander spirits. The dagger could cut through flesh like butter. Perfect for a child.
Isidro used the stance he was taught and he spun around trying to hit Guts in the lower leg. Guts turned side way and the dagger missed. Isidro clicked his tongue before jumping up.
Bang!
Isidro fell onto his ass with a whine as Guts smacked him on the head. A lump appeared on top of his head.
"Damn it! I almost defeated him!"
Isidro cursed to himself before he got up and ran towards Guts in an attempt to land a hit on him. Guts smiled as he looked down at Isidro. The kid has a huge amount of potential.
But unless he magically grows up, his body is always gonna hold him back due to not having enough speed, durability and strength. Something that experience can't fill the gap.
"Isidro. Focus more on your ability to dodge attacks with your nimble and small body."
Isidro nodded as he dashed at Guts again. This time, Guts also took out one of his daggers before he attacked Isidro.
Isidro yelped in shock as a slash was sent towards him. He dodged to the side as the slash cut the ground into a small scar. The team looked at Guts in silence, and Isidro looked at him in bewilderment.
"Hey! You trying to kill me?!"
Guts smirked before he sent out another slash at Isidro. Forced to dodge, Isidro realised that Guts wouldn't stop, so desperately he started using his small stature to dodge the slash.
Spin to the right, spin to the left. Jump, roll, and dash forward. Isidro felt his muscles cramp slightly as he was forced to use everything he had. The team watched in surprise as Isidro started getting closer to Guts.
"Take this, you shitty master!"
Isidro screamed as he jumped above a wind blade. His dagger slashed Guts in the cheek a little since he did not want to move. The lava blade caused a slight sting before the red skin healed back to its state.
Isidro felt his muscles buckle as he fell from the air, but Guts caught him by his collar before Isidro hit the floor.
"Not bad student~"
Guts said with a smirk as he brought Isidro to eye level with him. With a smirk on his face, Isidro's eyes lit up as he saw the healing red scab on Git's face.
Guts of course kept his speed just slightly above Isidro's. Or the kid would have been sliced like a watermelon.
"I did it!"
______________________________________________________
Leave a power stone!
Guts is coming out of his emo shell. He is a lot less worried since he has Dragon Slayer able to hurt the Godhand now.
Leave a power stone!