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I Killed an Academy Player Chapter 120: The Good, the Crazy and the Bizarre (3)

Chapter 120: The Good, the Crazy and the Bizarre (3)

“Haa…‌ Haa…”

On‍‌​ the 2nd floor,​⁠⁠ Ren and Ron‌ deactivated their half-beastify​‍ modes while gasping‌ for breath.

“…You⁠‌​ can go.”

Amidst​‌‍ the crumbling remains‍​ of the broken​ building on the⁠‌ dusty 2nd floor,​​‍ a girl wearing‌ nun clothes opened⁠​‍ up a path.​

Heavenly⁠ Yaksha Hua Ran.‍

She,⁠ who was essentially‌⁠ the strongest person‌⁠ out of all⁠​ the 2nd grade‍‍ students if not⁠ the entire Academy,‌‌ was an unbreachable‌ fortress of her⁠⁠‌ own. All the‌⁠⁠ motivated students were‍ bashed up and​​​ she had not‌‍ a single wound‌ despite facing squads‌ of freshmen students‍⁠ all at once.​

She⁠‍ suddenly stopped the​ fight when her‍⁠​ clothes were ripped⁠ for the first​ time.

“Why…”‍

“He‍‍‌ told me to‍ let everyone go⁠‍ if you touch​‌‌ my clothes.”

“…”​​

That‍‍ seemed to be​ the amount of‍⁠ handicap required to‍ make up for‍ their difference in⁠ strength. With a myriad of complex​ emotions, the freshmen⁠⁠ students left behind‌‌‍ their fallen peers⁠‍ and continued the‌‌⁠ climb.

“How‍‌ many people do⁠‌‍ we have left?”‍

“Less⁠ than 5 now.”‍

They⁠‍ were finally going​⁠ to the last​⁠‌ floor. Ren led‍ Ron, who was‌ still gasping for‍⁠‌ breath, and headed‌‍​ to the final​‌⁠ floor.

“Ren.‍ This scent…”

“I‌​ know.”

There‌‌ had been two‍⁠‌ pathways connecting the‍‌ 1st and the​⁠ 2nd floor, but‍‌ there was only⁠ one leading to‍⁠‌ the 3rd floor.⁠ That meant that​​‍ the keeper of⁠ the 3rd floor‍​⁠ would be the​​ last gatekeeper of‌‌‌ this fortress.

The⁠​ only source of‌ light in the‌ dark pathway leading​ up was the‌‍ Rune Letters engraved​‌‍ on the walls.‍‌ At the end‌‍ of the stairway,⁠ the two of‌⁠​ them found out⁠ that there were​⁠ people waiting for​⁠ them.

“You’re⁠ late, doggies.”

A lady with an​⁠‍ ominously red hair‌ and eyes was‍​ waiting for them.⁠ Her eyes had​ the color of​​⁠ blazing flames and​ yet they were‍‍ as cold as‍‌​ glaciers as she⁠‍ watched the siblings⁠⁠ arrive.

“Ohh~.‌‍⁠ You’re here.”

There‌‌​ was only one⁠⁠​ more person on‌‍​ the 3rd floor‍‌ except for Princess‌⁠​ Miruam. Korin Lork‍‍⁠ welcomed the two​⁠ with the spear⁠‌ resting on his​‌​ shoulder.

“Now.⁠​‌ This is your⁠​ final stage.”

The⁠‍⁠ eyes of the‍ wild warrior, which​‍​ were in complete‍ contrast to the‌ cold eyes of‍​​ the princess, were​‍ looking straight through​ them.

………‍

……⁠⁠‍

Ren​​​ and Ron were‌ werewolves.

They‌⁠​ were born much‍ stronger than normal‍‍ humans, and they‌​⁠ weren’t any weaker‍‌⁠ than knights when⁠‌​ it came to⁠ strength, speed, or​​⁠ resilience. In fact,‍ they were far‍ superior to normal⁠‌ knights at everything.​‍

The​ reason why the​ two orphans had‍ been able to‍‌‍ stay alive for‍‌ over ten years‍​ in the slums⁠⁠ was not limited​​ to their likable​ and adorable appearances.​

『Catch‍⁠​ that thief!』

『Ren!‌​ The baldy is⁠‍ coming after us!』‌

『Run,​⁠‌ you idiot!』

Stealing​⁠ and begging.

The⁠ orphans were used‍ to it, but‍​‌ in the end,​​‍ they were kidnapped⁠ by human traffickers‍⁠⁠ for their likable‍​ looks. They couldn’t⁠ withstand the power​‌ of the Full⁠‍ Moon and ended​‍ up transforming inside​⁠‍ the cage, and‍ after finding out‌⁠​ that they were‍⁠​ beastmen, the slave‍‌⁠ dealers had them⁠‌ endure through an‌⁠ even worse treatment.‌

But⁠‌ looking back now,‍ they realized they​ were lucky, because⁠‌ it was because⁠​‌ of that they​​‍ could enter the‍​​ fences of Korin‌‌ Lork.

『It’s​‌ okay. No one‌​ is going to‍‌ hit you anymore.‌‌​ You guys are⁠‌ now safe.』

Korin⁠‌‍ was a nice‌‍‌ person.

He⁠​‍ was a thoroughly⁠‌ kind-hearted person who‌ lied for the‍‌⁠ good of another‍⁠ person, and did‌ his best to​‍ help them.

It‍ was after a while that he⁠‍ suggested they enter‌⁠⁠ the Academy. He​‍ told them he⁠⁠⁠ had a goal;‍‌ he told them‌‍ he needed their⁠⁠​ help and kindly​‍​ asked for their‌​ cooperation.

He​‌‌ wasn’t imposing it‌⁠‌ on them nor⁠ pressuring them to‌‍⁠ follow his orders.‍‌‌ When Ren asked​​​ about it, he‌​ came out honest.‌‌

And​ that made her⁠⁠‍ happy. She was‌ happy to find‌ out that their‍​ benefactor was in‌⁠ need of their⁠‍ help, and was⁠ also happy that​‌ he was considerate​‍ and worried about⁠​ them.

It​‌‌ didn’t take long‌‌​ for the siblings‌ to decide that‍ they wanted to‍‍‌ help him.

『Fine,⁠ we can help‌‍‌ you with that.』‍⁠‍

『Thanks,​⁠ but you will‌​ have to face⁠ a lot of​‌ danger if you​‌‍ are helping me.』‍

『I’m‌‍ okay as long⁠ as I can⁠‌‌ help you, bro!』‍​​

『Thanks…​⁠ In return, I will train you‍ guys.』

True⁠‍ and true.

Ren⁠⁠‍ felt the genuine‌‍ wish of Korin-oraboni[mfn]oraboni​​⁠ is the same​​‍ as oppa but​ with more respect[/mfn]⁠ for them to‍ stay healthy without‌‍‌ getting hurt…

“But‌ this isn’t what‍‌ I was expecting!!”⁠

The​ spear stabbed forth⁠‌‍ again and again.⁠​‍ It was so‍⁠ fast and deadly‌ that it would‍‍ come out in‌‍​ their dreams.

“Hikk…?!”​‍‍

His‍ spear grazed past‌‌⁠ her head as‌⁠‌ blood splattered out‍‍‍ from the wound.⁠‌ The spear managed​ to cut through‌‌ the resilient skin‍⁠ of a werewolf,​ and that was⁠ incredibly shocking since‌ the spear had‌​‌ gone through a non-lethalizing process already.‌

Death.‌

Right⁠ – death.

Each​​ and every one‌ of his stabs‌‍​ were that of‍‍ the Grim Reaper⁠ pushing her to⁠‍ the brink of​ death. The stabs​⁠ were full of​‌ hostility and the‍‍ desire to rip‍ her to pieces‍ and yet the⁠ one wielding the‍⁠ spear had a kind smile on‌ his face.

“U,‍⁠‍ uahht…!”

“Maintain⁠‌‍ your balance at​ all times. Otherwise⁠‌ you’ll die.”

A merciless roundhouse kick​ landed on Ron’s⁠⁠‍ side as he⁠ was about to⁠⁠ land on his​ bum. Ron flew‍ sideways for a bit and thanks‌‌‍ to that, he‍‍​ somehow managed to‌‍⁠ regain his sense‍‍⁠ of balance.

As⁠ a result, he‌​‌ avoided falling down⁠ but it was‌‌ hard to be‌ grateful to Korin​‍​ for what he‍ did.

“You⁠​ have good reflexes,‍ but your parries⁠​⁠ are not so‌⁠‍ good.”

❰Horizontal​‌⁠ Sweep of a Tiger❱

Korin​‍​ swung the spear‌‍ sideways. In order⁠‌‌ to dodge the⁠⁠⁠ silver spear, Ren​​‌ jumped into the‌ air. Right when​ she thought she‍⁠ dodged the spear,​ he grabbed onto⁠ her ankle.

“Don’t‌⁠‍ jump without a second plan.”

He‌⁠ flung her away‌⁠ into the walls‍ of the building.‍ A deafening thud‌‍‍ echoed across the‌⁠ floor as an⁠ immense wave of‌‌ pain filled Ren’s‍​​ body starting from​​ her back.

“Kuhk…!”‌

At⁠​​ the end of‌​ her gaze was⁠⁠ a familiar voice.‌⁠‌ He was the‍ fence keeping the‌‌ siblings safe; a gentle guardian and​‍ an incredibly kind-hearted⁠ person. His eyes‌‌ as he stared​‍ at the siblings‌ were still as​‍⁠ friendly, kind and⁠ loving as always.​‌‌

However,‌ his actions told⁠⁠ a completely different​‌ story. He was‍‍ pushing them to⁠ their limits, overwhelming‌ them with his‌⁠‌ killing intent and​ animosity.

“Is‌‍​ that all you‍ got?”

With⁠⁠ a single spear,‌‌ he was overpowering‍⁠‌ two Grade 2 werewolf knights.

He⁠ was in a totally different league‌ to them as‍ a warrior. The​​⁠ density of his​ experiences was incomparably‍⁠​ higher than theirs,‍ and he had‍‍​ gone through countless‍⁠ battles of life‌⁠‌ and death.

Until⁠‍ now, he had‌ just been the​‌⁠ gentle and friendly​‍⁠ boss; a benefactor​​ who saved them‍‌‌ and an oraboni‍​ who bought them⁠ snacks.

He⁠ was like the⁠⁠‍ personification of the⁠‍ illusions of the⁠⁠ two orphan siblings,⁠‍‍ about how it‌ would feel to​‍‌ have a dad​ and an adult‍ to rely on,‌‌ so the unbending​ warrior in front‍⁠ of them was​‌​ frightening and awkwardly⁠ unusual.

“You​ need to be‍ fully beastified. Otherwise‌‍ this won’t even‌⁠‍ be considered a fight.”

“B,‌​⁠ but that’s…!”

“What;‍ you can’t control​​⁠ it? Or are⁠​ you saying I might get injured?‌⁠​ Stop being arrogant,⁠ you greenhorns.”

That​ was a haughty​⁠‌ statement – a declaration that they​ won’t be a match for him‍‌ without using everything⁠ they had.

“Get‍‍ used to it.‌​ Get used to​ killing intent; get‌⁠ used to strifes⁠‍​ and battles. When​ you’re in a fight, focus on​‌ what’s ahead of⁠‍‌ you.”

He​ was teaching them‍ as a leader​⁠‌ giving guidance to‍ newbies, not as‍‌‌ the nice and​⁠ gentle brother he‍⁠ usually was.

“Well,‌​ your body will​⁠ get used to⁠ it by itself‌⁠ if you get⁠​ bashed up till‌​⁠ you’re close to​ being dead.”

‘Humans⁠⁠ are quite tough‍ you see,’ he⁠ added.

“Hmph…!”‌‌‍

Ren‍ started off as⁠⁠ the siblings finished‌⁠⁠ morphing themselves into⁠⁠ beasts. The young‌‍ kids became starving​ dogs that were‌ crazy for blood,‌ with tendencies that‌‌⁠ they could not‌ control as of‌⁠‍ yet.

“Grrrhh…!”​⁠

Werewolves.⁠‍⁠ Simply put, were‌‌ human figures with‌⁠ a wolf head‍ and fur covering‌ their body.

However,‌ the siblings looked‍‌ slightly different.

The‌‍⁠ beastifying process of⁠ demi-humans under the‍‌‌ category of beastmen⁠‌ went through several​ stages. Just like​‍ how their bodies​​‌ grew fast in‌‌ correlation with their⁠‍ mental growth, beastification⁠‌ also had different‍ effects depending on​ their growth as‌‌‌ an individual.

If⁠​‍ it was just‍‍​ half-beastification which would​ give them wolf‌‍ claws, the siblings⁠‌ were able to‍⁠​ maintain their human‌​ figures, but after​‍ a full beastification‌‌ they…

『Ahh~.‌ Seriously. Don’t blame⁠ me even if​⁠​ you get hurt.』​

『Krrrh…‍⁠‍ Be careful of‌⁠‌ my teeth… Krrrhhh…‍ They will hurt…』​

They‍⁠‍ looked like beautiful‌ beasts of gold;​ mythical creatures from‌ legends that awed​‌ those who saw​‌‍ them.

Golden‌​⁠ wolves. They were​‍‌ the unique races‍ above all wolves⁠‌ and were the‌‌‍ so-called Royal Bloods.⁠‌​

That​​​ was the reason⁠⁠ why the siblings,‍​ Ren and Ron​​⁠ were so special.‍‌​ The bloodline of​​⁠ the Wolf King⁠⁠ which had suddenly​‍ disappeared from the‌‍ world was back‌‌‌ through atavism.

“Guess‍‌ there’s still a long way to⁠‌ go until you​⁠ become full werewolves.”‌​

The‌ final stage of‌​‌ beastification was in​‌ maintaining a human⁠ figure. A beastification‌ that made them⁠‍​ look no different⁠⁠ from a normal‌‍ beast could only​⁠ be evaluated as‌ subpar.

『Ron,‍⁠⁠ attack!』

『Woof!』‌

In⁠ the blink of‍ an eye, the‍​ golden beasts pounced‍⁠ at Korin.

****‌‍⁠

Inexperienced​ beastmen usually had​‍‍ difficulty controlling themselves‍‌⁠ when using beastification.⁠​⁠

In⁠ that sense, Ren⁠ was better off‍​​ than others at​⁠ controlling her tendencies.​ However, there were‍ times when even⁠​⁠ Ren would have⁠‍ difficulty keeping her​‍ beastly instincts at​⁠​ bay – one‍‍‍ was when there⁠ was a Full‍⁠‌ Moon in the⁠⁠⁠ sky, and two​‍⁠ was when she⁠‌ was in full​ beastification mode.

Full‌ Moon was like‌⁠⁠ the bane of⁠‍ every beastmen so⁠ the right call‍ was to stay⁠‍‍ home whenever possible,⁠‍ but beastification was‍‌⁠ slightly different.

Even‍​ after becoming a four-legged beast, she​ was still sane.‌ She could communicate‍‍ just as well‍⁠ as before and​⁠ did not attack​ random people.

However,‌ her aggressiveness was‍‍‍ amplified several-fold. She⁠‌​ could keep her‌ aggressiveness at 0 but not 1 – it was‌ either 0 or‍‍‍ 100 and she‍ subconsciously crunched at‍​‌ her enemies like⁠⁠ a ferocious beast.‍⁠​

‘Eeek…⁠ That’s why I told you it’s‍⁠‌ dangerous!’

Kicking⁠​ off the ground,​ the large wolf⁠‍⁠ pounced at the‌ spearman. There was‍ only power and‍ momentum in the⁠⁠​ attack, with not​ even a hint⁠ of hesitation.

It‌ was a pure‌‌​ form of violence,⁠⁠‍ and even the​‌⁠ naive and innocent‍⁠‍ Ron was no​‍‌ different from a bloodthirsty beast.

– Flick!

Korin​⁠ dodged that with‍​ relative ease by‌⁠‌ simply leaning back‍ and parrying the‍ claws with his⁠​ spear. The wolf⁠‌​ let out a furious howl but​ Korin stayed still,‌‌ not taking a single step back.⁠​

– Krrrrh!

– Kng!

The‌‍​ siblings looked at‍ each other with‌​‍ the spearman in​​ the middle. Like‌‍ beasts hunting wild‍​ prey, they nodded​ and got to‌⁠ work. There was⁠‌ no need for​‌⁠ any verbal communication‌ and Ron kicked​ off the ground‍​ straight after the‍ nod.

Following​‌​ that was Ren​​ throwing her body‍​‌ at the spearman.‍ It was a strategy of desperation‌ wolves would use‍​ when hunting animals⁠⁠ that were much​ bigger than themselves.⁠

The‍ sister threw her‍ body forward as​‍ bait, waiting for‍‍ the brother to​‍​ land surprise attacks⁠ from behind. It⁠ was a strategy​​ introduced by the​​​ sister, in hopes‍​⁠ that her younger‌‌⁠ brother wouldn’t have‍‌​ to do anything​‌​ dangerous.

“Too​‌ obvious.”

– Bam!

The‍ bladeless end of​⁠​ the spear poked‌ into her neck.⁠ Ren had to‍ gasp for breath‍‌ due to that‌⁠‌ stab on the⁠‍‍ throat, but Korin​‌ didn’t give her‌‌​ the time to⁠⁠⁠ collect herself; he⁠‌ picked her up⁠​ and tossed her‍​ at Ron.

– Woof?!

Ron‌‌ supported his sister⁠ who was suddenly‌⁠⁠ sent flying her‌‌ way. He became⁠​ a cushion so⁠ that she wouldn’t⁠‌ hurt her body.⁠

『Kuhk,‍⁠‌ Ren…!』

That‌‌​ was when a merciless kick landed‍‌ on Ron’s jaws.‍‌ He couldn’t dodge​‍⁠ the kick due⁠‌ to his sister‍‌‍ being on top⁠‍‍ of him.

– Kung!

The​⁠‍ ruthless kick made‌ him light-headed to⁠‌ the point he​ barely had to‍‌ keep himself conscious.⁠​‍

“Don’t‌‍ waste the opportunity⁠‌​ your team made‌​ for you just⁠⁠‍ because of some⁠ stupid sense of⁠​‌ sympathy. You should‍ have gone through⁠‍​ with the attack​ just then.”

『Eeek…!』⁠⁠​

It‍ was incredibly irritating‌ but Ron carried​‌⁠ his sister, who​​ was still gasping⁠‍ for breath, with⁠ his mouth and‌‍​ jumped back up.‍⁠‌ His jaws were​ still in great‌ pain and biting‍‍‍ his sister was‌ not easy, but‍ he still decided‌​ to look after‌‍ his sister first.⁠‌

He‌‌‌ then sent a resentful gaze at​‍​ Korin for being​​ so merciless and‌⁠ ruthless.

“It’s​⁠ great that you​‌‍ are now being‍⁠⁠ serious towards your​‍ enemy, but…”

– Woof!

Ron​ furiously marched at‌​​ him. After turning​⁠ into a beast,‍ Ron couldn’t control​‍⁠ his emotions and‍​⁠ was like a driverless carriage that⁠⁠‌ was rampaging about⁠‍ like crazy.

“Be‌​ angry but rational…”​‌

Demonic‍ Arts of Trap⁠ and Stab—

The‍⁠ feeble-looking shaft of​ the spear deviated‍⁠‍ the path of⁠‍ the claws all⁠ too easily with⁠​‌ just a single​​‌ tap. The claws⁠ of the wolf‍‌ swerved away from⁠​​ the original destination‌‍​ and landed on⁠​​ the poor floor.⁠ Meanwhile, the spearman‍ positioned himself behind‍‌⁠ the wolf’s back.​⁠

“And‍‍ keep your eyes‍​​ on your target.”‍‌

— Scavenging the Grass‍⁠‍ for the Snake​‌

The‌⁠ bladeless end of​‍‌ the spear pierced‍‍ his spine.

“K,‍‍‌ kuhuk…!?”

The‍‌ golden wolf fell​‌ with a pant.‍​ The profound principle​​ of Lan Na​​⁠ Zha that allowed‌‍​ one to parry​​ the attack and⁠⁠‍ follow through with⁠​⁠ a counterattack was​‌ incredibly effective on‌ the beast.

– Hwaaak!

A violent gasp echoed‍ from behind, which​ allowed Korin to‍ notice the presence‍ of a beast‌‍ behind him.

“Good.‍‍ At least the‍⁠⁠ sister is better​‌ off than the‌ younger one.”

It⁠ was a surprise⁠‌ attack done at‌​​ exquisite timing, but​ that was when‌‌ Korin kicked the⁠​⁠ bladeless end of‍⁠ the spear which‌ had poked at​​ the spines of⁠​ the younger one.​

『Huht…?』‌‌

That⁠‍‍ sudden and powerful‌​⁠ kick flung the​⁠ spear and made‌‌⁠ it rotate behind⁠‌ his back. It‌ was an unconventional⁠‌ way to handle​‌ the spear that⁠⁠⁠ fended off Ren‍‌ right when she‍ was about to​‌​ attack him.

❰Spinning⁠ Heaven: Second Move⁠ – Rotating Demon‍⁠ Spear❱

– Kwaang!

The​ accelerating spear further‍ continued its rotation‍ even after stopping‍‍ Ren’s attack and​ the spear smacked⁠‌​ Ren by the‌ jaws.

『Woof…?!』​‌

Ren‍⁠‍ panicked from that⁠‍⁠ sudden attack to​‌‌ her chin. But​ without ending it‌ there, Korin pulled‍​ her by the‌ neck.

Eight⁠ Trigrams, Venerating Palm—​‍‍

Forming‌​⁠ a palm right‍⁠⁠ in front of⁠⁠‌ her, he brought‍⁠​ it to her‍ face and unhesitatingly‌‌‌ struck her three⁠‍‌ times on her‍‌ eyes and her​⁠‌ nose.

❰Eight⁠ Trigrams: Three Heavenly‍ Palm Strikes❱

“Ku,‌​ huk…?!”

The⁠ three consecutive palm‌‌ strikes that encompassed⁠ the principles of‍‍ Eight Trigrams were‍​​ incredibly powerful, and⁠‌‌ they made Ren⁠‌ roll across the‍ floor.

“Kuhak…!?”‌

She​‍⁠ couldn’t wake up‌‍​ from the shock,​‌ and thus her‌ beastification was forcibly‌‌​ undone, putting her​ back to her‌⁠‍ half-beastified state.

“Haa,​ haak…!”

Ren‌ had trouble breathing.‌ Her chest was‍​ in immense pain.​‍​

– Vuung!

The⁠​ sensitive ears of‌ a beast spotted⁠ the sound of⁠​ something speeding through​ the wind. Upon‍ realizing that that⁠ was the sound​ of a spear,‍‍ Ren desperately rolled⁠​‍ her body across‌​ the floor.

– Kwaang!

The⁠​ silver spear crushed​‍​ through the ground⁠‌ where Ren had⁠‌‌ been at until⁠​ just a moment‌ ago. Ren was⁠⁠ appalled at the‌ sharp blade of​‌ the spear and⁠​ his merciless attacks.‌⁠​

“What’s⁠ wrong? Why did‍ you stop? Stopping​‌⁠ for a second​‌ in the middle‌ of a fight‍‌​ is the same​ as giving your​ enemy a second‌‍‌ to work with.”​‍

“B,‍⁠ but…”

“You​‌​ can move until​​⁠ your limbs are⁠​ all broken or‍ you lose your​‍⁠ head. Don’t ever‍⁠ stop.”

He‌‍​ was frightening – that wasn’t the‍​ oraboni Ren was⁠‍‌ familiar with. He​‍ was being immensely‌ harsh and cold-hearted.‌⁠

“Ugh…”‌

Fear‌‍ was pervading into‌ her mind. She⁠⁠​ didn’t even have‍‍ the room to⁠​ think about fighting​ back.

『Fine,​ we can help‍ you with that.』‍

How‍‌‍ arrogant and unprepared⁠‌ must she have‌ sounded when she⁠ said that?

The⁠⁠⁠ boy, who easily‌‍​ saved numerous demi-humans‌‍ including themselves, and‌ carried out a bunch of strange‌⁠⁠ things to save‌ the jiangshi girl…‌​ Ren had never​‍ known just how​‍⁠ much determination he‍‌​ must have had​​‌ when going into‍‍​ every one of‌ those.

Korin‍​ slowly walked towards⁠‍ her. The closer‌‌​ he came, the​‌‌ larger the shadow‌‌‍ that was cast‌ on the wolf-girl​​ called Ren.

Realizing​⁠‌ belatedly just how‌⁠ tall the fences‍‍ that had been⁠​‌ protecting them were,​‍‍ her body started‌⁠‌ to shiver. One‍‌‍ step out of⁠‍‌ those fences and​‍ she was already‍‌ like this… So​​‌ how was she⁠ even supposed to‍‍⁠ help him?

“Haa,‌‍‍ haa…”

Alas,‌​ Korin Lork was‌⁠ right in front​ of her face​ as he gazed⁠‍ down straight into⁠​ her eyes. He,‍​‌ who was completely⁠ unscathed despite the‍‍​ fight just then,⁠‌ wasn’t even short⁠ of breath.

He‍ raised his spear‍‍ and Ren didn’t‌​​ even have the‍​ guts to fight⁠ back.

– Swish!

“Hikk…!”​​⁠

Hearing​⁠ the sound of​ the spear slashing⁠⁠​ down at her,⁠⁠ Ren closed her​‍‍ eyes tight. Something⁠‍ soon landed on‌‍ her, but it‌⁠ wasn’t the cold‍ blade of the‍ spear and was⁠‌‌ instead the warm​‍ palm of his‍ hand.

“That⁠‌‍ should be alright‌‍ for now.”

His​ large fingers ran⁠‌ through her golden​ hair. He tousled⁠‍​ her hair as​ if he was‍ proud of her​ using the same​‌ warm hand as‌ always.

“This⁠‍​ is what it​‍ means to fight.​ I hope you​ understand what it​⁠ means and resolve⁠ yourself for it.”‍

“Huguk…!”⁠

Ahh…‌ It was finally‌‌ the same oraboni⁠​ as always. Ren‍‍ collected her breath⁠ in relief but‌⁠ couldn’t stop the‌⁠‍ beads of tears‌‌⁠ that were forming​‌ beneath her eyes.​

“Heuk…!​‍ Huhiinng…!”

“Yes‍ yes, I know.⁠​‍ It was scary,‌⁠‌ right? Blame your‍⁠‍ oppa for that.”⁠

“Who‌ is oppa… I hate youuu…”

“I’m‌‍ sorry. I’m sorry.‍ It’s my fault.”‌

Like‍ an adult soothing‌‌ a child, Korin​ carried her on‌‌⁠ his shoulder and​ tapped her on‍ the back to⁠ relieve the girl.‍

“But‍⁠​ still, you did‍⁠ great. Ron, I loved how you‌​ tried to protect​ your sister, and⁠ Ren, you were⁠​​ very rational which⁠ was also excellent.‌⁠ You guys were‌ awesome. Let’s just​ try to do​ a bit better⁠​​ every time.”

“Huuk…”‌‍⁠

“Here.‍⁠‍ Here you go.‍ Here is a handkerchief. Blow your​ nose. Let’s go…!”‌

“I’m,​⁠ not a kid!”​​

Ren​‌ wiped her tears‌ with the back‍‍‍ of her hands⁠​‌ while thrashing her‍​‍ arms around in​ an attempt to​⁠‍ leave his hug.‍‍ Korin carried her⁠⁠ and put her​ down next to‌​​ Ron.

“Both‌‍‌ of you passed.‌‍⁠ Go up and⁠‍‍ grab your awesome‌‍‍ rewards.”

Ren​​‍ and Ron were​​‍ frustrated. Despite being⁠​⁠ so harsh with⁠ them, in the​‌‍ end he was​⁠ treating them like‍‌⁠ a kid. The‌⁠⁠ two of them​⁠‌ thought that it‌​⁠ must be because‌‌ they were far​ from being enough.‌⁠⁠

While‌⁠ powerlessly climbing up⁠ the stairs, the‌ siblings tightly held‌ onto each other’s⁠‍‌ hands and spitted​⁠ out their feelings‌​ which they would⁠‌ only share among​ themselves.

“I‌⁠⁠ feel so upset.”‌

“Me​⁠‍ too.”

“Next​ time… Next timeee…”​‍

I will not be‌⁠ treated like a kid.

Children​​ had to be​‌ protected by adults.‌ However, kids couldn’t⁠​‌ stay kids forever.⁠‍​ There would come‌​‍ a time when⁠ they would be⁠‍‌ forced to stand​ on their feet,⁠ away from the​‌​ warm arms of‍​ adults.

The‍ siblings wanted that⁠‌ day to arrive⁠ as quickly as‌‍‍ possible.

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