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After discussing the upcoming plans with the Penal Squad, I issued them individual instructions for setting out. I intended for us to depart for the Lake Kingdom that very night. Watching members of the Penal Squad scatter to prepare, I sought out the rest of my party members. Damien, although not severely injured, had temporarily…

“Ugh…” Evangeline looked quite pale. Perhaps it was due to her injuries and the strain of overseeing the funeral ceremony. “Evangeline, are you okay?” I approached her with a look of concern. She responded with a small, serene smile. “Of course, I’m fine. Who’s the toughest person on this front? Isn’t it me?” With a…

The next day. The preparations for this funeral were quicker than any defense mission I’d seen before. It was because civilians had been casualties this time. Even though soldiers and heroes had fought valiantly and laid down their lives, there were still losses. ‘Thirty-seven civilians.’ I stood in front of the coffins of the lined-up…

From a distance, dawn broke. However, the city square in the center was even brighter than the approaching dawn. Torches were densely lit. And the citizens who had gathered, weapons in hand. They had hastily set up barricades at the main intersections of the square, holding their weapons awkwardly, vigilantly watching their surroundings. Seeing this,…

Leaving behind the restrained Lunared, I headed toward Kuilan and Kureha. “Ugh…!” Kuilan, who was blocking with his whole body to protect Kureha, received my bitter smile. “I know that wolf monster is Kureha.” “…!” “Don’t worry, just step aside. We have things to discuss.” Hesitantly, Kuilan moved away. I cautiously approached the fallen Kureha….

Thwack! Thud! Brawk-! Two entangled monsters swung their fists at each other, intent on delivering a death blow. The punches and kicks that split the air were eerily similar in form. Though they had the twisted forms of monsters, they utilized the same martial arts techniques. Crash! Deflecting each other’s attacks, Bang! Their fists, infused…

A while ago. Crossroad. Downtown. Next to the barracks. An open field. “Huff, huff, huff!” Gasping heavily, I staggered to my feet. Before me lay a defeated White Werewolf. Stunned by Kureha’s Blinking Dagger-Kick combo, the creature was critically injured. I was just barely able to finish it off with my magic-infused blade. However, the…

In the heart of the city. From his vantage point atop the public bathhouse roof, Damien witnessed the retreat of allies from every battleground. To the north of the city walls, Evangeline lay injured and fallen. The remaining heroes were cornered by the Wolf King. At the south wall, Lucas stood isolated, with a horde…

Crossroad. Downtown. “Attack! Slime!” With my fervent cry, a large tri-color slime shot out, latching onto the head of the werewolf. Growl?! Slurp! Slurp! The slime enveloped the werewolf’s head, preventing it from breathing. The werewolf thrashed violently, trying to pry the slime off, but ultimately failed. Thud! It collapsed from suffocation. Nice! “Brilliant! Tri-Color!”…

After leaving his homeland, Kureha traveled throughout the continent, teaching Kuilan everything he knew. The warmth of freshly baked bread. The softness of a feather-filled pillow. The beauty of the four seasons… And the martial arts passed down in his clan. Kureha seemed to want to give Kuilan everything, even what Kuilan was denied because…