Amariel’s eyes lingered on Ahrie. She exhaled, shutting them for a beat.
"...If that’s what you want, then fine," she said.
Ahrie smirked, shifting his gaze back to the two berserk guards.
"You need my help?" Daiki called out.
"No," Ahrie replied flatly.
He dashed forward, rapier flashing toward Guard 1’s leg.
Guard 1 t it head-on, blade snapping down with brutal force—
CLANG!
The rapier spun out of Ahrie’s grip, clattering into the dirt.
"Tch—" Ahrie winced, hand stinging from the shock.
Guard 2 swooped in, slashing at Ahrie’s back.
Ahrie tucked into a roll, the steel carving air above him.
Another shadow lood—Guard 1’s blade thrusting straight down.
Still crouched, Ahrie launched sideways, barely clearing it.
But Guard 2’s kick ca faster.
THUD!
His heel slamd into Ahrie’s ribs, sending him crashing.
"Arghh—" Ahrie choked as his body hit a tree with a bone-shaking BOOM.
Blood spilled from his mouth, his vision splitting into hazy doubles.
Sowhere far away, inside a tiny wooden room, his Ent companion froze. The little creature slowly set its food aside, then panicked, gnawing on its claws.
Ohhh no... ohh no... what do I do... what should I do...
It bolted out of its room, fumbling in a frenzy for anything useful.
Back in the clearing, both guards closed in, blades raised to finish it—
FWOOSH!
A blur cut through the space between them.
Derimiel, the platoon leader, appeared in a flash, his blade arcing.
A clean slice across both guards’ necks—precise, controlled.
They dropped unconscious before their weapons even touched the ground.
The elder and his n closed in, securing the scene.
The elder’s gaze fell on Ahrie, who tried to push words through a bloody cough.
"H-hey... th-they were... my... prey—"
And then he collapsed.
Monts later, the Ent returned—arms stuffed with food, one snack still dangling from its mouth.
It stopped cold, blinking as it rembered why it left in the first place.
"...Ooooh fuuuck."
Scrambling to the viewing screen, it saw Ahrie lying there but alive, no longer in danger.
The little thing slumped with relief, clutching its food.
"Whew... I did great."
The other guards dragged their unconscious comrades away, while the elder carefully hauled Ahrie’s limp body toward the dical hall. Everyone followed close behind.
Inside, they laid them on separate beds.
Daiki’s eyes stayed on Ahrie, worry etched all over his face.
Derimiel stepped up beside him.
"Are you worried about him?" he asked.
Daiki nodded. "...Yeah."
A small smile tugged at Derimiel’s lips.
"Don’t worry too much. Honestly, I’m amazed he lasted that long against those two in that state. Most wouldn’t."
He paused, his expression softening.
"And... sorry. About the way you’ve been treated here."
Daiki turned his head toward him, uncertain.
Derimiel sighed.
"Humans and Floriae share a dark history. That’s why so of us... flinch when we see you here. Old scars don’t fade easily."
Daiki looked away, eyes heavy with sadness. I understand...
"But even knowing that," Derimiel continued, tapping Daiki’s shoulder with a fist bump,
"You’re still here. So... thanks."
He started toward the door, then glanced back over his shoulder.
"And thank you... for rescuing one of my siblings."
Daiki froze, blinking in shock.
"...That kid... was your sibling," he muttered under his breath.
The healer entered the room.
Daiki, Amariel, and the rest of the guards watched her work.
The flower on her head glowed, light spilling everywhere.
She plucked a few petals—gentle, careful—then placed them on Ahrie’s head, and the two guards as well.
Amariel, standing beside Daiki, muttered,
"...the Petals of Life. One of the rarest skills among us."
Daiki glanced at her.
(Another skill from their race... feels like they’re soone’s favorite.)
Amariel’s voice was low.
"Before humans ca here, there weren’t potions. We were hunted instead. Used like pocket healers. Machines. Our petals worked the sa way... so are still captives even today. She’s one of the lucky ones we saved."
Daiki’s jaw clenched. Pissed.
The healer checked them over, calm.
"No major injuries. They’ll wake in a few hours."
Then she walked out, quiet as she ca.
The elder let out a long sigh.
"You guys can leave. I’ll take care of them."
The guards bowed and headed out.
Daiki and Amariel sat down.
"How’s your father?" the elder asked Amariel.
"I haven’t seen him in five years..." she answered softly.
"I see. And his plans for our people?" the elder pressed.
Amariel’s face dimd.
"He said... he’s still searching for the perfect place."
The elder gave a faint smile, eyes drifting to the window.
"...I was hoping to see it in my ti. The unification of our people."
"E-elder..." the two guards groaned, waking.
The elder imdiately smacked them both on the head.
"You little twerps!"
"Argh—we’re sorry!" they yelped.
The elder sighed again.
"I know how much you loathe humans. But you can’t lump them all together. Just like there are different races of Sylvaren, there are all kinds of humans too."
The two guards lowered their heads.
"...We’ll keep that in mind, elder."
"Good. Now off you go."
They limped out of the room, still rubbing their heads.
The elder stared at Ahrie.
"I know you’re awake too."
"Eh?" Daiki glanced over.
Hehe... Ahrie cracked one eye open, staring at the ceiling.
"How can I beco stronger..." he muttered.
The elder’s voice dropped heavily.
"Ent... an ancient creature that’s been here far longer than any species you’ll find living in the World Tree."
Ahrie’s Ent, watching through the screen, spat his coffee.
"WHAT— we’re that old!?"
"Each creature," the elder continued, ignoring it, "is tasked to watch over a single being... the mont they’re born, or the mont they enter the World Tree. Every action earns Exp—hunting, gathering, farming, even fishing—"
"Wait, wait," Ahrie cut in. "Then why the fuck didn’t I get Exp when we fished the other day?"
"Yee... yeah," Daiki chid in.
The elder frowned, stroking his chin.
"...You think so?"
He paused, muttered to himself. I see...
Ahrie and Daiki exchanged a look.
"...Is the elder going senile, or so shit?"
The elder’s Ent hunched over, typing instructions with a back curved like a shrimp. Eyebags dark as midnight. A typical overworked office slave.
The elder spoke softly.
"Hello... Ents of these humans. Can you hear ?"
Ahrie’s Ent was just about to bite into his food. Tch. He tossed it down and scrambled back to the screen.
"On the far side of your screen, there’s an icon," the elder said. "Click that. Then this. After that... everything should update. All Exp they’ve earned will transfer automatically."
"...Oh," Daiki’s Ent pushed his glasses up, fingers moving quick. "I didn’t know about this."
Click. Click. Click.
And suddenly—
1 Exp
1 Exp
1 Exp
1 Exp
1 Exp
"...Wait—that’s it?" Daiki muttered.
Amariel smirked.
"It’ll make things faster. But by default, Exp was locked to hunting and killing only. They wanted more fighters, not farrs or fishern..." The elder’s voice faded as he walked toward the door. "Still... My Ent is as old as . He knows a loophole or two."
Ahrie’s Ent, chewing furiously, muttered, Tsk... show-off.
Daiki slid his chair closer.
"Psst. Hey."
"...Why?" Ahrie answered, half-asleep.
"Rember when we were kids?" Daiki mumbled.
"Yeah... we used to run around all over. , you, and..." Ahrie’s brow furrowed. Huh.
"You don’t rember either, huh? Weird, right?" Daiki said.
The room fell silent.
Elsewhere, far from the village...
In a dark castle, buried deep in a suffocating forest... a scream split the silence.
"AAARRGGHH—huff... huff..."
A human, chained to the wall, body shredded with cuts. Blood dripped, pooling at his feet.
From the shadows, a girl erged—her eyes glowing faintly, claws dragging along his face.
She smiled.
"Tenacious little thing... You might be my favorite so far."
Her voice lingered. Then she leaned closer, whispering—
"N...a...o...y...a."
Reviews
All reviews (0)