When the crimson aura around Dus finally faded, his body gave in to exhaustion, and he collapsed to the ground, breathless but calm.

Before him lay the mangled corpse of the Goblin Centurion, its head shattered, flesh and blood scattered gruesomely across the ground. Dus knew it hadn’t been his strike alone—Layton had fought by his side, and now, just as drained, stood with his shield, slick with goblin blood, barely held aloft.

Layton detested those who preyed on the weak, especially with such dishonorable tactics. When Govan had struck Miruku, a “weaker” ally in his eyes, rage had ignited in him just as it had in Dus. Together, they had ensured that the Goblin Shaman met the same fate as its brutal ally.

“Oa…” Miruku’s voice was soft as she opened her eyes, finding herself nestled against Ariana. Glancing over, she noticed traces of dried tears on her companion’s face. The quiet forest, with its blood-tinged air and gently rustling grass, whispered that the battle had finally ended.

The silence broke as she heard the hurried footsteps of an approaching squad. Emerging from the dense forest, their leader assessed the scene and called out, “Found them! Come help!” A group of Heroes rushed to Dus and Layton.

Miruku, now donned in her light venom armor, helped Ariana to her feet and led her out of the jungle. After handing her over to a female Hero, Miruku turned to leave.

“Thorn Hero, where are you going?” the Hero asked.

“I need to find Mr. Anyi. He was thrown during the fight. Whether he’s alive or not, I’ll bring him back,” Miruku replied, setting off before receiving an answer.

Guided by her memory, she found her way to where Anyi had been flung. Sure enough, she spotted him tangled in a tree, unconscious but still alive, his HP bar stable. Miruku’s shoulders relaxed in relief.

‘Just a little fainting,’ she thought, taking Anyi down and carrying him back toward camp. She knew firsthand how vicious a Centurion’s attack could be; the fact that Anyi, without [Encourage], had survived at all was something to be thankful for.

When she returned to the camp, Heroes were scattered, tending to wounds and bandaging injuries. There were noticeably fewer among them now. Some had been lost to the Goblin Centurions…

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Wait—Centurions?

“Where are the other two Goblin Centurions?” Miruku gasped.

“Miss Thorn Hero, we’re about to discuss this!” a Hero replied, gesturing to a man whose body was bruised and swollen.

The bruised Hero, known as Steel Hero, sat up excitedly and shouted, “Yes! I saw someone kill them!”

“Then, get to the point,” Miruku replied.

Steel Hero straightened. “The story starts when the Goblin Centurions first attacked, killing one of our own. Knowing we couldn’t hope to defeat them, our captain ordered us to retreat. But during our escape, another Hero was slain! In that moment, I knew what had to be done…”

“Get to the point!” Miruku interrupted.

“Yes, yes, right away!” Steel Hero replied, flustered. “In that moment, I realized—someone had to stay behind to stop the Goblin Centurions! And if anyone was suited for that role, it had to be me! So I stood still, pointing at the Goblin Centurion and say 'damn Goblin! Look at me instead! I am the Steel Hero!'”

At this declaration, several female Heroes couldn't help but wipe away tears, while the men around him looked on with admiration. On the sidelines, believers feverishly jotted down his words, their eyes glistening with emotion. Sacrificing himself for others—this was what courage looked like! To them, Steel Hero was the ultimate Hero, a man among men!

Miruku sighed impatiently. "…Get to the main point!"

Steel Hero bristled but kept on. “Alright, I chose to stay and engage in a brutal duel with the Goblin Centurion. Clearly, its strength was no match for mine! My iron fists were deadly, and my steel body unshakeable!”

‘So how did you end up so battered…?’ Miruku thought privately, glancing over his bruises as she took off her light venom armor.

Steel Hero continued with growing passion. “But just when the fight was reaching its peak—another Goblin Centurion emerged from the jungle!” He pounded his bed in frustration. “Disgusting monsters!”

"Two against one? How shameless!" a believer shouted.

“Yes, facing two Goblin Centurions, I gradually became exhausted,” Steel Hero said, clenching his fists dramatically before suddenly switching gears. “But just as I was reaching my limit…

A tall woman appeared from the jungle!”

Miruku’s eyes widened. “?!”

Finally, the main point?

Steel Hero continued, “Seeing her, I was shocked! Why would anyone be here?! But I ran to her side, standing protectively in front of her, and told her, ‘Run! This is no place for you!’”

Moved by his noble spirit, the gathered Heroes and believers were once again swept into admiration.

But Steel Hero leaned forward, his voice dropping with awe. “Then, something unbelievable happened! As the Goblin Centurion charged us, a tentacle suddenly grew from behind her! Before I could even react, it pierced right through one of the Goblin Centurion’s hearts! Then another tentacle appeared and—just like that—beheaded it!”

The crowd gasped in shock.

A creature as powerful as the Goblin Centurion, slain in two strikes?

This mysterious woman… Who was she, really?