Apparently the patrol was not for no reason.

As soon as sun started to set, Nagare found himself singlehandedly fighting against the incoming monsters, desperately trying to protect the people who lived here; all the while Shoyo did nothing but watch for his own entertainment.

The monsters looked like mutated lizards, their mouths big enough to easily chomp off a grown man’s head.

And their sizes varied as well, some reached up to Nagare’s waist, while some others were at least twice as big as he was.

Considering that Nagare was the only Protector around, he found himself desperately fighting against the oncoming onslaught of lizard monsters.

Nagare: “A little help would be appreciated, Ryoma!”

Shoyo: “I think you have it handled, Shirosaki-kun”

Nagare: “Like hell I do!”

With Shoyo not budging an inch, Nagare had to keep fighting, and eventually, he managed to triumph over the lizard monsters.

He slew at least thirty four of them.

And now, he was breathing heavily, his eyes red from exhaustion.

Nagare: “When you said you were coming with me, I assumed it was to help”

Shoyo: “Oh no, I just wanted to stretch out my legs. Besides, you told me to not get in your way, I did just that. You can’t really say I disobeyed you, can you?”

Nagare: “So, let me get this straight. If I had gotten eaten by those demon beasts, you would be totally fine with it?”

Shoyo: “Sure, why not?”

Nagare: “You might actually be way worse than the demons, Ryoma”

Shoyo: “Just call me Shoyo already, Naga-kun”

Nagare: “Don’t talk like we are friends, or something! And the name is Nagare”

Shoyo: “Whatever you say, Naga-kun”

Nagare growled in irritation.

This Shoyo guy really got on his nerves.

Nagare: “Once the sun rises, they will go back into hiding. I need to get rid of them now, before they retreat into the ground”

Shoyo: “Sounds like a smart idea”

For the next three hours, Nagare kept cutting down the beasts that kept popping up; almost as though they were produced at the same rate they were slain.

Nagare: “What the hell is up with all these demon lizards! They keep coming without an end!”

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Shoyo: “Probably because you have yet to croak the mommy lizard”

Nagare: “What?”

Shoyo: “Should I explain this to you in simple terms? When a mommy lizard and a daddy lizard really like each other, the mommy lizard lays large clutch of eggs, and then many baby lizards are born. And then the cycle continues when the baby lizards become older…”

Nagare: “I know that much!”

Shoyo: “Assuming all of these lizards are the offspring, it would be prudent to assume that the mother lizard is somewhere nearby. Kill the mother hen, and there will be no more chicks hatched”

For a moment, Nagare couldn’t help but be silent.

What Shoyo said was so simple, yet so profound.

Shoyo: “Let me guess, you had no idea”

Nagare: “Shut up!”

Now, Nagare and Shoyo began tracking the source of this demon lizard epidemic.

Shoyo: “By the way, Naga-kun. I couldn’t help but notice…Why does that old guy, Hiromasa, was it? Why does he have that mask on? A fashion choice?”

Nagare: “During the time he was Guardian, master was attacked by demons. They ate his face”

Shoyo: “Yikes. Sorry I asked”

Nagare: “Master does not care about that in the least. All he cares about is nurturing a future generation of Protectors”

Shoyo: “Sounds like a noble goal”

Nagare: “Why do you even care? This has nothing to do with you. If you are not a demon, but just a human who possesses a talent, then you have no place here. Either help out or stay out!”

Shoyo: “Both choices sound dumb. I will take the third option. I will follow you, but I shall do absolutely nothing. Besides, no matter what these demon beasts do, they cannot kill me”

Nagare: “Unlike you, I am not immortal”

Shoyo: “Well, neither am I”

Nagare: “Yeah, right. A normal human wouldn’t survive decapitation three times. If I die here, all the people in this village will be eaten by the demon beasts”

Shoyo: “If they die, then it was their fate to die”

Nagare: “How can you say that? Each human life is precious! If they are not protected, they will perish! That is exactly why the Order of Protectors was founded in the first place, to protect humanity from the demons and monsters!”

Shoyo: “As far as I am concerned, Naga-kun. Nothing matters”

Nagare: “For crying out loud, everything matters, you dimwit!”

While following the demon lizard tracks, Nagare’s eyes spotted a child, about eight to nine years of age, surrounded by monsters, scared stiff, and about to be eaten.

Nagare: “Not on my watch, you monsters!”

With a single downward slash, Nagare cut the head of one of the demon monsters.

Increasing the speed of his motion, Nagare’s sword cut through the belly of one of the monsters.

He proceeded to stab the demon monster through the heart.

Currently, Nagare’s skills were limited to three forms and a single special skill.

But that special skill took a lot out of Nagare’s stamina, it was not something he would use on a small beast just to be left open for an attack by the other monsters. He decided against using it.

Using his three basic skills, Nagare cut down the demon beasts one after another.

As he looked around, the child he intended to save was nowhere in sight.

Nagare: “No way…Did he get eaten? It...It is all my fault. I should have reached him sooner….I pray for your soul…Please, rest in peace…”

Shoyo: “Hi Naga-kun, how are you doing?”

As Nagare looked up, his jaw dropped at the sight before him.

Shoyo was sitting on the top of a tree and the child was sitting right next to him, safe and unharmed.

Shoyo: “See? I told you uncle Naga can handle it”

With the kid in his arms, Shoyo simply landed on the ground.

Patting the child’s head, Shoyo said.

Shoyo: “Now, go on home kiddo. Uncle Naga here has a business he needs to take care of. Run along”

The frightened child bowed to both Nagare and Shoyo before running back towards his home.

Nagare: “Ryoma, that was…”

Shoyo: “Irrelevant.”

Nagare: “But you just saved that kid”

Shoyo: “I just don’t like seeing kids hurt. They have not had a chance to live a full life, cutting it short seems a little cruel. That is all. As for adults…I couldn’t care less about them. They have lived long enough.”

Nagare: “I do not agree with that statement, but…thank you.”

They resumed their search for the lizard queen.