Half an hour since leaving the city gates, the air is thick with the memory of the reptilian onslaught.

Aveline, ever vigilant, scans the dense foliage flanking the road, her crimson hair catching the afternoon sun like a flickering flame. My grip tightens around the familiar shaft of my spear, Su Yari.

Suddenly, slicing through the peaceful silence, I notice something in front of us and start to shout, "Incoming! Dad, Aveline, get ready!"

My heart lurches. Three colossal figures lumber out from behind a bend in the road, their glistening blue bodies glistening like obsidian under the fading light. Monstrous spiders, their hairy legs thick as tree trunks, screech menacingly, their mandibles dripping with a viscous, luminescent slime.

"These things are huge!" I yell, adrenaline coursing through my veins.

Without hesitation, I charge forward, the ground blurring beneath my feet. The lead spider whips its head around, its multiple eyes glinting with malice. A barrage of sticky webs shoots towards me, a shimmering net designed to trap. With a practiced flick of my wrist, I slice through the first web with [Su Yari], the keen edge singing through the air. The remaining webs brush past me harmlessly as I weave through the attack, closing the distance with the monstrous arachnid.

Springing forward with a burst of power, I launch myself into the air, aiming for the spider's gaping maw.

"[Leaping Strike!]"

I roar, channeling my emotions into the maneuver. My trusty spear, finds its mark, piercing straight through the creature's mouth in a sickening spray of green ichor.

The spider writhes and shrieks, its long, hairy legs lashing out in a desperate attempt to swat me away. Anticipating the attack, I twist in mid-air, narrowly dodging the razor-sharp claw.

"[Killer Shot!]"

A booming voice echoes behind me. It's Rodger, ever the dependable archer. His arrow, tipped with a wickedly barbed head, finds its mark, burying itself deep into the spider's side.

Seizing the opportunity, I land back on the ground, rolling away just as the enraged creature slams its massive body down where I once stood. The earth trembles with the impact, sending shivers down my spine.

With a renewed fury, the spider turns its sights on Rodger, its mandibles clacking with murderous intent. Aveline, a whirlwind of crimson and steel, materializes beside the monstrosity. Her blade flashes in a deadly arc, severing two of the spider's spindly legs at the knee. The creature screeches in agony, its body listing precariously.

I see my chance. With a battle cry, I spin on my heel, channeling the fury simmering within me.

"[Riselite Slash!]"

My polearm, imbued with a faint, golden glow, carves a deep gash across the spider's head.

"[Vertical Strike!]"

Aveline, her eyes blazing, follows through with a powerful vertical strike, her blade severing the remaining leg and sending the creature crashing to the ground in a heap of twitching limbs.

We retreat in unison, dodging a thick web shot from the remaining spider. The air crackles with tension as we regroup, panting heavily.

"It's your turn, General," Aveline says, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes.

I nod curtly, the adrenaline slowly giving way to a cold resolve. Launching myself forward with a powerful push from my left leg, I mimic Aveline's attack, "[Spear Strike!]" My spear sings through the air, mimicking her vertical strike with surprising accuracy. The spider, caught off guard, is skewered clean through its thorax.

Aveline's lips curl into a smirk. "Nice work, General," her voice laced with a playful jab.

I manage a curt nod, my chest heaving with exertion. "And you too, good work," I rasp out, trying to regain my breath.

Rodger lowers his bow, a gruff chuckle escaping his lips. "Seems your combat techniques have improved greatly than the last time we met, kid," he remarks, his gaze flickering between me and Aveline.

"And you as well, Dad," I counter, offering him a faint smile. The memory of his unwavering support back in Ezlea flickers across my mind, a flicker of warmth amidst the cold fury coursing through me.

...

The next two days blur together, a monotonous rhythm of walking and battling at our own pace. Thankfully, Rodger's keen eyes and unmatched archery skills make quick work of the flying magical creatures that dare to harass us. We fall into a pattern of easy conversation, the topics light and fleeting. A tacit agreement hangs in the air – to avoid the gaping wounds of our past, the ones etched with Alpha, Josh, and me.

Both Aveline and Rodger, bless their perceptive souls, understand without needing a word, gently steering the conversation away whenever we near the precipice of those painful memories.

Before long, a silhouette emerges on the horizon, growing larger with each step we take.

It's Kampungair, a village unlike any I've ever seen. Nestled atop a wide river, it resembles a massive, sprawling bridge. Wooden houses, weathered and worn by time, line both sides, their colorful paint peeling in the afternoon sun. Yet, a disquieting silence hangs over the village. Three houses, their windows dark and gaping, stand out amidst the others, stark reminders of some unknown destruction.

"Is it just me," I mutter, a frown creasing my brow, "or is this place eerily quiet?"

Rodger, ever the vigilant hunter, his senses honed by years of experience, seems to pick up on a cue I missed. His gaze snaps towards the village, his grip tightening on his bow. "I have a bad feeling about this," he rumbles, his voice low and heavy with concern.

The three of us exchange a tense look, a silent communication passing between us. Our hands instinctively reach for our weapons, the playful banter of the past few days replaced by a steely resolve. The tranquility of Kampungair feels like a thin veil, and beneath it lurks something sinister, something that sends shivers down my spine.

"FINALLY!!!"

A guttural roar shatters the unsettling silence, accompanied by a powerful gust of wind that sends dust swirling. A figure explodes from the nearest house, a blur of green and muscle hurtling towards us with a battle cry.

"SPLIT UP!" I yell, urgency lacing my voice. Adrenaline surges through me, momentarily erasing the fatigue of the past two days.

Aveline and I react instinctively, leaping sideways in a practiced maneuver. Rodger, ever the seasoned hunter, dives backward in a smooth roll, narrowly avoiding the creature's savage charge.

The figure crashes to the ground with a deafening thud, the impact sending tremors through the wooden bridge-village. As the dust settles, a massive wooden crate splinters apart, revealing a hulking monstrosity standing before us. A massive orc, easily twice the height of a man, stands hunched over, its powerful arms resting on the ground, accompanied by a massive axe behind it. Its scarred green hide gleams in the afternoon sun, and a savage grin splits its face, revealing two enormous lower fangs. Bloodshot red eyes glint with predatory hunger, sending a jolt of fear through me.

...

Crap. My stomach lurches. A wave of nausea washes over me as my mind dredges up the traumatic memories of our previous encounter with this very beast.

"The... orc? Here of all places?" I force the words out, my voice barely a whisper. My legs tremble uncontrollably, threatening to buckle beneath me.

"SURRENDER, HUMANS!! AND I WILL GRANT YOU A TASTELESS DEATH!" The orc bellows, its voice booming across the silent village.

Like hell we will.

Anger flares within me, momentarily pushing back the fear. "This won't be like last time. Get ready, everyone!" I yell, my voice regaining its strength.

Aveline and Rodger nod in grim unison. It raises its giant axe, steel glinting in the sunlight, a silent vow passing between us. We may be outmatched, but we will not go down without a fight.

The battle explodes. The orc lets out a primal roar, ripping a massive axe from its back. With a thunderous bellow, it charges straight at me. My instincts take over, propelling me into a defensive stance. I surge forward, meeting the orc's charge head-on.

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Our weapons clash in a deafening clang. But the sheer difference in strength is undeniable. The orc's blow nearly overpowers me, forcing me to raise both hands on my spear to resist the blow. My arms strain, muscles screaming in protest. I flinch as the impact sends a shockwave through me.

Rodger, ever the opportunist, seizes his moment. With a lightning-fast draw, he unleashes an arrow aimed for the orc's eye. The arrow streaks through the air, but the beast reacts with surprising agility. It raises a massive hand, the arrow burying itself deep into its thick flesh with a sickening thud.

This momentary distraction buys me precious time. I grit my teeth and push back with all my might, creating an opening. I capitalize on the opportunity, launching myself backward in a desperate dodge just as the orc swings its axe in a vicious counterattack.

"RRRGH! WHAT A NUISANCE!" The orc bellows in frustration, its voice echoing across the silent village. It stomps its massive foot, the ground trembling beneath the impact. Before I can even react, it changes course, its bloodshot eyes fixated on Rodger, now its target.

Aveline and I react as one, a silent understanding passing between us. We charge forward, a desperate gambit to defend the veteran archer. Our weapons meet the orc's descending axe in a shower of sparks. The combined force of our attacks manages to parry the blow, but the impact pushes us back several steps, the sheer power of the beast nearly overwhelming us.

"By combining our strength, we can parry its attacks," Aveline declares, despite the strain on her face. I nod in agreement, a newfound resolve hardening my resolve. Together, we launch a coordinated counterattack, our blades connecting with the orc's side in a synchronized side-kick. The force of the combined blow catches the orc off guard, sending it staggering back with a surprised roar.

"Are you alright, Dad?" I manage to shout over the din of battle, my gaze flickering towards Rodger.

"Yes, thank you," he replies, his voice gruff but steady as he recovers his composure. "Just keep that thing away from me!"

"We'll handle it," I assure him, my voice ringing with newfound confidence.

The initial shock of the encounter has subsided. I can feel it – I am stronger, faster than before. The training, the battles, they've honed my skills, pushed me to my limits. But a sobering realization washes over me. Even with this newfound strength, we're still outmatched. Alpha, with his extraordinary power, had made child's play of defeating a similar orc in our previous encounter. A pang of envy, quickly eclipsed by a surge of determination, shoots through me.

...

Sigh.

...

There's no time for comparisons, no time for doubts. We have a fight on our hands, and we have to win.

Aveline and I launch into a whirlwind of attacks, a coordinated dance of steel against brute force. We take turns slashing and stabbing swiftly, aiming for weak points. The orc roars in frustration, its massive arms flailing as it tries to defend itself. Our blades find their mark, carving bloody gashes across its hide. But the beast is a whirlwind of fury, its thick muscles deflecting some of our blows. Despite the pain, we press on, a silent vow fueling our movements.

Suddenly, the orc lets out a deafening roar that vibrates in our chests, momentarily forcing us back a step. Its bloodshot eyes narrow, and with a bellow that shakes the very foundation of the bridge-village, it declares, "PLAYTIME IS OVER!"

With a surprising display of agility for its size, the orc discards its cumbersome axe. Its massive hands slam together twice with a thunderous clap, the air crackling with raw power. Before I can even blink, it charges straight at me, an unstoppable force barreling down. The impact of its fist connects with my stomach with a sickening thud. The air explodes from my lungs, and I'm sent flying backward several meters, the world dissolving into a blur of pain.

"General!!" Aveline's scream pierces through the haze of agony.

I groan, struggling to scramble to my feet. My grip tightens around the familiar shaft of [Su Yari]. Thankfully, the sturdy plates of my armor have absorbed most of the blow, but a dull ache throbs in my stomach.

"It's... nothing!" I force the words out, a defiant edge to my voice. Ignoring the pain, I surge forward, fueled by a mixture of adrenaline and rage.

"[PROPATHRUST!!]"

I roar, channeling my anger into the attack. The tip of my spear flashes forward in a lightning-fast triple thrust, aiming for the orc's vulnerable underbelly.

But the cunning beast anticipates my move. With lightning reflexes, it snatches my spear mid-strike, its massive hand engulfing the shaft. The momentum throws me off balance, and before I can react, the orc lands another brutal punch with its free hand. A metallic tang fills my mouth as blood trickles from my lips.

Aveline's scream cuts through the air once more. She explodes into action, a streak of crimson and steel. With a battle cry, she darts towards the orc's back and plunges her sword deep into its spine, the blade burying itself to the hilt. The orc lets out a howl of pain, its grip on my spear faltering. It throws its head back, attempting to reach for the embedded sword with its massive hands.

In that split second, Rodger seizes his opportunity. An arrow streaks through the air, aimed for the orc's head. But the mighty beast boasts a thick skull as well. The arrow connects with a sickening thud, but instead of finding its mark, it glances off, barely leaving a scratch.

The opportunity is too good to miss. Spitting out the metallic tang of blood, I clench my jaw and unleash a flurry of attacks.

"[PENTATHRUST!!]"

I roar, channeling my frustration and pain into the maneuver. My spear becomes a blur, finding its mark five times in rapid succession, carving bloody gashes across the orc's massive chest. With a final, powerful thrust, I slam the tip of Su Yari deep into its left abdomen.

"Payback," I mutter through gritted teeth, a grim smile playing on my lips despite the throbbing pain in my stomach.

"Both of you, get away from it, now!" Rodger's voice cuts through the air, laced with urgency. His years of experience as an archer have honed his instincts, and he senses something we don't.

Aveline and I react instantly, trusting his veteran intuition. We leap backward in unison, putting precious distance between ourselves and the enraged orc. Just as we do, a fireball streaks through the air from behind the beast, erupting in a brilliant flash of light and a thunderous boom. The explosion sends shockwaves through the bridge-village, showering us with debris.

"What's... that!?" Aveline exclaims, her eyes wide with shock as the dust settles.

"A fireball?" I echo, bewildered. My gaze darts around frantically, searching for the source of the unexpected attack.

In the distance, a lone figure stands on the rickety wooden balcony of a nearby house. She's clad in black leather armor, a familiar gambeson emblazoned with a crimson phoenix adorning her chest. Her hand rests on a staff, its tip glowing faintly with an ethereal light. But something is different. The staff I remember was a simple, wooden one. This one... This time... it seems to radiate an otherworldly power.

A spark of recognition ignites in my mind. "...R... Ruby!?" The name tumbles from my lips, laced with disbelief.

The woman on the balcony whirls around, her eyes widening in surprise. "R-Rai...?" she echoes, her voice barely a whisper.

I tilt my head slightly, struggling to process this unexpected development. Before I can dwell on it further, I lock eyes with Aveline. A silent communication passes between us. We both know what needs to be done.

"Let's finish this together!" I declare, my voice ringing with newfound resolve.

Aveline nods curtly.

We charge forward, a coordinated dance of steel against the enraged beast. We flank the orc, unleashing a flurry of attacks from both sides. Finally, with a well-timed leap and a graceful swing, Aveline delivers the final blow, her blade severing the orc's head from its hulking body in a clean arc. The headless monstrosity crashes to the ground with a deafening thud, finally still.

"We did it!" Aveline exclaims, the adrenaline fading from her voice, replaced by a wave of relief. She leans against her sword, catching her breath as the monstrous orc slowly dissipates into a swirling cloud of dust.

The silence that follows is broken by the creak of opening doors. Villagers, previously cowering indoors, cautiously emerge, their faces etched with fear and confusion as they take in the aftermath of the battle.

"Rai! It's really you!" A figure emerges from the crowd, a young woman clad in a familiar black gambeson. Ruby rushes towards me, her face alight with joy, but her steps falter as Aveline swiftly positions herself between us, her sword raised in a defensive stance.

"It's... the wizard!" Aveline growls, her voice laced with suspicion and hostility. Her gaze flickers between Ruby and me, her stance unwavering.

"Stop," I interject, my voice surprisingly calm despite the chaos of the moment. Relief washes over me as the weight of the battle lifts. "I know her."

Aveline hesitates, her lips pressed into a thin line. "But, General! I think you should—" she begins to protest.

I pay no heed to her words, gently nudging her shoulder aside and taking a step towards Ruby. A million questions clamor for attention in my mind, but for now, the simple act of seeing her again takes precedence. With a surge of emotion, I pull her into a tight embrace.

"Where have you been...? I thought we would never see each other again," I murmur into her hair, the memory of our last encounter sending a pang of sadness through me.

Ruby tenses for a moment, her eyes flitting nervously between me and Aveline. A kaleidoscope of emotions flickers across her face – relief, confusion, and a flicker of something akin to fear. Finally, she seems to gather herself, though a hint of hesitation lingers in her embrace.

"Rai..." she whispers, her voice barely audible.

Aveline and Rodger, who has silently approached us, wear expressions of concern and bewilderment.

"Seriously, General? Now you're siding with the cursed wizard!?" Aveline finally bursts out, her voice laced with disbelief and a touch of betrayal.

"No," I respond, stepping back slightly but keeping my arm wrapped around Ruby's waist. "She is my girlfriend."

The revelation hangs heavy in the air. A stunned silence descends upon the group.

"...Eh..." A faint murmur escapes Rodger's lips, his weathered face creased in confusion.

The silence stretches on, broken only by the chirping of birds in the distance. Then, as if on cue, both Aveline and Rodger erupt in unison.

"Eh!?" Aveline shrieks, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"EEEEEHHHHHHHH!?"

Both of their voices are echoing across the now-peaceful bridge-village.

Meanwhile, the object of their astonishment offers a faint smile, burying her face in the crook of my shoulder. "...Silly," she murmurs, her voice muffled, a hint of amusement peeking through.

#

End of chapter 5.