"Mimi! Are we really just going to leave Mister Artreus like that? Why don't we ask him to come with us go back to town together?" The little voice of Juliet is filled with worry as she gazed back in the direction where they came from.

"He said that he'll be fine. So he'll be fine." Mikaela answered in a stern voice which made the little girl in her arms quiver in fear. Shaking her head, Mikaela knew that she was a bit harsh with her tone. But she couldn't help it. She's in a real foul mood because of that idiot.

That dense fool. How could he not know that she doesn't want to fight beside him to claim glory, instead, she wanted to fight beside him before overwhelming odds? To help him carry the burden?

They sparred together for almost a month now, and even when their initial relationship was admittedly not on good terms due to Mikaela's envy towards his seemingly high potential and vast improvements in such a short time that in just a single week, he already left Mikaela in dust in terms of strength, still, even with her insecurities and the shadow of his past, Mikaela considers him as a friend.

But it is clear that he doesn't see her as the same.

For even after all the praise that he showered her, on how she has gained much strength these past few days, he still doesn't trust her abilities. He goes as far as to trust strangers to guard his back instead of her.

Is she really just a burden to people?

"Mimi. Mimi!" As Mikaela's self-doubt was about to consume her, a small voice pulled her back to reality. Turning towards the little girl in her arms, Juliet, who seems to be able to read her heart, spoke. "Mimi. Mister Artreus doesn't see you as a burden." She said with a resolute voice. "It is because he trusts you that he gave you the most important mission of delivering the report of the incoming baddies." Then, as if her bravery melted like sugar in hot water, she whispered in a downtrodden voice. "it is me and my brother who is a bother. If you are not carrying us, you should be able to get to town faster. Then, the town could've sent reinforcement to mister Artreus much sooner."

Like a candle shining within a dark cave, the little girl's kind words pierced through Mikaela's heart, and her doubt about her self-worth has somewhat lessened. But as her mood lightens up, she could also see the kid's mood darken. "Don't worry. Artreus will be fine. Trust him." This time she spoke those words softly and as reassuringly as she could. But even as she tried to console the kids, doubt also lingers in her heart.

As strong as people like the idiot and the old man is, they are still human. From what Mikaela's new and improved Awakened Sense was able to perceive, most of the vanguard of the monster horde have quite a weak presence, so they should be low-rank monsters like wolves or goblins. But that doesn't mean Mikaela could breathe a sigh of relief. Wolves and goblins may be weak, but based on what she Sensed earlier, their numbers are in the hundreds, and that was just based on the number of presences she was able to Sense at two hundred meters. It is naive thinking to believe that is all the monsters in the horde, for before Mikaela opted to retreat with the kids she felt stronger beings approaching from behind the first wave of monsters.

Mikaela could only pray to the Gods that they protect Artreus could back his words and return to them in one piece. For as frustrating stubborn or dense he could be at times, she couldn't deny that he was kind of endearing sometimes. He was stern in their spars, not afraid of bruising or even breaking some of Mikaela's bones. But always at the end of their spars, he carefully treats her injuries. He always preaches that pain is the best teacher, but whenever he tends to her, he could feel his worry that he caused too much pain to Mikaela and even regret that this is the only way he knows how to train her as his hands tenderly apply treatment to her cuts and bruises, and she thanks him for it. For as much as he loves the old man like a father, he treats Mikaela like a priceless porcelain jar, delicate and fragile, thus he often sends her to do easier, safer tasks, afraid that she might get hurt on their missions. In the middle of fights, the old man even makes sure to block most projectiles targeting her with his own body, which is touching to see how much he cares for her but is also frustrating because for the old man, thus, even after all her strides in getting stronger, in the old man's eyes, Mikaela will always be the little defenseless girl that he saved from that nightmarish manor.

But Artreus is different.

He doesn't treat Mikaela like a damsel in distress. He hits her as hard as he hits his opponents, only stopping short from causing lethal harm to Mikaela during their spars. Kick to the gut. Punch in the face. Cuts and bruises here and there. A concussion sometimes if she is not careful. He even almost severed her arm that one time Mikaela was close to stabbing him in his gut. Thankfully, he stopped short and only caused a deep cut in her arm which he hastily treated. The look of panic as it dawned to him what he almost did was priceless as he frantically tied a tourniquet above her bleeding arm, cleaned the wound, carefully poured the contents of a healing potion on the wound, applied medicinal paste that he personally prepared after grinding herbs he collected furiously with a mortar and pestle to further hasten her recovery and avoid getting the wound infected, and finally, carefully bandaged her wound. He might try to hide his worry for her by going on a sermon of always being attentive even in spars, for a single moment of carelessness could cost one's life, but she could see his concern by making sure he took care of her by cooking meals that he knew she likes and tending to her wounds.

He doesn't treat her like a fragile maiden, instead, he treats her like a warrior like himself, and even if she is still not on his level, he makes sure to not underestimate her.

How he treats the children as a lovable big brother also adds to his charm. While he is strict on them in training, it is clear that he dotes on them. He cooks them the foods they requested. He buys them treats. He even plays with them when they have free time. Seeing a grown-ass man play tag with the kids in the middle of the forest sure is something Mikaela never thought to see in her lifetime. Well, it might not be a regular game of tag, for they use Mana to run through the forest at intense speed, further increasing the kid's mastery in Mana manipulation. So she might as well call it training/play. He makes sure that they are far from harm.

While he has such a plain-looking face, that caring of his alone would make any woman lucky to be his wife.

Blushing at her passing thought, Mikaela shook her head and focused on the task instead.

Head into the town and inform them of the monster horde and quickly head back with reinforcement to pull the idiot's ass to safety before he thinks he is one of the Twenty and face the whole horde by himself.

"Wait, Miss!" The sound of shouting came from behind them, and when Mikaela turned to see who is it coming from, she saw the figure of two men running after them.

Mikaela thought that they were just low-level mooks judging from how sloppy they are with their stalking. But it seems that what they were lacking with stealth, they make it up with fast legs as she should be running at 30km per hour while carrying the kids but they are already closing the distance.

Upon reaching them, the slim one spoke to her. "Hello miss. My brother and I are here to help." He said between breaths.

How they could be of help? She guesses she could have them carry the kids so that she could run ahead and alert the town. The only problem with that idea is that she doesn't trust them one bit. For while they haven't done anything bad, their creepy act of following the kids wherever they go doesn't sit well with Mikaela.

While those thoughts float in her head, she suddenly felt a few presences approaching them from behind at high speeds.

That idiot! He said that he will slow them down. It has only been two minutes and a group of monsters has already broken through! While he cursed Artreus, she couldn't hide her concern. For if monsters have broken through already, then something bad might've happened to Artreus and his group.

"Monsters incoming!" She declared as she put down the kids in her arms and readied to fight for while they could try to make a run for it to town, at the speed the monsters are approaching, they would soon get caught, so instead of running, Mikaela chose to fight while she has enough stamina.

Hearing her say that there are monsters coming their way, the two men were about to run away. In turn, Mikaela growled at them. "You two, stay here and fight or I will kill you where you stand!"

"What are we gonna do, Benny? Ma said that we should run away if there are monsters." The big guy asked the skinny man.

"I don't think we have a choice, Dudley. Unless we want a dagger in our backs as we run, we better listen to the little miss here. Ma did also say that it is a man's job to protect the ladies." The skinny man tried to force a smile as he spoke those words, but it was clear that he is nervous at the prospect of facing monsters.

"If Ma said so. I will listen." Seemingly oblivious to what is going on, the big guy raised his large fists.

Seeing that they don't carry weapons, Mikaela asked. "Don't you have weapons?"

"Ma'am, we are gentlemen, and gentlemen settle things with their fists." The man called Benny flashed a charming smile. But to Mikaela he looks like those men who try to put a brave front, but inside, they were pissing their pants in fear.

"You are no gentlemen. You are idiots. Monsters wouldn't care if you fight them in a gentlemen's way or not." He then threw a dagger to each of them. "Here. Take it and get ready. They are almost here!"

"Well, if you insist." Benny quickly grabbed the dagger that fell near his feet.

On the other hand, the big guy named Dudley hesitates. "I don't like knives, Benny. It is sharp and pointy. It's scary."

Grabbing the other dagger, Benny tried to hand it to Dudley, but the large man profusely shakes his head, refusing to even touch the dagger.

Mikaela's temper is reaching its point as she watches the two interact that she shouts at them. "I don't care if you use the dagger or your fists! Just get ready! They are here!"

As if waiting for her shout, the monsters appeared from the trees. Wolf Rider Goblins it seems. Ten of them.

Shielding the kids with her body, Mikaela turned to face the incoming monsters she moved a bit behind the two dummies so that they would attract the monsters' attention first. As expected, it worked as the four wolves that are ahead of the pack lunged at the two men like starving predators.

"If you are hungry, then EAT THESE!" Mikaela's daggers flew towards the lunging monsters and each of her eight daggers hit their targets in their chests, one for each rider and one for each of their mounts, taking their lives in an instant.

"Good shot Miss!" The man called Benny turned to face Mikaela and praised her.

Instead of feeling proud, Mikaela got irritated and shout. "Don't get distracted, idiot! In front of you!"

Alarmed by her warning, Benny turned around and was surprised at the other wolf rider coming at him. But instead of using the daggers in his hands to protect himself, he ducked and dived to the side to avoid the beast who is about to maul him. "Aiyee!" He screamed as he dived to the ground.

Unfortunately, it would only save him for a few seconds as the other wolf rider was about to pounce at him.

"Mimi! Help him!" Juliet pleaded as she watch in the horror at what was about to happen.

While Mikaela would want to help the man, if only to save the kids from witnessing someone die horribly before their eyes, but she can't move from her position right now. Or precisely, she must not move from her position if she wants to protect the kids from the monsters who are only ten meters away from them. Thus, she chose to draw four more daggers from her bandolier and threw it towards the wolf riders.

Alas, none of the daggers hit. The Wolf Riders are now aware of her and her knives' threat and were ready to dodge. The high agility of their wolf mounts enabled them to nimbly jump away from the incoming knives.

Damn it. Mikaela cursed under her breath as she watch her thrown knives miss their targets. She readied another volley of knives to save the man who was now rolling in the ground while avoiding the pouncing wolves, but then, a furious scream boomed.

"Get away from Benny!" Screamed the large man whose left arm was bleeding as a wolf is biting into it. These dire wolves have jagged teeth and a single bite would kill its prey even if it escapes due to severe blood loss. But instead of flinching from the pain of the still biting wolf at his arm, the large man bravely rushed to help Benny, and with a huge swing of his left arm, he punched the wolf that was about to deliver the killing lunge at the rolling man, hitting the wolf in the gut.

The large man called Dudley might have yet to Awaken, but Mikaela would be lying if she was not amazed at how much force he could generate behind those fists of his. For even when another wolf was biting at his left arm, his left-handed punch to the other wolf's gut made the wolf's body to form an inverted letter U and send it flying four meters above the ground. Also, due to the force of the punch, the wolf that was biting his arm was also sent flying.

Without care for his own injury, the panicked Dudly quickly helped Benny to his feet. "Benny, you ok? You hurt?"

"You are the one bleeding, and you're asking me if I'm hurt. Damn it, Dudley." Benny grimaced as if he was full of regret. "Damn it!" He screamed at the top of his lung before charging towards the incoming Wolf Riders. He wildly swung the daggers on each of his hands. "Die, you bastards!" He screamed at the top of his lungs as if doing so would drive away the fear within his heart.

Seeing Benny's desperate attacks, Dudley also chimed in, swinging his arms left and right at the incoming wolf riders who, seeing the strength of his punch, was understandably reluctant to approach the man, lest they get crumpled like paper like one of their comrades before them.

While the two men were not able to land any hit against their agile enemies, they still managed to distract them, and that is just what Mikaela needs. Grabbing the remaining eight daggers in her bandolier, she struck down four more wolf riders and their mounts to the ground with successive knife throws to their heads and chests. After the last wolf has collapsed. They were finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.

Wait a minute. One, two, three... Wasn't there ten of them? Why am I only counting nine? As Mikaela count the fallen wolf riders, she suddenly felt a faint presence from behind them. Thinking quickly, she shoved aside the kids as one of the wolf riders lunged from behind them. "Move! Runaway!" She told the kids as she unsheathed her last dagger and tried to block the wolf's claws that were coming at her. The force behind the lunge was stronger than she thought but by using Strengthening, she was able to absorb the force of the lunge. Just then, she felt a twinge of pain from her still bruised ribs that she flinched. Seeing an opening, the wolf rider thrust his spear towards Mikaela's head but she deftly ducked under it and sidestepped away from the incoming fangs of the wolf. Then, a more intense pain flared from her sides.

Damn it. Why now! Mikaela cursed to herself for every abrupt movement of hers only to worsen the pain from her injury.

"Miss! Let us help!" Benny shouted and both he and Dudley run towards the wolf rider.

"No! Stay by the kids!" She roared at them.

As if her fear has come to life, the wolf rider turned around and started to run towards the undefended kids. Seeing the fear in Timothy's and Juliet's eyes, she felt her desperation rise. Its SHADOW where is its shadow! Her mind screamed. But after seeing that the wolf rider's shadow was far away from her to shadow step, she instead used all of her Mana to Strengthen her body to its fullest. She then leaped towards the wolf rider, hoping that she would be able to get there on time.

But as she did, he saw the wolf rider goblin turn towards her and smile.

Mikaela's blood froze as the wolf rider turned around and leaped at her, spear pointing at her and the wolf has bared its fang, as if waiting to sink its teeth on her flesh.

IT'S A TRAP!

There was nothing that Mikaela could do to avoid the attack. She is now in mid-air, thus she would not be able to use shadow step, for to use her shadow step, she must be physically stepping on her opponent's shadow, and while she could block one of the wolf rider's attacks, she couldn't possibly block or avoid the other. In the end, she would either die from being impaled by the goblin wolf rider's spear or get mauled to death by the wolf.

Seeing that there is no way for her to survive, she steeled herself.

If she is going to die, she will make sure to kill this monster at least. Then, the kids would be safe and they would be able to deliver the news of the horde to the town.

Yes. If she has to die, she might as well die for a purpose.

Still, she has one regret.

Damn it... I just wish I could see your face one more time. As those thoughts float in her mind, she closed her eyes, and the face of the gentle and caring man appeared before her.

Finding her resolve, she roared at the top of her lungs. "UWOOOOO!"

There was only two meter distance between them. Two meter from life and death, when suddenly.

"No! Mimi!!!" A scream from the little girl rang and as if the very earth has come alive, roots sprung forth from the ground and wrapped around the wolf rider. The monster and its mount squirmed, but only for a second as the roots tightened till a loud crunch followed by squelch could be heard as the wolf rider and its mount was crushed to death by the roots.

Dumbfounded by what has just transpired, Mikaela looked at the little girl who is now glowing.

What is that behind her? it looked like a woman whose skin is like tree bark and is covered in roots, and it is... Floating?

"A spirit?!" Mikaela exclaimed out loud.

Before she could continue to be surprised at how a small child was able to summon spirits which is only supposed to be possible for elves, she quickly ran to the side of the children.

Juliet weakly reached for Mikaela's hand as soon as she reached her side. "Mimi... I... am glad... you're safe..." Little Juliet softly spoke before she collapsed in exhaustion.

"Juliet! No!" Timothy panicked after seeing her little sister faint.

Mikaela quickly checked her pulse, after a while, she breathe a sigh of relief. Turning towards the worried big brother, "It's fine. She exhausted all of her Mana and fell asleep. She will be fine when she wakes up." she reassured him.

WIping the tears from his eyes, Timothy, still looking at his sleeping sister, "Is she really alright?" he asked.

"Yes. Now, let's get back to town. It is not safe here."

"Wait." Timothy exclaimed before running towards the injured Dudely. He then took out a handkerchief and placed it over his bleeding arm. "Here, mister. This will heal your wound." and just like he said, Mikaela could feel the energy coming from the handkerchief slowly cover the wounded arm.

"Oh wow, Benny! It doesn't hurt much anymore!" Exclaimed Dudley.

Seeing the bleeding stop, Benny bowed his head towards Timoty. "Thanks, little one. Thanks for saving my little brother."

"Don't think much of it, Mister. I am just glad that your brother is safe." Timothy answered.

Seeing the growing camaraderie between the stalkers and the stalked is heartwarming and at the same time, unnerving. "Come on! Let's go! We are only a few hundred meters away from town!" Mikaela urged. Carrying little Juliet in her arms, Mikaela has even forgotten that her sides are still hurting and ran as fast as her feet could carry them.

As they reach the edge of the forest and started to see the walls of Mukala, Mikaela prayed in her heart. Gods, please watch over him.

Then, as if she was speaking to the man himself, she whispered under her breath.

Just hang on. I will be coming to save you.

♦♦♦

Unbeknownst to them, there was another group of people who has felt the surge of spiritual power that came from the forest.

Also, Juliet's ear, which has been a normal size for a human child, has begun to grow.