“Hahhh!” I shouted and chopped the last piece of wood using an axe.

“Here, Raiki,” Honoka said and offered me a towel.

I then accepted it and wiped the sweat on my face.

It’s been a week since I’ve been reunited with my little sister Honoka and started helping Chen. Chen is the Master Cook mentor of my little sister and they’ve been travelling all around [Katzenschatz]. Because we decided to wait for the two of them before going to [Taurus Empire], I at least have to get stronger while fulfilling my duty as the bodyguard of Honoka as preparation for my next [soldier challenge].

“You’re really a life saver. Without all of you, this village won’t even recover from that incident,” the old villager said to the two of us while arranging the chopped woods.

Apparently, this village had been robbed by bandits. Because no one is strong enough to cross [Harlequin Valley] to work at [Sagittarius Empire], they just barely survived by getting small amounts of edible ingredients from the valley.

“You’re welcome,” Honoka replied with a smile.

Right now, Iwa is helping Chen teach the women of the village how to cook inside the house while Ciana is teaching the men how to fight monsters. Apparently, Ciana is also an experienced fighter so every morning, she volunteered to teach them how to fight while wielding the weapon that we got from Seira. Using her dagger with a golden hilt, she is now sparring with a man holding a sword.

“Your head is wide open! Monsters won’t miss that!” she said with a serious expression and swung her dagger. The man somehow blocked it with his sword.

“I-I got it. Here I come!” the man said with resolve and swung his sword.

Ciana swiftly dodged it by side-stepping.

“That’s one powerful swing,” Ciana said with a smile.

“Ciana sure is amazing,” Honoka said while watching them spar.

Even I don’t know that Ciana can fight until this week. She is really a [Constellation Deity] alright.

“You can battle her if you want,” I suggested.

Honoka have three metal sticks on her right leg that forms a staff when joined together. Back when we’re still at the village, we often spar but of course, I’m the winner almost every time. It’s because I let her win sometimes just so she won’t be mad that I always win all of the time.

“Jeez, I know I can’t beat her just from watching, you know,” she replied with a pout. “How about you challenge her instead?”

“Hmmm. Maybe next time,” I said and smiled. “It’s been an hour since sunrise so should we go to [Harlequin Valley] now?”

“You’re right. Let’s go,” Honoka replied with a smile.

We then prepared the necessary things that we should bring and started walking towards the north entrance of the Valley. Because of the [Repelling Horn], there are no monsters that tried to attack us.

“So…what’s the next one?” I asked while we’re walking on the grassy ground.

“Three [Lime Mushrooms]. Those can be found near a cliff.”

“That…sounds dangerous.”

“We’re here,” she said after we arrived at the said cliff. I immediately looked below and saw nothing but darkness.

“Hey, falling down here is no joke. I will get it instead. It’s dangerous.”

“Jeez. You don’t need to worry. And also, this is my job so just leave it to me,” she replied and went at the edge of the cliff where the [Lime Mushrooms] can be found. She then plucked three and placed it on the wooden basket on her back.

“See, there’s nothing to worry about, right?” she asked with a proud smile.

“I get it so hurry up and—”

Suddenly, the ground that Honoka is standing started to crack and she fell on the cliff.

“Honoka!” I shouted and grabbed her hand just in time.

“Th-that’s close,” she said with widened eyes.

“Jeez. I’m going to pull you up.”

“Thanks,” she replied and I pulled her up. Because of the momentum of my pull, Honoka collided to me and both of us fell on a lying position in the ground.

“Jeez, you could’ve at least pulled me carefully,” Honoka complained while lying on top of me, lying on her stomach.

“You really scared me there. I don’t know what I will do if you really fell down,” I said with a worried expression while looking directly at her eyes. It’s been a while since I became this nervous. Living in that village is really peaceful that I almost forgot this feeling.

After hearing my words, Honoka’s cheeks kinda got red and suddenly tackled my chest with the side of her head.

“Ouch! What was that for?” I asked, confused.

“You’re heart...is really beating fast,” Honoka whispered as she listens to it while her right ear is on my chest.

Now that I noticed it, I forgot to put on my armor. The only thing I brought for fighting is [Raiden].

“Thanks to you, Reckless Girl. How about we stand up no--”

“Raiki…” she suddenly interrupted.

“Why?”

“You like Ciana, don’t you?”

“H-how did you reach that conclusion?” I asked with a surprised face.

“See, your heart beat rapidly increased just because I’ve said that,” she whispered with a pout. “I can also see that you look at her differently, you know.”

“It’s not like that, seriously,” I followed, trying to convince her.

She then lifted her upper body to look at me and asked, “Then, who is the one that you really like?”

“I like her character of course, I mean she’s kind and always worry about Iwa and me. But if you’re really asking whom I really like... it’s definitely you of course,” I replied like it’s the most natural thing in the world while looking straight at Honoka. “You’re my precious little sister after all.”

She then made her eyes squinty and followed, “Seriously Raiki, anyone who’ll hear that will get the wrong idea.”

“Huh? Did I say something weird?” I asked.

“You’re…really an idiot, you know.”

“Wh-what?” I reacted with a surprised face. “How can you call your brother an idiot?”

She then stood up and replied, “Because it’s the truth.”

“Is this what they call rebellious age?” I whispered to myself and stood up. Honoka's attitude has changed alright compared to when we're still living together. I wonder if it's because of not seeing each other for a long time.

“Ouch!” Honoka suddenly reacted.

“What’s wrong?” I asked to her.

“I guess…I sprained my ankle,” she said and showed it to me. It's really swelling slightly.

I then faced the opposite direction and crouched down.

“Come on. I’ll carry you on my back,” I muttered seriously.

“H-huh?” she reacted with a surprised face.

“You can’t walk properly with that injury, right?”

“I’m…heavy, you know,” she said shyly with furrowed eyebrows while looking at a different direction.

“You don’t look like one though.”

“Ughhh…”

Why is she that against it?

“You…don’t want to?” I followed.

“Th-that’s not it. It’s just…” Honoka whispered, somehow embarrassed.

“…”

“It’s embarrassing,” she whispered shyly.

“What did you say?” I asked, not hearing her words.

“Fine. I just have to do it, right?” she said and placed her arms around my neck. I then grabbed both of her legs and stood up.

“Now, let’s go,” I said with a smile.

“Jeez,” Honoka reacted with a sigh.

Suddenly, a horde of black mouse with the pincers of a crab appeared before us.

“Those are… [Clawed Mouse]!” Honoka reacted.

“What happened to the [Repelling Horn]? These guys are without a doubt below level 25.”

“It’s…gone…” Honoka whispered with shocked eyes.

“What?” I reacted with a surprised expression.

“The charm is gone! Maybe it fell on the cliff earlier.”

“Then, we have no choice but to battle them.”

“But how? How can you draw your sword while carrying me with both hands?”

“Then, it’s simple,” I replied and shifted her forward.

“Wh-what?” Honoka reacted, surprised.

Is this what they call a lover’s carry? Well, this is not the time to think about it.

While Honoka’s arms are wrapped around my neck, both of her legs are being carried by my right hand. With this position, my left hand is now free. I immediately drew out my short sword and pointed it to the [Clawed Mouse].

“I’m ready anytime you want!” I shouted and the monsters jumped towards me.

“Haaahhh!”

*slash*

With just one hit from [Raiden], the first mouse immediately fainted.

“This sword is really good!” I reacted excitedly.

The onslaught continued and I managed to beat all of them with one slash each.

“And that’s the last of them,” I said after defeating the last mouse.

“Are you okay, Raiki?” Honoka asked with a worried face.

“I’m fine. This is a child’s play compared to when Arjen and I went here,” I proudly stated.

*Rooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrr!*

“Are you…kidding me? Not you again!” I reacted with widened eyes.

*thump*

Suddenly, the [Berser King] that tried to kill me before appeared.

“A…[Berser King]. We’re doomed,” Honoka reacted with widened eyes.

Not that I can blame her. This ferocious monster, I’m sure that I can’t beat it while carrying Honoka.

“Honoka, we’re not battling a horde of monsters anymore so I think it is safe now. I’ll put you down for now so I can beat this one.”

“I got i--”

Before I know it, the [Berser King] is now before us, ready to swing its sharp claws.

How fast!!! It clearly grew faster compared to before!

*Roar!*

I somehow turned my back to protect Honoka and both of us flew away from each other after the monster attacked.

“Hono…ka…” I muttered after getting up with an injured back.

I should have put my armor earlier alright. Now I’m regretting it.

Right now, Honoka is lying flat on the ground, not even moving. It looks like she took some damage too.

*roar*

“Wh-why are you heading towards Honoka?” I muttered as I watch the [Berser King] walk slowly.

It then grabbed Honoka’s left arm and lifted her up.

"Hey!!!" I shouted furiously.

It then stared at Honoka's body and prepared to slash her.

“N-no! You stupid Monster! Attack me and not her!!!” I said and started to dash towards them.

Our distance is around 10 meters. I won’t make it!

“Bro…ther…” Honoka whispered after looking at me.

“Hono--”

She then drew out her free hand towards me and said, “Help me.”

“Honokaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!”

Just before the [Berser King] landed the attack, Honoka transformed into a red light and went on my left hand.

*roar?*

The surrounding became red because of the sudden flash of bright light. When the lighting disappeared, a black katana appeared on my hand.

“[Honoka],” I whispered as I stare at the [weapon] on my hand with a surprised look.

After a few seconds, she returned back to normal and hugged me.

“Raiki....Raiki!" she cried.

“Everything is fine now,” I said and patted her head.

“That was really scary,” she said while sobbing.

“Anyway, step back. I’ll finish this,” I said and Honoka went behind me.

The [Berser King] then rushed towards us with a ferocious expression.

“Guess I have to use it,” I said and sheathed [Raiden].

“Raiki?”

I then made a drawing stance and waited for the monster to come closer.

“Raiki! Watch out!”

When the [Berser King] is now before me, I instantly teleported behind him in a flash.

“[Lightning Bolt],” I whispered.

Suddenly, the bear got electrocuted and collapsed face first on the ground.

I then stood up properly and gave Honoka a smile.

“You defeated the [Berser King] without drawing your sword?” Honoka reacted with a really surprised expression.

“Well…something like that, I guess,” I responded with a smile.

I then started walking towards Honoka and when I stopped before her, she looked down with a sad expression.

“Sorry, Raiki…for being a burden to you. I...couldn’t even help you.”

“Sorry? Now hearing that from you is much surprising than seeing that [Berser King] earlier.”

“Jeez! And here I am worrying about you!” she said and repeatedly pound me on my chest weakly using her fists.

Anyway, let’s hurry,” I said and this time, carried her in my arms like a princess.

“R-R-Raiki?” she reacted with a flustered expression.

“I’ll protect you no matter what kind of monster appeared before us so leave everything to me,” I said with a reassuring smile.

She then wrapped her arms around my neck and replied, “Thank you, Brother” with a blushed face.

After that, I walked back to the village without encountering any monsters along the way.