Chapter 80

Starl’s emerald green hair swung as she ran.

“Rain! Where are you!?”

She called out as she ran through crowds of confused people. Compared to the people around her, she was extremely short so she couldn't see ahead of her. The only thing she could do was yell out loud as she continued looking.

Unlike now, before when a certain human had appeared, the village was dull, boring, and quiet, with all the people living within, only thinking about work, survive, and live- the Lamians live a harsh and quiet life. There’s no concept of happiness and play, only survival. Even though Starl had some peers, children like her, but they are actually not more than five of them…

Although they sometimes play with each other, most of the time they were working, helping the other Lamians, or training how to fight and control their magic power. There was no concept of fun. Life in the village was as simple as it can be.

However, now was different.

Ever since Rain had arrived, the dull, boring village was now full of colors. Smiles can be seen in every corner, and the simple, poor village was expanding, even their houses were now turning into something new. Though, of course not as great as cities and towns of humans, but it was better than before where one only settles in caves and make-shift lairs.

With his shared knowledge, the village was now composed of stout log buildings with low roofs—some thatched, others shingled. Smoke billowed from the chimneys, giving the air a woody smell. The buildings had wide porches where people gathered to talk and gossip—which is now a new kind of life for the Lamians who, before, didn’t know the concept of free time. But now, every in-between their work in the field or the village, they now gathered often to talk about things, mostly though about Rain and their encounters, which would elicit peals of laughter and smiles.

What’s more, there was now a new addition to the family. The Killers and the Antmen. They now increased the population of the village, along with the workforce and fighting force. Hence, everything becomes much easier, giving leeway for free time.

In the minds of the people, something that might be called hope clearly existed. That hope was a single man. The man that had acknowledged them, loved them, and accepted them for who they are. The man they deemed as a treasure that no gold or silver could ever compare. And Starl’s very precious big brother, playmate, and father-figure.

Finally, Starl was able to find Rain in the warrior training area.

“Starl, if you're looking for Rain, I saw him by the training area.”

“Oh! You're right! Big Brother is hiding all the way over there!” she laughed, her eyes turning crescent.

“Fufu, I don't think he's hiding... It looks like he's training with the others.”

“Okay! I’ll go and find him!”

After hearing of his whereabouts from the other passing Lamians, Starl ran towards the training area. The Lamians and Antmen made way for the energetic little girl to pass through. As she ran past, they couldn’t help but stare at her back and smile. The sight of a cheerful child had the power to cheer people up at any age. Especially in this god-forsaken land.

She was never this cheerful before.

But now…

She’s always full of smiles.

“Big Brother!”

Starl shouted the name out loud. But it seemed like her voice didn't reach all the way to the person she shouted at, as he didn't notice her existence. He was currently sparring with Drova, a Lamian Great Warrior, Starl knew very well.

In the center of a crowd, standing in the training area, Drova slithered backward and lashed with her long, bristly tail. However, the target that she was going, suddenly disappeared. However, Drova was not the least bit surprised, and with a grin, she twisted around while raising her left hand above her head as if she had seen the future.

Thwak!

The sound of an arm chopping down.

“Your ability is still as mysterious as always Rain,”

Whilst blocking Rain’s right arm with her left, Drova lashed out with her tail. The impact and momentum could only be compared to a car running at full speed. One hit by that would surely spell pain. However, Rain easily dodged it with a backflip. Three backflip and then ended with him effortlessly somersaulting forwards, aiming a kick at the back of Drova’s head.

Even still, as if already predicting his move, the blonde Lamian deftly spun around and dodged. The gap between the two closed. A sigh rose from the spectators. Rain and Drova exchanged blows again. Rapid and fierce exchange. Arms to Arms, Legs to tail. Their speed caused them to create afterimages that seemed to made them multiply.

It was not just Starl whose hands were clenched in anxiety.

Rain struck with a lightning-fast sweep-kick, then pummel Drova with a rapid succession of punches—each one hyper-sounded with a sharp, whistling air and sonic booms. However, the blonde Lamian was still able to parry them all, with incredible, animal-like reflexes.

Technique and skill-wise, Rain beat her. However, experience, strength, speed, and reflexes, he is still beneath her.

Drova laughed as she countered with her fists and tail, never have such combat before without weapons. Still, his technique and skill were brought to almost perfection. Rain moves with dangerous fluidity. He whirls in the air, spin-kicking her every time he made a move, and almost, despite the vast difference in physical attributes, she was feeling it.

Rain… his physical prowess was not the same as those Drova knew one should have in his level. Which is pretty incredible. Even his leg strength was incredibly strong, capable of pushing even her with but a kick.

As expected of my Rain!

He never fails to surprise her. Just how long has it been, when he can't even last a minute or two against her?

Now, he fights as if he was on her level. Though she'd lowered her strength to match his level, that still can give him an edge to match her. But he did. There were even moments when she almost breaks her restriction and retaliates with her full strength. And this was caused by her being forced back.

Amazing- !

Adrenalin pumping with the excitement of combat, Drova could feel her pulse racing. Their fight, it’s like the real thing—but without any hostility and death- and only excitement and thrill of the battle. This is what she wanted...an all-out fight, but with an incredible box of surprises waiting for her.

Fighting Rain is not like any other fights she had, as she always had many things she could still learn from him.

"What have you been eating, Rain? Your kicks and punches are heavy,"

Drova grinned playfully.

"It's just my lucky day,"

Rain follows up with a series of roundhouses and back-kicks, which was displayed with incredible swiftness and agility she can’t help but get impressed. Although, in real combat, she can defeat him by overpowering him using the vast difference of their physical strength. However, without it, she was certainly being pressed back by him.

Her attacks were sharp and fast, indeed, much faster than his. However, her attacks didn't reach him. Despite the large difference in mobility, Rain evaded her attacks at the last moment.

On top of that, they had been at it for several minutes already. Although it was not that much for the Lamian, Rain was a human. To be able to match at her up until now, he must have an absurd amount of stamina. Of course, the same could be said for Drova, as she hadn't taken a single attack yet either.

Drova lashed out with her tail, trying to break his momentum, then struck with her palm. But it was enveloped by a fist just as it was about to reach her opponent.

“This is enough,”

Drova suddenly said as she pulled her hand.

“Although I want to continue this we have been fighting for a few hours already. You need to take a break,”

Rain smiled wryly. He shrugged and took a deep breath. His back drenched in sweat. The [Lesser Vitality] passive skill he had acquired before made it possible to at the very least, as well as [Photosynthesize] skill that replenished his stamina and energy as long as he was under the sun, to fight her up until now. Despite this, fatigue accumulates inside of him, making his body feel a bit heavier. Especially the burden in his mind.

Although stopping here surely made him somewhat unsatisfied but Drova was extremely strict about rest and break, contrary to her usual attitude and carefree behavior.

“Big Brother!”

However, the moment Rain was about to sit down and rest, Starl immediately forced her way through the excited Lamians and appeared in the training area. She had lost her balance as she was being pushed around by the people who had yet to notice her. But she cheerfully began running once more as she spotted Rain in his battle attire. She charged towards him like a bullet, almost startling him.

“Starl?”

“I finally found you, Big Brother! I’ve been looking for you!”

Having finally found the person she was looking for after searching all over the village, Starl’s smile at that time was so bright it looked like it was shining.

Rain smiled wryly and squatted down. They stared at each other. As they did, Starl suddenly dashed forward like a fired cannonball.

As she got just in front of him, she propelled herself using her long tail, like a spring, and jumped forward. That was her way of expressing her love and endless adoration.

Rain caught her tiny body mid-air. Since Starl didn't care that he was wearing his armor, if he didn't stop her like that, she would crash right into the hard plate. Thanks to his incredible and superhuman reflexes and dexterity, he managed to avoid getting the little Lamian hurt. But it was a nerve-racking experience every time.

“...Starl, I keep telling you. You should come over more slowly or you will get hurt.”

“Big Brother... does that mean you don't want to catch me anymore?”

Having been warned by Rain, Starl looked up at him with a very sad expression on her face. Seeing her sad eyes from up close, Rain felt like he was the one doing something bad.

“That's not it, but―”

“Then isn't it alright. I will jump and you will catch me. Where is the problem in that?”

“No- that's not what I meant!”

This kind of discussion had been repeated several times, and it always ended with Rain backing down. In the end, he was unable to reject Starl’s straight and earnest feelings.

“More importantly―”

And this time ended up with his loss once again. Starl dismissed the entire discussion with her 'more importantly', and jumped down to the ground. Though, her little hand was still grabbing his hand, seemingly no intention of letting go.

“Sister Zarda is looking for you.”

Usually, Starl always likes being carried by him. However, as time passed by, she somehow slightly grew up, and her tail becomes a bit longer, even Rain was having a hard time carrying her. Kids her age always grew so fast. If she tried to stand up until she was tiptoeing at the tip of her tail, she would be much taller than him already.

“Good. So as you can see, Big Sis, I shall be leaving now.”

“Okay. Rain, take care.”

“What's taking you so long? Let's go.”

“Y-Yes, right away.”

After bidding farewell to Drova, Rain was rushed by Starl and he left the training area. And so, Drova was left behind in the middle of the training area.

“Come on, hurry! Elder Sister is waiting for you!”

“I understand, so please stay still!! Ah, look out!!”

Rain ran towards the center of the village, dragged by Starl. After Rain and Starl had vanished, the training area returned to normal, though still discussing the fight between Rain and Drova that they had witnessed with eager and thrilled expressions. Some went back to their work while the others started their training as well. As for Drova, she shook her head with a wry smile and mumbled.

“...that little girl, she had really become even more energetic, huh.”

“Ever since Rain had arrived, she had truly changed.”

A voice suddenly answered from behind her.

Vakni appeared, followed by an enormous snake slithering.

“Starl is always smiling now, and I’m thankful for it,”

She was Starl’s biological mother. And also the top beast tamer who was managing and taking care of the reared magical beasts including the [Najahara], giant snakes, along with several beasts.

“Well, she’s not the only one. I would never have thought that the village would be this lively before. But ever since he came, the village was now even expanding, prospering to new heights. It's like...”

"It's like Home."

Vakni turned towards Drova and smiled faintly as she finished what she was about to say. Drova let out a laugh, and she too burst into laughter.

"Yeah, perhaps you're right. Perhaps, God gave him to us, because we are not yet have been abandoned by him."

"Which God?"

Drova grinned mischievously.

"Whoever gave him to us, that's the one I'm talking about,"

Vakni replied as she rolled her eyes.

"Hahaha, you have a point. In any case, he's just here for a few months, and yet he felt as if he was with us for a long, long time already. It's as if this place was the place where he's always belonged."

“Indeed—he truly is the rain who ushered new life,”

Vakni laughed sweetly.

"Things are gonna be different now."

Drova shrugged her shoulders and grinned.

"...things will become even better,"

… …