A few more months I've been here. I've grown stronger—drastically, if I may say. I can now maintain my Spirit Dive for 50 minutes, and even longer if I push myself hard enough. This alone increases the amount of time I can stay in battle. My physical strength and stamina have also increased drastically. I knew this training would help me grow stronger.
I channeled my power into my palm, pure and powerful energy building up. I pointed it toward a target a few hundred yards away, then released it.
It shot like lightning. The moment it hit, it exploded, erasing everything around it. It was my Explosive Voids—but enhanced. It's now more powerful and faster. I can even channel it through both palms simultaneously, allowing me to target enemies at all angles. I can also charge and hold the energy for 3 to 4 seconds, turning it into a devastating blaster.
"Impressive," I mumbled.
With these upgrades, I'm a more refined warrior—though I know I'm still far from him.
After finishing my daily routine, I looked around—then saw Geralt standing on a cliff. In front of him, the beautiful horizon stretched endlessly: a forest blanketed in white snow across the mountains.
Stunning.
Then suddenly, a bird flew in—a black one. A raven. It flew straight toward Geralt, and in a flash of magical mana, it transformed into a human being. A man in a black robe and mask. I could sense his power instantly.
I stayed hidden, quietly watching the two speak.
The man must be a Raven Spirit. His animal spirit, perhaps? He knelt before Geralt—a clear sign of submission and respect.
I couldn't hear what they were discussing, but after a few minutes, the man transformed back into a raven and flew away. Geralt now held something—a scroll. A message?
I didn't bother him. I returned to my rest house, only to find something odd. When I reached my inn…
Geralt was already inside.
"How fast is this guy, really?" I muttered as I opened the door to find him sitting in a chair.
"I have two pieces of news for you—one good, one bad," he said calmly.
"I'm guessing I get to choose which one I hear first?" I replied, curious.
"Actually, let me tell you the good news—"
"I knew it," I interrupted. "Okay, go on…"
"Siiigh."
"The good news is… we're leaving. We need to return as soon as possible."
"Are you sure?" I asked.
"Yes. We've been here for five months. I know you're ready." He looked at me, but something about his gaze was off.
"What's the bad news?" I asked, my tone serious.
"You remember what I mentioned before?"
"You've mentioned a lot of things…" I replied, confused.
"The fifteen children missing during the day Premo attacked your school."
Ah. That again.
"What about it?"
"The kidnappings haven't stopped. The fifteen children… still haven't been found. And now, it's gotten worse—another child has been taken." He paused, then looked at me firmly.
"This child isn't just anyone. She's the niece of the King… the only one."
My eyes widened. "What…?"
"That will be your first mission—with me," he said, standing up.
"We will rescue her and bring her back to the King. Alive."
"Who in their right mind would kidnap the only niece of the King?" I asked, confused.
"I'll fill you in along the way. For now, pack your things. We're heading back."
⸻
Mika's POV
It's been weeks since we received the message from Nathan's mother that he would finally return. I miss him so much. I know Luis does too. Nathan's been gone for five months for… certain reasons. But we know he went off for intense training. He really takes protecting us seriously. I can't help but admire that.
"Hey Luis? Where are you going? Nathan could come back anytime now. Will you please stay here for a while?"
Unfortunately, my words didn't reach him.
Luis has been acting strange lately—always anxious, easily irritated, and he hasn't spoken to me since that day…
Honestly, I need Nathan to talk to him. I want us all to go back to normal… back to the way things were.
"Where are you, Nathan?" I mumbled. "I miss you."
Suddenly, I heard chaos from the orphanage. I rushed back—only to see a group of people abducting children in broad daylight.
Panic broke out everywhere… except for one.
"Luis?!"
I saw him—fighting one of the kidnappers. But he couldn't do much. Helplessly, he charged with nothing but a wooden stick. But I've never seen him so determined before.
There was a rage in his green eyes, glowing—as if something powerful was trapped inside, begging to be released. It was the first time I saw him like that.
I ran into the chaos, trying to save as many children as I could.
"Quick! This way—come!" I shouted, pushing crying kids toward safety.
"Calm down! Everything's going to be fine…"
I think I was trying to convince myself more than them.
Once many of the children escaped, I turned back and saw Luis—lying on the ground, completely beaten.
"Luis!" I cried. Up close, he looked worse—his eyes were swollen, bruises covered his body.
"Mika… are you okay?" he asked weakly.
"Yes. Please stay down." I replied, trying to stop him from moving. "Where are they?"
"They left," he muttered. "I couldn't stop them… I couldn't do a thing."
Just seconds later, Nightwatch patrols arrived—thankfully, someone had called for help. And in the middle of the crowd… I saw him.
Nathan.
He was with them.
I tried to approach him—but I couldn't reach him. He seemed busy. He had grown taller. Stronger. Something about him had changed—drastically.
Then he came to us. His eyes were filled with concern, and I reassured him that we were okay. He helped the rescuers lift Luis from the ground. Luis looked confused.
"It's a shame you have to see me like this," Luis said quietly.
"It's okay. You're the bravest man I admire," Nathan replied. "Mika and the others are safe because of you."
He always knew the right words to calm people down.
"You did great too, Mika," he said, patting my head like I was some pet.
I swear my cheeks turned red. I couldn't help but feel both annoyed and comforted.
Nathan's presence brought peace. His gaze… it was calming. I knew I could rely on him.
Then a hooded man appeared—a strong presence. He whispered something to Nathan. I couldn't hear it, but judging by Nathan's reaction, it was bad news.
Without a word, Nathan rushed off—leaving us behind.
So instead, I followed Luis to the medics.
Nathan's POV
"They found traces of the enemy in the western forest. I need you to follow the trail—I'll catch up to you."
I left quickly, just as Geralt instructed me. This is my first mission. I won't make any mistakes.
As I followed the trail, I came across a cave. But once I entered, it turned out to be a hidden dungeon. Something about it felt ominous. A thick, dark mist hovered just below the surface, like danger lingering in the air.
"Whatever's inside… it's something that needs to be taken care of," I mumbled.
Through the rocky entrance, a maze-like tunnel greeted me. It was too quiet. Without magical abilities, anyone could get lost here. Luckily, Geralt had taught me how to track magical mana. Using that, I could trace the enemy's path precisely.
I followed one tunnel, and sure enough, it led me to what looked like a basement. There were multiple human-sized cages. Inside them—scraps of children's clothes. This was where they kept the victims.
Suddenly, a group of thugs appeared. Armed with weapons. Some had activated their Animal Spirits. Others wielded magic. Too many to count.
Thirty? Fifty? Maybe more…
But I wasn't afraid. My magical senses told me all of them were Delta-level. Five months ago, I wouldn't have stood a chance against any of them.
But now…
I could wipe them out—without even breaking a sweat.
I activated my Animal Spirit and charged. One by one, I took them down.
Blasts here. Punches there. A full combo—so fast the naked eye couldn't follow.
Seven minutes. No one left standing.
I moved forward.
Eventually, I arrived at a giant limestone door.
I pushed it open. Behind it was a vast chamber. At the center sat a throne-like chair.
And on that throne… a massive, grotesquely fat man. Sitting like he owned the world. Beside him, a young girl—unconscious.
I asked, "Who are you?"
He didn't answer. He rose from his seat—his enormous stomach resembling a boulder. His eyes glowed with yellow energy. He picked up the girl in one hand like she weighed nothing.
I braced myself. "How big is this guy?" In my view, he looked about 8 or 9 feet tall. I couldn't do the math exactly, but if I had to guess, he could weigh up to 28,000 pounds.
Then, he tossed the girl toward me.
She was still alive. Beaten up—but alive.
"You'll pay for this…" I growled as I gently picked her up.
Based on the information we had, this was her—Aileen, the niece of our King.
I placed her somewhere safe, never letting the man out of my sight.
Then… he spoke.
His voice echoed through the room—deep, booming, and filled with power.
"I am Borris Grizzlehog. It feels nice… to see my next meal."