[x4 Nobody Hunters killed]
+4 Monster Hides (x10,000) → 40,000
+5,000 Gold (x10,000) → 50,000,000
+4 Common Grade Weapons (x10,000) → 40,000
+35,000 EXP gained! (x10,000) → 350,000,000
+15 Reward Points
The acrid stench of blood faded beneath the cool evening wind. Terrence exhaled and turned his attention to the two young women hiding behind the wreckage. Both appeared about his age, though "innocence" didn't fit either of them.
The first had long crimson-red hair that shimmered under the dusk light, her crystal orange eyes sharp but trembling. The second had shorter, curly crimson hair with matching eyes, her expression softer, but no less wary. Their torn, ragged clothes told the story of what they'd just escaped.
Terrence offered a friendly smile.
"Hey, what's your names?"
They peeked through their fingers, both faces bright red.
Terrence blinked, confused—then glanced down.
"Ohhh…"
[Ain't no way you just now noticed it..]
'You didn't tell me shit. I was getting a little too comfortable, I guess..' he chuckled inwardly.
Without hesitation, he equipped one of the Monster Hides, wrapping it around himself like a crude cloak.
"Yeah, sorry about that. The name's Terrence Danbrose." He extended his hands toward them with an easy grin.
The long-haired one let out a shaky breath.
"Kasper..Kasper Rain, and she's my sister, Kya."
Both reached out timidly; Terrence gently helped them stand.
"We thank you for saving us!" Kya beamed, voice trembling between tears and relief before suddenly throwing her arms around him in a tight hug.
Kasper raised an eyebrow, but couldn't help the soft smile tugging at her lips.
She's never acted this way with anyone new before..
Terrence hugged her back, smiling faintly.
"Yeah, no problem. Evil peds like those deserve worse. So, where are you both heading to?"
Kasper gestured behind her. "We were out hunting for food and supplies until we came across them. We were about to head back to our village, it's not far."
'System, how long until Eiselle wakes up?'
[Yeah, don't worry about her. She's gonna be knocked out for a while.]
He nodded slightly.
"Well, if you need me to, I'll walk you back. Don't worry about food or supplies, I got you."
Both sisters blinked in disbelief.
"Wait, really? You don't have to, Terrence…" Kasper said, her eyes beginning to glisten.
"Yeah, it's nothing. You both look like you've been holding everything together for a while. Maybe it's time someone else helps you for once." he said simply.
Kasper's lips trembled. Kya sniffled.
"Thank you!!" they both cried, hugging him again, their tears soaking into his monster-hide cloak.
Terrence just stood there, arms slightly raised before letting out a soft sigh and patting their heads. He smiled.
"Alright, ladies. It's time to go."
Neither moved. Instead, they each clung tighter..one arm looped through his left, the other through his right.
"Right. Guess I'm escorting you both, huh."
He smirked and started walking in the direction Kasper had pointed.
Kasper was first to break the silence.
"Where were you going, Terrence? Is it just you out here?"
"Me and my friend—"
"Friend as in girlfriend?" Kya interrupted quickly, curiosity gleaming in her eyes.
"I wouldn't say girlfriend..but something like that, I guess." He shrugged, lips twitching. After what we just did, "friends" would be a lie.
"Where is she? We wanna meet her." Kya added with the fakest sweet smile he'd ever seen.
"Not now at least. She's asleep," Terrence replied easily. "We were heading to the Kingdom of Xyani."
"Wow, that sounds fun!" Kasper said, her tone bright. "I wish we could come, but we have to stay and protect the village. Supplies are running low."
Terrence's expression softened.
"Not for long."
Before they could react, his arms hooked around their waists.
"Hold on tight."
"W-Wait what—?!"
He stepped once, then vanished.
The world blurred into streaks of color. Wind screamed past them; their hair whipped violently.
BOOM.
Terrence landed hard enough to shake the ground, a faint shockwave rippling outward. Dust spiraled like smoke as loose leaves scattered into the air.
Kasper and Kya blinked furiously. The blur cleared—
and they realized they were already standing before their village gates.
A cluster of wooden huts built from stone, metal scraps, and prayer-marked beams. Smoke rose lazily from chimneys, mixing with the scent of herbs and roasted grain.
Terrence gently set them down.
"Where are they?! I won't ask you again!"
The shout tore through the air from beyond the gates.
Terrence's expression darkened instantly. He lifted a finger to his lips; the sisters nodded and crouched beside him.
Through the gap, they saw them—
Goblins. Nine in total.
The biggest one towered over the rest, snarling as he yanked an elderly man by the collar.
Behind him were women and young girls tied up, their mouths stuffed with cloth, their faces streaked with tears. The men of the village lay beaten and bloodied, unmoving.
"We know there were two more!" the goblin leader hissed. "We've been stalking you fresh meats for days! Now tell me or…"
He grabbed one of the bound women, dragging her close.
"I'll ra—"
[SSS-Rank Talent: Continuum Engine has activated!]
A blinding hum filled the air.
Terrence's eyes shifted—their pupils fracturing into rotating golden rings, spinning like gears of celestial machinery. Within them, fractal runes flickered like divine circuitry in motion.
The glow spilled across his face in warm gold tones, outlining the edge of his jaw and the tension in his brow. Thin filaments of light branched outward from the corners of his eyes, tracing across his temples and neck—like divine clockwork awakening beneath his skin.
They weren't just eyes anymore.
They were living chronometers forged from light and power.
The air stilled.
The goblins froze mid-motion.
Terrence's voice lowered..cold, measured, lethal.
"Not do a damn thing."