No one's POV

Hajime: For these 10 days until we reach the Great Tree... We will teach you all to fight.

After leaving Verbergen, Hajime and Sora and the others had set up a temporary base near the outskirts of the Grand Tree. Sora had pulled out a stone house that he had built for the Haulia's and for themselves.

The stone house is already filled with everything. Foods, kitchen, living room, bedrooms, and even bathrooms. Most of the rabbitmen stared blankly at Hajime. They were sitting down on stumps and boulders, taking a short break.

Shea: U-Umm, Hajime-san. By teaching us how to fight, do you mean...

Shea asked hesitantly, voicing the question her entire tribe had.

Sora: He mean exactly that. We're stuck here for the next ten days anyway, right? Might as well do something useful in that time, don't you think? It's high time you rabbits learned how to hold your own in a fight.

Shea: Wh-Why do we have to...

Shea's question had been a natural reaction to the sudden nature of Sora's declaration. Everyone's rabbit ears trembled as both Sora and Hajime glared at them menacingly.

Hajime: Why? Why'd you think to even ask such a stupid question, you worthless rabbit?

Shea: Aww you're still not calling me by my name...

Sora: Listen up, we promised to protect you until you finished guiding us to the Grand Tree. But have you guys given any thought to what'll happen once that's done?

The Haulia all exchanged glances and shook their heads hesitantly. Cam even had a worried expression on his face. Though they had this nagging worry at the back of their minds, the sequence of insane events they'd been thrown into one after another had forced that worry away. Or maybe they just hadn't considered it at all, who really knew.

Sora: Just as I thought, you haven't thought about it at all. Though even if you had, it's not like you'd have an answer for me. You guys are weak. First sign of danger and your only thought is to run. And now you don't even have the sanctuary of Verbergen to protect you. So basically, you guys are screwed as soon as we're gone.

Haulias:......

Glum expressions settled on the Haulia's faces when they realized Sora's words hit the mark. They'd been rocked by his stunning statement.

Sora: You have nowhere to run to, nowhere to hide, and soon you'll have no one to protect you. But monsters and humans won't stop attacking you out of pity, you know? At this rate you're all doomed to die eventually. Are you all really okay with that? Being killed off just because you're weak, I mean. You guys were lucky to survive this long and now you're going to throw those lives away? Well?

No one said a word as a grim atmosphere fell over the clearing. Finally, Shea muttered quietly.

Shea: There's... There's no way that's okay!

Those words broke the rest of them out of their stupor and everyone looked up at Sora. Even Shea's gaze was filled with determination. Sora nodded approvingly, and memories of his old powerless self flashed through his mind as he spoke.

Sora: That's right. You're not okay with it. But what can you do? The answer's simple. Get stronger. Tear down anything that gets in your way, and fight for your right to survive.

Cam: But we're rabbitmen. We're not like tigermen or bearmen who have strong bodies, or like the winged races or dwarves that have special traits they can use to escape trouble. We're just...

The fact that rabbitmen were weak only made them despair even more at Sora's words. They were weak, so how could they possibly ever hope to fight? No matter how much they struggled, they'd never become strong like Sora. But Hajime just scoffed at them.

Hajime: You know, in the past our comrades called us worthless too.

Shea: Huh?

Hajime: Worthless. Weak. Useless. Both our stats and our skills were painfully mediocre. We were the weakest person in our group. Nothing more than dead weight. That's why our comrades all looked down on us. And it was all true, too.

Everyone's jaw dropped open in shock at Hajime's confession. They couldn't believe that Sora and Hajime, the boys who'd beaten a bearman elder like it was nothing and taken down scores of ferocious monsters in the Reisen Gorge, had ever been called worthless or weak.

Sora: But when we fell into the depths of hell, we did everything in our power to get stronger. It wasn't about whether we could or couldn't do it. If we didn't, we'd die. The two of us fought like our life depended on it, because it did. And then, before we knew it, we were like this.

He spoke casually, but the unbelievable contents of his tale sent a shiver down the Haulia's spines. If he'd had average stats for a human, then he had to have been even weaker than the rabbitmen. But despite that, he'd fought against monsters far stronger than the enemies they'd been overwhelmed by in Reisen Gorge. Still, it wasn't his strength or the fact that he'd survived that awed them the most. It was his strength of mind that had let him face such monstrous foes without flinching. When they'd been driven to a corner, the Haulia had meekly accepted their demise. Just as they'd meekly accepted the elders' decision.

Hajime: You guys are like how we were in the past. But don't worry. So long as I'm bound by this promise, I'll do what I can to save you from despair. If you tell me there's no way you can do it, then that's fine too. You'll just die when your time's up. I won't come save you once our contract is finished. You can spend the rest of your short lives bemoaning your weakness for all I care.

Sora: So what'll it be?

The Haulia didn't answer immediately. Or rather, they weren't able to. They'd realized their only path to survival was to get stronger. And that Sora and Hajime weren't protecting them out of some noble sense of justice. They'd leave them without a second thought once their end of the bargain was complete. However, the very idea of fighting was foreign to the peace-loving, gentle rabbitmen. Accepting their suggestion would mean stepping into uncharted territory. It would probably take an event as radical as what happened to both Sora and Hajime to fundamentally change their nature. And so, they simply all looked at each other silently. However, Shea alone stood up resolutely. It seemed she'd made her decision long ago.

Shea: I'll do it. Please, teach me how to fight! I'm tired of being weak!

She shouted so loudly that her voice echoed throughout the entire forest. Everyone present could see that she was filled with determination. Of course, even Shea hated fighting. It was scary, it hurt, but more than anything she hated hurting others.

Still, it was undeniably her fault that her family was in this mess, and she hated the thought of causing her family's deaths even more. On top of that, there was one other reason Shea wanted so desperately to fight against her nature and grow stronger.

Shea gazed unwaveringly at Sora. Cam and the others watched her in amazement, but after a while, their awe gave way to determination, and they too began standing up. Not just the men either. The women and children too. When Cam saw that everyone was standing up, he stepped forward as his tribe's representative and addressed both Sora and Hajime.

Cam: Sora-dono, Hajime-dono... please teach us all you can.

A concise request. But each word was backed by an ironclad will. The will to resist the unfairness of this world.

Sora: Alright. You guys better prepare yourselves. How strong you'll become is all up to you. I'm just here to enable you guys. If you want to give up halfway, then I won't try and coddle you to keep you here. We've only got ten days, so I'm going to be working you to the bone. Whether you live or die will depend on how strong you get.

Everyone nodded grimly. No one was going to back down now.

(Timeskip)

Before their training began, Sora first pulled out equipment he'd made to practice his transmutation from his Time Space Cache and passed it out to them. In addition to the knives he'd passed out earlier, everyone got their own curved shortsword, similar to a Japanese kodachi.

Sora: Shea will go with Yue and Aishia for magic and combat training, and me and Hajime will be in charge of the rest.

Hajime: First we'll hand out weapons, come on and take one.

Once everyone had been armed, they all started to look nervous.

Hajime: What seems to be the problem?

Sora: You all look nervous all of a sudden?

Cam: Eh... Isn't there a more safe weapon?

Sora and Hajime: Haa...?!

Cam: B-But this sharpness... If we get cut by something like this won't it hurt...?

Sora responded with a smack on Cam's head.

Sora: Is that what you should be saying, when your clan's survival is at stake?

Cam: I'm sorry...

Hajime: It looks like you guys still don't understand, so we'll say once more. You have to get stronger by yourself. All we will do is help you. We won't be babying those who run away.

Sora: Work like it's the last thing you'll ever do. Understand?

Haulias: Yes sir!

(Timeskip)

The second day of training. Sora began teaching them the fundamentals of combat. Since ever since on earth, Sora was a martial artist. He trained the [Karasuki style] martial arts that is more world-wide than the [Yeagashi style] back on earth. He thought them techniques, sword fighting style. Hajime on the other hand, passed down all the knowledge he'd picked up, and found suitable monsters for them to use as live practice. The Haulia excelled in stealth and scouting. In order to capitalize on that, Hajime taught them how to use surprise attacks and pack tactics.

However, around two days after they'd began their training, Sora and Hajime were angrily watching the Haulia's training. As they'd promised, they were trying to fight their pacifistic nature and learn how to fight properly. They'd even managed to beat some monsters, though they'd sustained injuries. But, there was a wet noise as one of Sora's special short swords sunk into a monster's flank.

Rabbitman 1: Aaah, please forgive such a sinful act.

The rabbitman who'd killed it gently embraced the dead monster. In fact, he looked like a father who'd been forced to kill his son.Another monster fell to the ground.

Rabbit girl: I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry! I had no choice!

A Haulia girl trembled uncontrollably as she cut the head off her quarry. It looked like she'd just accidentally killed her lover. On the verge of death, one of the remaining monsters used the last of its strength to fire a projectile at Cam. It flung him backward, but instead of cursing he just lay on the ground and muttered his last will.

Cam: Heh, so this is my punishment for baring my fangs at someone. It's no more than I deserve...

Tears welled up in the other Haulia's eyes, and they all looked at him pitifully.

Rabbitman 1: Chief, please don't say that! We all share the same sin!

Rabbitman 2: Exactly! Even if we have to be judged for our crimes one day, that day isn't now! Get back up, Chief!

Rabbitman 3: We can no longer turn back, so let's at least see how far this road can take us, Chief.

Cam: Y-You guys... You're right. We can't stop here. We must overcome the death of this tiny rat monster and continue onward!

Rabbitmen: Chief!

They were having a rather heartwarming moment. Unable to take it any longer, Sora finally butt in.

Sora: Gaaah! You guys are so annoying! Quit getting so emotional after every monster you kill! Seriously, what the hell!? Are you guys just pulling my leg!? This looks like it came out of a crappy soap opera! You don't have to make a scene every goddamn time, just kill it silently! And quickly, too! Also, stop humanizing the things you kill, it's fucking creepy!

Sora and Hajime knew they were trying their best, but he hated how they had to make such a big deal out of every monster they killed. This had happened multiple times over the past two days, and Sora had calmly tried to point it out every time. However, they showed no sign of fixing their habits, so Sora finally snapped.

They all flinched in the face of Sora's wrath, but they still mumbled excuses like "Easy for you to say..." or "But even if it is a monster, I still feel bad for it..." over and over again. Veins bulged on Hajime's forehead. Cam stepped forward to try and calm Hajime down. However, just as he was about to take another step forward, he suddenly jumped back. Confused, Hajime asked him a question.

Hajime: Huh? What happened?

The boy gently patted down the soles of his feet before replying.

Cam: Oh, you see... I was about to step on that ants there... Phew, good thing I noticed in time. Might've crushed it if I didn't. It's so pretty. Man, it'd have been such a waste to kill it.

Hajime's expression stiffened.

Hajime: A-Ants?

Cam: You know. There's so many around here that it was pretty hard to not step on any while we were training.

He grinned happily at Hajime. The other Haulia all gazed proudly at him, too. Slowly, both Sora and Hajime lowered his head. Their white hair covered their face.

Hajime: Are you telling us the reason you all jumped around randomly sometimes... was just because you were worried about the ants?

He asked softly, his voice barely a whisper. As Hajime had mentioned, the Haulia had oftentimes jumped in strange directions at odd intervals during their training. It had been bothering him for a while, but he'd thought it was just something they did to make their next action smoother, to better finish off their enemies.

Cam: Oh no, of course not. We would never.

Sora: Haha, yeah, who would do that?

Sora said, clearly relieved. Cam smiled awkwardly, and both Sora's and Hajime's expression finally began to relax a little. However...

Cam: Naturally we wouldn't only be wary of ants. We have to be careful not to crush the flower either. They're the ones that come out of nowhere, so they're much harder to watch out for. Though we've managed to avoid stepping on them so far.

Sora's and Hajime's jaw dropped at that. They began swaying back and forth, like a ghost. Worried that they might have said something wrong, the Haulia all glanced uneasily at each other. Still swaying slightly, Sora walked up to Cam, then burst out into a beaming smile. Cam smiled back. Then, still smiling... he crushed the ants underfoot. He didn't just step on it, he ground his heels deep into it.

Cam: Th-The ants!

Cam's despairing wail echoed throughout the sea of trees. Shocked, the Haulia all gazed at Sora and Hajime. They turned to face them, both the beaming smile and popping vein still present on his face.

Sora:...

Hajime:...

Sora: Alright, I get it. We finally get just how soft you all are. This is our fault. We misjudged your race. Haha, I can't believe you'd actually worry about flowers and bugs when you're in a life and death struggle...

Hajime: Your problem is far more fundamental than a lack of combat ability or practice fighting actual enemies. We should have realized this sooner. I can't believe I was so naive... Hahaha.

Cam: Sora-dono? Hajime-dono?

Hajime's smile had taken on a ghastly appearance, and Cam and the others slowly began backing away. Instead of a reply... He fired Donner. Cam was flung a short distance through the air before he crashed to the ground with a resounding thud. The rubber bullet that had slammed into his forehead fell off him seconds later with a soft plop. Only the wind stirred in the silence that followed. Hajime slowly walked up to Cam, who had been knocked unconscious, and fired another bullet at his stomach.

Cam: Hauugh!

He let out something that was a cross between a cough and a scream as he woke up, and blinked back tears as he looked at Hajime.

Sora: Alright you worthless little shits. If you don't want your heads blown off, you better start fighting these monsters like your life depends on it! Don't you dare worry about the flowers or the bugs or any of that crap! I'll make you regret it if you do! Now hurry up and get to killing, you fucking maggots!

Haulias: Yes sir!

(Timeskip)

For a while after, screams intermingled with the howls of monsters as the Haulia endeavored to avoid both Sora's and Hajime's wrath. They had to be this hard on them, or else they'd never change the rabbitmen's overly pacifistic nature. Right now it was more important for them to learn the right mindset than actual combat techniques. And thus, ten days passed under Sora's and Hajime's near-brainwashing as the two of them rewired their brains for combat.

Rabbit man: Bosses, your request for Haiberia's tails... we succeeded in bringing it.

Sora: We said two was enough...

Rabbit man 2: Well, yeah, but you see, in the middle of our hunt more kept coming one after another... and they dared to come at us with an intent to kill...So this just happened, you know?

Rabbit man 1: They were annoying, but there cries sounded nice.

Sora:...

Hajime: They may be a lot better at fighting, but did we go too far...?

Rabbit man 3: Bosses! I've got a report! An armored group of the Bear man clan were spotted on the great tree's route! Their objective is possibly to ambush us!

Sora: I see...

Hajime: G-Good job finding that out...

Rabbit man 3: Such words are wasted on me!

Cam: Bosses, if you both don't mind, could you please leave it to us?

Sora: Cam?

Hajime: Is that you?

Cam: Yes, although I feel as if I've been reborn. Our power... We want to test out how effective it is against them. Don't worry, we won't show anything too pathetic.

Hajime: Are you sure?

Cam: Affirmative!

Hajime: Then we'll leave it to you...

Cam: Bastards!!! Let's go!!!

Haulia: Kill! Kill! Kill! KILL!!! KILL!!!KILL!!!

Cam and the other Haulias left, as both Sora and Hajime could barely contain their shock.

Hajime: Yeah, we definitely went too far.

Sora: Your telling me?

After following Cam and his clan, they both saw the Bear men, all severely wounded, with Cam standing over the leader of the ambush.

Regin: Do what you will with me, Rabbit cla- No, Haulia clan's leader... All of this was under my orders and responsibility. So please spare my subordinates lives... I beg you...!

Cam just glared at Regin.

Cam: I refuse. All of you are our enemy. And you must kill your enemy. The bosses's teachings and more importantly....

Cam then went to bring his dagger down on Regin.

Cam: KILLING YOU IS FUN!!!!!

As Cam was about to kill Regin, a blast of bullet past through him, which surprised Cam when he saw Sora with Kanshou readied.

Cam: What is the meaning of this? Bosses, no, Sora-dono?

Sora: Oh, I'm sorry. I mistook you for someone else and shot. Since your face... is just like the imperial knight who attacked you.

That was a shock. A big enough one to blow away the veil of bloodlust that had clouded their thoughts thus far. They were no better than the monsters who had laughed mockingly at them while enslaving most of their tribe... It was precisely because the Haulia had seen such ugliness up close that they knew how disgusting it was. Worse than the scum who had taken their families... That was a bitter truth to swallow.

Cam: Boss... What have we done...?

Sora: We taught you how to fight and how to kill for you all to survive. Not for all of you to become indiscriminate murderers. If you find the act of killing enjoyable, then I should remove your head from your body right now.

Cam: I-I...

Hajime: Hmph, looks like you've finally calmed down a little. Good. We were worried we'd have to kick all your asses first before you came to your senses. Well, this was your first fight with another person. If you come back to your senses now, its fine.

Sora and Hajime then looked at Regin and the other Bear club who is trying to run away.

Sora: Bear cub. We'll let you off with a warning. You should count yourself lucky, because we don't have many of those to spare.

Regin: Understood ...

Sora: But tell the elders that "you owe us one", got it?

Regin: U-Understood...

Hajime: Oh, and make sure they get that message. And if they play dumb when we come to collect that debt...

Despite Hajime's words the bearmen were still carefully observing their surroundings, looking for any chance to escape. Sora and Hajime activated their Intimidation in order to keep them docile.

Sora and Hajime: That day will be the last for Vergeben.

After sending their message, they were free to walk leisurely over to Cam and the others. Hajime looked around awkwardly for a few seconds before steeling his resolve and staring apologetically at Cam.

Hajime: Why are you scared?

Kam: It's just...We're sorry, bosses! Because we were immature...

Sora: Uh, well, you know, our bad. I was fine with it, but I forgot about what the shock of killing a person can do to someone. Really, I'm sorry.

Cam and the other Haulias were stunned. No one had ever expected Sora, of all people, to ever apologize.

Cam: B-Boss!? Are you alright!? Did you hit your head somewhere!?

Rabbitman 1: Medic! Medic! We need urgent assistance!

Rabbitman 2: Boss, keep it together!

Hence the overblown reaction. There was a familiar vein bulging on Sora's forehead.

Sora: You guys...

As their training continued into the final day, somewhere beyond the fog, there was one other member of the Haulia who was finishing up as well. Thunderous sounds echoed throughout the trees. The area looked like a war zone. Massive trees with thick trunks lay strewn about like reed stalks, some charred, others frozen, others just twisted horrifically, and huge craters dotted the ground as if a meteor shower had struck the earth. Three girls had been responsible for all of this destruction. And said destruction was still continuing.

Shea: Teyaaaaaah!

There was a spirited yell, and suddenly a tree at least one meter in diameter flew through the air. It soared toward its target at tremendous speed, fast enough that a casual observer might miss that it was bent at the middle.

Velocity and mass granted a deadly amount of force to the tree, and it obliterated any obstacles in its path forward.

Yue: Crimson Javelin.

This nigh unstoppable force was met with a flaming spear that burned all it touched to ash. Despite the significant mass it possessed, the tree was burned to ash almost instantly. For a moment it was converted into a blazing fireball, before the last of the wood finally burned away and the flames vanished.

Shea: It's not over yet!

The impact of the Crimson Javelin and the huge tree created shockwaves large enough to blow away the fog for a few seconds. In that brief window of time, a faint silhouette could be seen dashing through the woods. An instant later, another log hurtled down from the heavens like a meteor. However, its intended target backstepped in time to avoid the thunderous impact while preparing another flaming spear. But before she could unleash it, the silhouette ran up to the tree trunk impaled into the ground and gave it an earth-shattering kick. The force of it blew the tree apart, and splinters of wood shot toward the girl with unimaginable speed.

Aishia: Wind Barrier.

The barrage of splinters was cut short by a wind wall that suddenly appeared in midair. Not a single sliver of wood made it through to her. However...

Shea: Now I've got you! That was a distraction!

Aishia: Ah!

The time it had taken her to cast that spell had been enough for the shadow to get behind her. The girl who'd kicked the tree had hidden her presence right after, and then she had used the fog to slip behind her quarry. She held in her hands a massive hammer that must have weighed more than the girl herself, but she swung it down with the ease one would swing a flyswatter.

Aishia: Wind Wall.

The hammer hit the ground with tremendous force. Stone pellets flew in every direction as the rock below was pulverized. However, this barrage of stone was deflected by the barrier of wind the other girl had erected. Additionally, she used the swirling eddies to whisk herself to safe distance as well. The girl with the hammer stiffened momentarily, the consequence of using such a huge skill, and her opponent took advantage of that opening.

Yue: Crystal Coffin.

Shea: Fweh!? W-Wait—

Realizing her folly, she quickly tried to call for a ceasefire, but naturally her opponent wasn't going to listen. Thinking quickly, she dropped her hammer and tried to jump back, but the ice magic had already frozen her feet and was crawling up her legs... Before long, everything but her head was encased in a tomb of ice.

Shea: I-It's so cold! Please let me out... Yue-saaan. Aishia-saan.

Yue: Me and Big Sister win.

Of course, the three girls that had been fighting so ferociously were Yue, Aishia and Shea. After their ten harsh days of training, Shea's final challenge had been to fight a mock battle against both Aishia and Yue. Her conditions for passing had been to land even a single scratch on either of them. The end result being...

Shea: Waaah... I didn't— Wait, right there! There on your cheek! There's a scratch, Yue-san! My attack hit you! Ahaha, I really did it! I won!

There was indeed a small scratch on Yue's cheek. One of the pieces of gravel must have gotten past Yue's defenses and grazed her. It was barely even noticeable, but a win was a win. Shea had cleared her trial.

She smiled triumphantly as she pointed at Yue's cheek. Snot was dribbling out of her nose from how cold she felt, but her smug smile stayed plastered to her face. Her rabbit ears were twitching happily too. It was only natural. Not only did this signify her graduation from training, but a very important promise she'd made with Yue had been riding on her victory.

Though Yue was not very keen on seeing it fulfilled. Thus—

Yue: I don't know what you're talking about.

Thanks to the fact that her automatic regeneration healed it almost instantly, Yue was able to play dumb. Pouting, Yue turned away as she said that.

Shea: Wha—!? You cheater! I saw it... I mean, it's gone now, but still! I know it was there! Quit playing dumb, you meanie! Aishia-san, you saw it too didn't you?

Aishia:...

Shea: Say something! And hurry up and get me out of this! It keeps getting colder and colder... Huh, I'm starting to feel a little sleepy too...

Shea's head started drooping and more snot dribbled out of her nose. She might've died from the cold if that kept up. Reluctantly, with a big sigh, Yue dispelled the magic she had cast.

Shea: Achoo! Achoo! Waah, that was cold. Think I nearly crossed over to the other side there.

Shea sneezed cutely a few times before blowing her nose on some nearby leaves. Once she was done, she looked back at both Aishia and Yue with a serious expression. Noticing her gaze, Yue's own expression turned steadily more sour. While Aishia's gaze is still emotionless as ever.

Shea: Aishia-san, Yue-san, I won.

Aishia: You let your guard down at the last moment, Yue.

Yue: Yeah.

Shea: You both promised, remember?

Aishia: Yeah.

Shea: That if I hit either of you even once in these ten days... you'd let me join you guys on your journey. That was the promise, right?

Aishia: Yeah.

Shea: Or at the very least that you'd try and help me convince Sora.

Yue:......I wonder what's for dinner today.

Shea: Hey! Don't try and change the subject, Yue! And if you're going to do it, you could at least be a little less obvious about it! Besides, you only ever drink Hajime-san's blood for food, don't you!? Why do you suddenly care about dinner!? Aishia, Yue is being a meanie again! You better help me, okay!? Because if you say we should do something, Sora almost always says yes!

Aishia: Yue, accept your loss, okay?

Yue: 😩 Okay, Bis Sis...

Yue was starting to get annoyed by Shea's incessant badgering. But as Shea had said, both Aishia and Yue made a promise. If Shea managed to land a single blow on either of them, no matter how glancing it was, it would count. And they would allow Shea to accompany them on their travels. On top of that, she'd help try and convince Sora together with Shea to get him to consent.

Currently, Shea's greatest wish was to travel together with them. Half of it was because she didn't want to burden her family any longer, but the other half was just because she wanted to spend more time with Sora, Hajime, Yue and Aishia.

(Timeskip)

It was nearly time for Hajime and Sora to finish training the other Haulia as well. Shea, who was smiling happily, and Yue, who was frowning unhappily, and Aishia who is soothing Yue for her lost, all made their way over to where Sora and Hajime were. They found them leaning against a nearby tree. When the two sensed their presence, they opened their eyes and turned to look at them.

Shea: Sora! Hajime!

Hajime: Yo, you three finished training?

Shea: Yes! Listen, Sora, I-

She made a beeline for her Sora the moment she spotted him. There was a mountain of things she wanted to tell him. But as she drew closer, her mouth reflexively snapped shut. Cam appeared and the others had a strange aura surrounding them. He gave Shea only a quick smile before turning back to look at Sora. Then....

Cam: Bosses! The fog around the Great Tree is weakening now!

Shea: B-Bosses...? Are you father?! What happened to your face?!

Cam: It's not only me. Thanks to the bosses we have been reincarnated!

Each of their words were very unsettling. Their usual gentle expressions were nowhere to be seen. With a dangerous glint in their eyes, they reported the results of their mission to Sora and Hajime. Shea watched them all in amazement.

Shea: Who are you guys?

Suddenly, she returned to her senses and rounded on Sora, as he was most likely responsible for the radical change in her family

Shea: Wh-What on earth is this!? Sora, what did you do to them!?

Sora: C-Calm down... I didn't do anything... This is just a result of their training...

Shea: No way! What kind of training would turn them into this!? They're all totally different people! Hey, don't you avert your gaze! Look at me!

Hajime: They haven't changed that much.

Shea: Is that eye of yours just for show!? Look at them! They're all staring at their knives with murder in their eyes! Look, one of them even named theirs Julia! They're totally in love with their weapons! This is not normal!

Shea's hysterical screams rang out through the sea of trees. Cam watched their exchange with a puzzled expression on his face. While Shea was yelling at Sora and Hajime, even more of the Haulia returned to the clearing. Each and every one of them had a somewhat... wild look to them. Even the women and children and elderly. Sora awkwardly averted his eyes from Shea's glowering glare and tried to make excuses to explain away the situation.

Sora: Leaving that aside. Is it true that the fog is weakening?

Cam: Affirmative! We can go now!

Sora: Well, you heard it. We can talk later.

Shea: A...Alright.

As Shea and her clan led Sora, Aishia, Hajime and Yue through to the great tree, Sora spoke up to Aishia.

Sora: So? How'd it go?

Aishia: Her aptitude for magic is the same as yours.

Sora: Now that's a surprise. What a waste, considering her abilities... So? That can't be all, can it? After all, she's able to use that massive hammer.

Aishia: Yeah. She's really good at body strengthening. Insanely good, even. She's a monster in her own right.

Sora: Wow. How strong compared to us?

Sora narrowed his eyes in curiosity. Aishia's assessment of Shea was a lot higher than he'd expected.

Aishia: Maybe close to 60% of your strength, Sora... When you're not using Limit Break, anyway.

Sora: Seriously? Is that the strongest she can make herself?

Aishia: Yeah... For now, anyway. She could get stronger with more training.

Sora: Wow. That is pretty crazy.

Aishia: That is why Shea, was able to land a hit on Yue.

Sora: Oh...

Sora looked at Shea amazed for landing a hit on Yue. He then looked at Yue who is walking not to far away from him with Hajime with a sour expression. 60% of his strength without Limit Break still meant that all of Shea's stats could easily clear 6000. That was more than 1.5 times the stats of an average hero using Limit Break.

Sora(mind): Calling her strength monstrous was no understatement. No wonder she'd been able to land a hit on Yue. You'd never be able to guess it with how she looks now, though.

Fifteen minutes passed while Aishia, Yue and Shea bantered cheerfully. The party had finally reached the Grand Tree, and Hajime was the first to speak.

Hajime: The hell is this?

Sora: It's all dried up...?

His voice was tinged with both disbelief and amazement. Yue and Aishia also gazed up in confusion. The 4 of them had been expecting a super sized version of the trees they'd saw in Verbergen. A kind of majestic, awe-inspiring spectacle. Instead, what they got was... a very withered tree.

Cam: It seems to be dried before Verbergen was formed but it doesn't go down. Yet it's never rotted away. It's stayed withered like that for as long as we've known. Because of the way the fog acts around it, and the fact that it never dies despite being so withered, the people of this forest consider it sacred. That said, it's just like a tourist spot.

Seeing their confused faces, Cam offered an explanation. Hajime and Sora slowly walked up to the tree's base.

Cam: Only this stone square is left.

Yue: Hajime...

Aishia: Sora...

Hajime: Yeah, it's the same as Oscar's crest.

Engraved into the stone was a heptagon, with a different crest at each vertex. The same one they'd seen in Oscar's house, or in the hidden cave the magic circle had teleported them to. Just to make sure, Hajime pulled out Orcus' ring. The crest matched one of the ones on the stone.

Sora: It looks like this is the entrance to the Great Labyrinth, but...What now?

Suddenly, Yue called out to them.

Yue: Hajime... Big Brother look at this.

Hajime: Hm? What's up?

Yue was pointing to the back of the stone tablet. There were seven indents carved into the back, in the same spot the crests were on the front.

Sora: So then...

Hajime fit the ring into the hole corresponding with Orcus' crest. A few seconds later, the stone tablet began to glow. The other Haulia all crowded around it as well, eager to see what was happening. After a while the glow began to fade, and floating letters appeared in the air above the stone. This is what they said:
—Four markers of strength.
—The power of restoration.
—A beacon woven from bonds.
—Only with those three ingredients in hand will the path to a new trial be opened.

Hajime: What does that mean?

Sora: Four markers of strength... probably refers to getting four crests from other labyrinths?

Hajime: Yeah, that makes sense. Then what about the power of restoration and a beacon woven from bonds?

Hajime tilted his head in confusion as he asked that, but surprisingly, Shea had an answer.

Shea: Hmmm, well a beacon woven from bonds probably refers to whether or not you can get the beastmen to guide you here, right? Most beastmen never leave the sea of trees, and getting one to guide you here like you did is something that's never happened before.

Sora: I see. Does sound like you could be right.

Yue: All that's left is the power of restoration... Does that mean me?

Yue points to herself, no doubt referring to her automatic regeneration. As an experiment, she cut her own finger and pushed it against the tree's bark as her magic activated... but nothing happened.

Yue: Hmm... I guess not.

Sora: Well, maybe we have to... restore the tree... and bring at least four crests from other labyrinths...? So not only do we have to clear over half of them, we need to get ancient restoration magic from one of them?

Such was Sora conjecture. Aishia nodded in agreement.

Hajime: Haaa, damn. So we can't start on this one just yet... What a pain in the ass. Guess we'll just have to do the others first...

Yue: Yeah...

Hajime was frustrated that they'd have to turn back after expending so much effort to get here. Sora just sigh in frustration that they couldn't tackle the Labyrinth. Yue nor Aishia didn't look too happy either. But unless they could find some alternate entrance, there was no point in sitting there complaining about it. Sora quickly got over his frustration and decided to change his immediate goal to clearing three other labyrinths.

Sora: As you saw, we'll have to clear three other labyrinths before we get back to this one. Our promise to protect you guys until you led us here has now been fulfilled. As you are now, even without Verbergen's protection, you should have no trouble living safely in this forest. And so, this is where we part.

Shea then take a step forward towards Sora. A few feet away from him, she straightened her back and squared her shoulders. Her blue-white hair was fluttering in the wind and her rabbit ears were standing straight up. This was going to be the most important request of her life. Or perhaps... confession would be the better word for it. Trembling, her expression stiff, she nevertheless took a few more determined steps forward. Finally, she looked him straight in the eyes, and Sora saw the resolve burning within them.

Shea: E...Em! Sora, I have a request! Me...Let me...

Sora: I refuse.

Shea: I haven't said anything yet...

Sora: Your gonna ask me to take you with us, don't you?

Shea: Y-You're so cruel, Sora. I was being so serious, and you said no just like that...

Sora: Didn't look all that serious to me. Besides, what are you going to do about Cam and the others? You can't expect me to take them all with me.

Shea: N-No, that's not it! I meant just me! I asked you before too, remember? Back then you said me not wanting to burden my family wasn't a good enough reason to take me, but now...

Sora: But now what?

Shea fidgeted awkwardly. Her fingers trembled and a faint blush crept up her cheeks. How sly. She truly was a master of her craft. Unfortunately for her, Sora just looked at her suspiciously. Next to him, Yue was glaring angrily at her. Shea look at Aishia for a moment, whose face just smile calmly implying that to go follow her heart wants.

Shea: But now... I'm asking to go with you because I want to, so...

Sora: Huh? Why do you want to come with us? You won't even be a burden to your family anymore with how strong you've gotten. Hell, you could probably take on any kind of enemy that shows up on the surface.

Shea: I-I know, but...

Sora:......

She fidgeted silently for a few minutes, Shea quickly gathered her courage and opened her mouth, deciding to let her feelings do the talking for her.

Shea: I want to stay with you, Sora! Becaushe I love you!

Sora: You what?

Shea(mind): Crap, I bit my tongue!

Flustered, Shea tried to compose herself, while Sora just looked on in complete shock. Even Hajime was lost per word. It was almost as if he couldn't believe what he'd just heard. Eventually, the gears in his brain started turning again and he parsed her words.

Sora: Wait, wait... Wait. This doesn't make any sense. Where'd I even trigger any of your flags? I mean, even I know I've been pretty mean to you this whole time... Hold on, don't tell me you're into that?

Though he thought his conjecture couldn't possibly be true, he still took a step back just in case. Naturally, Shea denied his accusations.

Shea: How dare you call me a pervert! I'm nothing like that! And if even you've realized you're being mean, don't you think you could stand to be a little nicer to me?

Sora: I don't see why I have to be nice to you in the first place... Hell, I'm already nice enough that I never shoot you with rubber bullet like Hajime did. Do you even really like me? Are you sure it's not just some heat of the moment thing?

Sora still couldn't believe she really liked him, hence his assumption that the suspension bridge effect had come into play. And considering how he'd treated her until now, it was hardly surprising. However, it looked like Shea was pretty unhappy that he was doubting her feelings.

Shea: I can't say I was completely unaffected by the situation. After all, you saved us from so many terrible predicaments, and you're an outcast just like me... and I was definitely happy when you told the elders you'd protect your promise no matter what... But whether it was because of all that or not, the fact that I like you now hasn't changed. Even I think it's kind of strange. Why you, of all people? You don't even call me by my name, any time you get mad you instantly start hitting people, you're mean, you don't care about other people's feelings, you just throw people into hordes of monsters, you have no mercy, you're mean, you rarely do anything nice, you're only kind to Aishia, Hajime and Yue, you're mean... Huh? Really, why do I like you? Huh?

Partway through her tirade, Shea began questioning her own feelings. She tilted her head in confusion, and while Sora desperately trying to access the situation.

Sora: Either way, no matter what your feelings are, I don't plan on taking you with us.

Shea: No way! Look, all that was just a joke, okay? I really like you, so please take me with you!

Sora: Look here, even if... Even if your feelings are real, I already have Aishia. Actually, I'm surprised you confessed all that when she's standing here in front of you... Come to think of it, the really scary thing about you isn't that body strengthening ability, but how shamelessly bold you are. Is your heart made of azantium or something?

Shea: Excuse me, my heart isn't that hard! Aww, I knew this would happen... but that's okay. I already knew I couldn't deal with you through normal means, Sora.

Shea snickered triumphantly, which made Sora look at her suspiciously.

Shea: I already planned for all this! That's why I put my life on the line! Now, Aishia-sensei, Yue-sensei, if you would be so kind!

Sora: Huh? Aishia? Yue?

Hajime blinked at this sudden turn in the conversation. Annoyed, Yue nevertheless faithfully turned to look at Sora. Her expression made it look like she'd just swallowed a hundred cockroaches, and she very reluctantly she opened her mouth.

Yue: Big Brother, let's take her with us.

Aishia: She will be a great assets.

Sora: Wait, uh... What? What's going on here? Yue, you obviously don't like the idea, but... Wait, is this what the bet was about?

Yue: I was careless.

Aishia: She lost the bet.

Yue and Aishia then told both Sora and Hajime about the bet.

Hajime: So in the final moment of the challenge during the training, even though Aishia won, Yue lost and had to become her ally...

Yue: My regret...

Sora looked at Yue and then at Shea.

Sora(mind): Even if it was like that, and managed to make Yue her ally. That isn't something you can half ass. She's really dead serious on this...

Sora: Even if I let you come, that doesn't mean I'll respond to your feelings, you know?

Shea: Don't you know? The future's not set in stone.

Since she was someone who could see the future, she knew that for sure. Depending on one's actions, the future could be changed.

Sora: It'll be nothing but danger.

Shea: Good thing I'm a monster, then. I won't get in your way during fights.

The elders had scorned her with that name once before, but now she wore it with pride. And it was all because she'd learned there were some things that couldn't be done unless you were a monster.

Sora: My goal is to return to my own world. You might never see your family again if you come with me.

Shea: I've already talked to them about that, but I still want to go. Dad understands too.

Shea felt nothing but gratitude for the family that had protected her for so long. She'd probably never be able to describe what she'd felt when the family she'd lived with all her life had sent her off with a smile after she'd told them her intentions.

Sora: You might not have it easy living in my world.

Shea: I'll say it as many times as I have to... I still want to go.

Shea's mind was made up. Mere words wouldn't deter her anymore... No, they couldn't deter her. That was just how strong her feelings were.

Sora:......

Shea: Fufu, is that all you have to say? Does that mean I win?

Sora: What is there to even 'win' here...?

Shea: There is something. It means my feelings won you over... Sora.

Sora: Whatever.

She decided to reiterate her, Shea Haulia's, intentions.

Shea: Please take me with you.

Sora and Shea stared at each other for a while. Reflected in Shea's sapphire eyes were Sora's own pupils. Finally...

Sora: Fine...

Whatever he'd seen in her eyes must have been enough to convince him, as Sora finally gave in with a sigh. A single shout of joy, followed by the unceremonious noise of someone blowing their nose echoed throughout the forest. Sora could only smile wryly as he lamented the future that awaited him. Shea cupped her cheeks and let out a strange series of laughs that sounded like "Ehehe! Uheheheh! Kufufu!" as she happily jumped with joy. Her serious expression from earlier had vanished without a trace.

Sora:...

Seeing her this happy make Sora sigh. Even though he doesn't want to bring her with him. He won't be able to win against her will. Shea was dead set on joining them.

Aishia: Sora.

Sora: Is something wrong?

While Shea and the other Haulia were celebrating. And both Hajime and Yue were preparing themselves to depart, Sora was left alone with Aishia.

Aishia: Your feeling a little sad. Are you okay?

Sora: That's not true... Why do you ask?

Sora swallowed his breath, watching Aishia's back.

Aishia: Because you showed everyone a side of yourself that you didn't want them to see.

Aishia stated without any hesitance at all, as though it was obvious.

Sora: Why do you think that?

Aishia: I told you in the beginning: I know everything about Sora.

Sora's eyes widened in shocked.

Sora: I see... So I guess there's nothing I can hide from you, Aishia...

Sora let out a disappointment as he let a bitter smile show through his facade.

Aishia: Yeah.

Sora: Ahaha, of course you's said that. I just want to ask one thing. Was I acting weird?

Aishia shook her head.

Aishia: You looked normal from the outside... But deep in your heart, you weren't.

Sora: It's all right. It's fine, Aishia.

Sora said as though he was convincing himself, shaking his head slowly, but Aishia suddenly walked forward.

Aishia: You don't have to act strong in front of me.

She said, hugging Sora gently.

Sora: ?!

Sora froze stiff with a flinch.

Aishia: Even if it's fine, I want to hear it. What Sora is feeling, what Sora is thinking.

Aishia whispered by Sora's ear. The strength in Sora's body gave out as he sighed. Aishia's warmth was so comforting — his heart felt completely at ease as he returned the hug.

Sora: I do feel like I showed them something I didn't want them to see. The truth is, I didn't want to teach them how to kill. But if they want to live in this world, then I believe there are things they need to see. The violent and cruel side of human.

Sora added after a moment with a mumble at the end.

Aishia: Was the reason why you didn't want to show them because it might haunt them like it haunt you?

Aishia asked, seeing through him. Sora closed his eyes as he was remembering the day, his family was attacked, making his Mother in a coma, and how he killed someone back on earth.

Sora:...That's right. Deep down, I just don't want them to start killing humans like we do. When I imagine that, my chest kind of hurts.

Sora nodded, voicing a feeble whine he would have never revealed to anyone else. Sora didn't want to force that role on anyone else. That was why he thought teaching Shea and the other how to kill was a mistake. But, if its for them to survive, they need to see the cruel side of human.

Aishia: I will always be with you, Sora. I'll accept all of you.

Aishia said, hugging Sora even tighter. Before leaning onto his face, kissing him passionately.

Sora:...Thank you.

Sora kiss Aishia back softly.

(Timeskip)

After saying goodbye to the Haulia clan, Sora and Hajime were driving their motorcycles, and Shea was standing up on the back of Sora's.

Shea: I'm glad to be able to ride this vehicle again!

Sora: I told you not to move too much.

Shea: So where are we going?

Hajime: For now, our objective is the Raisen Grand Canyon, but I wanted to do a few things in a village first. According to the map I saw, there should be on in this direction.

Sora: We want to eat something and stock some supplies other than preserve meals for once.

Shea then looked at them confused.

Sora: What is it? Did I say something strange?

Shea: It's nothing. I'm rather glad! I thought that if it was you and Hajime, you might both be satisfied with just monster meat...

Sora: -_- Your joking...

Hajime: What do you think we are...?