CHAPTER 8: Monster Killer

After successfully eliminating all the bandits without leaving a single one behind, only the knights and two skilled warriors remained on the battlefield. Using a spotting scope, I could clearly see the confusion on their faces. They were obviously still trying to figure out where the shots that swiftly took down the bandits had come from.

There was a strong urge within me to descend and meet them, hoping they would see me as an ally, especially after I helped them deal with this difficult situation. However, I was reminded of the little girl who was currently by my side. Bringing her into this dangerous situation was clearly not a wise choice. I didn't want to risk her safety just to gain the knights' recognition down below.

The innocent face of the little girl looked up at me, confusion clearly written in her eyes. Perhaps she still didn't fully understand what was happening, or just how dangerous the situation really was.

After considering all the risks, I ultimately decided to go down alone. Protecting this girl was my top priority. I wouldn't let her be dragged into the danger lurking below.

"Hey, wait here, okay? I'm going down. If anything happens, shoot this into the air, alright?" I spoke while handing her the flare gun, trying to sound as calm as possible.

The little girl nodded, though I wasn't sure if she fully understood. To make sure, I gave her a small hand gesture to show her how to use the flare gun. Hopefully, she wouldn't misunderstand and shoot the flare at the wrong moment.

With everything ready, I hurried down the hill. The combat gear on my body felt heavy, but I stayed focused on the mission ahead, meeting with the knights and warriors.

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POV 3

"Where did the attack come from?" Chinua asked with a serious expression, his eyes scanning the battlefield littered with corpses.

"These bandits were killed by something... But what?" one of the knights responded, his voice filled with confusion.

Nearby, another knight crouched down, examining one of the bodies lying on the ground. He touched the clear wound on the victim's chest, which appeared to be from a long-range shot. "Look at this, this penetrating wound looks like it was caused by a long-range weapon. But... who could have done this from such a distance?"

Leonard, observing from behind the crowd of knights, began to draw conclusions in his mind. Based on the situation, he assumed that perhaps there was an Assassin group from the capital who had quietly helped them. His logic was sharp, weighing every possibility. To him, everything seemed like part of a carefully laid plan to protect his group from the rebel attack.

However, what Leonard didn't know was the more complex reality-that a third party had actually intervened in this battle, and they had done so without anyone on the battlefield knowing.

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On the other side, atop the hill overlooking the valley, a white tiger girl sat restlessly. She was the girl who had been asked by Yudha to stay put earlier. However, her curiosity had overridden that order. She couldn't resist the urge to see what was happening down below.

"Master seemed strange with that thing he was carrying earlier," the white tiger girl muttered, clutching the flare gun Yudha had given her. "And now, he told me to stay here with this strange thing. Where did he actually go? I have to see for myself!"

Carefully, she began to follow Yudha's trail, trying to remain hidden behind trees and rocks. Her curiosity was too great to ignore, even though she knew Yudha's instructions were to stay put.

A short while later, Yudha was almost at his destination. The white tiger girl continued to follow him from a distance, making sure her steps went unnoticed.

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POV Yudha

With steady steps, I entered the midst of the knights' crowd. Without the slightest hesitation, I continued moving forward with a relaxed manner, as if there was nothing to fear. However, the moment they looked in my direction, the atmosphere immediately changed. Their calm expressions were suddenly replaced with fear, as though I were an unexpected threat.

Their fear seemed more than just a casual reaction. In no time, the knights drew their weapons. Shining swords were unsheathed, creating a tense, threatening atmosphere. I even saw one knight trembling, barely able to stand straight. The tension in the air was palpable, filling the sudden silence that enveloped us.

"Are you a monster?! How many lives have you taken?! Your killer's aura is terrifying!" shouted a woman dressed like a Chinese warrior. Her voice was firm, but filled with suspicion, and she spoke in a language I didn't understand.

I tried to signal with my hands, hoping to convey that I wasn't dangerous. However, before I could make a move, she charged at me with lightning speed, her movements swift and practiced.

Damn it! I focused all my attention on avoiding her attack, but before I could react any further, something unexpected happened.

"Don't hurt him!!!"

I turned in surprise. The white tiger girl, whom I had previously hidden behind the hill, leaped into the midst of us, boldly blocking the warrior's strike. I could see the determination in her eyes, despite the imminent danger she faced. The warrior, with her quick movements, almost grazed the white tiger girl with her sword.

"What are you doing, child?! You could get hurt!" the warrior said, her brow furrowing as she saw the young girl standing in front of me.

"Don't, please! Please, don't attack him! He's a good person, he saved me from them! He gave me delicious food and a safe place to shelter. Please, don't kill him!" The white tiger girl pleaded in a language I didn't understand. Tears streamed down her face, yet she stood firm with a resolve that was heart-wrenching.

The warrior looked confused. "What? How could someone like him do such things? He's clearly a dangerous killer. Move aside, child!" she replied with the same firm tone, though her gaze softened a bit.

"Please... don't," the white tiger girl's voice cracked amidst her sobs. She looked so pitiful, her voice trembling more with each word.

The warrior fell silent, her sword slowly lowering from its attacking position. In an unexpected decision, she crouched down and gently embraced the white tiger girl.

"There, there... Don't cry, alright? Sorry, I was too harsh on you. I can't stand seeing you cry like this." Her voice softened and filled with sympathy. She gently patted the white tiger girl's head.

I could only stand still, watching the scene in confusion. This little girl was so brave. She wasn't at all affected by the corpses scattered around us, and now she was risking her life for me. There were many things I didn't understand, but one thing was clear: this little girl's courage was truly extraordinary.

In the midst of the still-confusing situation, an elderly man, clearly a noble, approached us. His eyes narrowed when he saw the white tiger girl.

"Wait... Isn't she from the Eloulan Clan?" the old man asked in English, causing me to snap out of my thoughts.

"What?! Did he just... speak English?" I muttered, surprised, as confusion and shock took over my mind.

I hadn't fully recovered from the shock of the white tiger girl's bravery, but now I was even more shocked. The old man, dressed in noble attire, was speaking in English? What was going on here? This was another world, right?

"Excuse me, do you speak English?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"Ing... what? What do you mean, young man?" the old man replied, still in English, which only deepened my confusion.

"Uh, no... I mean, how do you speak English?" I asked again, hoping for a logical explanation.

"Monster, can you speak with us or not?" the warrior woman interrupted, her expression impatient.

"Oh, so... this necklace," the old man pointed to the necklace around his neck, "is a language translation necklace. When I speak, others hear my words in the language they understand. It's a rare artifact that only nobles or high-level adventurers possess."

I nodded in understanding. At least that explained how he could speak the language I recognized. But there was still so much I didn't get.

"I apologize, it seems there's been a misunderstanding. I just came to check on the situation," I tried to explain.

The old man stared at me with sharp eyes, as if weighing something. "Check on the situation, you say? Are you...?" His words were cut off, but the look of shock on his face made everyone around us fall silent, waiting for the continuation of his explanation.