Sammy Berkshire

*Splish, Splash!*

"Splashing water?" I thought as I followed the sound like a sly fox.

After sneaking through the foliage that overlooked a small, running stream, I saw what appeared to be the outline of a humanoid female.

"Is this one of those scenarios?? Is it finally my time to catch a hottie in the midst of washing off her impurities!?"

Without hesitation, I leapt through the foliage with my arms open wide.

"Daddy Knox is here, hottie! What say we skip the formalities and go straight to the—"

Making me stop in my tracks and stare dumbfounded was the reveal of a wood creature.

It had the body of a human female and the general facial features of one, but it lacked all the most important parts!

"You scammer!" I declared, my outraged voice creating ripples in the stream. "And here I was about to show you the best night of your life before mysteriously vanishing the following mornin—"

SHING!

Cutting through the air was the extended wood-blade arm of the female tree creature.

It shot right toward my throat, and with barely any time to dodge, I made myself slip to speed up the evasion process.

*Drip…*

Putting my index finger up to my cheek, I felt the markings of a crimson red liquid. A shallow cut stretched across the right side of my face.

Slowly, my smile faded, replaced instead by a cold iciness.

"So you're not the friendly type," I said, my personality performing a total flip. "Fine. Then I won't be friendly either."

As an intense killing intent emitted from my glowing gold gaze, I ignored the blood staining my face and dashed forward.

Within an instant, I bridged a distance of a couple dozen meters.

My hand—infused with a newfound level of strength—clutched the wood creature's neck. However, just as I was going to finish things quickly and snap its neck, a feminine voice cried out.

Following the voice was the casting of a Martial Skill.

"Stop! Don't hurt my Spirit Summon!"

I shifted my emotionless eyes toward the source of the voice.

Yet, in that same moment, a large tree filled my vision.

"A Spirit Summon?" I asked calmly as I effortlessly sidestepped the large tree barreling in my direction. "What's that? This tree creature?"

I looked at the tree creature struggling in my grasp.

Even I was surprised by my own strength, and as it so happened, so too was the stunning girl descending from the sky like a fairy.

"How were you able to dodge that??" the girl asked, her cherry-red lips moving out of sync.

"Did you want me to stand there and let a tree whack me in the face or something?" I asked, rolling my eyes. "Anyway, if this thing is yours, then you should put it on a better leash. I would've killed it if you continued attacking. I don't care how pretty you are."

As soon as those merciless words left my mouth, I tossed the tree creature toward the beautiful fairy girl.

I then turned around and started walking along the stream's shoreline, trying to locate a good place to train.

"Hey, wait right there!" the girl hollered, doing her best to keep up with Knox's hurried pace. "You have yet to apologize for what you did to Tia! Just take a look at the mark you left around her neck!"

I slightly cocked my head back, my killing intent still palpable.

"You want me to apologize for defending myself after being attacked first? What next? You want me to kowtow and proclaim you my grandmother as well??"

"N-No… I just…"

"You just what?" I said. "You're just stupid? Good for you, but I don't care. Listen kid, if you keep bothering me, then I'll discipline you on behalf of your parents. Control your pets or don't own one; goodbye."

Still more than a little ticked off over my new body being injured so early, I kicked a rock.

It was sent flying before crashing into a tree and creating a substantial dent.

Seeing that improved my mood a bit.

But when that peach-blossom-eyed girl crept up behind me, my slight smile faded.

I halted my movements to turn around and face my stalker. My expression was anything but pleased, for it was shrouded by dark shadows.

Adding to the scary factor was my wide, friendly smile—which appeared anything but friendly to the meek young girl.

"How old are you, kid? What's your name?" I asked, my voice raising the hair on the back of her neck.

"I'm… I'm 13," the girl said while fidgeting with her fingers, her eyes erratically swimming around. "And my name is Sammy… Sammy Berkshire."

"Sammy Berkshire?" I repeated, surprise flashing within my irises. "The Berkshire family… Wait, are you that younger sister??"

Although a bit taken aback by Knox's sudden switch in demeanor, Sammy nodded shyly.

"My big sister is Yennefer Berkshire."

"Oh, f*ck!" I cursed, my danger signals ringing like crazy. "Forget everything I said, girl! Tell me what you want! Hurry, hurry!"

Sammy was beyond confused right now, but she found it in herself to say what she originally wanted to say:

"I… I'd like for you and my Tia to make up," she softly murmured, glancing between Knox and the gloomy tree lady dragging its feet behind them. "Please… I don't want her to be so sad…"

"Sure, sure, whatever, kid!" I said quickly as I fixed my gaze on Tia, the Spirit Summon. "I sincerely apologize for fighting back after being attacked! Next time, I'll simply stand there and accept the embrace of death like a man!"

"Are we good now, kid!?" I asked in a rush, still warily surveying my surroundings. "Come on! Just say we're good!"

"O-Okay, we're good—"

OOOM!

Too late!