Separation

"You think you can hide behind a shield forever."

Said the swordsman as he launched another [sword wave]. The attack hit, and the shield cracked. One more hit and the shield would break.

"Shut up and take my attack." Mirra launched a magic ball.

"Too predictable." The swordsman stepped back and dodged the spell with ease.

"You've got some good stuff, girl." The swordsman had noticed that all of Mirra's gear was of high quality—especially her chestplate and staff.

Mirra stared at the swordsman without fear. If her shield broke, she could still summon it two more times. Besides, she still had Nim on her side.

After dodging, the swordsman charged at Mirra again. Just as he was about to strike, he felt a chill down his spine. Before he could turn around, a heavy blow struck his back.

Thump

The swordsman was sent flying several meters away. His body crashed into the hard volcanic rocks.

"Nim!"

Mirra lit up at the sight of Nim. But her joy didn't last long when she saw his injuries. His clothes were torn, and deep wounds covered his body.

Although the wounds had stopped bleeding, they were still painful to look at.

"Nim..."

"I'm fine. Now leave him to me." Nim reassured Mirra and turned his focus back to their opponent.

"Cough... Cough..."

The swordsman stood up, coughing mouthfuls of blood. Even with his magical armor, the blow had broken several ribs and damaged some internal organs.

At that moment, Nim appeared in front of him again and struck his chest. The swordsman was caught off guard and hastily slashed, trying to force Nim back.

As if he hadn't even seen the attack, Nim struck the swordsman's chest again. The swordsman was sent flying once more, and Nim received a deep gash across his own chest.

The swordsman hit the ground and vomited more blood. His eyes were filled with desperation. His wounds were too severe—he knew he didn't have much time left.

Nim approached, blood dripping from his chest. The swordsman looked at the boy who hadn't hesitated to take a hit just to injure him. He had never expected to meet someone so reckless.

Nim didn't hesitate. He drew his sword and, with a single strike, ended the swordsman's suffering.

After killing the swordsman, Nim let out a long sigh. These battles hadn't been easy. He had taken many hits to end them as quickly as possible.

"Nim."

A voice called out to him. He turned to see Mirra approaching. Before he could say anything, she handed him a red potion.

"Drink it quickly. That cut on your chest is still bleeding."

Nim nodded and drank the potion silently. After that, the wound on his chest stopped bleeding, and the others improved significantly.

Nim looked at Mirra. In this battle, she had helped by keeping the swordsman occupied. If he had faced all four enemies alone, he was sure he would have been seriously injured—even if he had won in the end.

"Thank you, Mirra," Nim said with a smile.

"Don't mention it. We're a team."

"You're right. We're a team."

After chatting for a few moments, they heard noise nearby. Nim and Mirra immediately became alert. They also remembered something—one member of the group they had fought was still alive.

Nim moved quickly. After searching the area, he found the source of the noise. Just as he suspected, it was the first swordsman he had struck.

The swordsman had regained consciousness and noticed the archer and mage were dead. The shieldbearer was still alive, but his arms were bent at odd angles and he was vomiting blood onto the ground.

The armor on his chest had been crushed by tremendous force.

"R...un..." the shieldbearer said weakly upon seeing the swordsman.

The swordsman panicked and drew his sword. He knew whatever had eliminated his team was still nearby. But the last thing he remembered was fighting a boy.

After that, he had blacked out, waking up with a huge swelling on his head and a splitting headache.

In the middle of his thoughts, he saw a figure rapidly approaching. Surprised, he tried to defend himself with his sword.

Nim dodged the sword effortlessly and struck the swordsman hard in the chest.

Thump

The swordsman was sent flying several meters; his light armor provided no defense.

Nim didn't pursue the swordsman. Instead, he approached the injured shieldbearer.

"You..." the shieldbearer said weakly.

Nim drew his sword and gave him a quick death. After killing the shieldbearer, he approached the swordsman lying on the rocky ground.

The swordsman was in a state similar to the shieldbearer's before his death. Nim stared at him coldly.

At the start of the battle, he had only planned to knock him out. But after everything that had happened... it wouldn't have made a difference to kill him from the start.

Just before Nim delivered the final blow, a voice echoed.

"Wait, Nim."

Nim paused and looked at Mirra, who had arrived at some point. She looked at the wounded swordsman with a determined expression.

"Nim, I have a request. Could you let me do it?"

Nim looked at Mirra thoughtfully. He understood what she meant.

"Are you sure?" Nim asked.

"Yes." Mirra knew that at some point, she would have to do this. She couldn't always depend on Nim.

"Alright," said Nim, stepping aside. He would respect Mirra's decision.

After Nim moved aside, Mirra held her staff and looked at the swordsman. She began to channel her spell, and a ball of light appeared at the tip of her staff. In the next moment, it shot out at the swordsman.

The swordsman couldn't dodge and was engulfed by the spell. His body was charred by the attack.

Mirra let out a sigh after killing the swordsman. In the end, it hadn't been as hard as she'd thought.

"Now we're not so different anymore," Mirra said.

Nim smiled. He wasn't sure if she was complimenting him or insulting him.

"All this killing made me hungry. Let's go somewhere else to rest," said Mirra as she stretched.

Nim smiled at her behavior, and they moved on.

Soon they reached a safe spot, and Mirra took out some food rations from her storage belt. She also pulled out Nim's backpack.

Nim's clothes were torn, and the blood had dried. After eating a few rations, he changed into a new outfit. When he returned, Mirra was still enjoying her food.

"Ahh... I definitely feel much better," said Mirra.

"Alright, let's keep moving and find the exit before we run into more adventurers."

Before encountering the group of adventurers, they had been close to an exit. It shouldn't take long to reach it.

"Mirra, there's something I want to tell you," Nim said suddenly.

"Fine, but don't make it something weird."

Nim continued and explained to Mirra. "What, you want to stay until you reach level 10?" Mirra said.

Nim had told her that after finding the portal door, they would part ways. Nim wanted to reach level 10 and acquire a class.

In the last battle, his strength hadn't been enough. Because of that, he had to take risks to defeat the adventurers.

Mirra considered what Nim had said. She also understood the desire to become stronger.

"Well, no problem. It's not like you need my permission anyway."

Nim smiled at her response. It seemed he had worried too much.

After that conversation, they resumed their journey. Along the way, they encountered some monsters that Nim eliminated as usual.

An hour later, they finally found the exit door. Mirra and Nim were relieved. Moments later, they entered the chamber.

Nim wanted to make sure Mirra got out safely.

Inside, they saw a blue portal suspended in the center of the room.

"So I guess this is goodbye—or so you thought I'd say," Mirra smiled at Nim. At that moment, she pulled something from her storage.

"Take this and ask about me at the Arnold shops. They'll know what to do."

Nim received a small token. It had a symbol of a lion and a sword.

"Promise me you'll come find me."

"I will."

"Alright, since you said it, I'll trust you," said Mirra. She then turned and approached the portal.

"See you then."

Nim watched as Mirra disappeared into the portal. At that moment, he felt a bit melancholic about the time they had spent together. He stood there for a few minutes in thought before leaving the room.

...

After Mirra passed through the portal, she appeared in an area not far from the dungeon entrance. The portal hadn't taken her very far.

Mirra looked around and quickly got her bearings.

"Tch... can't believe Nim didn't say anything heartfelt as a goodbye," Mirra said with mild annoyance.

Even though she knew they'd meet again, she had still hoped for a more emotional farewell.

"I guess I expected too much from him."

"Miss, I've finally found you."

Mirra was suddenly interrupted by a voice. She turned to see a middle-aged man approaching her.

The man was dressed like a butler and had a symbol on his chest. It matched the one on the token Mirra had given Nim.

Seeing the man's appearance and the symbol on his chest, Mirra turned and fled.

"Miss, please don't make this more difficult."

The butler easily caught up to her and stood in front of her. Realizing she couldn't escape, Mirra gave up.

"Your father has been very worried about you these past few days," said the butler.

At the mention of her father, Mirra's expression turned nervous. "Does he know what I did?"

"I'm sorry, but I was ordered not to tell you anything," replied the butler.

Mirra's expression turned gloomy. If her father had given that order, it could only mean one thing.

Her father was angry.