Chapter 04: A Dwarf And A Wolf

We walked for a day, approaching the border of the country, as we saw an elderly man having trouble with his wagon. 

"He looks like he's in trouble..." Said Nora. I looked down at her and let out a little smile.

"And it is my duty to help him." I said confidently before starting to walk towards the old man and his wagon. The man was little, possibly a dwarf, he had a bald head and a long white beard. I inspected the wagon as we approached him, the wheel had come off and wasn't to be seen.

"Hello sir, would you like me to help you?" I asked softly. He looked up at me, his eyes widening as I was recognized.

"Hero! Thank god you're here. You see, the wheel of my wagon came off and rolled down the hill! Would you please assist me? My shack isn't much far from here." He asked politely. I gave him a soft nod as I turned to Nora.

"Could you head down to find the wheel? I'll start carrying the wagon." I asked Nora kindly. She immediately nodded and sniffed the wagon before transforming into the White Tiger. She quickly turned to me.

You go ahead, I'll catch up." She said before dashing off down the hill at a rapid pace. I turned to the old man as I picked up the wagon. He pointed in a direction and started walking.

"This way. Also you could call me Horn. I used to be an adventurer before my age caught up with me." He said with a laugh as we walked. 

"So what brings you out here hero? On another quest?" He asked as we started slowing down.

"Something like that." I answered, being a bit cautious of my words. We then approached a little cabin in the woods. It was made of wood and looked relaxing.

"We're here. This is my shack!" He said before walking to the side of the cabin.

"You could place the wagon here please." Horn said. I nodded and placed down the wagon.

"A calming place you got here." I said. Before he could answer Nora rushed over to us with a wheel.

"I'm here!" She yelled as she placed the tire by the wagon.

"This is Nora. She will be assisting me on my journey." I explained to Horn.

"Nice to meet you Nora. Please don't bother fixing the wagon. I'd like to do it myself tomorrow to pass the time. Now please, come in. Let me get you something to eat." Horn said calmly. Just as I was going to refuse Nora jumped up and down.

"Yes please! I'm starving!" She yelled as I let out an annoyed sigh.

"Great!" Horn said before taking us into the shack. He motioned to the couch and left to the kitchen as we sat. I looked at Nora as she giggled at me, she knew what she did would annoy me but before I could say anything Horn came with two plates full of food.

"Here you two. Heroes like the two of you need to eat plenty. Eat plenty, work hard and rest when you can. That's the warriors way!" Horn said as we took the plates and we started eating.

"This tastes great mister Horn!" Nora yelled. I was surprised by how good a simple dish of potatoes and beef could taste. I looked up at Horn.

"Yeah, it's actually quite good." I said as I ate quickly. Horn laughed as he walked across us.

"I'm glad you're enjoying it, hero." Horn said as he sat down and opened the daily newspaper. Just then I realized how I'm probably the number one enemy of the public. I slowly looked up at Horn, noticing his serious expression.

"Hero, you better get going. Eat your meal then take the back door. It has a path that leads strait to Miraal." Horn said, his expression one of concern. I was surprised by the fact he was helping us.

"You're... helping us?" I asked in confusion.

"I do not know of the situation but... you're the hero who defeated the demon king. Even if the whole world is against you we still owe you with our lives. Now eat fast hero, before they find you." Horn answered, his voice filled with confidence as he trusted me with everything he had. Nora and I finished our meals swiftly as we got up and walked towards the back door.

"Thank you, Horn!" I said, grateful for his help.

"No... Thank 'you', great hero Michael Forte." Horn replied as we left through the back door into the woods, making our way through at a high pace.

We were getting close to the border as I sensed a source of mana approaching us.

"Did you also sense that?" Nora asked me. I nodded and stopped.

"And I know exactly whom it is." I said calmly as Nishioka fell in front of us. His hair was long, dark and his arm was robotic as I had cut it off in our previous meeting. His wolf ears twitched as he grinned.

"Long time no see eh Michael?" Nishioka yelled, looking rater insane.

"Nishioka the Assassin? Never would've thought the king had kept you alive." I stated calmly. I was weary of him, his abilities were dangerous. His Blessed Ability allowed him to copy any move he saw. It wasn't perfect but a greatly annoying as it usually forced me to get creative.

"Heard ya were being a bad boy~ Maybe now I could happily kill ya! Get ready Michael fuckin' Forte!" Nishioka screamed as he rushed towards me. Blessed Ability: Total Copycat was activated as Nishioka attacked me using the Blessed Abilities, Total Strength and Total Speed which he saw in our previous fight. I had to think fast. My Total Speed, Total Regeneration and Total Immunity were limited by my curse. I could just use Total Skill to create an ability that would nullify his Blessed Ability but I had my pride as a hero, and wouldn't tolerate such a cowardly way of fighting unless necessary. Blessed Ability: Total Defence and Blessed Ability: Total Reflection activated, allowing me to tank 99% of the Total Strength and also reflect 90% back to Nishioka. He was blown back, in pain, as he laughed.

"Gotcha idiot!" He yelled as the bombs he planted around me detonated. Blessed Ability: Total Luck activated which resulted in all of the explosions missing me completely. I stood still and glanced at Nora, who had also protected herself using her magic to create a barrier.

"You're such a cheat character!" Nishioka yelled angrily, just then i nodded towards Nora and she used her magic to knock Nishioka out as we walk past him, going past the border and entering the Kingdom of Miraal. I looked down at Nora as we went through.

"Good job tiger." I said, praising her for her good use of magic. She smiled up at me.

"Thanks master!" Nora replied as we walked into Miraal. 

End Chapter.