The Battle They Didn’t Need Me For
The sky dimmed suddenly.
The wind stilled.
And then—the ground trembled.
A distant roar cut across the air like thunder laced with hunger.
The boy's head turned slowly toward the forest line.
A swarm of A-rank beasts.
Not just one.
Seven.
Each enough to take down a village. Together? A massacre waiting to happen.
🧿 The Shadows on the Cliff
Above them, hidden in the trees and rockface, the S-rank royal guards watched silently.
"Should we interfere?" one asked.
"They defeated an S-rank last time," another muttered. "Let's see how they handle this."
"If they die… they die."
Not a flicker of emotion.
Just observation.
And below—
A family stepped forward.
⚔️ The Battle Begins
His sister, Aira, didn't hesitate.She moved like a blade drawn by instinct, slicing through the first beast before it even charged.Her aura burned, her body faster than before — sharper. Focused.
Behind her, their father dropped into the swarm like a meteor, crushing two beasts under his spear.
Each blow shook the ground.
Each roar silenced under his hand.
And at the back—
Their mother.
Kneeling, hands glowing, voice whispering healing incantations as cuts closed, wounds sealed, fatigue vanished.
A perfect rhythm. A perfect team.
👁 The Demon King Watches
And he?
He stood still.
Arms by his sides.
Heart racing — not in fear, but in awe.
"Last time… they were desperate."
"Last time, we barely survived."
"But this time…"
They moved like warriors. Not survivors.
"They're growing."
And he felt it again.
That warmth.
That ache.
"They don't need me to save them."
"They're saving themselves."
🕶️ The Guards Watch, Too
From above, the S-rank watchers remained expressionless.
"The girl's improved."
"The man's close to true S-rank now. Possibly higher."
"The boy… still shows nothing."
"Odd."
They made notes.
Then disappeared back into shadow.
🏚 After the Dust
By nightfall, the field was quiet again.
The beasts were gone — dead or fled.
No injuries.
Only breathing. Panting. Silent victory.
Their father looked toward the horizon, sweat on his brow.
"We can't stay here much longer."
"We'll move in a few days. Somewhere safer. Somewhere new."
The family nodded.
Even the boy.
He walked a little slower that night.
And smiled a little deeper.
"I promised to protect them.""But maybe… for now… they're protecting me."
And that?
That felt good.