13. Misunderstanding
Suddenly, people targeting our house? I was too shocked by the news to close my mouth.
"They're coming from three kilometers west, heading straight for the house."
"Are they after me, maybe?"
Has my location been exposed? Or did Seola sell me out? But no one should know where my house is. Seola's the only one who's seen my face, and even she doesn't know the exact spot.
"To explain first—they're not just one group."
"Not one group?"
"Two groups in matching uniforms, keeping their distance from each other, both heading this way."
And not just one, but two groups. Great.
"Scouts and main force?"
"That might be the right idea, but I think it's a bit different."
"Why?"
"We'll talk on the way."
The house wasn't far, so if we were fleeing, we needed to grab our stuff fast. Clinging to the White Tiger's back as it ran, I listened to Mae's report.
"Both groups were in military uniforms. But their unit patches were different."
"Different factions?"
"Yes. And from the vibe, it looked like a hunter-and-hunted situation."
Military personnel chasing each other.
"Maybe they're catching deserters or something..."
"Can't say for sure. The key point is they're hostile to each other."
"Got it roughly. But why head this way?"
"Falconer, you possess EX-rank power beyond S-rank. Your mana quantity and quality alone are beyond imagination."
True enough. I'd fought a wyvern right after awakening, hadn't I? And I'd heard plenty of monsters were drawn to my mana.
"They haven't pinpointed your exact location. They're probably just sensing something with massive mana around here."
"Go invisible, sneak close, and eavesdrop on their goal."
"That won't be easy."
"Why?"
"I was watching from a high vantage point earlier, and a sword flew at me."
"...For real?!"
That meant they had someone who could detect or sense invisible Mae. This was serious trouble. What if one of them was an early awakener? Even if I was EX-rank beyond S, my low level made high-level awakeners tough. Sure, B or C-ranks might get swatted by Nyangnyang, but a solid A or S-rank? Dicey.
"We should probably run. But I hate abandoning the house."
It was fully set up already—water overflowing, solar panels trickling power, gas tank still over half full. And now that trade with Haven was starting, I'd get all sorts of sundries. I'd built an apocalypse-proof dream home. Plus, nowhere else to go. Haven was the only option, but trusting Seola didn't mean trusting everyone under her. Like the saying: in a group of five, there's one trash. Someone could cause trouble, leading to me getting attacked or kidnapped.
"I really need my own space."
Group living was no joke. Better to fight here than deal with that stress. Or...
"We've got some time before they arrive, right?"
"Indeed."
"Let's hide the house as best we can."
Avoiding fights is always best, as they say. By the time our chatter wound down, we'd reached home.
I tried the first plan: conceal the house. But it wasn't small. Covering it would take a massive amount of plants.
"Is this even worth it...?"
Might as well save mana for battle prep. As I pondered, the forest's voice rang out.
We'll help you.
With those words, the surrounding grass began to stir. Trees moved first—their thick branches stretching out to shield my house as grasses shot up tall. Underground plants surged up in an instant, blanketing the house, while trees grew dense around it. In moments, it was invisible from outside.
Of course, the front yard got trashed in the process. But we'd endure.
"Hide..."
"I'll watch from above."
With Mae departing, I hunkered down inside with the White Tiger and Turtle. Munching carrot sticks secured night vision. Peering cautiously through the curtains.
Silence. Only our breathing in the tense quiet. My heart pounded. Please, just pass by.
Waiting like that, then—loud combat noises erupted outside. They turned savage: curses, trash talk flying. Then screams and shouts filled the air.
"...!!!"
First time seeing humans fight each other, monsters aside. I knew this era meant inevitable killing, but the shrieks and yells made me shrink.
Krunch! Trees in front of the house toppled and snapped. I nearly yelped, but the White Tiger clapped a paw over my mouth.
"Mmph?!"
"No big deal, nyang."
We waited quietly, just listening. Brutal battle sounds. Through the curtain gap, I glimpsed it: countless swords dancing in the air.
Sword summoning. Overwhelming, like from a game. That guy had to be S-rank. My EX-rank suddenly felt shabby. Production classes really lose to combat ones, huh? If I'd been EX combat, I'd charge in and cleave the world.
"Please pass by... please pass by."
Muttering prayers, the fight ended. One soldier stood amid three fallen comrades, surrounded by floating swords. Majestic. S-ranks saving hundreds from monsters? Spot on.
And it wasn't over. More soldiers followed him, moving with trained precision. Elite secret unit? National black ops?
As I wondered, the man pointed a sword at the downed soldiers and bellowed.
"You deserted, committed three robberies-murders, two civilian lootings, and neglected rescuing civilians from monsters. Do you admit these crimes?"
Deserters, as suspected—but such villains? Apocalypse rule: avoid soldiers. Good ones are dead ones.
Situation clear, I hid again. They'd execute them and leave. Good.
"Everyone, take cover!!!"
The man's sudden shout. What now? Peeking out—one downed soldier bristled with blades. But worse: his body glowed intensely, like a bomb primed to blow.
Beeeep—
All sound cut off, vision whited out. When senses returned, the house was wrecked.
Luckily, not totaled. Instinct kicked in at the blast—trees and vines surged, shielding house and gear. I was fine; White Tiger had scooped me up, blocking it. But interior trashed, wall between us and soldiers collapsed.
So, naturally, eyes met with the distant soldiers.
"Monster!!!"
They saw only White Tiger, not me inside. Fair misunderstanding. A massive White Tiger with huge mana in these mountains. Yeah, easy to misread.
"Was it hiding nearby?!"
"A house hidden in the trees?"
"Rumors of a strong monster here were true?!"
"Run, nyang!!"
White Tiger roared forward. Soldiers recoiled in fear—except the sword guy, advancing alone.
Panic hit. No winning against that powerhouse. Flee. Mind blank, I bolted ahead, ditching White Tiger irresponsibly.
Grasses parted at my will, trees blocking pursuit.
"Something's fleeing!!!"
"Everyone except Sergeant, chase it!!"
Ignoring voices, forward, forward. White Tiger's distant scream? Blocked it out.
Should've fled from the start. Guarding house cost my companion. Companions over house, right? Wrong call?
Lights flickering through trees—soldiers hunting me. But—
Slash!
A sword sliced my leg mid-stride. I crumpled.
"...Po, potato."
Fumbling for fries, but bundle was gone.
"Running's pointless."
The man's voice. Lights approached slowly. Endgame. Tears rising, I bowed head. Beg and maybe live?
"P-Please... spare meee..."
Voice cracking, desperate for any chance.
"...!!!"
"I-It’s a girl?!"
Soldiers' voices. A flashlight clattered— the sword sergeant's. Name tag: Sergeant Hyunwoo Park. The strongest here...
"I-I'll do anything... p-please spare me."
Crawling toward him, someone hugged me. Dying? Sold off? Dark thoughts flooded.
But response differed.
"Hey!! You lot!! Quit staring and get the potions!!!"
A woman's voice. Panting, her tag read: Lieutenant Sua Kwon. Officer leading them.
Soldiers rushed over, pouring potions on my leg. Potato would've worked. No need... But panic locked my words. Just blank.
Then spotting White Tiger's corpse carried afar—snapped me. Bolting up, shaking off daze, I ran to it. Cradling the lifeless body, I bawled uncontrollably.
"C-Calm down..."
Turtle in my arms mumbled, unheard. I wailed till lungs ached.
It stopped at warm mana in my fingertips.
"I'll teach you how to revive your companion."
"...?"
Turning: Kwon had placed her hand over mine.
"I'm an awakener who uses companions too. Beast Tamer. Heard of it?"
She gripped my hand. Her warm mana flowed, guiding mine to the dead White Tiger. My mana filled it, sparking life. Shrinking to tiny cat form.
I hugged Nyangnyang tight.
"...Meow? What happened, nyang? I was stabbed full of swords, nyang."
"You're safe..."
"C-Calm down, nyang. Wait?! Enemies everywhere, nyang?! But I'm weak, nyang?!!"
Feeling her warmth, eyes drooped. Mana drained reviving her. Consciousness faded. I collapsed.