Back in Action – The Orc Assault

The battle was long over, but life went on in that mildly noisy yet strangely comforting routine. As time passed, the kids had naturally blended into family life with Mom and Ha-rin, and laughter echoed nonstop through the living room. I just chuckled now and then watching them. And just like that, two weeks flew by faster than expected.

"...Have I gotten too slack?"

I muttered to myself and stood up. I'd focused on recovery, but something felt dull, like my instincts had rusted.

"Time to get moving again."

I'd kept up light exercise, but it was basic stuff. Not nearly enough. I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠glanced sideways. Kent, Compi, Compf, Compa. They were all growing noticeably. Their movements were sharper, their eyes clearer and more focused. And Kent...

"...Whoa."

I was speechless for a moment. She was already big enough to shield several people easily. Spikes jutted along her back, her body solid and heavy. She was definitely too large to take anywhere casually now.

"...Can't even ride in the car anymore."

I sighed and said, "Let's head to the nearest training ground."

I scrapped the car idea and booked the closest Awakener-exclusive training ground, then we walked. People's stares naturally locked on us.

"...What the heck is that..."

"...Real dinosaurs?"

Whispers followed. Then a kid pointed at Kent.

"Mommy!"

"It's a dinosaur! Dinosaur!"

Her eyes sparkled as she shouted. I chuckled softly.

"...Yeah, dinosaurs, alright."

I murmured. Kent ignored the stares, walking quietly by my side. We arrived at the training ground like that.

The moment we stepped inside, I said, "Today's gonna be intense."

Training began. Coordination with Psi. Dmol's aerial support. Kent's heavy charges. And the speedy maneuvers of Compi, Compf, and Compa.

"...Good."

My body was loosening up. The lost sensations were trickling back. How much time passed? As training wound down, we gathered in one spot, catching our breath.

"Haa..."

Then—ding. The familiar alert. I looked up. A familiar window appeared before my eyes.

"Finally."

I whispered, holding my breath as I checked the details slowly.

"...Total tank."

"...Insane."

I looked at Kent. Then shifted my gaze. Compi, Compf, and Compa's turn.

"...These girls are pure aggro magnets."

I chuckled softly.

"You all..."

I said slowly.

"Got seriously strong."

The kids looked at me. Their eyes were different now—not just 'kids,' but true battle partners. I stood slowly.

"...Good."

"Now the real thing starts."

We resumed training, testing the new abilities one by one while honing my senses. Time passed, the sun dipping low. I wrapped up and headed home with the kids.

On the walk, I glanced at Kent.

"...Kent."

"You okay?"

Instead of words, she approached quietly and bonk—rubbed her head against my face.

"...Heh."

I laughed and accepted it, stroking her head.

"Yeah."

"Can't carry you like when you were little anymore."

"But you're still my cute daughter."

Psi and Dmol walked side by side beside me, while Compi, Compf, and Compa clambered on Kent's back, scampering and playing.

"Hey, hey."

I chuckled. "Don't overdo it."

The words barely left my mouth when poof! All three leaped off and burrowed into my arms.

"Peep!"

"...Guys."

I laughed, scooping them up and petting them lightly.

"You little rascals."

Peaceful times. It felt like nothing would interrupt. Then—reeeeeeek—!!

A ear-piercing warning blared.

"...!"

I checked my phone immediately.

"...Right nearby."

The location showed up too. Then—

"Kyaaah!!"

A scream. No hesitation.

"Let's go."

I bolted. Psi and Dmol reacted instantly, shifting from human forms back to their true shapes.

"Dmol."

"Scout ahead."

'Got it!'

Dmol soared into the sky. I pushed my speed harder. Just before reaching the scene, Dmol returned.

'Dad!'

'Green monsters...!'

'They've got clubs!'

"...Roger."

I activated my ability right away.

"Jurassic Field."

Whoosh—the area warped, the field expanding. I drew Bond's Sword and charged forward. Vision cleared.

Green monsters. One raised a massive club. About to smash the civilian in front.

"Dmol!"

"Heaven's Leader!"

"Kent!"

"Block it!!"

Boom!

Kent burst out. Insane speed. Jurassic Field and Dmol's buff stacked for explosive acceleration. She cut right in front.

Crash!!

The monster's club swung down. But...

"...What?"

The club shattered on contact with Kent's body.

"Good."

"Nice one, Kent."

I shouted immediately.

"Psi!"

"Feather Missile!"

Shwick shwick shwick—sharp feathers rained down. The green ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠monster had no time to react.

"Grrraaah—!!"

It collapsed. I yelled at the civilian.

"Run!!"

They snapped out of it and fled in panic. I turned right away.

"Now, finish the rest."

The fight continued. Kent tanked up front, Psi poured on firepower, Dmol supported from the air. Compi, Compf, and Compa left afterimages, disrupting the monsters' focus.

Chaos. Openings. Slash.

"...Done."

The last one fell. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I caught my breath, scanning around.

"...."

Silence. No casualties, luckily. I exhaled softly.

"Phew..."

I looked at the kids.

"...Everyone."

"Good job."

I caught my breath a bit longer, eyeing the fallen monsters.

"...Those..."

Memories stirred. Class lessons flashed by.

"...Orcs."

I was sure. Then—thud. Thud. Heavy vibrations from the gate.

"...!"

I looked up. The gate. A massive shadow shifted inside.

"...It's coming."

I lowered my stance. Soon, shoving through the gate—

A colossal figure emerged. Orc Chieftain. Size incomparable to the regulars.

"...Huge."

I swallowed hard. Before it fully emerged—

"Now."

I moved first.

"Psi!"

"Feather Missile!"

Shwick! Dozens of feathers embedded in the Orc Chieftain's body. Blood sprayed. But...

"...It won't stop."

It didn't care, fully exiting the gate. Then—

"Rooaaarrr—!!!"

The roar shook the air.

"...Urk!"

I clutched my head. Overwhelming presence. It moved.

Thud. Thud. Each step pure danger.

"...Going."

"Compi, Compf, Compa!"

"Shadow Clone!"

The three moved as one. Afterimages spread. The Orc Chieftain's vision blurred. It swung wildly in irritation.

Boom! Boom!

But "Misses."

All attacks whiffed. We seized the gap.

"Psi!"

Again, "Feather Missile!"

Consecutive hits. Wounds piled up. Damage accumulating. But...

"...!"

Its movements shifted. Confusion cleared. Eyes locked on me. The Orc Chieftain charged.

"Kent!"

I yelled.

"Spike Iron Wall!"

Crash!!

The huge club smashed down. Direct hit. But...

"...Held."

Kent didn't budge. Spikes fully deployed, absorbing the impact. Then...

"...Now."

Counter. Stored damage reflected back.

"Grraaah—!!"

The Orc Chieftain reeled, crashing to the ground.

Boom!

"...Over."

I panted.

"Haa... haa..."

Strength faded. I slumped right there. Looked at the kids.

"...Everyone."

"...Good job."

I hugged them one by one. Warmth. As I rested like that—vroom vroom. Car engines. Several. Vehicles pulled up in a line. Doors flew open, people pouring out.

"Secure the perimeter!"

"Processing team, move in!"

They moved fast. But...

"...Huh?"

Their eyes froze. The gate. Fallen monsters. And in front, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠me and the kids just sitting, resting.

"...."

Silence. Eyes met. An awkwardly tense air hung.

I waved carefully.

"Hello..."