"Tadaa!"
"With this, the wound should be fine in two or three days," Lin said proudly.
Then she suddenly punched him on the head, leaving a huge bump.
"That's for being so aggressive with a cute girl like me after slaughter all the enemy" she scolded, puffing her cheeks in frustration.
<10 mins before>
Mai stepped in front of him, grabbing his arm.
"Stop it!" she shouted, her voice shaking.
But he didn't look at her.
His fists trembled, his eyes distant—lost in failure.
"There's nothing left," he said bitterly.
"I couldn't protect anyone… I'm a loser."
His voice cracked, heavy with shame and self-hatred.
He was breaking.
Mai sighed, clearly out of patience.
"Alright, that's enough drama for today."
Before he could react, she slipped behind him and locked her arm around his neck.
"Sleep tight, Mr. I'm-a-loser."
"W–Wait—Mai? What are y—!"
Too late.
His arms flailed a little, then went limp as he passed out.
"Are you serious? Lin's wound can really be healed?" he asked, eyes wide with disbelief.
Mai rolled her eyes, a small smile playing on her lips.
"You dummy. It's just a shallow cut on his left side. It didn't hit anything vital."
She chuckled softly.
"You're always so hot-headed."
Then, her tone softened.
"But… thank you."
"If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have made it out."
Mai slowly woke up, eyes still heavy with sleep.
When she saw him sitting there, shoulders trembling in silence, she didn't hesitate.
She got up and wrapped her arms around him from behind, gently resting her head against his back.
"No more hating yourself, okay?" she whispered.
"You're doing your best… and that's enough."
His body tensed—then broke.
Tears spilled down his face as he buried his hands in his palms, finally letting it all out.
And Mai just held him, without a word, until the storm passed.
[System Notification]
[Skill: Herbal Knowledge (B)]
[Progress Updated: 100%]
Requirements to Copy: Make the two girls feel your protection: progress 100%
Double the joy.
[System Notification]
The second skill have been acquired...
Status update...
[System Notification]
[Name: Esteria
Race: Human
Classification: Awakened
Status: Severely Injured
Attack: 3
Defense: 2
Copy (S): Limited ability to copy observed skills. Can copy the skills being seen, resulting in perfect copies. However there will be a requirement for the skill being copy, the hardness is base on the skill rank
Shadow of the Moon (B): An Sword technique unique to Silvermist swordman. Split your form into multiple shadow copies that strike simultaneously in a straight-line assault. Each shadow mirrors your movement with near-perfect precision, creating a barrage of high-speed attacks that overwhelm the enemy's ability to react.
Herbal Knowledge (B): A refined understanding of herbs and natural remedies. Allows the user to identify almost all plant species at a glance, including their properties, uses, and potential risks. With focused effort, the user can craft basic to intermediate antidotes and healing items with a 50% success rate when under pressure or in the field.
[Your capacity of copy ability is now reached! 2/2]
[ Improve your strenth before unlocking your max cap ability! ]
"Wait... two?" his eyes widened at the system notification.
He had always assumed his copy ability was unlimited. Finding out there was actually a cap on it was... unsettling.
"Improving strenth?" he muttered under his breath, frowning at this unexpected limitation.
The message about improving his strength before unlocking more capacity made him both anxious and determined. He would need to be much more selective about which skills to copy from now on.
His expression hardened as he realized his skills were still insufficient. He didn't have enough strength to protect those he cared about - all he could do was run away. He looked at the two girls with complicated emotions churning in his chest.
The weight of his inadequacy pressed down on him like a physical burden. Despite gaining these new abilities, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was still far too weak.
His hands clenched into fists at his sides as he silently vowed to become stronger.
Looking at Mai and Lin, who had both shown such faith in him despite his failures, only reinforced his determination. He needed more power - not for himself, but to ensure he would never have to flee while leaving others behind again.
"Look at me," he said firmly, turning to face them. His eyes burned with newfound resolve. "Do you believe me? I will become a protector who never fails."
Mai and Lin exchanged glances, surprised by the sudden intensity in his voice.
The declaration hung in the air, carrying the weight of both a promise and a prayer.
"Aww, look at our big crybaby," Lin teased, poking his cheek.
"Who knew such a fierce warrior could be so emotional?" Mai joined in with a playful smile.
"Stop it, you two..." he grumbled, wiping his face.
"But you know what?" Lin's voice turned gentle. "It's nice seeing this side of you. Shows you really care."
"Yeah," Mai nodded. "And we believe in you. Just... take it one step at a time, okay?"
"You don't have to become the strongest overnight," Lin added.
"We'll be right here with you," Mai said warmly. "Supporting you all the way."
"Just try not to cry so much, it's making me want to tease you more," Lin giggled.
"I wasn't crying! Something just got in my eye..."
"Sure, sure," both girls said in unison, sharing knowing looks.
"Let's head back," he said with a gentle smile. "Can't keep Lyra waiting too long."
Mai and Lin nodded in agreement, both looking tired but relieved.
"She's probably worried sick about us," Lin said, stretching her arms above her head.
"And probably prepared a feast," Mai added with a knowing grin. "You know how she gets when we're away too long."
The three of them started walking, their footsteps synchronized in the quiet evening. Despite their exhaustion, there was a warmth in their hearts - the comfort of knowing they were heading home, together.
"Hey," he said suddenly, looking at both of them. "Thank you... for everything."
"Save the mushy stuff for Lyra," Lin teased, but her eyes were kind.
"Yeah," Mai chimed in. "Let's just go home."
---
"I'm home, Big Sis!" he called out as he entered.
"About time!" Lyra's voice echoed from the kitchen, mixing concern with sisterly scolding. "Do you have any idea how worried your big sister has been?"
She emerged, wearing an apron and brandishing a wooden spoon, not looking at them at first as she continued her scolding. When she finally turned around and saw their condition, her expression changed instantly.
"Oh my goodness!" Lyra gasped, her face paling at the sight of his wounds. "Why didn't you send word? I've been worried sick!"
She fussed over him like a mother hen, checking each cut and bruise. "Look at you, all beaten up like this! What happened out there?"
"It's not as bad as it looks, sis," he tried to reassure her, but Lyra was already pulling him toward the kitchen.
"Not as bad? You're covered in bandages!" She shook her head disapprovingly. "Sit down, all of you. You need a proper meal and then you're telling me everything."
"Those girls..." Lyra's voice trailed off as she ladled soup into bowls. "Are their injuries serious?"
He start to explain the situation that they met
"Remember that Goblin Legion we encountered?" he said quietly, his hands trembling slightly. "Their formation was... perfect. Too perfect. Each line, each row - it was like looking at a military parade."
He clenched his fists, frustration evident in his voice. "I've never seen monsters move like that. When they attacked, it wasn't the usual chaotic charge. They moved as one unit, like they were following precise commands."
"And I..." his voice cracked, "I couldn't do anything. My sword skills were useless against their coordinated attacks. Every move I made, they had a counter ready. It was like they knew what I was going to do before I did it."
Lyra's face showed growing concern as she listened.
"Big sis, those weren't normal goblins. Someone or something is controlling them, making them fight like trained soldiers. And right now, I'm not strong enough to protect anyone from that kind of threat."
"This is the second time we've seen such organized goblins," he said thoughtfully to Lyra. "Both attacks showed the same pattern - they were stronger, faster, and moved with military precision."
"You're right," Lyra replied, her expression growing serious. "Normal goblins are mindless creatures. This level of coordination isn't natural."
"I think we need to investigate their territory more thoroughly," he suggested, leaning forward. "These attacks seem planned. We have to find their nest and understand what's causing this change."
"It's dangerous," Lyra warned, her big sister instincts kicking in, "but you're right. If something or someone is controlling the goblins, the nearby villages could be in danger again."
"Then it's settled," he said with determination. "Once I've recovered, I'll investigate the goblin caves. But this time, I'll be better prepared."
As Esteria lay in bed, his mind wandered to the mysterious goblin formations. Something wasn't right - monsters don't just suddenly develop military tactics. There had to be someone, or something, controlling them from the shadows.
The last thing he heard before drifting off was Lyra's quiet footsteps in the hallway, a reassuring reminder that he wasn't facing this challenge alone.