I opened my eyes. Where— am I exactly? Oh, right. I'm resting beneath a large tree waiting for Daisy to be done with school. I had a long grass in my mouth that I chewed on as I waited for her. Daisy's main school is actually inside the city. But for some reason, Rose insisted that Daisy should attend extra lessons on her day off to learn more about flowers and ingredients. And this school happened to be located outside of the city. Is Rose expecting Daisy to learn alchemy later on in life? Despite being close to my one and only daughter, I still had no idea what her interests were or what she'll end up working as when she's older. How strange that I can't seem to figure out what her primary interest is.
The sound of a woman and children could be heard as a door opened. I guess it's dismissal time now. A crowd of parents were hogging the main entrance of the school as they always do. I leaned against this particular tree every time I waited for Daisy to be dismissed. Other children were not allowed to leave the school premises without a teacher escorting them, except for Daisy. She's a special child favoured by all the teachers in the school for her good behaviour. Hence, she deserves such special treatment. Nah, I'm just lying. The teachers knew full well that I'm one of the Great Powers, and they're afraid of me. And besides, who would be willing to kidnap the child of one of the Great Powers when he literally slew the world's greatest assassin single-handedly?
Today, it was different though. The classroom teacher was escorting Daisy out of the premises. Uh oh, had Daisy done something bad and she wished to speak with me? I've a bad feeling about this. I approached the main entrance and asked to be excused. Some parents were annoyed that I had asked them to make way, but they gave themselves a scare as they saw my face. One by one, the parents started giving way and kept quiet as I walked up to the main entrance where Daisy and the teacher were waiting.
"Is there something wrong, Miss Aster?" I asked the teacher.
"Yes, I would like to speak to you about Daisy. Can you meet me over there where we can talk in peace?" she asked as she pointed towards a fenced area away from the main entrance. Miss Aster—was a beautiful teacher that never seemed to be afraid of me. Honestly speaking, she seems enamoured whenever she speaks with me.
I obliged and held Daisy's hand as she was passed her over to me. I spoke with Miss Aster as we talked over the fence in the proposed area.
"Should I be worried?" I asked her.
"Oh, it's nothing too serious. Daisy wasn't the one who initiated the fight today. As a matter of fact, it was Daisy who was getting bullied by her classmate. She just stood up for herself and fought back against the other classmate who was saying bad things about her. So I'm just letting you know about it, just in case the parents start lodging a complaint that Daisy hit their child and started the fight," she smiled.
Daisy was putting up a fight with a bully? That's my girl. No one messes with my child and gets away with it. I crouched down to talk with my daughter.
"Daisy? Did you fight with your classmate? What did that person do that made you fight back?" I asked her with a soft tone.
"He told me that I was almost old enough to be an adventurer, yet I'm still coming to school. I told him I'm not going to be an adventurer, which is why I'm learning more things to determine what I want to be when I'm older. But then he started teasing my height and such, which made me angry. I just knocked his head with my fist, but then he started fighting back," explained Daisy as she started pouting and crossed her arms.
I smiled at her and gave her a head pet. Similar to her mother, Daisy loves getting head pets from me.
"Just so you know, I'm not going to scold you for it. You are very brave for standing up for yourself. I am proud of you, my little girl. Now, who's this boy that was bullying you? I would like to see him for myself," I asked her.
She pointed the boy to me. Daisy had some minor bruises and scratches on her face and her hands, but the boy had it worse. One of his cheeks was swollen as though Daisy had punched him really hard. Perhaps she did, after all.
The parents were complaining to the teachers, asking them what had happened to their boy. The parents turned their heads and glared at me, but I returned a scary glare of my own with a grin. Their faces changed drastically as they slowly turned their heads away from me, while sweat ran down their foreheads. If they wish to cause trouble for me or my child, they're going to have a tough time. Whether it is power, money, or status, I supersede them in all categories.
"Thanks for informing me, Miss Aster. I do hope that Daisy had not caused you any other trouble?" I bowed to her lightly.
"Oh, don't you worry. Daisy is a brilliant child with much potential. She does her studies properly and doesn't disturb her classmates. She's going to be a prominent figure when she's older. Isn't that right, Daisy?" said Miss Aster with a smile on her face, which caused Daisy to smile back at her.
I bowed to her once more before taking my leave, holding Daisy's hand as we headed our way back home. It wasn't that far from the city, but there was no way I was allowing my child to walk back alone when there were reports of dragons and monsters sighted attacking villages and towns. So far, there were no reports of any dragon attacking City Of Pines directly, which I am thankful for. But there was no way I was risking it just because 'it had not happened before'.
I pulled up her hood as it was getting sunny, and I pulled up mine as well. I'm still wearing my favourite cloak made from red dragonhide, given to me by my teacher. It's the best cloak one can have that offers the best protection one can hope for. And yes, I had gotten it fixed due to the previous intense fights that I had.
As we were strolling back, I thought of what the boy said about Daisy. What in the world is he even talking about? What do you mean Daisy is old enough to be an adventurer? She is still an adorable child. In order to become an adventurer, you must be at least 11 before you're even qualified. Daisy is just—ten?
Wait a minute, Daisy is ten, right? Isn't she qualified to be an adventurer next year? But— that can't be right. She looks tiny and she doesn't even have the same height as Rose when I first saved her. Hell, even I was taller than her at my age despite being such a shortie. Not to mention she's— not behaving like a proper 10-year-old. Now that I think about it, why was I even telling her my backstory when she's already 10? Surprised she's even interested in it at this age.
Is— there something wrong with Daisy? From what I noticed, she behaves like she's half her age along with her height. Oh dear lord, how did I not notice this before?! Is Daisy having stunted growth or something? I should rush home and speak with Rose before it's too late!
I thought of running but that would lead Daisy to be curious as to what's suspicious as to what's going on. I need to keep my cool. Can't believe I never noticed that Daisy never acted her age. When I was 10, I was already learning sword fighting and retaliating against my grandfather. May he rest in peace. But Daisy was still sticking close to me like a 5-year-old.
"Daisy, you are 10 this year, right?" I asked her.
"Huh? Uh— yes?" she replied to me with a confused look on her face.
"Daddy, why are you sweating so much? I thought your cloak helps to keep you cool?" she asked.
"Ah, Daddy just has a lot of thoughts in his mind right now. Don't worry about it, alright, sweetie?" I smiled.
Obviously, I couldn't tell her that I'm freaking out inside my head right now. The first thing I do when I reach home is to speak with Rose and figure out what we need to do to help Daisy.
Some commotions could be heard in front of us. It looked as though someone was fighting against—demons? What are they doing here right outside the city walls? While there were some demons that ran about in this continent due to the war I instigated previously (my bad), but they were too far and few in between to be foolish enough to fight right here in the open. Nevertheless, there are demons inhabiting both the West and Eastern Continents today.
This person fought in a unique way. Dodging with precision when the demon attacked and only going in for the attack when there was an opportunity. But there were a couple of demons that this person was fighting against. Perhaps I should lend a hand. I made sure Daisy was safe behind me as she grabbed onto my pants as she always does. I took out my elven dagger and activated Concentration.
That person fought well, but a demon somehow managed to sneak up behind and attempted to swing its claws at the person. I threw my dagger, and it struck the demon perfectly in the eye. The person swung their blade and sliced through the demon's neck cleanly, causing blood to splatter and spill from its neck like a fountain. I made sure to block Daisy's vision to prevent her from seeing the gruesome death of that demon.
We were still some distance away from the person in question, and we approached cautiously as it was the only direct path to the city. He was collecting something from each of the dead demon that I couldn't see. Then, he proceeded to sit on a rock as though he was waiting for me to approach closer.
"Trima kase, Mister Zen. I appreciate the help," spoke the person as she skilfully tossed my dagger to me.
Oh shoot, it was a lady?! I didn't even realise as she was wearing a duster hat and coat that covered her face entirely. Her outfit is what one would describe as Victorian style. Wait a minute, how did she even know who I am?
"Ah, shama shama. Think nothing of it," I said as I caught back my dagger.
Hang on, what the hell did I just say to her? How did I even know what to reply to this lady? I had never even heard of such a language before in my entire life!
"These demons were such a nuisance with their numbers. I'm amazed that adventurers are capable of fighting so many of them at a time. You all really amaze me with your fighting capabilities," she spoke as she continued sitting on the relatively flat rock.
"Right you are. If you'll excuse me, I would like to be on my way with my daughter," I bowed lightly to her as I hurried Daisy to come along.
"I'm afraid I cannot let you leave, Mister Zen. You are—a rather difficult man to find, and our chances of crossing paths again are rather minuscule. I would like to request a duel, if you don't mind," she stood up, preventing me and Daisy from passing through.
"Please, you don't have to do this. And yes, I do mind because I have my daughter with me right now. If you would be so kind as to allow me through, I'll be waiting here tomorrow should you wish to duel with me. I would gladly do so without my daughter next to me," I explained to her.
"Another day might be the death of me, Mister Zen. I'll never know whether I would survive to see another day. Such is the life of a hunter," she unsheathed her blade from her scabbard.
Her weapon looked—weird. The hilt was curved as though it was disguised as a cane, while the blade was serrated like a saw. Almost like some saw blade. This weapon is definitely designed to inflict a lot of pain and wounds that are difficult to heal. Who are these hunters anyway? How come I've not heard of them before?
"You wished to fight me because of my title? I don't think that's a good idea, seeing that you already had difficulty in fighting those demons earlier," I warned her.
"Ah, as you can see, Mister Zen, it doesn't matter even if we know that we'll lose. Because to a hunter, all they must do is hunt," said the lady as she rushed towards me with her saw blade.
I held my dagger at the ready while keeping Daisy behind me. I needed to minimise my movements to ensure that Daisy would always be safe behind me. I reactivated Concentration to ensure I didn't do anything foolish with this person. One wrong mistake, and it might cause Daisy to lose her life.
The hunter swung her blade, which I blocked with my dagger. Her weapon almost pulled my dagger apart due to her serrated blade as she pulled her weapon back. What a way to use such a weapon. This lady is certainly skilled.
She continued her attack, alternating between a forward and reverse grip, but I blocked or parried all of them without making the same mistake. She raised her left fist, which I assumed she wanted to punch me, but it stopped short before reaching me. Is this—one of her fighting techniques? Using feints to fool your opponent? But my nose smelled something that made me move aside instinctively.
Bang!
Pellets flew past my head as I ducked earlier due to the smell of gunpowder. She has a gun hidden under her sleeves? How did she even fire it? And since when were guns so advanced? I was sure we were still using muskets or flintlocks in general. How dare she shoot her gun at me with Daisy behind me? I'm sure my cloak would have protected her from those pellets, but still, this shall not stand!
"Not bad, Mister Zen. It would appear the rumours about you having a quick reaction speed are true," said the lady.
"While I appreciate the compliment, you shot your gun when my child was behind me. I'm going to be serious now," I removed my cloak and wrapped Daisy with it, making sure she's fully protected while I fight.
I approached the lady and activated Fear with Concentration still active. I noticed she was quailing in fear as she started shivering. With one quick motion, she turned her wrist and slit a wound just below her shoulder. Is she using pain to overcome her own fear? Now that's commendable.
But there's no reason for me to just sit back and let her recover. I rushed and met her head-on. I took a swipe at her and she dodged it aside. She's nimble and her reflexes are quick; I'll give her that. But when it comes to speed, I won't lose! I pressed the attack and took another swipe at her, which she blocked with her blade. Just as planned, I released my dagger and crouched low. Then I performed an upward palm strike to her stomach, which sent her flying backwards. I grabbed my dagger before it touched the ground and leapt after her.
She performed a quick backflip from the ground and got back on her feet, but I reached her before she got herself ready. I took a swipe and sliced through her thick coat. Blood spewed from her wound and she quickly leapt further backwards. The wound wasn't exactly fatal unless she neglected it, but she'll certainly need stitches. She took out a syringe containing some green fluid and stabbed it into her neck.
Something unbelievable happened before my very eyes. Her wounds were—mending themselves? There's—a way to cure wounds instantly now? Even my healing gel just stops the bleeding and assists in the curing process. It can never heal wounds instantly.
"You're really as powerful as the legend says, Mister Zen. I doubt I can defeat you in my current state. I'll be taking my leave, if you don't mind," she took out two vials of liquid and smashed them onto the ground.
"Jompa legi, Mister Zen. Be seeing you soon," spoke the lady as smoke began to engulf her.
What a dramatic way of exiting herself. She could have just asked for my permission, and I would have allowed her to leave peacefully without the need to use her smoke bombs. Sadly, though, I didn't have the chance to ask her about the fluid she used to heal herself. I'm certainly interested in obtaining it. A method to heal wounds instantly is what I've been trying to create through alchemy for the past 15 years, but sadly, I have not made such a breakthrough. Perhaps I should ask the guildmasters if they know about it.
Daisy ran towards me while wearing my cloak, dragging the back portion against the ground. While it was painful for me to watch my cloak getting disintegrated by friction (an exaggeration), the way she ran up to me all happy and smiling melted my heart. I lifted her up and pulled the hood backwards. Her eyes were practically gleaming with excitement as she stared at me.
"Daddy! You were so cool! You sure beat that lady up good!" she shouted at me as she pulled on my sleeve.
"Haha—don't tell your mother, alright? Let's get you something before we head home, seeing that you were such a brave girl," I carried her into the city.
I guess I would have to speak to my wife about Daisy and this mysterious hunter. I wonder if she knows about it. Here's hoping she would.