The morning sun peeked over the hills, casting long shadows across the winding trade road. The merchant, still clinging to Yuto's side, was proudly arranging the surviving vials and trinkets from yesterday's disaster.
"I've improved the packaging! Now nothing will spill! No..do not touch that!" he squeaked as Yuto's tail accidentally flicked a crate.
I scratched my head. "Seriously, how do you survive on this road?"
Lyra sighed. "By being either very lucky or very persistent."
Elira rolled her eyes. "Mostly annoying."
Bran muttered: "I don't think I've ever wanted a quiet trip so badly…"
---
Yuto decided to test a few magical items while walking. He lifted a glowing crystal vial and whispered:
"Let's see what you do…"
A sudden pulse of mana shot out, launching a cluster of nearby rocks into the air. One rock lightly grazed his shoulder, leaving no injury but sending sparks flying.
"Wow… okay, that's actually kind of fun," Yuto said, grinning.
The merchant squealed. "Protector! That's… that's dangerous!"
"I know, right? Watch this one."
He flicked another vial, and it emitted a radiant healing light, accidentally fixing a broken cart wheel… and simultaneously causing a tree branch above Lyra to glow and shrink slightly. She yelped and stumbled back.
[Observation: Ecchi Flag #7 triggered.]
Elira groaned. "Every time you touch something, it becomes a hazard."
---
Before anyone could recover from the chaos, a sharp whistle pierced the air.
From the hills ahead, bandits armed with rusty swords and crude crossbows emerged, blocking the road.
"Easy pickings today!" one shouted. "Looks like the Protector has some juicy prey!"
Yuto sighed. "…Really? Right now?"
Lyra's hands glowed with healing mana, Elira gripped her blades, and Bran tightened his spear.
I cracked my knuckles. "Fine. Let's show them why River Fen whispered my name."
---
The bandits rushed. I stepped forward, testing my new agility.
Dash!
I blurred past the first three, knocking them into each other like bowling pins.
My mana-infused blade sliced through a bandit's rope, sending him flailing into a pile of hay.
While a particularly arrogant bandit tried to strike me, only to have his fist absorbed into my regeneration aura, leaving him dazed but unharmed.
Elira muttered: "He's… almost too fast to watch."
Lyra giggled nervously. "And slightly terrifying."
---
The merchant panicked. "Protector! They're getting closer!"
I looked at him and grinned. "…Don't worry. I've got this."
I swung my arm, creating a semi-ethereal mana construct, launching a wall of shimmering energy that knocked five bandits off their feet. The remaining few froze, gaping at me.
[Status Update]
HP: 210/210
MP: 350/360
Strength: 26
Agility: 31
Body Evolution Progress: 11.2% (Minor spike due to combat stress)
My chest tightened. Every combat moment, every adrenaline spike… the evolution ticked forward, even though slow.
---
The final bandit tried a desperate charge. I sidestepped, using Regeneration to absorb a minor graze from his dagger, and countered with a punch that sent him flying into a nearby tree.
The rest surrendered immediately.
"Whoa," Lyra said breathlessly. "Protector… you're terrifying."
I wiped my blade, trying to look modest. "…I'm just warming up."
Elira pinched her nose. "No, you're an absolute disaster."
The merchant, however, clapped excitedly. "Amazing! Protector, you're unstoppable! May I… tag along even closer?"
I groaned. "Sure, why not. What could possibly go wrong?"
---
That night, by the campfire, Yuto inspected the status window again.
[Body Evolution Pending… Progress: 11.6%]
A small but noticeable spike from today's combat. The evolution was no longer just numbers it was creeping into his physical response, his speed, his strength… everything.
I smirked. "Looks like the world wants me to get stronger… fast."
Lyra leaned against me. "And dangerously."
I grinned. "…Exactly how I like it."
---