Volume 5 Chapter 24 Interlude - New Employee Training
Even in the World Tree Forest, which stays bright at night because of magic lights, most people sleep by midnight. A few elves still drink and laugh, walking home. But far from the lights, four people walk outside the town, past the barrier that protects the place.
One girl walks ahead. Three others follow behind. They walk in the dark, where no one can see them. No one notices.
They walk through a fog-like area. Then they reach a small open space, like a plaza. The moon is gone tonight, but stars shine above. It's not too dark.
"Alright. This place is good. The Defense Squad already cleared monsters here. We won't get disturbed. Now then, seniors—I'm gonna show you I'm the strongest!"
The one in front, Sasha, turns and faces the other three: Gardy, Barvish, and Lala. She says it with full confidence.
The three let out small sighs. They shake their heads together, like they're watching a loud little kid.
"Man... kids these days, always too full of themselves."
"Yeah. They don't know much about the world."
"But... being so lively isn't bad, right?"
Lala, Barvish, and Gardy speak, one after another.
"W-Wait! I'm older than you three, okay!? I've never left the World Tree Forest, yeah, but I learned lots about outside! I'm not some hyper kid!"
Sasha gets mad. She talks fast to defend herself.
"Anyway, we leave early tomorrow. I better prep soon. I need to wake up Sir Cain real soft and gentle. I can't start the day unless I see his sweet sleeping face..."
Lala smiles dreamy-like, thinking about Cain. Gardy and Barvish look fed up and shrug.
"You talk big, but I'll finish this first. I'll be kind though—I'll let you make the first move."
Sasha pulls out her short sword. She turns sideways, ready to fight.
Lala lowers her body, then dashes. In a flash, the 10 meters between them vanish. Sasha blinks, shocked. But when she opens her eyes—Lala is gone.
She quickly moves her eyes, trying to look around. Suddenly, she feels cold metal on her neck.
"Don't close your eyes in battle. That's how people die. Looks like I win."
Lala gently steps back, putting space between them again.
"Wait! That didn't count! I just had something in my eye! One more time!"
Sasha rubs her neck with her free hand. She wants a rematch.
"You're such a handful... Alright, one more. I'll move slow this time, okay? Keep your eyes open."
Lala sighs, goes back to her spot, and tells Sasha to get ready. Sasha nods, blade up, eyes sharp.
This time, Lala moves slowly. But Sasha sees... more Lalas? The number increases. First one... then two, three, four... now five Lalas.
"H-Huh!? W-What's going on? A split-body skill? Wait... do you have a rare item!?"
Sasha panics, but tries to sound calm.
"It's not a skill. Just technique."
The 5 Lalas speak together, but a bit out of sync. They all move around Sasha, circling her.
Sasha breathes hard, trying not to freak out. She points her sword at the Lala with the strongest aura. But the aura moves—from front, to back, to side. She spins, keeping her blade moving.
"Look here."
A voice comes from behind. Sasha turns quick and slashes. Her blade cuts straight through Lala—
—but it's an illusion. No hit. No weight.
Suddenly, she feels pain on her neck. Before she can react—
"Wrong direction."
"Here I am."
"Nope, not there."
"Missed again~."
The Lalas tease her, one after another. Sasha slashes at where the voices come from. Each time—nothing. All fakes. She tries slashing everywhere at once in a spinning move—but all are illusions.
"Hey. Wipe that fast, or your clothes will get bloody."
A voice calls out from outside her reach.
Sasha touches her neck. There's a cut—thin, but long, right along the front. Blood starts to come out.
Notes:
• Barvish - A slave dwarf with a muscular, compact physique, intended as Cain's retainer/bodyguard, brought via magical contract.
• Sasha - Female. A young and energetic warrior. She has a confident demeanor and wears a short sword at her waist. Her appearance is typical of an elf, with pointed ears and a slender build. She is determined to prove her strength and has a playful rivalry with her seniors. She admires Sir Cain and is responsible for waking him gently in the morning.
• Lala - Cain's companion, likely a servant or minder, cautious and protective.
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