"Hmm…" Kai hummed as if he was in deep thought. The others were a bit curious like General Sebastian, but they decided to not ask Kai. After all, he had clearly told the general that he couldn't say anything regarding this matter.

Besides, Kai would always be fair. If he could tell them, they would already tell them.

Only four people had another thought regarding this matter. They were Ayaka, Evan, Isabelle, and Sofia. They were the four that Kai asked to meet him after this mission, so these two cases might be related to each other.

To that end, they started looking forward to it.

Meanwhile, Kai kept analyzing the data he had, including the map where the shadow was spotted, while the others were either driving the trucks or dealing with the nearby magical beasts. They had no need for Kai's instruction anymore since Ayaka took care of that.

"We have arrived." Michelle's voice rang in his ears as the trucks stopped. "Unfortunately, we can't really go to that hill with the truck, so we need to go by foot."

"Thank you." Kai thanked her, went to the top of the truck and looked at the small hill. "Tasha, can you teleport us there? I feel like we should bring the top as well."

Tasha, who was on top of the truck this whole time, scanned the hill and nodded. "But we might need to take care of our perimeter after that. You sure?"

"Yes." Kai nodded.

"Alright. Gather everyone." Tasha raised a signal for the others to see. One by one, the group gathered again and came inside the trucks while Tasha clapped her hand, using her Teleportation Magic.

In a blink of an eye, they arrived on top of the hill. Kai immediately commanded. "Other than Tasha and Michelle, all of you will take care of the beasts in this hill."

"Roger that." They leaped out of the trucks and began securing the hill.

Meanwhile, Kai, Tasha, and Michelle exchanged looks.

"Do you need anything from us?" Michelle furrowed her eyebrows.

"There is something I want to talk about with both of you." Kai nodded with a serious expression. "Whatever your view later, I will take full responsibility."

"What is this? This sounds a bit too big…" Tasha also began suspecting something was not right.

"Yeah. If it's too much, you shouldn't tell us. Even though we don't usually keep a secret between each other, there is always something that we necessarily keep secret." Michelle nodded.

"I know, but this is something that I should say right now. I don't want to wait until it's too late."

Tasha and Michelle exchanged looks, and Michelle decided to ask one question first. "Before that, I want to know why you are discussing this with us? There is still Ayaka."

"I have put thought into it, and you two are the perfect ones to know about this. It won't work if it's only one of you know this." Kai shook his head.

"Is this related to the shadow?" Tasha asked.

"Yes."

Tasha and Michelle nodded at each other and said at the same time, "So, what's the deal?"

"Tonight, I want to visit the shadow. I am not sure of his current position, but I will try my best to find it."

"So, is the reason you want to talk about this with us due to our skills? I mean, I can increase your strength entering your shadow, and Tasha has the Teleportation Magic that can bail you out at any time." Michelle frowned.

"No. That's not my original intention." Kai hurriedly replied before they misunderstood. "The reason I chose both of you is that your personality suits the requirement to know about this. And I know that you two can support each other in the future."

"I see. We understand. We won't tell anyone about this secret."

Kai nodded. "It turns out that I am actually a protector."

"…"

The atmosphere became silent as they looked at him with bewilderment.

"You serious?"

Kai maintained his serious expression and nodded.

The two then understood why he wanted to tell them about this.

"I only knew this not too long ago." Kai sighed.

"Not too long ago? Did someone say it to you? He/she might be lying to you, you know." Tasha's expression turned grim.

"Unfortunately, the one that told me was a remnant from two hundred thousand years ago." Kai sighed. "Do you think he would lie to me? Much less with his identity as another protector in the past."

This time, Michelle and Tasha had no words to say. They simply couldn't comprehend it, but Kai continued when he saw their expression that asked him to continue.

He told them about what he learned from the lion, including the reason for the apocalypse since his life would be threatened by it. Anything that was related to the real meaning of "Protector," he told them.

Tasha and Michelle gradually understood the importance of this matter.

"I see. So, that's what the protector is. In other words, those fishy guys are not a protector, but someone who actually has enough intelligence to do something like this and might probably be the second colony that is similar to that of the human race." Tasha nodded in understanding.

Michelle thought for a moment while stroking her chin. "This is indeed something hard to swallow, but I don't have the necessary knowledge to see whether it's a lie or not. So, the reason why you want to meet the shadow is to get the recognition from another protector, right?"

"Yes. I want to see whether I am really a protector or not. This will come with a big risk, but I would rather confirm this first before everything bad happens." Kai nodded with a serious expression.

"I know. I will accompany you in this meeting." Michelle finally agreed.

"Same." Tasha nodded in agreement. "When are we leaving?"

"Tonight. I want to properly face them before everything starts."

"Alright."

They then proceeded to build the tents and putting down the supplies. Two hours later, the group finally returned to the top after killing hundreds of magical beasts.

After that, the group had their dinner and proceeded to rest with two people guarding the area.

Kai, Tasha, and Michelle gathered outside the tent. It seemed all of them noticed their plan and instantly walked toward them.

Kai looked at them with a serious expression and said solemnly. "If neither of us returns by tomorrow, you all will abandon this mission and go back to the Base. Tell my teacher that the Human Race is in danger."

"What—" Evan wanted to shout because he didn't understand him, but Ayaka stopped him. Although it felt a bit hurt that Kai didn't tell her anything, it was enough to see he brought Tasha and Michelle with him. It would strengthen his strength anyway.

"I understand. But don't make me drag your ghost from hell." Ayaka glared at him.

"Yeah. Thanks." Kai smiled.

He waved his hand, turned around, and walked to the darkness, descending the hill.

When they couldn't see him anymore, Michelle entered his shadow. The power from the night strengthened him and became twice as strong.

After that, Tasha used her Teleportation Magic, and they arrived near the river where the scouts found the meeting between the dolphin and the shadow.

"This is the place." Tasha pointed downwards.

"Yes. Thank you." Kai nodded and scanned the entire area before he noticed a huge number of magical beasts had surrounded them. "Prepare for battles."

They took out their weapons and saw many glowing eyes inside the woods, and some even waited for him inside the river.

"Tasha, ready your Teleportation Magic."

When the light from the magic circle brightened the darkness a bit, they finally saw the beasts' figures and furrowed their eyebrows.

He thought that the shadow must have prepared for him and wanted to attack him. Else, how could they anticipate their movements?

Suddenly, Kai noticed something different from these beasts. Even though they gathered around him, they had no intention of charging at them as if they were just statues.

However, the surprise didn't end there. The beasts lowered their heads as if greeting the three.

'Lower your weapons, youngsters. They mean no harm.' A man-voice rang in their heads as if it was sent by telepathy.

Kai immediately looked around and searched for where the sound came from, but the fact it came straight to his mind, he couldn't find it, so the source of the voice said another thing.

'No need to be wary of me. I mean no harm. Try to look at the river. I am there.'

Kai and the two turned around and looked at the river with their night visions, finding a dolphin coming out of the river.

'Hello. I have been waiting for you.'

He remembered that the dolphin had a powerful hearing, and with the distance that wasn't so big between their hill and the river, he realized that the dolphin must have heard everything he said.

'You want to see us, right? Yes, you can. But only you. As much as I want to say another thing, you two need to leave.' The dolphin nodded.

"!!!" Kai widened his eyes as he knew that the dolphin already found Michelle, who was inside his body.

Michelle came out and Tasha turned around, looking at him to ask what they should do.

Kai thought for a moment and clenched his fists. "You two should return."

"But…" Tasha and Michelle obviously didn't like it. The dolphin looked harmless, but he seemed to be strong, so they didn't feel safe leaving Kai here.

However, Kai was adamant and asked them to leave again. "Please."

It was a hard choice, but Tasha decided to use her Teleportation Magic and send them back to the top of the hill, leaving Kai alone.

Kai then looked at the dolphin. "Nice to meet you."

"Yeah. Nice to meet you. The human race finally has its protector again after thousands of years."