They remained in this position for a long time, Era's sobs gradually subsided and eventually disappeared. When they finally parted, Era's eyes were reddened and Ran wiped the remnants of tears from the corners of her eyes with his carbon fiber gloved finger.

“Good night, Era.”

He smiled at her and kissed her on the forehead, there was nothing more he could add tonight so he left for his new home without hurrying.

Era who had not moved began to run after him and caught up with him as he was about to enter his house, she tackled him against the wooden wall and without saying a word kissed him fiercely, she remained stuck to him for several seconds, pressing her body against his, then she whispered in turn: "Good night," before stepping aside and running away, fading into the night.

Ran stood on the porch, speechless, trying to make sense of this situation. He was flattered by her interest, but he only met her a few days ago...

"that was...unexpected"

He would be lying if he said he didn't appreciate the young woman, but the only female individuals he interacted with were trying to stab him during practice. So he was pretty clueless about how to react...

After pondering for a while he finally realised that his desire to protect Era and by extension the village stemmed from a feeling that had no place on the battlefield, he liked her as well. But friends and lover were always one bullet away from death...

Would he be able to reciprocate her feelings without hurting her ?

He decided not to think about it anymore for today, these things took time and he wasn’t about to mull over it all night long. All he wanted was to enjoy finally sleeping in a real bed.

Even if it was just straw and a dirty cloth it was 100 times better than sleeping against a tree trunk as he had done the day he arrived.

The semblance of civilization that he had just found relaxed him, he felt a little safer but decided all the same not to separate himself from his weapon or his armor to sleep, was it a bit paranoid ? Maybe, but he might as well avoid unnecessary risks.

He was finally able to get a good night's sleep...or so he thought.

Towards the end of the night, shadows appeared in the village and crept between the houses, scratching at doors, trying to find a way in. One of the cottages was not locked properly and one of the shadows took advantage of this to get in.

Ran was awakened by a loud scream, and he hurriedly got up to look out the window. Thanks to his sensors, he could clearly see the scene unfolding before him despite the deep night.

A woman holding her child in her arms was running breathlessly through the village, she had been bitten on the shoulder and blood was running down her back. Drawn by the screams and the smell of blood, he saw a pack of wolves starting to surround her, the one that had already bitten her was dangerously close and was about to pounce.

Ran did not hesitate for a second, he opened the window and jumped to the ground, while running towards the villager he took out his knife and began to mentally recite the chant for his new skill :

"O mighty warrior who stands alone on this battlefield....

The wolf had pounced on the woman and knocked her to the ground. Ran felt the mana move through his body and into his vocal cords, he felt a burning sensation in his throat as he kept running.

...May you let your anger be heard by your enemies, may this army tremble...

Ran slammed into the wolf before he could sink his fangs into the human flesh again. His knife sank into the wolf's throat with a bloody gurgle and Ran finished by impaling it against the nearest house, leaving it hanging miserably.

The rest of the wolves who had witnessed this were shaken and wanted to organize themselves to deal with this new threat, but it was already too late.

...At your scream!"

Ran took advantage of the beasts' astonishment to maximize the effect of his new skill. He let out a roar that caused the houses to shake and the nearby windows to explode, and the wolves were paralyzed. They shook with fear in their eyes. Those villagers who had not been awakened by the woman's scream were definitely awakened by Ran's.

Men with spears quickly surrounded the wolves, who were not moving at all. Soon they were all caught between Ran and the villagers. By the light of the torches, everyone could see how thin the wolves were, they must have attacked this village as a last resort, Ran couldn't blame them for wanting to survive, but he had just sworn to protect this village and so had to take care of them.

With his voice still charged with mana he addressed the villagers:

"Do not attack!"

The villagers hesitated but stayed in position, then he looked at the one who seemed to be the leader of the pack, [silver wolf alpha lvl 17]. With him were 5 other normal wolves whose levels ranged from 11 to 14.

Ran walked towards them and they slowly backed away growling, but there was no way out for them. Then, against all odds, Ran did not draw a weapon.

"Do you understand me?"