Trees were surrounding Leo, and the sunlight was shining through the leaves.
The scent of the blooming flowers seemed to have a calming effect on him, and he found himself relaxing.
He had been running around, dodging the attacks of the skeletons.
And, now that the battle was finally over, he was enjoying the peace.
"Haaa, finally," he breathed, his shoulders sagging.
He was sitting under a large tree, his eyes were closed, and he was taking deep breaths.
Sweat was flowing down his face, and his clothes were drenched.
"So, tiring."
He wiped his forehead with the back of his hand, and sighed.
"Finally, they are gone," he murmured, his eyes opening.
The bones of the skeletons were scattered around him, and their swords were broken and lying on the ground.
"How did they appear out of nowhere?"
His brows were furrowed, and his lips were pressed together.
"And, why did they run away after Miss Sera had left?"
He was confused and didn't understand what had happened.
'Why did the skeletons just disappear when she left?'
'It makes no sense.'
He had seen the skeletons before but had never seen them run away like that.
"It's weird."
His eyes were darting around, his expression thoughtful.
"Maybe, they were scared of me?" He muttered, his voice laced with doubt.
"Nah, that can't be it," he shook his head, his voice firm.
In his right hand, he was holding a spear, with a long black shaft and a sharp metal tip.
As his eyes fell on the spear which stood even higher than his sitting height, a small smile formed on his lips.
"Or maybe, they were scared of me." He spoke, his voice full of confidence.
"Yeah, that has to be it," he said, his tone decisive.
"After all, who wouldn't be afraid of me?"
He nodded, his gaze full of pride.
"Who would dare to stand against me?"
His chest puffed out, and his voice was loud and clear.
"After all, I have this badass weapon," he exclaimed, raising the spear.
"The strongest weapon, the Spear of a Thousand Blades," he declared, his voice full of reverence.
His head raised high, his chin up, and his eyes blazing with pride.
He looked like a noble knight who was riding his noble steed, galloping towards a castle.
"Haha, I can't believe I am so strong," he laughed, his shoulders shaking.
"Hahaha," his laughter echoed through the forest, his voice full of mirth.
"I am invincib—"
Crack!
A small sound, from his side interrupted him, and he froze in his place.
His face paled, and his body went rigid.
'Shit, I didn't think anyone was here,'
'Did they hear what I said?'
'Please, tell me, they didn't.'
He slowly moved his head toward the source of the sound, and what he saw made him...
"A hare?"
...sigh in relief.
In front of him, a small rabbit was hopping, its fluffy tail bobbing up and down.
"Ha, it's just a hare," Leo sighed, closed his eyes, and lowered his hand in which he was holding his weapon.
"Thank god,"
He opened his eyes and stared at the cute creature, his lips curling up.
"You had me worried, you know?"
"If it was Miss Sera, I would have freaked out," he murmured, his eyes softening.
"Haha,"
He was about to reach out and touch the rabbit, when suddenly...
He saw blood coming out of the rabbit's foot. It was squirming and trembling, its eyes full of pain.
"Shit,"
"It's bleeding," Leo's eyes widened, and he quickly stood up and walked toward the rabbit.
"Hold on, I will help you,"
He gently picked up the rabbit and held it in his arms.
"You poor thing, what happened to you?"
He stared at the small wound at the rabbit's foot, it had a small wooden splinter embedded in it.
"Don't worry, I will help you," he spoke, his voice low and soothing.
"You will be fine."
"Don't move, I will remove the splinter from your foot," he said, his voice gentle and reassuring.
The rabbit, upon hearing his voice, seemed to calm down and stop squirming.
"Okay, here goes,"
Leo took a deep breath and pulled the splinter out of the rabbit's foot.
"There, all done,"
The rabbit, upon seeing the splinter removed, seemed to have relaxed and was staring at him with its round eyes.
"See, I told you, it wasn't that hard," Leo smiled and gently rubbed the rabbit's head.
"You are a brave one, aren't you?"
"You must have fought against something, and that's how you got this splinter in your foot," he said, his eyes softening.
"Well, whatever the reason may be, you are a hero," he added, his tone gentle.
"Yes, a brave little hero," he chuckled and petted the rabbit's head.
The rabbit was calm, its eyes closed.
It was enjoying his touch, its body relaxing.
"Now, I will put on some healing portion,"
Leo was holding the rabbit in one hand, while he raised his other hand and a small bottle made of glass appeared in it.
"It will sting a bit, but it will heal your wound,"
Upon hearing the rabbit opened its eyes, and upon seeing the bottle, its ears perked up.
"Don't worry, I won't hurt you," Leo said, his tone calm and confident.
He took the cork out of the bottle using his teeth and poured some of the liquid onto the rabbit's wound.
"There, it's done," he smiled, and the rabbit's eyes lit up.
It was watching the wound on its foot closing, and its ears twitched.
"It's all healed," Leo chuckled, his lips curling up.
"Now, go to the battlefield again, you brave little hero, and show them that you are invincible," he exclaimed, his eyes twinkling.
The rabbit, upon hearing his words, seemed to have gotten pumped up and its eyes were full of determination.
"Or maybe, just take a break, and rest a bit," Leo continued, "You are free now, little guy," he murmured, his gaze filled with warmth.
"Go wherever you want,"
"You don't have to worry about anything,"
"You are tomorrow's hope," He shouted, his voice full of pride.
"The future belongs to you, little hero,"
"Now, go and show them your power," he said, his voice gentle and calm.
The rabbit, upon hearing his words, hopped out of his hands and ran away.
"Goodbye, little hero,"
"Take care, and be safe,"
"May God bless you, and may your journey be filled with happiness," he spoke, his voice low and warm.
"Ahem! What are doing, Leo?"
A female voice rang out, and his face turned pale.
'Shit, Miss Sera is back.'
"Oh, umm, hi Miss Sera,"
He turned around and saw Sera standing behind him, and on her side, Rael was standing.
"H-how long have you guys been standing there?"
He gulped, his throat dry.
'Please, tell me you guys weren't standing there since the beginning.'
"From the time you were shouting about how you are invincible,"
Rael answered his question, and Leo's heart sank.
'Shit, you guys heard everything.'
"Miss Sera, it isn't what you think," He stuttered, his voice trembling.
"Yes, yes, I know," She replied, her tone sarcastic.
"You are not a narcissist,"
"And, also not an idiot," she added, her voice mocking.
'That means I AM an idiot, right?'
He sighed, his shoulders slumping.
'I can't believe, Miss Sera saw me acting like an idiot.'
'And, she also saw me acting like a kid in front of a rabbit.'
'Shit, this is too embarrassing.'
"Anyway, let's go," Sera said, her tone firm.
"Huh, where are we going?"
Leo was confused, and his mind was a mess thinking about how the whole scene would have made him look stupid.
"Going back to the human world. What? You don't want to?" Rael replied, his tone casual.
"Oh, no, no, no, I do," Leo quickly replied, his voice rising.
"Good, then let's go," Sera said and turned around and began to walk.
....
After that, they all went to the exit of the dungeon, and with the help of the Divine Extractor, all of them got out of the dungeon.
Rael, Sera, and Leo were now, outside the dungeon, in the desert, their figures illuminated by the moonlight.
"Thank you for your help, Mr. Divine Extractor," Sera spoke, her voice full of gratitude.
"No need to thank me, just remember you owe me one," the Divine Extractor chuckled, and left the place.
"Miss Sera, I also have to go. My wife and daughter must be waiting for me," Leo spoke, his voice low.
'Damn, this is so embarrassing. I have to get out of here, quickly.'
"Okay, just be careful on the way back," Sera replied, her tone gentle.
"Don't worry, I will, and please also take care of yourself,"
"Bye, Miss Sera, Mr. Rael," he waved his hand and began to walk away, his figure disappearing in the darkness.
"Now, let's go home," Sera spoke, her eyes filled with determination.
"I will teleport us there,"
She raised her hand toward Rael, and a slight blush appeared on her face.
"H-hold my hand, okay?"
"Umm, okay,"
Without hesitation, Rael grabbed her hand, and their fingers intertwined.
"Alright, let's go," Sera's eyes shined with purple light, and their bodies vanished into the air.