Chapter 9: The time is near: part 1

(Next morning)

Above a quaint village nestled amidst a winter wonderland, vibrant square shapes adorn the landscape, each representing a unique shopping stall bustling with activity. Adjacent to the village lies a tranquil woodland, its trees adorned with snow-covered roofs, resembling a serene painting on a blank canvas. The once fierce hail transforms into a gentle flurry as delicate snowflakes descend to the ground.

In the open expanse between the snow-covered village and a small, weathered shack, Elara, Nico, and Banko stand out against the backdrop. While Nico and Banko visibly struggle with their fatigue as they labour to take each step, Elara exudes boundless energy, forging ahead of the boys with ease. Despite the distance between them and the shack, Elara maintains her energetic pace, leaving Nico and Banko trailing behind.

Elara reflects on the previous night when Rico nervously approached her, his limbs were trembling with apprehension, almost as if he feared her response. Despite his visible anxiety, Rico mustered the courage to ask if he could stay with the children. To his surprise, Elara accepted, albeit with a tone that betrayed her confusion, leaving Rico both relieved and perplexed by her unexpected reaction.

Elara crosses her arms, tilting her head upward, her gaze fixated on the sky.

Elara: (why did he ask me that question?)

Elara lowers her head to face the small old worn out shack as she approaches the door. Elara knocks on the door, creating a musical rhythm similar to the Christmas theme. 

Nobody answers the door.

Elara knocks on the door once again but nobody answers.

Elara: Rico we're here to pick you up, we've got to go now!

Still no reply. Elara bites her lip out of irritation and proceeds to push open the door. The door was sturdy and rough around the edges. It was a bit more difficult to open compared to ordinary doors but that didn't stop Elara from pushing it with ease like pushing a glass cup off a table.

As the ambient light from outside the door flashed through the dimly lit room. Elara,Nico and Bankos eyes widen to the scene that unfolds before them. 

On a hard wood tiled floor lies Rico being cuddled by Gabriella like a giant teddy bear, Maximo's right foot on top of Rico's face and Romeo laying his head on Rico's hip like a pillow.

Elara: Rico wake up, it's time to go

Rico remains unresponsive toward Elaras calls, then Nico leans over Rico's body as he cups his mouth to whisper .

Nico: Bro wake up, Elara's flashing her t#ts. 

Rico: BOOBIES!?

As Rico instantly raised the upper half of his torso after hearing Nicos whisper, Elara angrily slapped Nico on his right cheek.

Nico: OW!

kids: Huh!?

The sound of Elara's hand clashing against Nico's cheek reverberated loudly, startling the kids to wake up.

…

Before reaching the shack, Elara, Nico, and Banko returned to the old Dwarven man to accept another quest from him. To their surprise, the task involved fighting yet another Glacier bear. The old Dwarf explained that a surge of Glacier bears appear whenever it snows in the Woodlands, causing havoc for the villagers. Elara, eager to train the boys, decided to accept the quest, giving the boys an opportunity for a rematch against a Glacier bear.

Rico: I'll be back, don't pickpocket anyone while I'm gone.

Rico: I'll make sure to come back with lots of food.

Rico waves his arm in the air at the children as Elara and the rest walk toward the snowy Woodlands behind him.

Maximo and Romeo: Bye!

The two brothers cheerfully wave back to Rico.

Banko:(That's weird, when did they get so attached to Rico?)

Banko, puzzled by the unusually friendly behaviour between Rico and the children, begins to question what events might have transpired the previous night.

Gabriella: …

In silence Gabriella recalls back to the previous night.

(Last night)

After Elara accepts Ricos request, Rico and the kids enter the small shack and begin to converse with each other.

Rico: So everything she said…was true?

The children remain silent, their heads lowered toward the wooden-plated floor, seemingly hesitant to meet Rico's gaze.

Rico: But if everything she said was true then how did you survive and especially without your parents to care of you?

Rico: What the hell happened to your-

The kids begin to sob, a wet stream of tears leak from their eyes as their voices carry a melody of sorrow.

Maximo: We…we

Romeo: Mom…Dad…dead

Gabriella: we…all…alone

Rico is stunned by their sudden display of sorrow, feeling a weight settle within his chest. It carries with it a profound sense of remorse, heavy with regret and self-reproach.

Gabriella: Nobody likes…nobody cares about us!

Maximo: Our brother left us!

Romeo: We want our mom…and dad back!

The kids' wails grew louder, their tears flowing freely as they rubbed their eyes with their arms. Touched by their cries of sadness, Rico knelt on both knees and wrapped his arms around each of the kids' necks, pulling them closer to him in a comforting embrace.

Rico: please,don't cry.

Rico gently places his right palm on top of each of the kids' heads, slowly rubbing their messy sapphire hair. As he does so, the children's cries gradually subside, replaced by a sense of comfort. They lean into Rico's touch, their heads pressing against his worn-out leather chest plate, finding solace in his presence.

Rico: I know how you guys feel.

Rico: I lost people important to me too.

Rico: At that time…I was angry, I was so angry I forgot I was even crying.

Rico: Even though I managed to hide it, I can still feel the overwhelming anger I felt ever since that day.

The kids become silent. Rico faces the ceiling.

Rico: I'm afraid that one day, all of that piled up anger will suddenly explode.

The sound of light snoring begins to emit from Rico's chest. Lowering his head, Rico sees the children peacefully asleep, nestled against his chest while holding tightly onto his waist. A sense of warmth and contentment washes over him as he watches over them, grateful for their trust and companionship.

Rico lays his head gently on the children's heads, feeling a sense of peace wash over him. With a contented sigh, he slowly closes his eyelids, joining the children in the embrace of sleep.

(Back to present)

Maximo: Do you think big brother Nicholas would be friends with him?

Gabriella makes a small grin and cheerfully twirls her body like a princess before facing her brother with a gleam in her eyes, she states confidently

Gabriella: Yes, they would become best friends!

…

In the heart of the snowy Woodlands, Elara perches atop a sturdy tree branch, her bow poised for action, while Nico, Rico, and Banko form a resolute front against a towering Glacier bear. Despite its imposing size, the beast's presence fails to shake the boys' determination. Nico's clenched fist and furrowed brow reveal his deep-seated animosity toward the previous Glacier bear, igniting a fierce determination within him. With gritted teeth, he channels his frustration into steely resolve as they engage in a tense standoff with the elemental giant before them.

Nico: (This time we won't lose)

Bankos wooden staff manifests with blue particles on the centre of his palm before he aims the staff at the bear and yells.

Banko: GO!!

Nico brandishes his bronze daggers and charges at the mighty beast, exuding a reckless overconfidence. Meanwhile, Banko conjures a row of wooden pillars, creating a makeshift cellar to confine the bear's movements.

Banko erects a massive tilted wooden pillar above the colossal cellar, prompting the bear to unleash an aggravated roar and charge toward Nico.

In response, Nico swiftly activates his first skill, "shadow step," vanishing from sight and reappearing atop the cellar's platform, concealed within the shadow cast by Banko's pillar. Startled by Nico's sudden disappearance, the bear hesitates as the ground beneath it trembled violently. Suddenly, multiple flat-tipped wooden pillars spring from the snow, propelling the bear into the air and flipping it onto its side, exposing its vulnerable stomach.

Banko: (I remember that these bears have tough skin and level 2 fire resistance)

Banko's lips curl into a wide grin as he mutters to himself,

Banko:(which made me wonder, what would happen if a fire elemental one punch man fan used their full power against it)

With each step vibrating the ground beneath him, Rico charges toward the bear, his face set with unwavering determination. As he closes the distance, he clenches both hands into fists, pulling back his arm with precision, aiming directly for the bear's stomach.

Rico: ULTIMATE MOVE: BURNING FIST BARRAGE!!

Rico unleashes a torrential wave of scorching red-hot energy from his fist, striking the bear's stomach with searing force. The bear bellows in agony, overwhelmed by the relentless burning sensation inflicted by Rico's ferocious attack.

As multiple blue rectangle-shaped screens materialize before Rico and Banko, displaying the bear's level 2 resistance to fire, their initial gamble takes on a new perspective. Despite the daunting odds, Banko's expression transforms into a wide, toothy grin, his eyes widening with excitement, and his brows lifted in surprise, as if his brain had been flooded with dopamine.

As the transparent bar above the bear's head gradually shifts to red, indicating that it's taking damage albeit at a slow pace, Banko's grin widens even further. Which perfectly aligned with his intentions.

Banko: I KNEW IT!!

Banko's voice bursted with unrestrained energy, vibrant and dynamic like a firework igniting the night sky, filled with anticipation and exhilaration.

Banko: (That's why I planned this next move)

Banko raises his head, fixing his gaze on the top of the wooden cellar. With a hand cupped next to his mouth, he shouts at the very top of his lungs.

Banko: NOW, NICO!!

Banko's commanding voice pierces Rico's ears, prompting him to leap away from the bear, which instinctively rolls onto its back to shield its scorched hide from the ice cold snow. Meanwhile, beneath the looming shadow of the tilted pillars, Nico springs from one of them towards the bear, activating his 2nd skill "Venomous Strike" , casting his blades in a radiant purple glow.

As Nico descends, the bear reacts with startling agility, unleashing a torrent of frozen air from its maw toward him, catching Nico, Rico, and Banko off guard with its new ability. Yet, Nico's reflexes prove swift and fortuitous as he deftly evades the attack, triumphantly raising both arms in the air.

Nico: THIS IS FOR MY ARM!!

With a resounding cry, Nico plunges his bronze daggers into the bear's scorched stomach with all his might.

“70 damage + 10 poison damage”

The bear bellows in agony as writhing pain courses from its stomach to its brain, causing its status bar to transition to a lighter shade of red. Seizing the opportunity, Rico dashes toward the bear, signalling Nico to leap off its stomach. With a swift motion, Rico activates his first skill, "Burning Fist," engulfing his right fist in a cloud of red fire as it collides with the bear's right side.

“critical: 70 damage + 50”

Rico: DIEEEE!!

Rico's fist erupts with a fiery explosion, sending the bear hurtling through the wooden pillars, where it shatters into crystalline particles upon impact with a nearby tree. Suddenly, a multitude of blue orbs materializes in the bear's place, hurtling toward the boys. As they make contact, the boys undergo a transformative surge, evolving to level 10.

The boys: YEEEEAAAAH!!

The boys rush toward each other, embracing in a group hug before bouncing off the ground like bouncy balls in jubilation.

Elara's eyes widened with astonishment at the enhanced cooperative skills displayed by the boys during their battle, prompting her to release her grip on her bow. Observing a pattern, she notes that Banko consistently takes the lead, Nico serves as the frontline attacker, and Rico acts as their trump card.

Elara's lips curl into a small grin.

Elara: Those oddballs

The moment of joy is abruptly shattered by the sudden appearance of a vast number of Glacier bears. The boys' eyes widen dramatically as they cautiously step back from the army of beasts.

Elara: Here's the next phase of your training, I want you three to knockout all of those bear's

The boys' bodies flinch at Elara's words, their heads snapping quickly in her direction.

Banko: I-If you would please excuse my rudeness master but you see we-

Nico:  WE REFUSE TO FIGHT THAT ARMY OF K9's-!!

Elara swiftly interrupts Nico, placing her index finger on her cheek and pressing her lips together, while winking her left eye to exude a playful charm.

Elara: I'll give you a kiss if you succeed.

The boys charge toward the horde of bears like Vikings charging into a vast battlefield.

Nico: THAT KISS IS MINE!!

Banko: YOU INSIGNIFICANT FOOL, IT BELONGS TO ME!!

Rico: I'LL BE THE FIRST TO LOSE MY LIP VIRGINITY BEFORE YOU LOSERS!!

Elara straightens her eyelids and eyebrows, her expression conveying her disappointment as she places her cheek against her palm, silently lamenting the boys' immaturity.

Elara: (Those oddballs)

…

At the heart of the Harmony Grove marketplace, lies stalls that are laden with treasures unique to the winter season: bundles of freshly-cut pine branches, adorned with crimson ribbons and fragrant spices, stand alongside baskets overflowing with plump, ruby-red cranberries and glossy, snow-white apples. 

In front of one of the stalls, the old Dwarven man who has been hiring Elara and the boys to hunt the Glacier bears is observed engaged in conversation with one of the shop owners.

Old Dwarven man: Those adventurers were something, they managed to take down one of those Glacier beasts.

Old Dwarven man: And they asked me to hire them to hunt more too!

The old man has a wide smile on his face, overjoyed by the group's willingness to take out the Glacier bears.

Old Dwarven man: This village needs more visitors like them,You should meet them. They are wonderful people.

Old Dwarven man: Especially the elf woman, she was especially beautiful

The stall owner's eyes widened, shifting his gaze to the old man's head as he raised his arm and pointed his index finger behind him.

Stall owner: You mean them?

The old man turned his head over his shoulder, puzzled by the stall owner's question. His eyes widened, causing every wrinkle on his face to stretch in astonishment.

In the midst of the snowy village square, Elara, Nico, Rico, and Banko stroll through with a wooden cellar filled with unconscious Glacier bears trailing behind them, carried effortlessly by Rico.

As they pass, every villager on the street turns their heads towards the group, their faces lighting up with big smiles as they immediately sprint towards them, eager to greet them.

Old man: I…don't believe it

The old man's jaw dropped in shock, while the shop owner stole a glance at Elara's face and offered a comment.

Stall owner: Will you look at that, she is beautiful

Chapter 9 ends.