Jiro slowly regained his senses, the sound of gunshots and screams echoing in his ears. He groaned, his body aching from the impact of Perd's attack and the blast that had thrown him to the corner. The air was thick with dust and mist, obscuring his vision. He tried to focus, straining to see through the haze. The chaos around him was overwhelming, but he knew he had to move, to figure out what was happening and where he could go next.

Jiro's heart pounded in his chest as he watched the woman and child run past him. His eyes followed their terrified gazes, landing on a lizard soldier clad in armor, smaller than the commander but still intimidating. Despite the pain and fatigue coursing through his body, Jiro instinctively raised his hands, preparing for a fight he knew he couldn’t win.

Just as the lizard advanced, a shadowy figure leaped in front of Jiro, engaging the creature in combat. The clash was fierce but brief, with the two figures moving so swiftly that Jiro could barely make out their forms through the mist. A sword suddenly flew past, embedding itself in the ground just inches from his head. He flinched, too stunned to move as the battle ended.

As the victor approached, Jiro, still dazed and trembling, raised his hands again, bracing for another fight. The figure stepped out of the mist, revealing itself to be Mr. Goblin.

"What is this, a green monster now? What's going on?" Jiro murmured, his voice shaky.

Mr. Goblin, unphased by Jiro's reaction, calmly retrieved the sword that had landed beside him and handed it over. Then, with a booming voice, Mr. Goblin shouted in an unknown language, the sound echoing through the misty battlefield. Jiro was frozen in place, paralyzed by a mix of fear and confusion, unsure of what to make of the situation as the green creature stood before him, seemingly an ally.

Then, moments after, two goblins grabbed Jiro in a swift manner, dragging him across the ground.

"Help me! Hey, what are you doing?" Jiro shouted, his voice trembling with fear. The two goblins just laughed, their guttural chuckles filling the air as they continued dragging him. Jiro, still weak and disoriented, was too confused and scared to resist.

Suddenly, they threw him into a group of civilians who were huddled together, equally terrified.

"Mommy, I'm scared," a child's voice echoed through the tense silence.

"Please, let us go!" another voice cried out in desperation.

The ground suddenly shook, and a massive figure emerged from the mist—a towering ogre, its presence looming over them. The civilians screamed in terror, expecting the worst. But instead of attacking, the ogre, with a gentle glow surrounding its hands, began casting a spell.

It was the Healing Ogre.

As she cast "Area Heal," the panic subsided. The civilians, including Jiro, felt their wounds healing, the pain ebbing away. Jiro, still dazed, looked around in disbelief as the once-terrifying creature brought comfort and relief.

At that moment, a group of soldiers stumbled across the goblins and survivors. They raised their weapons, preparing for a possible attack.

The soldiers were skeptical, with one of them expressing doubt, "That's a joke. Look at them—they're just monsters like those lizards. I think they're all going to kill us too."

Before the situation could escalate further, a commanding voice echoed from within the gathered civilians, "Stand down!"

The soldiers immediately recognized the man approaching them. "Colonel Dave!" they saluted.

Colonel Dave walked up to Jiro and the soldiers. "This man here is correct. These monst—heroes saved us. I am one of the people they rescued when my group got cornered by the lizards."

Dave's presence and testimony seemed to shift the atmosphere. He continued, "Save your ammo for those lizards."

The captain, still cautious, responded, "But Colonel, those lizards are really tough. We need to wait for backup."

Colonel Dave pointed toward the Healing Ogre. "Don't worry, Captain. That giant over there can heal the wounded. Let's work together with these goblins to save as many civilians as possible."

The soldiers, reassured by their colonel's words, lowered their weapons, ready to cooperate with the goblins to protect the people from the ongoing threat.

"You, can you fight? You look tough," the Colonel asked Jiro as he faced him, his eyes sharp and assessing.

Jiro straightened up, trying to push aside the lingering fear. "Yes, sir. I can."

"Hand him a rifle," the Colonel ordered one of the soldiers. The soldier quickly complied, and Jiro felt the weight of the weapon in his hands—a sense of responsibility settling over him.

As Jiro adjusted to the feel of the rifle, the soldiers around him were busy preparing to search for other civilians, ready to rescue them from the lizard soldiers lurking in the area.

"The lizards are gathering on the west side," the captain reported. "They seem to be grouping them at some point."

Colonel Dave considered this for a moment before responding, "Let them be for now. Our priority is these civilians. We can’t let more people die today."

Jiro looked around at the terrified faces of the civilians huddled together, their fear palpable. Despite his delinquent past, his heart ached for them. He couldn’t help but think of George and the intense battle they had been part of earlier.

"Don't die on me, George," he murmured to himself, gripping the rifle tighter. "I’m the only one who can beat you."

***

Kenji, George, and Strong One were locked in a relentless battle with a horde of lizards, their attacks unceasing. George unleashed another explosion, sending some of the lizards flying.

“Idiots! Don’t kill that man, just immobilize him!” Perd shouted at his soldiers, his frustration clear.

Then, moments later, another explosion shook the battlefield. Perd started to yell again, thinking it was George, but he stopped short, realizing his mistake. The explosion wasn’t George's doing—it was Eliza’s arrival.

Kenji smiled, recognizing the power about to be unleashed as Eliza prepared to bring her wrath down on their enemies.

Perd, bewildered by the sudden intrusion, muttered, "Who might you be—"

Before he could finish, Eliza cut him off with a swift and powerful elbow strike, sending him hurtling through the air. As the other lizards moved to attack her, Eliza calmly extended her hand, and glowing chains shot up from the ground, wrapping around the lizards and pinning them in place. "Stay there" she muttered.

A moment later, sharp, glowing weapons emerged from the earth, piercing through the restrained lizards with deadly precision. 

Eliza darted towards Perd, her strikes swift and relentless, leaving him defenseless. Suddenly, a chill swept through the air, and ice began to form around Kenji, George, Strong One, and Eliza, freezing them in place. A woman clad in black armor descended from the sky, her presence ominous. Eliza shattered the ice encasing her and lunged at the woman, but more ice swiftly enveloped her again. The woman remained calm, her grip firm as she lifted Perd's battered body.

"Retreat," she commanded, her voice cold and authoritative. The lizards obeyed, retreating swiftly from the battlefield.

After the ice melted and the lizards retreated, Kenji approached Eliza to check on her. But before he could say anything, she suddenly turned and hugged him tightly. Kenji, puzzled by the gesture since he thought Eliza no longer had feelings for him, chose not to dwell on it. Instead, he embraced the moment and hugged her back.

"Why are you still weak!" Eliza cried as she spoke to Kenji. "I thought you were going to die there."

Kenji didn't respond with words—he simply smiled while holding her close.

Kenji felt a wave of relief wash over him, not just because Eliza was safe, but because it was clear she still cared. Yet, her earlier words that she didn’t like him anymore left him puzzled. Before he could dwell on it, Mr. Goblin approached with urgent news.

"Sorry to interrupt your moment, Master, but it seems like some of the scouts I sent spotted military vehicles heading this way," Mr. Goblin informed them.

Kenji nodded, gently releasing Eliza from their embrace. "Yeah, we need to move now," he agreed before walking toward George.

"Come with me, my first captain, and join me in becoming stronger!" Kenji said with determination.

"Of course, Divine Commander," George replied with a smile.

"Hey, Leader!" A few of George's loyal gang members called out as they ran towards him, clearly relieved to see him alive. It seemed they had been saved by the goblins as well. As they gathered, Jiro approached, a mixture of relief and frustration on his face. George noticed Jiro and started to speak, "So, you're still alive—"

But before he could finish, Jiro punched him. "What's that for?" George exclaimed, rubbing his jaw.

"So you were just here resting while I was dying out there!" Jiro retorted angrily.

"Ha! I was fighting lizards here. Where were you? Sleeping?" George shot back, and the two immediately resumed their bickering.

Just then, Marchos arrived with a truck, ready to transport them. George turned to Kenji with a grin. "Hey, Commander, can I take these folks with me?"

Kenji smiled and nodded. "Of course. Well, that's the point—we're building an army."

***

The military backup arrived with impressive force, their ranks forming a formidable presence on the battlefield. They were the stationed military from Brit, a city neighboring Merediun. This was no ordinary contingent; it was a massive force led personally by General Marcus Albright.

General Albright, the Chief of Staff of the Alpha Military, held a distinguished rank with extensive military experience and significant leadership responsibilities. Despite his high status and the weight of his reputation, he was known for his principled and honorable nature. He was a stickler for military protocols and values, commanding respect and trust from his troops.

As the general arrived, his presence brought a sense of order and renewed hope to the chaotic scene. The military forces quickly established a perimeter, their disciplined movements and strategic positioning creating a solid defense against any further threats. General Albright's authoritative voice cut through the clamor, directing his troops with precision.

"General, here's Colonel Dave Beruns, the highest-ranked officer who responded to this scene," a soldier introduced Dave to the General.

Colonel Dave saluted crisply.

"Colonel, can you provide me with the details of the situation here? It is puzzling to know that the attack was caused by lizards but also these… green monsters," General Albright inquired, his tone laced with both authority and curiosity.

"Of course, General. As for the green monsters, they… they are somehow friendly," Colonel Dave responded.

The general’s brow furrowed in confusion. "Friendly? This is quite the twist. We need to discuss this further."

The general's puzzled expression lingered as he processed this unexpected information, leaving the true nature of the situation hanging in the balance.