Chapter 28

The first impression upon seeing it was "larger than expected."

The creature, covered in long, black-brown fur, walked on two legs and stood taller than Rio by half. Its arms were strong and thick, and its legs were short.

Its face resembled that of an ape, but it had a broad, horse-like nose, and red lines were drawn on both cheeks, perhaps as war paint. Upon closer inspection, it became clear that these were not painted on but were part of its skin color.

Roughly cut wooden planks, varying in length and thickness, were tied to its fur as makeshift armor. In its hands were primitive hand axes and spears, made by tying sharp rocks to thick branches with the bark still on.

It showed no fear of the torches' flames, nor did it recklessly charge forward. It slowly emerged from the forest and waited for its companions to follow.

"Pretty well-organized, huh? Non-combatants, evacuate to the village!"

Karu smiled wryly as he drew his sword, a double-edged blade with ink painted on the blade. The wear on the hilt indicated that it had been well-used.

Shiraha and the others, looking anxious, evacuated to their homes.

Karu stood beside Rio.

"Rio, don't move for a while. We adults will draw their attention. In the meantime, find their commander."

"I don't think I can take them down."

"We don't have the luxury of choice, so be prepared. But for now, just find them. You have a knack for seeing the essence of things, so I'm counting on you."

"Got it."

Rio accepted Karu's instructions without hesitation.

He understood that if he, a child on his first battle, rushed into the fray, the adults around him would unconsciously try to protect him, hindering their efforts.

Seventeen enemies had emerged from the forest. While their numbers were fewer, they were not to be underestimated.

"Don't think about taking them down! We'll draw them in, split left and right, and attack after stopping their legs with the stone walls!"

Karu quickly abandoned the idea of using the wooden planks and stakes they had prepared as obstacles and gave instructions to his allies.

The obstacles would only be effective if the enemy charged. They were designed to slow their legs and allow the group to surround and take down the leading individuals. However, they would be less effective against an enemy that advanced cautiously, removing the obstacles as they went.

The reserve forces, including Remi, who had run up, stood by the stone wall near Rio, nocking arrows to their bows.

Ten arrows were fired simultaneously at the enemy, who were removing the obstacles as they advanced.

"--- Hmm, no effect."

Remi frowned and reached for her quiver.

The arrows either stuck in the uneven wooden planks covering the enemy's bodies or, even if they penetrated, were not enough to slow them down. The darkness also contributed to the low hit rate.

However, the enemy seemed slightly unnerved by the existence of ranged weapons.

Rio observed the spread and subsiding of the enemy's unease with interest.

The large apes communicated with each other using door-like creaks and gruff voices. From the way Remi pointed at the bows, it was clear that the apes were talking.

If there was an individual calming the unease, it was likely the commander.

By following the apes' gaze and the point where the unease subsided, Rio identified the position of the commander-like ape.

"--- Remi, isn't there an ape in the forest to the left of the group?"

"In the forest? --- Ah, there it is, a small one covered in leaves."

It was too dark for Rio to see, but Remi, being a hunter's daughter, had good night vision and quickly spotted the commander.

"Can you hit it?"

"Sorry, can't. It retreated into the forest. It's about our size."

"Hide behind the stone wall and shout this information so everyone can hear."

"Will I be targeted?"

"I'll protect you."

"--- Don't tell the other kids, okay?"

"I already told Shiraha."

"Damn... --- Everyone, listen! The enemy commander is in the forest, a small one covered in leaves! It's about the same height as me and Rio!"

Upon hearing Remi's report, the reserve forces, who were ready with their bows, aimed at the forest.

Seeing the movement of the reserve forces, the apes launched a sudden charge to protect their commander by eliminating the ranged attackers.

The overwhelming presence of seventeen charging giants made Remi let out a small scream.

"Reserve forces, retreat to the back stone wall! If possible, blow a whistle!"

Following Karu's instructions, Remi and the others, looking puzzled, ran to the second row of stone walls and blew whistles.

The chaotic whistles overlapped, making the battlefield noisy.

Under Karu's command, the defense forces split left and right to draw in the charging apes.

"--- Rio! Time to work!"

At the moment Karu raised his voice, Rio used Body Enhancement to quickly leap over the stone wall.

The defense forces, under Karu's command, dodged the apes' charge and stopped their legs with the stone walls, then charged at the apes from both sides with shouts.

The shouts and whistles drowned out the voice of the commander hidden in the forest.

The commander, realizing they had fallen into Karu's trap, emerged from the forest in a hurry to give orders to the group.

Rio drew a new sword from its sheath.

He ran past the defense forces, including Karu.

With his enhanced physical abilities and agility from daily training, the wooden planks and stakes were no obstacle.

As Rio accelerated, the commander, armed with a wooden sword embedded with sharp stones, prepared to attack.

"Roar!"

The commander, baring sharp canine teeth, roared and raised the wooden sword diagonally.

Though the initial movement was quick, the stance lacked technique. Standing still and raising only the arm holding the wooden sword, the commander posed no threat to Rio.

Without slowing down, Rio readied his sword at his waist.

Just before entering the commander's range, Rio shortened his stride to adjust the timing of his entry.

The commander, about to bring down the raised wooden sword, noticed Rio's feint and stopped the arm movement at the last moment.

However, any animal that cancels a movement at the last moment will stiffen. This was the perfect opening Rio aimed to create.

Rio deeply stepped into the commander's range, using the momentum of his charge to raise his sword.

The commander, recoiling in a scream, could not escape from Rio's range.

The commander's wrist flew through the air.

Before the wooden sword fell to the ground, Rio lowered his sword and thrust it upward into the commander's chest.

The wooden planks tied to the fur, acting as armor, were ineffective against an attack from below.

Rio pulled out his sword and circled around the falling commander.

The commander, trying to escape to the forest, moved toward the direction where Rio had dropped the wrist.

"Done."

Without mercy, Rio stabbed the commander's neck with his sword and stepped away from the corpse to look at the stone wall.

The apes, surrounded by the defense forces, blocked by the stone wall, and shot at from the other side, were desperately defending.

However, when one of them realized the commander had been killed, panic spread, and they began to flee into the forest.

Even though they were fleeing, it would be reckless for one person to block a group of large apes, so Rio disappeared and circled around the group to run back to the stone wall.

Karu, stopping the men who were about to pursue, raised his voice.

"No need to pursue! Our job is to defend this area! Conserve your strength until reinforcements arrive from the town!"

Though they had repelled the apes' surprise attack, the total number of the group was unknown. There was a possibility that the main force was still in the forest, making pursuit too dangerous.

"--- Rio, well done! A great victory, indeed! You'll get a first-class medal!"

Upon returning to the stone wall, Rio was showered with praise and applause from the defense forces.

"Well, um, hehe..."

Rio, unaccustomed to such praise, smiled awkwardly, but his smile froze in the next moment.

Karu, noticing the change in Rio's expression, followed his gaze and paled.

--- Flames were rising from the village entrance.