A mother and her son were leisurely walking on a small path surrounded by dense forests. Although the sun was shining, it felt like night under the trees.
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4dgWY7xpO
"Mom, how much longer until we arrive?" The boy, about ten years old with light blue hair and a long sword strapped to his back, seemed to possess knowledge of swordsmanship.
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9trDGyoA4
As for the mother, if it weren't for the boy's specific explanation, others would mistake them for siblings, assuming she gave birth to the boy at a young age. She carried two bags of food, sweat dripping down her face. Despite the hardship, she still smiled as she answered.
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYWz0vdP6A
"Shoyo, hold on a little longer. We're almost there. Auntie Aoino has sent her subordinates to meet us at the forest exit."
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CDM4Bvlr7
The small path was illuminated by the sun, and the mother and son spotted a figure waving their hands at the end, presumably the subordinate mentioned earlier.
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoGQ1yYsTq
"Look, just as expected."
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgldAZxNu8u
When the figure saw them, they quickly ran over to greet them. However, just as everyone was relaxing, a shadow suddenly dashed out from the forest next to them, knocking the figure to the side of the path. Smoke disappeared into the pitch-black forest, followed by pleas for help and screams, then the sound of devouring.
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5i6FrRXFi
"How strange. This should be a safe area. Why are there Skullbreakers here..."
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6Pjb1B0wz
While the mother hesitated, Shoyo immediately drew his long sword from his back, knowing that the immediate priority was to leave the forest on both sides. After all, in the pitch-darkness, one never knew what might come pouncing out.
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiIXAF4zGH
Without delay, two more shadows lunged towards them from the side. Shoyo reacted quickly, using his sword to fend off the attacking shadows. However, the mother couldn't evade in time and was pushed down beside a tree.
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSulYfu7TK7
Under the shining sunlight, it was clear to see that these beings called Skullbreakers had physical features resembling humans. They walked on two legs, had dark skin, and wore animal skulls to protect their heads and faces.
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNih5ytpBx
Shoyo immediately focused on rescuing his mother, but the Skullbreaker he had just repelled came lunging at him again, wielding a stone tied to a wooden stick as an axe.
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnkYNPwPjt
"Don't get in my way!" The situation was urgent. If they hesitated for a few more seconds, the mother would be dragged into the forest by these creatures. Shoyo swung his sword with all his might, and the blade emitted a dim white light that was invisible to the naked eye, cutting the creature and its axe in half.
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZI1Wb8uj0
After swinging the sword, Shoyo felt exhausted, as if he had been running for a long time. However, he couldn't give up. He could rest when his body was tired, but if his mother was lost, she couldn't be brought back to life.
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLH5NU1Nmwz
"Hurry, help me kill them together! I don't want to be slowly devoured by them!"
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdnJ1mCvp5
The mother was held from behind by a Skullbreaker, and Shoyo couldn't easily save her with his skills alone. He had to make the most reluctant decision because she had long known the fate she would face.
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOArQ1UISoh
Would it be considered saving someone if he killed his mother as well? Shoyo couldn't bring himself to do it. He had trained in swordsmanship all for the sake of protecting his mother, and now he had to use it in this situation?
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0doBQpFo4
In a matter of seconds, Shoyo's heart was filled with struggle. Every second of hesitation would only increase his mother's suffering. How could a ten-year-old boy withstand such a mental impact?
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2neg2IbG8i
Shoyo soon lost his rationality, accompanied by uncontrollable wailing. He made up his mind to release his mother from her pain. Closing his eyes, he swung his sword with all his might, and the blade emitted the same white light as before.
ns18.221.176.186da2
