After getting out of the carriage, everyone gazed at the shopping district—its streets gleaming like a field of stars. Stores of every kind lined the roads, each with bright signs and colorful displays. The group looked around in awe, taking in the sheer liveliness of the place.
Isolde suddenly grabbed Renn's hand, pulling him to her side, and headed straight toward a weapon shop. Lira, Liora, and Aeren followed close behind.
The store owner glanced at the group of children, then noticed the noble crest on Isolde's attire. His smile widened instantly, and he stepped forward with a polite tone.
"Excuse me, miss. If you need any type of weapon, you can ask me directly."
Renn looked around the shop and felt a twinge of disgust.
"Let us choose what we need," he said flatly.
The store owner's eyes locked on Renn. "I can show you better products if you ask me," he insisted.
"Get away," Renn replied coldly. "We'll find our own weapons—just do your job."
The tension grew thick. Liora, watching the exchange, said nothing, but her gaze shifted between them. Isolde stepped in before things escalated.
"We'll get our own weapons," she said firmly. "You can leave us."
Noticing her crest again, the owner's posture stiffened. "Apologies for the interruption," he said before stepping aside.
Isolde turned to Renn. "Why are you fighting with the shop owner?"
"I sensed malice from him," Renn replied bluntly. "I don't like him."
Lira gave a small nod in agreement.
They began searching the racks for suitable weapons when—
BOOOOM!
The ground trembled. Shouts erupted from the street outside.
"A monster! Rampaging in the district!"
"AHHHHAHHAHAHH…"
"Help me please…"
Through the shop windows, they saw it a towering creature with jet-black skin, the size of a bear, with massive paws and an ape-like face twisted in rage. It tore through stalls and carts, scattering debris and terrified civilians in its path.
Without hesitation, Renn and the others rushed out of the shop. He took the lead, directing them to protect the civilians first. The group split into action—shielding townsfolk, guiding them to safety, and keeping the rampaging beast at bay until they could strike.
"Thank you…"
Isolde look at adult woman thanking her for saving her, she felt happy from inside. Isolde has never felt this happy. Isolde has never saved a people before and saving an adult as a child it's make her happier. Isolde motivated by her thanks and she saved more people.
Lira saw all human mana sign and try to make them away from monsters.
Liora is with Isolde and helping her with saving people.
Renn quickly assessed the situation—three rampaging monsters tearing through the shopping district. They were mid-level beasts, not particularly skilled in combat, but their raw power was enough to destroy everything around them.
Pointing to his companions, he shouted, "You three—handle one monster! I'll take the other two!"
Without waiting for an answer, he drew his sword, the blade gleaming faintly, and charged toward the nearest beast. He intercepted its massive paw with his weapon, blocking the blow—but the second monster's strike smashed into his side, sending him crashing into a wall.
Gritting his teeth, Renn pushed himself up. He fought with relentless persistence—falling, standing, and striking again. Blow after blow, he refused to back down. At last, he managed to bring one of the monsters down, its massive body collapsing with a heavy thud.
Only one remained before him… but a scream from the other side froze his focus.
"Renn!"
He turned—Lira, Liora, and Isolde had been captured by the last monster. They were struggling, calling his name in desperation.
He glanced between the wounded monster before him and his friends trapped in the beast's grasp. His voice dropped to a whisper.
"It's no time for holding back."
In an instant, a strange sword appeared in his hand—summoned from nowhere. He poured his mana into it, the weapon glowing brighter with each passing second. Then, with a single slash, he cut through the air—so fast it was almost unseen.
The two remaining monsters were cleaved cleanly in half.
The blade vanished… and Renn collapsed, unconscious.
Not far away, the three girls also fell unconscious, their bodies limp from exhaustion.
One to two hundred meters away, Aeren sat quietly on a chair, having witnessed the entire fight. Slowly, he stood and began walking toward them.
Before he could reach them, figures clad entirely in black emerged from the shadows. They surveyed the slain monsters, then the unconscious children.
The leader's voice was cold.
"Find anyone within kilometer—and kill them."
A man beside him stepped forward.
"Sir, there's no one here except these four. I used mana detection from mana detector artifact. Nothing else within range."
The leader's eyes narrowed.
"Take them with us. They are our key opponents."
"Yes, sir," the others replied in unison.
Aeren, still about a hundred meters away, had heard everything. As the group began to leave with their captives. Without a sound, he followed them into the streets.