This Is Hero Time: 02

Subaru's boots hit the dirt path with a thunderous rhythm, the village screams guiding her every step. Her long red hair streamed behind her like a banner of fire, contrasting sharply against her shining silver armour. The white cape tied to her shoulders billowed with each stride, catching the wind in a way that made her look less like a warrior and more like a force of nature. The red crest embroidered on the cape glimmered faintly, marking her as someone who carried more than a sword—she carried purpose.

Ahead, the village square was chaos incarnate. MaBeasts prowled among the wreckage, their hulking forms grotesque and otherworldly. These creatures were not of the natural world; their glowing eyes and unnaturally long claws were the stuff of legends meant to scare children into behaving.

But today, they were terrifyingly real.

Subaru didn't stop to assess the situation. Her sapphire eyes darted quickly over the battlefield, taking in every detail—the fleeing villagers, the collapsed huts, the beasts prowling closer and closer to their prey.

"Get inside!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the din like a whip. "Find shelter and stay there!"

Some villagers hesitated, their wide eyes fixed on the young woman in gleaming armour. They couldn't believe their saviour looked so young, so human.

"NOW!" she barked, snapping them out of their stupor.

Subaru drew her sword. It was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, its blade as white as freshly fallen snow and sharp enough to split hairs. The runes etched along the blade's surface shimmered faintly, a sign of its otherworldly origin. The hilt fit perfectly in her hand, as though it had been forged for her alone.

A low growl pulled her attention to the right. One of the MaBeasts, a hulking wolf-like creature with fur black as coal, was stalking toward her. Its glowing red eyes locked onto her, its maw curling into a snarl that revealed rows of jagged teeth.

Subaru didn't wait for it to lunge. She moved first.

Her steps were light and calculated, each one propelling her forward with a grace that seemed almost unnatural. Her cape fluttered behind her like wings as she raised her sword high, the blade catching the sunlight and refracting it in dazzling arcs.

The MaBeast leapt at her, claws extended.

Subaru sidestepped with an elegance that made it look as though she were dancing. Her armour didn't slow her movements; instead, it seemed to enhance them, each joint and plate working seamlessly with her body. As the beast's claws swiped at empty air, she spun on her heel, her red hair fanning out in a fiery arc.

The sword came down.

It was a single, fluid motion, as natural as breathing. The blade met the MaBeast's neck, slicing cleanly through fur, muscle, and bone. For a moment, time seemed to freeze. The villagers watching from their hiding spots held their breaths as the creature's massive form collapsed to the ground, its head rolling several feet away before dissolving into shimmering particles.

Subaru stood over the fading remains, her sword held loosely at her side. She exhaled softly, her breath visible in the cool air.

"Next," she murmured, turning toward the remaining beasts.

From the safety of their hiding spots, the villagers could only watch in awe.

"She's amazing," whispered a young boy clutching his mother's hand.

"She's not human," the mother replied, her voice tinged with both fear and reverence. "She's an angel—or a demon."

Another MaBeast, this one resembling a hulking bear with spines protruding from its back, charged at Subaru with a roar that shook the very ground. Its massive paws left craters in the dirt as it barreled toward her.

Subaru didn't flinch.

She crouched slightly, her sword held horizontally at her side. Her eyes locked onto the beast's massive frame, and a small smirk tugged at the corner of her lips.

"Come on, big guy," she muttered. "Let's dance."

As the MaBeast swung one massive claw, Subaru ducked low, her cape brushing the ground. She twisted her body in a near-impossible contortion, avoiding the attack by mere inches. Then, using the momentum of her dodge, she surged upward, her blade slicing through the beast's underbelly in a sweeping arc.

The creature howled in agony, its blood spraying in a crimson arc that stained the ground. Subaru didn't stop. She pivoted on her heel, spinning gracefully as her sword found its mark again—this time severing one of the beast's legs.

The MaBeast collapsed with a ground-shaking thud, its roars of pain echoing through the square. Subaru stood over it, her red hair clinging to her sweat-dampened cheeks, her chest rising and falling with measured breaths.

With a final, decisive swing, she brought her sword down on the beast's neck. It dissolved into mana, its monstrous form fading like a bad dream.

The villagers erupted into cheers, their fear momentarily forgotten.

"She's incredible!" shouted a young man from the safety of a hut.

"She's our saviour!" cried another.

Subaru, however, didn't bask in the applause. Her focus remained on the remaining MaBeasts, which were now hesitating. Their glowing eyes darted between her and the dissolving remains of their comrades.

"Smart enough to feel fear, huh?" Subaru said, her voice tinged with amusement. She raised her sword, pointing it at the creatures. "Then you know how this ends."

The largest of the remaining MaBeasts, a towering creature with the body of a lion and the wings of a bat, roared defiantly. It launched itself into the air, its massive wings casting a shadow over the village square.

Subaru's eyes narrowed.

The beast dove toward her like a missile, its claws outstretched. Subaru waited until the last possible moment before leaping into the air to meet it.

Her jump was impossibly high, her cape and hair trailing behind her like a comet's tail. She twisted mid-air, her sword glinting as she brought it down in a powerful overhead slash.

The blade met the beast's skull with a deafening crack, splitting it open in one clean strike. The creature's massive form crumpled to the ground, its wings folding awkwardly as it dissolved into mana.

Subaru landed gracefully, her boots barely making a sound as they touched the ground. She stood tall, her sword resting on her shoulder, her blue eyes scanning the square for any remaining threats.

The MaBeasts were gone.

The villagers began to emerge from their hiding spots, their expressions a mix of awe and gratitude.

"Thank you," said an elderly man, his voice shaking as he bowed deeply. "You've saved us."

Subaru turned to him, her expression softening. She sheathed her sword, her posture relaxing for the first time since the battle began.

"All in a day's work," she said, her tone light despite the exhaustion creeping into her voice.

A young girl ran up to her, clutching a small bouquet of wildflowers. "Miss Knight, you were amazing!"

Subaru knelt down, accepting the flowers with a warm smile. "Thanks, kiddo. But it's Subaru, not Miss Knight."

The girl giggled, her cheeks flushing. "Thank you, Subaru!"

As the villagers surrounded her, showering her with gratitude and praise, Subaru couldn't help but feel a strange mix of emotions. She was proud of what she had done, but a part of her knew this was only the beginning.

The battle had been won, but the war—whatever it might be—was far from over.

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