Everyone turned their attention to him.
"Listen to me," Leo said, voice echoing slightly across the plain. "If any goblin lays a hand on a human… I will be the first one to kill them. Every single one."
A ripple of fear spread through the goblins. Some flinched, others widened their eyes. Gruk narrowed his gaze, but didn't speak—just listened.
"But—" Leo raised a hand to stop the silence. "If any human dares to attack a goblin first… I will personally kill everyone here."
The crowd froze.
Shock fell like a hammer. Mothers gasped. Some men stepped back. Even Lili's expression tightened.
Leo's voice softened, but it carried the weight of someone who had already lost too much.
"That's why I'm saying… stay in peace. That's the best choice for all of us. No need for killing. No more blood. I trust them… and I trust you. They won't attack you."
People exchanged nervous looks. Some opened their mouths to speak, then closed them again, unsure. The silence stretched.
And then slowly… one by one… they nodded.
A woman holding her child stepped forward. "But… you'll protect us, right?"
Leo met her eyes and said without hesitation, "I will protect all of you."
That was the moment the fear began to break.
Trust didn't bloom overnight, but it had been planted.
With the sun climbing higher, the camp buzzed with life—people working, goblins watching, and the faint hope of something new beginning to take root.
Leo gave her a confident nod. "I won't."
Lili's expression was calm, but serious. "I will. Don't die out there."
Leo looked toward Lili. "Watch over the camp. Keep everyone safe."
Lyra saluted playfully. "Yes, boss."
Then he turned to Lyra. "I'm leaving you in charge while we're gone. Make sure everything runs smoothly."
Leo smirked. "Perfect."
"Nope," Zack grinned, tapping his nose. "But I can smell 'em out."
"You know where we can find them?"
Zack whistled. "Ambitious. But yeah, sounds about right."
"We need food. Big game. For this many people, I'm thinking… two giant boars."
"I'm still a little busted up, but go on. I'll manage."
"I've got a job for you."
"Hm?" Zack blinked.
"Zack."
Now, Leo turned to Zack, who was still resting against a rock.
More leaves gathered, and in moments, a cozy row of beds formed for the goblin families who stayed behind. The goblin women and children slowly began settling in, glancing cautiously at the humans around them.
Leo gave a thumbs-up. "On it."
As the goblins gathered and prepared to leave, Gruk paused and looked back. "Leo, make some beds for our women and kids too, will ya?"
Gruk grinned with sharp teeth. "Heh, I like the way you think. Alright then." He turned to his goblins. "All men with me! We'll be back before evening!"
"Find every goblin group nearby. I want you to form alliances. Ask them to join us. The more we have, the more ground we can hold—and the safer everyone becomes."
Gruk scratched his cheek. "What is it?"
Then Leo turned to Gruk. "Gruk. I need your help."
Balzock groaned and lowered himself with a grumble. Sheron just chuckled faintly and nodded.
"No buts," Leo snapped. "Shut up. You're injured. Heal first. I'll give you your job later."
Balzock frowned. "But we can still—"
Leo gave them a flat stare, then pulled two leaf beds from the air and placed them nearby. "Yeah. This. Sit."
"Hey," Sheron muttered, wincing. "Got anything for us?"
As they nodded and began organizing, Balzock and Sheron limped over, their movements heavy with pain.
Turning to the men, he continued, "Now, your turn. Go into the forest. Bring logs—strong ones. And stones, or boulders if you can. If you can't break something, let me know. I'll handle it."
"Rest here," Leo said to the vulnerable group. "You're safe now. No more running. No more fear."
Then Leo raised both hands, eyes glowing faintly. With a sweep of his Air Manipulation, leaves began to swirl around him, dancing in the air like a golden storm. The leaves gathered, stacking into soft, orderly beds, layered in rows like a forest's gift of comfort.
With murmurs and light confusion, the crowd began to divide. Mothers holding babies, elderly folk, and small children moved aside, while the able-bodied men gathered to await orders.
"All women, children, and elders—those who can't bear too much weight or physical work—please move to that side," he said, pointing toward the shaded area beneath a cluster of trees. "Men, line up on the other side."
As the tension faded and the people began to settle, Leo stepped forward once again, his voice firm and steady.
The air was heavy with the scent of earth and damp leaves. Zack crouched low, his nose practically kissing the dirt as he sniffed along a trail.
Leo walked behind him, arms crossed, brow raised. "…So? Did you find them yet, bloodhound?"
Zack suddenly stopped, tail twitching. "Yeah… I got them. Not far. Be careful though—giant boars aren't your average bacon."
Leo blinked. "I never thought Zack's nose was this good… Is he part hound?"
They crept closer through the trees. Zack pulled a few bushes apart gently and whispered, "Shhh. Look."
Leo leaned in—and there they were: ten massive boars, their tusks like scimitars, drinking from a serene lake.
"Whoa," Leo whispered. "That's... ten. We only need two."
Zack nodded. "Yup. So—how should we atta—"
But before he could finish, Leo vanished with a gust of wind.
"...ck."
Zack blinked. "Huh?"
Cut to the sky.
Leo hovered mid-air, arms raised like a war god.
"You're going to become dinner tonight, you overgrown pigs!"
A circle of glowing sigils appeared around him. From above, dozens of ice spikes formed in the air like divine spears.
BOOM!
The earth shook. Birds scattered. Trees rustled violently as snow and dust blasted into the sky.
Back at the clearing, the villagers and goblins looked up as rustling came from the treeline.
Everyone gasped.
Leo walked out calmly.
On his shoulder? Two massive boars.
One in each hand like grocery bags.
Leaves stuck in his hair. Blood splatter on his clothes. Yet his smile was as casual as if he'd just gone for a jog.
Behind him?
Zack, limping, his hair frizzed, covered in mud, grass, blood, and at least one squirrel stuck to his tail.
He looked like he fought the forest itself—and lost.
Lia ran toward them. "Onii-chan—! …Wait… you carried both of those?"
Leo raised a hand in greeting. "Hello, Lia~!"
Zack flopped next to a rock, groaning. "How… how are you not tired?! I did all the dodging! One of them bit me!"
Lili blinked. "Wait… he carried two giant boars? With one hand each and i am pretty sure that are atleast 200 ton"
Gruk and the goblins stared, jaws slack. Even the toughest among them scratched their heads.
"Th-that's not normal," one goblin whispered.
"I thought humans were weak?" another added.
Leo casually dropped the boars to the ground with a thud that made the earth tremble.
"Ice-roasted boar tonight," he declared, dusting his hands off. "We eat like kings."
Zack, still on the ground, raised a thumb. "Next time… you do the running."
Leo smiled down at him. "I did. You just didn't see it."