Chapter 96: Chapter 96: See You Again!
*Slash! Slash! Slash!*
Jin’s blade carved through the neck of a C-rank direwolf, her enhanced speed making the strikes look almost casual.
Blood sprayed across the rocky ground as the creature collapsed with a final whimper.
"That’s the fifth one this morning," she called out, wiping her weapon clean. "How are we looking on the count?"
"Three more C-ranks down on our end," one of the survivors responded from across the clearing. "Plus two B-ranks that tried to ambush us from the ridge."
"Good work, everyone."
Genya’s military voice cut through the sounds of combat as he coordinated their formation.
His tactical mind constantly assessed their positioning, making sure nobody got isolated or overwhelmed.
Hina stood at the perimeter, her gang leader instincts keeping watch for anything more dangerous than the usual fodder.
Her enhanced senses, honed from years of street fighting before the apocalypse, picked up movement patterns that others might miss.
The hunting expedition had been going smoothly for the past two hours.
Standard monster clearing to keep the settlement’s surrounding area safe.
Nothing they hadn’t handled dozens of times before.
*ROOOAAAAR!*
Until that sound echoed across the landscape.
"!!!"
Everyone immediately tensed, weapons raised as they scanned for the source.
The roar was deeper than anything they’d encountered recently.
More primal.
More threatening.
*CRASH! CRASH! CRASH!*
Heavy footsteps shook the ground as something massive approached through the rocky terrain.
And then it emerged from behind a stone formation.
An A-rank monster.
Easily 4 meters tall with rippling muscles beneath scales that looked like they could deflect bullets.
Its head resembled a bear’s but with tusks like a boar and eyes that burned with predatory intelligence.
Multiple tails, each one tipped with bone spikes, whipped through the air with deadly precision.
"Shit! It’s a Dread Boar!" Jin’s casual demeanor vanished instantly. "Everyone, formation delta! Ranged attackers focus on the eyes! Melee, stay mobile and don’t get hit by those tails!"
"Hina, with me!" Genya was already moving, his enhancement abilities flaring as he prepared to serve as the primary tank.
The battle that followed was brutal.
*SLASH!*
Jin’s blade struck at the creature’s legs, trying to hamstring it.
But where her attacks usually cut clean through B-rank monsters, this time the blade only left shallow wounds that barely bled.
"Tch!"
*BOOM!*
The A-rank’s massive paw slammed down where she’d been standing, creating a crater in the stone ground.
Genya charged in from the side, his military-enhanced strength allowing him to actually stagger the creature with a shoulder tackle.
"Now! Hit it while it’s off-balance!"
Multiple survivors unleashed their attacks simultaneously.
Fire magic scorched its hide.
Ice projectiles struck exposed areas.
Physical weapons found gaps in its natural armor.
But despite the concentrated assault, the damage was superficial.
The creature roared again, more annoyed than injured.
"It’s too tough!" one of the mages called out in frustration. "My fire spells barely leave marks!"
"Keep attacking!" Hina’s voice cut through the chaos. "We just need to wear it down!"
The fight stretched from minutes into what felt like an eternity.
*CRASH! BOOM! SLASH!*
Genya used his abilities to restrain the creature’s movements, grabbing its tails and actually holding the massive beast in place through sheer strength.
"Hit it! All at once!"
The opening allowed everyone to concentrate their fire on the creature’s head.
Dozens of attacks struck simultaneously, finally overwhelming its natural defenses.
*ROAAAAR—*
The death cry cut off as the monster collapsed, its massive body creating tremors when it hit the ground.
*Thud...*
Everyone stood there panting, exhausted from the extended battle.
"Is everyone okay?" Jin checked on her team, noting several injuries but no fatalities.
"We’re fine," one survivor responded while catching his breath. "Just... tired."
"That took way longer than it should have," another added.
Someone else nodded grimly. "Isn’t this A-rank Dread Boar tougher than before?"
"..."
The observation made everyone pause.
Now that the adrenaline was fading, they could analyze what had just happened.
Jin frowned, mentally comparing this fight to previous A-rank encounters. "You’re right. We’ve faced these bear-boar monsters before. They usually go down in maybe 3-5 minutes with our current team composition."
"This one took almost 7 minutes," a mage confirmed, checking his internal clock. "And we were using the same tactics that worked before."
"The C and B-ranks were the same," Hina added thoughtfully. "I noticed it during our earlier fights but thought I was just imagining things."
Multiple heads nodded in agreement.
What used to be cleared in 1-2 minutes now stretched to 3-4.
B-ranks that typically required 2-3 minutes were taking 5 or more.
The difference wasn’t dramatic enough to be obvious in individual fights.
But accumulated over dozens of encounters, the pattern was undeniable.
"..."
Silence stretched as everyone processed the implications.
If monsters were getting stronger across the board, even by small margins, it would make everything more dangerous.
Genya broke the quiet with careful analysis. "It most likely has something to do with the 2nd Trial countdown and the proliferation of the density of mana in the atmosphere."
"!!!"
The mages in the group immediately perked up at that observation.
"Now that you mention it..." one of them extended his hand, feeling the air itself. "The ambient mana does feel denser than it was even a week ago."
"I’ve been noticing my spells feel slightly more powerful," another added. "But also harder to control, like there’s more raw energy available but less refinement."
"If the mana density is increasing globally, it would affect monsters too," a third mage concluded. "They’d naturally absorb more energy from their environment, making them tougher and stronger without actually leveling up."
The realization settled over the group with uncomfortable weight.
"..."
Hina’s thoughts drifted to Nero’s announcement about leaving.
About facing tougher opponents as he journeyed outside the settlement.
’If monsters are getting stronger here in our relatively safe area, what kind of threats is he planning to face out there?’
The question made her stomach twist with concern.
Before the somber atmosphere could deepen further, Gilbert’s voice cut through from the back of the group.
"Speaking of Nero, isn’t his departure today?"
"!!!"
The reminder immediately lightened the mood as several people perked up.
"Oh shit, you’re right!" Jin checked the position of the strange Saturn-like sun. "We should head back before they leave!"
The hunting party quickly began organizing their return, collecting the valuable materials from their kills while moving with renewed purpose.
Nobody wanted to miss saying goodbye to their hero.
***
Meanwhile, perched silently atop a massive tree overlooking the battlefield...
"..."
Nyxara slid her twin daggers back into their sheaths with practiced precision, her cat ears twitching as she watched the hunting party depart.
"Haah..."
A relieved sigh escaped her lips.
She’d been ready to intervene when the A-rank monster appeared.
Her instincts as an assassin had been screaming to strike, to eliminate the threat before it could harm the people her new Lord had asked her to protect.
But they’d handled it.
Not easily, and not without struggle, but they’d succeeded through coordination and determination.
’The people Lord Nero knows aren’t some weaklings.’
The observation brought a small smile to her feline features.
It made sense, really.
Someone with Lord Nero’s capabilities wouldn’t surround himself with incompetent allies.
These survivors had earned their strength through survival and training.
*Whoosh...*
Without making a sound, Nyxara melted into the shadows.
Her stealth abilities activated automatically as she began following the hunting party from a distance.
Unseen and unheard.
Just as an assassin should be.
***
Back at the settlement, organized chaos reigned as final preparations were completed.
Nero stood near the center of the gathering area, checking his belongings one last time while Aurelia and Celis made their own preparations nearby.
"Lord Nero, I have verified our supplies," Aurelia reported with her usual efficiency. "... Water purification tablets, preserved food, medical supplies, and camping equipment are all secured."
"Thyself hath prepared healing salves and protective charms," Celis added with her gentle smile. "Though I pray we shall not require them, ’tis best to be prepared."
"Thanks, both of you."
Nero nodded his appreciation just as Jin’s hunting party appeared at the settlement entrance.
Perfect timing.
The group looked exhausted but intact, which was always a good sign.
"Glad we made it back in time...!" Jin called out with a wave.
"How was the hunt?" Nero asked.
"Successful, but monsters are definitely getting tougher," she responded honestly. "Something to keep in mind for your journey."
"Noted."
Before they could continue the conversation, sounds of hurried footsteps announced the arrival of Kaito, Yui, and Haru.
The trio looked like they’d just woken up, hair slightly disheveled and eyes still adjusting to the morning light.
"Made it!" Kaito announced breathlessly.
"We thought we’d miss you!" Yui added with obvious relief.
"Stayed up late, huh?" Nero observed with amusement.
"... Maybe a little," Haru admitted sheepishly.
More survivors began gathering as word spread that the departure was imminent.
Robert and Lisa Chen appeared from the crowd, the father and daughter duo approaching with something clutched in Lisa’s small hands.
"Mr. Nero!" Lisa called out excitedly.
She held up a wooden necklace, the craftsmanship simple but genuine.
Carved symbols decorated the surface, clearly made with care despite the crude tools available.
"It’s a lucky charm!" she explained earnestly. "Dad helped me make it, but I did most of the carving myself!"
"To keep you safe on your journey," Robert added with a warm smile.
"..."
Something in Nero’s chest felt a bit warm at the gesture.
Before he could respond, the trio stepped forward as well.
"We also have something," Yui announced.
Kaito held out a pendant made of what looked like polished gemstone.
The crystalline structure caught the light beautifully, refracting it into rainbow patterns.
"We’ve been working on this since your announcement three days ago," Haru explained.
"The details took forever," Kaito admitted. "That’s why we were up so late."
"We wanted it to be perfect," Yui finished softly.
Nero stared at both gifts, genuinely moved by the effort they’d put in.
The wooden necklace from Lisa spoke of innocent hope.
The gemstone pendant from the trio showed dedication and gratitude.
"..."
An idea struck him suddenly.
’Do I still have access to my old abilities?’
He’d noticed the previous system interface was gone, replaced by the Waifu System’s streamlined version.
But the skills themselves might still be accessible.
... Well, only one way to find out, right?
Nero focused, willing the transformation into just his index finger.
*Crack! Shift!*
To his satisfaction and everyone’s surprise, his finger transformed into a single razor-sharp claw that gleamed with metallic sheen.
It looks like the skills were still there.
"Whoa!" Kaito’s eyes went wide. "That’s so cool!"
Nero ignored the reactions, carefully using the transformed claw to create a delicate hole through the top of the gemstone pendant.
The precision required intense concentration.
Too much force would shatter the stone.
Too little wouldn’t penetrate.
*Crack... crack...*
After several tense seconds, a perfect hole appeared.
He threaded Lisa’s wooden necklace through the opening, combining both gifts into a single piece.
The natural charm of the carved wood complemented the elegant gemstone perfectly.
A fusion of innocent hope and dedicated craftsmanship.
"..."
Nero held up the completed necklace, examining it with genuine appreciation before placing it around his neck.
The weight felt right.
Comforting.
A physical reminder of the connections he’d formed in this chaotic new world.
"... Thanks," he said sincerely, looking at Lisa, Robert, and the trio. "Both gifts are perfect."
"W-We should be thanking you!" Yui protested, her eyes already getting watery.
"You saved our lives multiple times," Kaito added firmly.
"Brought us back to our parents," Haru continued.
"Even revived me from death!" Yui finished.
The parents stepped forward as a group, their expressions carrying weight that words couldn’t fully express.
Yuki, normally so energetic, spoke with uncharacteristic seriousness. "Thank you for giving me back my son. For showing him what it means to have courage."
Haori’s gentle smile wavered. "You returned my daughter to me when I’d given up hope. That debt can never be repaid."
"Mhm."
Juno simply nodded, his analytical mind unable to calculate gratitude that exceeded all possible measurements.
Genya’s military posture remained perfect, but his eyes showed emotion. "You have our eternal loyalty."
"H-Hmph!" Hina crossed her arms, looking away. "Well, it’s not like you’re completely useless or anything... so, thank you."
"You do realize you look completely tsundere while saying that, right?" Ren teased his wife with a grin. "But yeah, all of us are truthfully grateful for everything you three did. Nero, Aurelia, and Celis."
"S-Shut up! Who are you calling a tsundere?!" Hina’s face went red.
"Now you sound like a gangs– Wait. Didn’t this happen before already?" Genya muttered before he stopped in wonder.
Dejà Vu, indeed.
The light banter helped ease the emotional tension, bringing smiles to faces that had been getting too serious.
Nero was about to respond when movement caught his attention.
The six sisters finally appeared, each carrying bulging packs on their backs.
The sheer volume of belongings they’d somehow accumulated made several people’s eyes widen.
"Ara~ how are you planning to carry all of that?"
Haori’s gentle question voiced what everyone was thinking.
While the settlement could theoretically offer a vehicle, the transformed landscape made such options impractical.
Rocky surfaces, sudden mountain ranges, impossible terrain that would destroy even the most advanced off-road vehicles.
Taming horses would be more beneficial.
But the amount the sisters were carrying...
"Uhm.. We... might have overpacked," Frila admitted, looking at her bulging bag with guilt.
"W-We can leave some things behind," Carmen offered quickly.
".. Yeah, we don’t need all of this," Zara agreed.
The sisters began discussing what to abandon when Nero just chuckled.
"There’s nothing to worry about."
His laid-back confident tone made everyone pause.
As if on cue, a familiar voice called out from the settlement’s edge.
"I have returned with what you requested!"
Sylvia emerged from between stone formations, her green hair flowing and small flowers blooming along her arms.
"Ara~? Where did you go?" Haori asked curiously.
*STOMP... STOMP... STOMP...*
Heavy footsteps answered before Sylvia could respond.
The ground trembled with each impact, growing steadily louder.
"!!!"
Aurelia immediately shifted into a combat stance, her divine energy beginning to manifest.
Several other fighters raised their weapons, preparing for whatever threat was approaching.
"Everyone, calm down," Nero called out, completely relaxed.
The stomping grew louder until three massive figures emerged.
"..."
Stunned silence gripped the entire settlement.
They were... bizarre creatures.
Easily the size of mammoths, but instead of trunks and tusks, these beasts had thick fur covering their bodies.
And wings.
Massive, feathered wings that seemed impossibly large for their bulk.
Their faces were gentle despite their size, with large eyes that showed surprising intelligence.
Three of them walked in formation, moving with surprising grace for creatures of their mass.
On the lead creature’s head sat Neraldine, her angelic armor gleaming in the sunlight.
She guided the beast with subtle commands, showing clear expertise in handling such massive mounts.
"What... what are those?" someone finally managed to ask.
Nero couldn’t check the creatures’ stats directly anymore with his streamlined system, so he asked internally.
’Aria, what am I looking at?’
[Oh! Those are Alps, Master! One of the tamest but also most durable A-rank monsters!]
Her enthusiastic explanation filled his mind.
[They’re herbivores primarily, but they get frightened easily! When scared, they use their strong and durable bodies to crush enemies! But if treated kindly, they’re incredibly loyal mounts!]
’Herbivores that can crush things when scared. Got it.’
The description fit what he was seeing.
Though, Aria quickly added that they’re actually hard to tame since they tend to get scared by anything... even the weakest of creatures.
The most surefire way is by the guide of the forest... the druids.
*STOMP... STOMP...*
Despite their intimidating size, the three Alps moved carefully, clearly trying not to startle the gathered humans.
Sylvia approached with obvious pride. "I located these magnificent creatures near a valley three hours away. They were grazing peacefully when we found them."
Neraldine dismounted gracefully, landing beside the dryad. "There were some stubborn monsters that tried to interfere during the search."
Nero noticed blood stains on the angel’s armor, confirming that assessment.
"..."
Sylvia nodded silently with genuine appreciation for the protection.
"You both did excellent work," Nero praised sincerely. "This is more than I expected when I asked you to find rideable creatures."
Sylvia beamed at the compliment, small flowers blooming more vibrantly in her hair.
Even Neraldine’s stern expression softened slightly at the acknowledgment.
Nero approached the lead Alp, studying the massive creature.
It regarded him with curious intelligence, making no aggressive movements.
After a moment, it lowered its head slightly in what might have been a gesture of acceptance.
"Good boy.’
He ruffled its soft fur before climbing onto its broad back with a jump, his angel waifu following immediately after with her usual grace of her wings.
Celis ascended next, moving with elegant precision despite her ceremonial robes.
The three of them secured their belongings on the Alp’s wide back, which had more than enough space for their supplies.
"Are you guys coming or what?"
Nero’s question snapped the six sisters out of their stunned observations.
"R-Right!"
They scrambled toward the remaining two Alps, trying to climb up with significantly less grace than the trio had shown.
Neraldine and Haori moved to assist, the angel using her superior strength and wings while the motherly woman summoned plant roots that created natural steps.
"There’s nothing to be surprised about anymore," Kaito muttered with a dry laugh.
"Yeah," Haru agreed, shaking his head. "We’re now witnessing A-rank monsters getting tamed as rideable creatures. This is just our life now."
"Next week Mr. Nero will probably show up riding a dragon," Yui added with her own nervous giggle.
"..."
The absurdity of their situation had become so normalized that even impossible things felt routine.
With everyone finally secured on the massive mounts, the moment of departure arrived.
The settlement’s survivors gathered in a loose crowd, expressions mixing sadness with hope.
"...*
Nero looked at the assembled faces.
People he’d fought beside.
Saved.
Been saved by.
Formed quite a connection despite his usual walls.
"G-Goodbye, Mr. Nero..."
The trio stood at the front, Yui already tearing up while trying to maintain her smile.
Kaito kept his confident grin, though it wavered slightly.
Haru just looked sad, making no attempt to hide his emotions.
"What are you guys talking about?"
"...?"
Nero’s words made them look up in confusion.
His expression shifted to something warm as he continued.
"I don’t like farewells. Saying goodbye means you’ll never see someone again."
The memory of his foster father surfaced for a brief moment.
A rare genuinely happy moment from his childhood that he’d carried through all the years since.
"Instead..."
He remembered the old man’s words, spoken with such certainty and warmth.
When little Nero had asked why, his foster father had explained with a hearty laugh,
"Saying goodbye is too dramatic. It’s only meant for people you’ll never see again. So instead, I prefer if you say ’see you later’ or ’see you again.’ That way, it’s not a sad memory but something to look forward to! Because you will see each other again in the future!"
Nero grinned, channeling those same words to others.
"So instead, you should say: see you again!"
"!!!"
The shift in atmosphere was immediate.
Understanding dawned on faces that had been growing somber.
The trio’s expressions transformed from bittersweet sadness to genuine joy.
"Hahaha..."
Yui laughed through her happy tears, wiping them away with both hands.
"See you again, Mr. Nero!" she called out, her voice stronger now.
"Yeah! See you again, Nero!" Kaito added with his usual confidence fully restored.
"Don’t get yourself killed out there!" Haru shouted.
The parents joined in, their voices overlapping.
"See you again!"
"Come back safely!"
"We’ll keep things secure here!"
Jin raised her weapon in salute. "Try not to have too much fun without us!"
Gilbert waved with his gentle smile. "May fortune favor your journey!"
The six former wives who’d stayed behind called out their own farewells.
Robert and Lisa Chen waved enthusiastically.
Even the more reserved survivors added their voices to the chorus.
"See you again!"
The words echoed across the settlement, transforming what could have been a melancholic departure into something hopeful.
A promise rather than an ending.
Nero’s grin widened as he raised his hand in response.
"Yeah. See you guys again."
With a subtle command to his Alp, the massive creature spread its enormous wings.
*Whoosh!*
The other two Alps followed suit, their wing spans creating gusts of wind that made people shield their eyes.
*Flap... Flap... Flap...*
With surprising grace for creatures of their size, all three Alps launched into the air.
Their powerful wings beat steadily, carrying them higher with each stroke.
Nero looked back one final time at the settlement below.
At the people waving enthusiastically.
At the stone structures they’d built together.
At a place that had become more of a home than he’d expected in such a short time.
Aurelia sat beside him, her silver hair streaming in the wind created by their flight.
Celis maintained her gentle smile, looking peaceful despite the altitude.
The six sisters clung to their mounts with varying degrees of panic and excitement.
And below, the settlement grew smaller as they gained height.
But the waving never stopped.
Not until they were too far to see individual figures anymore.
Nero faced forward, toward the transformed landscape stretching endlessly before them.
Toward whatever mysteries and dangers awaited.
Toward answers about his abilities, about Aurelia’s past, about Celis’s true purpose.
As they flew over the transformed landscape, he couldn’t help but reflect on how much had changed.
A month ago, he’d been a jobless shut-in performing ridiculous summoning rituals for anime waifus.
Now he was flying on the back of an A-rank monster with his actual waifu companions.
Leading a party of powerful women on a journey to uncover bigger conspiracies.
Possessing abilities that apparently scared reality-warping entities.
’Life comes at you fast, huh?’
"Heh."
The thought made him chuckle.
Aurelia glanced at him curiously. "Lord Nero?"
"Just thinking about how absurd everything has become," he admitted.
"Indeed," she agreed with her usual stoic expression. "Though I find myself grateful for the absurdity."
Her hand found his, squeezing gently.
The gesture was small but meaningful, a private moment of connection despite the others nearby.
"..."
Celis observed with her gentle smile, making no comment but clearly approving.
The six sisters were too focused on not falling off their mounts to notice the tender moment.
And so they flew.
Away from the settlement.
Away from the temporary safety they’d built.
Toward an uncertain future filled with danger and mystery.
But also toward possibility.
Toward growth.
Toward the answers that would let him truly control his own destiny.
The violet sky stretched endlessly above.
The transformed landscape rolled beneath.
And Nero Walker, former shut-in mob turned apocalypse survivor turned waifu summoner, grinned at the future waiting ahead.
This was just the beginning.
A beginning towards an unpredictable future he would be the center of.
***
<END OF VOLUME 1>
A/N: I hope you guys enjoyed volume 1!
I know it’s a bit slow, dragged and there are a lot of mistakes and misconceptions as it is my first novel, I won’t argue with that, there’s bound to be a lot of mistakes, and well... ahh, I’ll just explain it in the review I will be putting up soon!
Anyways, thank you all for the support so far!