The group continued deeper into the trees. The mist grew a faint purple tint. Tall trunks covered in glowing runes pulsed like veins. The air smelled of ozone and sweet night flowers.
Lirael walked closer to Hiroto than before, her shoulder occasionally brushing his.
"You're different this morning," she said quietly, only for him to hear. "Last night you were shaking. Today you're trying to hold the leash. I wonder how long you can keep it."
Hiroto glanced at her, a small, confident smile tugging at his lips.
"Long enough to make you want to hand it over."
Lirael's eyes flashed with surprise and something hotter. She didn't reply, but the faint twitch in her bulge told him everything.
Suddenly, the ground trembled.
From the ruins ahead, several corrupted guardians emerged — tall, humanoid figures made of twisted bark and glowing crystal, their bodies wrapped in swirling mist. Their eyes burned with unnatural intelligence.
Lirael drew her daggers instantly.
"Veiled Guardians," she warned. "They protect the heart of the grove. Stronger than the stalkers. Stay together."
Alyra drew her shortsword, tail bristling with excitement. "Good. I need to stab something after all that teasing."
Sylvara raised her blade, positioning herself protectively near Hiroto.
Hiroto gripped his weapon, feeling the familiar surge as he activated the bond.
[ Bond Sync Activated – Sylvara 94% ]
Power flooded his veins. He stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with the three futanari.
"I'm not hiding behind anyone," he said, voice firm. "Let's end this quickly."
Lirael glanced at him, a spark of approval in her eyes.
"Then prove it, Harem Lord."
The guardians charged.
The first one lunged at Hiroto with terrifying speed, its crystal antlers gleaming like blades. Hiroto's heart slammed against his ribs — a sharp spike of panic hitting him. Too fast. I'm not ready. If I mess this up, they could get hurt because of me. For a split second, his grip on the sword faltered.
Then the Sync kicked in hard.
Power surged through his body, pushing the panic down just enough. He dodged at the last moment, the antler grazing his shoulder with a burning sting, and countered with a heavy strike. The blade bit deep into the guardian's crystalline chest. The creature roared, staggering, but Hiroto didn't stop. He twisted the blade, feeling the resistance, forcing himself to push through the fear.
No. Not this time. I'm done being the weak one they have to protect. I want to be the one who stands in front. Even if it scares the shit out of me.
The System chimed in his mind during the chaos.
[Oh look at you, having a full panic attack mid-fight.
Current bravery level: 35%.
If you piss yourself right now, I'm recording it for future blackmail.]
"Shut up!" Hiroto growled through gritted teeth as he pulled his sword free and struck again.
Sylvara fought right beside him, her blade flashing. She parried a heavy blow aimed at Hiroto and shouted over the noise:
"Keep your stance low! Don't let them corner you!"
Alyra laughed wildly as she darted around the second guardian, her blade slicing at its legs.
"Look at him go! My man is finally swinging that sword like he means it!"
Lirael reappeared from the mist, stabbing the third guardian from behind. As the creature staggered, she called out:
"Don't hesitate! These things feed on weakness!"
Hiroto pressed the attack on his opponent, his movements growing sharper with every strike. The initial panic slowly gave way to a burning determination. He wasn't just surviving the fight — he was fighting to prove something to himself.
When the last guardian finally collapsed into glowing fragments, the clearing fell silent once more.
Hiroto lowered his sword, chest heaving, sweat dripping down his face. The Sync still hummed in his blood, but the real heat wasn't from the fight.
It was from the way all three futanari were looking at him.
Alyra's eyes burned with possessive hunger.
Sylvara watched him with quiet intensity.
Lirael's gaze was sharp, dangerous, and unmistakably hungry.
The silence stretched, thick and electric.
The real battle in Mistwood wasn't just against the corrupted.
It was the four of them — and the dangerous question of who would ultimately control the heat growing between them.