RUMBLE! RUMBLE! RUMBLE!
He was genuinely perplexed. Suddenly, in what looked like the center of the city—where the lights p were gathering and the tallest buildings stood—he saw skyscrapers, dozens of stories high, collapsing.
But that wasn't all. The reason those buildings—equipped with the best anti-seismic technology—collapsed was because something had started to emerge in the center of the city.
A structure resembling a tree appeared, growing at an accelerated pace. It was hard to describe — while it gave the impression of being a tree, it was also taking the shape of a building. It was like a hybrid of both.
The structure rose higher and higher, growing larger as it went, absorbing and causing the surrounding buildings to collapse, while towering ever more imposingly without stopping.
"..."
Everyone who saw it — including Cassian and the rest of his group — felt that something fundamental in the world had changed.
There was no turning back… From what? None of them knew, but that's how it felt.
The sense of oppression grew stronger with every passing moment, and the tower showed no signs of stopping.
"W-we have to keep going! Whatever it takes, it's better to get away. I'll lead the way."
Julieth said. Luckily, their destination was in the opposite direction of the imposing structure, which filled everyone with anxiety and a sense of dread.
"No, let me keep doing it, I'm more efficient, just point me in the right direction."
Cassian took the lead and picked up the pace. Even with the oppression the tower caused them, they decided to continue on their way.
Everything was becoming more incomprehensible and unpredictable with each passing moment, and they needed a safe place. Thinking too much about things that have no answer at the moment does no good.
..
Plack! Thwap! Bang!
As Cassian said, he was faster and more efficient, knocking down every one that got in his way, making his way faster.
It also helped that the tremors and collapsing buildings drowned out all sounds, and the beasts seemed increasingly frightened. It seemed that this strange structure affected not only human, so few got in their way.
They made their way as quickly as possible without many detours. It was then that, in the distance, at the end of a long street, they saw the first group of living people walking down the street.
There appeared to be 20 heavily armed people wearing vests and carrying assault rifles.
"Miss, that's probably the group that came to pick us up."
"Oh, that's good, let's go! We're almost at our love nest."
"..."
No one responded to Nora. After seeing that tower that was still growing, no one wanted to joke around, or maybe Nora was doing it to lighten the mood, but the tension remained. ..
..
.
"Stop, stop and identify yourselves first!"
Eventually, the two groups met in the center of the street, although the other side seemed vigilant, mainly because the armed security team took the initiative to go to the front this time, in case they made a mistake and it wasn't the rescue group.
"Oh, Cassy, put me down... Uncle Harris, my father sent you! It seems he was very worried!"
"Miss Eleonora, I'm glad you're okay. Worried is an understatement, you have no idea how— No, that's not important, we have to move quickly, the way back is already clear."
"Oh! You're always so reliable, Uncle Harris."
"There's no time to waste. I've had a bad feeling since that strange tree appeared."
The situation was quickly resolved once Nora made her presence known, and they wasted no more time.
The leader, whom Nora called Uncle Harris, was decisive and didn't waste any time.
"There are no more problems now, Cassy, carry me, but do it properly."
"...Okay."
Cassian, not wanting to waste time arguing with Nora, carried her like a princess, while they were surrounded by more than twenty armed men who began to run.
At that moment, Uncle Harris ran alongside Cassian, who was holding the calm Nora.
"But, miss, how did you get here so fast? You covered more ground than we did."
"Oh, it's because of Cassy. He's very strong. He pulverized all those monsters. He's my husband, after all."
"I'm not your husband."
Cassian corrected her, as was his habit to correct the false part of Nora's explanation. That made Uncle Harris shift his attention to Cassian.
"Hmm, we haven't been introduced yet, have we? This is the first time we've spoken. My name is Harris Albrecht, but you can call me Uncle Harris."
He didn't think what his mistress said was nonsense, just like Julieth. No, even more than Julieth.
Harris—who was the leader of Nora's family security—knew well how abnormal Cassian was, and had done his job investigating what kind of being was interacting with his young lady, even though she herself prevented them from interacting with him.
But now, more than anything, he was grateful to him for keeping his young lady, who was like a member of his family, safe.
"Yes, my name is Cassian, but... what did you mean by that first thing?"
"Well, we have to make sure that the people around the Miss are safe. And well, you... are so unique that we had to do a lot of research. Even so, we didn't find anything unusual, hmm, but that itself is unusual."
"Hey, don't talk about that to Cassy, she'll think you're harassing him....ehem more important, Uncle Harris, do you know what's going on?"
"No, miss. We only know that, suddenly, in what appear to be ruptures in space, multiple beasts began to emerge. Many are unknown, while others are combinations or hybrids, or have proportions different from those we know."
"Yes, that's what I meant, Cassy. It sounds like the kind of thing you'd like."
"Yes, well, I like isekai better, but it aligns with the hunter genre. And that tower... Well, there are similar things in some... Haaa~! I wanted to go to another world, not something like this."
"Yeah, it's a sign for you to stop trying to kill yourself. They even got rid of the trucks."
"Damn it!, don't remind me, Nora."
"Okay, okay, I won't... But, Cassy, I tried to throw a fireball earlier and it didn't work. What do you think the problem is?"
"I think it's mental. You're showing clear signs of chuunibyou. Haah~ From experience, I can tell you that's not a good thing."
"Idiot! You're the one with mental problems! And besides, I know what that word means! You're the last person I want to hear that from, Cassy."
"Yeah, I know... I've been there too. Not being able to tell reality from fiction is a serious issue, Nora."
"Are you seriously saying that? You. To me?"
"Haah~ I had it too, and look at me now... stuck here with you as my only friend. I'm honestly starting to worry about you."
"I'm warning you, Cassy—say one more word and I'll really get mad!"
"..."
Cassian fell silent, but it was true that he was worried about Nora. Maybe he should talk to Uncle Harris. It's serious not being able to tell reality from fiction.
"What are you talking about? Do you know what's going on?"
Their conversation caught Uncle Harris's attention.
"No, but there are some similar fantasy stories. I'll explain later... but by the way, Uncle Harris, how safe is it at home? If they sent so many people, it seems like they're okay, right?"
"Yes, miss. In fact, everything was organized quickly without panicking. We cleared the surrounding area and managed to shelter many people."
"What!? All that? Since when did my father become competent at anything other than business? Oh! You did it, Uncle Harris! Don't tell me he gave you complete control. If so, then it makes sense."
"Hmm, miss... I appreciate your high opinion, but it wasn't really me. The lady came back for a quick visit and took control of everything. Thanks to her, it was—"
"What!? My mother is home!? Oh, no!! This is bad, very bad. Let's go back! Let's abort everything! We have to find a new place to take refuge! Cassy, let's go."
"Why?"
Cassian didn't even know what to say to Nora's sudden change of attitude, but he wasn't going to move until she gave a reasonable explanation.
"don't ask, just know that my house is no longer an option, it's too dangerous!"
"Um... Miss, what's wrong? I thought everything was fine between you two. The reason she's at the house is because she came to surprise you on your birthday and spend the day with you... So why are you suddenly saying things like that?"
"Ah!! That's right, my birthday... and yours too, Cassy. I had forgotten for a moment. I had already booked a restaurant for you and me to celebrate together... and then the room to seal the deal."
"...I'll accept the dinner. But forget about the room. No... rather, that's not important right now. What happened? Didn't you say your house was a safe place?"
"Yes, that's what's important! But this isn't the time for explanations. Let's just go somewhere where my mother won't—"
"!!!"
At that moment, while talking to Nora, Cassian felt as if something was crawling down his neck and back. It wasn't physical, but he clearly perceived it as a warning.
He felt as if his surroundings seemed to slow down as he tried to understand the sensation.
It was when he instinctively looked up... that he saw the source of the warning: a colossal eagle was swooping down at high speed, growing larger by the moment.
Coincidence or not, the eagle was heading straight for him as if he were its only target.
SKRREEE!
The bloodcurdling screech rang out, but it was too late to consider it a warning, and everything was happening too fast for the rest of the group to do anything.
Even for him, he barely had a fraction of a second to react once he saw it.
And in this moment that seemed to run in slow motion for Cassian, he didn't hesitate about what he had to do.
"Gyah!?"
Nora, who was in his arms, was thrown away at the last moment. The giant eagle only managed to grab Cassian with its enormous talons and instantly took flight, soaring away with him at great speed.
"Cassy!!"
Everything happened abruptly and in an instant. Nora barely understood what had happened before she was thrown aside and saw the winged colossus carrying Cassian away. She screamed in desperation, wanting to run after him.
"Miss, stop! It's too dangerous!"
Uncle Harris held her firmly .
"Nooo! Cassy, we can't leave him! Shoot, do something, don't let him take him away!"
"I'm sorry, miss, but he's too fast. He's already a considerable distance away. It would be very difficult to catch up with him—"
"Sir! About a third of a milebehind us... a herd of beasts is approaching!"
"..."
The informant's voice cut off the last hope. Harris understood immediately. As unfortunate as it was, they couldn't take any more risks.
"Miss, we have to leave him. The situation is urgent."
He was going to start using force to drag her away if necessary. Nora's safety was a priority over his desires. Cassian's situation was tragic, yes, but they couldn't stay.
"No, wait! Uncle Harris, look!"
At that moment, just as he were about to force her to move, Nora pointed to the sky.
The eagle was already high in the air, but there was something strange. She could barely make it out with the naked eye, so she quickly grabbed one of the binoculars from the men around her.
And she saw it.
Cassian was fine. More than that: he was fighting.
With her eyes fixed, she saw him forcefully open the talons that held him, climb up the eagle's leg, mount it... and with brutal force, tear off one of its wings.
The creature lost control and they both began to fall.
Not in her exact direction, but toward the place where they had previously passed. Toward where the horde of beasts was.
BOOM!
The impact was so brutal that everyone could hear it even from where they were standing.
"..."
It was time to run, they knew that. But even Uncle Harris stood staring at the scene.
Nora's heart was in her mouth, trembling with anxiety. Until she saw him.
Among the remains of the bird, Cassian emerged. Alive.