Silverpine Forest had grown darker as afternoon approached. The sun slipped between thick branches, casting jagged shadows that danced on the mossy ground. Haruto's stomach twisted—not from hunger this time, but from sheer anticipation.
(Okay… in the anime this is where the mid-level boss shows up. I know exactly what's coming… I just need to survive without making a fool of myself… ideally.)
Lyria walked beside him, calm as ever. "Hero Aurelian, remember, the villagers are counting on you. Confidence and caution must be balanced."
Kiera, tail flicking like a whip, bounced ahead. "Bah! Confidence? I say we dive in headfirst! Let's see if this hero is as good as everyone says."
Haruto's internal monologue screamed. Dive in? I almost died against wolves! I'm the Chosen Hero, yes… but I'm also a disaster magnet!
---
The Ambush
A sudden rustle, then a deafening roar. From behind the trees, a massive black wolf—far larger than any in the rogue pack—stepped into the clearing. Its eyes glowed crimson, fangs dripping. Haruto froze.
(This is the mid-level boss. If I follow the anime script, it has a weak spot behind its left shoulder… but if I act too quickly, I'll get skewered…)
Kiera charged, swinging her blade with a roar. Haruto tried to emulate his anime self's epic entrance—arms out, heroic shout—but slipped on a mossy root, landing face-first into the dirt.
Lyria sighed softly. "Aurelian… your style is… unique."
The wolf lunged. Haruto flailed desperately, his sword barely grazing the monster. Miraculously, he tripped over a fallen log, sending the wolf crashing into a boulder.
Kiera stared in disbelief. "You… you planned that, right?"
Haruto coughed, trying to look dignified. "Of course! Tactical… uh… rolling maneuver!"
(Rolling? More like pure luck…)
---
Teamwork Chaos
Realizing he needed to act, Haruto shouted:
"Lyria! Fireball—uh, maybe ice—wait, lightning?"
Lyria's silver hands glowed as she calmly cast a precise lightning spell, stunning the beast. Kiera darted in for a flanking strike, tail flicking, eyes fierce.
Haruto attempted a fancy combo move from the anime, jumping, spinning, shouting the name of an attack he couldn't remember… and somehow, the wolf toppled into a shallow river.
(This… somehow worked?)
The three stood panting, victorious. Haruto's heart raced—not from skill, but from sheer relief.
---
Kiera grinned wildly. "I admit it. That was… impressive. You're lucky, human… but I think I'm still going to beat you someday!"
Haruto gulped. "Lucky… yes. Definitely…"
Lyria's eyes shone with admiration. "You were extraordinary, Aurelian. Truly the Chosen Hero."
Haruto's inner monologue:
(I just tripped, panicked, and rolled into a river… how is that extraordinary?)
---
Unbeknownst to them, glowing red eyes watched from a distant hill.
Haruto, oblivious, attempted to dry his soaked clothing over the campfire. Kiera teased him relentlessly. Lyria smiled softly, convinced this was all part of his heroic destiny.
(This is my life now… a hero… in my favorite anime… with a harem… and I'm completely unprepared…)
The forest echoed with the rustle of leaves, distant howls, and the subtle laugh of fate itself.