Budey clapped slowly, his smile both amused and intrigued. "You're impressing me more and more, little bunny. You've got power, tenacity, rage… You'd make a perfect minion for my master."
Eleo, still kneeling, raised a shaky hand.
Budey tilted his head, a brow arching. "What are you doing now?"
Eleo looked up. His body trembled, but it wasn't from exhaustion anymore. His eyes shimmered, a flicker of something unnatural glowing beneath the red-tinted whites.
"I… I think…" Eleo's voice dropped into a whisper, low and chilling. "I think I need to kill you."
Suddenly, his eyes turned blood red.
No ink swirled around him. No aura burned from his body. And yet the atmosphere twisted violently—like a predator had just stepped into the clearing. The air turned heavy, the forest itself seemed to hold its breath. Even the wind dared not move.
Budey froze.
That feeling—raw, ancient fear—crept into his chest like ice water pouring down his spine. His pupils shrank as he took a step back.
"W-what the…?" he muttered. "That… can't be. You're… you're…"
His words trailed off.
Behind Eleo… stood something else.
A translucent figure shimmered like a heat mirage. A spirit. Tall, lean, and muscular—its defined frame emanated quiet death. Long, wavy white hair cascaded past his shoulders, almost glowing in the dark woods. And his face—strikingly handsome—was offset by piercing, soul-deep blue eyes that didn't blink.
Budey's lips trembled as recognition struck him like a hammer to the chest.
"M-Morte…" he whispered.
The spirit said nothing. It simply stared, looming behind Eleo like a shadow of judgment. An executioner waiting to fall.
And then—
BOOM!
In a blur of motion, Eleo vanished.
A sonic crack echoed across the forest as he dashed past Budey, a streak of red-eyed fury. The sheer speed caused the air to ripple, sending leaves spinning in his wake.
The giant plant golem turned too slow.
Eleo reappeared midair, both fists raised, fury carved into every line of his face.
He roared: "THIS ENDS NOW!!"
His punch slammed into the golem's chest with devastating force.
CRRAAAACK!!!
A shockwave burst outward, sending vines flying and the forest floor buckling. The golem reeled back, and then—
GRAAAAGHH!!
It vomited violently.
From its mouth, dozens of small figures spilled out—villagers, warriors, and mages—all of them covered in slime and roots, gasping for breath, but alive.
The people of Silvan.
They hit the ground hard, coughing and crying out, dazed but saved. Their eyes widened in disbelief as they looked up and saw the small bunny kid standing in front of the fallen monster.
Eleo panted, shoulders rising and falling.
His red eyes flicked to Budey.
Budey didn't speak. Couldn't.
That spirit still stood there behind Eleo, watching silently with those eternal eyes. Morte—the god of death himself.
Budey's hands curled into fists. "That's impossible… he's just a dumb bunny. A dumb… cursed bunny…"
Eleo's voice was low. Calm. Cold.
"I told you not to underestimate me."
The plant monster groaned, its massive form shaking the forest as it rose from the crater Eleo had smashed it into. Vines lashed out in every direction, crushing trees, tearing through the ground. Its body began to mutate—growing larger, more chaotic—twisting in desperation to survive.
But Eleo didn't flinch.
His red eyes locked onto the beast. His ears twitched.
Then he vanished again.
CRACK!
A sound like thunder exploded across the clearing. Eleo's foot had struck the golem's jaw before it even saw him move. The creature's neck snapped backward, vines flailing uselessly through empty air.
Budey's mouth opened slightly.
He was just a kid. A dumb bunny. This wasn't right.
BOOM!
Eleo's fist collided with the golem's chest again—this time denting it so deep, bark exploded outward like shrapnel. Then another punch, and another, each one faster than the last. He didn't stop. He didn't even blink.
BAM—WHAM—CRACK—THUD—!!!
The plant monster roared, but it sounded less like a threat and more like pain. It lashed out with a massive root—but Eleo ducked it before it had even finished extending.
He weaved through the battlefield, a crimson blur. No abilities. No ink. No forms.
Just pure speed and anger.
And every punch shook the world.
The plant monster tried to defend itself, shielding its core with vines. Eleo shattered through them like glass.
Every blow drove the creature closer to death.
One of the villagers—still coughing on the ground—whimpered, "He's… fighting faster than the eye can see…"
Another whispered, "Is that even Eleo anymore…?"
Behind them, Budey stood stiff. He clenched his jaw, trying to speak, but no words came. Watching his prized creation be humiliated—he couldn't believe it. He didn't want to believe it.
"This thing was supposed to devour kingdoms..."
Eleo suddenly flipped backward into the air—high, impossibly high. A second passed.
Then he came down.
"RRRAAAAAAAAAH!!!"
He landed heel-first on the plant monster's head.
The impact was nuclear.
A massive boom shook the entire forest as the golem's skull caved in. Green blood and sap sprayed in all directions. The earth split, a crater forming instantly from the sheer force. Vines twitched, then fell limp.
The plant monster made a low, gurgling sound… then collapsed completely.
Dead.
Silence.
Dust drifted through the air, soft and slow.
Eleo stood in the center of the crater, panting. His fists were covered in cuts. His eyes flickered.
The red glow faded.
He blinked.
Looked around.
"…Wha… what happened?" His voice was back to normal—young, small, confused. "Did I… do that…?"
His knees buckled and he dropped to the dirt, staring at his trembling hands.
The villagers, still silent, watched from a distance in awe and fear.
And then—
"Y-you… you little monster…"
Eleo turned his head slowly.
Budey was still standing, but barely. His arms hung limp at his sides, his face pale.
"You ruined everything…" Budey muttered. "Everything my master planned… all my progress… with no weapons, no techniques… you didn't even use your powers..."
He looked broken. Defeated.
"You're not supposed to be this strong…"
Eleo stood up shakily, his expression softening. "I don't even remember what I did… but I felt… something. Like I wasn't alone."
Budey took a step back. "You… You had him inside you, didn't you… Morte…"
Eleo didn't answer.
Instead the villagers surrounded Eleo, chanting with joy.
"Bunny! Bunny! BUNNY!"
"He saved us! The bunny kid saved Silvan!!"
The cheers echoed through the trees, mixing with laughter and the sound of people hugging loved ones who had been trapped inside the monster.
Tony strutted over with a crooked smile. "You freakin' did it, kid. Look at you, all covered in plant guts and glory!"
Kenji, walking calmly, sheathed his sword but gave a small smile—rare for him. "Good job, Eleo. I underestimated you."
Timmy dashed from the crowd and hugged Eleo's leg, squeaking, "You really saved everyone!"
Olorun popped in, dramatically throwing an arm around Eleo's shoulders. "Look at my lil' ink rabbit! All grown up and cracking monsters in half! I'm gonna cry!"
Eleo scratched the back of his head, eyes bright and a goofy grin on his face. "Haha… yeah… I did it. We saved Silvan!"
Everyone cheered again, louder, stronger.
FWOOOOOSH!
Suddenly, the wind shifted violently.
A giant golden bird soared from above, casting a huge shadow over the crowd. It circled once… then descended, wings beating with a mighty whoomph that shook the trees.
Everyone fell silent.
A woman stepped off its back gracefully. Her skin was the color of bark, her long leafy hair flowing like a forest waterfall. Vines curled around her arms like elegant jewelry, and a crown of blooming flowers sat upon her head. Her aura radiated power… but also calm.
Kenji instantly stepped in front of Eleo, swords drawn. "Who are you?"
Tony flipped in the air and landed with his hands behind his back, but his skull cracked into a wicked grin. "Oh ho ho… things just got interesting."
Timmy squeaked and dove behind Olorun, peeking out nervously.
Olorun rolled his neck, lightning sparking between his fingers. "One word and I blast you back to whatever magical greenhouse you crawled out of."
But Eleo… didn't move.
He just stared.
The woman raised a hand slowly. "Calm yourselves, warriors. I am no threat."
The villagers and tree knights looked at her—and immediately dropped to their knees.
"QUEEN DAHLIAS!!"
They chanted her name like a hymn. Even the trees seemed to bow.
Kenji blinked. "Wait. You're the queen of this place?"
She smiled warmly. "Indeed, I am."
Timmy peeked out fully now, walking forward hesitantly. "But… if you're the queen… why didn't you help us?"
Olorun scoffed, cracking his knuckles. "Yeah, a little help would've been nice instead of letting baby bun over here punch a kaiju into fertilizer."
Dahlias nodded, her expression solemn now. She pointed one graceful finger toward the trembling, broken figure crawling in the dirt.
"Mister Budey."
The crowd went silent again.
She spoke calmly—but her voice hit like thunder. "This imposter replaced the mayor and slowly merged with the island's roots. It tried to absorb every living thing to grow itself into a god. I had no choice…"
Her eyes darkened.
"…I fused my own body into the island to keep it alive. It drained my life force instead of the island."
Dahlias took a step forward, her voice low and dangerous. "You fed off my home, my people… off me. I couldn't help them then. But now?"
She raised her hand.
"I'm going to kill you."
Budey tried to crawl backward, hands shaking. "W-wait, y-you can't—"
Dahlias didn't move, but the vines at her feet launched forward like snakes.
SHRRRRK!
They pierced Budey's arms and legs, hoisting him up into the air.
He screamed.
Eleo's ears dropped slightly. "Whoa…"
The villagers didn't stop her.
Tony cackled. "Ooooh. She's got bite. I like her."
Kenji narrowed his eyes but didn't intervene. He sensed her conviction.
Timmy turned away, cringing. "I… I can't watch this…"
Budey thrashed in the air. "Please! I was trying to save the island! I was—"
Dahlias flicked her wrist.
The vines ripped Budey's limbs apart in a spray of greenish-black sap.
He screamed until his throat gave out.
His body was dragged downward into the soil as if the island itself wanted him gone.
And just before he vanished—
His head exploded in a burst of roots and thorns.
Silence.
Then…
The entire island roared.
"DAHLIAS! DAHLIAS!"
"LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!"
The tree knights pounded their fists on the ground. Villagers hugged. Fireflies danced in the sky.
Kenji turned toward Eleo.
"…You alright, bunny?"
Eleo blinked, a little disturbed but mostly just… confused.
"I dunno what just happened… but I'm hungry."
Olorun burst out laughing. "That's our little idiot!"
Tony slung an arm around him. "I'd know you'd win?"
Timmy quietly whispered, "I think… I'm joining this team."
They all stood there, watching the sunset as Dahlias rejoined her people
Dahlias turned to Eleo, her gaze sharp but calm.
"Now… Eleo," she said, her voice cutting through the noise like a blade of wind. "I was going to arrest you for the attack on Hunk's Tower."
Eleo froze, ears shooting straight up. "W-what?!"
Tony straightened his tie. "Hold up, hold up, let's all take a breath—"
Kenji's hand went to his sword again.
Olorun muttered, "I knew that tower mission was gonna bite us back…"
Timmy panicked, clutching Eleo's leg. "Don't take my bunny!"
But Dahlias raised a hand to ease their nerves. "However…" Her tone softened. "You saved my island. And that… means everything. So as one of the members of the Supreme Council... I've decided not to capture you."
Everyone froze.
"Wait," Tony said slowly, blinking. "Did you say Supreme Council?"
"Y-You're one of them?" Kenji asked, stunned.
Olorun whistled. "Damn… we've been rubbing elbows with a politic."
Even Timmy's jaw dropped. "The Supreme Council… that's the most powerful group on the planet!"
Dahlias gave a small, amused smile. "Yes. And you four are quite known right now."
Eleo tilted his head. "R-really?"
She reached into a pouch on her hip and handed out folded papers. "See for yourselves."
Eleo's hands trembled as he opened his.
"Oh my gosh," he gasped.
It was a wanted poster—a sketch of him with cheeks full of carrots, mid-chomp, eyes wide like a startled rabbit. Bold letters read:
"ELEO THE BUNNY KID — WANTED — LEVEL 3 STARS"
Tony burst out laughing as he opened his. "Man… I look sexy."
It was a drawing of him sipping tea with one pinky out, skull half-turned with a smug look.
"TONY THE SKELETON — WANTED — LEVEL 2 STARS"
Kenji raised an eyebrow as he looked at his own. His sketch was stoic, eyes narrowed, standing with his blade drawn, wind fluttering his coat.
"KENJI THE SWORDS — WANTED — LEVEL 2 STARS"
Olorun whistled when he saw his—crackling with lightning, grinning like a devil.
"OLORUN THE ASSASSIN — WANTED — LEVEL 2 STARS"
Timmy peeked over Olorun's shoulder, then looked down at his empty hands.
Man, he thought. They all have wanted levels… except me…
Eleo looked up. "Wait… is it because of what happened with Hunk?"
Dahlias shook her head. "No. It's because you're trying to fight the strongest… and making waves doing it."
The team looked at each other, a mix of pride and disbelief passing between them.
Dahlias continued, her tone shifting to a lighter note. "But enough of that. I'd like you five to join us for a grand celebration. And it seems you've… eliminated my Proctors of Silvan. All except Mago."
Kenji scratched his head. "Yeah, sorry about that."
Tony shrugged. "In our defense, most of them were trying to kill us."
Olorun gave a lazy grin. "Collateral damage."
Dahlias chuckled softly. "It's alright. That just means I'll have to create new ones… and starting today, I bestow upon you five a new title."
She extended both hands.
"The Five Protectors of Silvan."
Everyone looked stunned.
Eleo's mouth opened. Then closed. Then opened again. "YES! YES! YES!!"
He bounced up and down like an excited puppy.
Tony laughed. "You've created a monster."
Kenji gave a rare smirk. "It does have a nice ring to it."
Olorun stretched. "Do we get a castle?"
Timmy whispered, "I'm gonna write this in my journal…"
Dahlias raised her hand toward the horizon.
"Then come. Tonight, we feast in Silvan's name!"
The golden bird behind her gave a mighty cry as the sun dipped lower, casting the forest in warm amber light.
Night fell, and the entire island of Silvan transformed into a glowing wonderland. Lanterns floated in the sky like drifting stars, fireworks cracked above the trees, and the aroma of roasted meats, sweet pastries, and grilled vegetables flooded the air.
Massive wooden tables were laid out in the central plaza, overloaded with food. Music roared from a live band of forest animals in tuxedos. Eleo was already spinning in circles on the dance floor with breadsticks in his mouth and a slice of pie on his head.
"FOOOODDD!!" Eleo screamed, leaping into a pile of carrots stacked taller than him. "This is the greatest day of my life!"
He buried himself in the pile, only his ears poking out like bunny-shaped antennae.
Tony sat at the end of the table, swirling tea in a glass cup with his pinky still raised, surrounded by adoring old ladies. "Ladies, ladies… yes, I am wanted. Yes, I have a spine. Yes, I'm single."
One granny fainted. Another knitted him a scarf that read Skele-man.
Kenji sat in a corner with arms crossed, looking stoic. A bunch of drunk villagers gathered around him.
"You're sooo cool, bro," one slurred. "Like, that sword move—yooshhhhhh!"
"Please back away," Kenji muttered. "You're spilling ale on my blade."
One guy tried to duel him with a fork.
Kenji kicked him into a tree without even blinking.
Olorun had taken over the grill.
"WHO WANTS LIGHTNING-BBQ?!" he shouted, throwing a bolt of energy into a meat rack.
The entire rack lit up like a bonfire, but somehow came out perfectly grilled.
A kid walked up. "Mr. Assassin, can you make mine crispy?"
Olorun grinned. "Kid… you're gonna love this."
ZAP!
Timmy was standing awkwardly at the side, nervously nibbling on a berry tart, until a group of children pulled him into a game of tag.
"Get the forest sprite!" they yelled.
"I'm not a sprite—I'm a Minari!" Timmy screamed, running for his life with a giant smile.
At one point…
Eleo climbed onto the stage. "TIME FOR THE DANCE-OFF!!!"
Tony, drunk on tea, floated across the floor doing a disco dance. Kenji got tricked into breakdancing by Eleo ("I bet you can't do a windmill!"). Kenji then spun for 12 straight seconds, landed in a perfect samurai kneel, and said, "...That never happened."
Olorun did the worm. Somehow, he electrified the stage while doing it. One guy was still twitching in the background.
Timmy did a backflip by accident while running from kids. It became the move of the night.
Dahlias, watching from a distance, smiled. "This is what Silvan needed…"
An elder beside her chuckled. "You sure you want them as the new protectors?"
"They're insane," Dahlias said. "But they have heart."
The moon hung high in the sky. Music still played, the campfires crackled, and fireworks lit up the night. The tables were a mess of crumbs, spilled drinks, and snoozing guests.
Eleo slept face-down in a pie.
Tony was snoring in a teacup hot tub.
Kenji meditated on a rooftop… until he fell asleep upright.
Olorun was cuddling a grilled fish like a pillow.
Timmy slept in a flowerbed surrounded by kids.
And over them, a banner fluttered in the wind:
"HAIL TO THE FIVE PROTECTORS OF SILVAN!"
The party continued until sunrise—loud, chaotic, and full of laughter.
Just the way it should be.