Chapter 8 — The Emerald Braver Returns

The morning sun shone brightly over the military training grounds. Rows of young cadets stood at attention beneath the clear sky, sweat dripping from their foreheads as they struggled to keep their breathing steady.

Standing before them with his arms crossed was their instructor, Roland Stronoff. His green military uniform remained immaculate despite the hours of training already completed, while his sharp green eyes calmly observed every movement.

"Again."

A collective groan escaped the exhausted cadets.

One of them forced a weak smile.

"Sir... we've been at this for three hours..."

Roland didn't even blink.

"Then you've only trained for three hours."

"The people you'll rescue won't care if you're tired."

"They'll care whether you can save them."

The cadets immediately straightened.

"Yes, sir!"

Roland gave a single nod.

"Resume."

The obstacle course came alive once more. Cadets climbed walls, dragged injured-man dummies, scaled ropes, and performed rescue procedures under Roland's watchful eye.

Whenever someone stumbled, Roland was already beside them.

"Your footing."

He demonstrated the movement himself.

"When carrying someone, your balance comes before your speed."

Another cadet struggled to lift several concrete blocks.

Roland effortlessly picked up one nearly twice as heavy.

"Use your legs."

"Not your back."

The cadets watched with admiration. Even without transforming, the Emerald Braver was still far stronger than an ordinary human.

But Roland never relied solely on strength.

He taught discipline, responsibility, and the importance of protecting others before yourself.

Hours later, a whistle echoed across the field.

"Training complete."

Nearly every cadet collapsed onto the grass.

One dramatically kissed the ground.

"I survived..."

Another laughed.

"Barely."

Roland allowed himself a small smile.

"You've all improved."

The exhausted students immediately looked up.

Coming from Roland, that simple sentence meant more than any medal.

One cadet rubbed the back of his neck.

"...Did..."

"...Did Sir just compliment us?"

"I think he did."

"Write today's date down."

"Ladies and gentlemen..."

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"We've witnessed history."

The training grounds erupted into laughter.

Even Roland chuckled quietly.

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Later that afternoon, the cadets gathered outside a family restaurant. Colorful banners had somehow appeared over the entrance, including one that read:

WELCOME BACK, EMERALD BRAVER!

Roland stopped walking.

"...This..."

"...was unnecessary."

The cadets immediately protested.

"No way!"

"You've protected us for years!"

"We couldn't just let you leave without celebrating!"

Another scratched his cheek.

"We know you'll still come back to visit..."

"...but you're returning to active Braver duty."

"We wanted to thank you."

Roland looked at every smiling face. Some of these cadets had joined the military because they had watched the Bravers save the world, while others had been children rescued during the invasion.

They genuinely admired him.

Roland sighed.

"...Thank you."

The restaurant owner personally welcomed them inside, where large tables had already been prepared. Before long, food covered nearly every inch of the tables.

One cadet stood, holding a glass high.

"A toast!"

Everyone followed.

"To Instructor Roland!"

"To the Emerald Braver!"

Cheers echoed throughout the restaurant.

Roland awkwardly scratched the back of his head.

"...You're embarrassing me."

One cadet laughed.

"You deserve it."

Glasses clinked together.

For a while, the atmosphere was warm and relaxed, exactly the sort of ordinary happiness Roland had always hoped would return after the invasion.

Halfway through the meal, a younger cadet hesitated before speaking.

"...Sir?"

Roland looked up.

"Yes?"

The cadet shifted nervously.

"Is..."

"...your return..."

"...related to the Crimson Braver disappearing?"

The table immediately fell silent.

Several cadets glared at him.

"Idiot!"

"Don't ask that!"

"He doesn't have to answer!"

The young man immediately lowered his head.

"S-Sorry..."

Roland raised one hand.

"It's alright."

Everyone looked toward him as he slowly placed his glass on the table.

"A friend..."

"...needs help."

He smiled gently.

"And when family asks for help..."

"You answer."

The cadets quietly nodded.

None of them asked another question.

Instead, one lifted his drink once more.

"Then..."

"Let's wish both Bravers a safe return."

Everyone smiled.

"Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

The glasses met again.

Then—

A scream echoed from outside.

"HELP!"

Another followed.

"MONSTERS!"

The cheerful atmosphere shattered instantly.

Roland was already standing, and the cadets were on their feet a heartbeat later.

Another scream.

Then dozens.

Roland rushed toward the restaurant entrance.

The moment he stepped outside, his expression froze.

The peaceful shopping district had become chaos. People fled in every direction, cars crashed into one another, and storefront windows shattered as hundreds of small black goblins raced through the streets.

Some climbed lamp posts. Others chased screaming civilians, while a few dragged unconscious victims toward dark alleyways.

One cadet whispered in horror.

"...The invaders..."

"Have they returned?"

Roland immediately shook his head.

"No."

His voice was firm.

"I fought those aliens for months."

"...These aren't them."

He could feel it.

The energy surrounding these creatures was nothing like the Stellar signatures of King Cosmos' army. This power felt corrupted and twisted.

Almost joyful.

A joyful malice.

Roland turned sharply toward his cadets.

"Listen carefully!"

The soldiers immediately straightened.

"Your priority is civilian evacuation!"

"Guide everyone to the nearest emergency shelters!"

"If one of those monsters threatens a civilian, eliminate it."

"But under no circumstances pursue them alone."

"Stay in squads!"

"Understood?"

"YES, SIR!"

The cadets immediately drew their sidearms and sprinted into the panicked crowd.

Roland reached toward the transformation device attached to his belt, his expression hardening.

"...Looks like retirement is over."

He pressed the activation switch.

"Transform."

Brilliant emerald light erupted around his body. His military uniform dissolved into countless particles of green light, and moments later, the Emerald Braver stood once again.

His emerald combat armor gleamed beneath the afternoon sun, while the familiar symbol of the Bravers shone proudly across his chest.

Nearby civilians gasped.

"...The Emerald Braver!"

"He's here!"

"We're saved!"

Roland didn't answer.

He launched himself forward.

BOOM!

The pavement shattered beneath his feet as he crossed the street in an instant.

His fist struck the first goblin.

BANG!

The creature flew through the wall of a nearby convenience store.

Without slowing, Roland spun and delivered another punch, sending a second goblin crashing into a parked truck.

A third leaped toward a crying child.

Roland caught it midair, crushed it in one hand, then hurled it into three more.

One after another, goblin after goblin fell beneath his overwhelming physical strength.

The cadets watched in amazement even as they escorted civilians away.

"...That's..."

"...the Emerald Braver."

Within minutes, the street had fallen silent.

Broken asphalt.

Destroyed vehicles.

Dozens of unconscious goblins.

Roland slowly lowered his fists. His breathing remained steady as he carefully scanned every rooftop and every alley.

"...Are those all...?"

No answer.

The civilians slowly began emerging from cover. Some applauded, while others cried in relief.

Then—

THUD.

The ground trembled.

Roland immediately looked up.

Another impact.

THUD.

Store windows rattled violently.

Several people screamed again.

A third step.

THUD.

Something enormous was approaching.

Roland's expression became deadly serious.

"...Everyone..."

"...Get back."

The cheering instantly stopped.

From beyond the surrounding buildings, a gigantic silhouette slowly emerged.