《The Ability to Shift Anything is Convenient, Even in Another World!》


 Vol. 1, Chapter 1: Light and Death

    Tick! Tock!


    The clock ticked as the minute hand completed another rotation. It was already 4:55 p.m., yet the scorching heat lingered in the air. Inside the classrooms, students felt its oppressive presence, struggling to focus on the ongoing discussion.


    This was the prestigious Itami High School, a renowned institution where the most prominent students of Saitama Prefecture gathered. Majestically perched atop a hill, it overlooked the bustling city sprawled below.


    "Ah... It''s so hot in here~!" one of them exclaimed in frustration, fanning herself with sweaty palms.


    Despite the presence of air conditioners in every room, they were rendered useless due to a power outage that occurred an hour ago. The school did have a backup generator, but luck wasn¡¯t on their side that day¡ªit was currently undergoing maintenance. With no solutions available, everyone had no choice but to endure the stifling heat, particularly the unfortunate students of Class 1-A, whose classroom was situated on the second floor of the school building.


    Amidst the scratching of the chalk marker, faint whispers and occasional yawns filled the room. Even their English teacher, affected by the boredom, let out a yawn but quickly dismissed the thought and continued writing on the board.


    In the back row, near the window, sat a girl named Mitsuha Reika in silence. Unlike the others, her gaze was fixed on a bird perched on a branch outside, captivated by the melodic chirping it produced.


    Everyone knew who Reika was. She was known for being approachable and friendly, always juggling between club activities and her part-time job. Her beauty was often said to rival that of the stunning classroom president, though her front was lacking in comparison.


    One of her striking features was her pair of beautiful purple eyes, which sparkled like gems. She also had short, dark, silky hair with a subtle purple tint that only revealed itself when caught in the light. Reika wore a white uniform, preferring it over her dark blue blazer, believing that darker colors absorb more heat¡ªa fact that was certainly true.


    At the center of her chest, a maroon ribbon with diagonal dark blue stripes was tied neatly to her uniform. Her skirt, also maroon, featured several dark blue stripes embroidered along the hem.


    As Reika savored her peaceful moment, her teacher''s obnoxious shout shattered the calm. The sudden yell jolted her attention back to reality.


    "Mr. Shin!"


    Everyone in the room, Reika included, instantly turned their heads toward their classmate, Shin Soru.


    Soru wasn¡¯t particularly impressive¡ªjust your average guy. Dressed in a white uniform and dark blue school shorts, he blended into the crowd effortlessly, like someone invisible. The only thing that stood out were his eyes, an unusual ash gray color. He rarely participated in class and didn¡¯t shine in academics or sports, being average in both.


    Soru was often lost in his thoughts, as if trapped in an indestructible bubble that contained only his own musings. Because of this, he was known as an eccentric individual, and interacting with him was nearly impossible. Even now, his detachment from reality kept him unaware of his teacher''s relentless calls, leaving the teacher fuming in frustration.


    In the end, his teacher couldn''t take it any longer and snapped.


    "Mr. Shin...," his English teacher murmured through gritted teeth, his fist tightly clenched.


    Without warning, the teacher hurled a chalk marker at him. Everyone watched as it shot through the air toward Soru.


    Being scolded by a teacher was a normal occurrence, as was having a piece of chalk thrown at a student for misconduct during class. But what Soru did left everyone stunned.


    For the first time, they saw Soru react to the projectile thrown at him, even going so far as to boldly attempt to catch it with his fingers. His unexpected action caught them all off-guard.


    "No way..."


    "Don''t tell me he''s going to use his fingers to clamp that chalk?!"


    "That''s impossible! There''s no way he could pull that off!"


    Despite the arid atmosphere in the room, everyone watched him with anticipation, ignoring the heat and focusing solely on what would happen next. However, Soru''s quick reflexes were futile as the marker slipped through his fingers and struck his forehead with a soft thud. Though it looked painful, he showed no visible reaction¡ªnot even the slightest flinch.


    "Ow!" Their teacher suddenly blurted out when he felt a sudden tingling sensation on his forehead. "What was that?" he thought, rubbing his forehead in confusion.


    Although his reaction was obvious, no one noticed. Everyone was too fixated on Soru, their mixed anticipation of his unusual attempt overshadowing the teacher¡¯s discomfort. As the chalk marker landed on the ground with a soft thud, one of his classmates burst into laughter.


    "Pft... Puhahahahahaha!!"


    Everyone in Class 1-A exchanged glances, and in an instant, their mood shifted. Laughter spread through the room as they couldn¡¯t hold back.


    "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"


    The positive atmosphere made the teacher momentarily forget the strange incident earlier. But soon, his frustration resurfaced, swelling like a raging wave, causing his brows to furrow. He then turned to confront Soru for his misbehavior in class.


    "Ahem!Mister Shin Soru, are you even listening? Are those silly thoughts in your head really more important than my lessons?"


    To his surprise, Soru didn¡¯t respond. This only fueled the teacher¡¯s frustration further. In a burst of anger, he snapped, ¡°Your scores on midterms and quizzes are average at best. Are you some kind of prodigy who can afford to slack off in my class?¡±


    His outburst broke the tension in the room. Everyone forgot about the heat and instead filled the classroom with laughter¡ªnot out of mockery, but simply because they found the situation amusing.


    "Aww, man! I thought he was actually going to catch that chalk!" the guy in front of Soru said to his friend. His friend shrugged and replied, "Nah. I could tell from the start it was impossible!"


    Suddenly, the teacher gazed at him with a serious look and asked, "Now, could you elaborate on the different types of prepositions?"


    At the sound of his question, Soru casually picked up his English textbook. With a calm demeanor, he flipped through the pages, acting as if he had no fear of his teacher''s wrath.


    His teacher noticed his dawdling and snapped, "Page 18, Mr. Shin!"


    Soru flipped to the page and quickly found the answer. In a calm tone, he read aloud, "The various types of prepositions are..."


    As Soru read, Reika shot him a glance. She raised an eyebrow, thinking,Shin Soru... What a strange fellow...


    Reika turned back to the window. As she focused on the tree again, she noticed the bird that had been perched on the branch earlier was now gone.


    Where did the bird go?


    She scanned the opposite branch, where the bird might have flown to, then searched the other branches she could see. But no matter where she looked, the bird was nowhere to be found.


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    Hm, maybe the bird flew away or something...Reika sighed, her thoughts drifting.Well, forget about it...


    Just as she turned back to the class, trying to focus on the teacher again, a faint chirping sound caught her attention.


    Hm? Is that..?


    Without a second to spare, she turned back and noticed something wriggling at the base of the tree trunk. It was then she realized the faint chirping sound must have come from there¡ªand she was right. Due to the height of the classroom, she could only see the bird¡¯s head, which lay on the ground.


    Reika noticed that the bird¡¯s right wing appeared to be broken, as if it were in agonizing pain.


    Concerned for the poor creature, she decided to excuse herself and check its condition in the front yard.


    "Ah¡ª"


    RING! RING! RING! RINGGG!


    The sound of the school bell made Reika pause for a moment.Everyone else heard it to, and their faces quickly lit up with joy. After enduring the suffocating heat for so long, it was finally over.


    "Finally!"


    Without hesitation, the students packed their things and stood up. Reika did the same, gathering her belongings and following the others.


    "Goodbye, Mr. Watanabe!" Class 1-A said in unison, all bowing their heads.


    As the students dispersed, Reika headed toward the front yard to help the injured bird. But just as she was about to leave, a group of girls called out to her from behind.


    "Mitsuha-san! We¡¯re going shopping after class. Would you like to join us?"


    Reika simply smiled and shook her head. "I¡¯m sorry, I have some errands to run. Maybe next time!"


    With that, Reika quickly ran down the hallway, leaving the group behind. They sighed and turned to head in the opposite direction.


    "Haah... Mitsuha-san¡¯s such a busy bee."


    "Yeah, she has a part-time job, remember? That¡¯s why she¡¯s always so busy and can¡¯t join us for shopping or karaoke."


    "I wonder if I would have the same mindset as hers. That would be fantastic!"


    "Not going to happen. You''re lazy as hell!"


    "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!"


    As the group laughed and left the school premises, Reika made her way to the tree where the injured bird lay, still writhing in pain from its damaged wing.


    Feeling helpless, Reika knew there was little she could do to ease the bird''s suffering. Instead, she decided to protect it from predators while it recovered. Scanning the area, she searched for a safe place where the bird could heal in peace.


    Where should I place this poor bird?


    Reika looked up at the building, remembering the small garden on the rooftop.


    It should be safe there...


    Carefully, she scooped the bird into her hands. As soon as it felt the warmth of her touch, the bird¡¯s frantic chirping softened. With gentle steps, Reika made her way back into the building. After a short while, she finally reached the rooftop.


    "Huff... huff... Finally..." Reika gasped as she caught her breath.


    She pushed the door open and a cool breeze greeted her. Reika inhaled deeply as the afternoon sunlight warmed her face. The bird chirped, seeming to express its gratitude.


    Turning around, Reika surveyed the garden and searched for a safe spot. Her eyes landed on a small, shaded corner near a bunch of clay pots, sheltered by some low shrubs. She gently placed the bird there, in the quiet corner where it could rest in peace.


    "There. You should be safe here."


    "Chirp!"


    Reika smiled, hearing the bird chirp as if it were responding to her.


    As the sun continued to set, Reika stood up and walked to the edge of the rooftop. Before her lay the sprawling city of Saitama.


    How beautiful...


    Reika raised her right arm and glanced at her watch.There¡¯s still 30 minutes left until my night shift...


    She pondered for a moment, unsure of what to do with the spare time.


    Her gaze then returned to the beautiful scenery before her, and she couldn''t help but appreciate the view once more.


    Hahhh... I guess I''ll stay here a little bit longer, then.


    As Reika gazed at the entire city, her moment was interrupted when she noticed the door opening. She turned around and saw a familiar figure stepping out.


    Isn¡¯t that... Shin-kun?


    Soru noticed Reika standing near the edge of the rooftop, but he didn¡¯t acknowledge her. He simply walked past, as if he hadn¡¯t seen her at all.


    "Shin-kun...?"


    Soru didn¡¯t respond. Instead, he briefly glanced at her before continuing his path toward the edge.


    "Uh-uhm... What are you doing¡ª"


    "Sightseeing," Soru answered abruptly.


    Reika fell silent at his response, the words catching in her throat. A tense silence settled between them as they both stared at the bustling city.


    This... this is super awkward...Reika thought, her palms growing sweaty.I need to say something... Maybe start an interesting conversation?


    Reika was desperately trying to figure out how to break the awkward silence between them. After a moment of thought, she finally came up with something.


    "Hey, Shin-kun."


    Soru tilted his head slightly and met her gaze.


    "What is it?"


    "H-How''s your day?"


    A gentle breeze brushed past them, carrying the distant sounds of the city. Soru glanced at the cityscape for a moment before answering.


    "Good," he replied flatly.


    Reika stared at him with a dissatisfied look.What¡¯s with that response?She thought.Just ¡°good¡±? What about adding something like, "What about you?" or... anything to keep the conversation going?


    After a beat of silence, Reika decided to take the initiative again.


    "Uh... What about school?" she asked, trying to keep the conversation going.


    "..."


    Reika waited for half a minute, but Soru didn¡¯t respond. Her patience began to wear thin, and she frowned, irritation bubbling up.


    How rude! What kind of guy just leaves a girl hanging like that?


    Feeling frustrated by Soru''s indifference, Reika decided to get back at him for ignoring her.


    Hmph! If that¡¯s the case...


    Without hesitation, she hopped up onto the parapet and sat right in front of him, deliberately blocking his view of the city.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Soru asked her.


    "Sitting...?" Reika replied slyly, her eyes closing as she looked smug.


    How¡¯s that?She thought, a smirk tugging at her lips.You must be super annoyed right now, huh?


    Reika glanced at Soru, eagerly awaiting his annoyed reaction. But her expectations were quickly shattered upon seeing him. Soru simply shifted a little to the side, adjusting his position for a better view. What irritated Reika the most, though, was that his expression remained completely unchanged, as if her petty provocations hadn¡¯t affected him at all.


    Out of desperation, Reika moved once more, blocking Soru''s view with her body. But Soru didn¡¯t react. He simply shifted away again. They repeated this over and over, moving left to right without pause.


    Why... won¡¯t you just... admit defeat?!Reika thought as her frustration mounted with each attempt.


    Suddenly, her eyes widened. She stopped as the realization of her incessant actions hit her.


    Wait.. Why am I doing this pointless thing?


    Her face quickly flushed bright red with embarrassment.


    Gah! I look like such an idiot...


    She quickly covered her face with her hands, hoping to hide her humiliation. After some time, Reika finally looked up at him.


    "I-I''m sorry..."


    Soru looked at her for a brief moment, his expression still as indifferent as ever.


    "Mhm."


    Reika sighed and chose not to answer. Still embarrassed, she turned her gaze to the bustling city below, letting the silence settle between them.


    While the silence stretched on, a steady chirping sound suddenly caught Reika¡¯s attention. She immediately recognized it and turned around.


    Oh no, it''s the bird that I saved earlier!


    Reika leapt to her feet and rushed to the spot where she had left the bird. When she arrived, she saw several ants crawling over its small body. The poor bird chirped endlessly, struggling to fend them off.


    Reika quickly picked up the bird, rescuing it from the relentless ants, and brought it back to the parapet. She gently blew on its feathers, scattering the ants, then carefully plucked them off one by one with her fingers.


    "Ha-hah! Take that!" she muttered, pinching one of the ants between her soft fingers.


    After making sure the bird was free of ants, Reika sat on the parapet and placed it gently on her lap, softly stroking its feathers to calm it. Soru glanced at her, his expression as neutral as ever, while she remained engrossed in tending to the bird.


    Unbeknownst to Reika, she had carelessly seated herself right where she''d left the plucked ants. One determined ant found its way onto her leg, creeping under her uniform and delivering a sharp bite to her thigh.


    "Oww!" she yelped, flinching from the unexpected sting and quickly placing the bird back on the parapet. "What the heck was that?" she muttered whilst rubbing the sore spot.


    Seconds later, another ant bit her, followed by a third. Before she knew it, several ants were biting her thighs, as if taking revenge for what she had done to them.


    "Ow! Ow! Ow!" Reika yelped once again.


    As the pain spread, Reika suddenly remembered those pesky ants she had plucked from the bird earlier and realized, with horror, that she had sat right where she had placed them.


    These pesky little...!


    Before she knew it, Reika lost her balance and realized she was about to fall off the parapet.


    What the...?!


    In a panic, she reached out and grabbed the first thing she could find. With Soru the only one beside her, she grabbed his shoulder without hesitation.


    "What are you doing?"


    Despite her secured grip, Soru¡¯s strength wasn¡¯t enough to steady himself and lost his balance. They both tumbled together, caught in a moment of unexpected chaos caused by Reika.


    Shit, how careless of me!


    Reika squeezed her eyes shut, trembling as the cold air whipped around her. She felt her body descending in the air with no certainty of survival.


    Dang it! Even if I managed to survive, if anyone finds out the reason I fell was because a bunch of ants bit my thighs, the embarrassment would kill me!


    While imagining how embarrassing the outcome would be, Reika felt a warm sensation envelop her body. The cold air vanished suddenly, replaced by a warmth that spread throughout her body.


    "What¡¯s going on¡­?" Reika muttered in confusion.


    She looked around and saw Soru floating in the air. To her surprise, he didn¡¯t seem scared at all. He appeared calm, almost as if he had expected it. Before she could speak, everything around her turned white, leaving her unable to perceive anything.


    That evening, several people in Saitama Prefecture witnessed a pillar of light strike Itami High School. No one knew the reason for it; the event was too sudden and unprecedented. As the pillar of light began to dissipate, they could only stare in disbelief, unable to comprehend how or why it had appeared.

 Chapter 2: Off To Another World!

    CAW! CAW!


    An irritating sound pierced the silence. Reika tried to open her eyes, but the blinding light kept her from seeing anything.


    Ow...!


    Even with her eyes shut, she felt her vision dim, as though something was covering her face. Then came the sound of wings flapping, followed by a gust of wind brushing against her cheeks. Curiosity stirred within her, and she finally opened her eyes, revealing what had been blocking her view.


    "A bird...?"


    Reika watched as the bird soared past her, its wings cutting through the air with a graceful ease. She squinted against the light, the sudden shift in her vision forcing her to adjust. Slowly, she opened her eyes wider, feeling the warmth of the sunlight as it flooded back into her sight.


    As her vision cleared, Reika took in her surroundings. The world around her was still a blur, but she couldn''t shake the feeling that the sky above looked different.


    Is it just me, or did the night sky seem a little too bright?


    Reika blinked twice and couldn''t believe her eyes. Out of nowhere, she found herself floating in the sky, suspended in the broad daylight.


    ¡°EHHHHHHHHHH?!¡±


    The sun¡¯s rays warmed her skin as the light-blue sky stretched endlessly above her, thick clouds scattered across it. Suddenly, a strong breeze rushed past her, carrying the fresh scent of the air up to her nostrils.


    Reika gasped as the spectacular view unfolded before her. The lush green forests stretched endlessly beneath the vast sky, leaving her stunned and filling her mind with a sense of tranquility.


    "Is this... heaven?" Reika muttered in disbelief.


    After all the amazement she felt from the staggering scenery, she suddenly noticed something was off.


    Wait a minute...


    She glanced down and realized she was freefalling toward the ground.


    "GYAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!"


    Reika''s heart raced as panic surged through her. The height between her and the ground was far greater than the building she had fallen from before. In her mind, the fall would possibly kill her the moment she hit the ground.


    Where am I?! Why a-am I falling a-a-again?!


    Reika''s thoughts raced violently as panic gripped her, her mind struggling to understand what was going on. She glanced around, still in disbelief and confusion, when something familiar caught her eye.


    A white shirt? Who...?


    She quickly turned around and froze. It was her classmate, Shin Soru.


    "Shin-kun!? Why are you here? W-Where are we!?" Reika exclaimed while in the state of panic.


    Reika couldn''t help but notice how calm Soru seemed despite the chaos surrounding them. But no matter how strange his lack of reaction was, she quickly realized there was no time for pointless questions. The immediate problem at hand was all that mattered.


    Suddenly, Reika slapped her cheeks, hard enough to jolt her back into focus.


    There¡¯s no time for this. I have to do something...!


    She took a deep breath, steadying her racing thoughts as she tried to think of a way to survive. The sheer height they were falling from made the situation look hopeless.


    "What should I do..."


    Her eyes darted downward, taking in the vast expanse of thick, green forest below. A plan began to form in her mind. She could aim for one of those trees, hoping that the branches would cushion the impact enough to survive the fall.


    "Shin-kun, look at the forest below! Find a tree to land on... Maybe, just maybe, we can survive if we land on one..."


    Soru glanced at Reika. In a calm tone, he simply replied, "Sure..."


    As Reika kept scanning the forest below, she paused when something caught her eye.


    On the ground, she spotted a large, lizard-like creature surrounded by a wolf-like beast. At first, she hadn¡¯t noticed them from up high, but as they fell closer, the creatures became clearer. Her heart raced as the sight of these strange beasts sent a fresh wave of panic through her.


    "W-What was that? What are those things? H-Hey Shin-kun, are you seeing those strange creatures?"


    Soru heard her and looked down as a response. Reika was taken aback when he simply nodded in response.


    What the...!? Did he just nod? He''s not surprised by this at all?


    Distracted by the creatures below, Reika momentarily forgot her plan to land on a tree. By the time she remembered, it was too late.


    "Oh my...!"


    The speed of her descent was too fast¡ªthere was no time to reach the nearest tree.


    Hitting the ground was inevitable.


    Fearing the worst, Reika shut her eyes tightly. In her mind, the thought of survival was impossible¡ªeven the faintest glimmer of hope is nonexistent.


    Why... Not again...!


    In the blink of an eye, Reika felt the warmth of the grass brush her skin before her body slammed into the ground.


    THUD!!


    Reika braced herself for the searing pain to follow. But instead of agony, there was nothing at all.


    That¡¯s it? I thought dying from a fall would hurt... she thought. I-I guess the pain was too much for my brain to register and died instant..ly?!


    Reika was surprised when the warm rays of the sun touched her gentle skin. However, her brief comfort was interrupted by a strong, foul stench entering her nostrils, throwing her senses into disarray.


    She gagged instinctively, struggling against the unbearable smell, but then froze in shock as she realized she could move freely.


    Wait, I can move? I... I survived?!


    Reika quickly her eyes open to assess her situation, but instead, she found herself staring at Soru. His calm demeanor remained unchanged as he extended his right hand toward her.


    "Get up," he said plainly.


    Still overwhelmed by confusion and the lingering stench, Reika eventually reached for his hand. She stood up shakily, instinctively covering her nose to shield herself from the foul odor.


    "Thank you...?"


    As Reika regained her composure, she quickly checked her body for injuries. To her surprise, there wasn¡¯t a single scratch on her. No blood, no broken bones¡ªnothing. From head to toe, she was completely unharmed.


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    "What the...? How!?" she muttered, disbelief etched across her face.


    Suddenly, she remembered the strange creatures she had seen moments before. Panic surged through her as she whipped her head around, afraid that they might attack at any moment.


    But what she saw left her frozen.


    The large, lizard-like beasts lay crushed, as though an invisible force had pressed them flat without warning. Smaller wolf-like creatures shared the same grim fate, their bodies mangled and lifeless, mirroring the destruction of the larger beasts.


    As Reika tried to make sense of the unsettling scene, her eyes drifted to Soru. He stood quietly, his gaze fixed on the grotesque remains. Unlike her, he showed no fear or hesitation. His calm silence felt strange, almost as if he was oblivious to the danger these creatures could have posed if they were still alive.


    Baffled by his calm demeanor, Reika hesitated before taking a step toward him. Just as she moved, a strange, piercing howl echoed through the forest, freezing her in place. She stood still, her breath caught in her throat as the eerie sound rippled through the trees.


    ROOOARRR!


    "What the hell was that?" Reika asked, her voice tinged with confusion and fear.


    She quickly turned her head to the right where the direction the unsettling howl seemed to come from. Suddenly, the ground trembled lightly beneath her feet, accompanied by the sharp crackling of trees snapping in the distance.


    Glancing up at the sky, Reika saw birds fleeing in panic, their frantic flight heading away from the source of the noise. The tremors grew stronger in every breath she took, accompanied by thunderous footsteps pounding the earth, as if something massive was charging straight toward them. The oppressive tension climbed until, without warning, everything fell silent. The tremors ceased, and the booming steps stopped, leaving an eerie stillness in their wake.


    Reika''s eyes darted around, scanning the dense trees and the shadows within their depths. The rancid stench of the dead beasts lingered in the air, but she paid it no mind, her focus sharp as unease gripped her. As her gaze shifted downward, she quickly froze. She noticed a shadow¡ªlarge and ominous¡ªstretched across the ground.


    Slowly, as if afraid to confirm her suspicions, Reika tilted her head upward. Just then, something massive loomed overhead as its form obscuring the sun, casting her and the clearing into an ominous gloom.


    SWOOSH!


    A powerful gust of wind suddenly tore through the clearing, whipping around them with such force that it scattered dust in every direction.


    "Cough! Cough! What is going on!?" Reika cried, her voice barely audible over the roaring gale.


    The swirling dust cloud obscured everything around her in a second, stinging her skin and making it impossible to see. She quickly shielded her eyes with her arm, desperate to keep the particles out. Through the chaos, she glanced at Soru, who was similarly shielding his face, his calm demeanor unshaken even amidst the blinding storm.


    Moments later, the whirlwind began to die down, and the dust slowly settled. Blinking through the haze, Reika''s breath caught as her surroundings came back into focus. Towering above them was an enormous, terrifying creature, its shadow swallowing the clearing and its monstrous presence overwhelmed her.


    The massive creature flew in the sky with wings stretching wide and two powerful hind legs on its lower body. Each wing ended in massive claws, sharp and gleaming, adding a sinister edge to its already menacing form. Its ash-gray skin seemed rugged and weathered, exuding an aura of raw power. Though it bore a small resemblance to the lizard-like creature from earlier, this beast was far more terrifying¡ªits sheer size and presence were overwhelming.


    As Reika''s gaze traveled up its elongated neck, she froze when her eyes locked onto its glowing crimson orbs. Those piercing eyes seemed to cut straight into her soul, filling her with dread and making her legs weak. Her entire body trembled under its unrelenting gaze.


    Unbeknownst to her, this fearsome creature was a "Wyvern," a beast of legend mentioned in fantasy stories.


    Before their arrival, the wyvern had been gliding silently through the sky, scanning the forest below with its keen crimson eyes. It had sensed the presence of a Basilisk¡ªa formidable lizard-like creature¡ªand a pack of Rabid Wolves locked in a fierce battle. Driven by hunger, the wyvern decided to descend, landing far from the commotion to observe the ongoing fight from a safe distance.


    As one of the intelligent monsters of the forest, the wyvern opted for a calculated approach. Rather than risking unnecessary exhaustion by intervening prematurely, it planned to bide its time. It would wait for the combat to end, anticipating that one or both parties would either perish or become too weak to resist. Once the moment was right, the wyvern would strike swiftly and claim its prize without a struggle.


    After a while, using its heightened sense of smell, the wyvern quickly realized that both the Basilisk and the Rabid Wolves had perished. It prepared to move toward the fresh corpses to feast while the flesh was still warm. However, it suddenly paused, its instincts flaring with caution.


    Something was off.


    The wyvern¡¯s sharp nose picked up two unfamiliar scents drifting through the area. Alarmed, it shifted into a state of vigilance and silently crept deeper into the shadows of the forest. Its sharp, predatory eyes scanned the clearing with precision, and it quickly located the source of the disturbance: two humanoid figures standing amidst the mangled remains of the Basilisk and the wolves.


    The wyvern narrowed its glowing crimson eyes. These creatures were unfamiliar intruders, and their presence in its territory was enough to provoke a mix of curiosity and caution.


    Seeing that intruders had interfered with its hunt, the wyvern grew enraged. With a furious roar, it charged toward them, intent on eliminating the humans it blamed for ruining the Basilisk and Rabid Wolves¡¯ corpses. A picky eater by nature, the wyvern found the damaged bodies unappealing and assumed the two figures were responsible for rendering them unfit to consume.


    Reika, still frozen in fear, couldn¡¯t bring herself to move. Her legs felt like lead, and her mind raced as she tried to comprehend the danger before her. She watched in horror as the wyvern¡¯s wings began to flap more rapidly, stirring the air into a furious gust. Then, the creature opened its massive jaws, and to her shock, a glowing, yellowish-red orb began to form within its mouth.


    Before she could react, the wyvern unleashed its fiery breath in an instant. The searing flames raced toward them, engulfing everything in their path. Reika flinched as her instincts attempts to brace the unbearable heat and pain that should have followed.


    But to her surprise, she felt nothing.


    She opened her eyes, baffled. Despite the inferno surrounding her, she felt no discomfort or pain.


    What on earth is going on? she wondered as the fiery blaze continued to swirl around her harmlessly.


    When Reika opened her eyes to see what was going on, she was stunned by what she saw.


    Instead of being burned alive, the flames had no effect on her or Soru. There were no signs of burns on her body, and even her clothes remained untouched.


    "What the... how is this possible?" she uttered as her confusion growing with each passing second.


    Desperate for answers, she turned to look at Soru.


    To her astonishment, he too was completely unharmed, standing there calmly amidst the fading flames. His gaze was fixed on the wyvern, his expression as composed as ever, as if the monster¡¯s fiery attack hadn¡¯t happened at all.


    Adding to her confusion, Reika noticed something strange: the trees surrounding them were ablaze, even though the wyvern''s fiery breath hadn''t reached them. The distance between the creature, its target, and the trees should have made it impossible for the flames to spread that far.


    What is going on here...? she wondered, her thoughts spiraling as the oppressive heat filled the air.


    Suddenly, a fierce gust of wind roared through the clearing. Reika looked up and saw the wyvern flapping its wings violently, its movements stirring the flames into a chaotic dance.


    The massive beast opened its mouth again, and this time, a swirling orb of fire began forming within its maw. A wave of heat radiated from the orb, growing stronger with each passing moment. Without giving them a time to spare, the wyvern quickly spewed its breath ahead.


    The wyvern''s fiery breath reached them in an instant, leaving Reika no chance to escape. Yet, as the searing heat enveloped her, she realized something strange¡ªshe was unscathed once again, despite the flames being fiercer than before.


    When the blaze finally subsided, Reika let out a shaky breath, expecting the same outcome as before. However, her assumption was wrong. This time, the aftermath was startlingly different.


    The wyvern''s massive body was engulfed in flames. Its ash-gray skin burned violently, as though it had been struck by a powerful fire attack from an unseen force. The beast roared in agony, thrashing wildly in an attempt to extinguish the flames consuming it.


    "KRAAAAAHHH!!"


    The wyvern''s relentless wails echoed throughout the forest as it spiraled in the sky, unable to escape the flames devouring its body. With its wings severely burned by the unforgiving flames, the beast struggled to maintain altitude, descending lower and lower until it plummeted to the ground with a deafening crash.


    The impact sent violent tremors through the earth, almost toppling Reika. Steadying herself, she cautiously approached the fallen monster while keeping a safe distance. Her heart pounded as her gaze remained locked on its massive, charred form.


    The wyvern''s body twitched weakly, its scorched skin crackling as the relentless flames continued to consume it. Reika could feel the heat radiating from the creature as she watched in stunned silence. Moments later, the wyvern let out one final, shuddering groan before its movements ceased entirely, leaving only the flickering fire and the acrid smell of burning flesh in the still air.


    Reika was stunned by the wyvern''s brutal death. She glanced around, half-expecting another creature to emerge, but the forest was eerily quiet. The only thing she saw were the scattered remains of the other monsters and the smoldering wyvern. Confusion and unease filled her as she failed to make sense of what had happened, leaving her speechless.


    "I... I don''t know what''s going on anymore..."


    Then, she remembered Soru. Turning toward him, she saw him standing unharmed, calm as ever. Unlike her, he showed no signs of fear or shock. His eyes were fixed on the burning wyvern, unbothered by its lifeless state.


    Reika thought, He''s still calm as ever...


    After a moment, Soru shifted his gaze. He scanned the surroundings until his attention landed on a long, thin twig lying at the base of a nearby tree. Curious and slightly wary, Reika opened her mouth to question him, but hesitated, unsure of what to say.


    "Hey, what are you doing¡ª"


    "Ah, there you are."


    Soru didn¡¯t respond. Instead, he quietly made his way to where the twig lay and crouched down to pick it up. Without saying a word, he returned to his original spot and began positioning the twig upright on the ground.


    Reika watched in puzzled silence as he meticulously adjusted the twig, ensuring it stood perfectly straight. The moment it was stable, Soru let go. The upper end of the twig, where his fingers had been moments before, tilted slightly and pointed to his right.


    Without glancing back, Soru stood up and took a step forward. In a calm, even tone, he said, "Let''s go, Mitsuha-san."

 Chapter 3: Monsters and Village

    Without looking back, Soru walked in the direction the twig pointed, his steps calm and sure. Reika stood still for a moment, trying to process what he had just done.


    D-Did he really just use that stick to decide where we¡¯re going?


    Her gaze shifted to the burnt remains of the Wyvern. The faint smell of scorched flesh hung in the air, making her uneasy. The forest around her felt unnaturally quiet, and the thought of another monster appearing sent a shiver down her spine. Clenching her fists, she quickened her pace to catch up with Soru, not wanting to be left behind.


    The forest grew darker as they walked, the thick canopy above allowing only traces of sunlight to filter through. The trees here were taller and denser than those they had seen before, their massive trunks stretching far overhead. The air was cool and heavy, carrying the earthy scent of damp soil. Aside from the soft crunch of leaves beneath their feet, the forest was eerily silent.


    Deep in the forest, the faint sounds of insects chirping, leaves rustling, and distant screeches echoed through the air. Yet Soru moved forward without hesitation, completely ignoring the noises. Behind him, Reika followed closely, her steps quick but uncertain.


    As she trailed after Soru, Reika tried to calm her restless thoughts. The events leading up to this moment replayed in her mind, each one more absurd than the last. Nothing about their situation made sense, yet here she was, trudging deeper into the unknown.


    Monsters, strange creatures, magic, and such... Is this what they call another world?


    Reika looked around the deep forest. Everything appeared similar to what she had seen on Earth, but the monsters she had encountered¡ªalong with the strange flame that had erupted from a monster''s mouth¡ªmade it clear this world defied logic. Sorcery or magic, the very things she thought only existed in fantasy, were real here.


    I thought all of this was just fantasy¡ªa fiction that otaku, or fans of adventure stories, had fancied. I never imagined it could be real...


    She clenched her fists, frustration bubbling up. If I''d known I''d end up in a world like this one day, I should''ve read those kinds of mangas, so I wouldn¡¯t be so clueless. Instead, I¡¯ve only read slice-of-life and romcoms!


    She stole a glance at Soru, who walked ahead with his usual calm expression.


    Given how calm he is, I bet he read those kind of mangas, like any other guy at school. That¡¯s why all of this strangeness doesn¡¯t seem completely new to him...


    As they continued walking, Reika suddenly heard the rustling of leaves behind her. The noise grew louder with each passing second, making her feel increasingly uneasy. She tried to move closer to Soru, but before she could, a massive blur of shadow lunged at them from the left, pouncing on Soru.


    "Eek!" Reika gasped in shock.


    She stepped back, but her feet tangled, sending her crashing to the ground. Her heart raced as the strange shadow locked its glowing red eyes on her. It was then that Reika realized what it was¡ªthe wolf-like creature she had seen earlier, the Rabid Wolf.


    T-That¡¯s the wolf from earlier!


    Reika''s eyes widened in horror as she watched the Rabid Wolf sink its teeth into Soru¡¯s upper body. She gasped and instinctively covered her mouth, her body frozen in shock.


    But then, something unexpected happened. The Rabid Wolf¡¯s lower body suddenly collapsed to the ground, severed cleanly from its upper half. The top half slid off Soru¡¯s unscathed body before dropping to the earth with a thud.


    "What...?"


    Reika blinked in disbelief. Soru was completely unharmed. She had expected to see blood, to hear the sickening squelch of torn flesh, but instead, he stood there as if untouched, his body seemingly impervious to the creature¡¯s vicious bite. His clothes remained spotless, not a single tear or bloodstain to mark the attack.


    Shaken, Reika rose to her feet and cautiously approached the lifeless creature. Her senses were on high alert, and she couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that the monster might still be alive. She kept her gaze fixed on the corpse, ready for any movement.


    She noticed that the wound the Rabid Wolf had received looked like it had been caused by a bite. What was even more confusing was that she hadn''t seen any monster nearby that could have inflicted such an injury, and only canine creatures were capable of making such a mark.


    Reika recoiled in disgust as the wolf''s guts spilled out, mixed with its purple blood. The foul stench hit her nose, and she stepped back, unable to hold back her revulsion.


    Fighting the urge to puke, she turned away. To her left, she saw Soru adjusting his uniform, seemingly unaffected. Once he was done, he continued walking as if nothing had happened.


    How is he so unbothered by all this? He almost died, and yet he¡¯s not even fazed!


    Reika scratched her head and followed him, struggling to make sense of it all. She couldn¡¯t understand what was happening and tried desperately to come up with an explanation.


    As she recalled the moment they had fallen from the sky, she realized that Soru had remained calm and composed the entire time, his expression not changing in the slightest. Even after they survived the fall unscathed, he hadn¡¯t been fazed by the strange situation.


    The way he had stared at the dead creatures, completely unfazed... Those creatures didn''t even exist on Earth, and yet he seemed unaffected...


    Reika''s mind wandered to the time the Wyvern had attacked them. The flames that should have killed them were terrifying, but instead, the Wyvern had been burned alive in their place. Despite everything¡ªdespite the impossible nature of it all¡ªSoru never questioned why they had survived. His expression had never wavered, not even once.


    Did he anticipate that all of those things were bound to happen? Even at the time when he should¡¯ve been bitten in half by that wolf-like creature, the wolf had instead died in his place, as if it had been torn apart by a canine creature...!


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    Reika gazed at Soru, her eyes filled with doubt and confusion.


    Shin-kun... Don¡¯t tell me he knew something about this?


    Her gaze shifted to several creatures similar to the Rabid Wolf, lying lifeless on the ground. They shared the same fate as the ones killed earlier¡ªbitten in half and dead on the spot.


    Judging from his strange behavior, I think he knows something and is hiding it from me. But blatantly assuming that isn''t good, especially since I don¡¯t have any solid evidence that he¡¯s involved...


    Reika quickened her pace to catch up with Soru.


    Argh! It¡¯s better if I just ask him directly!


    "Shin¡ªOww!"


    Reika couldn''t finish her sentence when she bumped her head against Soru''s shoulder.


    Hey! Why did he stop all of a sudden?!


    "Here we are."


    Reika wondered what Soru meant. Still holding her forehead, she moved around and stood beside him to get a better view. After being surrounded by darkness for so long, the bright light that greeted her was almost too much for her eyes. She quickly raised her right hand to shield them from the harsh glow.


    After a moment, her eyes finally adjusted to the light. As her vision cleared, a breathtaking scene unfolded before her. Reika was mesmerized and slowly lowered her hand. In front of them stretched a vast plain, covered in golden wheat fields.


    The sky was a soft blue, with a few clouds scattered above. A narrow path stretched ahead, leading toward a gate. From within the tall, sturdy wooden fences, Reika could see smoke rising into the air. It was a village nestled between the vast fields.


    As Reika stood there, lost in the beauty of the scene, Soru quietly made his way toward the village in the distance.


    While walking, Soru took in his surroundings, his curiosity piqued by the strange new world he found himself in. He ran his hand along the ripe stalks of wheat, feeling their texture as he moved closer to the village. Reika, still caught up in the peaceful atmosphere, savored the gentle breeze that brushed against her face. It wasn¡¯t until then that she realized Soru was no longer beside her.


    "Shin-kun...?"


    Reika looked around, searching for Soru. When she turned toward the golden wheat field, she spotted him walking down the narrow path.


    That bastard left me already...?


    "Hey, wait for meeee~!"


    Reika ran after him. Soru heard her but didn''t turn around; he just kept walking quietly, following the path to the village entrance.


    As she passed through the wheat fields, Reika glanced back at the forest. She was astonished at how vast it was. The trees stretched from left to right, as far as the eye could see, all the way to the horizon.


    How huge that forest is! Luckily, we managed to get out easily. If we hadn''t, we would¡¯ve had to spend the night there, with no food or shelter...


    Looking back at the village entrance, Reika saw Soru talking to someone.


    Somehow, we managed to stumble upon this village. Maybe we could rest here for a while...


    From a distance, Soru noticed a person standing near the entrance. Without hesitation, he calmly walked toward the individual, who seemed to be guarding the entrance.


    The guard, noticing someone approach, quickly assessed Soru. His unfamiliar clothes and face made it clear that Soru wasn''t from the village. Just then, the guard stepped forward and blocked the unknown individual, intending to confront him.


    Soru, sensing that the man was trying to communicate something, stopped and regarded him for a moment. He then gave his name, assuming the guard wanted to identify him.


    "Wa ta shi wa, So ru - kun de su."


    After hearing Soru, the guard gave him a confused look and raised an eyebrow.


    "@#$&@#, @&#-*?"


    Soru didn''t understand the words the guard spoke and tried to speak again. Reika watched from a distance, her expression filled with disappointment.


    How foolish of him. Of course, this is another world. What did he expect¡ªthat they spoke the same language as us? They don¡¯t even know Japanese!


    The guard gripped his hatchet tighter, his stance growing more defensive.


    "@$&$*&@_$!!"


    Just then, Soru felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around and saw Reika standing beside him.


    "Let me do the talking."


    Reika stepped forward and confronted the guard with confidence. Despite the tip of the blade still pointing at them, she didn¡¯t flinch. Soru moved back, giving her space as she began to try and communicate with the guard.


    Reika raised both her arms and began waving her hands in the air.


    "What are you doing?" Soru asked, watching her random gestures.


    "Shushh. I''m trying to communicate with the guard using gestures."


    Reika continued her strange gestures. She raised both hands in the air, fiddled with her fingers, and kept pointing toward the direction of the forest. The guard only grew more confused.


    "We. Are. Lost. We. Came. From. Deep. Forest."


    The guard''s confusion deepened, and he pointed his hatchet at her. Reika quickly raised her hands in surrender, stepping back to avoid the blade.


    "It''s no use," Soru told Reika.


    Reika sighed and lowered her hands, about to turn away when she heard a hoarse voice speaking words she could understand clearly.


    "Oho, so you can speak Japanese as well, huh..."


    Reika froze, shocked at hearing someone speak Japanese.


    "H-how did you¡ª"


    She noticed an old man behind the guard. He was short, with both hands resting on his back. His bald head contrasted with the white eyebrows and mustache that framed his face.


    The guard turned around, startled at first, but then bowed his head respectfully to the old man.


    "@#-$*&@$_@..."


    The old man smiled at the guard and nodded.


    "@#&#."


    He glanced at Reika before looking back at the wary guard.


    "@#&@%."


    The guard nodded and left his post. The old man then stood in front of Reika.


    "Welcome, guests from afar. I''m the chief of this humble village."


    Reika stood there, dumbfounded, wondering how an old man from another world could speak Japanese so fluently. The old man noticed her shock and chuckled.


    "Hahaha... Are you surprised that I can speak Japanese so well?"


    Reika snapped back to reality at his words.


    "How... can you speak Japanese? Does it even exist in this world?" she asked.


    The old man scratched his beard thoughtfully.


    "Well, that dialect doesn''t exist in this world, I think. Only a few people knew that language and mastered it."


    "May I ask where you learned it?"


    "I learned it thanks to my son''s guidance."


    Reika was confused by his answer and pressed further.


    "What do you mean, from your son?"


    The old man walked past her and gazed out at the wheat fields in front of him.


    "You see, my son was born in a pretty normal way, but his mother and I always felt he was special. He was an active baby, though surprisingly, he never cried. Unlike most babies, he was quiet and simply stared at us while we fed him."


    "By the time he reached three, he uttered his first word¡ªone we couldn''t understand. Even though we taught him how to read and write, we often caught him talking to himself, repeating those strange words over and over again."


    "One night, we tried to reach out to him, trying to understand his unusual behavior. Finally, he told us that he could speak ''Japanese,'' a language we had never heard of. He could also see visions that neither of us understood."


    The old man paused for a moment before continuing.


    "Out of curiosity, I asked him to teach me the language. After hearing my strange request, he smiled gently and told me that he would teach me how to speak¡ªand even write Japanese."


    "How many days or months did it take you to learn it?" Reika asked.


    Upon hearing her question, the old man chuckled.


    "Months? Ohohoho! It took me two... maybe three years to master it. It was hard at first, but once you get the basics down, it becomes easier. Although I''m not as proficient as my son, it''s still quite understandable."


    Reika glanced at Soru, who was staring at the old man without showing any change in his expression. She turned back to the old man and asked, "Where is your son now? Is he here?"


    The old man lowered his head and turned away, walking toward the rice fields.


    "Fumeir¨­... He''s in the kingdom''s capital now. He has some business to attend to."


    Reika fell silent after hearing the old man''s answer. The old man lowered his head and turned, walking toward the rice fields. A sense of longing and loneliness was evident on his face.


    After a while, someone spoke, breaking the silence between them.


    "Can we stay here tonight?"


    Reika was surprised and quickly recognized the voice. It was Soru who had asked the old man.


    "You..."


    This idiot can''t read the mood at all!


    The old man heard Soru and turned around, a slight smile forming on his face as he began walking toward the village.


    "Ohoho! Of course you can! Follow me."

 Chapter 4: The Unexpected Visitor

    While following the old man, Reika noticed several familiar details that reminded her of Japan. The place resembled an older era of Japan. She saw women wearing ragged clothes similar to kimonos, along with accessories like hairpins and pottery. Others were eating with chopsticks.


    "This is..."


    "All of these strange architectures and materials came from my son''s vision," the old man explained. "Thanks to him, life in the village became easier."


    After a few minutes of walking, Reika and Soru noticed the old man suddenly stop in front of a large house. Unlike the others in the village, this house stood out. It resembled a "Minka," a traditional Japanese house. While not particularly beautiful or well-crafted, its architecture had a striking resemblance to that style.


    The old man slowly opened the gate.


    "Come inside."


    Reika paused for a moment. Her memories of Japan tugged at her heart, and a sudden wave of sadness and longing washed over her.


    Sigh... Eating ramen after school, hanging out with my friends, working those night shifts to earn extra money... even my grandparents. I miss them so much.


    She stared outside the door and watched the villagers bustling about, tending to their daily chores and responsibilities.


    I wonder what they''re doing right now, especially Grandpa and Grandma...


    Her thoughts were interrupted when her eyes caught sight of a bookshelf behind Soru. Intrigued, Reika stood up and approached it. She crouched down to inspect the contents and found a few interesting items.


    Hm?


    What she saw was a handmade book with a title written in kanji at the center. Intrigued, Reika picked it up and brought it to the table, where she began to read it.


    "Great Forest of Drys''s Records of Monster Beasts..."


    So, that''s what the forest is called...


    Her thoughts were interrupted when the old man entered the room, carrying a wooden plate with several cups. He placed it on the table and sat down across from them.


    Noticing the book in Reika''s hands, the old man smiled.


    "Ah, you¡¯ve taken an interest in that book?"


    "Uh... Yes."


    "Well, have some tea first, before it cools down."


    Reika set the book aside and picked up one of the cups. She sipped carefully, while Soru followed suit without a word.


    After drinking her tea, Reika placed the cup back on the table and picked up the book beside her.


    "You want to read it?" the old man asked with a curious smile.


    "Mhm," Reika replied, flipping open the cover of the handmade book.


    On the first page, a note was neatly written in kanji at the center:


    These records are intended to help understand the species in the Great Forest of Drys. Handle with care. - Fumeir¨­


    Reika turned the page and found herself captivated by the book''s contents.


    Each page revealed simple yet astonishing illustrations of various monster beasts, their features brought to life with remarkable detail. Alongside the sketches were descriptions of the creatures, detailing their appearances, known strengths, weaknesses, and even their hunting seasons. The work was meticulous, blending artistry with practical knowledge.


    "Amazing, huh?" the old man said, breaking the silence.


    Reika glanced at him, the book still open in her hands. "Fumeir¨­... is this your son''s work?"


    The old man smiled warmly, his eyes reflecting pride.


    "Yes," he said. "My son, Fumeir¨­, gathered this information with the help of the villagers. He asked them about the monsters they''ve seen in the Great Forest of Drys¡ªtheir appearances, behaviors, and traits. Some of these creatures, even our ancestors never knew existed. Yet, Fumeir¨­ managed to document them."


    "To some extent," the old man continued, his voice tinged with a mix of awe and concern, "he would sneak into the forest himself to observe these beasts up close, drawing them with his own eyes so that we might all be better prepared for what lies within that untamed wilderness."


    "At first, I scolded him countless times," the old man said with a weary chuckle. "I told him that entering the forest alone was dangerous and would only bring him harm. But no matter how much I warned him, he kept disobeying me, insisting that he was careful and kept his distance to observe the creatures without being seen. I kept scolding him, over and over, until one day I grew tired and decided to let him do whatever he wanted."


    He glanced at the book in Reika''s hands, his tone softening.


    "In the end, what he did turned out to be invaluable for the villagers. That book became a guide. It helps them decide when to enter the forest, what dangers to avoid, and which beasts are edible or poisonous to humans. His work saved lives."


    While the old man spoke, Reika continued flipping through the pages of the book. When she turned to the next page, her eyes widened.


    This...


    She leaned closer, examining the detailed illustration of a snarling creature. Beneath it, written in neat kanji, was the name: Rabid Wolf.


    The wolf we saw earlier is called a Rabid Wolf...?


    Curiosity urged her to flip another page, where she found an image of a creature that sent a chill through her. It had two powerful hind legs and a massive pair of wings. She read the caption below: Wyvern.


    There''s no mistaking it... The flying lizard that spat flames at us¡ªit was a Wyvern.


    She turned another page and came across another familiar sight. This time, it was a lizard-like creature with menacing eyes. Beneath its image, the word Basilisk was written.


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    Reika''s pace quickened as she flipped through more pages, searching for anything else she might recognize. Page after page turned until her hands stopped on one illustration.


    The image was different¡ªmore intricate and striking than the others. Her eyes were drawn to the details, as though the artist had poured extra care into capturing this particular monster''s essence. Reika leaned in as she studied it closely.


    The monster depicted had enormous claws and leathery, bat-like wings. Its lizard-like appearance was strikingly similar to the Wyvern, but unlike the Wyvern, it had four muscular legs. Its body was covered in rough, jagged scales that looked as if they could deflect even the sharpest of blades.


    "Oho... The Wildfire Dragon Veylir," the old man said with a nostalgic smile. "How amazing that he managed to draw it exactly as I described it all those years ago!"


    Reika''s eyes flicked down to the text beneath the illustration. Sure enough, it matched the old man''s words perfectly.


    "Did he... actually see this dragon with his own eyes?" Reika asked, her voice quiet but filled with curiosity.


    The old man burst into laughter, his voice echoing through the room.


    "HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! If that were true, it would be nothing short of a miracle!"


    Reika, unfazed by his laughter, stared at him with a serious expression. The old man noticed her intensity and stopped, awkwardly clearing his throat.


    The old man cleared his throat, continuing his story with a wistful smile.


    "Ahem! He didn''t see the dragon but only drew it from what he was told years ago."


    "See, when I was young, I sneaked into the forest, driven by curiosity. Somehow, I got lost, without realizing I had ventured too deep. As any child would, I panicked and cried out in fear."


    "Miraculously, none of the monsters noticed me. I wandered aimlessly, unaware that I was moving deeper into the woods. The path that led back home seemed to have vanished."


    He paused for a moment, his eyes far away as if lost in the past.


    "While desperately searching for a way out, I noticed a shadow in the sky. It was massive¡ªfar larger than any bird or beast I had ever seen. I quickly hid under the nearest bush, fearing that the strange creature would find me."


    "The creature was a dragon¡ªa Calamity Dragon, to be exact. The Wildfire Dragon Veylir."


    He leaned forward, his voice low but filled with awe.


    "It was enormous¡ªso much larger than the wyvern I had seen before. Its body was long and serpentine, with wings that stretched wide enough to block the sun. Its head was crowned with sharp crests, and its claws were enormous¡ªperfect for tearing through anything in its path. The scales were a deep maroon, like a mixture of crimson flame and the deep wood of a burning forest."


    "This dragon that you speak of¡ªhow did you know it was one you saw years ago?" Reika asked.


    "Because my great-grandmother also saw it with her own eyes, too."


    The old man sighed as he sipped his cup and continued talking.


    "I remember that my late mother once told me that a dragon resides in the Great Forest of Drys and acts as the guardian of the forest. And it wasn''t an ordinary dragon, but a named one called Calamity Dragon Veylir."


    "According to what my great-grandmother told my grandmother, which she also told my mother, the calamity dragon once wreaked havoc and burned a portion of the forest. Part of the forest turned into a sea of flames, burning everything in sight. Every creature and plant was set ablaze as the fiery flames consumed their bodies and lives."


    "My mother pointed out that the dragon''s senses are sharper than those of an average monster. She told me that I was lucky that the dragon didn''t see me, though I believed that the dragon obviously noticed my presence. Probably, I was spared because it didn''t even consider me as a threat at all, or it wasn''t hungry at that time."


    "After the dragon vanished from my eyesight, I ran away quickly. I ran relentlessly until I stumbled upon my father, who had been looking after me for hours. He was furious at that time and gave me quite a beating afterwards."


    The old man drank from his cup again and emptied it. He placed the cup on the table.


    "My mother also told me that there are other Calamity Dragons besides the Wildfire Dragon. However, I don¡¯t know what they look like because even my great-grandmother had no knowledge of their appearances¡ªonly the Wildfire Dragon."


    "Although I wish to see the other dragons in my lifetime, I may never get the chance due to my age¡­"


    Reika quietly listened as the old man lowered his head.


    "Well, being one of the oldest races on the continent, they possess a lifespan greater than a human''s. A century is like a decade to them, and they rarely go outside their den. Seeing one is a once-in-a-lifetime experience..."


    "I see..." Reika murmured, her thoughts drifting as she processed his words.


    The old man glanced down at the empty cups, and a realization seemed to dawn on him.


    "Oh! I forgot to ask both of your names..." he said, lifting his head and bowing slightly in front of them.


    Reika and Soru followed suit, bowing their heads respectfully.


    "I am Silas, the chief of Signas Village."


    Reika straightened up after the bow. "I am... Mi-Reika Mitsuha. And he''s..."


    "Shin Soru."


    Reika gritted her teeth at Soru''s lack of formality in his greeting.


    Not only did he fail to greet properly, but he also introduced his last name first!


    Silas chuckled softly, his expression warm as he processed their names.


    "So you''re Miss Reika, and he''s... Mister Shin."


    "Ah, no, no. His actual name is Soru. Shin is just his family name..."


    "Oh..."


    Silas quietly observed them, his gaze lingering on their unfamiliar clothes, a clear sign that they were from somewhere he had never encountered before.


    They must be from nobility, judging by those unusual garments and the presence of a second name. But... why are they speaking Japanese? I never expected anyone outside this region to use it so casually, not to mention on this continent...


    While Silas silently pondered, Reika and Soru, unaware of his thoughts, were talking to each other. She reprimanded him for his words earlier.


    "You know we''re not from here, and yet you told him your family name first¡ª"


    She paused mid-sentence as a loud, piercing scream suddenly cut through the air from outside. It echoed into the room, breaking their conversation and drawing their attention.


    "AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"


    Silas snapped back upon hearing a loud scream outside his house. Without hesitation, he ran out the door, his heart pounding with fear. Just then, the old man trembled, his eyes wide in disbelief at what he saw in the sky.


    I-Isn''t that... T-The Wildfire Dragon Veylir...?


    Reika and Soru quickly followed, their steps quickening as they caught sight of the unfolding chaos. Reika''s gaze swept across the village, her mind struggling to process the scene.


    What had once been a peaceful, bustling place was now consumed by flames. The fire spread quickly, devouring everything in its path. From where they stood, the heat was undeniable, its intensity a constant reminder of the danger. The air was filled with the sounds of chaos¡ªscreams, cries, and desperate shouts for help. Reika stood frozen as the shock of the moment overwhelmed her.


    Soru saw the enormous monster rampaging through the village from a distance. He pointed toward the sky, his voice cutting through the silence. "Mitsuha-san, look over there."


    Reika turned, following his finger. Her eyes widened as she saw the massive creature soaring above them.


    "That creature... Is that...?"


    The creature''s colossal form hovered in the sky. Its wings stretched wide, easily spanning several meters. Its serpent-like body was topped with a crested head and formidable claws. The scales, thick and bulky, were a deep maroon, glowing ominously.


    There''s no mistaking it... That¡¯s the Wildfire Dragon Veylir the old man mentioned earlier...!


    Reika glanced at Silas, who was already running toward the gate. Understanding his intent, she quickly followed, knowing there was no time to waste.


    "Shin-kun, come with me! We must help the village people!"


    Without a word, Soru followed her in silence.


    Surrounded by frantic voices and the deafening sound of crying and shouting, they managed to reach the center of the village. There, Reika saw Silas helping people escape from the burning houses. Her gaze shifted, and she noticed a child struggling to keep up with her family. Without hesitation, Reika ran to the child and offered her assistance.


    Soru, meanwhile, noticed several men desperately trying to douse the flames consuming their homes. He walked toward them calmly. As he did, he heard Silas shouting in the distance. He paused for a moment to listen.


    "Those who can walk properly, help the other villagers who are still trapped in their houses! Those who are injured, gather them at the center of the village!" Silas called out.


    Although Soru didn''t understand the language, the message was clear¡ªsave the villagers. He approached one of the men struggling with the flames and tapped him on the shoulder. The man turned, annoyed.


    "Hey! What are you¡ª"


    Without a word, Soru raised his right hand and pointed it toward a burning house. In an instant, the flames that had consumed the entire structure vanished. Not just one house, but every fire raging throughout the village was snuffed out in the blink of an eye.


    The village men who witnessed the miracle were left speechless, their eyes wide in disbelief. Even Reika, who had been watching closely, understood Soru''s role in the sudden disappearance of the flames. The realization struck her like a bolt of lightning.


    Shin-kun... Don''t tell me...?!


    She whispered to herself, her mind racing as she pieced everything together. "You''re the one who saved me back then?!"

 Chapter 5: Second Sun

    After the flames vanished, the oppressive heat quickly dissipated, and the air turned noticeably cooler. The crackling fire was replaced by faint sobbing and cries from the villagers echoing in different directions. Reika stood frozen, her mind racing after the sudden revelation.


    But... he¡¯s from Earth, right? H-how could he possess such a strange power if he¡¯s just a human from our world¡­?!


    Her gaze shifted back to Soru. Although his face remained neutral, his actions betrayed him, practically screaming that he did indeed possess one.


    Just think about it! Every situation we¡¯ve faced so far¡ªevery time we were in danger¡ªhe¡¯s always been so calm. Those monsters tried to kill us, yet¡­ it¡¯s like none of it fazed him at all!


    Her lips trembled as she whispered to herself, her disbelief spilling out in shaky words. "M-Maybe it¡¯s true¡­ If he really has powers, it would explain everything¡ªwhy we¡¯ve survived until now..."


    Just then, Reika heard the dragon unleash a deafening roar, snapping her attention back to the sky. Everyone turned their gaze upward and froze as the Wildfire Dragon Veylir was engulfed in flames.


    ROOAAARR!!


    Its entire body burned intensely, but to their shock, the dragon seemed unaffected. The flames licked across its massive form, yet it showed no signs of pain or injury.


    The dragon soared higher, the blazing inferno still encasing its body. It climbed so high that its fiery silhouette became visible to the entire village. Against the sky, it looked like a phoenix reborn from the flames. With one powerful flap of its wings, the fire surrounding it disappeared in an instant, as if it had never existed.


    A heavy silence fell over the village. Then, another ear-splitting roar shattered the stillness, shaking the air and leaving everyone trembling in terror.


    ROOOOAAAAARRR!!


    Villagers clutched their ears, desperately trying to shield themselves from the dragon''s powerful cry. As the roar subsided, the beast raised its head toward the heavens and opened its massive jaws.


    A fiery orb began to form within its maw, growing larger with each passing second. The sky brightened, the blazing fireball outshining the sun itself. The temperature around the village surged, turning puddles into steam. The heat pressed down on them, suffocating and relentless.


    Fear swept through the villagers like a tidal wave. They clung to their loved ones, tears streaking down their faces¡ªonly to evaporate before touching the ground.


    Soru stared at the dragon as it prepared its devastating counterattack. The fireball had reached its full size, radiating raw power.


    "It''s over for us..." one of the villagers muttered, his voice barely audible amidst the oppressive heat and despair.


    In a split second, the enormous fireball in the dragon''s mouth vanished without a trace. The entire village stared in confusion, unsure of what had just occurred. Moments later, their bewilderment turned to shock as flames erupted across the dragon''s body once more.


    Enraged, the dragon let out another deafening roar.


    ROOOOAAAARRR!


    Despite being consumed by fire for the second time, the flames failed to harm the dragon''s thick scales or pierce its skin. With two powerful flaps of its wings, it expelled the flames, extinguishing them instantly. The villagers, witnessing the dragon''s resilience, began to tremble in fear.


    "T-The dragon''s still alive, even after being burned twice!"


    The dragon''s behavior turned erratic. It flapped its wings furiously and ascended higher into the sky, climbing rapidly. Its massive form grew smaller and smaller, until it disappeared entirely into the clouds above.


    Everyone stood in stunned silence, unable to process what they had just witnessed. Fear gripped the villagers as they dreaded what the dragon might do next.


    ¡°M-Mom... Will that monster come back?¡± a child whispered, trembling.


    The child¡¯s mother wrapped her arms tightly around her, gently stroking her back. ¡°Hush... It won¡¯t come back again,¡± she murmured, though her voice wavered.


    All eyes remained fixed on the sky for what felt like an eternity. No one dared to move, their bodies frozen by fear and anticipation. Yet, to their collective relief, there were no signs of the dragon returning. The tension began to ease, and a wave of relief washed over the village like cool water.


    ¡°Thank the heavens! The dragon hasn¡¯t come back!¡± someone exclaimed.


    ¡°Maybe it got scared after being burned twice for no reason!¡± another added, their tone filled with hope.


    Just as the villagers started to celebrate their narrow escape, a deafening bang echoed through the sky, shattering their fragile sense of peace.


    BOOOOM!!


    Everyone¡¯s gaze shot upward as the sky above cleared in an instant. The thick clouds scattered outward, forming a wide circle that revealed a strange object blocking the sun¡¯s light.


    As it drew closer, its silhouette sharpened, and the villagers¡¯ hearts sank with dread.


    ¡°It... It¡¯s...!¡± someone stammered.


    The object was no mystery¡ªit was the dragon, plummeting toward the ground at a terrifying speed. The earlier thunderous sound was the result of the beast breaking the sound barrier, its descent accelerated by gravity and propelled beyond Mach 1.


    ¡°Everyone, it¡¯s the dragon!¡± a voice cried out in alarm.


    Panic spread like wildfire. Watching the dragon streak toward them, every villager shared the same desperate thought: run as far away as possible.


    Their bodies moved instinctively, driven by the primal urge to flee. Fear took hold, and the villagers ran without looking back. Parents clutched their children tightly, sprinting with all their strength. Chaos enveloped the village, with only one thought in every mind: survival.


    Amid the panic, one figure remained unmoving. Soru stood firm, his gaze locked onto the descending dragon.


    Reika, running alongside the fleeing villagers, paused when she noticed him. Her breath caught as she realized he wasn¡¯t running away.


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    What is he doing at a time like this...?


    Soru¡¯s eyes remained fixed on the beast above. He squinted, trying to focus on its massive frame as it neared.


    ¡°I¡¯ll use it on that thing...¡± he murmured, almost to himself.


    Lifting his hand slightly, he shielded his eyes from the sun¡¯s glare, letting the light filter between his fingers.


    ¡°Stay put.¡±


    At that moment, the sky erupted with brilliance. The light came suddenly, dazzling in its intensity. Villagers who dared look up shielded their eyes, startled by the sudden change. The radiance reflected off the ground, illuminating the scorched village in an unnatural glow. Those who were too slow to look away covered their faces, fearing the light might blind them.


    Although brief, those who dared to look witnessed it¡ªa sight both terrifying and awe-inspiring. The dragon, descending from the heavens with unstoppable force, transformed into a blinding white mass of light. The radiance emanating from its body outshone the sun itself, resembling a second, more brilliant star falling from the sky.


    BOOOOOOM!!!


    In an instant, the intense light vanished, absorbed back into the dragon. Then, a deafening explosion shattered the momentary stillness. The blast''s shockwave rippled through the village, forcing the villagers to cover their ears. Many felt an agonizing ringing, while others winced as blood trickled from their eardrums.


    From the sky, a blackened object began its descent, trailing thick smoke behind it.


    THUD!!


    The ground trembled slightly as the object landed, sending a faint vibration through the soil. Villagers cautiously approached, their curiosity battling with lingering fear. When they saw it up close, their eyes widened in disbelief¡ªit was the dragon''s lifeless body.


    Its once-imposing form was now unrecognizable. Charred black like burned wood, its scales had disintegrated into dust, leaving behind a husk of what was once a fearsome beast.


    Some villagers murmured in astonishment at the dragon''s corpse, while others turned their attention to the smoldering remains of their village. The acrid scent of burned wood and organic matter still lingered in the air. Despite the destruction, the fire''s aftermath was far less severe thanks to Soru''s timely intervention. Small pockets of the village remained intact, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the devastation.


    Despite Soru''s efforts, the damage was irreversible. Lives had been lost¡ªsome buried beneath the rubble, others caught in the flames.


    The cries of children filled the air as they ran to their parents and siblings, their faces contorted in terror and grief.


    But there were those who hadn¡¯t made it. Some of them sat among the charred remains of their families, their wails of sorrow rising in the air. They clutched at the lifeless bodies of their parents or siblings, their cries a raw, heartrending expression of their loss.


    "My child... You¡¯re still so young... Why did you have to leave us so soon...?"


    "UWAAAHHH!! Papa... Please don¡¯t leave me...!"


    Silas gave orders to those still able to move. They were tasked to gather the bodies of the dead and bring them to the center of the village. Without hesitation, the villagers began the grim task, lifting each lifeless body and laying them down side by side.


    Five villagers had died, burned to death or crushed beneath debris, while eleven others were injured by burns or falling rubble, but had been rescued in time. Thankfully, no one else was reported missing. Those who had lost loved ones gathered around the bodies, mourning their loss, while others stood in silent grief, tormented by the helplessness of not being able to save them.


    Amid the sorrow, one man, lying next to his family''s bodies, suddenly stood. He picked up his hatchet, his movements sudden and unsettling. Those nearby turned in shock.


    "My family was killed... All because I was too busy helping others..." The man¡¯s voice trembled with guilt. "If I had saved them first, instead of trying to help everyone else... maybe...!"


    He raised the hatchet, its sharp edge pointed at his chest. Reika, witnessing this from a distance, felt her heart race at the sight.


    That man¡ªwasn''t he the one who guards the entrance gate?


    Reika''s heart sank as she recognized him, though she couldn''t understand the words he was speaking. The anguish in his eyes, however, was clear¡ªsorrow, regret, and hopelessness. At his feet lay the lifeless bodies of a young child and a woman, confirming her fear that these were his family.


    "IT''S BETTER IF I FOLLOW THEM THAN LETTING MYSELF DROWN IN DESPAIR IN THIS FORSAKEN WORLD!!" he shouted, his voice breaking with emotion.


    With tears in his eyes, he raised the hatchet, preparing to end his life. But before he could drive the blade into his chest, a villager rushed forward, grabbing his arm and stopping him. Others quickly intervened, wrestling the hatchet from his grip and throwing it far away.


    As the guard struggled against the villagers holding him back, a punch suddenly landed on his face. Blood poured from his mouth, dripping down his chin. Stunned, he looked around and saw Silas standing in front of him, a look of anger on his face.


    "Are you out of your mind? Do you think ending your life will spare you from your misery?" Silas shouted.


    The guard shoved the villagers off and wiped the blood from his mouth, his face filled with a mix of frustration and grief.


    "What do you think your wife and daughter would say if they saw you doing this to yourself?" Silas pressed.


    "Old man, don¡¯t you dare...!" the guard snapped, his voice shaking.


    But then, his words faltered as he saw two familiar figures standing behind Silas. Mathilda, his wife, and Emily, his daughter, stared at him with worried expressions.


    "M... Mathilda? Emily...?"


    He blinked in disbelief, but when he opened his eyes again, they had vanished.


    He was left speechless, his body trembling as he sank to his knees. Tears began to roll down his face, and he sobbed quietly.


    "I''m sorry... Mathilda, Emily. I have failed you both as a husband and a father..." he whispered through his grief.


    The villagers gathered around him, offering comfort, with Silas standing at the forefront, his hand resting on the guard¡¯s shoulder.


    Reika, watching the scene unfold, lowered her head in silence. The faces of the villagers who had lost their loved ones lingered in her mind, their grief heavy and palpable.


    I couldn''t do anything to save them...


    Her gaze moved toward the families grieving for their lost ones. She saw their devastation, the helplessness in their cries, mourning people who would never return.


    As she thought back to the time she fell from the rooftop, she realized the thought of death hadn¡¯t crossed her mind then. It had felt as if she were mocking death itself.


    Reika let out a sigh, looking away.


    Maybe this is a reminder that death is always lurking, waiting for its time. That the hands of eternal slumber can reach us at any moment...


    While Reika was lost in her thoughts, she suddenly noticed Soru heading out of the village through the entrance. Curiosity stirred within her, and without a word, she quietly followed him.


    ...


    Soru followed the path back to where they had come from. Halfway through, he stopped and gazed at the setting sun, its orange-red light slowly sinking below the horizon. He watched quietly, captivated by the soft rustle of wheat in the gentle breeze, the distant birds soaring overhead. The scene was peaceful, beautiful, a perfect reflection of nature¡¯s calm.


    As he took in the view, he sensed someone approaching. Turning to his right, he saw Reika walking toward him. When she reached his side, she stood still, her presence matching the tranquil atmosphere. A light breeze tousled her hair, lifting it gently above her shoulders.


    Reika hesitated as she followed Soru, torn between confronting him about his powers and her doubts about his true identity.


    Should I ask him directly? What if my suspicions were completely wrong...?


    As she stood beside him, her mind raced. There¡¯s no time to hesitate. I need to know the truth, right now.


    "I...!"


    But before she could speak, Soru turned to face her. His empty, cold eyes met hers, devoid of any emotion. His expression hadn¡¯t shifted since they first met.


    Those eyes...


    Reika lowered her gaze and spoke in a soft voice, hesitant yet determined.


    "I had a suspicion that you were the one who saved me when we fell from the sky. And with the monsters... I think you used some strange method to deal with them."


    She paused, gathering her thoughts.


    "When you extinguished the flames that destroyed the houses and possibly killed the dragon, it all became clear... Every question I had was answered."


    Soru remained silent, listening, not reacting.


    "There are families grieving, mourning those lost because of the dragon¡¯s destruction¡­" Reika''s voice faltered as a tear slid down her cheek. She looked up at him.


    "If you have such power, why didn¡¯t you use it way earlier? Why didn¡¯t you save every single one of them?"


    Her tears kept falling as she searched his face for any sign of empathy. But Soru¡¯s expression was as blank as ever, like someone untouched by the suffering around him.


    "I simply did what I thought would be efficient," Soru said coldly, his voice unwavering. "Besides, there¡¯s no reason to save every one of them. Their deaths... are not my concern."


    Reika¡¯s breath caught in her throat. Shock and disbelief overwhelmed her, her pupils trembling as the weight of his words sank in.


    "H-How could you...?!"


    Without thinking, she stood up and raised her hand, her palm aimed at his face.


    "How dare you say that about your own kind?! You are heartless!"

 Chapter 6: Concession

    At that moment, Reika slapped him in the face. But as soon as her palm made contact with Soru''s cheek, a sharp, tingling sensation surged through her own left cheek. Her head jerked slightly to the side, as though an unseen force had struck her.


    Did he¡­ just use it on me?!


    "You...!"


    Reika shoved him, but she was taken aback when a strange force seemed to pull her off balance, sending her crashing to the ground. She knew then that Soru had used his peculiar power against her.


    Looking up, Reika saw Soru still standing, his gaze fixed on her with a chilling lack of emotion. The slap she had delivered earlier had been strong, but Soru seemed unaffected, his strange power preventing any pain or discomfort.


    "I understand why you''re acting like this, Mitsuha-san..."


    Reika''s anger flared at his words.


    "Enough! Do you really think you can talk your way out of this?! Even your face is screaming how self-centered you are!"


    If you can''t even protect others'' lives, why the hell have you bothered saving me?


    Soru paused, his gaze still locked on hers. After a moment, he opened his mouth and spoke again.


    "I... couldn''t understand the reason why humans could feel emotion in the first place..."


    Reika blinked, momentarily confused as Soru¡¯s words broke through the tension of their quarrel.


    "Are you messing with me? How could a grown person like you¡ª"


    "When I was young, the people who took care of me said they never saw me cry, not even once. They were confused because a child should cry and throw tantrums, but I didn¡¯t."


    He paused. "As I got older, I saw emotions everywhere. A child crying over a lost toy, a mother smiling while carrying her child, and a dog wagging its tail at its owner. Somehow, I wanted to feel what they were feeling..."


    "I tried everything to experience it, to be a normal human who could understand others. But no matter what I did, it was like there was something missing. I just couldn''t feel it."


    Reika remained silent, her brow furrowed in thought. Though his words sounded genuine, something about the way he spoke made them feel distant. She should have felt sympathy, but instead, there was nothing¡ªhis words didn¡¯t seem to carry any weight. It was like listening to a story that didn¡¯t quite connect.


    His tone was flat, almost rehearsed, and Reika couldn¡¯t help but wonder if anyone could truly believe it.


    "There was a time when I found out that anime were popular all over Japan. I was curious about it, wondering why they had such an impact on people..."


    "Someone introduced me to One Pixce, telling me it was one of the most popular anime in the world. I watched it, and I was amazed at how the characters'' emotions felt so real. They laughed, cried, even got angry, and it all seemed genuine. The way they spoke... it felt real."


    "I ended up watching other anime¡ªBlexch, Narxto, That Txme I Got Rxincarnxted As A Slxme, Overlxrd, and more¡ªjust to see how different emotions were portrayed. There was even a character in One Pxnch Mxn who shared a similar experience to mine. But unlike me, he could still feel something in the most intense moments."


    Reika listened closely, her mind racing as she tried to piece things together. Then, the realization hit her.


    Wait. Could his words be true?


    She locked eyes with him, his empty, gray gaze unwavering. For a moment, neither of them spoke.


    In the silence, something clicked for Reika. Despite only knowing him for a short time, she realized that Soru was a straightforward person.


    Reika wiped the tear from her cheek and massaged her eyebrows, taking a moment to compose herself.


    Guhh... After all that lengthy backstory, I really have no choice but to believe him!


    She opened her right eye and glanced at Soru.


    Alright, time to get this straightened out...


    "Shin-kun...!"


    Reika took a deep breath, exhaling slowly as she stood up, her gaze turning serious as she faced him.


    "Ahem! First and foremost..."


    She bowed slowly before Soru, catching him off guard. His eyes widened at her unexpected gesture.


    "I apologize for my violent outburst earlier. I acted on impulse because of your... messed-up viewpoint, and slapped you. Also..."


    Reika lifted her head and met his gaze, her eyes filled with sincerity and a touch of shame.


    "Knowing that you''re the one who''s saved me so many times, I feel deeply ashamed of my behavior. I''m truly sorry."


    "I don''t mind," Soru responded, his tone calm and unaffected.


    "Secondly, about your superpower... I want the truth, directly from you."


    Soru''s expression remained unchanged, his voice remained steady as he answered her question. "Yes."


    Just then, Reika closed her eyes after hearing his answer and nodded in agreement.


    "Good. And lastly..."


    Reika walked toward him and pointed a finger at his head. Soru was baffled by her actions.


    "Your viewpoint is so wrong! I can''t believe I met someone who¡¯s incapable of expressing emotions, let alone understanding them. No wonder there''s not a shred of pity or empathy in your eyes every time I look at you!"


    Reika stepped back and stroked her chin, as if pondering something important.


    "Hmm..."


    Suddenly, her eyes widened, and she looked at him with a spark of realization.


    "How about this? Since simply asking for an apology isn''t enough, what if I help with that problem of yours? Think of it as an extended apology, considering you''ve saved me so many times, hm?"


    Soru stared at her, still baffled by her proposal.


    "What problem are you referring to?"


    Reika¡¯s eyebrow twitched in disappointment upon hearing his question.


    How dense can he be to ask something like that?


    "You know, the lack-of-emotions, what chamacallit...?"


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    Soru paused for a moment, his expression thoughtful. Then, his eyes widened as he realized what she meant.


    "That... seems fair."


    "Uh-huh? Indeed, it is fair!"


    Reika smirked at him in a dignified manner.


    "I''ll help you find your own emotions by acting as a guide every time your decisions are off or when something¡¯s troubling you. Maybe, by doing that, we can kindle your dormant feelings!"


    Soru thought carefully about her words. A few moments passed before he nodded in agreement.


    "Alright, I¡¯m in."


    "Hmm~? That''s good then!"


    Reika paused for a moment, a thoughtful look crossing her face.


    "I¡¯m not trying to be rude, but I¡¯m pretty sure I¡¯ve heard that same problem of yours before... Was it at a mental awareness event I attended years ago? My memory¡¯s a bit fuzzy..."


    "A doctor told me that I have a similar case of Schizoid Personality Disorder."


    Reika¡¯s eyes widened in realization.


    "Eh? What about its severity...?"


    "Pretty high, as I¡¯ve been told."


    Reika was taken aback, then slapped her face in frustration.


    Then this plan is probably impossible to work out in the first place! If I remember right, severe cases of SPD are hard to deal with!


    She stared at him, suddenly worried, and shyly scratched her cheek.


    "W-Well... maybe a miracle could happen? Who knows?"


    While Reika was lost in her thoughts, Soru noticed that the sun was beginning to set on the horizon.


    "It¡¯s getting dark. It might be best to head back inside."


    Reika looked up at the sky, now deepening into twilight. The stars, previously hidden by the daylight, began to appear in the heavens.


    "Yeah..."


    Reika looked ahead and realized that Soru had already started walking away. She turned around and saw him heading back toward the village.


    "H-How could you...! Hey, wait for me, will you?!"


    Soru heard her and slowed his pace. Reika caught up to him, and they continued walking side by side, crossing the burnt wheat field together.


    "By the way, I¡¯m curious about what you did to that dragon earlier. What kind of method did you use?"


    "I used the sun to kill it," Soru answered abruptly.


    Reika blinked, clearly confused by his response.


    "W-What exactly did you do? You burned the dragon to death using the sun? HAHAHAHA¡ª"


    "Exactly."


    Ehhh~?! I was right?


    "I used the sun¡¯s overall energy release to inflict damage on the dragon and killed it with ease."


    Reika was stunned, her jaw practically dropping at the explanation.


    He used that to deal with that terrifying dragon? That sounds... kind of complex, I guess?


    What Soru had done left a deep impression on her. Despite how unbelievable it sounded at first, she found herself believing him without hesitation.


    That was a truly out-of-the-box response... The fact that he possesses such power to perform something so absurd is terrifying!


    Reika glanced at Soru.


    Although his sense of morality might be a little off, his actions had still saved many lives. Blaming him earlier for the deaths of five people had been a mistake on my part...


    Reika spotted the village entrance as they approached. She suddenly stopped, watching as Soru continued walking ahead.


    "H-hey, Shin-kun!"


    Hearing her call his name, Soru halted but didn¡¯t turn around, waiting silently to hear what she had to say.


    "S-since both of us came from the same place, sticking together seems like a good idea. And to make that work, establishing some familiarity between us is important, don¡¯t you think?"


    Intrigued, Soru turned back and glanced at her. She stood frozen, her expression slightly unusual, as though she was holding back something.


    "To establish that familiarity," she continued, "I think we should start calling each other by our first names and drop the formalities."


    Soru remained silent, giving no immediate reaction to her suggestion. Noticing his lack of response, Reika fumbled to clarify.


    "F-for example, you could just call me Reika without the ''-san.'' In return, I¡¯ll call you... S-Soru."


    Despite her efforts to sound casual, Soru¡¯s silence lingered. Reika couldn¡¯t help but wonder what was holding him back.


    Is he... hesitating?


    The longer he stayed quiet, the more her nerves started to build. Unable to bear the tension, Reika realized how awkward her request sounded. She quickly covered her face with her hands, her embarrassment washing over her.


    Ghhk! Why did I even suggest that?! What if he thinks it¡¯s weird? Was it too much?


    ¡°It¡¯s a world different from Japan, you know? Calling each other by our family names feels out of place, s-so I thought we could use our first names from now on. Hehe~¡±


    Reika tried to laugh it off, anxiously awaiting his response. After a brief silence, Soru finally spoke.


    ¡°If you say so, that¡¯s fine with me.¡±


    Reika froze in place, stunned by his answer.


    Did he just... agree?


    Soru turned away and started walking again. A gentle breeze passed between them, the chill in the air signaling that night had fully arrived.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go... Reika.¡±


    The sound of her name from his lips made her pause. Then, without warning, a soft giggle escaped her. She quickly realized what she¡¯d done and slapped her hand over her mouth, her eyes wide with disbelief.


    The heck was that?!


    She glanced at Soru, who showed no signs of stopping or looking back. Flustered and eager to move past her own reaction, Reika hurried to catch up with him.


    When they finally reached the village entrance, they were met by the sight of Silas, the old man, standing by the gate. His face carried a worried expression as he approached them.


    "Mister Soru, Miss Reika, where have you been? I''ve been searching for you this whole time," Silas said, his voice laced with concern.


    Reika, feeling a bit embarrassed, scratched her cheek nervously.


    "I''m sorry we worried you. We were just outside the village, getting some fresh air..."


    The old man sighed but softened his expression. He stepped aside and gestured for them to enter the village.


    "After everything that¡¯s happened, I¡¯m sure you must be hungry¡ªjust like the rest of us. Come with me, and I¡¯ll get you something to eat."


    Silas began walking ahead, and the two followed closely behind. They made their way to the gathering spot where the villagers were seated, sharing their meals under the dim light of lanterns.


    Reika glanced around, observing the villagers conversing in a language she couldn¡¯t understand. Though curious, she chose to ignore it and focused on keeping up with Silas and Soru.


    While walking, Reika¡¯s attention drifted as a faint sound reached her ears. Amid the many voices speaking the native tongue of the continent, something stood out¡ªsoft yet distinct, like a whisper weaving through the noise.


    Come here...


    She stopped and turned in the direction of the mysterious voice. It felt distant, yet clear enough to catch her attention.


    What was that?


    Her eyes scanned the villagers around her. Some were eating, chatting with one another, while others stood in line for their share of food. Everything seemed ordinary, yet the voice unsettled her.


    That voice... I¡¯m certain it was calling me in Japanese...


    A few villagers noticed her sudden pause, their glances curious but brief. One woman stepped closer, looking like she wanted to ask something, but she hesitated, unsure how to proceed.


    While they were away earlier, the villagers grew curious about the newcomers. With nothing to hide, the old man explained that they were foreigners from distant lands who spoke a different language.


    Although I want to help her, I doubt we¡¯d understand each other..., one of them thought.


    Moments passed, and the strange voice that had called to Reika fell silent. With no sign of it returning, she sighed, dismissing the incident.


    I must have imagined it...


    Suddenly, a voice came from behind her.


    "Are you alright?"


    Startled, Reika spun around and froze. The woman before her was speaking in fluent Japanese.


    "You...!"


    The woman grinned warmly. "I can speak Japanese? Yes, I can!"


    Reika recalled that only Silas and his son were supposed to know Japanese in this village. She stared at the woman, confused by how fluent her Japanese was.


    I thought only Silas and his son knew Japanese here... So how does she know it?


    "You... Who taught you to speak Japanese?" Reika asked, her curiosity piqued.


    The woman smiled brightly. "Oh! My childhood friend taught me to speak Japanese fluently."


    Reika remained silent for a moment, processing the unexpected answer. Sensing her hesitation, the woman quickly added, a little anxious, "Uh... My childhood friend, Fumeir¨­, taught me. At first, I just learned it to gossip with him about the villagers without them knowing."


    The woman suddenly grabbed both of Reika''s hands with excitement.


    "Now, who would''ve thought that I''d meet another person who could speak Japanese fluently? Maybe learning it isn''t so bad after all!"


    Reika tensed up, surprised by the sudden gesture.


    "Ah... Yes, hehehe..."


    The woman quickly let go of her hands, noticing Reika''s unease.


    "Ah! I''m sorry... I got a little too excited..."


    Reika smiled, relieved. "It''s okay. I''m used to people approaching me like that..."


    The woman smiled awkwardly, then extended her hand.


    "Before I forget, we didn''t have a proper introduction, did we? My name is Sylva, by the way."


    Reika reached out and shook her hand with a warm expression.


    "I''m... Reika. Reika Mitsuha."


    Both of them shook hands in greeting, then let go, smiling at each other.


    Just then, Reika''s gaze shifted behind Sylva to the dragon''s corpse, which had been hacked into smaller pieces and was being loaded onto wagons.


    "That dragon... What are they doing with it?" Reika asked, her curiosity piqued.


    Sylva turned around and noticed the dragon''s remains as well.


    "Well," she began, "the village elder said that if the body is left here, it will rot. So, they need to take it to the forest and let it decompose there."


    "Is it necessary to mutilate the corpse?" Reika asked, eyeing the process with some hesitation.


    "Hm... I think so," Sylva replied. "The corpse is too big and heavy. Dragging it to the forest whole would take too long, so they cut it up and use wagons to transport the pieces. It''s just the quickest way."


    "That makes sense..." Reika murmured, her gaze following the workers.


    She watched the villagers carefully cutting up the dragon¡¯s massive body. Its four large legs were being placed onto the first wagon, while other parts¡ªits neck, head, tail, and wings¡ªwere similarly sectioned off and loaded onto separate wagons.


    "I¡¯ll be guiding them to the forest," Sylva said, turning to Reika. "Want to come?"

 Chapter 7: Inequitable Exchange

    Reika, curious, nodded in agreement. Just then, Sylva raised her hand, signaling her to wait.


    "Oh! But before we go, we''ll wait for them to finish tidying up the carcasses. Is that alright?" Sylva asked.


    "Sure, I don''t mind," Reika replied.


    As Reika continued to observe the workers, Sylva noticed that she hadn¡¯t had dinner yet. Without a word, Sylva walked off to get two cups of stew.


    Staring at the men working on the dragon¡¯s corpse, Reika suddenly felt her stomach grumble. She realized she had forgotten about dinner.


    Oh shoot, I haven¡¯t eaten yet...!


    She glanced around, planning to excuse herself from Sylva, but noticed that she was nowhere to be found.


    Where did she go?


    Reika scanned the crowd and spotted Sylva ahead, carrying two cups with spoons. As Sylva approached, she handed one of the cups to Reika.


    "You didn¡¯t have dinner yet, right? Here you go."


    Reika took the cup with both hands and smiled.


    "T-Thanks."


    In the distance, Soru noticed Reika engaged in conversation with someone else. He didn¡¯t want to interrupt, so he turned his attention back to the line of people leading to the cook who was serving stew for dinner. As he waited for his turn, he suddenly heard someone calling his name from behind.


    "Soru! You don¡¯t need to line up. I already have a stew for you."


    Soru turned around to see the old man, Silas, holding a bowl of stew in his hands.


    Without hesitation, Soru stepped out of the line and walked toward the old man, who was standing a few meters away from him.


    When Soru reached the old man, Silas handed him the wooden bowl filled with stew.


    "Fill your belly with this hot stew and find a spot to eat," Silas said. "I¡¯ll take care of the others who haven¡¯t had dinner yet, so I won¡¯t be able to join you for a while."


    Soru gave a small nod in response. Silas smiled warmly and then walked off, heading toward the village men working with the dragon¡¯s corpse.


    Soru glanced back at the bowl, observing the steam rising from it and the faint fragrance that drifted up. It was filled with vegetables¡ªpotatoes and carrots¡ªand a piece of meat. He couldn''t quite tell what kind of meat it was, so he decided to try it.


    The moment he tasted it, he recognized it as lamb meat based on its flavor and texture. After that, he scanned the area for a quiet spot to eat.


    His eyes landed on a figure sitting by a healthy tree¡ªa familiar face. It was the same guard from the entrance gate, the one who had tried to end his life with a hatchet earlier.


    The guard saw Soru approach but didn¡¯t react, merely continuing to sulk in silence. Despite the recognition, he gave no sign of acknowledgment or interest.


    Soru sat quietly beside the guard, continuing to eat his stew. The silence between them was broken by a deep sigh from the guard. Out of the corner of his eye, Soru noticed the guard¡¯s gaze drifting upwards at the night sky, a tear slowly trailing down his cheek.


    Soru glanced up as well, drawn by the beauty of the night. The stars sparkled brightly, stretching across the clear sky, with no clouds to disrupt the peaceful view. It was mesmerizing, a serene sight that felt almost surreal.


    To the right, two moons hovered in the sky¡ª the larger one positioned higher, with the smaller moon beneath it, forming an extremely rare binary moon system. It added an otherworldly touch to the tranquil scene.


    Despite the peacefulness surrounding him, Soru felt nothing. He continued eating his stew, silently committing the view to memory while the guard, lost in his own thoughts, remained beside him.


    Meanwhile, Reika was finishing her stew alongside Sylva. As she ate, she noticed that Sylva had already finished her portion. Sylva, noticing that Reika was still eating, patiently waited for her to finish.


    "After you''re done, we''ll head out to guide the village men to the forest," Sylva said with a smile.


    Reika nodded and continued eating at her own pace.


    "You don''t need to rush, by the way," Sylva added. "Those men are still eating too."


    Reika slowed down, taking her time. A few minutes later, she finished the last of her stew.


    "Give that to me; I''ll return it along with my cup," Sylva offered.


    Reika handed over her cup and spoon, and Sylva took them with a smile before walking off to the washers.


    The village men who had helped with the dragon¡¯s carcass were finishing their meals as well. They began preparing for the journey to the forest, making sure they were ready for the task ahead. Once they completed their preparations, they gathered near the wagons that were loaded with the dragon¡¯s remains, waiting to head out.


    Reika saw Sylva heading toward the wagons and, as she turned back, called to her.


    "Come, we''ve got to go!"


    Reika followed Sylva, along with the men pulling the wagons, as they made their way toward the forest. They passed through the village entrance and walked across the wheat fields, the path leading them further into the woods.


    With Sylva guiding the group, Reika kept a quiet pace behind her. As she observed the surroundings, she noticed the bright moonlight casting shadows on the ground.


    Is it a full moon tonight?


    Reika glanced up at the sky, where the two moons hung above, one larger than the other, surrounded by a blanket of stars. The peaceful beauty of it all settled over her, a feeling of tranquility filling her as she looked at the serene night.


    "Beautiful, isn¡¯t it?"


    Reika looked to her side and saw Sylva walking beside her, her gaze also fixed on the sky.


    "According to the legend, there was only a single moon many eras ago," Sylva continued. "It was mesmerizing, drawing the gaze of all who saw it. With its massive size, it bathed the entire continent in light, shining through the darkness of night."


    She paused for a moment, as if recalling the tale. "At that time, a powerful entity grew envious of the moon. It resented how the moon commanded attention, yet its own existence went unnoticed. Consumed by jealousy, the entity decided to destroy the moon, hoping to divert the people''s focus toward itself and finally gain the recognition it craved."


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    Sylva''s voice took on a more serious tone. "On one peaceful evening, the moon rose as usual, casting its gentle light over the land. The people admired its beauty, unaware of the entity¡¯s malicious plan. With all its power, the entity unleashed a mighty attack, hoping to shatter the moon into pieces."


    Reika listened in silence as they walked along the path to the forest, skeptical but intrigued by the story.


    "Luckily," Sylva continued, "the moon wasn¡¯t completely destroyed. The attack only chipped away a third of it, and that chunk became a second moon, lingering in the sky beside the first. The entity¡¯s plan failed, and in shame, it fled from the continent, never to return."


    Reika raised an eyebrow, her expression one of disbelief. The story seemed far-fetched to her, but she didn''t say anything, letting Sylva finish.


    "That doesn''t make sense at all..." Reika muttered, her gaze still fixed on the two moons above.


    "You see, there are no signs of a dent around the moons, and their shape is perfectly round, which indicates they were formed billions of years ago¡ª"


    Reika paused, realizing that she might have said too much. She glanced at Sylva, who was puzzled by what Reika had just blurted out.


    Oh. They don''t know how the moon was formed at all... Reika thought immediately.


    Before she could say anything more, Sylva suddenly giggled.


    "Fufufu~ You have the same reaction as Fumeir¨­!" Sylva said, her eyes sparkling as she looked up at the moons.


    "Whether the legend makes sense or not, the fact that we can see their beauty is a gift sent from the heavens. Whenever we look at them, all our worries seem to fade away in an instant..."


    Reika fell silent, absorbing Sylva''s words. She glanced back at the night sky, the moons glowing softly. She sighed, feeling a sense of calm wash over her.


    "Sigh... You''re right," Reika murmured, her voice quiet but sincere.


    After half an hour of walking, they finally reached the edge of the forest. The village entrance came into view in the distance, faintly glowing from the torches on either side. Sylva scanned the area before signaling to the first man on the wagon.


    "@#&#-#*!"


    "@&#$."


    At Sylva''s command, the village men began unloading the chopped dragon carcasses onto the ground. Reika observed, captivated by the way they handled the remains, as the pieces were carefully scattered in the forest. After several minutes, the task was completed, and the men were ready to head back to the village.


    Sylva gave the order to return.


    "@&#@#!"


    As the men started to pull their wagons back, Sylva turned and noticed Reika still watching them in silence.


    "You''ve been staring at us this whole time! I''m sure you''re bored now..." Sylva remarked with a lighthearted tone.


    Sylva picked up the torch that had been pierced into the ground by one of the men. "Let''s head back to the village."


    Reika nodded, but just as she was about to take another step, she froze, hearing a voice calling her from behind.


    Come here...


    She turned, scanning the area for the source of the mysterious voice. All she could see was the dark outline of the trees and the scattered remains of the dragon¡¯s corpse. Confused, she felt a tap on her shoulder.


    "Are you okay...?"


    Reika jolted, startled by the sudden touch. She turned quickly and saw that it was Sylva.


    Oh. It was Sylva...


    "You seem off. Is everything alright?"


    Reika glanced around again, her thoughts still scattered, while Sylva looked at her with concern.


    "D-Did you hear someone calling us? That voice..."


    Sylva looked around, but all she could hear were the sounds of crickets hidden in the grass and the rustling of leaves in the breeze.


    "What are you talking about? All I can hear are the crickets and the swaying leaves..."


    "It''s¡ª"


    Reika sighed, her words trailing off.


    "Well, nevermind. You go ahead; I''ll stay here for a little longer." Reika said.


    Sylva hesitated, then tried to block her path.


    "No can do! There might be monsters lurking around here!"


    Reika smiled reassuringly at her.


    "Don''t worry. I won''t be long. Just a quick look around!"


    Sylva sighed, realizing she couldn''t convince her otherwise.


    "Just follow us afterward, alright? And be careful. The monsters might be drawn to the dragon¡¯s corpse, and they could attack you too."


    Just then, Sylva handed Reika the torch she had been holding earlier.


    "Here¡¯s the torch. You can use it to see in the dark and to ward off any monsters, just in case they come after you."


    Reika took the torch, gripping it firmly.


    "Thank you..."


    Sylva walked away, her concern for Reika still evident as she approached the village men waiting nearby. She spoke briefly with them and glanced back at Reika.


    Reika paid them no mind, her attention still focused on her surroundings. She scanned the area for anything unusual, but all she could see was the quiet forest around her.


    "That¡¯s strange... I¡¯m sure I heard it clearly this time..."


    Suddenly, the voice called out again. This time, it was more vivid and close.


    "Come a little closer..."


    At that moment, Reika froze. Slowly, she turned her head and saw it¡ªa faint, pulsating glow coming from the dragon''s chest. Her curiosity stirred, compelling her to move closer.


    Is that...?


    She hesitated for only a moment before stepping forward, her gaze locked on the glow. Then, a strong gust of wind rushed through the area, snuffing out the flame of her torch. The darkness around her deepened, leaving only the faint glow as a guide.


    Even without the light, Reika pressed on, drawn to the mysterious glow. As she got closer, the voice echoed again, clearer now, almost as if it were speaking directly to her.


    "You... Do you want to acquire immense power?"


    Reika jolted, the torch slipping from her hand and landing on the ground with a dull thud. She looked around, her breathing unsteady, before her focus returned to the glow.


    I-Is that strange glow on the dragon¡¯s body... the one that¡¯s been calling me?


    Reika stood before the pulsating glow, her eyes fixed on its steady rhythm. The faint light flickered softly, illuminating the dragon¡¯s chest as she hesitated.


    "What do you want from me?" she asked cautiously.


    A soft, eerie laugh filled the air.


    "Fufufufu..."


    The glow pulsed stronger, casting faint shadows around her.


    "I can offer you something humans crave above all else: power."


    Reika remained silent, her unease growing as she listened.


    "You humans are weak and fragile. To overcome that frailty, you seek something greater¡ªa power that can reshape the world and fulfill your deepest desires. Is that not what you long for?"


    Reika remained still, her thoughts swirling as she debated the mysterious voice¡¯s offer. The offer dangled before her like forbidden fruit. She bit her lip, weighing the risks and the consequences.


    This feels suspicious¡­ Who would offer something like this for nothing in return? Only a fool would believe that...


    Yet, another thought gnawed at her, sharper and harder to ignore.


    I don¡¯t crave power for myself, but there were times¡­ Times I stood by, powerless, unable to do anything. Watching others suffer, watching them¡­


    Her fists tightened as memories she didn¡¯t want to recall pushed their way forward.


    Soru¡­ He has the strength to protect others. He saved me so many times, but I can¡¯t rely on him forever. I have to be able to do something too....


    As Reika lingered in indecision, the faint light in the dragon¡¯s chest pulsed steadily, its presence growing heavier with every passing moment.


    She¡¯s hesitating too long...


    The glow flared slightly, shimmering with impatience. Then, as if it could no longer wait for her response, it surged forward with purpose.


    In an instant, the mysterious light entered Reika¡¯s body. She noticed it, but it was too late to react. Immediately, a sharp pain surged in her chest, causing her to fall to the ground. She gripped her chest, struggling to breathe.


    "W-What did you do to me!?" Reika gasped, her voice filled with distress.


    The voice spoke, amused.


    "Ha! Hesitation won¡¯t get you anywhere, human. Seizing your body by force is the best choice."


    Reika felt helpless, realizing that she fell right into the mysterious entity''s deliberate trap.


    "Is this w-what you truly want...?" Reika gasped through the intense pain. "In exchange for giving me power, you want to s-seize my body?"


    The mysterious voice laughed cruelly.


    "HA! Isn''t that obvious? The exchange was inequitable to begin with!"


    Reika groaned as the pain intensified, growing stronger with each passing second.


    "Now... This may hurt a little, but it will be over soon once I wipe out your mind and take control of your body. Sleep well, mortal..."


    Unable to endure the agony, Reika screamed out at the top of her lungs.


    "AAARRGGGHHHHHHH!"


    In the distance, Sylva heard the scream and turned toward the source. She noticed the area where Reika had been standing was now completely dark, the light of the torch gone.


    "Oh no... What happened to her?" Sylva thought, panic rising in her chest.


    Without a second thought, she sprinted toward the place where she had left Reika. But just as she neared the edge of the forest, a firm hand grabbed her arm, pulling her back. She turned to see one of the village men who had accompanied her.


    "It''s too dangerous to go there," the man said urgently. "Better report it to the old man Silas first. We''ll handle the situation here."


    Sylva hesitated, torn between her worry for Reika and the man''s warning. After a moment of indecision, she knew there was no choice. She nodded, turned, and ran toward the village as fast as she could.


    After a while, Sylva finally reached the village, her breath coming in heavy gasps from her hurried run. She quickly looked around and spotted the old man, Silas, speaking with a woman near the tree.


    "Mister Silas...!" she called out urgently.


    The old man looked up at the sound of his name, recognizing Sylva¡¯s voice. He turned his attention toward her as she came to a stop in front of him, still panting from her sprint.


    "What happened?" Silas asked, his concern evident.


    "Hahh... R-Reika... The guest from before... seems to be in trouble!"

 Chapter 8: Bestowal

    Hearing the news, Silas looked visibly shaken, his expression lined with worry. Soru noticed him from a distance and immediately stood up, interpreting the old man¡¯s tense demeanor as a sign of trouble.


    As Soru approached, Silas hurried to meet him, his voice trembling slightly.


    "Your friend, Reika. She seems to be in trouble," he said, his concern evident in his tone.


    "Where is she?" Soru asked him.


    "She''s in the forest now," Sylva answered, pointing toward the forest''s edge, her voice tinged with unease.


    Soru heard the villagers murmuring amongst themselves, while some directed questions at Sylva, their voices a mix of concern and curiosity.


    "@#$&*@?"


    "@#&$*@..."


    Though their words were incomprehensible to him, Soru dismissed them. He didn¡¯t have time to linger or entertain their gossip. Without a word, he turned and headed toward the entrance.


    Silas, noticing his intent, quickly stepped in to stop him.


    "I know what you''re thinking... Let me come with you," Silas said firmly before calling out, "Guard!"


    The guard, who had been sitting idly beneath the tree, immediately stood at attention upon hearing the old man¡¯s command. Silas walked over to him, leaving Soru momentarily behind.


    Soru¡¯s gaze drifted toward the forest''s edge, its darkness stretching endlessly, as if silently beckoning him to step in.


    While everyone was preoccupied, Soru quietly vanished from where he had been standing. By the time Silas returned to meet up with him, Soru was nowhere to be found.


    Startled by his sudden absence, Silas glanced around, searching for any sign of him. Spotting Sylva talking with some villagers, he quickly approached her.


    "Where¡¯s Soru?" he asked, his voice tinged with worry.


    Sylva, equally perplexed, glanced around. "He... he was there just a moment ago! I don¡¯t see him anywhere now..."


    Silas exhaled heavily, the weight of Soru¡¯s impulsive departure adding to his concerns.


    "Looks like he went ahead on his own. Sylva, lead the way for us!"


    Without hesitation, Sylva nodded and fell in step with Silas, guiding him toward the forest. Neither spoke, their minds focused on the urgency of the situation.


    Meanwhile, Soru arrived at the forest''s edge. Ahead, he noticed a group of men standing near the dragon''s remains. Without hesitation, he casually approached them.


    One of the men spotted Soru and quickly ran to meet him. Recognizing the guest as someone acquainted with the young woman who had accompanied Sylva, the man tried to speak.


    "@#&$¡ª"


    The villager paused mid-sentence, realizing the language barrier. Instead, he pointed toward the forest, gesturing deeper into the shadows.


    Understanding the gesture, Soru gave a small nod and continued toward the depths of the forest. The men watched as his figure gradually disappeared into the darkness, swallowed by the trees.


    Following a narrow path now overgrown with grass, Soru moved forward in search of Reika. The forest was dimly lit, with only slivers of moonlight piercing through the canopy. Despite the eerie stillness of the surroundings, Soru pressed on.


    Suddenly, Soru heard a blood-curdling scream echo from deep within the forest.


    "AGGGGHHHHHH!!"


    His sharp senses quickly pinpointed the direction of the cry. Without hesitation, he sprinted toward it, weaving through the trees with precision. Soon, he spotted a faint light up ahead, hinting at an open space beyond the dense woods.


    Pushing forward, Soru emerged into a clearing. The wide area stretched before him, illuminated by the moon¡¯s silvery glow. In the distance, a towering mountain loomed, its base obscured by thick clusters of trees.


    Under the moonlight, he spotted Reika sprawled on the ground. She was clutching her chest tightly, her screams of agony piercing through the still night.


    This pain... It feels like I¡¯m being pierced by a thousand blades...! Reika thought as her nails dug into the fabric of her clothing.


    The torment grew unbearable, and before long, Reika¡¯s body gave out. Her screams ceased as she collapsed, unconscious, onto the cold earth.


    ...


    Moments passed before Reika stirred, her consciousness slowly returning. She gasped softly as her eyes fluttered open, desperate to make sense of her surroundings.


    What lay before her was nothing but an endless void. The forest was gone. Instead, she found herself enveloped in vast, suffocating darkness. No light, no trees, no voices¡ªjust an expanse of emptiness stretching endlessly in all directions.


    ¡°Where... am I?¡± she murmured, her voice echoing faintly into the void.


    She tried to rise to her feet, but a sharp, pulsating pain erupted in her chest, forcing her to clutch it tightly. As her hands pressed against her body, she froze, noticing something strange. Her hands were glowing, a faint yet otherworldly light emanating from them.


    Her breath quickened as she glanced down, realizing the glow wasn¡¯t limited to her hands¡ªher entire body radiated with the same unearthly luminescence.


    Why is my body glowing? W-What¡¯s happening...?!


    Reika noticed that she was completely naked. "Eek! Where''s my clothes?!" she exclaimed, feeling a rush of embarrassment and confusion. She instinctively covered herself, but her mind was too preoccupied with the strange situation to focus on modesty.


    As she looked over her body, she saw tiny cracks appeared on her body. The cracks seemed to glow faintly, pulsing with an energy she couldn¡¯t understand.


    "You''re a little more resilient than I thought, huh..."


    Reika''s head snapped around at the sound of the familiar voice. Floating just behind her was a glowing orb, its soft, rhythmic pulsations illuminating the surrounding darkness. She could feel its unsettling presence.


    "Encountering me while being this weak, your luck must be terrible," the orb''s voice echoed, its tone mocking. "With a soul like yours, it''s a miracle it managed to withstand even this much. Perhaps your will to live is stronger than I thought?"


    Reika, still confused and overwhelmed, gathered the strength to ask, "What... What are you going to do to me?"


    The orb floated closer, its glow intensifying. "I will take over your soul and body. Blame yourself for allowing me to exploit your weakness!"


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    Reika stumbled back, but defiance sparked in her eyes. She stood, shaking, and backed away slowly. "No!... I refuse!"


    In an instant, several purple chains materialized from the darkness, lashing out toward her. Before she could react, they coiled around her hands and legs, binding her in place.


    "Mortal, you''re in no position to refuse," the orb¡¯s voice boomed, cold and final. "In your own subconscious space, your fate is already sealed¡ªto be my vessel!"


    Reika struggled, her body fighting against the unyielding chains. She tugged at them with all her might, but it was futile. The chains held fast, leaving her no room to escape.


    Reika noticed that the orb began to glow even brighter, the light intensifying as something else slowly formed above it¡ªa new, strange glow.


    "Fufufu~ With this ability and your soul weakened, I can safely transfer my memories to you in no time..." the orb purred, its voice dripping with satisfaction.


    Reika, despite the hopelessness of her situation, refused to give in. She tugged desperately at the chains, her body straining against the restraints. There¡¯s no way I¡¯ll die here...!


    The orb, sensing her resistance, tightened its grip on the chains. Reika gasped in pain as the pressure increased, the metal seems to dig into her limbs.


    "GYAAAAGHHH!!"


    The orb hovered next to her, its voice now a whisper in her ear. "Don''t worry; I''ll take care of your body. You may rest in peace for eternity..."


    With no strength left to resist, Reika closed her eyes, bracing herself for the inevitable. She had hoped for a miracle, but even she knew it was unlikely.


    "..."


    Time seemed to stretch on as the space around her grew quiet. The noise from before had vanished. Reika kept her eyes tightly shut, waiting for the orb to make its move, but... nothing happened.


    Reika shifted cautiously, surprised to feel no resistance. The crushing pressure of the chains that had held her earlier was completely gone.


    Huh...? What''s going on?


    Her heart pounded as she opened her eyes. Just as she suspected, the chains had vanished entirely. She flexed her arms and legs, relieved to regain her freedom. Yet the relief was short-lived as she surveyed her surroundings.


    Everything was still the same¡ªan endless expanse of darkness, silent and unchanging. Reika¡¯s gaze darted around, searching for the orb that had tried to seize her body. But it was nowhere to be found.


    "Where did that orb go?" she muttered to herself. "I thought it had taken control of me?"


    As she scanned the area, something caught her eye: a small, pulsating orb floating not far from her chest. It shimmered faintly in the darkness.


    Is this... the orb from before?


    Reika spoke to the orb, her voice filled with uncertainty. "Are you alright?"


    "..."


    She waited for any reaction, any sign of movement, but the orb remained motionless.


    Hm... That''s odd...


    Suddenly, the orb began to pulsate, emitting a faint rhythm like a heartbeat. Its form shifted erratically: from a sphere to a tetrahedron, then a cube, and finally a tesseract. The transformations repeated in steady intervals, the shapes morphing seamlessly into one another.


    Reika¡¯s gaze locked on the object. Her attention remained fixed on the bizarre, shifting object before her.


    "What the hell is this thing?" she muttered, her voice trembling with a mix of unease and intrigue.


    Driven by curiosity, she hesitated only a moment before reaching out. Both hands extended cautiously toward the object.


    "I''ve never seen anything like this before..."


    Before her fingertips could brush its surface, the object suddenly shot forward, slamming into her chest with a blinding speed.


    "What...?!"


    Reika staggered back, clutching her chest as a searing pain shot through her. Her head throbbed violently, as if it were on the verge of splitting open.


    "GUUHHH!" she groaned, doubling over as the agony intensified.


    Massive streams of information surged into her mind, flooding her consciousness with a chaotic torrent of knowledge. It was overwhelming, as though her brain were being forcibly overloaded with unfamiliar data.


    "What... What is this...? GAAAAHHH!!" she screamed, gripping her head in desperation.


    Then, as if emerging from the storm of pain and confusion, a single word appeared clearly before her eyes.


    <Contract>


    Upon reading the text, Reika froze in place.


    Con...tract?


    Her heart raced as she shut her eyes tightly, hoping the word would disappear. But even with her eyes closed, the word remained vivid, burning in her mind like an afterimage.


    "Hwuhh!?"


    She jolted upright, panic rising in her chest. Opening her eyes again, she found the word still there, hovering in her vision, immovable and unshakable.


    "What is this supposed to mean?" she muttered, her voice trembling.


    Suddenly, more words began to appear, scattering across her vision like ink spreading on paper. Reika gasped and frantically rubbed her eyes, hoping to erase the strange phenomena.


    "What are these words?! Gah!"


    Her frantic attempts were futile; the words didn¡¯t budge. Frustrated, she paused and noticed the symbols weren¡¯t random. They seemed deliberate, almost as if trying to communicate something.


    Realizing this, she forced herself to stop panicking. She closed her eyes once more and took a deep breath, steadying her erratic thoughts. Slowly, she focused her mind, trying to decipher the message before her.


    Now that she had calmed down, Reika began to carefully read the strange words floating in her vision, trying to make sense of what they were conveying.


    "Sub... Abilities...?"


    Reika muttered the words under her breath, her confusion growing as she read the next lines.


    <Chains of Imprisonment> - Summons several chains that could bind physical and spiritual objects. Once attached, the target has a low chance of escaping.


    <Subjective Control> - The user seizes control over the target by dominating them. The target must submit the entirety of its being to the user by its own volition, and the contract is set. Once done, the user can freely control the fate of the contracted subject.


    This sub-ability also grants the user the ability to see into the metaphysical world, revealing what lies beyond the physical realm.


    <Subjective Link> - The user can tap into the abilities of contracted subjects and use them. While some abilities may have restrictions or requirements, it might not always be possible to use them.


    "Chains of Imprisonment... Subjective Control... and Subjective Link...?"


    Reika repeated the names aloud, her voice tinged with disbelief. Her mind raced as she tried to piece together the meaning of these so-called abilities.


    "What is this...?"


    Baffled, she couldn''t help but wonder about the strange words and their purpose.


    "Okay, okay, let''s assess the current situation..."


    Reika muttered to herself, pacing back and forth in the seemingly endless void.


    When that strange object entered my glowing body through my chest, it brought that unbearable pain... It coursed through me like I was being ripped apart. It didn¡¯t last long, but still... how did I even get through it?


    Her thoughts lingered on the events that had unfolded, her confusion deepening.


    And then, those words popped up right after...


    She stopped mid-step, her eyes widening as a realization struck her.


    "Wait... is this what that strange orb was talking about? The ''greater power'' it mentioned earlier?"


    Before she could process her own words, the text in her vision disappeared without warning.


    "Huh...? Where did it go?"


    Reika blinked in surprise, her gaze darting around in search of the words. But they were gone. Yet, strangely, the details of what she had read remained vivid in her mind, as if the knowledge had been burned into her being. She somehow knew exactly what those abilities were and how they worked, even without the words guiding her anymore.


    "This is simply bizarre..."


    Feeling helpless, Reika began walking in circles inside the empty, endless space. With the strange words gone and nothing to distract her, frustration bubbled within.


    "Now that I''m stuck here, what else should I do? There''s nothing here... just me!"


    Her voice echoed faintly, amplifying her loneliness. Desperation creeping in, she glanced around, scanning the void in every direction.


    "Doors, cracks, holes, windows... Where is it?"


    She squinted, as if focusing harder might reveal an exit, but the oppressive emptiness was unyielding.


    Suddenly, a thought sparked in her mind.


    "Wait...! That power I obtained earlier!"


    A glimmer of hope ignited in her chest. She raised her hands into the air, adrenaline coursing through her veins.


    Maybe I can use it to get out of here!


    Reika swung her hand forcefully in the opposite direction, shouting with everything she had.


    "<Chains of Imprisonment!>"


    Her voice resonated across the void, brimming with determination. She held her breath, waiting for something¡ªanything¡ªto happen.


    "..."


    "Eh...?"


    Her hopeful expression faltered as the emptiness remained unchanged. The chains she had summoned in her mind did not appear.


    The chains¡­ Why won¡¯t they come out?


    Determined, she tried another approach.


    ¡°<Subjective Control!>¡±


    Silence. Not even a flicker of response. She frowned, her voice rising as she tried again.


    ¡°S-Subjective Link! Chains of Imprisonment! Hyaaah!¡±


    Reika trembled, lowering her hand slowly. Her confidence wavered as doubt crept in.


    ¡°Is everything just a bluff¡­? Why won¡¯t anything come out at all?!¡±


    She covered her face, embarrassment and dismay washing over her.


    ¡°Guh... I was scammed by that shitty orb! Not only did it ditch me in this empty space, but it also gave me false hope!¡±


    Her voice echoed pitifully in the vast void, amplifying her frustration. Just then, Reika noticed a sensation on her cheek.


    Ghk... What was that...?


    Slowly, the sensation became stronger with each passing moment. Annoyed, Reika stood up.


    "Hey! What are you doing? Knock it off¡ª"


    Reika froze mid-sentence. She quickly realized that she was no longer in the strange, empty space. She was sitting on the ground, surrounded by trees, with the light of both moons casting a soft glow over the area.


    I finally came out...?


    "You''re awake, Reika."

 Chapter 9: Dream and Nightmare

    Reika heard a voice next to her. She quickly turned and saw Soru standing there, his expression as calm as ever.


    Soru...?


    "W-W-What are you doing here?"


    "I was..." Soru began, but stopped when Reika suddenly groaned in pain, clutching her head.


    "Guhh..."


    Soru stepped closer, his movements deliberate as he studied her condition. "You okay?"


    Reika felt the sharp pain gradually fading and opened her eyes slowly. "Yes, I am fine¡ª"


    Her words trailed off as her gaze locked onto his face. She froze. His empty eyes stared directly at her, unwavering and unnerving.


    "Hey...!"


    Startled, Reika shoved him away and quickly stood up, her cheeks tinged with faint embarrassment. She realized just how close Soru had been to her.


    He''s too close..!


    "Ahem! Would you stop staring at me like that? Seeing your face that close was kind of creeping me out..."


    Soru, unbothered, brushed the dirt from his uniform as he rose to his feet.


    "What''s wrong with my face?"


    Reika glanced at him again, trying to ignore the lingering awkwardness. His expression was as blank as ever, with no sign of emotion.


    Somehow, that face kinda bugs me a little...


    Reika sighed and dismissed her thoughts. "Pshh, never mind."


    While fixing her slightly disheveled uniform, a gentle breeze swept through the area. She instinctively closed one eye and tucked her hair back behind her ear as it fluttered in the wind.


    As the breeze settled, Reika felt an unfamiliar warmth spreading through her chest.


    Hm?


    Her hand instinctively moved to her chest. The warmth grew denser, radiating softly at the center of her body, yet there was no discomfort¡ªonly a soothing sensation, like the tender embrace of a loved one.


    This feeling... It''s the same warmth I felt whenever my mother held me close when I was little...


    Without realizing it, Reika''s eyes began to emit a faint, glowing purple light. Soru, crouching next to her, noticed the eerie shift.


    "Reika, your eyes..." he said in a calm tone.


    Reika turned to him, confused. "What...?"


    Before she could finish, her surroundings changed in a flash. The once desolate forest lit up with countless glowing orbs, floating like fireflies. Their radiant hues pierced through the darkness, and they varied in colors and sizes, some as small as pebbles, others as large as lanterns.


    What are those things? They weren¡¯t here a moment ago!


    Reika scanned the area in disbelief. Her gaze locked onto a nearby orb emitting a soft, bluish light.


    Compelled by curiosity, Reika stepped closer. She cupped her hands around the bluish orb, its light shimmering softly against her glowing eyes.


    "Soru," she called out, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "Are you seeing these things right now?"


    Soru watched her intently, noticing her gestures but unable to perceive the orbs. To him, she appeared to be holding empty air.


    "No," he said, shaking his head. "I don''t see anything."


    Even though Reika heard Soru''s response, she paid no attention to it, her focus entirely consumed by the strange phenomena unfolding before her.


    She gently released the bluish orb, watching as it floated away gracefully, its light flickering softly like a distant star.


    Looking around, Reika noticed something even more magical happening. A green glow began to pulse beneath the ground, weaving its way through the roots of the nearby trees. The glow traveled upward along the rugged trunks, until it reached the branches and illuminated the leaves with an ethereal shimmer.


    How strange...


    Her breath caught as she took in the sight. The forest, which moments ago seemed ordinary, was now transformed into a living masterpiece. It was as if she had uncovered a hidden world, one that existed beyond normal perception.


    Reika stood there, stunned and silent. To her, the scene resembled a breathtaking painting brought to life¡ªan unending dream of light and color that filled her heart with an unexplainable sense of peace.


    While mesmerized by the view, Reika noticed a thin fog blanketing the area. It was so faint that she hadn¡¯t even realized it was there at first.


    Her eyes narrowed as she observed its peculiar movement. The fog wasn¡¯t drifting aimlessly like a typical mist. Instead, it seemed to flow in a deliberate direction¡ªtowards her.


    This fog... Is it drawing closer to my body...?


    Baffled, Reika¡¯s curiosity shifted when she felt a faint sensation in her chest. She looked down, and for the first time, she could clearly see what was happening within her.


    At the center of her chest was a dense clump of glowing white mass, pulsing softly like a heartbeat. Along with the small orbs of light, faint and scattered, as if they were being drawn in by some unseen force.


    Her eyes widened in realization as she watched the process. The connection was undeniable¡ªthe thin fog surrounding her was gradually being absorbed into her body, converging to form this strange, dense energy at her core.


    It¡¯s as if my body is feeding on the fog, pulling in and condensing it into this white mass... How strange...


    Reika stared at her hand, disbelief etched across her face.


    Wait... why am I able to see all of this?


    She paused, trying to steady her thoughts, and then slowly raised her hand. Her voice wavered as she spoke.


    "<Chains of Imprisonment!>"


    In an instant, a purple chain materialized out of thin air and shot toward a nearby tree. Reika¡¯s eyes widened as the chain wrapped tightly around the bark, pulsing faintly with energy.


    Did that really just... come out of nowhere?


    She rubbed her eyes, convinced it had to be a trick of her imagination, but the chain stayed firmly in place, as real as the ground beneath her feet.


    It wasn¡¯t a ruse?!


    Turning quickly, she caught Soru¡¯s gaze. He was staring at the chain with his usual calm, unreadable expression.


    "D-Did you see that just now?" she asked, her voice trembling.


    Soru nodded silently, his eyes still fixed on the glowing chain.


    "Hah! What the heck?!" Reika blurted out, her voice rising in disbelief.


    I knew it! That white mass inside me was the catalyst for activating the ability! And because my body absorbed that fog, the other function of the sub-ability, ''Subjective Control,'' which lets me see beyond the physical realm, triggered on its own!


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    With newfound confidence, she raised her hand again.


    "<Chains of Imprisonment!>"


    Several purple chains erupted from her body, streaking through the air and wrapping around the nearby trees.


    "Let''s test the strength of these chains..."


    Reika tensed her muscles and gave a firm tug. The chains responded with a violent pull, shaking the trees as if they were mere toys. The sound of cracking bark echoed around the clearing.


    CRACK!!


    Out of the five chains she had summoned, three tore the trees completely from the ground, while the remaining two left deep dents in the bark.


    Reika stared at the result, her heart pounding with exhilaration. A smile crept onto her face, and she took a deep breath, her chest rising with satisfaction.


    Reika turned toward Soru, her excitement bubbling over as she ran up to him.


    "Did you see that? I have powers now! HA-HAH~!"


    Soru just stared at her, his expression unchanged. But she could tell from his eyes that he understood the joy she was feeling.


    "You won¡¯t believe what happened while you were gone. I met someone who told me that, in exchange for the power, I would¡ª"


    Soru listened attentively, still without saying a word. His face remained impassive, but there was a quiet focus as he waited for her to continue.


    "...I thought it was just a bluff. But after using it here, I realized that it was true all along. The thick fog was just the missing ingredient to activate my ability!"


    Reika suddenly paused, realizing she had been talking non-stop. A wave of anxiety suddenly washed over her.


    Oh shoot, I¡¯m blabbering without even noticing it!


    Reika glanced at Soru, who was staring at her with his usual cold, blank expression. When she saw that he didn¡¯t seem bothered by her rambling, she let out a quiet sigh of relief.


    Lucky me, I was talking to a "wall"...


    Subconsciously, Reika deactivated her ability to see beyond the physical realm. Her eyes gradually returned to normal, and the strange fog and glowing orbs disappeared from her vision.


    Looking up at the sky, Reika noticed the night was in full swing. Without the special vision clouding her perception, she could now see the stars scattered across the dark canvas above, along with the moons, casting their light over the landscape.


    While taking in the breathtaking view, a thought suddenly flashed in Reika''s mind, and before she could stop herself, she spoke aloud.


    "You know, we''re lucky to be born in an era of peace," she began, her voice reflecting a quiet contemplation. "We live in comfort, sheltered from the cold of winter and the heat of the sun. We spend our time with friends and loved ones, free from the fear that someone might harm them."


    Soru listened quietly as Reika spoke, his gaze fixed on the stars above.


    Reika continued, her words flowing more freely now. "But now that we''ve arrived in this unknown land, I''ve seen reality beyond the peace we knew. The eyes of those who¡¯ve lost their loved ones¡ªthey haunt me. Those eyes reflect the horror of death, and the devastation it brings to those left behind."


    Her hand clenched into a fist, and her voice hardened. "Now I, Mitsuha Reika, have a dream. As someone who has lived in an era of peace, I won''t stand by while others suffer. With this power I''ve been given, I''ll use this power to make this place a better one, where we can all live in peace and prosperity, even just a little..."


    Reika let out a nervous laugh after her long speech, as if trying to brush off the weight of her own words.


    "I-It may sound ambitious, or maybe my ideals are just a stretch," she said, her voice softening. "But when I think about it, seeing everyone live without fear¡ªliving in comfort, free from danger. I want to see children smiling as they play in the meadows. That''s what I truly desire."


    She paused for a moment, as if weighing her next thoughts. "I know my path will be tough. Others might think I¡¯m just overwhelmed by my newfound power, but it doesn¡¯t matter. For that ideal, I¡¯ll do whatever it takes to realize it!"


    A long silence followed. All that could be heard was the breeze rustling through the trees.


    Reika broke the stillness with an awkward laugh, rubbing the back of her neck. "Phew! That was a long speech. Hearing myself say all that... it sounds cringey!" Reika chuckled softly, her laugh tinged with a hint of shyness.


    Although I said it on a whim, I can¡¯t just ignore that burning desire in my heart. It may sound heroic, but a person with any strength, no matter how small, must use it to protect those who can¡¯t protect themselves¡­


    She paused for a moment, reflecting on the weight of her words. I don¡¯t have any guarantees I can protect them all, but... it¡¯s better to try than to do nothing at all.


    With a sigh, Reika shook her head and turned away from the view of the sky.


    "Alright~y! Let¡¯s find our way back to the village. They¡¯re probably worried about us by now," Reika said with a cheerful tone.


    Reika glanced around, trying to recall the path she had taken earlier.


    "Where did I go before I ended up here...?"


    A gentle breeze brushed against the back of her neck, causing Reika to shiver and freeze for a moment.


    This feeling...!


    Reika stood still, her gaze locked on the vast sky above. The feeling of being watched lingered in the air, unsettling her.


    She looked around once more, her eyes scanning the area. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, but that strange, tingling sensation wouldn''t leave her.


    "What... was that?" she muttered under her breath.


    Soru, observing her sudden stillness, tilted his head. "Something wrong?"


    Reika blinked, shaking her head as if to clear the uneasy feeling. "I... I don''t know. I just felt like someone was watching me."


    Soru remained silent, his expression unreadable as he glanced around. But there was no sign of anyone nearby.


    Reika closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again, her eyes glowed, and she trembled, instinctively stepping back on what her eyes saw ahead.


    Above her, a massive creature flew, its two enormous wings nearly blocking her entire view. Its translucent body glowed faintly, and on its chest, a white mass gathered at its center.


    That figure... I¡¯ve seen it before...!


    The monster opened its mouth wide, and before Reika could react, it unleashed a deafening roar that shook the air around her.


    ROARRRRRRR!!!!


    Reika felt immense pain coursing through her entire body and collapsed to her knees.


    That roar... It doesn''t affect my hearing, but it directly attacks my soul!


    She glanced up, her eyes widening as she finally identified the monster.


    "There''s no mistaking it... It''s the Wildfire Dragon Veylir!"


    Seeing it with her own eyes, Reika was left stunned. She barely heard Soru mumbling something in the background, his words lost in the shock of the moment.


    Am I seeing things...? I''m sure the dragon was already dead! How is it still¡ª


    Reika remembered that she had activated her passive ability earlier, which allowed her to see beyond the physical plane.


    Unless... This isn¡¯t the physical body of the Wildfire Dragon. Could it be... its own soul?


    Reika¡¯s gaze fixed on the dragon. Its head remained focused on her, its eyes burning with vengeance.


    Now that its body was gone, it roamed the forest, consumed by a thirst for revenge and bloodlust!


    The dragon watched her with a fierce gaze, its eyes filled with bloodlust and hatred. Reika could feel the intensity of its stare, the weight of its malice pressing down on her.


    Ghk! I can feel its malicious intent. Keeping eye contact with it is almost unbearable...


    Reika glanced over at Soru, who seemed completely unaware of the danger.


    Damn it! Don¡¯t tell me I¡¯m the only one who can see this thing?


    She took a slow breath, steadying herself.


    Looks like I¡¯ll have to handle this myself...


    Reika studied the dragon carefully. Its vigilance gave her a brief moment to think.


    That¡¯s right! Since it can bind both physical and spiritual objects, Chains of Imprisonment should work on the soul of the Wildfire Dragon!


    Reika lifted her right arm, aiming toward the dragon.


    I should wait for its response before taking any action...


    The dragon noticed Reika¡¯s stance and mistook it for a sign of aggression. It roared fiercely, preparing to charge directly at her.


    Now!


    "<Chains of Imprisonment!!>"


    Several chains with a faint purple glow materialized from her chest and shot toward the dragon, wrapping around its body to restrict its movement.


    But the moment the chains made contact, the dragon shook violently. With a burst of strength, it effortlessly broke free from the chains, its powerful body shrugging off the restraints.


    Reika''s eyes widened in surprise as she watched the dragon break free from the chains.


    Tsk! The chains aren''t strong enough to hold it down!


    As Reika scrambled to think of her next move, she noticed the dragon''s mouth opening wide once more.


    That move... It''s going to do it again!


    Before she could react, the dragon unleashed another deafening roar. The sound crashed into her like a wave, striking at her soul with such force that she gasped, feeling her body tremble violently.


    "GAHHK!"


    Reika collapsed to her knees, the dragon''s roar still echoing in her mind, its impact wrenching at her soul. She trembled with the lingering pain, trying to regain her composure.


    "Ugh..."


    Soru noticed her distress and started to approach, concern etched across his face. But Reika, still on her knees, quickly held up a hand, stopping him in his tracks.


    "Don''t! I can handle this... on my own."


    She forced herself to stand, shaking off the lingering dizziness as she scanned the area, her expression turning serious.


    "I-I''m sure others are looking for us right now," she said in a firm voice. "Instead of standing here, look for them and protect them. The forest is too dangerous for them to wander alone."


    Despite seeing Reika''s struggle, Soru didn''t hesitate. He gave a silent nod, then turned and headed deeper into the forest to find the others.


    Seeing Soru disappear into the distance, Reika turned her attention back to the dragon. It was slowly descending from the sky, its massive wings beating the air before it landed with a heavy thud.


    For a long moment, the two of them locked eyes, neither of them moving. The tension in the air was palpable, broken only by the faint rustling of the night breeze and the distant calls of wildlife.


    Reika knelt down, placing both hands on the ground.


    "I need thicker chains... something stronger to hold it," she muttered under her breath, determination building inside her.


    She closed her eyes, clearing her mind.


    Visualize it...


    From the earth below her, several glowing purple chains began to permeate from the ground. This time, she wasn¡¯t just pulling from her usual strength. These chains were different¡ªthicker, sturdier, designed to bind the Wildfire Dragon with all the power she could muster.


    That should be enough to pin it down!


    The chains quickly flew toward the dragon, wrapping tightly around its body. For a moment, the dragon struggled against the restraints, but the chains held firm. Reika let out a brief sigh of relief, but her short break didn¡¯t last long.


    Suddenly, the dragon began to shook violently, far more fiercely than before. Reika immediately sensed the change and braced herself for what came next.


    "Oh no..." she murmured.


    She tried to summon another chain, but a wave of exhaustion hit her. Her arms felt numb, and her focus wavered. In an instant, the first chain broke and vanished, leaving only two chains to bind the dragon¡¯s wings.


    Reika noticed the white mass in her chest had shrunk. She stared at it, realizing it was depleting faster with every use of the chains.


    The white mass... It''s draining quicker each time I use the chains!


    A sudden clinking sound caught her attention. She looked up just in time to see the second chain break apart and disappear.


    Damn it! If I summon another chain now, I won''t be able to maintain the others... and they''ll vanish too!

 Chapter 10: The First Subject

    Reika frantically searched for a solution to deal with the dragon. If she didn¡¯t act soon, everything she had worked for would be lost.


    "Think, Reika... Think!" she muttered, her voice trembling as the pressure mounted.


    Amid her swirling thoughts, a flicker of clarity emerged¡ªan empty space in her memories.


    If only I could move the dragon there...


    Her heart skipped a beat as she noticed the dragon lifting its massive head, its piercing eyes locked on her. At this range, it could strike her in a heartbeat.


    "Wha¡ª!?"


    Reika instinctively raised her hands in a desperate attempt to shield herself. The ground trembled beneath her feet, and the air seemed to roar with the dragon¡¯s relentless charge. Its immense form loomed closer, the sheer force of its presence bearing down on her. Fear tightened its grip on her chest, and she clenched her eyes shut, bracing for the inevitable.


    In the dead of night, the dragon disappeared without a trace, leaving no sign of its presence. On the ground lay Reika, unconscious and motionless. The once chaotic battlefield fell into an eerie silence as the victor of their clash remained a mystery.


    ...


    ¡°Mhhhm¡­¡±


    Out of a sudden, Reika was startled by the sharp clank of metal striking a hard surface.


    CLINK!


    ¡°What was that¡­?¡± she muttered, her heart pounding in her chest.


    She snapped her eyes open immediately. Just then, she saw it clearly: towering before her was an enormous creature.


    ¡°That is¡­!¡±


    It was Veylir, the Wildfire Dragon¡ªthe same beast she had fought before. The dragon thrashed violently, struggling against the heavy chains that bound one of its wings.


    Without a second thought, Reika raised her hand with unwavering resolve. A shimmering chain materialized from thin air, surging forward like a serpent. In seconds, it coiled tightly around the dragon¡¯s massive form, pinning its body and wings in place.


    To her surprise, the previous chain snapped and dissolved into thin air. Yet, before the dragon could seize the moment, Reika¡¯s new chain surged forth, replacing the broken one just in time. Though longer, this new chain was noticeably thinner.


    The dragon¡¯s fiery eyes locked onto the chains, and it thrashed violently, shaking its massive body in a desperate attempt to break free. Reika clenched her fists, her gaze fixed on the dragon¡¯s relentless struggle. Drawing from the pulsing white energy at her chest, she poured everything into reinforcing the chain¡¯s durability.


    ¡°Ghk! I can¡¯t think of anything else... I have to keep binding it, no matter what!¡± she gasped as sweat beading on her forehead.


    As Reika searched for an alternative to the chains, she noticed something strange¡ªthe dragon¡¯s soul seemed different.


    Its glow was dimmer than the last time she had fought it in the forest...


    Reika looked around and realized that everything around here were different. Everything was shrouded in darkness, stretching as far as her eyes could see.


    ¡°Wait. Isn¡¯t this the place the strange light brought me before...?¡±


    The oppressive void felt lifeless, as if it had swallowed everything around her. Just then, a sudden sound of an explosion shattered the silence.


    BOOOM!!


    A powerful shockwave blasted through the space, knocking her violently to the ground without a warning.


    ¡°GUUHHH!¡±


    Pain coursed through her as her body hit the hard ground, the impact leaving her breathless and disoriented. She struggled to push herself up as confusion were clouding her thoughts.


    "W-What was that...?" she gasped, trying to make sense of the sudden attack.


    Reika saw the cracks forming across her body, her skin resembling like a fragile porcelain.


    She quickly turned her attention to the dragon, scanning for any sign of change. To her shock, the chains binding the dragon also began to fracture as the cracks were spreading across their surface.


    If this continues, the chains will break apart¡­!


    The dragon suddenly released another attack. A pulse of energy surged from its body, heading straight for her.


    BOOOM!


    Reika immediately raised both arms, focusing on strengthening the chains that held the dragon in place.


    "GHHHKKK!"


    The pulse hit her with overwhelming force, knocking her further away from the dragon. When the shockwave subsided, she looked down in horror.


    ¡°My arm¡­!¡±


    One of her arms was gone, shattered into fragments. She checked her body, and the damage was far worse than she had feared.


    More cracks spread across Reika''s body, and pieces of her form chipped away, leaving her like a broken doll with missing parts.


    "GAAAAAHHH!"


    An intense, searing pain shot through her, feeling like a thousand blades stabbing her again and again.


    Reika trembled, unable to stop the groans of agony that escaped her. The weight of the blow left her struggling to stay conscious. Despite the pain, she forced herself to stand, her legs wobbling beneath her.


    "Ugh... This... I need to settle the score with that bastard reptile..."


    She stood, though every muscle screamed in protest. Her gaze shifted to the dragon, and she noticed something that gave her a sliver of hope¡ªthe dragon appeared weaker than when she had faced it before.


    What should I do...


    As she searched for a way forward, a realization suddenly struck her.


    "Damn it! Why have I never thought of that thing before?!"


    Reika took a step closer to the dragon, watching as it struggled weakly against the chains. The dragon lacked the strength to move when the two pulses of energy it had unleashed earlier drained its power, leaving its soul noticeably weaker.


    "H-Heh... Y-You can''t do anything now, huh?" Reika taunted the dragon while smirking.


    The dragon, still agitated, let out another roar. This time, it was weaker, barely more than a strained sound. The roar reverberated through Reika, causing her soul to tremble. Smaller fragments chipped away from her body in response to the force of the sound.


    "There''s nothing you can do now!" Reika shouted. "At this rate, any more unnecessary attacks will just make your soul weaker..."


    The dragon continued to tug at the chains in a desperate bid for freedom, its futile efforts only deepening the cracks in its soul. Reika sighed as she watched the dragon''s desperation unfold before her.


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    Oh well... It¡¯s not surprising that it doesn¡¯t understand me, seeing as I¡¯m speaking a language foreign to this land¡­


    Then, a thought slipped into her mind.


    Wait... Do dragons understand the native language of the humans here?


    She snapped out of her thoughts when she heard a crackling sound. Turning her attention back to the dragon, she saw the chains had caused a visible dent in its soul, small fragments breaking off with each movement.


    Seeing the dragon''s condition worsen, Reika''s expression grew serious. She stepped closer to the dragon''s head, her resolve hardening with every step.


    "I know you won''t understand me, but please trust me this time. I might have a way to save your soul from shattering..."


    She extended her left hand, the only part of her body that hadn¡¯t shattered from the attack, and placed it gently on the dragon''s nose.


    "S-Speak your terms..."


    Reika froze, stunned by the sudden voice. She realized it came from the dragon.


    "Ehh? Y-You understood me?"


    The dragon gave a slow, deliberate nod of its head.


    "B-But how? I was speaking in Japanese¡ª"


    "What I''m capable of doing... is none of your concern."


    "..."


    The silence stretched between them for a moment, both caught in the gravity of the situation. It was the dragon who finally broke the quiet, its voice low but clear.


    "Now... Tell me the conditions of your offer. I might consider it..."


    Reika cleared her throat, preparing to speak with more clarity.


    "Ahem! As I was saying, I¡¯ve come up with a plan to save you¡ª"


    "Enough with your repetitions. Keep your words short and to the point."


    Hearing the dragon''s dismissive tone, Reika''s irritation flared up.


    "Hey! What''s with that sassiness of yours?!"


    The dragon turned its head away, scoffing.


    "Hmph."


    Reika was surprised to its response and her frustration deepened further.


    This little... It¡¯s acting like a tsundere?!


    In a moment of exasperation, Reika tightened the chains just a little, hoping to teach the dragon a lesson. The dragon immediately reacted, feeling the increased pressure.


    "Ow! Ow! Y-You insolent creature... S-Stop this at once!"


    "Now, will you listen to my terms without interrupting?"


    "F-Fine! I agree! J-Just loosen these chains... Ow!"


    The dragon felt the chains loosen slightly, and the pain began to subside. A sense of relief washed over it, and it let out a heavy sigh.


    "Now, although this plan might not work out, I want you to submit yourself to me..." Reika continued, her voice steady. "And with the ability I possess, I will make you a subject of mine."


    The words barely left her mouth before the dragon erupted in a furious roar.


    "S-Such insolence! Why would a proud dragon of the dragon race submit to a lesser being like humans?!"


    Reika covered her face instinctively to shield herself from the force of the dragon''s roar. After a tense moment, the dragon finally calmed, its fiery rage subsiding.


    "Can''t you see? Your soul has grown weaker over time! If this continues, you¡¯ll shatter at that rate!" Reika said to the weakened dragon.


    Hearing the risk, the dragon fell silent and lowered its head.


    "You''re right," it murmured. "Once a soul separates from its vessel, it becomes weaker. Without a vessel to shelter it, the result would be total annihilation..."


    Reika listened quietly, taking in the dragon''s words. She sighed, feeling a sense of inevitability.


    "Now, you don¡¯t have much of a choice, do you?"


    The dragon slowly raised its head, its gaze meeting hers.


    "I do have one."


    "Oh?"


    "...That is, to seize your body and become my temporary vessel. But I never imagined you had such methods to deal with spiritual entities..."


    Upon hearing the dragon''s words, Reika burst into laughter.


    "HAHAHA! As if I''d allow you to do that!"


    She closed her eyes and smirked, enjoying the moment.


    "Too bad you can''t do it now..."


    The dragon quickly reacted to her laugh, its tone defensive.


    "I-I-It was simply a lapse in my judgment! Being dragged into your subconscious space already puts me at a disadvantage..."


    Reika paused, her curiosity piqued.


    "Subconscious space...?"


    The dragon noticed her confused expression.


    "You don¡¯t know what subconscious space is?"


    Reika shrugged, signaling her lack of knowledge.


    "Sigh... humans," the dragon muttered. "A subconscious space is a boundary between your vessel¡ªyour physical body¡ªand your soul. Within this plane, your soul resides here when you¡¯re unconscious."


    Reika was immediately intrigued by the dragon''s explanation and pressed for more information.


    "Then, are you saying that this space is real?"


    The dragon considered her question before answering.


    "It depends on your perception. In a sense, this space is just a concept conceived in your mind. It¡¯s not a physical place you can visit, but rather a concept that cages your soul. This space is conceptually endless, and escaping it is impossible. Unless..."


    "Unless what?"


    "Unless you destroy the owner''s soul and gain control of its vessel..."


    Reika¡¯s eyes widened as she processed the implication.


    "So it''s like a possession, right?"


    The dragon nodded in agreement.


    "Yes. But sometimes, absorbing the owner¡¯s soul will suffice. However, it¡¯s a risky move. It could plunge the owner into a deep sleep, and there¡¯s always the chance they¡¯ll regain consciousness and take back control of their soul and vessel."


    Reika was stunned to speak upon hearing the new information from the dragon.


    "I can''t... I didn''t even know your subconscious mind could do that..."


    Then, a thought struck her.


    "Wait... From what I''ve learned, dreams happen on a subconscious level, right?"


    The dragon hesitated for a moment before responding.


    "I... I don''t understand what you mean by ''level,'' but if you''re referring to the fact that conceiving imagination within the subconscious space is possible, then yes, you can."


    Reika''s eyes lit up with excitement at the dragon''s answer.


    "If that''s the case, then I can do... this!"


    In an instant, clothes materialized around her¡ª a white T-shirt and long jeans. Her form shifted, the glowing figure vanishing and revealing her normal appearance, her skin bright and human once more.


    "What about... this?"


    On a sudden impulse, the subconscious space around them began to glow with an intense light. The dragon instinctively shut its eyes to shield itself from the blinding transformation within Reika¡¯s mind.


    When the dragon opened its eyes, it was stunned by the new surroundings.


    "This...?"


    The dragon found itself in a completely unfamiliar place. All around it were houses stretching far and wide, each one designed in a way it had never seen before. The road beneath it was smooth, without the typical unevenness it had known¡ªthere were no cracks or separations like bricks. The houses were separated by sleek, smooth walls, unlike anything the dragon had encountered before.


    "I... I''ve never seen anything like this..."


    Reika stepped in front of the dragon, her expression calm but resolute.


    "I know it might sound absurd to you, but this is the country where I was born... This is Japan."


    The dragon looked around, still bewildered. It had never heard of such a place, let alone a country named Japan.


    "Japan..? I roamed the continent for many years, yet this is the first time I''ve heard of that country..."


    Reika giggled softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement.


    "Hehe~ It doesn¡¯t exist on the continent¡ªno, not even on the planet you currently live on. It¡¯s a country located on a planet we call Earth. Earth is much farther away, up there, somewhere in the night sky..."


    The dragon fell silent, stunned by the revelation of Japan and the existence of another planet beyond its own.


    "A planet called... Earth? How strange..."


    Suddenly, several people appeared in the streets, catching the dragon off guard. But what truly caught its attention were the strange clothes they wore.


    "Those clothes and garments¡ªare these the ones the people on your planet wear? They seem so light and colorful compared to the ones I¡¯ve seen before..."


    While the dragon was still lost in thought, Reika didn¡¯t notice a child approaching on a bicycle. She only realized it when the child was barely a foot away from the dragon.


    "Wait...!"


    But it was too late. The child made contact with the dragon''s body. Reika braced herself for something unusual to happen, yet what occurred next took her by surprise.


    "Huh? It permeated through...?"


    The dragon''s voice suddenly broke the silence.


    "Hmph. Since you seem to have no understanding of the nature of subconscious space, I will offer you a bit of knowledge..."


    The dragon¡¯s tone shifted, as though imparting a lesson.


    "As you can see, everything here is merely an illusion conceived by your mind. You cannot truly interact with it because everything¡ªevery object, every living being¡ªis a projection born from your imagination."


    The dragon paused, letting the words sink in.


    "Since this is only a projection in your mind, anything is possible, including interaction with the humans and objects inside your subconscious space. But remember, that rule applies only to you. I am not bound by it."


    Reika touched the wall beside her and felt its rough texture, the sensation so real that it almost startled her. Everything around her seemed tangible, solid.


    "However, you can bypass it by simply visualizing that everything is just a mere projection. In that way, passing through walls becomes possible."


    Reika, eager to test the dragon''s words, placed her hand on the wall again.


    Think of it as just a projection...


    To her amazement, her hand passed right through the wall.


    "This..."


    She marveled at the result, lost in her thoughts as she continued the experiment. But her focus was broken when she heard the dragon groan in pain.


    "Urk...!"


    Reika immediately rushed toward the dragon, her concern growing.


    "Are you alright?"


    She noticed that the dragon¡¯s soul had grown even weaker than before, its glow dimming.


    "Ugh... I r-remembered your offer earlier... It seems like I have no choice b-but to agree..."


    The dragon winced as it spoke, its voice strained.


    "Although I h-have a temporary measure to alleviate the effects of shattering, it won''t serve as a long-term solution..."


    Reika looked into the dragon''s eyes, a sudden moment of hesitation clouding her thoughts. She found herself caught in a brief dilemma.


    Although I¡¯m helping my enemy, gaining something from this is far better than nothing... I''ll have to risk it!


    With that thought, her resolve solidified. She knew what she had to do.


    "Are you sure you want to do this...?"


    Without warning, the entire area around them collapsed into darkness. Reika¡¯s clothes vanished along with the fading surroundings, and her body reverted to its original form, glowing softly in the void.


    "Do you think I have any other choice? J-Just hurry up..."


    "O-Okay. Just stay still..."


    Reika closed her eyes, her mind sharp with focus. She extended her left arm, opening her palm wide and concentrated, preparing herself for the task that she''ll perform.


    <Subjective Control!>

 Chapter 11: Pursuit of the Exiles

    A glowing purple collar appeared out of thin air, faint streaks of electricity flickering along its surface. Reika watched closely, impressed by the seamless effect of the sub-ability.


    How cool...!


    The collar hovered for a moment before gliding toward the dragon¡¯s neck. It widened slightly as it approached, adjusting itself to fit before wrapping around the neck with smooth precision.


    After a brief pause, it clicked shut, signaling that the process was complete. Reika noticed something unusual¡ªthe collar was slightly larger than the dragon¡¯s neck, as if designed to allow for future changes.


    Reika carefully unwrapped the chains binding the dragon, inspecting its condition with a watchful eye.


    "So... how do you feel?"


    The dragon didn''t respond right away. Instead, it examined itself, moving its limbs and stretching its neck as if taking inventory of its state. After a thorough assessment, it finally looked back at her.


    "The weakening process has stopped," it said. "Though I haven¡¯t recovered, the fact that it hasn¡¯t progressed further is... remarkable. Almost a miracle."


    Reika let out a relieved sigh.


    So it can stop the weakening process, huh? My intuition was right all along!


    The dragon slowly stood, spreading its immense wings. Then, to her surprise, it lowered its head in a deep bow.


    "Though bowing before an inferior race is beneath us dragons, gratitude toward a benefactor is essential. I thank you, human."


    Reika smiled. "Don''t sweat it~! Think of it as my apology for, well... you know, killing you and weakening your soul this much."


    While in the middle of their conversation, Reika felt a faint tremble ripple through her subconscious space. She frowned, puzzled by the strange behavior of her surroundings.


    "It seems your body is about to wake up..."


    Reika glanced around. "What¡¯s happening? What will become of this space once I wake up?"


    "Anything except your soul will be expelled," the dragon explained. "Once you regain your consciousness, your soul will take full control of your body."


    Before she could respond, Reika felt an unfamiliar sensation deep within her. Her soul quivered gently, as if bracing for what was to come. Then, in an instant, her entire vision went dark.


    Before she knew it, Reika found herself lying on the forest floor. She blinked a few times, trying to clear her blurry vision.


    Glancing around, she spotted a familiar figure, Silas, speaking with a group of people she also recognized.


    "Is she okay?" Silas asked Soru.


    "I have no idea," Soru replied abruptly.


    Sylva, noticing Reika''s gaze, quickly alerted the others. "Sir Silas! Reika¡¯s awake!"


    Both men turned to see Reika struggling to push herself off the ground. Silas immediately hurried over, extending a hand to help her.


    "Ugh..."


    "Take it easy, kid," Silas said gently. "Are you alright?"


    With his support, Reika managed to stand. As she regained her balance, a sudden, loud thud echoed from the forest ahead.


    "W-What now?" Reika muttered.


    Reika quickly scanned the area using her ability and spotted several spiritual bodies racing toward them.


    Damn it... Why do problems keep coming one after another? Can¡¯t I catch a break for once?!


    In the distance, a figure dashed through the forest, panting heavily. His movements were frantic, his body battered and bloodied.


    "Huff... Huff..."


    The man¡¯s dark brown skin glistened with sweat. His powerful, muscular frame hinted at years of rigorous training, though even that seemed barely enough to keep him going.


    The man, V?lun, was not alone. A woman, with skin the same dark brown as his and a similarly muscular build, ran beside him. She gripped a weapon tightly, glancing over her shoulder as they fled from their pursuers.


    As they pushed through the dense forest, the woman suddenly stopped, her eyes catching a flicker of light breaking through the thick canopy above.


    "V?lun, I see a light up ahead," the woman called out. "There must be an open space further on!"


    V?lun didn¡¯t hesitate. He swung his massive warhammer, aiming for a tree in their path. With a sharp crack, the tree split in half, crashing to the ground with a thunderous roar, momentarily blocking the way behind them and buying them a little more time.


    In the distance, Reika, Soru, and the others heard a loud thud reverberate through the forest.


    "What was that?!" Silas exclaimed.


    Soru''s gaze noticed two figures stumbling toward them, both heavily wounded and struggling to keep their pace.


    V?lun and his companion quickly halted as they spotted the group of humans in the clearing. The sight of them immediately put V?lun on guard.


    Humans...? What are they doing here, in a place like this?


    His companion also noticed the group and stopped. However, they''ve failed to realize that the pursuers caught up to them already. With no other choice, they retreated to the center of the clearing, cornered.


    Reika, Soru, Silas, and the others, though unsure of the situation, cautiously moved toward the center as well, drawing closer to avoid being surrounded by the hostile forces closing in.


    "Tell us where that king of yours is hiding!" one of the pursuers demanded.


    V?lun and his companion raised their weapons in unison, pointing them directly at the pursuers. The tension in the air was palpable as both sides braced for what was to come.


    "Even if we die here tonight, none of you shall learn the king''s whereabouts!" V?lun shouted.


    Among the crowd of pursuers, one man stepped forward, casually tossing his dagger into the air before catching it with a smirk. His eyes glinted with dark amusement as he stared at V?lun and his companion.


    "Well, well," he said, his tone mocking. "Even if you won''t say anything, I''m sure that person will find him sooner or later!"


    V?lun''s eyes twitched at the mention of the mysterious individual.


    "He was a skilled swordsman," the man continued. "With his ability, finding your king will be a lot easier."


    The words hit like a blow, and both V?lun and his companion immediately took battle stances. The grim realization settled in¡ªthey were running out of time, and the stakes had just risen.


    "We must deal with them quickly to assist the king!" V?lun exclaimed.


    His companion, Aeden, nodded silently, acknowledging the need for swift action.


    "Aeden, take the front and left side! I''ll handle the rest!"


    Caught in the escalating conflict, everyone gathered at the center, following Silas''s lead. Reika, still drained from her battle with the dragon, moved with difficulty, struggling to keep up.


    "Hyaa! HAAAH!" A shout rang out, marking the start of the battle as the confrontation erupted around them.


    Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    CLANK! Swoosh!


    The clash of weapons echoed throughout the area as ther blades collided. The villagers crouched low to the ground, trying to stay out of the heated battle''s path.


    From the bushes, three archers emerged, their bows drawn and aimed at the villagers. Aeden quickly spotted them and swung her axe toward the threat.


    "HYAAA!"


    In an instant, all three archers were struck down, their bodies falling to the ground. The axe returned to Aeden''s hand, but in the chaos, one arrow had already been released. It shot through the air, racing toward its target, unnoticed by Aeden.


    Tsk! The arrow!


    Aeden swung her axe swiftly once more, aiming to intercept the arrow, but the difference in speed was too great. Her axe won''t be able to intercept the arrow in time.


    Damn it!


    The arrow quickly shot toward Soru, who stood motionless. Despite noticing the threat, he didn¡¯t move. Instead, he raised his chin slightly and muttered something under his breath.


    "..."


    Aeden¡¯s eyes widened as she saw where the arrow was heading to. In urgency, she shouted, "Hey! Watch out¡ª"


    Aeden fell silent as the arrow hit Soru and simply bounced off his body, as if it had struck a solid wall.


    Eh?


    "KUARGGGGH! GAHKK!"


    The cloaked pursuers groaned in unison, their bodies faltering as they collapsed one by one. V?lun quickly noticed the cause¡ªeach of their chests was bleeding heavily, as though struck by an invisible force.


    Aeden looked around in disbelief, her mind struggling to comprehend what was happening. The cloaked men fell and died on the spot.


    What is happening...?


    In the midst of the confusion, Aeden''s gaze fell on Soru. The human boy was holding the head of one of the dying cloaked men, his fingers gripping tightly as the man coughed up blood.


    "Just... Who are you people... Koff!!"


    With a final groan, the man lost consciousness and died, his body going limp in Soru''s hands. Without a second glance, Soru dropped the corpse to the ground and stepped back, carefully avoiding the blood splatter that might stain his shoes.


    Aeden stood frozen, unable to process the sudden deaths of the cloaked men. Her mind raced, still trying to make sense of the impossible scene she just saw.


    V?lun hurried over to the villagers, offering Silas a hand to help him stand. The rest of the group followed suit, with Sylva assisting Reika to her feet.


    Meanwhile, Soru walked toward the confused Aeden, who was still processing the chaos around her. She didn''t notice him approaching until he spoke.


    "What''s their deal with you two?"


    Aeden snapped out and turned to face him. Her eyes widened slightly at his sudden presence.


    "They''re hired assassins," she explained quickly. "They were sent to deal with us."


    Soru looked around in silence. The area was littered with the bodies of the pursuers, their blood staining the ground. Each of them had been pierced by some invisible force, their chests marked by strange, fatal wounds¡ªwounds caused by his unknown power.


    On the other side, Reika froze in confusion. It wasn¡¯t the pursuers that caused it, but something else.


    Wait, wait, wait, wait!


    Reika glanced around, trying to make sense of things. Soru speaking to Aeden, the dark-skinned woman, and Silas talking to V?lun so easily left her baffled. It wasn¡¯t just them¡ªshe was confused by the rest of the group too.


    Why are all of them talking in Japanese!?


    Reika''s eyes widened as she overheard V?lun speaking Japanese fluently. She had expected him to speak another language, but hearing him converse effortlessly in Japanese left her baffled.


    "Heh... Surprised?"


    "Hwuhh?!!" Reika jolted, her eyes widening as she heard a strange voice beside her. She turned to see a glowing figure floating to her right.


    "You... I-Is that you, Veylir?"


    The figure had crimson skin with a hint of woody undertones. It wasn''t translucent, but it faintly glowed, radiating a soft, otherworldly light.


    "But... What happened to your body?"


    Veylir grinned. "Cute, aren''t I? I morphed my soul into my younger state to conserve my spiritual energy as much as possible. Along with my voice, I became like this!"


    Reika leaned in for a closer look at Veylir, puzzled by the transformation. She reached out to poke its chubby cheeks, but her finger simply passed through its soul-like body.


    Out of a sudden, Reika murmured, "So, about the situation right now..."


    Veylir suddenly remembered the topic they had left off earlier.


    "Ahem! About that... I do have a theory in mind, but it seems you inherited my ability Translator for some reason."


    Reika paused for a moment, thinking, and then recalled her third ability, Subjective Link.


    "I don''t know what method you used," Veylir continued, "but you can only acquire that ability after mastering all languages in this world. And judging by the look of things, you''re too young to have traveled the continent and learned them all on your own. So, I assume that ability came from mine."


    Reika nodded, realizing Veylir¡¯s theory made sense.


    Veylir''s kind of right. Subjective Link can access the abilities of the subjects I''ve binded with my ability...


    "That Translator ability... How does it work?"


    Veylir closed its eyes for a moment, thinking. Reika waited patiently, listening to the distant mutterings of the others in the background.


    "Ah! The words that come from a speaker vibrate through the air. But if the speaker is using a language you don''t understand or haven''t heard before, Translator takes over."


    "It converts the vibration of the incoming frequency, matching it to a language you''re most familiar with, and vice versa. With that ability, you never have to worry when speaking to someone whose language is different from your own!"


    Reika looked at the group around her, each focused on their tasks. A smile appeared on her face as the realization settled in. The power to understand anyone, no matter where they came from or what language they spoke, was something she hadn¡¯t fully appreciated until now.


    With this ability, I don''t have to hassle myself by listening to their gibberish language!


    "How convenient this ability is!"


    As Reika marveled at the usefulness of her newfound power, the group was interrupted by a loud explosion in the distance. Aeden¡¯s eyes widened, and she suddenly remembered their king¡¯s situation.


    "Oh no... Our king!"


    Aeden quickly turned toward V?lun, and both of them exchanged a brief, knowing glance before rushing toward the source of the explosion.


    Silas, noticing the direction they were headed, grew worried.


    "That direction... Don''t tell me something happened to the village!?"


    The tension in the air thickened as everyone rushed to follow, fearing the worst.


    Upon arriving at the village, the group was met with a devastating sight. The wooden walls that had once surrounded the village were reduced to rubble. Several houses lay in shambles, their remains scattered across the ground, and trees had been violently uprooted.


    There were no villagers in sight, and the area was eerily quiet except for the occasional explosion and loud tremors that shook the earth.


    "They must be at my house," Silas said, his voice tense. "It''s the largest and safest structure in the village. Sylva, everyone, come with me!"


    Sylva and the village men nodded and quickly followed Silas. However, Reika stayed behind, her gaze scanning the area. She noticed with growing concern that the dwarves were nowhere to be seen.


    BOOM!!


    Reika heard another explosion in the distance and immediately turned around. Without a second thought, she headed straight for the source of the disturbance.


    She was about to take another step when Soru appeared in her path, blocking her way.


    "Where are you going?" he asked, his tone calm but firm.


    "I''m going to investigate what''s going on ahead..."


    Soru didn''t say another word. Instead, he simply followed her in silence, his presence a quiet support.


    The village was small, so they quickly reached the site of the battle. As they arrived, a figure flew toward them from the chaos, greeting them with a swift approach.


    Both of them quickly stepped aside to avoid the impact.


    THUD!!


    When the dust and smoke cleared, they saw Aeden embedded in the wall, coughing weakly.


    "Cough! Cough! He''s too strong..."


    Reika rushed over without hesitation, grabbing Aeden''s hand and helping her to her feet.


    "Are you okay?"


    Aeden groaned in pain but managed to reach out and steady herself.


    "Y-Yeah..."


    Her eyes shifted to the battle raging in the distance. V?lun and another dark-skinned man were locked in a desperate struggle against a single, overwhelming opponent.


    "I must help them... Ghk..!" Aeden muttered, trying to move.


    "Take it easy!" Reika urged. "You must have suffered injuries from that fall!"


    Aeden sat on the ground, trying to catch her breath and regain her strength.


    Normally, a three-against-one battle would seem unfair, but what Reika saw defied logic. The lone fighter dominated the battlefield with overwhelming strength, effortlessly outclassing the three struggling to fight him.


    "The man wielding that giant sword... who is he?" Reika asked Aeden.


    Aeden, still resting, glanced at the figure in the distance with a sharp, focused gaze.


    "That man the king and V?lun are fighting¡­ he¡¯s ranked in the Top 40 of the Swordmaster Rankings. His name is Agnar."


    As she spoke his name, Aeden¡¯s grip tightened around her axe. Her expression turned grim, the weight of Agnar¡¯s reputation evident in her tone.


    "I can''t believe they hired him to take the king''s life!" Aeden exclaimed. "Even with the three of us combined, we could barely hold our ground against that monster. He''s an abomination!"


    Aeden steadied herself, gripping her axe tightly as she forced her body to stand.


    "Now that I''ve rested, I must assist the king!"


    Without hesitation, Aeden charged back into the fray. She closed the distance swiftly and swung her axe with all her might. The blade hurtled toward Agnar, but he skillfully parried the attack and deflected it with ease.


    Agnar stepped back, creating some distance. Then, before they could regroup or prepare, he drove his massive greatsword into the ground with a heavy swing. A pulse of energy erupted from the impact, rippling outward like a shockwave.


    The force of the blast sent Aeden and V?lun flying through the air, landing several meters away as the ground trembled beneath them.


    "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"


    A booming laugh echoed through the shattered village, its source unmistakably Agnar.


    "Surrender yourself, Ex-King Alguis!" he bellowed, his voice dripping with mockery. "Even if we reduce this entire village to rubble, you have no chance of defeating me!"


    The former Dwarven King, Alguis Fellad, stood hunched, his breaths labored and uneven. Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth as he coughed weakly. His once proud and imposing frame, built of brown, muscular strength, was now marred with wounds and streaked with blood. These injuries were not only the result of his clash with the fearsome Swordmaster Agnar but also remnants of battles fought before reaching this village.


    On the other hand, Agnar, whose muscular frame matched Alguis¡¯s, bore only a few minor injuries. His torn black shirt hung loosely on his powerful body as he held his massive greatsword with ease, radiating confidence.


    "You coward!" Alguis growled. "Using this entire village to restrict me¡­ You disgrace the title of ''Swordmaster''! Ptoo!"


    The Dwarven King spat blood onto the ground before Agnar, his contempt clear.


    Agnar smirked darkly. "Hah! Who cares about that title anyway? As long as my clients pay me a fat sum, none of it matters!"


    Agnar lifted his greatsword, pointing its tip directly at Alguis.


    "Now, let¡¯s swing our weapons to our hearts'' content and see who will emerge victorious!" he said, his voice carrying both challenge and anticipation.


    Alguis gripped his hammeraxe, G?theimmer, tightly. He took a stance, his body battered but his spirit unyielding, preparing for Agnar''s inevitable strike.


    On the other hand, Agnar raised his greatsword high into the air, his movements deliberate. He exhaled deeply, his focus sharpening as the tension between them grew further.


    <Aura Energy Conversion!>

 Chapter 12: Aftermath

    The air around the greatsword stirred, drawn toward it in an unseen current. Reika, unsure of what was happening, activated her ability to see into the metaphysical realm.


    Her purple eyes glowed as she peered beyond the ordinary, revealing the familiar gray fog from before, now flowing toward the greatsword.


    The fog condensed, drawn into the blade. Within seconds, a deep red glow engulfed it¡ªa manifestation of aura. The sword pulsed with raw energy, completely assimilating the crimson substance.


    Alguis stiffened, his eyes widening at the overwhelming surge of power.


    "That heavy aura of his... such pressure!"


    Agnar gripped the greatsword tightly with both hands. Steadying his stance, he adjusted his balance, preparing to unleash a devastating strike.


    "Fourth Style: Mountain¡¯s Descent!!"


    With a single, powerful cleave, a surge of raw energy hurtled toward Alguis. Without hesitation, Alguis swung his hammeraxe through the air.


    <Earth Surge!>


    He brought the weapon down with all his strength, slamming it into the ground. The earth buckled, sending waves of soil crashing forward to meet Agnar¡¯s attack.


    "YOUR RESISTANCE IS FUTILE, ALGUIS!!"


    The two forces collided in an earth-shaking impact, a deafening boom tearing through the battlefield. Though Alguis had managed to counter the strike, the resulting tremors rippled outward, reaching the nearby village. Houses crumbled under the force, reduced to rubble. His defense wasn¡¯t strong enough to fully absorb the impact, but it was enough to keep himself and those around him from being caught in the destruction.


    "Huff... Huff..." Alguis panted, gripping his hammeraxe tightly.


    "Is that all you''ve got, Alguis!?"


    Agnar lifted his greatsword once more, its blade gleaming with raw power.


    "Let''s see if you can block it again!"


    Alguis, exhausted, watched as Agnar began charging his weapon. His eyes darted to the unconscious forms of V?lun and Aeden lying in the distance.


    Damn it! If he unleashes that attack again, the village will be completely wiped out!


    As Agnar waited for the sword to condense the fog into aura once more, something flickered in his peripheral vision.


    "Wha¡ª"


    Reacting instinctively, he halted the charging process and raised his sword to intercept the incoming attack. His technique was canceled as the projectile struck the blade, detonating on impact in a burst of fire and force.


    As the flames died down, Agnar looked around, searching for the one who had ambushed him. In the distance, two silhouettes stood against the fading glow, a strange figure hovering beside them. It was Reika and Veylir.


    "I... I did it!" Reika exclaimed, her eyes wide with disbelief.


    "I can''t believe it! With your ability, I can access all of your powers too! Uh, what was it called again? Sub... Subjective¡ª"


    "Who are you people!?" Agnar''s voice thundered across the battlefield, cutting Veylir off mid-sentence. Stunned, she fell silent.


    "Uh..." Reika mumbled, suddenly unsure of herself.


    Agnar''s grip tightened on his greatsword as he raised it once more.


    "You dare interrupt my fight?!"


    He shifted into an offensive stance, his piercing gaze locked onto them.


    "If you had the guts to throw a fireball at my face, then you must be one of his subordinates!"


    Without hesitation, Agnar lunged forward, closing the distance in an instant. Reika''s breath hitched as panic surged through her, but Veylir''s voice cut through the fear, steady and reassuring. Guided by its presence, she forced herself to act.


    <F-Flame Blitz!>


    Five fireballs flared to life around Reika in an instant.


    "Go!"


    At her command, they shot forward, streaking toward Agnar in rapid succession. But facing one of the continent¡¯s top Swordmasters was no simple feat.


    Agnar extended his hand toward his greatsword, flooding it with aura. The energy spread in an instant, enveloping the entire blade in a dense, crimson glow.


    The fireballs closed in, but with swift, fluid movements, Agnar cut through them effortlessly. One by one, they were severed, their flames vanishing into nothing. Not a single ember reached him.


    Her bombardment had failed spectacularly. She had landed her attack, yet to Agnar, it meant nothing.


    "What the hell was that?! It¡¯s like he saw every projectile before they even landed!" Reika exclaimed.


    Meanwhile, Alguis watched the battle unfold, his mind racing.


    An opening!


    Reika gritted her teeth and pushed herself harder, summoning even more fireballs to overwhelm Agnar with sheer numbers.


    "Ghk! I can''t...!"


    "Reika! Don¡¯t rely on just one ability!" Veylir urged. "I have plenty more in my arsenal¡ªtry something else!"


    "Are you kidding me?! If I switch abilities for even a second, that guy will kill me on the spot!" Reika shot back, barely keeping up with Agnar¡¯s relentless defense.


    Agnar unleashed a massive slash, his aura-infused blade cutting through the air. The fireballs detonated on impact, their explosions fizzling out before they could even reach him.


    "Playtime¡¯s over, kid!"


    Without hesitation, he charged toward Reika, showing no signs of stopping. She barely had time to react¡ªstill in the middle of setting up her next ability.


    "Hyaaaaah!!"


    But in his relentless pursuit, Agnar failed to notice Alguis closing in from behind. To Alguis, Reika¡¯s desperate attacks had created a rare, perhaps even final, opportunity to take Agnar down.


    Silent as a shadow, Alguis shifted his grip on his hammeraxe. Using the hammerhead, he swung with everything he had, pouring every last ounce of strength into the strike.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    Agnar, too focused on Reika, barely managed to raise his blade in defense. But the impact was overwhelming. The sheer force shattered the greatsword into pieces.


    Then, the hammer struck true. The moment the metal connected with Agnar¡¯s face, a brutal shockwave tore through his body. He was sent hurtling backward, crashing into the ground and rolling multiple times before coming to a stop.


    "GHAAAK!!"


    Agnar''s body convulsed from the brutal impact. His head throbbed with an intense concussion, pain flooding his senses. Blood streamed from the wound, staining the ground beneath him. His ears rang with a piercing whine, each pulse sending fresh agony through his skull.


    "Koff! Khakk!"


    Seconds passed, and the ringing began to fade, replaced by the slow, deliberate sound of footsteps dragging across the dirt. Through blurred vision, Agnar saw a figure approaching¡ªAlguis, battered but resolute, forcing himself forward.


    "This is the end, Agnar!"


    Agnar''s eyes trembled. He tried to move, to force himself upright, but his body refused to obey. The damage was too great. His strength was failing.


    "No... I won''t let it end like this..!"


    Alguis raised his hammeraxe, its edge gleaming in the dim light. He tilted it slightly, aiming the blade at Agnar¡¯s neck.


    "I know this is too much¡­ but I can''t forgive you for the innocent lives lost at your hands!"


    With a swift, decisive swing, the axe carved through flesh and bone.


    SPLAT!!


    Agnar¡¯s head hit the ground with a dull thud, rolling across the dusty earth. Silence settled over the battlefield, heavy and suffocating.


    Everyone stood frozen, their eyes locked onto the lifeless body before them. Agnar, one of the strongest swordsmen on the continent, had fallen in front of their very eyes¡ªcut down by the former Dwarven King, Alguis.


    Alguis released his grip on the hammeraxe, letting it remain embedded in the ground. He stared into Agnar¡¯s lifeless eyes, saying nothing as the weight of the battle settled over him.


    "Hah... Hah... Hah..."


    His breath came in ragged gasps as he scanned the battlefield. His gaze landed on Aeden, lying unconscious¡ªa casualty of her own battle with Agnar.


    Without hesitation, Alguis hurried to her side and reached into his pocket, fumbling through its contents. Seconds later, his fingers closed around a small, elongated bottle. Uncorking it, he revealed a shimmering green liquid inside.


    Carefully, he tilted Aeden¡¯s head back and parted her lips, slowly pouring the substance into her mouth.


    Meanwhile, Reika knelt beside V?lun, trying to assess his injuries. Before she could do much, movement in the distance caught her eye. Turning, she saw Silas and several others arriving at the scene.


    She rose to her feet, Soru following close behind as they met the newcomers.


    "What happened here?" Silas asked, surveying the aftermath.


    Reika exhaled, glancing back at Alguis.


    "A lot happened... but that man ended the fight." Reika replied softly.


    Alguis approached V?lun and opened his mouth, carefully letting the green substance flow in.


    After a moment, both Aeden and V?lun coughed in unison. V?lun¡¯s eyes fluttered open, and as he regained awareness, he saw Alguis kneeling before him.


    "M-My king... Cough! Cough!"


    "Relax, V?lun. Take a deep breath and recuperate..."


    On the other side, Aeden groaned, holding her injured shoulder as she struggled to stand.


    "Ghk!"


    Noticing her reckless movement, Alguis stepped forward and placed a firm hand on her shoulder, stopping her.


    "Don''t make unnecessary movements, Aeden."


    Hearing his words, Aeden exhaled and carefully sat back down.


    With the situation under control, Alguis turned to Reika. He stepped closer, then bowed his head.


    "Thank you, young woman, for helping me deal with him..."


    V?lun and Aeden, still weak but alert, widened their eyes at the sight of their king bowing to a human. Alarmed, they stood and slowly approached.


    "My king! You don''t have to do that!"


    Alguis tilted his head slightly to the left, acknowledging their words but remaining still.


    "It''s fine. Doing this is an act of courtesy."


    "But my king, you''re a person with a high status¡ª"


    "Being a noble has nothing to do with this."


    Their expressions shifted upon hearing his words. Alguis let out a deep sigh.


    "Sigh... I couldn¡¯t protect this village properly without the help of others. I am unfit to be king..."


    V?lun clenched his fist and placed it against his chest.


    "But still, killing Agnar is one of your greatest feats, my king! That¡¯s why my loyalty will remain until my last breath!"


    Aeden followed suit, mirroring V?lun¡¯s gesture.


    "I agree! We will follow you until the end of our lives!"


    Alguis smiled at them.


    "I told you to drop that honorific already..."


    As they spoke, Reika, who had been listening quietly, finally stepped forward.


    "Sorry to interrupt, but would you mind telling me what exactly is going on?"


    Alguis turned to her, but before he could answer, V?lun scowled and snapped, "For a human to disturb our king¡¯s conversation¡ª"


    Before he could finish, Alguis raised a hand. The gesture was enough. V?lun fell silent as Alguis shifted his attention to Reika.


    "We were chased by several men who tried to assassinate us, including that person over there. Unfortunately, the village got caught up with this mess..."


    Silas narrowed his eyes. "What did you do to make them chase you this far?"


    Alguis sighed, lowering his head.


    "After my son staged a coup d''¨¦tat, the first thing he did was exile me, never allowing me to set foot in the Dwarven Kingdom again."


    Aeden and V?lun clenched their fists as Alguis revealed the truth.


    One of the villagers hesitated before asking, "Since you were the only one exiled, why did these people follow you?"


    "Because our loyalty is to the king!" V?lun declared without hesitation.


    "That¡¯s right! We¡¯ll follow him to the ends of the earth, exiled or not!" Aeden added.


    Alguis smiled at their words. "You guys..."


    As he gazed at his loyal subordinates, his vision blurred. His body wobbled slightly.


    "Urk..."


    Aeden and V?lun immediately rushed to his side, supporting him.


    "My king!"


    "Let me... rest a bit over there..." Alguis weakly pointed to a spot in the distance.


    "We apologize for interrupting, but our king needs rest. Now, if you¡¯ll excuse us..." Aeden said before leading Alguis away.


    V?lun followed, supporting Alguis as they walked, and the crowd slowly began to disperse.


    Meanwhile, Silas turned to the villagers. "Gather whatever belongings you can¡ªclothes, food, tools, anything useful."


    They quickly obeyed, searching through the wreckage. Fortunately, thanks to their swift evacuation, no one had lost their life. The sturdiness of Silas¡¯ house had shielded them when the tremors struck.


    "Look at that craftsmanship," one villager remarked. "It withstood the worst of it. But still..."


    They turned their gazes to the rest of the village. Most of the houses had collapsed, unable to withstand the battle¡¯s destruction. Only Silas¡¯ home remained standing, but even the well¡ªtheir only water source¡ªhad been reduced to rubble.


    "Sigh... Rebuilding will take weeks, maybe longer," one villager muttered. "And with so few of us, it''ll be impossible to finish anytime soon."


    As they discussed the situation, Silas suddenly strode over, his expression darkening.


    "Hey, you muscle-brained idiots! Why are there corpses lying in front of my house?"


    The village men froze as they suddenly remembered the corpses they had gathered earlier.


    "Uh... W-We were going to bury them hours ago, but we needed your presence. We searched for you, but when we couldn''t find you, we got caught up in everything else, and the burial got postponed..."


    Silas scowled. "You delayed it yourselves! And who told you a burial needs an elder¡¯s presence? You could¡¯ve done it without me!"


    The men lowered their heads in silence.


    "We thought that¡ª"


    "Enough excuses! Get the tools and bury them immediately!"


    "Y-Yes, Elder!"


    Without another word, they scattered, hurrying to gather what they needed.


    Silas exhaled heavily, rubbing his forehead as he surveyed the ruined village. The sight before him was nothing but destruction and despair.


    "Sigh... How do we even fix this mess?"


    ...


    Alguis watched the villagers as they gathered what little they could from the wreckage. Some searched for their belongings, while others stood in silence, staring at the ruins of their homes. Cries of despair echoed through the village.


    Damn it! If only I were strong enough to withstand his attacks... Maybe I could have¡ª


    A small poke on his left arm pulled him from his thoughts. He turned and saw a young girl holding a flower in her tiny hands.


    "Mister, thank you for saving us from the bad guys!"


    Her bright smile caught him off guard. For a moment, the weight on his shoulders lightened. He let out a quiet chuckle, patting her head before taking the flower.


    "N-No problem!" He gave her a thumbs-up.


    The girl giggled, her eyes gleaming with joy.


    "Ehehe!"


    "Alex! Don''t bother that mister and help me over here!" her mother called from a distance.


    The girl glanced back at Alguis one last time before running off. He watched her go, his grip tightening around the flower as he let out a slow breath.


    "Coming!"


    The girl ran off, her laughter fading into the distance.


    Alguis looked down at the flower in his hand, its delicate petals untouched despite the destruction around him. A small smile formed on his lips as he stood, dusting off his clothes.


    "I''ve made up my mind. Instead of wallowing in guilt, I need to take responsibility for the damage I''ve caused."


    His gaze shifted to Aeden and V?lun, resting beneath a nearby tree.


    "Aeden! V?lun! I need to talk to you!"


    At his call, both warriors immediately grabbed their weapons and approached him.


    "Do you have some time to spare?" Alguis asked.


    "Uh... yes, my king!" Aeden straightened up. "After some rest, we''ve regained most of our strength!"


    "Good. Since you¡¯re both ready, I need your help with something. Follow me."


    Without hesitation, Aeden and V?lun fell in step behind Alguis. As they walked, he explained his plan. Their path led them toward the forest, and soon, the three disappeared into the shadows of the trees.

 Chapter 13: Solution

    On the other side of the village, Reika helped the villagers search for any belongings that might have survived the recent disaster. Along with Soru, she shoveled through the debris, hoping to find something valuable.


    As Soru carried a box full of clothes, Reika noticed groups of villagers walking together. When she turned to follow their path, she saw them heading toward Silas'' house.


    Curious, she approached one of the villagers and asked, "Where are you going?"


    The woman glanced around, her eyes widening when she realized who had spoken.


    "Ah... erm, the village elder sent some men to bury those who perished in the dragon''s attack yesterday afternoon."


    "I see..."


    "Now, if you''ll excuse me, young m-miss..." the woman said before hurrying away.


    Reika watched the villagers as they moved toward their destination.


    Should I go and witness the burial rites...?


    "I never thought you could speak our dialect!"


    A voice spoke behind her, and when Reika turned, she saw Sylva standing there, carrying a bundle of clothes.


    "Uh... well, it''s thanks to my ability, Translator," Reika admitted. "It lets me understand and speak any language, translating every word and vice versa."


    Sylva pouted and gave her a light punch on the arm.


    "Geez! And here I was, trying so hard not to mess up while speaking Japanese! Now you''re telling me you could understand and respond in my dialect all along? That means all my effort was wasted!"


    Reika took a step back, raising her hands in an attempt to calm her down.


    "I-I''m sorry! I really was going to tell you I could use Translator, but seeing you try so hard to speak Japanese was nice too!"


    She added quickly, "And don¡¯t worry! Your Japanese is understandable! Sure, there were a few mistakes with consonants and vowels, but nothing too bad!"


    Sylva sighed. "Alright, alright. I¡¯ll let it slide this time."


    Reika grinned awkwardly, relieved that she had managed to talk her way out of trouble.


    "By the way, Reika," Sylva said, her tone shifting. "Do you want to come with me and see the burial?"


    Curious about their burial customs, Reika nodded and followed Sylva toward the site.


    When they arrived, several men were already digging pits in the ground.


    "Lift the bodies carefully and place them in the graves," Silas instructed, his voice heavy with authority.


    One by one, the men lifted the corpses, laying them in the spots chosen by the deceased¡¯s families.


    Gravestones were placed atop some graves, while others were marked with simple wooden planks engraved with the names of the deceased.


    The ceremony began with a prayer, asking for the safe passage of their loved ones¡¯ souls and a peaceful journey to the afterlife. As the prayer echoed through the burial site, Reika observed the grieving families¡ªsome wept openly, while others offered bitter smiles as they watched dirt and gravel slowly cover the graves.


    When the prayer ended, the remaining open pits were filled completely. Families stood in silence, taking one last look before their loved ones were gone forever.


    Reika quietly stepped away, giving them space to mourn. As she walked, she activated her ability.


    Her purple eyes glowed faintly, and soon, she saw them¡ªethereal figures rising from their lifeless bodies. Some souls lingered, reaching out to embrace their families despite the invisible barrier between them. Others drifted upward, dissolving into the sky like fading embers.


    "Ah... I wish I could absorb those souls to nourish my own..."


    Reika recognized the familiar voice and turned her head. Veylir was hovering beside her.


    "What the hell are you talking about? Those souls have families and their own consciousness, you know?" Reika snapped.


    "Who cares? They''re dead anyway. Besides, human souls are great for repleni¡ªACK!"


    Before Veylir could finish, the collar around her neck materialized and tightened.


    "Say one more word about using souls, and I''ll make it even tighter," Reika warned.


    "Okay! I''m sorry! P-Please¡­ Ow! Ow! Ow!"


    With a sigh, Reika released her hold, and the collar vanished seconds later.


    "Gah! I thought my head was going to split in half! My whole body was trembling every time it tightened!" Veylir groaned.


    "Don''t spout such nonsense again. Stealing souls is the most disgraceful thing you can do."


    "Fine, fine! I won¡¯t. Not that I even have the ability to steal souls. I was just thinking out loud..."


    Reika sighed again, exasperated.


    "By the way, isn¡¯t that your companion over there?" Veylir asked.


    "Where?"


    Reika followed Veylir¡¯s gaze and spotted Soru sitting beneath a tree, watching the burial site.


    What is he doing over there?


    She and Veylir approached him. As they got closer, she noticed the strange expression on his face.


    "Eh?"


    Soru understood how painful it was to lose someone you love, especially those closest to you. He had seen that kind of grief unfold countless times in manga and anime. But to him, death was just a natural part of life¡ªa fundamental law of nature, unchangeable and inevitable.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    He tried to imitate the feeling within him¡ªthe act of sadness and sorrow. He attempted to recreate the pain of loss, searching for a way to understand emotions properly. Losing an object, the death of a pet¡ªhe considered various forms of loss. But no matter how many times he had tried in the past, he could never truly grasp it.


    Suddenly, a light tap landed on his shoulder.


    "What¡¯s with that face? You looked like a total idiot just now."


    Soru turned his head to see Reika, who promptly knocked her fist against his head. With a sigh, she sat beside him, looking dissatisfied.


    "Are you trying to awaken your emotions or something?"


    A gentle breeze passed through as the sky inched toward dawn, the darkness gradually fading with the approaching sunrise.


    "Look," Reika continued, "I get that you want to understand what they¡¯re feeling, but just mimicking it won¡¯t do anything."


    She glanced at him before speaking again. "You have to feel it deep in your heart¡ªthat pain of losing someone you cherished."


    Soru remained silent for a moment before replying, "But isn¡¯t death a natural occurrence? It doesn''t make any sense that the idea of someone dying would have such an impact on a person..."


    Reika suddenly pinched Soru¡¯s cheek. A faint tingling sensation ran across her own, but she ignored it, knowing it was just Soru using his power in response.


    "OF COURSE IT IS, IDIOT!"


    Soru¡¯s cheek stretched, yet he showed no sign of discomfort. After a moment, Reika sighed and let go, turning her gaze back toward the burial site.


    "You have parents, right?"


    "Yes, I do."


    "Good. Now, imagine if one day that person died. What would you feel then?"


    "Why would she even die in the first place?"


    Reika paused.


    She? So it¡¯s his mother...


    "I don¡¯t know," she said, shrugging. "Maybe old age or something?"


    Soru fell silent. The question lingered in the air, and for a long moment, he didn¡¯t respond. Then, at last, he spoke.


    "Nothing. I''ll just let things be as they are."


    Reika twitched at Soru¡¯s outrageous answer.


    "Are you serious?!"


    But when he didn¡¯t even flinch, she realized he meant it.


    How clueless can this idiot be?


    She sighed, feeling a sense of helplessness.


    His ''emotionless'' illness is worse than I thought¡­


    The night sky gradually brightened, signaling the arrival of dawn, though neither of them had noticed.


    "What if I die instead?"


    Soru remained still, silent for a long time.


    "Well, considering your twisted perception, your answer would probably be the same¡ª"


    "I won¡¯t let it happen."


    Reika blinked, caught off guard.


    "Eh?"


    "You promised to help me with my problem. What¡¯s the point if you die before you can even fix it?"


    Reika quickly regained her composure and cleared her throat.


    "Ahem! O-Oh... Yeah, you''re right¡­"


    A brief silence settled between them. Then, unexpectedly, Reika giggled, breaking the quiet moment.


    "Well... I guess I''ll be in your care, then."


    Soru turned his head and saw Reika smiling at him. He paused, not saying a word. As he stared at her, a warm streak of light pressed against his cheek.


    Reika noticed the warmth too and looked toward the east. The sun was beginning to rise over the horizon. She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the gentle breeze pass through her.


    "You sure both make a great couple."


    Reika turned around and saw Veylir floating beside her.


    Why does this dragon keep popping up out of nowhere and disappearing without a trace?


    Veylir flew closer to Soru.


    "Although he''s eccentric, I''m sure he''s a great guy!"


    Reika¡¯s expression turned smug.


    "Haaah? We barely even talk, and now you''re shipping us?"


    Soru poked Veylir¡¯s cheek, but his finger passed right through.


    "I''m sure if you spend more time with him, you''ll get to know each other in no time," Veylir said.


    "Who is this creature?" Soru abruptly said while glancing at Veylir.


    "Oh... that''s Veylir, the dragon you killed yesterday."


    Soru and Veylir locked eyes. Suddenly, Veylir jolted and flew back frantically.


    "T-T-This is the one who killed m-me...!?"


    She turned to Reika, seeking confirmation. Reika simply nodded in silence.


    "No way... B-But...?!"


    Veylir hesitated, then looked back at Soru. The intensity of his gaze sent shivers down her spine. In that moment, she fully grasped the truth¡ªthe man standing before her was indeed the one who had ended her physical existence.


    "To think a human could kill a dragon like me... I can hardly believe it."


    She cautiously floated beside Reika.


    "I-If that¡¯s the case, I shan¡¯t anger that man in the future. He possesses the power to harm and slay a dragon!"


    "Hey, he''s not the only one who defeated a dragon. I beat you too!" Reika shot back.


    "That¡¯s only because I was weakened! I had, let¡¯s say... 10% of my strength left when you fought me. Now, I barely have 7%! If I had been at my peak, you wouldn¡¯t have stood a chance!"


    Reika fell silent, lowering her head.


    "Though... I don¡¯t understand why my soul is weaker than before..."


    Veylir paused when she noticed Reika sulking.


    "Are you okay?" she asked.


    Reika took a deep breath and exhaled.


    "Pshh... So you¡¯re saying you weren¡¯t at your best when we fought, huh?"


    She clenched her fist.


    "If that''s the case, then let''s have a rematch once you regain your full strength!"


    Veylir flapped her wings, eyes gleaming with excitement.


    "Hah! Bring it on, then!"


    As the two hyped themselves up for their inevitable rematch, Soru remained silent, watching them without a word.


    Reika suddenly paused, her gaze shifting to the distance. A group of villagers had gathered around the ruined well at the village center.


    "They seem to be having a serious discussion over there..." she murmured.


    Curious, she decided to check it out. Without another word, she walked toward the crowd, leaving Soru sitting beneath the tree.


    Even from a distance, Reika could hear the villagers voicing their concerns to Silas.


    "Chief, what should we do? We don¡¯t have enough food or clothes, and all our houses were destroyed. It''s already daybreak..."


    "That¡¯s right! Without shelter, we¡¯ll freeze at night or get drenched when it rains. Sleeping will be impossible!"


    "What¡¯s going to happen to us now?"


    Silas faced the worried crowd, his expression troubled.


    "I don¡¯t know... It¡¯s been hours since the burial ceremony. We can temporarily solve the food shortage by hunting in the forest, but rebuilding homes will take time..."


    A collective sigh spread among the villagers. The series of disasters had left them overwhelmed.


    After a moment, Silas stepped away and pointed toward the wheat fields. The villagers followed his gaze, waiting for his next words.


    "For now, gather all the remaining wheat crops. We¡¯ll use its stalks to make temporary pillows for the children. As for the wheat seeds, collect them for consumption."


    The villagers exchanged murmurs at his instructions.


    "But what about our houses?" one of them asked.


    "I¡¯ll find a way to solve that problem..." Silas replied.


    The villagers glanced at each other before nodding. Without further hesitation, they scattered across the fields and began gathering the remaining wheat.


    An hour passed, and the sun now hung high in the sky. The men had finished harvesting the fields, separating the wheat seeds from their stalks. However, some stalks were still damp, making them unsuitable for bedding. To solve this, they divided the dry stalks from the wet ones. The damp stalks were carefully dried over campfires, ensuring they didn¡¯t burn in the process.


    Meanwhile, the women took the dried stalks and wrapped them in salvaged fabric to create makeshift pillows. The remaining stalks were woven into simple baskets to store the wheat seeds.


    Silas watched as the villagers busied themselves. Some children, now awake, eagerly helped their parents with small tasks, while others simply observed.


    Meanwhile, Reika was finishing up a makeshift pillow, smoothing out the fabric before handing it to a woman. As she worked, she noticed Silas sitting off to the side, deep in thought, his expression troubled.


    She approached him and overheard his quiet muttering.


    "I need to figure out a way to solve the housing problem... but how?"


    Reika crossed her arms. "Instead of trying to handle everything alone, don''t you think you should rely on others, Mister Silas?"


    Silas turned, startled by the familiar voice. "Miss Reika? And... your language?"


    She smiled. "I had a little encounter in the forest that allowed me to understand the dialect of this continent. As for the details, I¡¯d rather keep them a secret."


    Silas studied her for a moment before nodding. "I see..."


    "About that problem of yours¡ª" Reika started but stopped when she saw Aeden approaching. The woman looked irritated, grumbling to herself.


    "That lazy bastard...!"


    Reika raised an eyebrow. "Do you need something from us?"


    Aeden flinched, as if she hadn¡¯t realized she was so close. "Ah! Er... I need to discuss something with Mister Silas."


    Silas stood up. "I apologize, Miss Aeden, but we¡¯re in the middle of dealing with a major issue¡ª"


    "You mean the housing problem?" Aeden interrupted.


    Silas hesitated. "How do you know about that?"


    Aeden glanced around. The remnants of the destroyed houses were everywhere, making it obvious. "It¡¯s not hard to figure out."


    Silas sighed as Aeden hit the heart of the issue.


    "But don¡¯t worry," she added with a confident smirk. "That¡¯s exactly why I¡¯m here."

 Chapter 14: New Settlement

    The two of them were baffled, trying to grasp what Aeden meant.


    "And the reason you''re here is...?" Reika asked.


    Aeden cleared her throat before answering.


    "Ahem! While we were gathering logs in the forest, we stumbled upon an abandoned structure deep inside."


    Silas looked up at the sky, searching his memory. A few seconds later, something clicked.


    "Oh! That must be the structure I saw when I was young. If I remember right, there were piles of broken bricks scattered around..."


    "Yes. At first, we ignored it since the bricks had become brittle from time and erosion, but our king, Alguis, had an idea¡ªhe suggested using the site to build a settlement instead."


    "With his ability, he reshaped large stones into new bricks, making them usable for construction. Then, he ordered us to gather logs and turn them into beams, planks, and slabs to build houses."


    Silas¡¯ eyes widened as he finally understood what Aeden was trying to say.


    ¡°So that means¡­?!¡±


    ¡°Yes. The three of us built houses so these villagers could have a place to live. While they¡¯re free to leave if they manage to find another settlement, they can stay there for now¡­¡±


    Despite the good news, Silas¡¯ expression darkened. Reika noticed and asked,


    ¡°That¡¯s a generous offer, Mister Silas! Why aren¡¯t you happy?¡±


    Silas turned, gazing at what remained of the village¡ªnow nothing but rubble.


    ¡°It¡¯s just that¡­ all of us were born and raised here. Our ancestors lived and died in this very place. We made memories, celebrated feasts, witnessed marriages¡­ This village was our home.¡±


    He turned back to Aeden, meeting her eyes.


    ¡°I appreciate the offer, but it¡¯s not my decision to make.¡±


    "W-We would like to accept it."


    Silas turned to see the villagers gathered behind him. They had been listening the whole time.


    ¡°Elder, thank you for your concerns. You¡¯re right¡ªwe built our lives here. Our children grew up here. We thrived here.¡±


    ¡°But there comes a time when we must leave behind even the places we love for the sake of survival. I¡¯m sure our ancestors¡ªeven your late mother¡ªwould have made the same choice.¡±


    Silas looked at the villagers.


    ¡°But even if I agree, we have to consider that our village is still part of the Kingdom of Ardrom. We are its subjects. Settling in the forest, beyond the kingdom¡¯s land, could bring serious trouble.¡±


    ¡°Who cares about the kingdom?¡± someone shouted. ¡°They rarely come here, except to bleed us dry with taxes and take our goods!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right! Even if we were attacked by monsters, they wouldn¡¯t lift a finger unless it benefited them! We¡¯re nothing but a remote village on the borders!¡±


    ¡°We paid them taxes, gave them crops¡ªpromised protection in return! But look at what happened. Did their soldiers come to save us? Did they help rebuild our village? No! Not a single one of them!¡±


    ¡°We¡¯d rather live somewhere the kingdom won¡¯t bother us anymore. Free from their grasp and become independent. What do you say, my fellow villagers?¡±


    ¡°Yeah!¡± they roared in unison.


    Silas saw the determination in the villagers¡¯ eyes and fell silent. A village woman stepped forward and gently tapped his shoulder.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Village Elder. In our new home, we¡¯ll create new, joyful memories. Besides¡­ I¡¯d rather leave behind the pain of my husband¡¯s death and build a future with my children instead.¡±


    Hearing her words, Silas finally accepted the village¡¯s decision. He stepped forward, facing the crowd.


    ¡°Since you¡¯ve all chosen to move to our temporary¡ªno, our new settlement¡ªI have no choice but to accept their offer!¡±


    The villagers erupted into cheers, relieved that their worries about shelter were finally over.


    ¡°We¡¯ll also provide protection while you live there, as an apology,¡± Aeden added. ¡°Since we have nowhere else to settle for now, this is our way of making amends for the destruction we¡¯ve caused.¡±


    The crowd grew even more lively, their cheers ringing through the ruins.


    ¡°Hurrah! With their protection, we won¡¯t have to fear those monsters anymore!¡±


    But as the excitement swelled, Silas raised a hand, silencing the villagers.


    ¡°Now that our plans had changed, we''ll move there immediately. Have you finished gathering your belongings and completing the tasks I assigned?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± one of the villagers called out. ¡°We finished making pillows and gathered all the remaining wheat, packing it into baskets woven from wheat stalks.¡±


    ¡°Good. Prepare the remaining wagons and get moving! If the wagons are full, carry the rest by hand!¡±


    At his command, the villagers scattered, gathering the three intact wagons in no time. They loaded the heavy and essential supplies first, while the rest carried lighter items on their backs.


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    As the villagers worked, Aeden and Reika stood off to the side, watching. After a moment, Aeden spoke.


    ¡°The king told me he didn¡¯t defeat Agnar alone. Someone created a distraction so he could land the finishing blow.¡±


    She turned to Reika, bowing her head.


    ¡°I must thank you for your assistance in defeating Agnar.¡±


    Reika started to protest, but before she could, Aeden straightened and extended her hand.


    ¡°I¡¯m Aeden, one of the personal guards of King Alguis Fellad.¡±


    Reika reached out and shook her hand.


    ¡°I¡¯m Reika Mitsuha.¡±


    Aeden hesitated for a moment.


    A surname? Is she a noblewoman?


    They shook hands with formality. Meanwhile, in the distance, V?lun was seen sitting beneath a tree, watching the village¡¯s preparations. Beside him, the boy he had encountered before¡ªSoru¡ªstirred awake.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re finally awake¡­¡±


    Soru blinked and turned, recognizing the dark-skinned man who had fought alongside them in the forest.


    ¡°It feels empty, doesn¡¯t it?¡± V?lun muttered, staring at the ruins. ¡°The golden fields are gone¡­ and now, it¡¯s just barren land.¡±


    Soru didn¡¯t reply, only watching in silence. Suddenly, V?lun raised his hand and extended it toward him.


    ¡°By the way, I¡¯m V?lun.¡±


    Soru hesitated before lifting his own hand to shake V?lun¡¯s.


    ¡°Soru Shin.¡±


    V?lun paused, his grip tightening slightly.


    A surname? Is he of noble birth?


    After a brief moment, they released each other¡¯s hands and turned back to the ruined landscape, letting the silence stretch between them.


    ¡°¡­By the way, Soru. I¡­¡±


    The two spoke for nearly an hour, unaware of how much time had passed. Meanwhile, the villagers finished their preparations, standing ready to depart.


    ¡°Now, let¡¯s move out!¡± Silas commanded.


    With Aeden leading the way, Reika, Silas, and the villagers followed, stepping onto the path that would take them to their new home.


    In the distance, V?lun was still talking to Soru about their plan to provide the villagers with a new home when he noticed the entire group had started moving. He stopped mid-sentence and immediately stood up.


    Soru, seeing the villagers on the move, turned to him.


    ¡°They¡¯re leaving¡­ So that means they accepted your king¡¯s proposal, right?¡±


    V?lun paused briefly before nodding.


    ¡°Yeah, looks like it.¡±


    Soru got up and followed V?lun as they walked toward the villagers. Moments later, Aeden spotted them, and her expression shifted.


    ¡°Well, well, look who finally decided to show up¡ªthe slacker himself!¡±


    Up ahead, V?lun saw Aeden wearing a cheerful grin. He raised an eyebrow.


    Hm¡­ I thought she¡¯d be mad at me for leaving her, but she doesn¡¯t seem to care at all¡­


    But just as he let his guard down, Aeden¡¯s expression turned sharp. She marched up to him, grabbed his ear, and pinched it as hard as she could.


    ¡°You bastard! We were ordered to inform and guide these villagers, and yet you had the nerve to slack off?!¡±


    ¡°Ow! Ow! Ow! I-I''m sorry! I-I was just introducing myself to the kid over there!¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    Aeden released him the moment she noticed Soru standing beside him.


    That¡¯s the kid from before¡­


    She shoved V?lun aside and faced Soru. A tense atmosphere settled between them, and the villagers held their breath, watching. Then, suddenly, Aeden extended her hand.


    ¡°I¡¯m Aeden. You must be Miss Reika¡¯s companion.¡±


    She glanced to her right, where Reika stood observing. Soru reached out in response, grasping Aeden¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Soru Shin.¡±


    Reika¡¯s eyes widened in shock.


    Eh? He understands their dialect? How¡­ and when did that happen?


    At the same time, Aeden hesitated.


    A surname? Is he a noble like Miss Reika?


    They shook hands formally before continuing down the path toward the new settlement.


    As they walked, something nagged at Aeden¡¯s thoughts.


    Both of them have surnames¡­ but only nobles possess them. Does that mean¡­?


    After some hesitation, she spoke up.


    ¡°Miss Reika, Mister Soru, may I ask you something?¡±


    Both turned to her.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Reika asked.


    ¡°Since both of you have surnames, I assume you hold some noble status. May I ask which kingdom you hail from?¡±


    Reika fell silent for a moment before answering.


    ¡°We¡¯re not nobles, nor do we come from a kingdom. We¡¯re from a country where surnames are common and have nothing to do with status.¡±


    Aeden frowned in confusion.


    ¡°A country where surnames are common? I¡¯ve never heard of such a place¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s from a continent next to this one,¡± Reika added.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    Another continent? I¡¯ve never read about that in any history books¡­ Does such a place truly exist?


    Aeden realized she had slowed her pace. She quickened her steps to catch up.


    Well, whether it exists or not isn¡¯t my concern. First, I need to focus on finishing the task our king entrusted to us!


    ...


    The villagers marched for hours without rest, determined to reach their destination before sunset. Fortunately, the sky was partly cloudy, shielding them from the worst of the sun¡¯s heat.


    As they entered the forest, they encountered several monsters, but the dwarves and others dispatched them with ease.


    Hours had passed, and at last, they arrived. The sun hung high in the sky¡ªit was already noon.


    The new settlement was nestled among lush, young trees, while larger ones were being cut down for construction. In the distance, workers chiseled massive stones, preparing the foundations for more houses.


    The villagers scanned the area, taking in the sight of seven completed homes¡ªbuilt by the dwarves. Beyond them, more structures stood half-finished, waiting to be completed.


    Up ahead, two large houses stood at the far end of the settlement, still under construction. Atop one of them, Alguis Fellad was securing the roof, placing wooden slabs into position with practiced ease.


    The villagers wasted no time settling in. Some chose their houses and moved their belongings inside, while others, whose homes were still unfinished, pitched in to complete the work. Children roamed the area, exploring their new surroundings while their parents and older siblings busied themselves arranging furniture and supplies.


    As Reika took in the sight of the bustling settlement, a child''s cry caught her attention.


    ¡°Uuu¡­ Mama, I miss Papa¡­¡±


    Nearby, a young girl clung to her mother¡¯s skirt, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her mother knelt beside her, gently stroking her hair.


    ¡°Don¡¯t cry, my child. You know Papa wouldn¡¯t want to see you like this.¡±


    ¡°But still! I want to see Papa again!¡±


    Moved by the scene, Reika stepped forward and knelt beside the girl.


    ¡°Hey now, no more tears. I¡¯m sure your papa would be worried if he saw his cute little princess crying¡­¡±


    The girl sniffled and lifted her gaze to Reika.


    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t want to worry Papa anymore. I won¡¯t cry... ever again!¡±


    Reika smiled and patted her head.


    ¡°That¡¯s the spirit! Now, why don¡¯t you go play with your friends over there?¡±


    She gestured toward a group of children playing at the center of the settlement.


    ¡°Mhm!¡±


    Wiping her tears, the girl nodded and ran off, a small smile returning to her face.


    Her mother let out a relieved sigh and bowed slightly.


    ¡°Thank you, Miss Reika. She was very attached to her father¡­ Ever since he passed, she¡¯s been crying non-stop. This is the first time she¡¯s smiled in days.¡±


    Reika patted the village woman¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°No problem! Now that she¡¯s feeling better, you don¡¯t have to worry anymore.¡±


    The woman¡¯s eyes sparkled with gratitude.


    ¡°Miss Reika¡­¡±


    As they spoke, Reika caught a glimpse of Soru standing alone at the edge of the settlement. He was silently watching the villagers, his expression unreadable as he observed them go about their work.


    Reika turned back to the woman. ¡°Miss, it seems I have something to take care of. May I excuse myself?¡±


    Noticing where Reika¡¯s gaze had wandered, the village woman smiled knowingly.


    ¡°Of course. I have chores to finish inside anyway. Go ahead, Miss Reika.¡±


    She bowed slightly before heading into her new home. Reika returned the gesture with a small smile before walking toward Soru.


    As the woman stepped inside, she paused for a moment and glanced back, watching as Reika approached Soru and struck up a conversation.


    Hmm¡­ I wonder what their relationship is¡­

 Chapter 15: Personal Request

    Up ahead, Soru remained in place. He watched in silence as children played with their friends, men helped the dwarves finish the houses, and women organized their belongings inside their new homes.


    A light tap on his back pulled him from his thoughts. Turning around, he found Reika standing there.


    "You good?"


    Soru gave a silent nod before returning his gaze to the bustling settlement. Reika stepped beside him, following his line of sight.


    She watched the children run and laugh, their joy filling the air.


    "Look at them," she murmured. "Even after everything they''ve been through, their happiness still shines brighter than their fears..."


    Soru heard her but didn''t reply. Reika wasn''t surprised. He was never the type to offer words easily, and if she pressed him, he¡¯d probably respond in a way that would only annoy her.


    Just as she was about to speak again, her eyes caught a family huddled together. A mother embraced her young daughter while the father, carrying heavy supplies, smiled at them.


    Despite their hardships, they still had moments like this¡ªwarm, unshaken by fear or sorrow.


    Reika''s chest tightened. The scene pulled her back to memories of her childhood, to the grandparents who raised her after her parents passed away.


    Grandma... Grandpa...


    Soru noticed the shift in her expression. He didn¡¯t need words to understand the emotions behind it.


    Then, without a word, he reached out and placed a hand on top of her head.


    Reika blinked in surprise, snapping out of her thoughts. "Hey! What are you¡ª"


    "When I was young," Soru said, his voice steady, "the one who took care of me always did this before leaving the house."


    His hand gently patted her head, his touch slow and deliberate. Reika instinctively tried to move away, but an unexpected warmth settled over her, quieting her thoughts.


    "I never really knew why," Soru continued, "but whenever she did this, my mind felt clearer... Maybe it''ll work for you too."


    Reika glanced at him. He wasn¡¯t looking at her¡ªhis eyes were on the children, watching them with an unreadable expression.


    A small smile tugged at her lips. She let her head rest under his touch, her gaze returning to the children playing.


    Hmm. This isn¡¯t so bad...


    As Soru continued to pat her head, a thought crossed her mind. Without lifting her head, she asked, "Soru, I noticed something earlier that you can communicate with the locals now. Did you learn their language? Back when we first arrived in this world, you could only speak Japanese, right?"


    As expected, Soru said nothing. Reika, unfazed, kept talking.


    "I mean, I could only speak Japanese and English. But after getting a convenient ability from the Wildfire Dragon, I can understand and speak their words now with ease..."


    Reika turned to him, locking eyes with his.


    "But in your case, I don¡¯t get it. How can you do the same? Is there... an explanation for that?"


    Soru exhaled, his hand still resting on her head as he continued patting it, showing no signs of stopping.


    "I extracted the memories of their dialect from a dying assassin we fought earlier and transferred them into mine. That¡¯s why I can speak the same language as the people of this world now."


    Reika froze. The sheer absurdity of his words left her speechless. She placed a hand on her chin, sorting through her thoughts.


    If that¡¯s possible... just how versatile are his abilities? Not only could he transfer damage and attacks, but he could also transfer knowledge and memories.


    That¡¯s... simply insane!


    As her thoughts raced, she became increasingly aware of Soru''s hand still patting her head. The sensation, which had been oddly calming at first, now started to irritate her. With a sharp motion, she grabbed his wrist.


    "Alright, stop! You¡¯ve messed up my hair enough."


    Soru lowered his arm, unbothered, and turned his attention back to the children playing tag, as if nothing had happened.


    Reika sighed as she tried to fix her hair, but her curiosity lingered. She glanced at him again.


    "Soru... who are you, really?"


    The moment the words left her lips, Soru turned to face her.


    "Did you say something?"


    Reika¡¯s heart skipped a beat. She quickly averted her gaze and hurriedly fixed her hair.


    "U-Uh... N-Nothing. Forget it."


    Trying to compose herself, she took a deep breath. Meanwhile, Soru, as usual, seemed completely oblivious to the tension in the air.


    "I hate to interrupt your quality time together," a voice suddenly chimed in, "but the king requests an audience with you, Miss Reika."


    Reika jolted.


    "Q-Quality time?!"


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    She spun around, only to find Aeden standing there with her usual composed expression.


    "Oh, it¡¯s just you, Miss Aeden," Reika said, her embarrassment barely hidden.


    Aeden bowed her head slightly. Reika returned the gesture before straightening up.


    "Do you know why the king wants to see me?" she asked, confused.


    Aeden shook her head. "I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t. I¡¯m simply relaying his orders."


    Reika hesitated but ultimately nodded. "Alright, I¡¯ll go with you."


    As the two turned to leave, Soru moved to follow them, but Aeden quickly stepped in front of him.


    "Sorry, kid, but only Miss Reika is allowed to meet the king in private."


    Soru stopped, staring at her for a moment before giving a small nod. Without another word, he turned away, his gaze shifting back to the villagers still hard at work.


    Aeden led Reika toward the center of the settlement, where Alguis was overseeing the construction of a large house. As they approached, they saw Silas speaking with him.


    "Once the men finish building the second house, let them rest," Alguis instructed. "They¡¯ve been working without sleep, so they need time to recover their strength."


    Silas hesitated. "But, Your Majesty¡ªuh, Mister Alguis... what about our dinner? We planned to hunt for food tonight..."


    Alguis crossed his arms with a confident grin. "My subordinates will handle the hunting. Let your men rest."


    Silas frowned. "But what about you? You and your subordinates haven¡¯t had much rest either..."


    Alguis raised a thumb and smirked. "Don¡¯t worry! We dwarves have far more stamina and endurance than humans!"


    Silas blinked in surprise. "No wonder you can keep going for hours..."


    He bowed his head respectfully. "If you insist, Mister Alguis. Thank you for all your hard work!"


    Alguis chuckled. "It¡¯s nothing."


    Silas turned to inform the workers that they could rest after finishing their task. Meanwhile, Alguis called Aeden and V?lun over.


    "I need you two to hunt some wild game for tonight¡¯s feast."


    "As you wish, my king!" they both responded before heading off.


    Now, only Reika and Alguis remained. The dwarf king focused on adding the finishing touches to the large house before stepping back and nodding in satisfaction.


    "And with that... it¡¯s finally done!"


    When Alguis turned around, he saw Reika, standing as she waited for him. He had been so caught up in his work that he nearly forgot about their meeting. With a quick step, he approached her in a frantic manner.


    "Oh! My apologies, Miss Reika! I was so engrossed in my work that I almost forgot about you!"


    "It¡¯s fine. I only waited a minute or so."


    Though I was so bored I nearly left without his permission¡­


    "Hm¡­ is that so?"


    Alguis glanced around and noticed the area had grown quiet.


    "Everyone must be taking a break now..."


    With that, he sat down on a nearby log, motioning for Reika to join him. She did, settling beside him.


    A brief silence stretched between them. Then, Alguis broke it.


    "Aeden told me your name is Reika Mitsuha. At first, I assumed you were of noble birth since you carry a surname, but she mentioned that in your homeland, possessing a surname is common. Is that true?"


    "Yes, Your Majesty."


    Alguis suddenly let out a hearty laugh.


    "HAHAHAHA! No need for such formalities, Miss Reika! I am a dethroned king, an exile. My status is long gone."


    Reika remained quiet, letting him speak. His laughter faded, and his tone turned serious.


    "Miss Reika, I requested this meeting because I have something important to ask of you."


    "What is it, Your Ma¡ª"


    "Alguis. Just call me Mister Alguis."


    "Ah, right. M-Mister Alguis, what kind of request?"


    Alguis took a deep breath, gazing at the sky as the warm afternoon light cast long shadows.


    "After witnessing your ability in battle, I want to ask for your assistance..."


    Reika furrowed her brows. "Assistance?"


    "I need your help infiltrating the Dwarven Kingdom."


    Reika stiffened. "Wait... what?"


    Alguis clenched his fists. "With the four of us together, we must uncover the truth behind my son''s reckless actions. I believe that there''s something going on in the kingdom that escaped my notice... "


    Reika was taken aback by Alguis'' words.


    Infiltrate the dwarven kingdom? That¡¯s insane!


    "But, Mister Alguis, that¡¯s too risky! With just the four of us, the chances of getting caught are too high¡ªespecially if your son has already tightened the security within!"


    "I¡¯m aware of that risk!" Alguis said firmly. "That¡¯s why I need to gather trustworthy allies and carefully plan this, even if it takes time to execute."


    Alguis'' grip tightened, and he looked at her with his eyes filled with determination.


    "And that first step starts today. If you join us, our chances of success will increase, even if only slightly. It¡¯s better than nothing..."


    Reika could hear the resolve in his voice. She could see it in his eyes.


    Even so, Reika knew that it was reckless. She felt sorry for him, but risking her life on something so uncertain wasn¡¯t a choice she could make lightly.


    Urk¡­ I need to shake him off before he ropes me into that dangerous plan!


    "I might consider helping," she said hesitantly, "b-but doing so without any sort of benefit or condition wouldn¡¯t be fair to me. After all¡­ this isn¡¯t really my problem to begin with."


    Alguis paused, stroking his beard in thought.


    "You''re right, Miss Reika. It does seem unfair to you..."


    Reika gulped as she stared at Alguis.


    I know this might sound greedy, but I just want to pressure him with an impossible request so he''ll reconsider dragging me into that suicide mission of his...!


    Alguis fell silent for a moment. Reika eagerly waited for his response.


    Please, please, please! Just exclude me!


    "Miss Reika... I am willing to accept any request you can think of in exchange for your assistance."


    Reika froze in shock.


    "Eh?"


    She hadn''t expected her bluff to backfire so spectacularly.


    "Uh... I-I was just¡ª!"


    "Yes. It would be unreasonable to ask someone to take on such a difficult task without offering something in return..."


    Alguis leaned in slightly, his eyes burning with determination.


    "That''s why, to earn your trust and convince you to join us, I am willing to listen to any request you have¡ªwithout complaint. Would that be enough?"


    Reika¡¯s eye twitched as cold sweat formed on her forehead.


    Oh shit, how did it turn out like this? I should''ve kept my mouth shut!


    "Ehhh..."


    She scrambled for a way out, but it was too late. She had burned the bridge behind her¡ªthere was no escaping now.


    What a hassle...


    "A-Alright, alright. I agree..."


    The moment she gave her answer, Alguis'' face lit up, and he smiled brightly.


    "So... what is it that you want, Miss Reika?"


    Reika tensed and instinctively shifted away from him.


    "Urk..."


    I only said that on a whim, but I have no idea what to ask for! What could he even offer me? They barely escaped with their weapons¡ªasking for money is out of the question!


    "Uh, what about the p-potions you used earlier?"


    Alguis¡¯ enthusiasm faded, and he shook his head.


    "If you mean the ones I used to tend to my subordinates, I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t fulfill that request. I only had four potions, and I used them all during our battles."


    Reika frowned, tapping her chin.


    Then what else do they have? They''re practically broke!


    Her eyes drifted toward Alguis¡¯ weapon, propped against a nearby tree.


    What about his weapon?


    She immediately shook her head.


    No way! First off, I don¡¯t even know how to wield a weapon. Second, isn¡¯t it disrespectful to take someone else¡¯s? Yeah, that¡¯s not happening!


    Alguis, noticing her odd behavior, raised a brow.


    "Are you alright, Miss Reika?"


    She snapped out of her thoughts and quickly composed herself.


    "I-I''m fine... I just... Ugh..."


    Still struggling to come up with a reasonable request, an idea suddenly struck her. Her expression hardened, and she faced Alguis with newfound seriousness.


    "I think¡ªno. I¡¯ve decided what I want in exchange for my help with your plan."


    She glanced around cautiously as if making sure no one was listening. Alguis narrowed his eyes at her unusual behavior.


    "But first, we need to talk somewhere more private, away from prying ears."


    Alguis hesitated for a moment, briefly wondering if she had some hidden agenda. But when he met her eyes, he saw no deceit¡ªjust determination. With a small smile, he stood up.


    "Alright. If privacy is what you need, I know a place nearby. Follow me."


    Alguis walked ahead, his weapon strapped to his back and a torch in his hand while guiding Reika on her tracks.


    "Follow this way, Miss Reika."


    Without hesitation, Reika followed his command in silence, wondering where exactly this private place he mentioned could be.

 Chapter 16: The Second Subject

    After what felt like an endless walk, they finally arrived at the place Alguis had mentioned. Reika glanced around, taking in her surroundings with curiosity.


    "This is..."


    Behind Alguis stood a steep cliff, with only a few shrubs sprouting from its cracks. Lush trees surrounded them, their leaves fluttering in the gentle breeze.


    "This place should be fine, Miss Reika."


    Determining that the area was safe, Reika stepped closer to Alguis and faced him directly. Her sudden seriousness caught him off guard, leaving him confused.


    "Mister Alguis, I... need you to offer your soul to me in exchange for my assistance," she stated bluntly.


    A heavy silence fell between them, the weight of her words sinking in. The former king''s expression hardened with shock.


    Alguis stared at her, his eyes flickering with unease and suspicion.


    "Miss Reika, are you a witch, perhaps? This sounds like dark sorcery to me..."


    Reika immediately waved her hands in protest.


    "Wh-what are you saying? D-do I look like a witch to you!?"


    Her mind suddenly remembered the depiction of witches according to pop culture back on Earth.


    "Oh..."


    She sighed as the conversation stalled into silence.


    Reika, how stupid can you be sometimes? Just be clear!


    "Uh, if that''s not the case, Miss Reika, then what exactly do you mean?" Alguis asked, his confusion evident.


    Seeing his hesitation, Reika took a deep breath and explained.


    "I possess an ability called <Contract>. It allows me to form a bond through the voluntary submission of a target."


    Alguis wanted to ask more, but he sensed she wasn¡¯t finished and remained silent.


    "My contract isn¡¯t bound to the physical body but to the spiritual essence of the contracted individual. That¡¯s why you must willingly offer your soul¡ªto establish the bond between us..."


    Though the concept was foreign to him, Alguis grasped the general idea.


    "Then... that would make me your slave, wouldn¡¯t it?"


    Reika¡¯s eyes widened in alarm and waved her hands frantically.


    "I-I know this sounds like a slave... contract, Mister Alguis, but I assure you, our relationship will remain unchanged. I won¡¯t harm you recklessly..."


    Alguis fell silent. Reika could see the doubt lingering in his eyes.


    "Don''t worry, sir. What I truly seek is the other function of this ability. You¡¯ll understand once I make you one of my contracts..."


    "Other function...?"


    Alguis hesitated, meeting her gaze with uncertainty.


    Despite being human¡ªa race often known for greed and a thirst for power¡ªshe seemed genuine. Her words carried no deceit, and I sensed no ill intent from her...


    In the end, he chose to accept Reika¡¯s demand.


    I¡¯ll trust her. Doubting Miss Reika now would only be a hindrance, especially since we¡¯re bound to be allies in the future.


    Alguis rose to his feet before kneeling in front of her, lowering his head in solemn acknowledgment. For a former ruler of the Dwarven Kingdom, kneeling before a commoner was unheard of.


    "I, Alguis Fellad, accept your demand and submit to this contract in exchange for your assistance."


    Reika was taken aback at first, but she knew this was merely a formality on his part. Without hesitation, she extended her palm over his head.


    A bright purple light flared between them, and in an instant, a translucent shackle materialized around Alguis¡¯ neck.


    "This is..."


    Alguis instinctively reached for it, feeling an unfamiliar restraint. A slight discomfort settled over him, as if something intangible had latched onto his very being.


    "Don''t worry. It¡¯ll disappear any second now."


    As promised, the shackle around Alguis'' neck faded, and the discomfort vanished along with it.


    "From now on, I hold authority over your soul. Your life and death rest in my hands, and disobedience will have consequences."


    "Like... what?"


    "Erm... your shackle will tighten a little."


    Alguis instinctively touched his neck, frowning at the thought.


    "Don''t worry, Mister Alguis. I doubt you¡¯d ever think of doing anything harmful to me. I know you¡¯re a good person."


    Reika¡¯s reassurance eased his concerns, and Alguis slowly got to his feet.


    "So, what¡¯s this ¡®other function¡¯ you mentioned earlier?"


    "Oh... Hang on a moment."


    Reika closed her eyes in thought.


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    Hmmm... What ability should I use...?


    "Sir Alguis, pick any random ability you have."


    Alguis blinked at the strange request but answered anyway.


    "Uhm... Surface Liquefaction...?"


    Surface Liquefaction was a terran-type ability I spent months mastering. It¡¯s perfect for ambushes and area-of-effect attacks¡­ I wonder why she asked, though?


    Before he could voice his thoughts, Reika suddenly placed both hands on the ground.


    "H-Huh...?"


    The earth beneath them softened into a thick, viscous state. Alguis¡¯ eyes widened in shock, while Reika, though stunned, was thrilled that her contract had worked.


    However, in her excitement, she overlooked one crucial detail¡ªthe ability¡¯s effect. Alguis noticed it first and reacted immediately.


    "Miss Reika! The ground...!"


    Reika followed his gaze and realized, to her horror, that they were sinking. She tried to pull her legs free, but the more she struggled, the faster she sank.


    "Miss Reika, deactivate it before we sink any further!"


    Panicking, she quickly canceled the ability, and the ground solidified once more. However, even with the liquefaction gone, both of them remained stuck.


    "Ugh... I messed up real bad!"


    Alguis turned to Reika and saw that she had sunk far deeper than he had. The soil managed to block her airways completely¡ªthe rest of her body was completely trapped underground.


    "Miss Reika...!"


    They both struggled to free themselves, trying various ways to escape.


    "Mmpphhh!" Reika whimpered, her eyes darting toward Alguis.


    Since Alguis hadn¡¯t moved much when the ability activated, he had only sunk up to his waist. Escaping was just a matter of time for him. Reika, however, wasn¡¯t so lucky.


    On the other side, Reika continued to struggle, but the soil around her held firm, refusing to budge.


    "Mmpph!"


    Not good, not good!


    Meanwhile, Alguis had managed to free himself. He hurried to Reika¡¯s side, assessing the situation. He considered pulling her out, but her small, frail frame made him hesitate¡ªif he applied too much force, he might end up hurting her.


    "Miss Reika! Hold on! I''ll find a way to get you out!"


    Frantically, Alguis scanned the area, searching for anything that could help.


    I don¡¯t have any tools or abilities suited for this¡­ What should I do¡­?


    He paused, weighing his options.


    Should I just dig her out by hand¡­?


    His gaze shifted to his weapon¡ªGotheimmer, his trusted hammeraxe.


    "Maybe if I use the axe side, I can carve out the soil around her¡­!"


    A quick glance at Reika told him he was running out of time. Her struggles were growing weaker.


    "Ghh! There''s no time to hesitate!"


    Without a second thought, Alguis dashed toward his hammeraxe, gripping it tightly before raising it into the air.


    "Miss Reika! Stay awake! Don''t close your eyes¡ªI¡¯m getting you out!"


    Reika¡¯s muffled whimpers grew faint as she lost strength. Just as Alguis was about to swing, a familiar voice spoke behind him.


    "What are you doing?"


    He froze, turning his head slightly. It was Reika¡¯s companion¡ªSoru.


    Soru saw Reika buried deep in the ground. Their eyes met, and she recognized him.


    Soru...? What''s... he...


    Before she could finish her thoughts, she passed out from asphyxiation. Soru, unaware of the real situation, assumed the dwarf had done it on purpose rather than by accident.


    Without hesitation, he raised his hand. Up ahead, Alguis noticed and sensed something ominous. He tried to explain.


    "Kid... It''s not what you¡ª"


    Before he could finish, he was suddenly appeared above the ground¡ªthen sent crashing down. His weapon was gone, and Reika had disappeared.


    "Huh..?"


    He quickly scanned the area and spotted Soru, still standing below, watching as he fell.


    A heavy thud followed as Alguis hit the ground. Pain surged through his body, and he groaned as he forced himself up.


    "Urghhh..."


    Reika was no longer trapped underground. Instead, she was now sitting unconscious on a tree behind Soru.


    What...? How did that happen?


    "Veylir. Help her out," Soru said calmly.


    Without warning, Veylir appeared out of nowhere.


    "Urk... Okay..."


    While Veylir worked to revive Reika, Soru confronted Alguis.


    Alguis, still shaken, couldn''t react in time to process what had just happened. But then, he noticed something approaching from above.


    Looking up, he saw his hammeraxe falling straight toward him.


    With quick reflexes, he caught it and swung his weapon in the air. He was about to ready himself when several shadows spread across the ground.


    He looked up again¡ªand his eyes widened. Several boulders were descending from the sky, falling toward him like a storm of stones.


    It didn¡¯t take much to figure out who was behind it.


    He''s capable of doing that?! I need to dodge it!


    With no time to spare, Alguis dodged each boulder with precise movements. As they crashed to the ground one after another, faint tremors rippled through the earth.


    He pushed himself to evade every last one. Just as he thought he had avoided the final boulder, another suddenly appeared above him. This time, he was mid-air¡ªwith no foothold to escape.


    Tch! I can¡¯t dodge it in time!


    Gritting his teeth, Alguis tightened his grip on his hammeraxe.


    In that case¡­!


    He swung with all his might, aiming to shatter the falling boulder.


    "Hyaaa¡ªGHUUUUKKK!?"


    The moment his weapon struck the boulder¡¯s surface, a sudden force slammed into his side. His strength vanished instantly, and the impact sent him hurtling through the air.


    What was that!?


    Before he could process it, his body crashed against the cliffside.


    "GHHAAAKKK!"


    Pain exploded through him as he collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath. Whatever had struck him was beyond anything he had expected.


    What is happening...? How did I¡ª


    "BLEURRGH!!"


    He coughed up blood, clutching his chest.


    Urk... Few of my ribs are broken...


    Through the pain, he looked up at the boulder he had tried to destroy. It was still intact¡ªcompletely undamaged.


    What¡­? How is that even possible?


    Then, his gaze shifted to Soru, who was now approaching him with an unreadable expression.


    That¡­ That kid had such power?


    "What... did you do?" Alguis asked, struggling to suppress the pain.


    "You human! What do you think you''re doing to our majesty!?"


    A sharp voice cut through the air.


    Soru turned to see Aeden and V?lun rushing toward him.


    "Kid! I don¡¯t know what happened, but harming a royal is an act of treason!" V?lun roared, wielding his massive hammer.


    "No! Don¡¯t attack him¡ª"


    Alguis tried to warn them, but his voice was lost in their rage.


    V?lun¡¯s hammer was the first to reach Soru''s skin. But what happened next was beyond their expectations.


    In an instant, both Aeden and V?lun felt an overwhelming force strike their backs. The impact was so sudden and powerful that they were slammed to the ground.


    "Ugghhhh...!"


    "What... was that!? I didn¡¯t even see the attack!"


    They struggled to rise¡ªonly to realize their weapons were no longer in their hands. Stunned, they scanned their surroundings.


    Their weapons lay just ahead of them.


    Our weapons...!


    Desperate, they reached out to retrieve them, but the moment they tried, an invisible force locked their hands and legs to the ground.


    "My hand wasn¡¯t stuck a second ago!" V?lun shouted in shock.


    "Why!? When did this happen!?" Aeden added, equally bewildered.


    Their confusion deepened as the ground beneath them darkened. They instinctively looked up¡ªa massive boulder was plummeting straight toward them.


    "What!?" They shouted in unison.


    Panic set in. They struggled frantically, freeing some of their limbs, but time was running out. The boulder loomed closer, ready to crush them beneath its weight.


    Alguis watched in horror, finally grasping just how terrifying the young man before him was. Desperation crept into his voice as he pleaded for his subordinates'' lives.


    "I beg for your mercy, Mister Soru¡ª"


    His words faltered as his eyes met Soru¡¯s. In that moment, a chilling realization dawned on him.


    The eyes of a man were said to be the window to his soul. But when Alguis looked into Soru¡¯s grayish gaze, he saw nothing. No emotion. No sympathy. Only emptiness.


    These were the eyes of someone who felt no remorse, someone who views life and death as equal. A being who would do as he pleased without the slightest flicker of emotion.


    And in that fleeting moment, Alguis reached a single, undeniable conclusion.


    They had provoked the wrong person.


    He lowered his head, regret weighing heavy on his chest. His own actions, his words¡ªthey had led them all to this point of no return.


    Just as despair threatened to consume him, a voice suddenly rang out, cutting through the tension.


    "M-MASTER SORU! HEAR ME OUT JUST ONCE!"