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[The market]
A long, exaggerated groan echoed through the marketplace's refugee area, drawing a few annoyed glances from passersby.
"Uuuuggghhh…"
A bespectacled boy sat hunched over, arms wrapped tightly around his knees, head resting atop them in pure, dramatic agony. His entire demeanor radiated frustration.
"Will you quit it already?" A girl sitting beside him furrowed her brows in annoyance. "You've been groaning for days, grow up."
"I'll stop when—" he raised his head slightly, pushing his glasses up his nose, "—a proper fantasy world shows up. Something with real magic, dragons and most importantly elves." The glint in his glasses shimmered. "None of this sci-fi nonsense."
The girl held the bridge of her nose letting out a frustrated sigh. "And what? You think your parents would actually let you go if one did show up?"
A third voice chimed in, a teen leaning lazily against the wall, arms crossed behind his head. "Yeah, man. My parents are dead set on living a normal life. Even if I tried sneaking back here, they'd notice. They check in on me all the time."
"Not much choice, then." Another teen, sat against the opposite wall, shrugged. "We wait till we're adults, make our own choices then."
"Ugh. But that's like too long!" The glasses-wearing boy whined, dramatically slumping further as if the weight of responsibility had physically crushed him.
"You do realize we're second years, right?" The wall-leaning guy deadpanned. "That's literally, like, a year or so until we graduate."
"As if a year isn't still long, You never know when this place will cease to exist! That might be tomorrow, or the day we all leave and it shuts forever then you can't go back." He whined.
Ding.
The sound silenced him instantly, his complaint stopping halfway, caught in his throat. Around him, heads turned, conversations cut short, movement slowed. The familiar chime resonated throughout the market, a sound ingrained in every refugee, adventurer, and worker who had spent time in this place.
Then, the doors slid open.
A hush fell over the market as eyes locked onto the figures stepping through the shimmering threshold.
"Not an elf." The teen muttered under his breath, slumping even further as he caught sight of the figure leading the newcomers.
The murmurs quickly grew.
"Is that…?" one person whispered.
"She's back!" another gasped.
And then, someone cheered.
"She's the one who brought us here!" A cry of recognition rang out, cutting through the stunned silence like a spark igniting a flame.
Cheers erupted from the gathered refugees, voices overlapping in joy, relief, and gratitude. Some called her name, others simply clapped or raised their hands in celebration.
Kanae Sato stood at the entrance, her daughter Miu's small hand held firmly in hers. The girl's eyes were wide with wonder, mouth slightly open as she took in the sight before her—the sheer size of the market, the aisles stretching to the horizon, the countless unfamiliar faces. "Unbelievable…" she whispered, almost as if speaking any louder would shatter the reality of it all.
Kanae's gaze swept over the crowd, taking in the mix of familiar and unfamiliar faces. Many she had met before her departure, but even more were new—survivors she had guided to this place, people who had once been lost, now finding safety here.
Then, suddenly, a pair of arms wrapped around her.
"Glad to have you back," a familiar voice murmured into her shoulder.
Kanae blinked before recognizing the voice and gently pulling away to see Yuki's tired, yet relieved, face. Her friend's features were worn with exhaustion—her hair slightly disheveled, dark shadows beneath her eyes betraying her lack of sleep.
A deep concern settled in Kanae's chest. She reached up, placing a firm yet gentle hand on Yuki's shoulder. "You don't have to worry about them anymore," she assured her softly. "You need to rest after this."
And then, more footsteps followed.
Dozens of them and even more than a dozen.
The crowd instinctively parted, shifting forward to make room as even more figures emerged through the door. Gasps and awed murmurs rippled through those gathered as familiar faces began appearing one after another.
Masaru stepped forward, followed closely by his son Takashi. Behind them, even more people streamed in, some weary, others in sheer awe of their new surroundings.
The moment Yuki's tired eyes locked onto Masaru and Takashi, her breath caught in her throat. For days in the market, she had feared the worst. Every time she closed her eyes, she imagined their lifeless bodies buried beneath the horde of undead, ripped apart like so many others. But now—now they were here, standing just a few feet away.
Her vision blurred with tears. She rushed forward, throwing her arms around her son as he was about to voice his words, clutching him so tightly it was as if she feared he'd vanish if she let go. Her hands gripped the back of his jacket, her fingers trembling against the fabric.
"I thought—I thought I lost you," Yuki choked, her face buried against his shoulder.
"O.. Oka-san" Takashi murmured, voice low and steady.
Masaru watched quietly for a moment before stepping in, placing a firm yet gentle hand on Yuki's back. "We're back, safe and sound," he reassured her.
Yuki turned slightly, her teary gaze meeting his. She threw her arms around him next. Masaru exhaled softly, holding her close. His embrace was strong, steady, the kind of presence she had longed for since they were separated.
A small group observed from the side, reluctant to interrupt the emotional reunion taking place.
Kohta adjusted his glasses, murmuring under his breath, "And to think I doubted him... This place." His gaze wandered across the vast expanse of the market, his fingers unconsciously tightening around Alice's tiny hand. The little girl, standing close to his side, looked around with wide, curious eyes, taking in the sheer number of people scattered across the area.
"It's like something out of a dream... or a really weird simulation," he added.
Saya crossed her arms as she scanned the surroundings with a skeptical expression. "I was convinced he'd lost it at first, spouting all that nonsense. A place that connects to multiple dimensions? Please." She scoffed before shaking her head. "But, one thing after another, here we are. Maybe I should start taking what he says a little more seriously, well, with a tiny bit of doubt, just to keep myself sane."
Kohta smirked. "Is that so? It wont be that long till you blindly believe whatever he says like-" he stopped himself as he felt his spine shiver. With a cold sweat he glanced at Saya.
"Hirano," Saya said with calm malice in her voice, "Care to finish what you were about to say?" She shot him a dangerous glare.
Hirano shivered from the tone of her voice shaking his head in a response, Alice beside him tried to comfort him by holding his hand tighter.
Shizuka, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, placed a finger on her lips, tilting her head in thought. "There are so many people here…" she murmured, her normally carefree tone laced with concern as she observed the scattered groups of refugees sitting on the ground, backs pressed against the walls, some huddled in makeshift sleeping areas.
Saeko stood beside her, arms resting lightly on the hilt of her sheathed katana, her keen eyes scanning the surroundings. "That woman did mention there were people seeking shelter here. She's been leading survivors here this entire time."
A brief silence followed as they processed the gravity of it all.
A few seconds of silence as the group scanned their surroundings, Rei, who had been oddly silent until now, stared into the distance with furrowed brows, her fingers slightly clenching. She seemed lost in thought, a rare sight for the usually sharp and assertive girl.
Saya took notice, narrowing her eyes before asking, "Something on your mind, Rei?"
The question snapped Rei out of her daze. She blinked, hesitating as the rest of the group turned their attention toward her. "It's just…" she trailed off before exhaling. "Shouldn't that thing be here?" Her voice was careful, but the tension beneath it was apparent. "The one we saw at—"
Her words were cut off by a loud, firm voice.
"Ms. Sato."
All heads turned toward the source—Soichiro Takagi, standing tall, arms crossed as he directed his sharp gaze toward Kanae.
Kanae turned toward him, acknowledging the man with a respectful nod.
"Where is the one you mentioned?" Soichiro continued, his voice unwavering. "That… tall being."
Kanae hesitated for a brief moment, glancing toward the entrance as if expecting something—or someone—to appear. "I... I don't know, sir. He must have left. Otherwise, he would have shown up by now."
"He did leave," an older man nearby piped up, shifting in his seat. He was perched atop an overturned bucket, leaning against the wall with tired but observant eyes. "I saw him head out just before you all walked in."
A quiet murmur spread through the nearby refugees, with several nodding in agreement, confirming his words.
"I see." Soichiro's eyes narrowed slightly before turning his attention back to Kanae. "Then it seems we'll have to wait. If what you said about the differences in time flow being true, then we may not see them for a while."
Kanae dipped her head. "Yes, sir. But I assure you, when he returns, I will personally make sure you meet him."
Soichiro made a firm nod, his arms still crossed. "In the meantime, I won't waste any more time standing around. I'll be taking a handful of my armed combatants to scout for supplies and locate any other survivors that need to be brought here." His gaze briefly swept across the newly huddled refugees. "You are free to stay or leave as you see fit. But for now, at the very least, this place is safe."
Kanae nodded, bowing slightly. "Understood. I'll stay and assist the poeple."
Before any further discussion could take place, a distinct electronic beep echoed through the market.
Everyone instinctively turned toward the entrance.
The doors slid open with a smooth mechanical sound, and in walked a man—a bald figure in a plain white t-shirt and dark pants, plastic bags filled with groceries hanging from his fingers. His flip-flops squeaked against the polished floor as he stepped inside, his expression as blank as ever.
"Hm?" Saitama blinked, stopping mid-step as dozens of eyes fixated on him.
A long silence followed.
He tilted his head slightly, glancing at the unfamiliar faces before casually raising a brow. "...What's with the weird staring contest?"
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[Kagetsu castle, 12:15 AM]
The moon hung high in the night sky, its silvery glow casting a ghostly sheen over the castle's Edo-era architecture.
A lone guard stood atop the towering wall, his rifle stationed in his grips as his eyes scanned the dense wilderness beyond. The massive tree in the distance dominated the horizon, its twisted branches reaching skyward like skeletal fingers. The tree's sudden appearance, coinciding with the recent transportation of the suspects, had unsettled the entire castle garrison. Though none dared speak about it and only followed their orders, though they assumed the eerie phenomenon seemed inextricably linked to their current mission.
The guard blinked, his tired eyes momentarily losing focus. In the split second his eyelids closed, a dark shadow scaled the stone wall with silent precision. Large, clawed hands wrapped around the guard's head before he could react. With a quick, brutal squeeze, Kazuhiro rendered the man lifeless, his body crumpling silently as it was lowered to the ground.
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Xxxx
+4 INT (Swiping frenzy)
+2 INT (Tax) The boost will last for 30 mins
Xxxx
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The notification flickered briefly in his peripheral vision. It had been some time since Kazuhiro last had to kill, and the clarity brought on by the INT boost sharpened his senses further.
He shifted his focus, peering over the castle wall's edge, he scanned the grounds below. The inner courtyard had scattered guards, each orderly positioned. Surveillance cameras adorned several corners, their slow, mechanical swivels monitoring every inch of the area.
Kazuhiro pulled himself onto the wall's parapet, his dark, featureless skin blending seamlessly with the shadows. Crawling along the wall, he reached a patch of dense foliage on the inside, dropping silently into its cover. His movements were fluid and deliberate, each step carefully measured to avoid detection.
As he lay low among the bushes, his featureless head turned to observe the guards patrolling the grounds. This place is heavily fortified. Guard rotations and surveillance systems ensure minimal blind spots. Any misstep, and the entire compound will be alerted. He noted several choke points, marking them mentally as potential ambush zones or escape routes.
A sudden rustling in the nearby foliage broke the silence. A guard patrolling the perimeter stiffened, raising his comm device to report the disturbance. Kazuhiro's long limbs shot out with inhuman speed, grabbing the guard and yanking him into the shadows before he could make a sound. With one swift motion, Kazuhiro's clawed hand crushed the man's skull, the sickening sound of bone and flesh splattering muffled by the dense foliage.
The body dropped limply, disappearing into the shadows alongside its killer. Kazuhiro's stoic form rose slightly, his void-like head swiveling to ensure no other guards had noticed. Satisfied, he melted back into the darkness, his focus unbroken.
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Xxxx
+3 STA (swiping frenzy)
+4 STA (Tax)
Xxxx
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He crouched in the shadows, observing the interior courtyard. Guards patrolled in pairs, their rifles held tightly. Occasionally, a spotlight would sweep the area, casting harsh beams that pierced the darkness. Kazuhiro calculated their routes, timing the sweeps and patrol patterns. There was no room for error.
The sound of boots crunching gravel reached his ears. Two guards approached, their conversation low but audible.
"Paranoid? After what happened in the city? You think what happened was normal?!"
Kazuhiro didn't wait for them to finish. He surged forward from the shadows like a predator, one massive hand closing around the throat of the nearest guard, the other grabbing the second by the face. Their muffled screams lasted mere seconds before he crushed their skulls with brutal efficiency. Bone fragments and viscera splattered against the nearby wall as their lifeless bodies slumped to the ground.
'With this many disappearances, I wonder why no alarms have been raised. Either they're unaware, or they're overconfident. Soon, they'll realize something is wrong. I need to thin their numbers quickly, gain as many stats as possible before I'm discovered.'
He moved swiftly but carefully, his tall frame contorting unnaturally to slip between the gaps in surveillance. He studied the camera angles, identifying blind spots where their fields of vision didn't overlap. Timing his movements perfectly, he crept through the shadows, each step precise and deliberate.
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[Inside the castle building]
The sound of measured footsteps echoed through the dimly lit halls as a man in a tailored suit made his way toward the inner chambers of the castle. His pace was steady, his gaze forward, though the tension in his shoulders hinted at the gravity of the report he carried. Reaching his destination, he paused before a sliding paper door, its silhouette revealing a figure seated inside.
"Come in," a deep, throaty voice commanded, its tone calm yet authoritative.
The man slid the door open and stepped inside, immediately bowing before surveying the room. The interior bore the elegance of traditional Japanese design—a sparse but meticulously arranged space. Tatami mats lined the floor, their woven patterns reflecting the faint glow of a single hanging lantern. A low wooden table sat near the center, flanked by cushions, and the walls were adorned with minimalist calligraphy scrolls. The air carried a faint hint of aged wood and incense.
Seated before him was a man in his early forties, dressed in a light grey kimono with a black haori draped over his shoulders. His features were sharp with a long horizontal scar from slightly above his brow, his eyes calm but observant, like a predator sizing up its prey. His posture was relaxed, but the authority he emanated left little doubt as to his command over the room.
"What brings you here?" the man in the kimono asked, his voice measured, each word deliberate.
The man in the suit bowed again before speaking. "My lord, I bring news. It is as you anticipated."
"Speak."
The suited man began his report, detailing how their underground sensors detected movement in the forest outside the compound. Surveillance systems had tracked the disturbance, following it as it moved closer to the castle walls. The cameras had been adjusted subtly to avoid alerting the intruder, capturing footage that showed it bypassing security measures with unnatural precision. Guards stationed nearby reported odd findings that some were missing during the shift rotation.
"That concludes my report, my lord. What are your orders?"
The lantern's glow seemed to flicker, casting longer shadows across the room. The atmosphere grew heavier as the man in the kimono leaned forward slightly, resting his hands on his knees. His calm demeanor betrayed no outward reaction, but the room itself seemed to hold its breath in anticipation.
"We remain as we are," he said after a pause, his voice cutting through the stillness. "Monitor its behavior closely. What we know so far is that it is intelligent, but its limits remain unclear. Use the guards stationed outside as tools to gauge its capabilities. Let them be the instruments of our study."
The suited man nodded, his expression unreadable. "Your commands will be carried out, my lord."
"And... no one else was detected within the compound?"
"No, my lord. Our sensors, both in and out of the compound have not detected anyone but the thing you described."
The man hummed thoughtfully, his gaze drifting to the calligraphy scroll on the wall. After a moment, he continued. "It seems that thing is confident in it's abilities." After a brief pause, the man remembered an important detail. "One more matter. Out of the two subjects we discussed, one remains unaccounted for—the boy. Have you located him?
"We have yet to receive confirmation from the teams," the suited man replied. "Those stationed at Hoshino's residence are maintaining their position, awaiting his return. As for the search team in Tokonosu City, there has been no word."
Silence hung in the air as the man mulled over the report. Finally, he spoke. "End the search. The boy is no longer a priority. We have what we need, and it's already within the compound. Monitor the being, but if it approaches the building, capture it. Do not allow it to slip away now that it has come this far."
"As you command, my lord."
The man bowed deeply once more before retreating, sliding the door closed with practiced care. His footsteps echoed faintly as he navigated the dimly lit halls, the tension in the air following him like a shadow.
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