Eh?!
The heck?!
The unexpected success of the plan left everyone astonished, including Cuifer, who was now forced to acknowledge the effectiveness of the outsider's strategy. The monster lay defeated, its violet crystal shattered and scattered around the area. The guards erupted in cheers, celebrating the victory that Lady Arisu had achieved with the assistance of Riku's plan.
As the noise of celebration filled the air, Riku descended from the monster's body, his expression a mix of relief and satisfaction. He had managed to divert the monster's attention effectively, allowing Lady Arisu to strike the critical blow.
Cuifer, the first-tactician who had initially doubted the plan, was left speechless by the success. It was clear that Riku's unconventional approach had yielded impressive results, and this victory would undoubtedly shape the way the village perceived him.
Amidst the jubilation, Riku made his way back to where Lady Arisu stood, offering a genuine smile of appreciation and camaraderie. The two of them had formed an unexpected alliance, and the outcome of their teamwork had proven fruitful.
As the dust settled and the excitement subsided, the guards began to take stock of the situation. The once imposing Garaga monster now lay lifeless, its threat to the village eradicated. The guards and villagers gathered around, admiring the remnants of the shattered crystal and expressing their gratitude to Lady Arisu and Riku.
Cuifer stood there, a mix of surprise and resignation in his eyes. It was evident that his plans to oust Riku had been thwarted by the very success he had doubted. The dynamics within the village were shifting, and Riku's place among them was becoming more secure with each passing moment.
With the celebration momentarily paused, Lady Arisu's attention shifted to the matter at hand – the need to seal the hole that had been created by the Garaga monster's attack. The guards responded to her command, kneeling in readiness to carry out her next directive.
As she looked around and realized that Riku was not immediately visible, a flicker of concern crossed her features. However, she quickly reminded herself of the task at hand and refocused her efforts on addressing the potential threat posed by the hole in the village's defenses.
"Let's seal this hole immediately," Arisu ordered, her tone firm and determined. The guards sprang into action, organizing themselves to repair the damaged area and prevent any further vulnerability to potential monster attacks.
Meanwhile, Riku had discreetly moved away from the area of celebration. He recognized the importance of sealing the hole and trusted that the guards would handle the task efficiently. His absence allowed him a moment of solitude to process the events that had transpired.
Observing from a distance, he couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. His plan had succeeded beyond his expectations, and he had earned the respect and trust of Lady Arisu and the guards. It was a significant step towards solidifying his place within the village, a place he had initially stumbled upon under much different circumstances.
As he reflected on his journey so far, he also pondered the potential challenges that lay ahead. Cuifer's reservations were evident, and Riku knew that not everyone in the village might be as accepting of his presence. However, for now, he was content to revel in the victory and camaraderie that had been forged through this shared experience.
Arisu shook her head slightly, her gaze still searching for any sign of Riku's whereabouts. "I said, it's not in Riku's nature to betray us like that. He wouldn't spread information about our village."
Cuifer's expression remained unreadable as he listened to her response. He wasn't entirely convinced by her words, but he didn't press the matter further. Instead, he decided to change the topic, subtly planting the seeds of doubt in her mind.
"I understand your faith in him, lady Arisu, but we must always be cautious. Outsiders can be unpredictable, and we shouldn't be too trusting," Cuifer advised, his tone laced with a veneer of concern.
Arisu's brow furrowed at his words, torn between her belief in Riku's integrity and the lingering doubt that Cuifer had sown. She realized that she needed to find Riku and speak with him directly to ascertain the truth.
"I appreciate your concern, Cuifer," she replied, her voice firm. "But I intend to find Riku and hear his side of the story. He deserves that much."
Cuifer merely nodded in response, seemingly acquiescing to her decision. However, a small, knowing smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he watched her depart to seek out Riku.
Unbeknownst to Arisu, her actions had played right into Cuifer's hands, and he was content to let doubt and suspicion brew in her mind.
Cuifer's smile wavered slightly, his attempt to claim credit for Riku's plan thwarted by Arisu's unwavering integrity. He couldn't deny the truth in her words, as much as it frustrated him.
"You have a point, lady Arisu," he conceded, though his tone held a tinge of disappointment. "It's only fair that credit is given where it's due."
Arisu nodded in acknowledgment, her expression resolute. She didn't let Cuifer's manipulation affect her decision, understanding the importance of recognizing Riku's contribution.
With that, she left Cuifer standing there, his plans to manipulate the situation and take credit for himself foiled. Arisu was determined to find Riku and discuss not only the recent battle but also the unfolding dynamics within the village. She couldn't let doubt fester in her mind, especially not when it concerned someone who had proven himself more honorable than she initially thought.
As Cuifer's frustrated orders echoed through the area, the guards intensified their efforts to repair the damaged wall and close the hole left by the Garaga monster's attack. The urgency of the situation and the first-tactician's temper served as motivating factors, prompting them to work faster and more efficiently.
Meanwhile, in the mansion, Arisu had returned to her father, King Luke, to report the successful outcome of the battle against the Garaga monster. She recounted the events that transpired, giving credit to the outsider, Riku, for devising the plan that led to their victory.
King Luke listened attentively to his daughter's account, impressed by her leadership and the capabilities of the outsider. He was pleased that Arisu had made the right decision to credit Riku for his contribution. It spoke to her integrity and her ability to recognize talent and honor it.
"Good work, Arisu," King Luke praised, a sense of pride evident in his tone. "You have proven yourself to be a capable leader and a wise judge of character. It seems that Riku's presence in our village has brought about unexpected changes."
Arisu nodded with a slight smile, appreciating her father's words of encouragement. "Indeed, Father. Riku's actions have revealed much about his character and intentions. I believe he has the potential to positively impact our village."
As the repairs to the wall continued outside, Arisu's thoughts turned to Riku's whereabouts. She hoped to find him soon, to discuss their next steps and to ensure that he was being treated fairly in light of his contributions.
__
On the other hand, a man gazed at his reflection in the mirror within the small room. Riku was the one with a burnt face and three narrow cuts on his abdomen. It seemed that as he leapt onto the mythical beast's head, the blanket concealing his face loosened. Regrettably, he realized too late that the creature's claws had grazed him. His clothes were torn, causing blood to seep and sear around the wounds.
[HP:65/100]
Riku tore his blanket once again and hastily stitched it around his stomach to staunch the bleeding. In the silence that followed, the echo of the desk slamming reverberated through the room, triggered by the recollection of something crucial. "Damn," he cursed aloud, realization dawning upon him, "I forgot to apply the [Manifest] skill to that monster."
Aware of the immense power the mythical beast held, he understood that duplicating its genes could greatly benefit him.
[Absorb sustenance to restore health! Devour flesh for swift recuperation!]
The system laid out two options, yet the second one made bile rise in his throat. "What's wrong with this system? Does it intend to transform me into a monstrosity?" His outburst halted abruptly as a wave of pain gripped his stomach.
"[No! Embrace fresh flesh and blood, and the dark crow shall bestow greater power upon you.]"
The notion of consuming any form of flesh and imbibing blood for swifter recovery and heightened strength was repugnant. It defied reason that anyone in their right mind would engage in such practices. Riku resolved to stick to regular sustenance and patiently await the restoration of his health power.
"There's no way I'm doing that," he muttered, venturing outside to seek assistance from a maid. However, he soon returned to his chamber, realizing that only when Lady Arisu instructed the maids could he partake of anything. Furthermore, there remained the possibility of going hungry the entire day.
Riku faced five prominent predicaments: firstly, the need to secure sustenance; secondly, presenting his inaugural invention to King Luke; thirdly, augmenting his abilities in this realm to become an average mutant upon reentering the real world; fourthly, anticipating undesirable actions from Cuifer; and lastly, discerning the path back to reality.
Riku couldn't ignore the possibility that he might gain the trust of Lady Arisu, King Luke, and the villagers.
As he leaned back against the cool concrete wall, a novel idea began to take shape in Riku's mind. The potential training methods in this realm had become clearer to him.
"What if I were to join the guards here?" Riku contemplated aloud, his tone solemn. "Their training could offer insights into correcting the mana pool's flow. Plus, I'd have the chance to uncover the identities of the guards who subjected me to torment."
Becoming a guard held potential advantages, especially considering their well-built physiques, making them suitable hosts for the gene.
"I'll bring up this idea with Lady Arisu," he decided, absently kneading his chin as he recognized the risks. The notion of him mingling with the guards was bound to trigger their fury. "Hmm... While they may have superior strength, their lack of unique techniques puts them at a disadvantage against me."