After Akira picked his scarlet ore, he stepped aside, watching Mitsuri and Shinobu finish their selections. Both girls were visibly relieved as they made their choices, satisfied with the glowing ores they held in their hands. The air around them was thick with the quiet excitement of moving forward in their journey as demon slayers. However, the feeling of relief was tempered by something else—uncertainty about what came next.
Mitsuri, still holding her ore, walked up to Akira and Shinobu. Her eyes were resolute, though a hint of vulnerability lingered beneath her gaze.
"Akira," she began, her voice soft yet determined, "I've decided to follow you and Shinobu to your village."
Akira blinked in surprise, taken aback by her sudden declaration. "You want to come with us?" he asked, his brows furrowed. It was rare for someone to make such a bold decision so quickly.
Mitsuri nodded, her expression earnest. "Yes… is there something wrong with that?"
There was a hint of fear in her voice, as if she was afraid he might reject her. She had already been through so much, and her request carried more weight than just wanting companionship. It was about finding a place to belong.
Akira, still processing, scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "No, there's nothing wrong with that. But… what if your family thinks you're dead because you didn't go back home?"
A heavy silence followed. Mitsuri's gaze dropped to the ground, her hands tightening around the ore. She swallowed hard before speaking, her voice shaky. "My family died two years ago…"
The words hung in the air like a heavy cloud. Akira's heart sank as he noticed the tears welling up in her eyes, threatening to spill. She had been carrying that weight alone all this time, her grief locked away behind a strong façade.
Akira cursed inwardly. "Sorry, I didn't mean to make you remember that," he said, stepping closer. Before she could respond, he gently pulled her toward him, placing her head against his chest. His hand found its way to her hair, stroking it gently in a comforting gesture.
Mitsuri's body stiffened at first, but the warmth of his embrace and the gentleness of his touch broke through her defenses. She had been strong for so long—too long—and now, finally, she allowed herself to fall apart. Tears streamed down her face as she clung to Akira, sobbing like a little girl who had been lost and alone for far too long.
Akira sighed softly, feeling the weight of her emotions in the way she trembled against him. He held her tighter, letting her cry it out. Shinobu watched quietly from the side, her expression softening as she witnessed the tender moment. She understood better than anyone how much Mitsuri had been holding back, and she was glad Akira was there to give her the comfort she needed.
Five minutes later
Mitsuri's sobs gradually quieted, and her breathing steadied. She pulled away slightly, wiping her tear-streaked face with her sleeve. Her eyes were puffy, but there was a lightness to her expression now, as if a burden had been lifted.
"Are you okay now?" Akira asked, his voice gentle.
Mitsuri nodded, still sniffling. "Yeah… thank you," she whispered, her voice fragile but filled with gratitude.
Akira smiled softly and let her go, his hand lingering on her shoulder for a moment before stepping back. "Good. Let's head back to the village."
Shinobu, having stayed quiet throughout the emotional exchange, gave a small nod. "Let's go."
As the trio began their journey back to the village, the atmosphere felt lighter. Mitsuri walked closely beside Akira, her shoulders no longer hunched with the weight of her grief. There was a sense of camaraderie between the three now, like they had all silently acknowledged the importance of their bond.
---
On the way, Akira opened the system shop. His eyes gleamed as he saw that the shop had refreshed, offering new items that could be useful for the road ahead.
| Shop |
Shop Points: 8,055,500
Items:
Clothes: Customizable with auto-clean, auto-repair, and temperature control functions.
Price: 500 SP
Bed: Enhances stamina recovery and provides unparalleled comfort. Includes auto-clean and auto-repair.
Price: 1,500 SP
Skills:
Crystallize: Absorbs the strength or knowledge of a killed enemy and converts it into a pill.
Price: 150,000 SP
Night Vision: Enhances vision in darkness.
Price: 50,000 SP
Akira's eyes lingered on the Crystallize skill. The ability to absorb the power or knowledge of fallen enemies would be incredibly useful in their battle against demons. Without hesitation, he bought it, feeling the surge of energy as the skill became part of his arsenal.
"Status," he murmured under his breath.
---
| Status |
Name: Akira D. Kanahe
Title: Reincarnator, Saint of Charity, Richest Man in the World, The One Who Made a Supreme Being Angry
Age: 10 (Body: 13)
Bloodline: Human
Condition: Healthy
Passive Skills: Immortal Body, Sun Breathing
Skills: Create, Wind Magic, Teleport, Barrier, Telekinesis, Gravity Control, Time Stop, Night Vision, Crystallize
Inventory: Zeref
---
Satisfied, Akira closed the shop screen and turned his attention back to the path ahead. They still had a long journey before them, but with the new skills and items he had acquired, he felt confident they could face whatever came next.
Mitsuri, now walking with a new sense of purpose, looked up at Akira and Shinobu. "I'm really glad I decided to come with you two. I don't know where I'd be without you."
Akira glanced at her and grinned. "Well, we're glad to have you with us. We're stronger together."
Shinobu smiled warmly. "You'll always have a place with us, Mitsuri."
With the sun beginning to set in the distance, the trio continued toward the village. The road ahead was uncertain, but they were no longer alone.
To be continued…