Shaking off the memories that threatened to overwhelm him, Haruko stepped out of the dark and smelly alleyway, the harsh light of the bustling street momentarily blinding him. Shielding his eyes against the sudden brightness, he took a moment to adjust before opening them once more.
As his vision cleared, Haruko was met with a scene of bustling activity. The street was alive with the hustle and bustle of people going about their daily lives, the vibrant energy of the city pulsating through the air. It was as if the night had never existed, the whole street illuminated as if it were the middle of the day.
Yet, amidst the brightness and apparent normalcy, Haruko couldn't ignore the undercurrent of darkness that lurked beneath the surface. Despite the facade of normalcy, he could see the atrocities happening around him, the injustices that went unnoticed by those who walked by without a second glance.
For a moment, Haruko paused, his gaze lingering on the scene before him. But then, with a determined shake of his head, he continued walking. He was not a hero, nor did he aspire to be one. Saving this place was not in his future plans, for he knew that it held no benefit for him.
As Haruko walked down the bustling street, his gaze drifted over the vendors selling their goods, each one vying for the attention of passersby. The aroma of freshly cooked food wafted through the air, tempting his senses and stirring a gnawing hunger in his stomach. His eyes settled on a ramen store in the distance, its inviting facade beckoning to him with promises of warm, comforting meals.
But as his stomach growled in anticipation, a sobering realization washed over Haruko. He had no money to spare for such luxuries, his meager resources stretched thin as he navigated the harsh realities of life on the streets.
Turning away from the tantalizing scent of food, Haruko continued to walk, his thoughts consumed by his empty stomach and the ever-present struggle for survival. It was then that he spotted a commotion in the distance, a drunk man lashing out at a woman in a violent display of aggression.
Without hesitation, Haruko approached the scene, his steps quickening with purpose. As he passed by the pair, a plan began to form in his mind. With practiced precision, he raised his hand and deftly snatched the wallet from the man's pocket, the action swift and unnoticed amidst the chaos.
As Haruko stepped into the ramen store, a sense of calm washed over him, a stark contrast to the chaos of the bustling street outside. The interior was cozy and inviting, the soft murmur of conversation filling the air as a few patrons enjoyed their meals in peace.
Making his way to the counter, Haruko took a seat and placed his order with the owner, his voice steady despite the hunger gnawing at his stomach. "Boss, a miso ramen and pork chop ramen," he requested, the anticipation of a warm, comforting meal momentarily driving away the worries of the world outside.
The owner's voice drifted from the back of the store, a reassuring promise of the meal to come. Haruko nodded in acknowledgment and settled back in his seat, content to wait for his food.
After a few minutes passed, the owner emerged from the kitchen with a steaming bowl of ramen in each hand. Haruko's gaze flickered up to meet the owner's unexpected appearance – a bulk man with tattoos adorning his arms, a stark contrast to the serene atmosphere of the store.
But Haruko knew better than to judge based on appearances alone. With a nod of gratitude, he accepted his meal and turned his attention to the steaming bowls before him, the tantalizing aroma of miso and pork chop tantalizing his senses.
"Ya' new here?" Haruko paused mid-slurp as the owner's voice cut through the peaceful ambiance of the ramen store. Swallowing his noodles, he turned to face the owner, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.
"No, I grew up here," Haruko replied, his tone firm yet tinged with a hint of nostalgia.
The owner let out a scoff, his demeanor skeptical as he eyed Haruko up and down. "I'd have known if a handsome young man grew up here," he remarked with a wry grin.
Haruko's expression remained impassive as he met the owner's gaze. "I... changed. Yes, I changed from how I looked last year," he explained, a hint of defensiveness creeping into his voice.
The owner fell silent, his gaze lingering on Haruko for a moment before he settled into a chair opposite him. As Haruko finished his first bowl of ramen, he mustered up the courage to broach the topic that had brought him here.
"How much is information?" Haruko inquired, his voice low yet determined.
The owner's expression remained impassive as he met Haruko's gaze. "I sell ramen, not information," he replied curtly, his tone brooking no argument.
Undeterred, Haruko reached into his shirt and slammed a handful of bills onto the table, the sound echoing in the quiet confines of the store. The owner's gaze flickered to the money briefly before looking away without a word.
Haruko didn't falter as he reached into his shirt once again, producing another stack of bills and adding it to the pile. The owner's eyes widened slightly at the sight of the money, his expression betraying a flicker of interest.
Taking the money that Haruko had placed on the table, the owner leaned forward, his voice low as he posed his question. "Timeline?"
Haruko turned his attention to his second bowl of ramen, a thoughtful expression crossing his features. "Last year to now," he replied cryptically.
"Last year... around this time," the owner began, his voice solemn as he recounted the events that had unfolded. "A house in the outskirts, exploded. If that's the word, but I'd say it was erased. Only a crater remains. It is said that two children were staying there. Poor children."
Haruko's heart skipped a beat as the truth of the owner's words sank in. He felt a lump form in his throat, choking on his ramen as the memories flooded back with startling clarity. The image of the house in the outskirts, reduced to rubble and ash, flashed before his eyes, a stark reminder of the devastation he had wrought.
Turning to the owner with wide eyes, Haruko struggled to find his voice amidst the turmoil of emotions swirling within him. "And then?" he managed to croak out, his voice barely above a whisper.
The owner met his gaze with a steady intensity, his expression unreadable as he paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts. "I'm getting there," he replied tersely, his tone tinged with a hint of reluctance.
"After that, the seventh prince awakened a Unique Core. Not just any Unique Core. It is said that it is the closest to that Core. The Supreme Core," the owner explained, his voice carrying a weight of significance that hung heavily in the air.
Haruko's eyebrows shot up in surprise at the mention of the Supreme Core, his interest instantly piqued by the gravity of the revelation. "I believe the seventh prince was called a waste last year? He is 16 years old this year, how can he awaken a Core?" Haruko interjected, his mind racing with questions. Forgetting that he was fifteen when he awakened his core.
The owner met Haruko's gaze with a shrug, his expression reflecting a mixture of frustration and resignation. "The hell am I supposed to know," he replied bluntly, his tone tinged with irritation. "It is said the royal castle is still investigating.
"And the seventh prince didn't just awaken his Core," the owner continued, his voice lowering to a hushed tone. "They say he changed a lot. As if he is not himself but another person"
With a smile playing on his lips, Haruko rose from his seat and placed a few more bills on the counter, a token of gratitude for the owner's valuable information. "I'll come back for more. The prince has my interest," he remarked with a hint of excitement in his voice, his mind already racing with plans and possibilities.
Stepping out of the ramen store, Haruko navigated a series of twists and turns before finding himself in another dark alleyway. A strange wind swept through the narrow passage, causing his clothes to flutter in the breeze as he surveyed his surroundings with a sense of determination.
As a smirk graced his features, Haruko's gaze hardened with resolve. "Potential, spotted," he muttered to himself, his voice tinged with anticipation. He was no stranger to the harsh realities of life, and he knew that his journey ahead would be filled with challenges and obstacles.
But Haruko was not one to back down from a challenge. With a newfound sense of purpose burning within him, he was determined to seek out companions.
As Haruko's feet left the ground, a gust of wind lifted him higher and higher into the sky, carrying him effortlessly towards the heavens. With a burst of speed, he soared upwards until he reached a height where he could survey the sprawling expanse of the Lustmore Kingdom below.
With a disdainful gaze, Haruko looked down upon the kingdom, his expression twisted in disgust at the sight of its sinful and dirty streets below. Despite its grandeur and opulence, the kingdom was tainted by the darkness that permeated its every corner.
But amidst the chaos and corruption, Haruko's attention was drawn to the imposing silhouette of the castle in the distance. The Lustmore Kingdom's king may rule over a kingdom steeped in evil, but there was no denying the formidable power that he wielded.
Haruko knew better than to underestimate the king's strength. As a Unique Core user, the king possessed a level of power that far surpassed that of ordinary people.
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That's it for chapter 22