I stir from my restful slumber when the first light of dawn filters in through the window, feeling rejuvenated and ready for the tasks and challenges presented before us today. Having finished my morning routine, I await Okayu's arrival, knowing full well that a new adventure awaits.
A soft knock on the door signals Okayu's presence, and I quickly open it to find her standing there, Tricky by her side. With a nod of greeting, we make our way to the lobby, where Okayu wastes no time outlining our mission for the day: to serve as her bodyguards during her visit to the suburbs.
Tricky and I looked at each other, a silent understanding that we were ready for whatever the job entailed. Yet a question nagged at my head. What was the purpose of Okayu's visit to the suburbs? Why would she need bodyguards?
Noting my discomfort, Okayu flashes a reassuring smile. "All in due time," she says cryptically. "For now, let's just concern ourselves with what we have to do."
Nodding in agreement, Tricky and I follow Okayu out of the hotel, our footsteps ringing in the deserted corridors. The morning air is crisp and refreshing, a welcome contrast to the musty atmosphere of the underground city.
As we prepare to depart, Okayu tells Tricky and me to get changed into something better to wear. A flick of her fingers later, and Tricky's bandages morph into a nice, fitted suit, indeed fitting for where we were headed. I did the same, my clothes shifting seamlessly into a tailored ensemble fitting for the task ahead.
With all of us ready, we pile into the waiting limousine and its bright, shiny exterior catches the morning sun. The soft purring of the engine and we glide out of town toward the suburbs, where the towering cityscape melts into quiet streets lined with tidy houses and greenery.
As we approach our destination, an eerie feeling washes over me, sending a shiver down my spine. Suburban-landscape quiet, yet beneath that, something is not quite right. I catch a glimpse of Tricky; some silent communication passes between us as if in mutual acknowledgment of this surreal atmosphere surrounding us.
As we step out of the limousine and onto the quiet suburban street, Tricky seizes the opportunity to teach me some basic magic, emphasizing its importance for our survival in this unpredictable world.
"Listen up, Astro," Tricky says without much fanfare, her voice low and urgent. "In this place, knowing magic isn't just a bonus-it's a necessity. I'll teach you the basics. Pay close attention."
We find a secluded spot in a small park, away from prying eyes. Tricky starts with the basics: explaining the importance of the incantation words, the length of the spell, and the amount of energy used.
"Magic words are essential," Tricky says. "They convey your will and condense your energy. The longer the spell is, the more complex and powerful it is, but the more energy it also takes. And always remember how much energy you have. Running out at the wrong moment may be deadly.
I nod, listening to every word. Tricky brings up an example of a simple spell and summons a small glowing orb that hovers above her palm. Then she walks me through the incantation, correcting my pronunciation, focusing my energy.
"Remember, the key is to visualize what you want to happen and channel your energy towards that goal. Now, you try."
Under Tricky's guidance, I succeed in raising a faint, flickering light. It isn't much, but it is a start. We can't go any further into the lesson, though. Our training is cut short.
A shadow darts from the side towards us, and in that second, an assassin suddenly launches a surprise attack on the person of Okayu. A flash of steel as the attacker plunges, lunging for her heart.
Reacting with astonishing speed, Okayu mutters a swift incantation. "Tempestas Vires!" she shouts, her voice echoing with power. A blast of purple energy erupts from her outstretched hand, striking the assassin and sending them hurtling through several buildings with a thunderous crash.
Panting, I exchange a shocked glance with Tricky. Okayu's magic is unlike anything I've seen before—raw, potent, and undeniably powerful. The suburban tranquility shatters around us as Okayu turns to face us, her expression composed but her eyes blazing with intensity.
"Are you both alright?" she asks, her voice steady despite the adrenaline that must be coursing through her veins.
"Yeah, we're fine," Tricky replies, still catching her breath. "But who was that?"
Okayu's gaze hardens. "An assassin," she says tersely. "Normal in these parts of town."
As the dust settles and the morning air fills with tension, I realize that our journey is only beginning. The suburbs hold more secrets than I had imagined, and with Okayu's cryptic mission and the looming threat of further attacks, our skills—and resolve—will be tested to their limits.
I look at Tricky, her face a mix of determination and concern. She gives me a reassuring nod, a silent promise that we will face whatever comes our way together.
Okayu takes a moment to gather herself before addressing us again. "We'll need to stay on high alert," she says, her voice firm. "There could be more attacks. Astro, your training will have to continue on the go. We don't have the luxury of time."
I nod, feeling a newfound resolve. "Understood. I'm ready."
Tricky pats me on the back, a gesture of encouragement. "You'll do fine, Astro. Just remember what I taught you."
We make our way deeper into the suburbs, the feeling of unease hanging in the air. The serene mask of the neighbourhood conceals the menace waiting for us just out of view. Okyu leads us with a sense of determination, her eyes scanning our surroundings for any sign of danger.
Astro and Tricky quickly assume their positions, defending Okayu from the waves of thugs and bandits that descend upon them. My strength and speed seem to have multiplied overnight, each strike sending enemies flying with tremendous force. My fists blur with movement, and each blow lands with a resounding impact, creating shockwaves that reverberate through the air.
Meanwhile, there is also one hilarious part when one of the yakuza tries to attack Okayu, but another companion holds him back, asking him if he really wants to die. Tricky bursts into suppressed laughter at this farce. Okayu has a fearsome reputation, indeed; even the quaking knees of the would-be attacker were telling it.
"Astro, it's time for something new," Tricky calls out, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Let's see if you can master a new spell."
She guides me through the incantation, her instructions clear and precise despite the chaos around us. "Visualize the stars," she says, her voice steady. "Feel their energy within you, then release it in a barrage of explosive power."
I shut my eyes, mentally conjuring stars twinkling brightly across the night sky. I feel their energy coalesce within me, a warm hum coursing over my body. With a deep breath, I channel that energy into my hands, the energy building in them to a crescendo.
"Now, release!" Tricky commands.
With her guidance, I quickly master the Star Shots technique, unleashing a barrage of explosive stars upon our foes. The stars streak through the air, trailing shimmering light, and explode on impact, sending groups of attackers sprawling.
"Great job, Astro!" Tricky calls out, her voice barely audible over the din of battle. "Keep it up, and remember to pace yourself. Don't expend all your energy at once!"
I nod, my eyes focused and determined. I launch another series of Star Shots, each one more powerful than the last. The enemies seem endless, but I am relentless, drawing on my newfound strength and magical prowess.
As the fight rages on, Okayu remains calm and composed, her eyes constantly scanning our surroundings for any sign of additional threats. She moves with a fluid grace, her every action crisp and calculated. At one point, she is able to disarm an attacker with neither difficulty nor strain, using his momentum to flip him effortlessly to the ground.
Just when it seems the barrage won't stop, a figure steps from behind the screen-a tall, imposing man with a menacing aura. In his dark suit, his eyes gleam with malice as he approaches.
"Looks like we got a big one," Tricky mutters, serious. "Astro, stick with Okayu, I got this."
I nod and position myself protectively in front of Okayu. Tricky steps forward, her hands crackling with magical energy. The air around her seems to hum with power as she prepares to face the new threat.
The man smirks, his confidence evident. "So, you're the bodyguards causing all this trouble. Let's see what you're made of."
Without warning, he lunges at Tricky with lightning speed. She dodges gracefully, countering with a powerful spell that sends a burst of energy towards him. He deflects it with a swift motion, the force of the impact causing the ground to tremble.
The clash of power between Tricky and the man is intense, each exchange of blows creating shockwaves that reverberate through the area. I watch in awe, realizing just how formidable Tricky truly is.
Okayu's voice breaks through my thoughts. "Astro, we need to stay focused. More attackers could be lurking nearby."
I nod, tightening my grip on my magical energy. "Understood. I'll protect you, Okayu."
As the fight continues, the tide starts to turn our way. Tricky's unstoppable attack gradually drains the man's defenses, and with one last, strong spell, she sends him crashing to the ground, unconscious.
Breathing heavily, Tricky turns back to Okayu and me. "We need to move. There might be more coming, and we can't stay in one place for too long."
Okayu nods in agreement. "Let's go. We need to find a safer location to regroup."
We make our way quickly through the suburban streets, an air of unease still in the atmosphere. Farther into the neighborhood, the far-off sirens vouch that authorities are probably on their way.
I glance at Tricky, who gives me an encouraging smile. "You did great, Astro. Keep honing your skills, and you'll become even stronger."
I nod, feeling a surge of determination.
After one fierce battle, we reach the mansion-a grand mansion with an imposing facade guarded by yakuza members who salute Okayu with respect. The tension from our recent skirmish remains in the air, but the sight of the mansion brings a strange mix of anticipation and apprehension. As we near the entrance, Okayu assumes an air of silent command, and the yakuza falling in her wake bow deeply, respects betrayed by their solemn faces and deferential postures.
"Follow me," Okayu instructs, her voice steady and confident. "We're about to meet someone very special."
We enter the mansion, and I am immediately struck by the opulence of its interior. The lavish decorations that adorn the walls stand in contrast to the battles we have fought outside. Rich tapestries, intricate chandeliers, and polished marble floors speak of wealth and power. History and influence fill the air, and I would probably feel a bit out of place amidst such grandeur. Okyu leads us through corridor after corridor, each one more elaborately decorated than the last until we come to an ornate door. With a confident hand, she pushes it open.
Inside, we find the boss-a commanding figure behind a big desk of dark, polished wood. It is a large office with enormous windows that let in most of the view of the gardens outside, which are well landscaped. The walls were lined with bookshelves filled with leather-bound volumes, and expensive artwork adorned the space, furthering the air of sophistication. Her boss looks up from her desk, her jovial tone turning serious as she addresses Okayu with mock gravity.
"Ahh, Okayu, good to see you again. Long time no see; how come you never come over anymore? Better not tell me you found someone better. I'm gonna kill the person."
In the room, the atmosphere suddenly turns weighty, saturated with foreboding energy that runs a shiver down my spine. Black and red hues stream off the boss, blanketing even Tricky's presence. I watch as Tricky actually struggles to keep her poise, her customary sureness shaken by the yeasty weight.
"Hey, hey now," Okayu cuts in, her tone even and commanding. In a sudden turn of events, I feel two auras mixing together-the one coming from Okayu and one coming from the boss-into this gigantic purple-black and red-black energy that could crush me under their weight.
"HOLD ON, HOLD ON!" I holler, my voice ringing with alarm as I try to catch my breath. "I thought I was gonna die."
Both Okayu and the boss burst out laughing, the tension dissipating like smoke in the wind. "Don't worry," Okayu reassures me, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "It was just playful banter. We can never kill each other."
Inugami Korone, on the contrary, simply nods in agreement as her playful mood makes a reappearance, and she motions for us to take a seat. Taking our seats, I am quite shocked about the unveiling of Korone's identity. In my previous world, Korone had been a legendary vtuber, known and loved by many. She was, along with Okayu, one of the members of an idol company named Hololive. Their friendship was so deep that people often shipped them together.
"Welcome," Korone says, her voice warm now, her previous teasing replaced with genuine hospitality. "It's good to see new faces. Okayu speaks highly of you both."
"Thank you, Korone," I reply, still trying to process the surreal situation. "It's an honor to meet you."
Korone waves a hand dismissively, a grin spreading across her face. "No need to be so formal. We're all friends here. Now, tell me about your journey. It sounds like you've been through quite a lot."
We recount our recent adventures, from our departure from the underground city to the fierce battles we have faced in the suburbs. I describe the eerie sense of unease I felt upon arriving in the suburbs, the ambush by the thugs and bandits, and the intense training sessions with Tricky. Okayu chimes in occasionally, her voice steady as she adds details and clarifies points. Korone listens intently, her eyes sparkling with interest, occasionally laughing at our more humorous mishaps.
Tricky, now more at ease, adds her own experiences to the mix; the old self-assurance returning. She tells of when one of the yakuza guys had attempted to charge at Okayu, only to be held back by his buddy. "You should have seen the look on his face when his friend pulled him back," she says, giggling. "It was like he'd seen a ghost."
Korone laughs heartily at this, her eyes twinkling with mirth. "That's classic," she says. "Our guys can be a bit overzealous sometimes."
As we settled into the opulent room, Okayu's expression turned serious, her playful demeanor evaporating like morning mist. She looked at Korone with a gravity that immediately caught my attention.
"We need to talk," Okayu said solemnly. "It's about that again."
Korone's playful smile faded, replaced by a look of deep concern. She nodded slowly, her eyes meeting Okayu's with an understanding that spoke volumes about their shared history and the weight of the issue at hand.
"I see," Korone replied gravely. "I had hoped we wouldn't have to deal with it again so soon."
Tricky and I exchanged puzzled glances, still uncertain about the nature of Okayu and Korone's conversation. The air in the room grew heavy with unspoken tension, the playful banter of moments ago now a distant memory.