After the brutal battle, Tatsuya collapsed in the unforgiving desert, his body battered and exhausted. As the afternoon sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the sand, his strength faded, and his eyes fluttered shut. When he awoke, he found himself in a small wooden room. The surroundings were simple, almost rustic. He rose gingerly from the bed and opened the door, nearly stumbling as he realized he was in a treehouse high above the ground.
"You're awake," came a voice from behind him.
Startled, Tatsuya turned around to see a woman with long black hair standing at the door. Her face was serene, though her eyes betrayed a sharpness and confidence. She leaned casually against the frame, her expression unreadable.
"Who are you?" Tatsuya asked, his voice weak, his body still recovering.
"Yukiko," she replied, her tone calm. "I found you unconscious in the woods and brought you here to heal."
Tatsuya took a moment to process this, glancing around again at the small, tree-bound room. The dizziness hit him once more as he tried to step outside for a better view, but Yukiko swiftly moved to support him before he could fall.
"Don't rush," she said firmly but gently. "You're still very weak. What happened to you? How did you end up in the desert so badly wounded?"
Tatsuya remained silent for a moment, his mind racing back to the fierce battle he had just endured. He didn't know how much to share, uncertain whether he could trust this stranger. But there was something disarming about Yukiko's demeanor—an aura of calm that made him feel oddly at ease.
"It's... complicated," Tatsuya replied vaguely. "I'm on a mission. One I set for myself."
Yukiko's eyes momentarily darkened at his words, becoming cold and intimidating. But in a blink, her expression returned to its calm neutrality. She turned away, stepping toward the door. "If you need anything, just call for me. But for now, focus on resting. You won't get far in your condition."
As she left, Tatsuya stood still, watching her disappear through the doorway. A flood of questions filled his mind. Who was Yukiko? Why had she saved him? And why did she seem so powerful? As these thoughts swirled in his head, a translucent screen appeared before him, showing Yukiko's stats.
Attack: 4 (+1)
Defense: 3
Speed: 7.75
Endurance: 3.5
Special Ability: ???
"Special ability?" Tatsuya murmured, staring at the screen in confusion. "What's the difference between a special ability and an awakened power? And why is hers hidden?"
His mind raced as he tried to make sense of the situation. Up until now, Tatsuya had only known about "awakened powers," the abilities people gained after going through a transformative event. But "special abilities"? That was something new and unknown to him. Even more concerning was the fact that Yukiko's ability was marked as a mystery.
Tatsuya's thoughts spiraled into further chaos. Yukiko was an enigma. She had saved him but revealed nothing about herself. And then there was the mystery surrounding her power. Why had she appeared at that exact moment to rescue him? What did she want in return, if anything? He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her than met the eye.
Even as the questions gnawed at him, the exhaustion from his previous battle was catching up. He sank into a chair nearby, his mind troubled but his body too weak to continue pondering. Outside, the setting sun bathed the world in shades of orange and purple, a moment of tranquility amidst the chaos that seemed to constantly surround him.
"I have to find out more about her," Tatsuya resolved quietly. "And about this place."
Time passed slowly as he recovered in the treehouse. The silence was broken only by the soft rustling of leaves in the evening breeze. His body began to heal, though his mind remained restless. He had no idea what was waiting for him outside the treehouse or what new challenges he would have to face.
As if on cue, Tatsuya heard light footsteps approaching. The door creaked open, and Yukiko stepped inside, carrying a tray of food. She set it down in front of him with a quiet grace.
"You should eat," she said softly, her tone warmer than before. "You need your strength."
Tatsuya stared at the food, feeling the sharp pang of hunger he had been trying to ignore. "Thank you," he replied, forcing a smile despite his lingering suspicions.
Yukiko sat across from him, watching as he ate. Her gaze was intense, though not unkind. After a few moments of silence, she finally spoke again. "You don't have to worry," she said as if reading his thoughts. "I'm not going to harm you. I just want to help you recover and prepare for what's to come."
"What's to come?" Tatsuya repeated, his curiosity piqued but his caution still intact.
Yukiko nodded, her expression growing more serious. "Yes. You've chosen a difficult path, and I'm here to help you through it. But first, you need to get back on your feet. And besides, Mori wouldn't be too happy with me if something happened to you."
At the mention of Mori's name, Tatsuya tensed. "Mori?" he asked, startled. "You know him?"
Yukiko smiled faintly. "He's not just a simple shopkeeper, as you might think. His influence runs deeper than you realize. What you've seen so far is only a fraction of what's hidden beneath the surface."
Tatsuya felt a chill run through him. Mori had always seemed like a jovial, ordinary man, but now it was becoming clear that there was much more to him than met the eye. Aiko had known him, the elder in the desert had spoken of him, and now Yukiko mentioned him as well. Could it be that all of these people had been orchestrated by Mori to help him along the way? Or was there something even more complex going on?
Tatsuya's mind raced with possibilities, but one thing was clear: he couldn't afford to rely on Mori's help forever. He had to become stronger on his own terms.
Sensing his unease, Yukiko stood up and moved toward the door. "Rest for now," she said gently. "You'll need your strength for what lies ahead."
Tatsuya nodded, watching her leave once more. As the door closed behind her, he found himself alone again with his thoughts. The mysteries surrounding Mori, Yukiko, and even his own journey seemed to deepen with every passing moment. He had so many questions, and the answers seemed to slip further from his grasp.
But there was one thing he was certain of: he couldn't remain passive. He had to uncover the truth behind Mori's involvement, Yukiko's enigmatic power, and the role he was meant to play in the unfolding events.
Taking a deep breath, Tatsuya made a silent vow to himself. "No matter what it takes, I'll find the answers."
For now, though, he would focus on regaining his strength, knowing that whatever lay ahead would challenge him in ways he had yet to imagine.