Kaoru sat cross-legged on the bed, eyes closed in focused meditation to restore his depleted Mana. Though his body was still weak, he knew that active rest through meditation would be more effective in this situation. His breathing was calm, and his mind slowly merged with the thin stream of Mana flowing around him.
However, it wasn't long before he felt something soft hit his body. His eyes snapped open, and he instantly felt warmth from a sudden, tight embrace. Asuka, who had just woken up, clung to him tightly, tears streaming down her face.
"Kaoru…!" Asuka cried in his arms, her voice trembling with emotion. "I… I thought you wouldn't wake up… I was so scared…"
Kaoru could feel Asuka's body shaking, the girl holding on so tightly as if she never wanted to lose him. The pain and fear that Asuka had kept inside burst forth in her tears. Kaoru slowly placed his hand on Asuka's back, gently returning the embrace.
"Asuka…" Kaoru whispered softly, his hand brushing through the girl's hair. "I'm here. I'm alright."
Asuka's tears continued to flow, and she didn't let go of her hold. For Asuka, losing her family at a young age was a deep wound that still haunted her. Now, Kaoru was the only person she truly cared about, and the fear of losing him too almost shattered her.
"I don't want to lose you, Kaoru… You're the only one left for me," Asuka's voice was filled with a mix of fear and relief.
Kaoru held Asuka's chin, lifting her face slightly so she could see his eyes. "I won't go anywhere, Asuka," he said firmly yet gently. "I promise, I will always be by your side."
Asuka bit her lower lip, trying to hold back her increasingly heavy tears. Kaoru wiped her cheeks, erasing the flowing tears.
"Kaoru…" Asuka looked at him with watery eyes, filled with love and a fear that was slowly fading.
Kaoru smiled faintly, trying to reassure the girl. "You don't need to worry. I will always come back, no matter what happens."
The quiet night in the village of Gosha felt calmer after Kaoru finally recovered, even though his body was still weak from overusing his Mana. Asuka had settled down more in his embrace, but as Kaoru began to explain what had happened before he lost consciousness, the atmosphere turned serious again.
"Before I passed out," Kaoru started, his tone calm but laden with heavy information, "I fought against the Nomad forces that came to attack this village. They didn't hold back, even using missiles in the middle of the festival. That was the explosion you saw earlier."
Asuka listened intently, her gaze fixed on Kaoru. "They really attacked during the festival? How cruel…" Her voice trembled slightly, still affected by the tension and worry.
"Yes, and it was more than just a regular attack. Edwin Black… he's back," Kaoru continued, his face tightening as he mentioned that name. "He's behind all this."
Asuka gasped, looking at Kaoru with wide eyes. "Edwin Black?" Clearly shocked, a thirst for revenge surged within her. The Nomads and Edwin Black were the masterminds behind the massacre of the Koukawa Clan, and Edwin was also responsible for Asuka losing four of her limbs.
Kaoru nodded slowly. "He's alive, but there was something strange when I destroyed that Nomad force; Edwin's energy seemed to be held back by something."
But before Asuka could respond, the door to the room opened slowly. Hippo, who had been keeping watch outside, let someone in without hesitation. This immediately made Kaoru suspicious that something important had happened.
A man entered through the door, old yet authoritative in appearance. Bald, short of stature, but with sharp, experienced eyes. He wore a formal uniform, exuding a professional aura that clearly set him apart from ordinary people. Despite his seemingly friendly appearance, Kaoru knew better than to judge this man by his looks.
"That's quite an interesting story…" the man's heavy yet calm voice broke the silence, a thin smile on his face that held deep meaning.
Kaoru recognized him instantly. "Director, it's been a while," he said, leaning back against the bed. The man was the Director of the DCST (Department of Countering Supernatural Threats) from the New Japanese Empire—an organization that dealt with supernatural threats in this new world.
Asuka looked confused and asked, "Kaoru, who is he?"
The old man chuckled softly, stepping closer. "You can call me Mr. Matsuda," he said to Asuka in a friendly tone before turning back to Kaoru. "You really haven't changed, Kaoru. Even in a weakened state, you still attract this kind of trouble."
Matsuda, despite his friendly demeanor, was a former general of the JDSF known for his iron-fisted leadership. For two terms, he led the Japanese military with a firm hand, but now he dedicated himself to protecting the world from supernatural threats. Though his physique was small and friendly, he was a tough man, and Kaoru knew his capabilities well.
"So, what brings you here, Matsuda?" Kaoru asked, narrowing his eyes.
Matsuda laughed again, shrugging slightly. "I heard there was quite a commotion here, and when I heard you were involved, I knew this wasn't just a small problem. You know, the Nomads and Edwin Black… they're a big deal for us too."
---
Outside the room, the atmosphere felt tense. Fumma Kotaro stood with his arms crossed, staring at Hippo with a sharp gaze. His tall and sturdy physique was characteristic of a fighter. His skin was olive-toned, while his blue hair was slightly messy under the dim light. However, what stood out most were his eyes—his left eye was yellow, giving him a mysterious and intimidating appearance.
Fumma Kotaro was a Taimanin, a fighter trained in ninja techniques specifically tasked with combating supernatural threats. As a guard and tactical expert for the DCST, his job was to ensure no threats could disrupt any mission. To many, Kotaro was a fearsome figure, not only because of his skills but also due to his sharp intelligence.
Fumma Kotaro fixed his flat expression on Hippo, but there was a slight glimmer in his eye as Hippo tried to lighten the mood with a joke.
"Don't stare at me too long, buddy. It's creepy," Hippo joked, giving a slight grin.
Kotaro remained silent for a moment before responding in his usual flat tone. "Hey, you're not human, are you?"
Hippo chuckled softly, his voice gravelly and deep, as if he had heard this before. "Heh, you know it's not an ordinary body," he replied, referring to his human form as a manifestation of a griffin. Kotaro's yellow eye gleamed sharply, as if he could see more than what lay on the surface.
"And you?" Hippo continued, directing his gaze at Kotaro's left eye. "That's not an ordinary eye, is it?"
Kotaro gently touched the corner of his yellow eye, a rare, faint smile appearing on his face. "Of course not. But it's just one of many things I've had to sacrifice for this job."
Hippo nodded, his expression more serious now. "Well, we all have a price to pay. You with that eye, me with this form. But at least we're on the same side."
Kotaro didn't respond, only folding his arms and gazing at the door where the Director was speaking with Kaoru. "The same side, huh," he muttered softly, then continued, "But not everyone can see the differences."
Hippo nodded, seemingly understanding the meaning behind Kotaro's words. They were fighters living between two worlds—human and supernatural. Though they appeared different, their goals were the same: to protect the helpless from threats greater than what most could see.