[POV: END]
Ena was surprised to learn that he had an F-rank ability, especially considering his a master rank.
"Must be surprising right?"
Ena's blank expression quickly shifted to anger when she realized Haruo had ice abilities. The thought that he could've stopped the fire—and prevented everything—burned inside her, fueling her fury.
"I know what you're thinking. If I could've stopped the fire, I would have. But I couldn't—my power was disabled, and even if it wasn't, I doubt I could've done anything."
He glanced at Taiyo, peacefully sleeping, then back at Ena. Her expression had softened slightly, but the anger still lingered in her eyes. The tension remained between them, her unspoken accusation still heavy in the air, though her fury seemed to be fading—if only a little.
"I don't blame you for looking at me with those eyes. I've had those eyes once when i found out my old friend's secret."
Ena looked away, her gaze shifting to the side. Haruo took it as a sign to rest, leaning his back against the cold wall. Slowly, the exhaustion caught up with him, and he drifted off into sleep.
The cold wind rushed through the cave, snuffing out most of the fire's warmth. Haruo opened his eyes slowly, only to find warm blood floating around the cave, swirling like a gentle mist.
Ena's blood manipulation had created an unexpected coziness in the eerie space, bringing him a sense of relief.
[Many days go by since they started to adventure.]
On the first day, Haruo decided to go fishing, encouraged by the clear weather and determined to find food for himself and Taiyo.
After several hours of patient waiting, he finally caught two fish. Feeling proud of his catch, he headed back to their campsite, relieved to have secured a meal for them both.
"Where's mine?"
Ena asked, her brow furrowing in confusion as she looked at the two fish in Haruo's hands.
"Hunt yours or just use your ability to make some,"
Haruo replied, shrugging off her confusion. She looked at him with disbelief as he walked past her, clearly frustrated by his nonchalance.
"I can't do that yet, though!"
she shouted, her voice laced with annoyance.
"aww shucks"
She sprinted out of the cave, determined to find her own food. After a while, she returned empty-handed, frustration etched on her face.
On the second day, Ena decided to join Haruo early in the morning, sacrificing her sleep. She was determined to prove her worth since he wouldn't share any food with her.
"at least she now knows what i feel when i was her butler" he thought to himself before going to the wild and hunting
As we walked back to the cave, Ena was a complete mess, her hair tangled and clothes streaked with mud. In contrast, I was clean, having managed to stay relatively unscathed, and I held our catch of fish triumphantly.
The fish were big, glistening in the light and showcasing my successful hunt. Despite her dirty appearance, Ena's eyes sparkled with determination as she glanced at the sizable catch in my hands, her hunger evident.
"Omg, is that a QI fish?!" Taiyo exclaimed, his eyes wide with excitement as he entered the cave, carrying a heavy bundle of chopped wood.
His enthusiasm didn't seem to register with Ena, who was still a mess from their earlier outing. She crossed her arms, looking less than pleased as Taiyo focused on the shimmering catch in my hands.
"Yup, I did all the work," I said flatly, eyeing Ena.
"This girl almost lost it."
Ena looked pissed as Haruo said that.
"Well, I don't know how to hunt, And I have a name!" she shot back, frustration clear in her voice.
On the third day, they decided it was finally time to leave the cave as the snow had temporarily stopped. Ena was still sleeping, her breathing steady, but Taiyo, feeling restless, quickly woke her up.
He didn't want Haruo to ditch her, so he nudged her with urgency, calling her name until she stirred from her slumber.
She woke up with heavy eyelids, exhaustion clinging to her. However, the moment the realization hit her that she might get ditched, adrenaline surged through her, shaking off the fatigue.
With newfound energy, she sat up, eyes wide and alert, ready to join the others before it was too late.
"Stop trying to ditch me!"
Ena shouted, her voice filled with annoyance and irritation. Her frustration was palpable as she shot Haruo a glare, fully aware of his tendency to act independently.
"Well, stand up already. We're heading to a nearby town," Haruo said, crossing his arms and glancing at her.
"While we're there, we should buy you some new clothes since you just followed us without any preparation." He noted her ragged appearance and realized it was time for her to have a fresh start.
[time skip a few hours]
Ena dashed around, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she spotted dresses that looked nothing like what she was used to.
Each garment seemed to call out to her, vibrant colors and unique styles igniting a sense of joy within her. She couldn't help but imagine how they would feel against her skin, a stark contrast to the ragged clothes she had been wearing.
Haruo's expression twisted into one of irritation as he watched Ena become entranced by the expensive dresses. With a swift motion, he grabbed her arm and started dragging her away, his patience wearing thin.
"Come on, we don't have time for this, nor the money," Haruo said, his voice firm as he pulled her away from the display of dresses.
He could see the disappointment flicker across her face, but he knew they needed to be practical, especially given their situation.
"Oh come on, i haven't slept with a pajama since!"
Haruo looked at her more annoyed than before
"This is exactly why i wanted to ditch you!"
Ena glares at him after he said that
"FUCK YOU!"
Taiyo watched the two of them bicker with amusement, casually munching on the candy Haruo had bought for him.
He savored each piece, the sweet flavors contrasting with the tension in the air. It was a rare moment of levity for him, enjoying the spectacle of Ena's frustration and Haruo's irritation while indulging in his treat.
They bought Ena a Victorian-style shirt with a corset, practical pants, and some spare clothing. The ensemble was a blend of elegance and practicality, a welcome change from her old attire.
As they left the shop, Haruo wore an annoyed expression, frustrated that Taiyo had insisted they buy new clothing for Ena.
On the sixth day, Taiyo felt tired from walking too much, so they decided to set up camp in a warm, mostly flat area. The terrain allowed them to see animals in the distance, as there weren't many trees to obstruct their view.
The area around them was bathed in orange hues, with leaves in vibrant shades of orange clinging to the pale trunks of the trees.
The grass, too, had an orange tint, though it still retained a hint of green, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Ena set up camp beneath the tree where Taiyo was resting, as she didn't know how to hunt. It was still noon, and the shade provided a comfortable refuge for Taiyo as he slept.
Meanwhile, Haruo struggled with one of the elusive creatures. It could turn invisible at the slightest hint of danger, making it a formidable opponent.
Not only did it vanish from sight, but it also became nearly impossible to sense through any other means, leaving him at a distinct disadvantage.
Haruo managed to catch one of the elusive creatures, but when he returned, he found that Ena had barely made any progress on the tent. A flicker of irritation crossed his face at her slow pace.
On the tenth day, Haruo heads to the market to gather supplies for their journey. He focuses on stocking up on dried meats and vegetables at the food stall, managing to haggle for a discount.
Next, he picks up a sturdy tent and extra blankets from a camping gear shop, ensuring better shelter for the colder nights ahead.
As Haruo stood at the front desk, he counted out the exact amount of money from his wallet, looking completely tired. Ena browsed through a nearby stall, eyeing colorful fabrics, while Taiyo explored a different section, inspecting various supplies.
Haruo focused on saving as much as possible, stealing glances at them, before completing the transaction with the vendor, a sigh of relief escaping him as he finished up.
On the fourteenth day, they inadvertently angered a powerful creature. Haruo, preferring to avoid confrontation, suggested they run away. However, Ena, eager for a fight, decided to face the beast head-on.
In an instant, she was launched a hundred meters forward, propelled by the creature's immense force, leaving Haruo momentarily stunned.
On the twenty-fifth day, they arrived at another town and chose to eat at a local restaurant before seeking shelter at an inn due to the worsening weather.
With their limited funds, they ended up sharing a single room, all huddled together for warmth and comfort.
On the thirty-sixth day, Ena crouched behind the bushes, focused on hunting for food. Unlike thirty-five days ago, she was finally able to do it successfully, her determination shining through as she carefully tracked her prey.
The skills she had honed over the weeks were evident, and a sense of pride filled her as she prepared to bring back a meal for the group.
"why is it so small?"
Taiyo asked, glancing at the lone rabbit Ena had caught, confusion evident on his face. He couldn't help but wonder why she hadn't caught something larger.
"oh its small..."
Ena's pride deflated at Taiyo's innocent question, and she sank to the ground, sobbing quietly in the corner. The joy of her small victory faded, giving way to a wave of self-doubt.
Taiyo glanced at her, his expression shifting from confusion to concern, unaware that his words had triggered her distress.
Haruo returned with a larger catch, having successfully hunted a couple of rabbits and a few fish.
As he began to prepare the meal, he focused solely on the task at hand, not trying to lift anyone's spirits but simply aiming to provide sustenance for them all.
The aroma of cooking meat filled the air, a practical reminder that survival was still their primary concern.
On the thirty-ninth day, Ena realized she had forgotten her wallet in the last town they visited. Initially, Haruo brushed it off, but then he remembered that the wallet contained his valuable coupons for food and supplies.
Panic set in as he hurriedly decided to return to the town, urgency etched on his face.
From the fortieth to the forty-sixth days, the group dedicated their time to searching for Ena's lost wallet. Their efforts were relentless, scouring every corner of the last town they had visited.
Despite their diligence, the wallet remained elusive, leaving them feeling increasingly frustrated and anxious as each day passed without success.
On the fifty-first day, they walked through a vast forest when, in an instant, a massive beast emerged from the underbrush.
Haruo and Ena quickly readied their weapons, aiming at the creature, but to their surprise, the beast remained still, showing no signs of aggression or movement. Tension filled the air as they tried to assess whether it posed a threat or was simply observing them.
"The beast it already dead!"
An unknown voice suddenly echoed through the clearing, catching Haruo and the others off guard. They exchanged bewildered glances, unsure of where the voice had come from or what it meant.
The forest, once filled with the sounds of nature, fell eerily silent as they tried to make sense of this new development, their weapons still poised in anticipation.
From atop the massive dead beast, footsteps resonated through the air, drawing their attention. A strange figure emerged, his messy black hair adorned with hints of red highlights.
He had a well-defined face and striking amber eyes that seemed to gleam with mischief. An earring dangled from his left ear, catching the light as he casually surveyed Haruo and the others, a confident smirk playing on his lips.
"This isn't a place for brats,"
he said, his tone dripping with arrogance. He leaned against the massive beast, clearly unbothered by Haruo and the others, a smirk playing on his lips as if he found their surprise amusing.
"Let's play a game; the loser has to do whatever the winner says!"
he declared, dropping down from the beast. As he approached slowly, his confident stride allowed them to take in his features more clearly—every detail accentuated by his cocky demeanor, heightening the tension in the air.
Haruo and the others instinctively stepped back, wariness etched on their faces as they assessed the mysterious figure.
Uncertainty lingered in the air, and they exchanged glances, trying to gauge whether he was a potential ally or a looming threat.
"Rules are simple," he said, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Last five minutes against me. You can run, fight back, whatever you want, just last five minutes, and you win. Capiche?"
Ena didn't hesitate to attack him, her instincts kicking in just like they had during the intense restaurant fight. With a surge of adrenaline, she lunged forward, ready to strike.
However, Haruo swiftly reached out, grabbing her arm and pulling her back. His eyes were serious, silently signaling her not to engage just yet. The tension between them crackled in the air as they momentarily paused, weighing their options and the potential consequences of rushing in.
"alright we begin in... 3... 2... 1..."
He sprinted at them with such incredible speed that he seemed to blur, moving faster than what a regular person's naked eye could comprehend.
It was as if he had defied the limits of human capability, leaving only a faint afterimage in his wake.
The ground seemed to tremble beneath him as he closed the distance, an unsettling reminder of the power he wielded.
Fortunately, Haruo shouted a warning, urging everyone to duck just in time. They all dropped to the ground, narrowly avoiding his grasp. But as he surveyed the scene, a chill ran down his spine; it seemed he had underestimated their opponent.
In the split second before the chaos erupted, a glimmer of movement caught his eye, hinting that something unexpected was still in play.
"your ring looks cool, where did you get it?"