Chapter 2: The First Test
Asuka's footsteps echoed through the dense underbrush, her mind still reeling from the strange encounter in the clearing. The woman who had greeted her, with her piercing green eyes and silver hair, had led her deeper into the forest. Asuka couldn't shake the feeling that the world around her was shifting—changing with every step she took.
The air was thick with tension. Each rustle in the leaves felt like a whisper, every crack of a twig underfoot seemed too loud. The woman, whose name Asuka still didn't know, walked silently ahead of her, her silver hair glinting faintly in the moonlight that filtered through the canopy above. She moved with purpose, as though she knew exactly where they were going, though Asuka had no idea what their destination might be.
The strange man—the one who had first called her the Drag King—had remained behind in the clearing. Asuka had been too confused to ask him any more questions, too shaken to demand answers. Now, alone with this mysterious woman, she was left with more questions than ever. What did she mean by "the world is not ready for you"? And why had Asuka been chosen for this destiny? Why had she, of all people, been given the title of Drag King?
The woman suddenly stopped in her tracks, her sharp gaze cutting through the trees as she turned to face Asuka. There was no sign of hesitation in her, no sign of uncertainty—just a steely determination.
"You're still unsure of yourself, aren't you?" the woman said, her voice cool but not unkind. "You think this is all too much, too fast. But I promise you, Asuka Aoyama, you have no choice but to move forward."
Asuka opened her mouth to protest, but the woman raised a hand, silencing her before she could speak. "I know it's a lot to take in, but you must understand something. This world—Drakos—is not like your world. The rules here are different. The power that resides within you will attract attention, and not all of it will be friendly."
Asuka felt her stomach tighten at the mention of danger, but she said nothing. She wasn't sure what kind of strength she could possibly wield. She hadn't asked for this power, hadn't asked to be thrown into a war that she didn't understand.
"You are not just the Drag King because you've been chosen," the woman continued, her eyes narrowing. "You're the Drag King because you will be the force that unites the fractured lands. You will bring order to chaos, whether you want to or not. If you fail, this world will fall. It will burn in the fires of civil war, of greed, and of power-hungry men."
Asuka felt the weight of her words press down on her, as though the very earth beneath her feet had become heavier. But she didn't have time to dwell on that now. They had to keep moving. The woman, sensing Asuka's need for space to think, fell into step beside her.
The journey took them deeper into the forest, the trees growing denser and the path less distinct. Every so often, Asuka caught glimpses of strange creatures moving just beyond her vision. She felt like she was being watched, but each time she turned, there was nothing there. It was disorienting, unsettling, and she found herself on edge.
They reached a small clearing after what felt like hours of walking, though Asuka had lost all sense of time. The woman stopped in the center of the clearing and turned to face her.
"Here is where your first test begins," the woman said. She didn't elaborate, but there was a sharpness in her tone that told Asuka that no explanations would be given. It was time for action.
Asuka felt her pulse quicken. She was a scientist. She had spent her life researching, theorizing, studying—but none of that had ever prepared her for moments like this. She wasn't sure what kind of test awaited her, but she had no choice but to face it.
A low growl sounded from the shadows. Asuka's heart skipped a beat. She turned, her body instinctively moving to the side, away from the noise. But nothing emerged. Not yet.
The woman's eyes never left her. "You have two choices," she said, her voice calm but firm. "You can stand here and wait for the test to come to you, or you can go out and face it. Either way, it will find you. The question is whether you will face it on your terms or be caught unprepared."
Before Asuka could respond, the ground beneath her feet trembled. A low, rumbling sound vibrated through the earth, followed by a screech—a horrifying sound that made her blood run cold. Something massive was approaching.
The woman's lips twitched, a hint of something like amusement in her gaze. "This will be a test of your resolve, Drag King. The creatures that dwell in these forests are no mere beasts. They are called the Shadow Beasts. They are drawn to power, and they will stop at nothing to test you."
Asuka's breath caught in her throat. Shadow Beasts? She had heard whispers of such creatures in the city's underworld, but the stories had always been far-fetched—just rumors. And now, she was facing them, standing in the heart of their territory.
A massive form emerged from the shadows. It was a hulking creature, its body a patchwork of shadow and flesh, with glowing, yellow eyes that pierced through the darkness. Its claws scraped against the earth as it moved, and its low growl echoed in the clearing. The thing was monstrous—impossibly large—and its presence sent a wave of dread coursing through Asuka's veins.
For a moment, she was frozen in place, caught between fight and flight. But then something shifted inside her, something deep within the core of her being. She didn't know how she knew, but she understood in that instant that she couldn't run—not from this. Not from any of it.
She clenched her fists at her sides, the raw energy that had been building inside her since her arrival in this world beginning to surge. Her heart hammered in her chest, but her body was no longer trembling with fear. It was something else—an intense, focused energy, a clarity she had never known.
The woman beside her took a step back, as though waiting for Asuka to make the first move.
The Shadow Beast growled again, its hulking form lurching forward. Asuka's breath quickened, and before she could fully think, her body moved on instinct.
A wave of energy surged through her, the power of the Drag King flooding her senses. She lifted her hand instinctively, and a pulse of light shot from her palm, striking the Shadow Beast directly in the chest. The creature let out a screech, stumbling back as if struck by an invisible force.
The power felt... natural. Asuka had never experienced anything like it before, but she had no time to question it. The beast was recovering quickly, its claws ready to strike. Without thinking, she raised her other hand, and the air around her seemed to hum with energy.
"Focus," the woman's voice rang out from the distance. "Control it. Command it."
With a shout, Asuka unleashed a powerful burst of energy, this time directing it at the ground beneath the creature. The earth shook, and from the ground, jagged rocks shot up like spears, piercing the beast's legs.
It howled in pain, and for a moment, Asuka thought it might retreat. But the creature was not so easily deterred. It lunged at her, its claws swiping with deadly precision.
Instinct kicked in again. Asuka ducked to the side, narrowly avoiding the swipe. She felt the air rush past her as the beast's claws missed by inches. Her body was moving almost on its own now, her mind too focused on the fight to dwell on anything else.
The woman's voice was distant, but clear: "You're learning. Keep fighting."
The Shadow Beast charged again, its eyes burning with hunger. Asuka didn't wait for it to get any closer. She thrust her palm forward, and with a burst of energy, a shockwave rippled outward. The beast was thrown back, its massive body slamming into a nearby tree with a sickening crack.
For a moment, everything was still. Then, slowly, the Shadow Beast began to rise again.