The village was abuzz with activity as Kazuya and Lyriana returned, dragging the scaled hide of the fallen Shadow Drakkar behind them. The sight of the massive beast's corpse sent a wave of shock and awe rippling through the villagers, many of whom had never seen such a creature up close.
Elder Thalion emerged from his hut, leaning heavily on his staff as he approached. His sharp eyes scanned the Drakkar, then shifted to Kazuya and Lyriana.
"This is no ordinary beast," the elder said, his voice grave. "How far did you travel before encountering it?"
"Half a day's journey beyond the Whispering Pines," Lyriana replied. "It was following a strange trail, one that led deeper into the forest."
Elder Thalion's expression darkened. "It shouldn't be here. The Shadow Drakkar rarely leave the volcanic mountains in the north. Something must have driven it out."
Kazuya exchanged a glance with Lyriana. "Do you think it could have been fleeing from something stronger?"
The elder sighed. "That is a possibility we cannot ignore. But such a displacement could only be caused by forces far beyond what we've faced before."
---
Later that evening, Kazuya sat near the village's central fire, his thoughts racing. The encounter with the Drakkar had been exhilarating but also unsettling. His abilities, while extraordinary, didn't make him invincible. The thought of facing something even more powerful made his heart race—not with fear, but with anticipation.
"Kazuya," Lyriana's voice interrupted his thoughts. She sat down beside him, offering a small smile. "You did well today. Most people would have run the other way."
"Most people don't have my… advantages," Kazuya replied, his tone hesitant.
Lyriana studied him for a moment. "You're not telling me everything, are you?"
Kazuya sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's not that I don't trust you. I just… don't fully understand it myself. My abilities, my strength—it's like they were just given to me when I came here."
She raised an eyebrow. "Came here? You mean… you're not from this world?"
Kazuya hesitated. This was the first time anyone had directly asked him about his origins. He considered lying, but something about Lyriana's steady gaze made him feel like he could be honest with her.
"I'm not," he admitted. "I don't know how or why, but I was transported here. Back in my world, I was just a regular guy—a college student. Then, suddenly, I woke up here with these abilities and no idea what I'm supposed to do with them."
Lyriana nodded slowly, taking in his words. "That explains a lot. Your strength, your speed—it's not normal, even by our standards. But it also means you might be here for a reason."
"Reason?" Kazuya echoed.
"Our world is changing," she said. "The appearance of the Drakkar, the disturbances in the forest—it's all connected. Maybe you were brought here because we need you."
---
Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of a young elf, his face pale with fear.
"Elder Thalion needs you both," the boy said, his voice trembling. "There's been another attack."
Kazuya and Lyriana exchanged a look before hurrying to the elder's hut. Inside, they found Thalion speaking with a group of scouts, their faces grim.
"What happened?" Lyriana asked.
"Another village, deeper in the forest, was attacked," one of the scouts reported. "When we arrived, it was… gone. Burned to the ground. No survivors."
Kazuya's fists clenched. "Was it another Drakkar?"
The scout shook his head. "No. The tracks were different this time—larger, more numerous. Whatever did this, it wasn't working alone."
Elder Thalion turned to Kazuya and Lyriana. "This confirms my worst fears. The Drakkar wasn't fleeing—it was being driven south, away from something far more dangerous. These attacks are escalating, and we must act quickly."
"What do you suggest, Elder?" Lyriana asked.
"We need to learn more about our enemy," Thalion replied. "Lyriana, you will lead a team to investigate the area around the destroyed village. Kazuya, I want you to accompany her."
Kazuya nodded. "Understood. When do we leave?"
"First light," the elder said. "Rest tonight. You'll need your strength."
---
Kazuya lay awake in his hut that night, staring at the ceiling. The weight of responsibility was beginning to settle on his shoulders. He had come to this world without purpose, but now it seemed like fate—or whatever force had brought him here—was pushing him toward something greater.
His thoughts drifted to his grandfather's words: "Be kind to all lifeforms if you wish to build a happy family."
It was a lesson he had taken to heart, one that had guided his actions in both worlds. But kindness alone wouldn't be enough to face the challenges ahead. He needed to be strong, not just for himself, but for the people who were beginning to rely on him.
As dawn approached, Kazuya rose and prepared for the journey. He checked his stats board, taking a moment to review the abilities he had come to rely on.
---
Kazuya Hiyotoshi
HP: Infinite
MP: Infinite
Strength: Infinite
Speed: Infinite
Durability: Infinite
Abilities: Flight, Dash, Autoheal, Heal Others
---
Lyriana was waiting for him at the edge of the village, along with a small group of scouts armed with bows and spears.
"Ready?" she asked.
Kazuya nodded, his resolve firm. "Let's find out what we're up against."
With that, they set out, the morning sun casting long shadows through the forest as they ventured toward the unknown. Each step brought them closer to the truth—and to the danger that awaited them.