The courtyard was bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun, its warm light casting dancing shadows through the swaying bamboo. Harutemi stretched languidly, her delicate figure framed by the gentle breeze, exuding an air of serene contentment. Her lips curved into a tranquil smile, basking in the peaceful aftermath of a midday nap.
However, her attention was soon drawn to the other side of the courtyard—Yahageshii was there, drenched in sweat, muscles gleaming in the sunlight as he trained tirelessly. The ground around him was marked by his relentless effort, silent testimony to an intense, unseen battle.
Harutemi approached him with a teasing grin. "Wow, working so hard? Next time we spar, I'll be sure to watch your embarrassing defeat closely!"
Yahageshii, still catching his breath, shot back a mischievous smirk. "Hah! I'd like to see you try looking any less ridiculous yourself."
With that, he pulled out his phone and held it up for her to see. The screen displayed a photo of Harutemi sleeping earlier—cheek pressed against her arm, a trail of drool marking her innocent slumber.
"You! You took that!" Harutemi's cheeks flushed a deep red, resembling ripe apples. Her voice carried equal parts embarrassment and outrage. "Yahageshii! Delete that right now!"
She lunged for his phone, but Yahageshii was too quick, sidestepping deftly and holding it high out of her reach. His expression was pure defiance. "Come and get it, then!"
Harutemi's frustration mounted as she glared up at him. At barely 1.4 meters tall, she was dwarfed by Yahageshii's towering 1.8-meter frame—a veritable wall in her way. Undeterred, she grabbed his sleeve and jumped up, trying to snatch the phone from his grasp.
"Give it back! Now!" she shouted, her movements becoming more frantic, occasionally colliding with his chest. Yahageshii chuckled at her futile efforts, inwardly marveling at the surprising strength of the petite girl.
Harutemi, however, refused to back down. Clinging to his robe, she was practically hanging off him as she struggled to reach the phone. Yahageshii dodged with a laugh, his voice dripping with mockery. "Is that all you've got? Too bad—you'll never reach it!"
Just as the stalemate dragged on, Elder Kasamaki's calm voice cut through the commotion. "Dinner is ready. That's enough of your antics."
Reluctantly, Harutemi released her grip, but not without shooting Yahageshii a death glare. "You'd better watch your back. Don't even think about sleeping tonight!"
Yahageshii grinned smugly. "Bring it on! I'll be waiting."
Feeling triumphant, he strolled to the dining area, his spirits buoyed by the small victory. Harutemi trailed behind, fuming, her muttered threats falling on deaf ears.
At the dining table, Riyugi and the others were already seated. The wooden table was laden with an array of sumptuous dishes, their fragrant aroma filling the room. Despite the cozy setting, the meal was far from serene. Harutemi and Yahageshii's playful squabbles spilled over, with Harutemi attempting to snatch his phone while Yahageshii deftly fended her off.
"Where's Shingin?" Yahageshii asked casually as he finally settled down.
Myouka, lazily nibbling on her chopsticks, answered without much interest. "Who knows? Probably off doing some secret training again."
Unconcerned, Yahageshii turned to her. "What about you guys? What sort of training have you been doing?"
Myouka winced as if recalling a particularly unpleasant memory. "What else? Since yesterday, Rayl has been hammering us with theory lessons. It's like an endless lecture—he just doesn't stop!"
She quickly clamped a hand over her mouth, regretting her outburst. Rayl, seated nearby, remained calm but firm. "I hope you've been paying attention. If you ever encounter other factions or stronger ability users, you'll need every bit of it to survive."
A tense silence followed his words, his warning resonating with everyone present. Syoruha broke the silence with a serious tone. "Speaking of factions, aside from the Watchers, there's another group making waves lately."
"Who?" Yahageshii leaned in, intrigued.
Syoruha's expression darkened. "The Sorcerers."
"The Sorcerers?" Yahageshii frowned. "You mean those scam artists who prey on gullible believers?"
Yame shot him a sharp glance, her tone dripping with disdain. "They're ability users. Recently, they've been exploring what they call the Infernal World. Whatever their goal is, it's definitely not simple."
"The Infernal World?" Riyugi's eyes widened in shock. "Does such a place truly exist?"
Rayl shrugged nonchalantly, his demeanor cold. "Who knows? In this world, it wouldn't be surprising. We just haven't encountered it yet."
The room fell into a heavy silence, the oppressive atmosphere dampening even the most eager appetites. Yahageshii finally broke the tension with an abrupt question. "Rayl, have you heard of the War God, KuroAka?"
The lively chatter instantly ceased. Everyone froze, their faces pale as the name hung in the air like an unyielding blade. It wasn't just fear—it was awe, as if the name itself carried an unbearable weight.
Sensing the shift, Ryuosho asked cautiously, "Is he... a god?"
Elder Kasamaki's hands trembled slightly as he clutched his teacup. Taking a measured sip, he steadied himself before speaking in a grave tone. "Not a god, but a human who stands equal to one. If gods do exist, they are mere dust beneath his feet. No one above, countless below—he is the pinnacle of humanity."
The elder's words, laden with solemnity, hit like a hammer. The room was engulfed in a stifling silence, the name KuroAka looming over them like an unshakable shadow. No one dared to speak further, their gazes fixed on the untouched food before them.
The War God's presence was no longer a mere legend—it was a chilling reality, one that left even the bravest among them in awe.