Haruki stepped forward, his dagger gleaming in the dim light of the alley. The two older men turned toward him, sneering.
"Leave that kid alone," Haruki said, his voice calm but edged with menace.
The taller of the two men laughed, his bulky frame shaking. "And what if we don't? You think you're some kind of hero, kid?"
Before the man could finish his sentence, he swung a heavy fist toward Haruki. Time seemed to slow as Haruki moved, his training with Dante coming alive in his veins. With a swift motion, he drew his dagger, its edge flashing as it severed the man's hand cleanly.
The man screamed, clutching the bleeding stump. "You little—!" His words were cut off as Haruki dodged the man's desperate kick, leaped into the air, and drove his blade downward, piercing the man's neck. The light faded from his eyes as he crumpled to the ground.
Haruki stared at the body for a moment, his chest heaving. Then, an unsettling grin spread across his face, sharp and dangerous. He turned to the second man, who stood frozen in terror.
"If you don't want to end up like your friend here," Haruki said, his voice low and cold, "leave the kid alone. Or else…" He trailed off, letting the implication hang in the air.
The man didn't need to be told twice. He turned and bolted, his footsteps fading into the distance.
Haruki wiped the blood from his face and turned to the trembling child. "You okay?"
The boy nodded quickly before running off to find his family.
The Plan
Haruki returned to Dante and Aiko, his demeanor casual as if nothing had happened.
"Where have you been?" Aiko asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Nowhere important," Haruki replied with a shrug.
Dante raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "Let's move. We need to find a place to stay."
The trio found lodging at a small inn in the heart of the town. However, the peaceful nights didn't last. Whispers began to circulate about children vanishing from the town, and the unease in the air was palpable.
"This is bad," Aiko said one evening, her voice tinged with worry.
Dante nodded. "We can't ignore this. Something's happening, and it's our duty to find out what."
The three of them went to the Adventurer's Guild to gather information and register their team. Haruki suggested the name Black Sun, and despite Dante's dismissive attitude, it stuck.
The Dungeon
Their first assignment came quickly: investigate a nearby dungeon where adventurers had reported strange disappearances.
"This dungeon has six floors," Dante explained as they approached the ominous entrance. "Each floor gets harder, and the final level houses the dungeon's boss. Be prepared."
Haruki grinned, gripping his dagger tightly. "Let's do this."
The trio entered the dungeon, the air immediately turning cool and heavy with the scent of damp earth. The first floor was a labyrinth of dark tunnels, the silence broken only by the faint sound of dripping water.
As they moved deeper, the ground began to tremble. From the shadows emerged a swarm of giant insects, their carapaces glistening like polished stone. Each one was the size of a large dog, their mandibles clicking menacingly.
"Here we go," Dante said, drawing his sword.
Haruki dashed forward, his speed blinding. Using his newly mastered Lunar Blade style, he weaved between the insects, his dagger slicing through their vulnerable joints. His movements were almost a dance, precise and deadly. One by one, the insects fell, their limbs twitching as they died.
"Not bad, Haruki!" Aiko called out as she raised her hands, her zetsu energy swirling around her. "Let's keep them at bay. Frost Barrier!"
A wave of icy spikes erupted from the ground, impaling several insects and creating a temporary wall to slow their advance. Aiko followed up with a barrage of icy shards, her magic striking with pinpoint accuracy.
Dante, meanwhile, leapt into the air, his sword glowing with radiant energy. "Angel Assault!" he shouted, descending with a powerful strike that split an insect in two. Without missing a beat, he pivoted and unleashed a wide slash. "Sky Slash!" The arc of energy cleaved through multiple insects, leaving a pile of twitching bodies in its wake.
Despite their efforts, the swarm seemed endless. Haruki's dagger flashed as he moved with relentless speed, targeting the insects' vital points. But even he began to feel the strain.
"These things just keep coming!" Haruki shouted.
"Stay focused," Dante barked, his sword cutting down another insect. "They're testing us. The real challenge is still ahead."
The Goblin Horde
Finally, the last of the insects fell, their bodies littering the ground. The trio paused to catch their breath, but the respite was short-lived.
The ground shook violently, and a deafening roar echoed through the tunnels. Emerging from the shadows was a massive goblin, easily three times the size of an ordinary human. Behind it were countless smaller goblins, their glowing red eyes piercing through the darkness.
"That's… a lot of goblins," Aiko said, her voice unsteady.
Dante's expression hardened. "Hundred at least. This isn't going to be easy."
Haruki tightened his grip on his dagger, a determined look in his eyes. "Then we'll just have to fight harder."
The chapter ends.