Kenji
I sat near the forest entrance, legs crossed in the dirt, my bag half-full, and my body screaming for mercy. That damn black boar had torn through me like I owed it money. Every breath I took felt like it passed through cracked ribs.
After finally knocking it down, I'd done something even I didn't expect—I let it go. It earned that much. The way it fought... it wasn't just attacking, it was teaching me something. It didn't kill me when it had the chance either. So I gave it a name: Piggy.
Real creative, I know. But Piggy deserved at least that much.
I flexed my hands, trying to steady the chaotic flow of hashi still pulsing under my skin. My biggest strength was also the biggest pain in the ass. My hashi reserves were massive—stupidly so—but controlling it was like holding a tidal wave in a teacup. Every time I forced a boost, I felt like I was breaking myself apart.
At least there were no internal injuries. Just pain. Soreness. Probably a bruise the size of my ego forming on my ribs.
I looked up at the sky. It was getting late.
Taka should've been back by now.
Then came the sound of rustling. I turned just in time to see him stumble out of the forest like a soldier back from war. His golden hair was tangled with leaves, his face pale and streaked with dirt, and his bag... shredded. He collapsed beside me without a word, barely catching his breath.
"You good, Taka?" I asked, trying to keep my voice casual.
"Yeah… luckily," he muttered, not even lifting his head.
He was lying, of course.
I could tell by his breathing—shallow and uneven—and the way he held his arm, like it might fall off if he let go. I had to half-carry him back to base, each step making it clear we were way in over our heads.
When we finally got there, Truth and Blade were already waiting.
Truth sat on a bench like he'd been expecting this outcome. That usual relaxed smirk played on his lips, but there was something behind his eyes—concern? Disappointment? Maybe both. Blade stood at his side, silent as always, her pale blonde hair tied back, her feline-blue eyes studying us like we were lab rats.
They weren't in armor anymore. Casual clothes. End of their shift. Perfect.
Meanwhile, we looked like we'd lost a brawl with a bear.
Truth broke the silence first, his tone calm but laced with disbelief.
"The mission was to gather Dusk flowers. And you went into the Emerald Forest… without weapons?"
Taka and I nodded in sync. No use sugarcoating it.
Truth leaned forward, elbows on knees. "And then you fought Tier 4 Beasts?"
Another nod.
He blinked. "Yesterday, when Marko said you two were planning something even dumber than usual, I didn't believe him." He exhaled. "But now? You really are idiots."
No argument from me.
He rubbed his temples. "Going into the Emerald Forest without weapons is a death wish. Who approved that mission?"
I shrugged. "It was posted. So… we took it."
Blade's gaze sharpened. Truth went quiet, muttering to himself. "Couldn't have been Team 3 or 4. Unless someone tampered with the board…"
He shook his head. "We'll talk to the Captain. But from now on, you're not setting foot in that forest without orders. And you never leave base without your weapons again. Ever. Got it?"
We both nodded.
His voice softened, just a little. "You two survived. That counts for something. But don't push your luck."
Blade finally spoke, voice crisp and cool. "We'll handle your missions for the next few days."
Taka looked like he wanted to argue, but he was too wrecked to even sit up. I felt the same. My pride bristled, but honestly… it felt good to not move.
Babysat or not, we were alive.
Still, something itched at the back of my mind. The mission posting… the timing… the exact placement of those beasts. It didn't feel random.
I didn't know what it meant yet. But I knew one thing:
This wasn't over.