kago no yuri

A few hours had passed since Aetherion's sudden departure, and the group's silence had grown thick and heavy. Each member had retreated to their own private world, struggling to process the events that had transpired. 

The memories of Caliginia still lingered, the Dark Prum's twisted games, the Kardia Beast's brutal attack leaving an indelible mark on their minds. The weight of those memories hung in the air, making it difficult for them to meet each other's gaze.

Ryo's stomach growled, breaking the spell of silence. 

"Hey, I'm starving. You guys must be too, right? Being in another world doesn't mean our stomachs stayed in Japan," 

he said, his tone devoid of emotion, yet laced with a hint of dry humor.

As Ryo spoke, the doors to the other rooms creaked open, and the group slowly emerged, their faces etched with a mix of fatigue and curiosity. Akari's eyes were red-rimmed, her face pale, as she hesitantly stepped out of her room. 

"I-I'm hungry too," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Hitomi, on the other hand, looked like she was ready to take on the world. Her eyes blazed with determination, her jaw set in a firm line. 

"About time someone mentioned food," she said, her voice firm and confident. "We can't just sit around twiddling our thumbs. We need to get moving."

Mei, who had been quiet until now, spoke up, her voice cold and sharp. "Finally, someone mentions food. I'm starving. Let's get moving already." She glared at the group, her eyes flashing with impatience. "We can't just sit around feeling sorry for ourselves. We need to focus on survival."

Koki, lost in thought, looked up at Ryo with a gentle smile. "He's right, we do need to eat." The smile caught Ryo off guard, and he let out a soft sigh, his expression a mask of mild discomfort.

Kenzo, ever the pragmatist, spoke up, his voice cutting through the tension. "We're gonna need weapons for hunting the Fizzlekins, right?" He began crafting six weapons with swift, precise movements, his hands a blur as he worked. 

As he handed out the weapons, his eyes met Tsukiko's, and he hesitated. She looked exhausted, the weight of her loss and the battle against the Kardia Beast still etched on her face. Kenzo's gaze faltered, and he struggled to meet her eyes. 

"You can sit this one out," he said, his voice softening.

Tsukiko didn't respond, but her actions spoke louder than words. She took the offer and retreated into one of the rooms, leaving the others to prepare for the hunt. 

The group exchanged glances, the silence between them still oppressive, but with a hint of understanding. They knew that they had to work together, to rely on each other if they were to survive in this unforgiving world. With a deep breath, they set out, their footsteps echoing through the stillness, as they ventured into the unknown to hunt for sustenance.

.....

Two days had passed, and the group had begun to settle into their new environment, slowly shedding the awkward silence that had once suffocated them. They had made a collective decision to push aside the memories of their traumatic experience, choosing instead to focus on survival and growth. 

Tsukiko, still nursing the emotional wounds of her past, had come to realize that inaction would only lead to stagnation. With a newfound determination, she joined her companions in their daily training and hunting regimen.

Their routine took them deep into the heart of the forest, where they had discovered a realm teeming with Crawler-level threats. Kraels and malysters, creatures with a dim yellowish icon hovering above their heads, had become their unwitting training partners. Ryo, ever the pragmatist, had dedicated himself to honing his threat perception, allowing him to alert the group to potential dangers. 

He had also begun to master his dark magic, learning to dull the senses of their foes or create a smoke screen to conceal their attacks. The magic, it seemed, had no effect on the Malysters' senses, but it could also amplify Ryo's speed and strength, making him a formidable opponent.

Koki, meanwhile, had been perfecting his skills as a thief. His Scenario, 『Scenario of the thief's Aspirant』, had granted him access to a range of abilities, including Umbrahide, Starclimb, Foresight, and Moon whisper. 

With Foresight, he could anticipate the creatures' movements, while Moon whisper, a deadly strike fueled by the moon's light, had become his most potent attack. However, the skill came at a cost, leaving Koki exhausted if used more than three times.

Hitomi, the group's summoner, had also made significant strides. Her Scenario, 『Scenario of the summoner's Aspirant』, had allowed her to develop a range of skills, including Summon familiar, Entity communion, Aura of protection, and Magical bind. 

With her familiar, a bird-like creature named Ryu, she could shield her allies from harm and aid them in combat. Ryu's presence was a comforting one, and the group had grown to rely on its support.

Akari, the group's cleric, had been working tirelessly to boost her companions' movements and attacks. Her divine magic allowed her to heal wounds and protect herself from harm, making her an invaluable asset to the team. 

Mei, meanwhile, had mastered the art of fear inducement, using her dark magic to keep their enemies at bay. Her abilities were versatile, allowing her to blind or trap her foes in a dark cloak, or attack them with a dark flame.

But it was Tsukiko who had made the most remarkable progress. Her movements and power had become a wonder to behold, leaving her companions in awe. Kenzo's weapons, once durable and reliable, now barely lasted a few minutes in her hands. 

Her growth was rapid, and Kenzo found himself crafting fewer weapons for the group, instead focusing on creating specialized tools for Tsukiko, Mei, and Ryo. The alchemist's skills, it seemed, had also had an unexpected benefit – the more he crafted, the stronger his muscles became, making him a formidable ally in combat.

The last day of their training had finally arrived, and the group stood at the edge of the forest, their eyes fixed on the horizon. The air was heavy with anticipation, and the trees seemed to loom over them, their branches creaking ominously in the wind. 

Aetherion, the being they had been expecting, had already arrived, its presence palpable in the air.

As they waited, Ryo stood tall, his expression as cold and unreadable as ever. His eyes were fixed intently on the horizon, his gaze piercing and unyielding.

As he had come to know the others better, Ryo's reserve had begun to thaw, but only slightly, and his expression still betrayed little of the emotions that lay beneath.

Yet, there was a subtle sense of tension in his stance, a hint of anticipation that betrayed his otherwise impassive exterior.

Koki, meanwhile, seemed lost in thought, his eyes gazing out at the trees as if searching for something. Hitomi stood beside him, her familiar, Ryu, perched on her shoulder, its eyes gleaming with a fierce inner light. 

Mei and Akari stood together, their faces set with determination, their eyes fixed on the horizon. And Tsukiko, the group's wild card, stood at the edge of the group, her eyes flashing with a fierce energy.

As they waited, the air seemed to grow heavier, the anticipation building to a crescendo. And then, without warning, a figure emerged from the trees, its presence like a storm on the horizon. Aetherion had arrived, and the group steeled themselves for what was to come. 

Ryo's gaze narrowed, his eyes locked onto the figure, his expression unchanging. But there was a sense of focus, of intensity, that seemed to emanate from him, a sense that he was ready for whatever lay ahead.