The Heart of Zero

Shingin's heart raced uncontrollably as he dashed through the dark hallway, his breathing growing more erratic with each step. Riyugi! His mind clung to a single thought—she had to be safe!

Panic gripped him, stretching every moment into an eternity. His feet splashed through puddles on the old floor, rainwater mixed with sweat trickling down his face, carrying the weight of his growing anxiety. The relentless drumming of the rain mirrored his pounding heartbeat, urging him to move faster. If only he had the power to teleport, he thought bitterly, he could have reached her side in an instant and ensured her safety.

At the end of the hallway was a corner, faintly illuminated by a dim light. Shingin felt as though the light itself was beckoning him forward, leading him to Riyugi. His worry for her deepened with every step—was she alright? At this moment, Riyugi was the most precious person in his world.

Rounding the final bend, Shingin came to the door of Riyugi's room. Without hesitation, he slammed it open, the sound echoing through the still air. "Riyugi, are you—"

But the scene before him made his heart drop, leaving him in stunned silence.

Riyugi stood in the center of the room, her delicate hands tugging at her damp clothes. The soft pink fabric clung to her skin, accentuating her youthful figure. Despite her being only thirteen, her burgeoning curves hinted at a maturity beyond her years, the soaked garment molding to her form like a second skin.

Beads of water rolled down her fair, rosy skin. A few wet strands of hair stuck to her flushed cheeks, highlighting her shy innocence. She exuded a natural elegance, a beauty that seemed to flow effortlessly, like water rippling under moonlight.

Her face turned beet red with embarrassment as she instinctively crouched down, wrapping her arms around herself in an attempt to cover up. Her panicked, high-pitched squeals filled the room, tinged with both fear and shame.

Shingin's heart thudded in his chest, his face burning as his mind reeled from the sight before him. He cursed inwardly, What the hell is this situation?!

"Get out! Get out!" Riyugi's voice was a mix of desperation and mortification, her teary eyes shooting daggers at him.

Her reaction jolted Shingin back to reality, his face flushing as red as Riyugi's. He stumbled backward, his gaze darting anywhere but toward her. "I—I didn't mean to…!" he stammered, retreating hastily from the room and shutting the door behind him.

Outside, Shingin leaned against the wall, his breathing ragged, his mind racing. What just happened? The scene replayed over and over in his head, leaving him flustered and overwhelmed.

Then, a chilling realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. This was a trap. The enemy had distracted him with a false fight outside, pulling him away while Riyugi was left alone. His fists clenched as Rayl's words echoed in his mind: "Have you prepared yourself for what it means to fight in this world?"

But as much as he wanted to act, he was frozen with guilt and confusion. His inner voice berated him: You're hopeless. Look at what you've done.

After what felt like an eternity, the door creaked open slightly. Riyugi stood there, her face still crimson, but she had composed herself. She was now wearing a simple, old-fashioned green dress that seemed to belong to a bygone era. Despite its outdated style, it fit her petite frame perfectly, draping over her figure with a graceful simplicity.

"I—I'm sorry about earlier," Shingin blurted, rubbing the back of his neck, his voice barely above a whisper.

Riyugi, her fingers fiddling with the hem of the dress, gave him a small, embarrassed smile. "The innkeeper lent me this dress. I was going to check on you earlier, but my clothes were still wet…"

Shingin blinked, his voice sharp with surprise. "The innkeeper? She's still here? She's okay?"

Riyugi nodded, her soft laughter easing the tension in the air. "Were you so worried about me and the innkeeper that you lost your head?"

Relief washed over Shingin, though his confusion lingered. "But… who was behind all this? Who set this up?"

Riyugi's expression grew serious. "That doesn't matter now. What's important is that we're safe for the moment. But this place isn't. We need to leave as soon as possible."

Shingin hesitated before nodding. The inn's fragile sense of security was deceptive, and he couldn't risk staying here any longer. The danger that had loomed earlier could strike again at any moment.

As they prepared to leave, Shingin caught sight of the innkeeper at her desk, calm and unaffected by the chaos that had unfolded. She glanced up at him with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "You're quite the clueless boy, aren't you? Leaving a young girl in soaked clothes without finding her something dry to wear."

Shingin flushed again, scratching his head sheepishly. "I guess I've been overthinking things."

The innkeeper's comment, though teasing, carried a hint of wisdom. Shingin realized that sometimes, the answers weren't as complicated as they seemed. He let out a soft chuckle, muttering under his breath, "Maybe I've been too anxious."

Riyugi tugged at his sleeve gently. "Let's go. The rain's stopped, and we have a long way to travel."

With a final nod, the two stepped out into the night. The air was thick with the scent of rain-soaked earth, the sky still cloaked in darkness. As they walked into the unknown, Shingin felt a mix of relief and trepidation, knowing that their journey was far from over.