“What do you need to discuss, chief?” I ask, standing from the chair.

“Do you remember the wolves that attacked our village? Our hunters tracked down their location” Gorou says, getting a map from his pouch.

Emiko and I clear the table for the map. After Gorou spread the map, we continue our discussion.

“You see, while we were fighting 4 of our hunters were coming back from the capital city. They said that they saw small pack of wolves running back to the forest from our village. So, 2 of them followed the wolves and other 2 headed straight to the village. The group who followed found out they went to a nearby cave right here.” Gorou says, pointing a place on map. The map reveals a dense forest stretching out to the east, with jagged mountain peaks lining the northern edge. In the center, a faint X marks what seems to be the location of the cave—though it’s not officially charted, almost as if the cave itself is hidden from sight.

“But that map doesn’t show a cave in there” Emiko enters the conversation.

“Yes, that because I made a that area restricted for the villagers.” Old man says, sinking into his past memories.

“Many years ago, people went to that area to gather resources. But because of dense monster population, people began to disappear and lots of others got serious injuries. So, I made a rule, no one will ever go to that area. But I let experienced hunters go and gather resources.” Chief says.

“So, why don’t we go there and investigate?” I ask without a hesitation. I trained ever since the battle. So, now I’m ready.

“Yes, Haruto that’s why we came here to discuss.” Gorou continues.

“We already made a 10-person team for the investigation including me. But Chief wants us to bring you too. So, I said that depend on your answer. Now with the question you asked I know your answer.”

“Oh yes Gorou, you can’t leave me here. I trained all of these days and now I’m ready” I say with a smile on my face.

“Alright, then it settles. Haruto going with the team. Haruto, this is your first mission. Always listen to Gorou.” Chief takes a deep breath. “Now then I’m heading home. This old man needs some rest.” Chief left the house.

“How long will this investigation be?” Emiko asks with a concerning look.

“I don’t know. Maybe 10 days. Give or take. Don’t worry Emiko we will be fine. By the way, the young warrior who killed Wolf Leader himself is coming with us” Gorou says, putting a hand over my shoulder.

“Alright but you two must be safe. As chief says there must be monsters swarming in that area.” Emiko says with her usual smile. Emiko’s usual smile faltered for just a moment as her hand lingered on the table, her fingers tracing the map absentmindedly.

“So, when do we gonna leave? Tomorrow?” As I speak the words, my heart quickens. I’ve been waiting for this moment, to prove myself in battle again. But still… somewhere deep down, there’s a flicker of uncertainty. Am I really ready?

“Hey, hey, slow down, kiddo!” Gorou says with a grin, raising his hand to calm me down. “We can’t just rush off like that. This mission will take nearly 10 days, remember? We have to be smart about this.”

I blink, realizing I’ve let my excitement get ahead of me, but I’m still itching to go.

“I know this is your first mission, and I can see that fire in your eyes. But we’ve got a lot to prepare before we set foot in that cave. First off, food and water. This is uncharted territory, and we have no idea if there are any reliable water sources in the area. We can’t risk running out.”

His voice becomes more serious as he points to the map again, his finger tracing the faint X that marks our destination.

“We’ll need to pack enough supplies to last the entire journey, maybe even more, in case things go wrong. And don’t forget about weapons and armor. This isn’t some simple scouting mission—there could be monsters in that cave, or worse. We need to be ready for anything.” He pauses, looking me over with a slight smile.

“I know you’re eager, and that’s good. But remember, being a hunter isn’t just about charging into battle—it’s about being prepared for whatever comes your way. So, we’ll start today, get everything sorted, and if we’re efficient, we’ll be ready to leave soon.”

“Okay, you two handle the rest. I’ll prepare some medicines for the journey,” Emiko says with a warm smile. “Afterward, come back here for lunch.”

First, Gorou and I head to the blacksmith to check on the armor and weapons. He tells us they’ll be ready in two days, which feels both too long and too short at the same time. Then, we visit a few vendors to buy food—dried meats, bread, and other supplies that will last us for the entire journey.

After running our errands, we return to Emiko’s house for lunch. She’s already busy, carefully preparing small medicine pouches, the faint smell of herbs filling the air. “These will help in case of emergencies,” she says, packing them into a leather satchel.

That afternoon, I dedicate myself to even more training. I push my body and mind, trying to shake off any lingering doubts. I’ve come this far, and I need to be fully ready for what lies ahead.

Two days pass quietly, almost too quietly, and the day of our departure finally arrives. After an early breakfast, I rush to Gorou’s house, eager to get going. But when I arrive, I find him still eating, his eyes locked on the map spread out before him.

“What’s wrong, Gorou? You look like something’s bothering you,” I ask, noticing the furrow in his brow.

He glances up from the map, chewing thoughtfully before responding. “Ah, it’s nothing, kiddo. Just trying to make a clear plan, but with so little information, it’s tough.” He takes another bite of his meal, still focused on the map as if willing it to reveal some hidden secret.

I pause, my mind drifting to the cave. “Do you think there's something more dangerous in that cave than just the wolves?” I ask, my curiosity getting the better of me.

Gorou looks at me, raising an eyebrow as he takes his final bite of food. He chews slowly before finally answering. “We can’t be sure. But in this world, it’s always better to be prepared for the worst.” He swallows and gives me a reassuring smile. “That’s why we’ve got each other’s backs. We’ll handle whatever comes our way.”

"Alright, Haruto, go grab your things and meet the others at the gate. I’ve got a few stops to make before we leave," Gorou says, standing up from his chair.

I leave his house and return to Emiko’s place to get ready. I put on my armor, making sure to secure the bracer they crafted for me, and grab Reikizuna as well. Just as I’m packing my backpack, Emiko comes over with another small bag.

"Here are some snacks for the road. And please, be safe—both of you," she says, handing me the bag.

"Thank you, Emiko. Don’t worry, everything will be fine." I tuck the bag into my backpack and head to the gate, where a few people are already gathered. I notice them all staring at me.

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"Oh, aren’t you the one who saved us back there?" one person from the crowd asks. At first, I don't recognize him, but then it clicks—he was there during the battle. So, he’s a hunter too?

"Thank you, sir! You didn’t just save us, you saved Sir Gorou too! We’re grateful!" he says, bowing. Actually, Gorou was the one who saved me. If he hadn’t jumped in the way of that attack, I’d be dead—or maybe reincarnated somewhere else. As if on cue, the whole group starts bowing to me. It’s a bit overwhelming, and I can feel my face heat up. I’ve never received this much praise in my life before.

"I was just doing what needed to be done. You all played a part too—if you hadn’t taken down those wolves, I never could’ve defeated the leader," I say, trying my best to boost their spirits.

A few moments later, Gorou arrives at the meeting point, followed by the Chief and Emiko.

"Alright, listen up!" Gorou’s voice is loud and commanding now, his tone sharper.

"We’re heading out. Here's the plan: we’ll enter the forest and make our way to the cave. As you know, the cave isn’t marked on the maps, so you two"—he points to a pair of hunters—"will be guiding us from here. This will take a few days. By evening, we’ll need to find a place to set up camp. Got it?" Gorou says, pointing his claymore at the group.

"YES SIR!" the group replies in unison.

Watching Gorou like this reminds me of the military captains from the games I used to play in my previous life.

"Then let’s move out!" Gorou points his claymore toward the forest ahead. He turns to the Chief, bowing in respect, then faces Emiko. She leans in and kisses him on the cheek. The group looks surprised, but after everything I’ve been through, little surprises me anymore.

So, we start our journey. In just five days, we cover 50% of the distance to the cave. During this time, Gorou teaches me about the various creatures of the forest. On the seventh day, we stumble upon three giant spiders. My ability to see their strengths, coupled with Gorou's teachings on their weaknesses, makes the fight increasingly manageable.

We spend our nights on guard duty, taking turns to watch while the others rest. Finally, on the tenth day, we approach the mysterious cave where the wolves had fled. It’s overgrown, showing no signs of human activity. Even though it’s daylight outside, the cave’s entrance swallows light, plunging us into a pitch-black void. Looking inside feels like staring into an empty abyss.

“Alright, listen up everyone! Before we enter the cave, here’s the battle plan. We don’t know what’s lurking in there, so be ready for anything. Keep your eyes sharp and aware of your surroundings. Those with support abilities, stay in the middle; those with defense and offense, position yourselves around them. And Haruto, you’ll come with me. Remember, if I have to use my ability, don’t come near me. Got it? Let’s move out!” Gorou commands us, his voice firm and commanding. Despite his kindness and humor, he is tougher than anyone else when it comes to responsibilities.

We light our torches and step into the cave. After a few meters of cautious progress, we find ourselves in a vast open area. Caves stretch into the darkness around us. Just as I turn to ask where we should go next, a loud, creepy laugh reverberates through the cavern, amplifying the eerie atmosphere. Other hunters struggle to maintain their composure, trembling as if caught in an extreme chill.

“Who dares to enter my domain?” a deep voice booms, silencing the laughter.

“Oh, just mere humans! Did you come here to play with me?” The voice laughs again, mocking us.

“Come out, you monster! I don’t care who you are; I’m going to kill you!” Gorou’s voice is steady, unwavering despite the palpable fear surrounding us.

“Oh, big words coming from a bag of meat! Alright, if you really want to play, I’ll come out,” the voice replies. As it speaks, a swirling black smoke fills the arena, coalescing in the center until it forms a muscular humanoid figure.

“Behold, mere humans, one of the last demons in the world!” The creature steps into the dim light, its purple-black skin glistening. Its face is a terrifying reminder of the "oni" masks from my previous life, evoking a deep sense of dread and recognition.

Now, all eyes are locked onto the demon, weapons drawn, ready to strike at any moment. But before any of us can move, he vanishes—gone in the blink of an eye.

“Hmm, you are quite different from the rest, aren’t you, Haruto?” The voice comes from my right, and I instinctively jump. How? He was in the middle of the arena! How did he get next to me so quickly?

Our entire team scatters, instinctively surrounding the demon again. I draw Reikizuna. As soon as the blade is free, bright blue flames burst from it, casting a brilliant light that nearly drowns out our torches.

“It seems I was mistaken. You are just as foolish as these mere humans. I didn’t know you’d be foolish enough to wield Reikizuna.” He laughs again, mocking me. But his words catch me off guard. How does he know about Reikizuna?

The atmosphere thickens with an oppressive, eerie weight. My heart pounds in my chest.

“Lightning dash!” One of the hunters suddenly charges forward, his body flickering with the speed of lightning. In an instant, he reaches the demon, but before he can land a blow, the demon flings him aside like a ragdoll. His body sails over our heads and crashes into the far corner of the arena, lifeless in a pool of his own blood.

Gorou seizes the opportunity. With a roar, he leaps into the air, putting all his strength behind his massive claymore. This is it! No one can survive Gorou’s full power.

But then—my breath catches.

The demon catches Gorou’s blade effortlessly, stopping it in mid-air with just one hand. My eyes widen in disbelief. The unstoppable force of Gorou’s attack... halted like it was nothing.

Demon throws Gorou like a rag doll, but with a mighty swing of his claymore, he manages to break the momentum, landing hard but staying on his feet. I'm frozen, my mind clouded with terror. What can I even do? If this demon is so powerful, we don’t stand a chance. No… No! This isn’t the time for doubt. Either he dies, or I die. I promised Emiko, I wouldn’t fail her. I’m not going to die here!

My heart pounds in my chest, and as if responding to my resolve, the Reikizuna bursts into brilliant orange flames, the heat licking at the air around me. I tighten my grip around the hilt until my knuckles turn white.

'Ho ho,' the demon chuckles, a faint surprise in his eyes. 'Even in my presence, the Reikizuna burns bright. It seems you have a solid heart, Haruto.'

I lunge at him with all the force I can muster, my body moving before my mind can catch up. But just before I can land the blow, something hits the demon with the force of a cannonball, sending him crashing into the wall. I whirl around, my breath catching in my throat—it's Gorou. His strength and speed are supercharged, a result of the others' support abilities.

'Gorou!' I call out, a smile tugging at my lips despite the chaos.

He grins back, as confident as ever. 'You thought I was dead, didn’t you, kiddo?'

We both turn to face the demon, readying ourselves. 'This won’t be easy. We’ll attack together. The others will assist us,' Gorou says, gripping his claymore tightly.

But before we can make our next move, the demon rises, rubble scattering as he stands tall. He glares at us with glowing eyes. 'You mere humans can’t touch me!' His voice booms, reverberating through the cavern. 'Now you will all die. Hellfire!' he roars, pointing a single finger at us.

The ground shakes violently beneath my feet. I struggle to stay upright as cracks begin to snake out from the demon’s fingertip, spreading fast. From the cracks, black flames start pouring out, consuming everything in their path. I glance at Gorou, but before I can shout a warning, he pushes me out of the way, and I hit the ground hard.

I look up, horrified, as Gorou is swallowed by the black flames. He turns to me, still smiling—still fearless.

'Gorou!' I scream, my voice cracking. Around me, the other hunters try to flee, but the collapsing cave entrance traps us all. There’s no escape.

'Move! Get away from the cracks!' I shout, but it’s too late. The black fire reaches them. Their screams fill the arena, piercing through the air. My heart stops. Why? Why? WHY? Why am I the only one left? Why does Gorou keep doing this? I don’t understand… I stand frozen, watching as the arena fills with their screams.

I feel my body betraying me. Weakness creeps through my limbs, my grip on the blade faltering as the weight of it becomes unbearable. No... I can't collapse now. My friends are dead, Gorou is gone—if I give up, their sacrifice means nothing. He must pay for what he's done. He will die!

I tighten my trembling hand around the hilt of Reikizuna, teeth clenched in fury. The demon halts his Hellfire, turning toward me with a cold, amused stare.

'You... you killed my friends! You killed my mentor! Now... now you'll pay!' My voice cracks with emotion as the flames on my blade shift, the bright orange turning blood-red, licking the air with an eerie, deadly heat.

I charge with all I have left, and the wolf gem on my bracer flares to life. My speed surges—I'm moving like the wolf leader I once faced, faster than I’ve ever moved before. My first strike is blocked, but I press on. With blinding speed, my next attack slices through the demon’s chest. The wound sears with red and orange flames.

'You fool!' the demon hisses, his voice shaking with pain. 'You’ll kill yourself before you even kill me.'

'Then I'll take you with me,' I growl, pushing myself beyond the brink. My final strike drives deep, setting the demon’s chest ablaze. I stand there, watching him fall to his knees. I won... we won, Gorou, we—'

Suddenly, the world tilts. A wave of dizziness hits me like a hammer, and I stagger, my legs trembling as if the earth is pulling me down. I fall to my knees, staring at Reikizuna as its once-bright flame flickers, fading away.

'You have no idea what you’ve done,' the demon wheezes. 'You’ll die, not by my hand, but by your precious Reikizuna...'

His words echo in my head. Reikizuna... killing me? No, that can't be—my vision blurs, the world spinning into darkness. My senses fade, and the abyss swallows me whole...