In a dimly lit and desolate place, a sea of crimson water stretched endlessly beneath a dark, foreboding sky. As the murky surroundings slowly materialized, Zero found himself standing on the seemingly solid surface of the red water.

"What happened?" he muttered, feeling disoriented and unsure of his whereabouts.

A voice echoed through the eerie expanse, drawing his attention. Turning around, he saw a young girl standing before him. She bore an uncanny resemblance to him but appeared younger and more delicate.

"Hello, mister," she greeted him with a soft voice, her gaze steady and curious.

Confused, Zero asked, "Who are you?"

"I'm Ushin. I'm your daughter," she replied matter-of-factly.

"Dau-ther?" Zero repeated, still struggling to grasp the gravity of the situation.

"Yes, that's right. You're my dad, mister. Can I know your name?" Ushin inquired, her innocence contrasting the unsettling atmosphere.

Zero hesitated, his mind racing, before finally responding, "It's Zero."

As he spoke, something inexplicable occurred. Ushin's eyes and mouth started bleeding, and he recoiled in shock, stumbling backward.

"Why are you backing away from me? You aren't leaving me, are you?" Ushin's voice turned nightmarish, sending shivers down Zero's spine.

Suddenly, he was jolted awake, finding himself amidst the debris of a collapsed building. Confused and disoriented, he tried to piece together the events that led him there.

Beside him, the little girl from the strange dream was now awake and looking at him. Zero's bewilderment only deepened as he saw her striking resemblance to himself.

"You might not remember, but I'm your daughter, Ushin," she said, her expression a mix of concern and recognition.

Before he could react, a large metal bat swung towards him, but Zero's reflexes kicked in, and he blocked the blow with his bare hands.

"So you got some power, huh, monster boy!" a voice taunted.

"Papa?" Ushin's voice was tinged with fear as she recognized the newcomer.

Zero acted swiftly, his claws slicing through the man's neck, ending the threat. His body was now covered in blood, and his eyes glowed with an eerie red hue as he walked toward Ushin.

"Papa, you're scaring me!" she exclaimed, taking a step back.

Ignoring her plea, Zero walked past her, seemingly lost in his thoughts. Ushin followed closely, desperately trying to catch up to him as he moved through the town with astonishing speed.

Finally, they reached the safety of the forest. Ushin felt nauseous from the sudden movement and threw up.

"Warn me next time before you do that, Papa. My head is all woozy now," she chided.

Zero simply hummed in response, his memories still elusive.

"I forget that you lost some of your memories. Can you talk at least?" Ushin asked, trying to gauge his current state.

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"Kinda," Zero replied, his voice somewhat distant.

"Well, I'm pretty smart, Dad, so I can help you learn how to talk normally!" Ushin offered.

As Ushin looked around for a response, she realized that Zero had disappeared once again. Before she could react, growling erupted from the nearby bushes, and a giant steel wolf lunged at her, teeth bared.

"AHHH, PAPA, HELP ME!!" Ushin screamed.

But her father reappeared in the nick of time, knocking the wolf away and saving her.

"Dad, you scared me! Don't leave me like that again!" Ushin pleaded, relieved but still shaken.

Zero didn't respond, and Ushin could sense his overwhelming silence. To her horror, the wolf rose again, and she instinctively sought shelter behind her father.

With a single punch, Zero obliterated the wolf's head, leaving it lifeless on the ground. But something else seized Zero's attention – his hunger.

He decided to feast on the wolf, tearing into its flesh with his sharp teeth. Ushin playfully suggested using his sword, but he continued to devour the carcass until finally offering her a piece.

"I'm not sure I can bite through such tough flesh with my teeth," Ushin hesitated.

"Eat," Zero commanded, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Surprisingly, Ushin managed to bite and chew the meat, discovering its unexpected taste.

"Mmm, this tastes good," she remarked, her apprehensions dispelled.

Zero nodded in acknowledgment, and they continued their journey through the forest. The beasts that dared to challenge them met a swift and gruesome fate, their attacks effortlessly thwarted by Zero's overwhelming strength.

Zero's senses suddenly alerted him to a strong beast nearby, and he grabbed Ushin, rushing towards the source of the scent. Upon arrival, they faced a group of knights.

"No need to worry. The mighty Ushin and her dad have come to save you petty fools," Ushin declared with youthful bravado.

The knights, astonished by her confidence, focused their attention on her, while a giant serpent stared her down.

"Dad, can you...?" Ushin began, hoping he would intervene.

"Kill," Zero replied, launching a powerful punch that tore through the serpent's head.

The knights, not backing down, held Ushin hostage. But in a matter of moments, Zero dispatched them with ruthless precision.

Ushin cautiously approached her father, relieved to see him unharmed.

"Dad, are you okay?" she asked, genuine concern in her eyes.

"I am okay," Zero replied, his voice finally holding a touch of reassurance.

Yet, Ushin noticed that one of the knights managed to escape. However, Zero seemed unfazed.

"It's okay," he assured her.

Ushin then suggested that he consume the serpent's heart to gain its abilities, but Zero initially hesitated. She explained that it could enhance his strength, which ultimately convinced him to try.

With his sword, Zero cut out the serpent's heart, consuming it with an air of curiosity.

"Dad, it seems like its ability became a part of your body," Ushin observed.

"Nice," Zero replied, acknowledging the newfound power coursing through him.

Nightfall approached, and Ushin suggested they rest, but Zero expressed concern about the dangers lurking in the forest.

"The forest is dangerous," he warned.

But Ushin suggested that they seek refuge in a nearby town, reasoning that they appeared human enough to blend in.

"The humans we fought earlier may return. What if they come back?" Zero reminded her of their previous encounters.

Still, Ushin believed they could handle any situation that arose.

"Okay, but if anyone attacks us, I will kill them," Zero asserted, his determination clear.

Ushin, however, urged him to avoid killing on sight, hoping for a more cautious approach.

"Okay," Zero agreed.

As they continued through the forest, Zero's senses alerted him to the presence of approaching monsters.

"Well, I guess we can use them as practice for you," Ushin quipped playfully.

A group of lizard-like beasts emerged, led by a larger and more formidable one.

"Dad?" Ushin looked to her father, seeking guidance.

"Stay near me," Zero instructed, preparing for the upcoming battle.

One of the large lizards lunged at Zero, but with a single punch, it was obliterated.

"Run, I'll clear the way!" Zero commanded, as Ushin followed his instructions, trusting his strength to protect her.

Generating a mighty slash with his sword, Zero carved a path for Ushin to safety, throwing her forward as she screamed with excitement.

"She can take it," he reassured himself.

Undeterred by the remaining threat, Zero confronted the massive Draco, their auras clashing with undeniable intensity.

The forest trembled, nature itself acknowledging the overwhelming power being unleashed by the two adversaries. As they prepared to clash, the air was filled with anticipation, knowing that an epic and fearsome battle was about to unfold.