Kazuki stood by the window, his eyes narrowed as he focused on the distant chaos unfolding outside. The explosion had been loud, reverberating through the streets of Veridonne, and it was quickly followed by the shouts of panicked citizens. He felt an inexplicable pull to investigate, though he kept telling himself that it wasn’t his problem.

But as he listened to the rising clamor outside—the screams, the hurried footsteps, the crackle of flames licking at the night air—he couldn’t help but feel a surge of urgency within him.

“Damn it,” he muttered, grabbing his mask and sliding it back over his face. He had saved someone today; perhaps he should see if others needed help too. With a sense of purpose ignited in his chest, Kazuki left the inn and stepped into the chaotic streets.

As he emerged, the atmosphere was thick with fear and confusion. People rushed past him, some crying out in distress, while others shouted for help. In the distance, he could see flames rising into the sky, casting an orange glow across the rooftops.

CRACK!

Another explosion, this time closer. The ground trembled beneath his feet. Kazuki pushed through the crowd, determination etched on his masked face.

He arrived at the town square, where a small crowd had gathered, eyes wide with shock. In the center, a building—a tavern—was engulfed in flames. The walls creaked and groaned, the fire dancing with a life of its own.

“What happened?” Kazuki asked a nearby villager, who was pale and trembling.

“A group of bandits! They attacked the tavern! We thought it was a safe place!” the villager stammered, pointing to the chaos. “They’re demanding gold and valuables! Please, someone do something!”

Kazuki’s expression remained cold, but his fists clenched involuntarily. “Where are they?”

“Inside the tavern! They’ve got hostages!” the villager cried, desperation lacing his voice.

Kazuki didn’t need to think twice. With a quick nod, he turned and dashed toward the inferno. He could hear the shouts of the bandits, their laughter mingling with the terrified cries of those trapped inside.

As he approached the tavern, a figure emerged from the flames, silhouetted against the fire. A bandit, grinning wickedly, brandished a sword. “Who dares challenge us?!” he bellowed, his voice dripping with arrogance. “You’ll regret crossing our path!”

Kazuki didn’t waste time with words. He sprang forward, fists charged with dark and lightning magic, his resolve unshakeable. WHOOSH! The wind whipped around him as he closed the distance, the power crackling with energy.

The bandit barely had time to react before Kazuki delivered a brutal punch to his gut. THWACK! The force of the blow sent the bandit sprawling to the ground, gasping for air. Kazuki didn’t pause to relish the moment.

He darted past the fallen bandit, moving toward the entrance of the tavern. The air was thick with smoke, and the heat was unbearable, but he pressed on. Inside, the scene was chaotic. Tables were overturned, and terrified patrons were huddled in corners, some bound and gagged.

“Get out!” Kazuki shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. “I’ll handle the rest!”

As the terrified civilians scrambled toward the exit, Kazuki turned his attention to the remaining bandits, who were now aware of his presence. Their faces twisted in anger, one of them brandished a dagger.

“Another fool trying to be a hero!” he spat, lunging toward Kazuki.

Kazuki sidestepped, his movements precise and fluid. SWISH! The dagger barely missed him. In an instant, he retaliated with a powerful backfist, coated in dark magic. BAM! The bandit was sent flying, crashing against the bar.

“Enough!” Kazuki’s voice resonated with authority as he faced the remaining bandits. “You picked the wrong place to mess with.”

One bandit, larger than the others, stepped forward. “You think you can take us all on, kid?” he snarled, raising his weapon.

Kazuki's expression remained cold and unwavering. “I don’t think. I know.”

With that, he charged forward, his fists igniting with a surge of power. ZAP! Bolts of lightning arced around him as he moved, a storm contained within flesh and bone.

The fight that followed was swift and brutal. Kazuki moved like a specter, dodging blows and striking with lethal precision. THUD! A kick here, a punch there—each blow fueled by the desire to protect those who couldn’t defend themselves.

One by one, the bandits fell, their arrogance shattered by the onslaught of Kazuki’s fury.

After the last bandit lay defeated on the floor, Kazuki stood amidst the wreckage, his chest heaving slightly from the exertion. The tavern was quiet now, save for the distant crackling of flames outside. He turned, surveying the scene, and felt a sense of satisfaction wash over him. He had saved lives today, even if only a few.

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The patrons began to emerge from their hiding places, wide-eyed and trembling. A few whispered their thanks, while others simply stared at Kazuki in awe, their fear giving way to gratitude.

“Is everyone okay?” Kazuki asked, his voice steady, though he still wore the mask.

One woman stepped forward, shaking slightly. “We... we’re all right. Thanks to you. Who are you?”

Kazuki didn’t answer, his mind already racing ahead. He needed to leave. The authorities would arrive soon, and he had no intention of being caught up in their questions.

Without another word, he turned and stepped back outside, where the flames danced in the darkness, flickering against the night sky. He walked away from the scene, the grateful voices fading behind him.

The streets of Veridonne were quieter now, the chaos from the earlier attack fading into the night. Kazuki, hidden behind his mask, moved through the shadows. His mind kept drifting back to the mysterious figure who had spoken to him, their words lingering like an echo in his thoughts.

"Fate," he muttered under his breath. He had always dismissed such notions. Fate was something for others to believe in, not him. He had fought for every inch of ground he stood on, relying on nothing but his strength and determination. But still, the encounter had unsettled him.

The thought of the girl—Selena—crossed his mind. He hadn’t planned on saving her. It was simply a matter of being in the right place at the right time. Or perhaps the wrong place, depending on how one looked at it. Yet, something about her presence still gnawed at him. That gem... her hair... the name carved on the pendant. None of it made sense, but Kazuki wasn’t one to waste time dwelling on what he couldn’t understand.

He had his mission. He had no time to get caught up in the lives of others. Yet, why did he feel the weight of responsibility tugging at him?

Kazuki’s thoughts were interrupted when he arrived at his destination: the local blacksmith's shop. He needed to repair some of his gear after the fight with the kraken in the dungeon. As he stepped inside, the familiar clang of metal on metal greeted him, along with the smell of burning coal and molten iron.

“Ah, Kazuki!” the blacksmith greeted him, a burly man with a broad grin. “You look like you’ve seen better days. Heard about some commotion at the tavern. Was that your doing?”

Kazuki said nothing, merely nodding as he pulled out his damaged gauntlets from his bag. The blacksmith chuckled as he took the equipment from him. “You really do know how to put your gear through the wringer, don’t ya?”

Kazuki watched as the blacksmith inspected the damage, his mind drifting once again. He thought about Selena lying unconscious in that gem. Why had she been trapped? And more importantly, who had done it?

“I’ll have these fixed up in no time,” the blacksmith said, pulling Kazuki from his thoughts. “Give me an hour or so.”

Kazuki nodded again and stepped outside, deciding to take a walk while he waited. The streets of Veridonne were peaceful once more, but the unease in his chest remained.

As he wandered, his mind returned to the mysterious girl. Purple hair, a pendant with her name, and trapped inside a gemstone. It all seemed too strange, even in this world of magic and danger. Why would someone seal her away? And more importantly, who had done it?

Lost in thought, Kazuki found himself back near the Veridonne hospital. He paused outside the building, staring up at the windows. He had already done what he needed to. The girl wasn’t his problem anymore. He had paid the doctors, given them enough money to care for her without issue. There was no reason to get involved further.

Yet, his feet carried him toward the entrance.

The hospital was quiet, the soft murmur of doctors and patients the only sound as he made his way through the halls. He approached the room where they had taken Selena, peering through the small window in the door.

She was awake now, sitting up in the bed with a perplexed expression. Doctors surrounded her, asking questions, but she seemed confused, uncertain of her surroundings.

Kazuki's hand hesitated on the door. He didn’t want to get involved—he had told himself that. But something in him wouldn’t let it go.

Steeling himself, he opened the door and stepped inside. The doctors turned to face him, surprised to see him again.

“Ah, it’s you,” one of the doctors said, the same one who had taken his payment earlier. “We didn’t expect you to return.”

Kazuki ignored him, his gaze focused on Selena. She blinked, her purple eyes locking onto him for the first time. For a moment, neither of them said anything.

Finally, one of the doctors spoke up. “She’s just woken up, but it seems she doesn’t remember much. She did tell us her name—Selena Darkheart—but beyond that, she’s... disoriented.”

Selena shifted in the bed, staring at Kazuki. “You... are you the one who saved me?”

Kazuki didn’t respond at first. He wasn’t sure what to say. Finally, he gave a curt nod. “I found you in the dungeon.”

Her brow furrowed. “The dungeon...? I don’t remember... I was... in a gem?”

Kazuki nodded again, keeping his answers short and to the point. “Yes. You were sealed inside a gem. I don’t know why or how.”

Selena’s expression turned to one of confusion and frustration. “I... I don’t remember anything before that. Just darkness.”

The doctors exchanged glances, uncertain of what to do or say.

Kazuki, on the other hand, felt a growing sense of unease. “Why were you in the dungeon? Do you know anything about who did this to you?”

Selena shook her head slowly, her hands trembling slightly. “I... I don’t know. I don’t remember.”

Silence settled in the room, heavy and thick. Kazuki’s mind raced, trying to piece together the fragments of information. Something wasn’t right, but he couldn’t figure out what. Selena’s memory loss only added more layers of mystery to the situation.

“If you don’t remember anything,” Kazuki said, his voice low, “then there’s nothing more I can do.”

He turned to leave, his footsteps heavy as he moved toward the door. But before he could exit, Selena spoke up again, her voice filled with a quiet desperation.

“Wait,” she said. “Please, don’t go. I... I don’t know what’s happening, but I feel like... like you’re the only connection I have to anything. I don’t know why, but I think... I think I’m supposed to go with you.”

Kazuki froze, his hand on the door handle. He didn’t look back, but he could feel her eyes on him, pleading silently for answers he couldn’t give.

“I’m not your savior,” he said coldly. “I saved you because it was convenient. That’s all.”

“But—”

“You’re not my responsibility,” Kazuki cut her off, his voice harsh. “You’re safe now. Stay here, recover, and figure out your own path.”

Without another word, he left the room, the door closing softly behind him. He couldn’t allow himself to get involved in her life. He had enough burdens of his own.

As he walked away, however, he couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t the last time their paths would cross. The weight of her presence lingered in his thoughts, even as he tried to push it away.

Outside, the night was still and quiet once more, but Kazuki couldn’t help but feel that something larger was at play. Something he couldn’t yet understand.