Once inside, with the tension from outside still lingering in the air, Kokoro gently tended to Grandma Haruko. She dipped a rag into warm water and began to softly dab at the swollen spot on Haruko's lip where the warrior leader had struck her. The quiet sounds of water dripping from the cloth into the bowl echoed in the room, but it did little to drown out the anger boiling inside me.I tried to wear a mask of calm, but it was useless. Kokoro and Grandma Haruko could still see the rage simmering behind my eyes. It hung over us like a storm cloud, threatening to break at any moment.For a few minutes, no one spoke. The only sounds were the faint crackling of the fire and the soft sighs of Grandma Haruko enduring the pain. But I couldn't hold it in any longer."Who were they?" I finally asked, my voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "And what do they want with your village?"Kokoro and Grandma Haruko exchanged a glance—silent, knowing. There was a weight to their look, as if

"By harnessing my Unique Skill—Seismic Howl—I will shatter the very ground beneath us, fracturing the earth and splitting it open like the jaws of some monstrous beast. Your precious village will tremble as the ground quakes, buildings crumble into ruin, and chaos consumes everything. But that's just the beginning."His voice darkened, growing more sinister as he raised his arms to the sky. "And with my Ultimate Skill—Crimson Maelstrom—I will summon a vortex of unrelenting winds, sharp as blades, tearing through what's left of your pathetic village. The fires it ignites will consume everything. The earth will be scorched and left barren. There will be nothing left but ashes and ruin."He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in before a maniacal laugh escaped his lips. "But this," he said, his voice dripping with malice, "this is where the true horror begins."His fingers crackled with dark energy as he raised both hands. "When I combine the two—Seismic Howl to break the earth

The morning after my declaration, the village of Kokoro–Heart stirred with a new kind of energy—a blend of hope and uncertainty. Though my words had ignited a spark, I knew change wouldn’t come overnight. Rebuilding a village—and reshaping its very foundation—was a journey that would unfold step by step, day by day.That night, while the villagers rested, I worked tirelessly with my XPT, crafting a detailed master plan that would guide our transformation. It wasn’t just blueprints or holographic projections; it was a roadmap of phases—each step designed to build upon the last, starting small and growing over time.***Week 1: Rebuilding What Was LostWe began by repairing the immediate damage from the recent attacks. This wasn’t just about structures; it was about restoring trust and routine.The villagers divided into work crews—some rebuilt homes, others focused on fixing tools or clearing debris. Even the children pitched in, gathering supplies or helping the elders. I was in the t

As the energy faded, the village stood in stunned silence.Kokoro turned to me, her gaze filled with awe, gratitude… and worry."You’ve given them everything," she whispered.I exhaled slowly, feeling the strain settle into my bones. My XPT was nearly depleted.But as I looked out at the villagers, their eyes alight with newfound purpose, I knew…It had all been worth it.The entire village felt it—the shift, the renewal.Both young and old were now fully empowered, their bodies and souls renewed. The elderly, who once felt the weight of time pressing upon them, now stood tall with newfound vitality. Yet, my XPT had given them a choice: to remain as they were, return to the peak of their youth, or exist in between.Each choice was personal, a reflection of their experiences and desires. Some chose to embrace their younger selves, vibrant and strong once more. Others, like Grandma Haruko, chose to retain their elder form, their wisdom and grace untouched by the changes. No matter their