******* ...... ...... "I'm really concerned about my daughter's condition," Mr. Katsutoshi said with a trembling voice, feeling even more worried now. Erick wanted to understand the situation better before explaining Yamini Kirin's condition. "Can you tell me how long it was after her disappearance that you found Ms. Yamini Kirin?" he asked. "It was about two years later, in the outer circle of the Honshu region. Some nomads discovered her first, and they took care of her strange illness. I'm grateful to them," Mr. Katsutoshi replied, recalling the circumstances in which he found his daughter. His mind was preoccupied with worries about her condition, leaving him little time to focus on other details. Erick nodded, confirming his suspicions. He then asked another question to make his explanation easier for them to grasp. "How old did she appear to be at that time?" "If I remember correctly, she looked like she was sixteen or seventeen," Mr. Katsutoshi answered thoughtfully, as
******* ….. ….. Amidst the bustling capital city, where busy folks hurriedly go about their daily routines amidst towering buildings and neat streets, a fascinating facade hides a hidden darkness. Yet, this shadowy side is veiled from most eyes, only revealing itself to a chosen few who meet a grim fate after beholding it. Within an abandoned alley that time has forgotten, a place where everyday life seems to have stopped, a group of gang members normally busy with their misdeeds found themselves on a fateful collision course. Three typical troublemakers, known for their petty extortion of spare change from passersby, had an unexpected encounter today. They came across a figure shrouded in clothing, a person whose presence spelled impending doom and a descent into a nightmarish reality. Having accepted a job from a well-to-do individual with an air of affluence, the goons found themselves tasked with a dark mission: kidnapping a child and holding them in isolation for a span
******* ...... ...... "Yare…yare..!! You won't get it, huh? Unless someone teaches you a lesson, you scum!" The young man's eyes glared at them like they were worth nothing. "Hehehe! Kid, stay put and let me give you a thrashing. Maybe then I'll let you off the hook!" The Ochin thug charged towards the young man, aiming for a punch. "Wham!!" However, things didn't go as planned. The Ochin goon, after throwing a punch at the young man, found himself airborne, bewildered by the sudden flip in his view. "Thud..!! Pufff..!! Cough..cough..!!" The Ochin goon coughed out blood, plastered against the wall. His head hit the ground, legs hanging awkwardly like a puppet with its strings cut. "Sorry…sorry..!! I had no idea you were this delicate!" The young man cheekily apologized, his expression devoid of any emotion as he gazed at the fallen Ochin goon. The leader, Henry, and Tomu stood there, eyes and mouths agape, shocked by the astonishing spectacle they had just witnessed. After
******* ...... ...... (Erick Pov) "Phew! Miss Kirin should recover well. Just remember, when she wakes up, probably by evening, make sure to feed her nutritious meals for a week," I told Mr. Katsutoshi, who was waiting at the door. I wiped my forehead, relieved after doing what I could to help Ms. Yamini Kirin regain her health after her coma. "Thank you, Mr. Ricky. I'll never forget your kindness in saving my daughter," Mr. Katsutoshi's tears of joy flowed as he repeatedly bowed in gratitude. I halted his excessive gestures, not used to such attention. "Alright, Mr. Katsutoshi. But I suggest taking her back to Osaka, where both of us currently reside. If any health complications arise, I can promptly diagnose her," I advised, considering the capital's unhealthy air for Ms. Yamini Kirin's recovery. After that, I listed the ingredients for him to gather. He insisted on giving me something for my efforts, so I asked for what I needed at the moment. I sensed the depth of the c
******* ...... ...... (Flashback) Ten years ago, Just like any other day, I played with my daughter in our home's courtyard. It had been a year since my wife passed away, leaving our daughter and me alone in this world. I had retired from the military around the same time, choosing to be with my daughter to compensate for the absence of both her grandparents. My daughter's understanding nature meant she never complained, but I did notice her tears during the quiet nights. She didn't want to burden me, but her eyes revealed her sadness clearly. My days were now entirely devoted to being with my dear daughter and making up for the times I couldn't be there for her earlier. "Hehehe! Otōsan! Look, I caught the balloon," my late wife's memory flashed as my dear Yamini's sweet voice brought me back. "Hahaha! You're a good girl!" I gently patted her head, overflowing with affection. The innocent smile on her face had the power to make me smile and inspired me to ensure her happines
******* ...... ...... "GET READY TO JUMP, SIR!" Butler Han shouted as we approached the rocky outskirts of Onigashima. The terrain was rugged and bumpy, so we couldn't land the helicopter. Our plan was to jump using parachutes. Once we had a clear view of our target location, both of us leaped from the helicopter. Thirty minutes later, we were ready after landing. Preparation was easy for us: one a seasoned war veteran and the other a super butler. "How long do you think it'll take to reach our destination?" I inquired as we moved forward, using our army knives to clear obstacles in our path. "Looks like it might take us an hour or two, Sir," Butler Han responded. He took the lead, doing most of the work. I walked on in silence, matching his pace, and occasionally assisting my Butler. I noticed sweat forming on his forehead. Some time passed. Following a challenging trek through the forest, complete with thorny paths, we arrived at a quaint and picturesque village. As we en
******* ...... ...... (Martial Fantasia Academy) This academy is located on an island in the Pacific Ocean. The island is as big as a large area of Japan. 30 years ago, after a big change, the World Council was formed to control the increasing chaos all over the world. Later, a special place was built using the amazing abilities of those who returned. The main purpose of this island was to provide a home for all those who returned and to study the big event that happened in the world. This event is slowly but surely changing the world. Then Martial Fantasia Academy was established after the second big event. More people who had returned came a few years later. The members of the World Council developed a way to deal with this issue. They discovered that their world had begun to produce unusual things. At first, there were only 100 people from the first group of returnees and 50 from the second group. But within just 10 years after the second big event, they found more
******* ...... ...... "Mr. Yuki Aki!" "Yes, Instructor!" A guy with a tough appearance and thug-style clothing confidently walked up to the stage. As he stood before the instructor known for her icy beauty, he began to feel a nervous shiver. The fiery instructor glanced at him briefly, then turned her attention away as if she had quickly lost interest in him. Just as he wondered about the upcoming test, the lady instructor stamped her foot on the stage, causing a slight tremor. Suddenly, a compartment in the middle of the stage opened. A massive stone slab emerged, standing tall and firm at the center of the stage. "Hey there, Mr. Yuki Aki!" the fiery lady instructor called out. "Yes, Instructor Cha?" Yuki Aki responded timidly, his neck shrinking a bit. "Alright, now, just put your hand over it and think about something that really made you express yourself," Chung-Cha explained using simple words. After giving a brief explanation, Chung-Cha guided Yuki Aki through the p