After my discussion with Ishikawa, I felt a little more clear-sighted about the situation around us. His perspective on human nature and his determination to help others, despite the risks, had left a lasting impression on me. With a final glance at Ishikawa, I walked away, leaving his deep reflections behind to return to my companions.
I approached Saé gently, observing the serious expression painted on her face as she scrutinized the photo on her phone. Her gaze was captivated, absorbed in the details of the image, and I wondered what could be preoccupying her so much. Despite the hustle and bustle of the cave and the challenges that lay ahead, she seemed engrossed in her own thoughts, her eyes reflecting a quiet determination.
I turned my gaze back to Edano, lying nonchalantly on the cave floor, wrapped in the arms of sleep. How could he manage to sleep so peacefully in such a critical situation? His regular breathing betrayed a state of serenity almost incongruous amidst the chaos surrounding us. Perhaps he had taken refuge in the arms of sleep to escape momentarily from the oppressive reality that surrounded us.
I returned to Saé, deciding not to disturb her for too long, knowing that her thoughts must be important. However, I felt the need to say a few words to her, if only to remind her of the importance of resting. In such a critical situation, sleep was a precious resource, a welcome break from the whirlwind of trials ahead.
"Saé," I called softly, trying to attract her attention without rushing her. She slowly turned her head in my direction, her eyes meeting mine with calm intensity. "Perhaps you should try to rest a little..." I suggested cautiously, aware of the importance of every moment of rest in our struggle for survival.
We both shared an awareness of what lay ahead tomorrow, the challenges that loomed before us like menacing shadows. Reality had taken on the traits of the movie we were once watching. But despite the gravity of the situation, I knew that Saé was an ally I could count on, a fellow fighter whose determination was as solid as my own.
Just when I thought she'd heard me, Saé didn't reply. I gestured with my arm to get her attention, and she finally looked away from her phone and at me. She apologized, asking if I'd said anything to her. I replied that I'd simply advised her to rest and get ready for tomorrow. Saé returned my gentle smile, telling me I needn't worry about her. However, even with her feigned assurance, I could see a gleam of uncertainty in her eyes, as if she were lost in thought, disconnected from the present moment.
I turned to Saé, looking for news. "Have you noticed anything interesting lately?" I asked, seeing that she seemed to be traveling elsewhere.
She replied with a pensive air. "Well, I thought I picked up an internet connection signal for a brief moment, but I think it was just a mirage on my part." she said, a slight sigh of disappointment piercing through her voice. "However, now that I think about it, other parts of the world must now be facing events similar to ours right?"
As Saé voiced her thoughts, I nodded in agreement. "Yes, that's quite likely." I nodded, considering the similarities between our situation and that which might be experienced elsewhere. "We're not alone in this ordeal."
We exchanged a knowing glance as Saé patted the space beside her, silently inviting me to sit beside her. Giving in to this gentle invitation, I let myself be guided by her benevolent gaze.
She handed me her phone, displaying a photo of herself with friends I didn't know. Observing the image, she confided with a touch of nostalgia.
"I'd never noticed it before, but... When a phone lacked wifi, and only its primary properties were usable... One could rediscover buried memories. Not knowing what to do with it, I went back to chatting with my friends, or contemplating the selfies we used to take together."
"Yes, that's true... It reminded you with a certain melancholy of life before, didn't it?"
It was a moment when reality mingled with memories, when the present faded for a moment to make way for the sweetness of past moments. In this changing world, these moments of nostalgia seemed to have become treasures to be cherished.
Saé shared her recommendations with me, advising me not to exhaust myself too much, adding that I wasn't the hero of this story anyway.
"Don't worry. I wouldn't take any unnecessary risks that would harm my life." 「180°」
It was then that she let out an annoyed sigh, saying that the number was still displayed. Intrigued, I asked her what was bothering her, but she replied enigmatically, inviting me to contemplate human nature, adding that it wasn't as frightening as I might have thought.
Before falling asleep, I unconsciously followed Saé's advice. My eyes roamed over the faces of those still awake in the cave, each carrying their own burden.
Some seemed tormented by fear, unable to fall asleep, while others seemed strangely relaxed despite the circumstances.
My attention was drawn to a familiar scene: a heated argument between a girl and her brother. They were locked in a heated debate over which jewels were the most sparkling, with the girl claiming that hers were the best, while her brother maintained that it wasn't brilliance that defined the value of jewelry.
After observing this scene, I couldn't help but laugh, finding some comfort in the apparent normality of this petty argument.
"It's so improbable to witness such a scene under such conditions!"
Saé looked at me quizzically, not seeming to grasp the reason for my amusement.
I wished her a good night with a wave of my hand before retiring to sleep, leaving behind the momentary lightness this scene had brought to the darkness of the cave.
The next day came abruptly, rousing me from my slumber by Saé's shaking.
"Bun, Bun! Wake up!"
I immediately realized what had happened. Ryo had flooded the cave.
"Shit, he's already started..."
I'd promised myself I'd wake up early to stop him, but now it seemed too late. I asked Saé if Ryo had claimed any victims yet, but she assured me that so far, no one had been hurt.
The calm of the night had given way to the turmoil of reality, and we were all faced with a new ordeal to overcome.
We all rushed for the exit, our footsteps mingling with the tumult of screams. It was chaos.
I noticed that Saé seemed more agile than before. She may not have matched Edano's speed, but she was well ahead of me. It seemed she had invested her coins wisely to improve her abilities.
Meanwhile, I found myself lagging behind, as Ryo made his way behind me, colliding with the others in his fury.
As Ryo lashed out at the lady Ishikawa had told me about, I tried to provoke him.
"You should fight on equal terms, Ryo, instead of picking on the weaker ones," I shouted, hoping to distract him from his vulnerable target.
Ryo brushed aside my words with a dismissive gesture. "Stay out of it, you!" he retorted with a hard look.
But I refused to stand back.
In the damp darkness of the flooded cave, I stand facing Ryo, my heart beating with frantic intensity. The water swirls around us, a dark, liquid web amplifying the tension of our impending confrontation.
Ryo stands before me, imposing and self-assured, his gaze piercing like steel blades. Every movement he makes seems calculated and deliberate, every gesture charged with unwavering power.
I know I'm the less experienced of the two of us, but I refuse to back down. Even without a weapon to defend myself, I'm determined to stand between Ryo and his desire to murder the weak, no matter what the risks.
His first blow comes like a bolt of lightning, swift and relentless. I try to protect myself, but the force of his attack hits me like a hammer, sending me reeling under the impact.
Despite the stabbing pain pulsing through my body, I rise to my feet with fierce determination. I know I can't afford to weaken now, not when there's so much at stake.
Ryo continues his relentless assault, linking blows with disconcerting fluidity. Every time I try to counterattack, he deftly dodges my attacks, as if he can anticipate my every move.
Pain becomes a constant companion, burning into every fiber of my being. But despite everything, I refuse to give in. I fight with all the strength and determination I can muster, because I know I have no choice.
The battle rages on around us, the splashing water creating an unreal atmosphere. Every moment seems to last an eternity, each blow carrying the weight of our intertwined destiny.
Despite my best efforts, I feel I'm losing my footing. Ryo is simply too strong, too implacable. But even in the face of imminent defeat, I refuse to give up. My determination still burns brightly, fueling my last desperate effort to hold on against the raging storm that is Ryo.
Ryo fixes me with an unruffled gaze, his words echoing through the air like a thunderclap. "Even if I inflict damage on you, I know you won't die," he declares in a calm yet confident voice. "You've passed the riddle. So you're probably immune."
A shiver of disbelief runs down my spine as I realize the extent of his powers. Despite my best efforts, I'm faced with a veritable mountain that's impossible to climb.
Yet, as I prepare to face my inevitable fate, Ryo suddenly turns his attention to the lady standing nearby. His face hardens, his eyes shining with cold determination.
Without hesitation, he rushes towards her, his sword brandished high in the air. My heart races as I understand his murderous intent.
I can't just stand by. I must intervene.
With fierce determination, I use maestria, mastery of nature's understanding.
"Maestria, mastery of the understanding of nature!
I concentrate intensely, feeling the energy surge from my hands as I make the ground lighter, creating a fluid path before me.
[You've just made the ground lighter for your steps!]
At the same time, I draw on my physical skills, investing every ounce of strength I possess to accelerate my run. My muscles burn with effort as I launch myself after Ryo, my determination propelling me forward.
[You've just invested 500 coins in your physical strength!]
[↑Your physical strength increases to level 5!]
[Floor ↑5
- XP: ↑2512/2753
+ Physical strength: ↑Lvl.5
+ Agility: Lvl.9
+ Magic energy: Lvl.7
+ Toughness: Lvl.8]
Time seems to slow down as I close in on him, every beat of my heart echoing in my ears with brilliant clarity.
But just as I'm about to step between Ryo and the lady, his sword cleaves the air with incredible speed. Caught off-guard, I'm unable to dodge the mortal blow that comes crashing down on me.
The searing pain rips through me as Ryo's sword penetrates deep into my chest, tearing a cry of pain from my lips. I fall to the ground, feeling the world spin around me as the blackness of unconsciousness engulfs me.