~ Ayano's Pov ~
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'What, the..?'
Now there was another quest? This time it's about the body? But, why? How much more packed is a single day going to get!? I guess, I'll just have to listen to her...
"Once again, I should apologize for the things I have done up to this point... It wasn't my intention to do this. In fact, you would have already been with your friends if I didn't see what I saw earlier." she said.
I sighed, mentally exhausted, and really... too tired to even care much, "I, get that... So, do you mind explaining what you meant a bit ago?"
She nodded...
"I suppose it would be best to start from half a millennium ago... Specifically, why this wall was built in the first place. Initially it wasn't supposed to be so. In fact, this wall wasn't supposed to even exist... When our great ancestor, Tsumugu Kihara realized and studied more about the people of the sea. His research led him to a realization, us."
I was a little curious now, "And, what would that be?"
"It's the fact that sea people have a much purer genome compared to normal humans, or land dwellers... To be more precise. We sea people were gifted with longer lifespans, greater lung capacity, healthier skin and much greater resistance to the effects of prolonged aging."
I blinked slowly, staring at her, unsure if I was just too drained to process what I was hearing, or if the information really was that surreal. "So, let me get this straight... You're telling me. You're genetically better than regular people?" I asked, more so to make sure I understood, rather than out of disbelief right now...
She nodded at me. "Not in appearance—at least, not enough for it to matter above the surface. But underneath? In the blood, in the organs, in the bone structure? Yes. We were created, or perhaps refined, by the ocean over centuries... I am not even sure if you may have already noticed... we don't wrinkle the same way. We don't fall ill as easily either. And we certainly don't die as quickly."
Something about the way she said it… it wasn't prideful. It was laced with caution instead. Like she wasn't boasting, but warning me. I crossed my arms, still standing where the guards had left me... "Okay? And what does that have to do with me, exactly?"
"That..." she said slowly, "Is where things get a bit, complicated."
Of course it was.
"When I initially watched the recording of you saving my daughter, you showed me feats of incredibly physical strength; something that was practically considered a myth, genetically speaking of course. I think, you are more so the possessor of the extreme body."
"The, extreme body?" What does she even mean... I guess, this could explain why I was so powerful.
She nodded at me, "Yes."
"My ancestor Tsumugu eventually delved deeper into his studies concerning the sea and it's people, and their genetic material. However, he had also studied the genome of regular humans, and back then during his studies... He's even claimed to have seen people with physical strength that would completely shatter the common sense of normal people in today's society."
"I see..."
"Still... It doesn't even end there... Rumor has it, you have people with even rare constitutions. That physique is called the great body. The great body is a supposedly a constitution that is claimed to truly surpass common sense in all areas, even in comparison to the extreme body."
This, was definitely a bit of info to take in... Apparently there were special constitutions in this universe... Now I've learned of three of them in a single sitting. Irrespective of all that, what's even the difference between the extreme body, and the great body?
I couldn't help but ask, I was pretty invested in this, "So, what's so good about the great body then?"
"Well... think of it this way. If the Extreme Body represents the peak of human physical potential, then the Great Body represents the peak of all physical traits across the entire animal kingdom. To put it into better perspective—imagine a crocodile or an alligator, creatures already known for their immense biting force. Now imagine if they had the capacity to train and enhance that innate strength. If an Extreme Body user trained their bite force and went up against that, they would still lose..."
Now, I think I'm starting to get where this is going. "Then... Would the great body users also specialize in that area of bite force, unlike the extreme body users?"
"In a simple sense, yes. That is the case. They specialize in areas that other creatures would specialize in, and they also have much higher physical limits than extreme body users... But, even then... Not all extreme body users and great body users are created equal."
I nodded, kind of getting what she was saying... But, I still had my questions.
"Then, the wall... why was it built? You never told me that part."
"Ah, yes... It was made to protect the sea people from those who also know of the types of constitutions. Despite the extreme body and great body, they don't have the physical characteristics that sea people have by nature. The longer life span, decease resistance, etc... However, what you or normal people don't know of, is that there are those who wish to use us to amplify the attributes in the other physiques. Even if it means killing us... Killing, you."
The weight of her words sank in, and sank in fast.
'Use them... to amplify the others?'
I stood there, suddenly feeling colder despite the stillness of the room. "You're saying… people like us have been, what? Hunted for this? Your people?"
She nodded, solemnly. "For centuries... The moment someone learns of the truth, they either swear to protect it—or try to exploit it. That's the cycle. And while the world outside forgot, or pretended to forget, there are still those who remember. Scientists and private organizations… Most, if not all of them want to harvest us, Ayano. Piece, by piece. Others want to recreate us. Breed us. in a pursuit to make something superior. Even if others die in achieving it."
Haha... This is ironic, ain't it? "So that's why you wanted to see me... You wanted to tell me this to warn me, right?"
"Yes... At least, that's half of it."
I shook my head, "What's the other half?"
"As you may know, Chisaki is my daughter... We, have a bit of a... rough relationship, but I love her with all my heart, and soul. Which means, I have to be stern with her, so she can at least learn to protect herself..."
Not seeing where this is going, I pressed a little further. "And...?"
She sighed... "I also wanted her to live a normal life... Free from this position that I currently hold, but life isn't so simple. We have a duty to protect our people, our lineage. Just like our ancestors before us had. Unfortunately, and because of our predicament, it requires us to wed those who are qualified to continue the lineage..."
You have to be kidding me... No wonder those rumors when she came started popping up... they, were right.
"And, as a mother... I wanted her to fall in love with someone like any normal person should... But, it isn't safe in this world. I can't just continue to leave her to her own devices, and worry if one day she will never come back home to me... But, that's where you come in..."
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~ Third Person Pov ~
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Sekai paced nervously near the stone path, her arms folded tightly across her chest as the ocean breeze stirred the fabric of her school jacket. Katsura stood a little further back, her back to the wall, eyes fixed on the forested path that led deeper into the compound. Renji had crouched beside a rock near the brush, absentmindedly poking the dirt with a stick—but even he kept glancing up every few seconds, clearly restless.
"Ayano's been gone for nearly an hour already," Sekai muttered, her voice taut with concern. "Do you think he's okay?"
"He said he'd only be a minute," Katsura replied, her tone calm but laced with tension.
"He's probably just being a dumb-bun." Renji added, though his fidgeting betrayed his words. "Still. He should've come back by now…"
Then, the bushes behind them rustled.
Renji was the first to turn, and Sekai nearly jumped at the sudden sound. A shape pushed through the foliage, slow and deliberate. The leaves parted—and Ayano stepped out into the fading light of early evening, brushing twigs off his sleeve.
"Sorry..." he said simply, voice low but steady. "I'm back."
Sekai blinked. "Wait—from the bushes? Where the hell were you?!"
Ayano didn't answer right away. He just glanced behind him, as if double-checking that no one had followed. Then he looked back at them...
"I was just exploring a bit, that's all... Though... did all of you guys wait here for me?"
Renji stood up from his crouch, brushing dirt from his hands. "Well yeah, what did you expect? You just dipped into the woods without saying anything."
Katsura gave a faint nod, her arms still folded. "We weren't about to leave without knowing where you went."
Sekai took a step closer, her eyes scanning his face carefully. "You okay? You look like you saw something..."
Ayano hesitated, then shook his head with a slight, tired smile. "Nah. I Just got a little caught up looking around... Place is a whole lot bigger than it seems."
Renji scoffed. "You say that like you didn't just come out of some weird secret back exit... You sure you weren't being chased by some ghost maidens, or something?"
Ayano smirked faintly, though the smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "If I was, I'd have definitelybrought one back for you."
All the built up tension broke a little with that one line, though Sekai kept staring at him, concern lingering in her eyes. "Well… whatever, ok. Let's, just not split up again, alright?"
He nodded, "Sure." But, when he said that, both Katsura and Sekai instantly grabbed his arms, firmly.
"Ah, hey! What the? What are you guys doing all of a sudden!?" He said. He was practically being dragged towards the sea... Ayano looked towards his friend for help. Renji just blinked as he watched the girls tug Ayano forward, not bothering to help him as his feet slid awkwardly over the path. "Guess that's what you get for making people worry..." he muttered while looking away.
Ayano struggled lightly, glancing between Katsura and Sekai as they marched him toward the shore. "Okay, seriously, what the hell is this?! I said I was fine!"
"That's not the point!" Katsura said without even looking at him, her grip like a vice.
"You're not getting away that easy again," Sekai added, her voice sharper than usual. "You think just saying 'sure' is enough after vanishing into the woods like that?"
The ocean breeze picked up as they neared the coastline, that familiar scent of salt brushing against their skin. The crashing waves ahead shimmered beneath the afternoon sun, but Ayano barely noticed—too busy trying not to trip as he was half-dragged down a slope of packed sand and grass.
"Okay, okay! I get it!" he finally barked, yanking back a little. "I get it, alright?! I won't go off alone again, so can you please let go of me!?"
Sekai and Katsura exchanged a brief look, before they finally released him at the edge of the beach.
Ayano stumbled a step forward, brushing the sand off his sleeves. "Seriously… You guys are terrifying."
"Oh, really...?" Sekai, said, in a sinister tone. She then glanced at Katsura with a dark smile, who also did the same, scaring him further. Before he could say anything, the both of them pushed him forwards with their body weight, falling with him...
Sploosh!~
"And that's what you ge—" Sekai started smugly, but her words abruptly died in her throat.
Katsura, who had followed him in and resurfaced moments later, froze mid-blink. She looked just as stunned.
Ayano sat up, coughing seawater and brushing his drenched bangs from his face. "Great! Now I'm completely soaked…" he mumbled, wringing out his sleeves. But when he glanced at the two girls, he frowned.
"...G-Guys?"
They didn't even answer...
Sekai's cheeks were flushed a deep crimson, and her wide eyes were locked on him like she was looking at something she shouldn't be. Katsura looked no different—lips slightly parted, with a hand unconsciously pressed to her chest...
Ayano tilted his head. "Uhh... W-What's with those faces?" When he looked behind them, he saw Renji pointing towards his chest...
Confused, he quickly looked down. And realized his already-soaked shirt had clung tightly to his chest, outlining every last cut of his defined torso.
"What? I thought there was something on me..."
As if in unison, both Sekai and Katsura shouted, "Ayano! You pervert!!!!!"
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END