The morning air of the Shadow World was sharp and thin, a biting reminder that Mori had no ordinary safety net here. After the echoes of his father's legacy stirred within him, the days ahead promised danger, yet he also felt a fragile spark of determination. Today's mission: a low-level patrol, designed to "strengthen rank and survival instincts".
Kaida Ren led the group toward a narrow ravine, familiar yet unforgiving.
"Watch your footing," Kaida warned. "Even small creatures can take advantage of mistakes. You'll need strategy, not just strength."
Mori nodded. The E-Rank badge on his chest burned slightly against his skin—not from heat, but from "anticipation and anxiety".
Takuro walked silently beside him, as if gliding rather than stepping. The wrist chain around his wrist caught faint rays of light filtering through the fog. Mori's eyes flickered to it often; strangely, the presence of the chain felt "reassuring now", though he couldn't explain why.
"You'll need every ounce of focus today," Takuro said quietly, not looking at him. "Rank-up isn't about winning fights—it's about surviving encounters you shouldn't have lived through."
Mori swallowed. "I'll… try my best."
Renji scoffed. "Try? You've got to do better than try. Out here, trying doesn't count."
Haruka adjusted her glasses, scanning the shadows. "Ignore him. Focus on observation. Timing, placement, and adaptability are everything."
---
The first encounter was a small shadow beast, no larger than a wolf, with glowing red eyes and clawed limbs that moved unnaturally fast. Mori froze for a split second, adrenaline surging.
Kaida signaled. "Wait for it—watch its pattern."
The creature lunged. Mori dodged instinctively, slashing. The blade barely grazed it. His hands shook; his body was tense.
"You're too slow!" Renji barked. "Move with intent!"
Mori gritted his teeth, remembering Takuro's words: ""Rank-up isn't about winning fights—it's about surviving encounters you shouldn't have lived through.""
The beast lunged again, and this time Mori anticipated its movement. He sidestepped, countered, and his strike connected cleanly. The creature shrieked, recoiling.
Kaida's voice rang out, approvingly calm. "Good. That's focus. Keep that rhythm."
Mori exhaled, heart pounding. For the first time, he felt a "glimmer of control", though fear still churned in his stomach.
---
By mid-morning, the group had faced multiple low-level creatures. Each encounter was a test, each mistake a lesson. Mori struggled, fell, and recovered repeatedly. "Every narrow escape" reinforced both his fear and his resilience.
During a brief pause, Mori approached Takuro. "Why… do you always hold back?"
Takuro glanced at him, expression unreadable. "Holding back is a tool, not a flaw. You think you know your limits, but in truth, you're not ready for the full extent."
Mori frowned. "It's just… that chain. I feel… calm when I see it."
Takuro's eyes flicked downward at his wrist. "That's because it reminds you of order, of stability. Everyone needs an anchor in this world, Mori. You found yours."
Mori nodded slowly. He felt "slightly easier around Takuro now", the chain a silent reassurance in the chaos of the Shadow World.
---
As the sun dipped, shadows grew longer and more sinister. Their patrol turned into a near-death encounter with a slightly larger beast, faster and cunning than any they had faced before. Mori's heart raced as the creature lunged at him from a hidden corner.
Kaida yelled, "Mori, dodge!"
Mori stumbled but rolled instinctively, narrowly avoiding the creature's claw. Pain radiated up his shoulder, but he forced himself to rise.
Takuro was beside him instantly, dagger slicing cleanly, cutting the beast's advance. "Stay close, Mori. Observe, adapt, survive."
The battle was tense. Mori made small, cautious moves, striking strategically. Each success felt precarious, each mistake terrifying.
Finally, the creature fell, and the group exhaled as one.
Renji panted. "That… could've ended badly."
Haruka nodded. "It almost did. Mori, you kept your focus under pressure. That's what matters."
Mori's chest heaved. Fear still churned within him, but the adrenaline left him with a "bitter-sweet pride". Survival, even against lesser creatures, was "progress in itself".
---
The group camped for the night in a secluded cave. The fire cast long, flickering shadows. Mori sat quietly, staring at Takuro, who remained silent, eyes on the chain glinting faintly in the firelight.
"Takuro…" Mori began hesitantly. "About that chain… what's its real story?"
Takuro glanced at him, a faint sigh escaping. "It belonged to someone I… lost. My sister. She died when she was sick."
Mori blinked, surprised. "Sick?"
Takuro nodded slowly. "Yes. She… she was scared of this world, always clinging to me. The chain… it reminds me of her. Of what I have to protect, even if she's gone."
Mori processed this quietly. The chain, which had "once felt like a mystery and tension", now carried a strange warmth. Though Takuro didn't explain fully, Mori felt a "subtle sense of connection", understanding—at least for tonight.
"Thank you for telling me," Mori said softly.
Takuro said nothing, only glanced at the fire. But the tension between them eased, just a fraction, in the "shared silence of night".
---