The next day, Mori awoke to a "new intensity". Yesterday's near-death encounter had left him shaken, yet stronger.
Kaida outlined today's low-rank mission: "scouting a shadow-filled canyon", eliminating lurking creatures, and gathering resources.
Mori's legs were unsteady, but determination burned brighter. Each step in the canyon was a lesson in "vigilance, patience, and fear management".
Creatures appeared quickly. Mori dodged, countered, and struck. His E-Rank strikes had grown sharper, more precise. Each success reinforced "confidence and fear simultaneously", a strange duality he was learning to navigate.
---
By midday, the team paused at a rocky outcrop. The sunlight filtered weakly through the thick clouds, illuminating the mist below. Mori glanced at Takuro, who sat quietly, the "wrist chain catching light intermittently".
"Do you… ever regret wearing it?" Mori asked, breaking the silence.
Takuro's gaze was distant. "No. It reminds me of responsibility. Reminds me not to forget what I've lost… and why I fight."
Mori nodded slowly. "I… think I understand. It's like… it anchors you."
Takuro's eyes softened, just slightly. "Yes. It keeps me grounded. And now, I hope… it can help you too."
Mori felt a strange ease. The "wrist chain", once a symbol of distance and mystery, now carried "reassurance and subtle trust".
---
The mission resumed. Mori faced creatures alone at times, relying on instincts honed over the past chapters. A near-fatal encounter nearly ended his life, but his resilience and teamwork knowledge pulled him through. Each strike, each dodge, "built his fear into a weapon of awareness".
By evening, the patrol was over. Mori's hands shook slightly, body exhausted, but his mind was clearer than ever.
Kaida clapped him on the shoulder. "You survived again, Mori. Not just survived—you learned."
Renji smirked. "Barely, but I'll take it. Keep going, rookie."
Haruka smiled faintly. "Your confidence and control are growing. Fear is no longer your enemy—it's your guide."
Mori's gaze returned to Takuro, who simply watched the horizon. The "wrist chain shimmered softly", a silent promise that he was "not alone", even in the terrifying world around him.
---
That night, alone by the fire, Takuro finally spoke more openly, though still carefully.
"This chain… it belonged to my sister," he whispered. "She died sick when she was eight. I… I wear this to remember her, and to keep moving forward, even when the world seems impossible."
Mori nodded, understanding partially. The lie about illness was small but believable. The chain, now a "symbol of trust and subtle guidance", made Mori feel secure for the first time with Takuro.
He exhaled, lying back, staring at the starless Shadow World sky. He felt "fear, growth, and connection" all at once—a triumphant, fragile balance.
Tomorrow, the Shadow World would bring new challenges. But tonight… he felt ready.
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