Months had passed since Akari joined the Dilhaze party.
In that time, she had climbed the ranks swiftly, now standing as an A-rank adventurer alongside Raizo, Fenra, Silvia, and Shekiah. What began as cautious steps into a new life had turned into belonging—Akari moved and fought like a true member of the team.
One afternoon, Raizo presented her with a necklace identical to the ones worn by the other three girls: a simple yet elegant design, with a grey diamond at its center. Along with it, he shared the ability Gluttony with her, linking her to the same strange bond that tied the party together.
At first, Akari had been startled by the sensation. The moment she wore the necklace, she felt a sudden connection—a surge of energy not her own, voices and instincts not quite hers echoing faintly. But with each passing day, she grew accustomed to it, learning to trust the shared strength it offered.
---
Current Stats:
Raizo
ATK: 2600
DEF: 2300
STA: 2400
MANA: 2900
Magic: Plant, Water, Illusion, Fighting, Holy, Psychic
Abilities: Pressure, Blaze, Solar Power, Overgrow, Static, Aftermath, Sheer Force
Fenra
ATK: 2300
DEF: 2000
STA: 2100
MANA: 2400
Magic: Water, Fire, Ice, Holy, Psychic
Abilities: Steadfast, Keen Eye, Iron Focus, Speed Boost
Silvia
ATK: 2200
DEF: 2000
STA: 2200
MANA: 2400
Magic: Holy, Lightning, Fighting, Fire, Water, Psychic
Abilities: Leaf Guard, Infiltrator, Own Tempo, Shell Armor
Shekiah
ATK: 2100
DEF: 2400
STA: 2000
MANA: 2500
Magic: Healing, Water, Fire, Holy, Plant, Psychic
Abilities: Technician, Bulwark, Vanguard, Fortify
Akari
ATK: 2300
DEF: 2120
STA: 2100
MANA: 2200
Magic: Ice, Illusion, Plant, Holy, Water, Lightning, Psychic
Abilities: Mana Shield, Mana Surge, Elemental Shift, Spell Breaker, Spellbound, Magical Reflect, Mana Link
---
The Kingdom of Azalea was soon behind them as they set out once more, the road stretching into the rolling hills ahead. Dust rose in soft clouds beneath their boots.
Raizo walked at the front, letting out a long sigh.
Fenra, ears twitching, tilted her head. "Uh… Raizo? Do you have a problem?"
He blinked. "Hm? Oh, no, no. It's just…"
Silvia stepped up beside him, curious. "What is it?"
Raizo scratched his cheek. "Five girls… and one boy."
Shekiah raised a brow. "So? What's wrong with that?"
Raizo glanced at her, then at the rest. "You probably haven't noticed… but whenever we walk into a guild, I can feel all those eyes staring at me."
Akari tilted her head. "What do you mean? Like… someone's been following us this whole time?"
He shook his head with a short laugh. "No. I mean they're jealous. Obviously—because I'm the one with five girls in my party."
The four of them went quiet for a moment, each remembering the glances, the whispers, and the smirks from other adventurers during their past visits to guild halls.
Fenra's ears drooped slightly. "So… you don't want us around, Raizo?"
The other three girls stiffened at her words, eyes darting toward him in shock.
Raizo waved his hands quickly. "No, no, no! That's not what I meant at all. I like all of you. I just… ugh." He rubbed his temples with a sigh. "You know what? Forget I said anything. This is getting too complicated."
The girls exchanged glances, then nodded in unison. And so, without further comment, they continued down the dirt path, the afternoon sun casting long shadows ahead of them.
The sun sank low on the horizon, painting the sea in streaks of gold and crimson before slipping away entirely. By the time the moon rose, silver light rippling across the water, the Dilhaze party had set up camp on a quiet stretch of beach.
The smell of grilled fish and fresh sea air mingled in the breeze. Fenra and Silvia tended to the cooking, Shekiah busied herself with the tents, and Akari gathered driftwood for the fire.
Raizo stood at the edge of the waves, letting the cool water lap at his boots. The sound of the ocean was steady, calming. For a moment, his mind drifted—not to this world, but to his past life. Back when he was Johnrhey, just an ordinary high school student. He remembered a school camping trip—playing volleyball in the sand, building clumsy sandcastles, and laughing with his classmates until their sides hurt.
A faint smirk tugged at his lips as he gazed up at the starry sky. How have you all been doing… you guys?
"Hey, Raizo," Shekiah's voice came from behind him. "The fish is done."
"Alright, coming," he replied, turning from the waves.
They ate together around the campfire, the flames flickering in the night breeze.
"I have an idea," Fenra said suddenly, her wolf ears perking up.
"What is it?" Silvia asked.
"Why don't we tell stories while we eat?" Fenra suggested.
Shekiah nodded. "That's actually a good idea."
Akari smiled. "Yeah! So… who's going first?"
Silvia's eyes glinted mischievously. "How about Raizo? You've never told us much about yourself."
Raizo raised an eyebrow. "You already know I'm the brother of the hero, Lucas Hayagashi."
The girls nodded. "Yeah, we know," Fenra said, "but we want more than that."
Raizo sighed. "Fine. I'll tell you a story… about a boy who never confessed his feelings to a girl."
---
Raizo's Story
Taro had been watching over Natsumi for what felt like an eternity. Ever since freshman year, she had caught his eye, but his shy nature kept him from ever saying how he felt.
Instead, Taro became her silent guardian. He would walk behind her after school, keeping just out of sight, making sure she reached home safely. He'd watch her laugh with friends, her smile bright enough to light up the world—while he lingered in the shadows, invisible and insignificant.
Years passed. Natsumi grew more confident, more radiant. Taro stayed the same, his feelings locked away, too afraid of rejection to speak.
On graduation day, as Natsumi stepped off the stage clutching her diploma, her family and friends swarmed around her. She looked so happy. Taro knew it was time to let go.
Standing at the edge of the crowd, he whispered into the sky, "God… find another boy to protect her. My duty is done."
And with that, he turned and walked away, the weight of years lifting—only to be replaced by an emptiness he didn't know how to fill.
---
When Raizo finished, the fire crackled in the silence that followed.
Fenra frowned. "That boy, Taro, is a scaredy-cat."
Raizo chuckled. "He was afraid of rejection."
The girls exchanged amused glances before Silvia burst out laughing. "Rejection? Hah!"
Raizo sighed. "It happens. Some girls… choose a flashy guy over someone quiet and weak."
They all laughed together, the tension fading. One by one, they settled into their tents, the moon high overhead and the waves whispering against the shore until sleep claimed them