"She is right, I have no authority here in school, it has always been this way, I have always been the loser. No one relates with, every day my dad scolds me, comparing me with my elder brother who is managing the family business, fit, and strong, even assumes, I'm truly disappointed, I won't blame Kenji for picking her said." Kage thought as he bent his head down, just facing his food.
Kaga felt a pang of frustration and sadness as he listened to Hana. Despite their years as classmates, she had never acknowledged him in such a way before. He couldn't shake the feeling of being overshadowed by her social influence, a power he didn't possess.
In the 25th century, relationships operated on a strict currency of value. Women like Hana sought out those who could elevate their status or be helpful in a certain situation, while men without perceived worth faded into the background. Mutual growth was the game's name, and Kenji wasn't interested in playing by those rules.
"Like I said, I already am Kaga's guide."
Hana looked stupefied, hearing Kenji answer,
"what"
Kaga was also shocked, looking at Kenji with admiration.
"he just rejected me," Hana thought as she added, shooting an irritated glance at Kaga.
"You are rejecting my offer. I won't let this go easily." Hana said, giving a threatening glance towards Kenji.
The students around were surprised by Kenji's boldness.
"He is rejecting her; he is really bold."
"It seems he wants to be kicked out of this bunker."
"Fool, he doesn't even know what's good for him, rejecting Hana like that. Hana would make things really difficult for him. "
The students around kept murmuring to one another.
Kenji hadn't said a single word aloud yet. He simply stared, his thoughts deep and calculating.
Hana curved her lips into a slight smile.
"Hmm, already thinking that deeply? I'm sure you'll change your mind once you're properly threatened. Just because you killed a few of those monsters, you think you're something? You're worth nothing, just a pawn I can use and discard whenever I please."
To Kenji, Hana was like a snail, slow to grasp the situation of this new world, while Kaga, beside him, was a cheetah, quick and instinctive. That alone made Kaga far more useful to him than Hana could ever be.
He finally spoke, his voice calm but cutting.
"What advantage can your little popularity give me? You still don't understand what's happening, do you? Do you think rescue is coming? Do you think humans are still the superior beings in this world?"
The moment the word world left his lips, the atmosphere in the dining hall shifted. Every mocking gaze froze. Shock rippled through the students. Even Kato and the other elites, "the Stars" of Rose High, turned their eyes toward him.
"People like you," Kenji continued, "always die first. Still clinging to your belief in society's power, the same society that's already collapsed. This world isn't complicated anymore. It's simple now. You either adapt… or die."
Hana shot to her feet, her voice cracking.
"W-what? How can those green pigs surpass humans?, You underestimate humans too much."
Kenji's expression didn't change."Those were just the weakest monsters, and they terrified you so much you ran to Caga for protection. Imagine what the stronger ones will be like. If I'm right, this isn't just our region. The whole world is affected."
A heavy silence fell.
"What?"
"The whole world?"
"Who's coming to save us, then?"
The whispers spread quickly. Most of these students came from powerful, prestigious families. Until now, they had believed rescue was certain, that their parents, or the government, would come for them. But Kenji's words cracked that fragile hope.
Kato frowned, lost in thought.
The whole world… affected? He had believed the same thing, that Rose High or their families would intervene, but hearing Kenji's logic stirred an unease he couldn't shake.
Kenji, of course, didn't know any of this for sure. It was all a calculated bluff, a move to increase his own worth in their eyes.
Hana tried to gather herself, voice trembling."What proof do you have about this?"
Kenji's cold smirk cut through her composure."Proof? Doesn't the death of all your companions prove enough?"
Her face went pale. The memories flooded back, her best friend's terrified eyes, the moment she turned and ran, pushing another her best friends toward the goblins just to buy herself time. The sound of bones breaking, of flesh being torn apart, it all came crashing down. Guilt twisted inside her, morphing into anger.
Kenji watched the cracks appear in her mask, saw the fear flicker behind her eyes, and smiled faintly.
"Of course you're terrified. You've seen how easily humans die. Your friends didn't make it. The death alone is enough to break people like you. Trauma will rot your mind long before therapy can fix it."
"Years of therapy… maybe decades," he thought coldly.
Then, without another glance, he said, "You should scram. I'm done talking to the likes of you."
He stood and walked out of the dining hall, his steps echoing in the uneasy silence.
Kaga quickly followed, sensing the tension.
Kato rose next, clearing his throat. His calm, measured tone steadied the frightened murmurs.
As his gaze followed Kenji's fading silhouette, a thought crossed his mind: That guy… he's dangerous. A wolf in sheep's clothing. He turned their fear into his advantage.
He now understood why Ryu had warned him not to bother recruiting Kenji.
At the far end of the hall, Jin, one of the Stars, gritted his teeth. He had seen everything.
"Just because you killed a few monsters by luck, you think you're special?" he muttered under his breath, fists clenched. "If a lowlife like you can do it… Then so can I."
But among all the Stars, Jin was the only one who hadn't managed to kill even a single goblin.
Hana felt a surge of offense burn through her as Kenji told her to scram. Her pride stung, her jaw tightening as she glared at his retreating. Then, without another word, she turned toward the opposite exit of the dining hall and stomped off, her teeth gritted in silent fury.
Amaya was calm, her body completely relaxed and attuned to the moment. Her eyes were closed, and she stood poised in a sword stance, radiating an air of tranquillity that masked her true strength. She might have seemed defenceless to an outsider, but in reality, she embodied the peak of offence and defence.
With a fluid motion, she raised her wooden stick, which served as her blade, and initiated her movements with a horizontal slash, stepping forward with grace. Following this, she executed a vertical slash, each step forward a testament to her control and skill.
As she began her sword dance, the sequence unfolded like a mesmerising performance. The dance was unique, reminiscent of a dragon unfurling its fangs, each movement simple yet powerful. The wooden stick flowed effortlessly in her hands, soft in its execution yet undeniably fierce.
It was more than mere swordplay; it embodied her family's sword art, rooted in the Way of the Wind principles. Each strike and manoeuvre harmonised with the air around her, creating a breathtaking display that blended elegance with lethal precision.
Amaya stood with her eyes closed, nearing the end of her sword dance. She suddenly sensed something approaching from behind as she flowed through her movements. In an instant, Amaya pivoted with quick agility, maintaining the essence of the Way of the Wind around her. Her wooden sword raised high; she felt her grip falter slightly, but she executed a horizontal slash. The impact of the cane sent it splitting in half, and the air around her erupted with a loud bang.
"Wow, your sword proficiency has increased quite a lot," Ryu said, applauding her as he stepped closer.
Gradually, Amaya opened her eyes, focusing on him.
"You aren't bad yourself with your silent approach. How long have you been watching me?" Amaya asked, giving him a sidelong glance.
"Not long," Ryu replied, a smile on his face.
"I didn't notice him until he threw the bottle of water," she thought, casting him a suspicious look.
"In no time, you'll reach your father's level," Ryu said, nodding toward the split plastic bottle.
He remembered watching Amaya's father demonstrate his swordwork when he was younger, marvelling at what he could achieve with a wooden blade.
"In this world, some families never forget their old ways," Ryu thought. "They passed down everything they knew, martial arts, discipline, and ancient techniques, to the younger generation. Many might never use them in their lifetime, yet they still trained with diligence."He glanced toward Amaya. "With her clan's 'Way of the Wind,' she managed to awaken an exclusive skill… and kill seven low-tier goblins just to make it down here. This alone showed how promising her future was."