Around sixty low reberu Merus monsters had surrounded Akaimo.
They had grabbed him—twisting his arms, legs, and body unnaturally.
He was moments away from being killed.
Before it could happen—
Waku stepped forward.
His eyes glowed purple.
Waku:
"Mind Lock."
Every monster froze instantly.
Not a single one could move.
The forest went silent.
Waku:
"Mental Spike."
Invisible waves surged through the air—
Not seen… but felt.
One by one, the monsters collapsed.
Within thirty seconds, all of them were dead.
Everyone rushed toward Akaimo.
Shino:
"Are you okay?!"
Akaimo:
"They broke my legs… my hands… my fingers…"
"Leave me… continue the mission…"
"I'll be dead in a few minutes… I love you gu—"
Before he could finish—
Jeisuke:
"Forest Healing."
He placed his hand on Akaimo.
The forest around them was extremely dense, making the technique's effectiveness overwhelming.
Broken bones reset.
Twisted fingers straightened.
Wounds closed—like magic.
Jeisuke (crying):
"Don't you ever say something like leaving us again."
Waku:
"Who told you to follow that voice?"
"It was a trap."
"Shinji warned us about this already."
Akaimo:
"…It was my mother's voice."
"She was screaming for help."
Silence.
No one spoke.
Shino:
"We understand how you felt…"
"But please—don't do this again."
He turned to Shizuku.
Shino:
"Shizuku, bandage his wounds."
Shizuku:
"Come here, Akaimo."
The group decided to take a short break while Shizuku treated him.
She lowered her voice.
Shizuku:
"Are you dumb…?"
"When you ran away, everyone was worried."
"Be careful next time."
"Maybe not for yourself… but for us."
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
Akaimo looked away, embarrassed.
He didn't look at her face.
He didn't see how much he had hurt her.