Kitakyushu Dungeon—-
Shino, Baruto, and Bakuō approached Zaria, with the former staring directly at Han. "Him? Why is he here? You all brought HIM?"
Zaria shrugged. "Even if we tried, we can't get rid of him. Master's orders."
Shino pointed a finger straight at Han. "But it's HIM! The same asshole who switched up and locked us in a cage!"
Han rubbed the back of his head. "S—sorry about that."
Shino's eyes immediately hardened, and she tried to charge at Han, but Baruto yawned and used one arm to stop her. "Let me go! You…you bastard!"
"Please, sis!" Bakuō begged. "Calm down!"
"Meh," Baruto said, lazily. "I just don't wanna clean up the mess…"
Zaria looked between Shino and Han. "Girl, I know how you feel, but this ain't really like…the best time. We've gotta get stronger, and besides, it's not like he has his Jugen anymore."
"Huh?"
Han looked away. "Yep. Totally powerless. Can't even summon my cube if I wanted to, so, no need to worry about me."
Shino separated herself from Baruto, looking Han up and down. "Good! You deserve it! Maybe being a powerless, useless human is exactly what you need! Because clearly you think you're better than everyone else!"
"I—-?"
Shino punched Han in the jaw. "And that's for leaving me back at HQ, jerk!"
"Oh," Zaria realized. "I didn't know you could throw hands like that!"
"Neither did I," Han moaned. "Or I'd have just gone a different route entirely…"
Shino took a deep breath. "Now we can keep going. But keep that thing away from me."
She shot Han a dirty look.
"No powers, and no respect," Han thought. "It's probably what I deserve, but hey, could things get any worse?"
The group looked around the area. Snow fell from the mountaintops, and small snowflakes began to cling to the group's skin.
"S—so cold," Bakuō shuddered.
"It's just a little snow," Shino scoffed. "Relax, you'll survive. We've gotta worry about the actual threats in this dungeon anyway."
She erased some of the snowflakes with her fingers. "Hope we get the nice end of the stick."
A clump of snow fell from one of the mountains, but Baruto summoned his sword and cleaved it in two without even looking. Han scanned the area.
"What's the goal here?" he thought. "Never mind. I'm useless. I shouldn't have come here. I'll just hold everyone back."
〈Rule: Capture the Target.〉
"Target?" Shino remarked. "What? Are we chasing after some bunnies or something?"
"People do that?" Zaria replied.
"I do. They're so cute."
The snowy winds grew more frigid and powerful as the mountains split apart to reveal a small cottage in the distance. A glowing waypoint emerged from it, and so did a bridge leading to the cottage.
"I—is that the way?" Bakuō asked.
"Guess so," Zaria told him. "Get a move on, people."
As everyone began heading for the cottage, Han cleared his throat, looking at the ground. "Actually, I'll just hang back."
"Seriously?" Zaria snapped.
"Yeah. Remember? I've got no Jugen, and if I try to step in, I'll just make things worse, like I always do."
"So, hide like a coward?" Zaria spat. "How will that make up for what you did?"
"It won't," Shino interrupted. "But he can't take accountability for his mistakes, and frankly, I don't wanna hear his excuses. Let's just go."
She headed off for the cottage, with Bakuō following. Baruto stayed back. "Might as well watch him, right?"
"Do whatever," Shino scoffed. "Just be careful."
Zaria glared at Han. "I can't believe you."
And without another word, she stormed off toward the cottage, leaving the two boys alone. Han turned toward Baruto. "Thanks for having my back, I guess."
"I stayed because I didn't feel like walking."
"Oh."
Han sat on the ground. "I really messed up, dude. I don't know why I took things into my own hands. I wanted to be some sort of hero, but all I did was turn into a villain."
"Yep," Baruto agreed.
"Now I'll never gain Zaria's, Rika's, Shino's, or anyone's trust back! And I'm sure my Master sees me as a burden at this point. A total idiot."
"Correct."
"Some reassurance you are, dude."
"Eh? Oh. I wasn't paying much attention, to be honest. I heard something about something, and whatnot."
Han rubbed his face. "Should have expected as much. But, I do have a question. If you were to deeply violate the trust of those you care about, how would you go about fixing it?"
Baruto yawned. "I wouldn't."
"You…what?"
"Putting on a front is pointless. They'll see through it anyway. And even if they don't, it's so exhausting to try so hard to get people to do what they don't wanna do."
Han froze. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying, if they wanna forgive you, they will. If they don't, they don't. Just do what you normally do, live your life, and if crap goes left, it just does."
Han grabbed his head. "Yeah, maybe you're right. Maybe I've been trying too hard to look guilty, show them I've changed, and be more trustworthy. Even when I shot myself, it felt like I was seeking validation…but…yeah, it's time to stop. It's time to live as Han again. Even without my Jugen."
Baruto yawned and lay his body down on the floor. "Time for a nap. You have fun thinking about your situation. Whatever it is:"
Not long after, Han could hear him snoring, and noticed that Baruto was fast asleep. "How can a guy like that even become a Kaitansha? He must have serious skill."
Han's eyes drifted to the cottage. "I do hope they're safe, though. I don't know what I'll do if I lose them."
Cottage—-
Shino slightly opened the door. "Hello? Someone here? Preferably something cute and harmless?"
No response. Bakuō peeped over her shoulder. "There aren't any monsters in here, right, Sis?"
"Obviously not. What kind of monster lives in a place like this?"
Shino examined the cottage. There was a small kitchen, a bed in the corner, a table with bread scattered across it, and a fireplace.
Zaria caught up to them. "What we got?"
"A dusty, ragged ass house. Bakuō, can you sniff around? There's gotta be something to clue us in on who we're after."
Bakuō nervously shifted into a boar, sniffing the ground and thumping across the floor.
"Wow, that's pretty badass," Zaria complimented. "Your brother must be kicking tons of ass!"
"I wish," Shino sighed. "Between his scared crap and Baruto's lazy crap, it's hard watching both your brothers every single day."
"Wish I could relate. Sōshin's like the closest thing I've got to that. But he doesn't cause many problems. Aside from when we first met, and he tried to turn me and Rika into computers."
"I'd trade him in a heartbeat for my brothers," Shino joked. "Your Division is like, so much cooler than mine. And your Master, gosh is he hot."
"Shino!" Zaria blurted out.
"What? Sorry, was that the wrong time?"
Zaria brushed the hair out of her face. "Yes. But…you're not wrong, heh."
As the two girls talked, Bakuō came back, tumbling into Shino and knocking her over. "Oof!"
"Ow."
"Ahh! Sorry, sis!"
Shino brushed the dirt off her clothing. "Ridiculous. Did you find anything, Bakuō?"
"No! I checked everywhere! I promise! There's no trace of anyone—-!"
"Ahem."
A sharp voice cut through the air, and the entire group whirled to face it. Standing at the door was Rui, wearing a tattered robe. Shino and Bakuō immediately recognized him.
"You!" they exclaimed.
"Who is this?" Zaria questioned.
"May I ask why you stepped into my residence?" Rui commented. "I was just coming from a wonderful stroll."
Shino got into a defensive stance as Bakuō hid behind her. "Wonderful stroll my ass, how on earth did you get here?"
"Well, I am one of the Mujijsha Elite. I don't understand why you would be so surprised I ended up in a dungeon. Remember what I told you? Dungeons are our homes."
Rui walked over to one of his cabinets, pulling out some pastries and setting them on the table. "Do you care for some snacks, any of you?"
"I'm getting trap vibes," Zaria grunted.
"Definitely," Shino nodded.
"Ouch," Rui stated, holding his chest. "To think I would poison you in my own home? Come now, dungeon encounters don't always have to result in combat. Take a seat."
"Do we make a move?" Zaria whispered.
"I say yes," Shino insisted.
"But he really hurt Ms. Yuka!" Bakuō reminded her. "He'll do the three of us even worse! And besides, all we have to do is capture him, not beat him!"
Shino and Zaria stared at him.
"Really hate agreeing with my brother," Shino relented. "But he's right. This man is a real problem."
"Okay, but don't let him bait you," Zaria warned. "If we gotta fight, we fight. Simple."
Zaria, Shino, and Bakuō all sat down at the table as Rui did the same, pouring several cups of tea as he passed them to the children. Rui sat before them, sipping a cup of his own.
"I'm surprised you've all lived so long," Rui noted. "Young Kaitansha don't usually survive multiple high-level raids."
He looked at Zaria. "Especially you. The name is Zaria, right?"
"Yeah. You got a problem or something?"
"Hardly!" he chuckled. "It's very impressive. One as talented as yourself does not appear often. Even managed to take down a colleague of mine. Emerald, no?"
"Sure did."
His attention turned to Shino and her brother. "The same applies to you two as well. This era of Kaitansha is truly remarkable indeed."
"What do you mean by 'era?'"
Rui took another sip of tea and placed a pastry into his mouth. "Surely you must know dungeons are incredibly old, no? Over my long existence, I've seen multiple generations of those you call Kaitansha. And even those who predate the organization."
"Well, you definitely look old," Shino mocked. "But dungeons are only 100 years old, so you can't be THAT old."
Rui chuckled. "It's true, the first dungeon appeared on your planet a century ago. But appearance does not mean creation."
"What—?"
"Thousands of years ago, two entities worked together to create a realm. A beautiful, bountiful kingdom. The place of origin for all dungeons."
"Where is this going?" Zaria demanded.
"One had control over the creation of dungeons. Another had control over their destruction. The realm thrived, blossomed, and rapidly expanded under the ones you know as the Jōi."
Rui's face suddenly hardened. "But one day, the destroyer and the Jōi turned against the others. Deemed us a threat to both the realm and the people within. A foolish accusation, one that was swiftly repaid in kind."
For a brief moment, Zaria could almost see fire in Rui's eyes as the latter continued speaking. "Regardless, both the kingdom and its rulers were reduced to ash. But unfortunately, one, the most dangerous of all, remains to this day. A blight, a curse, the destroyer that turned against its own…"
Rui stared directly at Zaria. "The man you call Omariro Nyugawa."
Zaria covered her mouth, and both Shino and Bakuō gasped.
"What? Is it, true? Master's actually a god?"
"Hold on," Shino interjected. "A god? I know Mr. Nyugawa is amazing and super hard to kill, but you're telling me that's not because he's just some overpowered badass?"
"He cannot be allowed to leave this place alive," Rui declared. "So, I shall give you a choice, young ones."
Rui stood up, his smile turning into a creepy grin.
"Give him up, and I shall personally guide you through Kitakyushu myself."
Zaria sat there, silently, as Shino slammed her hand on the table. "Are you crazy? We'd never betray him!"
"Y—yeah!" Bakuō agreed, before retreating behind his sister.
Zaria clenched her fist. "Master…I love you, but I need answers."
She formed her spear. "But telling me to sacrifice my Master? That's signing a death wish, jerk."
Rui gave a disappointed sigh. "Unfortunate. He's already taken hold of you."
Zaria jabbed her spear at Rui, who caught it with ease. "Then I guess it seems I'll have to beat the sense into you."
His body began to shift.
"Show me what you can do, 'children!'"
Before anyone could react, the entire cottage collapsed into pieces.
——