" AHHH! "
A shrill and high-pitched scream came from behind us all. Code had still been fighting the last of the Killer Bears he set out to exterminate while RJ had just put his massive weapon back onto his shoulder.
Wrapping our heads around and looking toward the scream, all that filled our views was crimson red. Unbeknownst to the rest of our party, a Killer Bear had managed to move undetected and attack Santa, the physically weakest of our band of Adventurers.
" Santa! "
My voice crawled out of my throat, my body straining to stand up completely.
Santa had been struck down. While Santa could have been an Elf with magical abilities, none of that would matter if they were knocked completely unconscious by the swiping attack of the Killer Bear. Santa's chest must've been ripped open as the ground and the creature's claws had been stained in the deep red liquid that resided within the Elf.
" Juri! If you try any further, you'll start draining even more of your Aura. "
Haruo's words struck me. Did that mean I couldn't help?
" Even if RJ is still here, that doesn't mean I can sit down and let others do all the work. "
" But there's no need. "
" If I want to become the strongest, I have to work hard despite whoever may be there. "
RJ took a step forward, however, before he could—
" I've got this! I'm coming, Santa! "
I had put my arm out in front of him, preventing him from going any further. While he could easily have moved me—he didn't.
Upon beginning to release small amounts of Aura, my body started to feel heavier. It was like my Aura had become tangible and weighed me down every step of the way. However, I didn't focus on it. Instead, I gripped the handle of my sword tighter and packed Aura tightly into my leg. Using a burst of physical effort alongside the application, I could feel something new.
* SHOCK *
A developed, searing, and mind-numbing pain flooded my body. Unlike before where it had simply been strain and exhaustion, now it was pain and intolerable agony.
" Keep pushing... "
Before the Killer Bear could even attempt to make another attack on Santa, I had already acted.
* SLICE *
In one fell swoop, I had carried myself forward. Using the experience of organ-strengthening and running at full speed, jumping from tree to tree, closing distance while fighting Code, and splitting a Killer Bear in half with Aura...I managed to complete a full sword stroke while in motion, carrying both momentum and power.
" Flashstep... "
The Killer Bear, at first, stayed completely still. However, after it had fallen, the head slid off, crashing into the ground with a wet plopping sound accompanied by the heft of the skull's weight.
" The kid's got guts. "
" His potential is unreal. "
Now all I could hear were faint voices. I had been so focused on moving in one swift motion that everything except my target blurred together.
" Is...Santa okay? "
" Yeah, he's going to be just fine. "
Falling back and sitting down, I clutched my sword tighter, feeling my eyelids get heavier.
" I'll get stronger... "
And my consciousness faded.
. . .
" Hey! He's waking up! "
My head had been throbbing, feeling as if it were in a vice. Straining to open my eyes, I had the pleasure of being greeted by steel blue hair falling in front of my face. Peering down at me were the ruby-red eyes of Santa. It looked as though they were damn-near laying on top of me trying to make sure I was okay.
" S-Santa...I didn't get injured...You can get up... "
" But you collapsed! "
" Of course I did—I overexerted myself...But I had to. "
" But...why? The others were there! "
I paused. Why had I done it? Looking off to the side I thought for a moment about the past.
" If every time something happened in front of me...and I did nothing because others were around—I'd be just like them. "
" Just...like them? "
While I had been starting to lift, Santa was forced to move. My body still had twinges of pain in the muscles that were used most actively, including, but not limited, to my calves.
" How are your wounds, Santa? "
Santa lifted their shirt slightly, bandages being visible.
" Thanks to you the others were able to get to me quickly and tend to me. Since I used some Aura and a bit of my magic, I hadn't suffered a wound too grievous. "
" That's a relief... "
" It still hurts though! "
Santa's soft voice laughed. While they did, I looked at them more intently. Supple fair skin, radiant and unblemished that had seemed to glow. A deep yet cool-toned blue hairstyle that framed Santa's face while leaving both their eyes uncovered. And the delicate features that shaped down to their body.
" Uhm...Juri? "
" W-Wha?! Sorry! "
" Huh? Sorry for what? I just noticed something outside rustling around. "
I had thought Santa caught on to my staring. Listening in, I focused only on my ears. There were two sets of footprints.
We had been just sitting out in the forest, pretty much camping underneath a large tree that acted as a canopy for us. Anyone could sneak up on us and we would be sitting ducks.
Santa was injured and I still wasn't sure if I could even use Aura as needed.
" Calm down, sharp-eyes. "
My scowl and tightened face relaxed and turned into relief when they came from around one of the trees.
" RJ! Code! "
Santa perked up, now letting out a sigh of relief.
" Yo! "
RJ spoke out to Santa before walking past them and toward me.
" Hey R- "
* WHAM *
" W-what was that for?! "
RJ had punched me square in the face, knocking me down to the ground. All I could do was rub my cheek as the metal gauntlet had just caved in the side of my cheek.
" When you put yourself at risk to save someone else, all you're doing is creating TWO people to save! Anyone who thinks sacrifice is the best way to save someone is simply creating more problems for the people around them! "
" . . . "
Silence overtook. Lifting myself back up into a seated position again, I could feel the stinging on my cheek...but it didn't compare to the pain in my chest.
" Sorr- "
" And don't ever say sorry for saving someone! Just keep that in mind next time. You should always work within your means to ensure both you and the person you're saving will be safe. "
" You're right, I'll do better next time. "
Because of my actions, I had been rendered unconscious while Santa had still been injured. Things could've gone very differently for both of us if RJ and Code hadn't been there.
Even when I did do something...I still amounted to nothing in the end.
" Don't beat yourself up over it, Juri. You're strong. You just need experience. "
Code began talking from beside Santa, his arms crossed as he relaxed his tense shoulders. He too must've been worried about the both of us.
" Code... "
I put all the strength I could into standing after that punch and then lowered my head, bowing to both RJ and Code.
" Thank you! "
. . .
* SPLASH *
Since we were in a familiar area for me, I took a moment to stroll off toward one of the rivers flowing through the forest. RJ and Code had apparently both gone out ahead of Santa and me while we were resting to check and clear out any more pests. The Killer Bears we had found were the last bit of monster-beasts that persisted in the area so it had now been pretty safe to wander about.
Darkness had taken over the skies and it was now very clearly night time.
" Haruo...You've been silent for way too long. "
After taking some water and washing my face off from all the dirt and grime that had been on it, I tried speaking to my partner.
" Haruo! "
" You don't have to scream. I'm always here. "
" Well, what are you thinking about then? "
" . . . "
" If it's because I didn't listen again— "
" No. It's not that. I was just thinking...I didn't take you seriously before. "
That came as a shock. Was Haruo even the type to admit something like that?
" Your resolve to become stronger goes much deeper than just wanting to see your friends, doesn't it? "
…
" Yeah. "
" Then what is it? I thought all you cared about was getting back to your friends...But if you did, why would you needlessly save Santa? "
That was a hard question. I knew the answer, but could I put it into words? I felt my chest tighten and my words got caught in my throat.
" In this world...If I become stronger, I'll be able to put a smile on everyone's face. "
" What? "
" In my old world, everyone's always dealing with something. Whether it be financial struggles or social issues...And I was always powerless to help anyone. "
Especially those who needed it the most.
" But my friends? They accepted me for what I had. They needed me to put a smile on their faces. And that was enough for me. "
Looking at the sword left to me by the original Juri, I could feel a wellspring of emotions coming up.
" Here it's different. I don't have my friends...but I still want people to be happy. Here in this world, I have power. Real...tangible power. And after hearing that story about the Hero Reeva...I realize now that I can help even more people. "
" So you don't care about seeing your friends anymore? "
" No. I want to see them more than anything—more than anyone ever could. But I've chosen to get stronger for everyone else in this world too. "
" I was wrong about you. "
" Huh...? "
" I thought you were a coward. Selfish and cowardly. Only planning to get stronger for the sake of fulfilling our deal and getting back to your crutches. "
" Hey! "
" But! You've proven that you're more than that. So...I want to grant you something. "
Haruo stopped talking after that, suddenly going completely silent with no further word. And honestly, not even I could continue speaking.
Before long, a light came from the eye that Haruo had seemingly resided within. The light grew brighter and brighter, illuminating the whole darkened forest in front of me, reflecting upon the water.
" W-What the— "
And as I spoke, the light began to dim.
" Look into the river, Juri. "
I did as told, kneeling and holding my head over the water to look into it, at my face.
There was the star-like illumination from before, except this time it was much more present.
" I've granted you a portion of my Celestial powers. By doing this, I'm offering up a part of my very soul to you. If you die, I'll lose a vast majority of my capabilities. "
" Haruo... "
" You've given me your name to carry on. And I've given you my very soul. I plan to make you stronger, Juri Zo. Let's make everyone happy together. "
Haruo's words struck my very core. Not only did he seemingly trust me enough to grant me such abilities but he even wanted to help in sharing my goals.
" Then Haruo, let's do this together. "
" I'll teach you how to use my abilities tomorrow. For now, let's return to the party. "
" Right! "
. . .
The four-man party I had been in for the past day had successfully returned to the Guild Hall. Carrying a Killer Bear skull with us, courtesy of RJ the Giant holding it, we confirmed the completion of the job and also confirmed my capabilities as an Adventurer.
Sebastian had given me full marks, despite my blunder, crowning me as a rising rookie in the Adventurer world.
" If you ever need more men for a job, you know where to call for us! "
" Don't be afraid to ask for another sparring session. I'll take you on any time. "
Both Code and RJ gave me words of affirmation and support as they left the Guild Hall to take on another job and I thanked them profusely for it.
However, Santa had not left yet.
" Juri...I have another job for you. "
A few days after Code and RJ had left the Hall, during both my rest and training within the Hall's provided room, focusing on the new training that Haruo had determined for me, I got a knock on the door.
Santa had been there when I opened it, looking up at me, their eyes practically pleading for me to listen.
" Sure...what's up? "
" I need you to come to the Capital of The Human Territory with me. I need you to come with me to Asteria. "
" ? "
CHAPTER 18 END