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Chapter 11: The White Tiger Mask
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Scene One: Collapse of Control
The giant water sphere was rising above the forest like a miserable moon made of water. Its size kept growing little by little until it covered the entire cave, glimmering under the moonlight in a pale blue color.
Rinyon, exhausted, stepped back.
Rinyon (fearfully): If it falls, we'll die! Focus your mana and try to stop it… I'll help too!
Kiyora planted his feet firmly on the wet ground.
Kiyora: Let's try… together!
Rinyon stretched her hands toward the sphere, and her palms glowed with a faint green light, as if she were weaving threads around the sphere to keep it from collapsing.
But the sphere was massive… extremely massive.
Rinyon (nervous): This sphere… it needs someone of level S to control it!
Kiyora: I don't know what that means… but I'll try.
Then he shouted:
Kiyora: Stop!!
The sphere trembled… slowly descended…
Rinyon (panicking): It's going to crush us!
And suddenly—
A powerful voice tore through the forest:
Voice: Wild Hunt: Fangs of the White Tiger!
In an instant, the sphere split into two halves. Each half flew in a different direction, flowing into the forest like a flood wave. The water uprooted trees from their roots, and the sound of impact echoed like thunder.
Kiyora and Rinyon's eyes widened… They turned…
A man was standing behind them.
He wore traditional kimono, holding a long sword still dripping with water, and on his face was a white tiger mask with glossy black eyes.
He walked forward with calm steps.
Kiyora (worried): Who is that…?
Rinyon: I don't know…
The man approached… then bent slightly toward Kiyora and sniffed the air.
Man: Your scent… foul.
Then he turned to Rinyon… sniffing her as well.
Man: Your scent… fragrant.
Rinyon slapped him instantly.
Rinyon: Stay away from me, you pervert!
Kiyora (angry): What do you mean my scent is foul? And who even are you?!
The man stepped back, spreading his arms left and right while shaking his head lightly.
Man: I am a samurai who lives in the wild. I am 37 years old… and my name is Zokimushi Komara.
Rinyon leaned toward Kiyora and whispered:
Rinyon: He's… a weirdo.
Kiyora: You're right…
Rinyon left them and headed toward the cave—night had fallen, and the air had become colder.
Kiyora followed her.
Rinyon: You succeeded… but not at the level required. You almost killed us.
Kiyora looked at his dusty hands.
Kiyora: At least… it worked. Can we train tomorrow?
Rinyon: Tomorrow we'll look for a city! Don't expect me to live with you in the forest forever.
Kiyora didn't reply. He continued walking in silence.
As for Zokimushi… he was simply walking behind them, dragging a huge dead bear as if pulling a bag of feathers.
Kiyora (shocked): Oi, Rinyon! He's following us!
Rinyon: Just go faster!
They started running… And the man ran behind them, the bear not slowing him down at all.
Kiyora: Why is he chasing us?! What does he want?!
Rinyon: Run! Just run!
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Scene Two: Inside the Cave
Kiyora and Rinyon reached the cave, exhausted. They looked behind them…
No sign of the man.
Kiyora: Finally… we lost him.
Rinyon: He was annoying.
A voice behind them:
Voice: Who are you two talking about?
They jumped in fear and turned around!
The man was standing behind them… with the same calm expression… still holding the dead bear.
Kiyora: W–When did you get here?!
Rinyon: How did he catch up?!
Man: I have a bear. Do you want to eat with me?
Rinyon: Who asked you?!
Man: I wasn't talking to you… I was talking to this young man.
Rinyon lowered her head, her voice trembling:
Rinyon: He… ignored me? This has never happened in my whole life… Everyone is always attracted to me… What changed now?!
Kiyora's stomach growled loudly, saving the moment.
Kiyora: Yes… thank you! You're generous.
Zokimushi (proudly): We men… never abandon each other.
Kiyora: We're going to a city tomorrow.
Zokimushi: Alright.
Kiyora: My name is Haruki Kiyora, and that's Misaki Rinyon.
Zokimushi: And I am Zokimushi Komara, I am—
Kiyora: I already know that.
They lit a fire and sat near it.
Then they started roasting the meat, and after a while, Kiyora began eating greedily.
Kiyora (mouth full): C'mon Rinyon… come eat with us…
Suddenly he began coughing.
Kiyora: Help… the meat… stuck… in—
But his words were unclear because of the food.
Zokimushi: Yes, that's right… eat more!
Kiyora (struggling): The meat… stuck…!
He suddenly collapsed onto the ground!
A small white figure rose above him… a simple face… floating.
Zokimushi (shouting): He died!!! We need first aid!!!
Then he punched Kiyora in the stomach with force—
All the meat pieces shot out at once!
Kiyora (gasping, saliva dripping): Thank you… you saved me…
Zokimushi: Don't mention it…
The camera rises toward the sky… Their laughter echoes in the air… While Rinyon sits alone a bit farther away, frowning.
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Scene Three: The Next Morning
A loud scream shook the place.
Kiyora and Rinyon woke up in panic.
Kiyora: What happened?!
They found Zokimushi standing at the cave entrance… shouting enthusiastically.
Man: Let's go find a city!!!
Kiyora reacted immediately, grabbed the man's shoulders, and danced with him:
Kiyora & Zokimushi:
Oi! Let's go find a city!
Oi! Let's move together!
It was the worst song possible.
Rinyon (holding her head): Kiyora has gone crazy ever since he met this man!
Then she screamed:
Rinyon: SHUT UUUUP!!!
Both of them stopped instantly, like terrified cats.
Kiyora leaned toward the man and whispered:
Kiyora: Listen… try to stay away from her when she gets angry… she becomes a dangerous monster.
Zokimushi (serious whisper): Understood…
Rinyon: What are you two whispering about?
Kiyora: Nothing… I just told him to get ready for the trip.
She raised an eyebrow.
Rinyon: Are you sure?
Kiyora: Yes… I'm sure.
Rinyon: Alright… let's go.
She picked up a basket she made from tree leaves, put the remaining meat inside, and left the cave.
Kiyora followed… then Zokimushi, who was following them.
The camera slowly pulls away… Showing the three of them walking between the trees toward the wide world.
To be continued…
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