I stood at the entrance of Kokoro Village, watching as villagers and passersby moved about their daily business. The atmosphere was peaceful, but my thoughts were far from it.This isn’t what I expected…I had hoped that rushing forward and selecting a random portal at the mystical junction would take me straight to Katsuragi, Victory Empire. Instead, I found myself in a village I knew nothing about, with no clue how to navigate my way back to where I was supposed to be.This was not where I was supposed to be. Katsuragi, Victory Empire was my goal, but fate had other plans.Frustration gnawed at me. How could I have been so reckless? I took a deep breath, scanning the unfamiliar surroundings. The scent of cherry blossoms mixed with the faint aroma of burning incense, giving the place a tranquil feel—completely at odds with the storm of thoughts in my head.As I stood there, lost in thought, I hadn't even realized I had started muttering to myself, completely unaware of the bustling a

The following morning, as the village stirred to life with its usual activities, a knock echoed through the house. Kokoro rose to answer it, and from the urgency in her footsteps, I guessed it had something to do with the incident in the forest the previous night. I couldn't quite make out the conversation at the door, but I was certain they were discussing what had happened. From the whispered tones that drifted inside, I caught fragments—mention of the young woman I had saved.Not long after, Kokoro returned, a faint smile tugging at her lips. She disappeared into Grandma Haruko’s room, and though their voices were hushed, I could still hear the faint murmur of their conversation from where I sat.Moments later, both Kokoro and Grandma Haruko emerged, their expressions unreadable as they glanced at me. Grandma Haruko finally spoke, her voice gentle yet firm.“We have a brief meeting to attend,” she said. “Make yourself comfortable. We won’t be long.”I stood up, hesitating. “Could I

The following morning, the villagers and I gathered in the central square, where the remnants of the previous day’s destruction still lingered—charred wood, crumbled stone, and the faint, bitter scent of ash. Despite the physical scars on the village, there was a sense of resilience in the air. Grandma Haruko and Kokoro stood at the forefront, leading the assembly with calm determination.The meeting was called to discuss the village’s rebuilding efforts, but it was clear that the destruction wasn’t the only thing on everyone’s minds. Though the villagers spoke of repairing homes and fortifying defenses, their eyes kept drifting toward me—curious, questioning, awestruck.I could feel their unspoken thoughts hanging heavy in the air.They couldn’t ignore what had happened the day before. The way I had stopped Noboru’s cataclysmic attack without so much as a transformation, the cosmic energy that had radiated from me, and most of all—the impossible. I had revived Grandma Haruko when all

The monstrous roar grew louder, shaking the very ground beneath our feet. Every villager braced themselves, gripping their weapons tighter, knowing that whatever was coming would test the limits of their courage.Kokoro and I exchanged a brief glance—a silent understanding—before turning our focus to the encroaching threat.Then, it arrived.Bursting through the village entrance with terrifying force, the monster boss—a B-rank behemoth with an aura that fluctuated between lunar and planetary levels—made its presence known. Its massive, grotesque form radiated pure destruction, and with a single swipe of its colossal claws, it sent debris and bodies flying.It gave no time for the villagers to react.With its gaping maw, it tore into the first line of defenders, ripping them apart in a gruesome frenzy. Screams filled the air as blood splattered across the ground. The beast then leapt skyward, and as it descended, a cataclysmic shockwave erupted, threatening to level the entire village.

The next day was a whirlwind of activity. Our mission was clear, and the wheels of our plans were set in motion. Despite Kokoro's insistence that I remain behind to help look after the land and Grandma Haruko, I had made up my mind. The mission to Yuki no Mura was one I couldn’t pass up. It was a crucial moment for the federation’s continuous growth, expanding our influence through trade, alliances, and, most importantly, fostering peace in a region that needed our support.Though Kokoro was reluctant, I had convinced her to stay behind, promising to return quickly, and after some back-and-forth, she finally agreed. I was given command of the mission, not only as the leader but also as the spokesperson for Kokoro and our federation, the one who would represent the strength of our people and our commitment to peace.Our destination, Yuki no Mura, lay in the remote, snow-covered mountains of Katsuragi, a village known for its connection to winter magic and its powerful weather-based war