Mystery of Otherworldly Waves: Blood Moon [Volume 1] [END]

Chapter 3: Lured into the Trap

...Chapter 3: Lured into the Trap...

...[.Lured into the Trap]...

...•...

Earlier, a mysterious male figure appears, wrapped in a veil of darkness, and he becomes Yuka's savior. Sheathed in a black robe, his face obscured by shadows, the man exuded an aura of enigma. However, once he defeated the minotaur, it dissolved into the surrounding fog, leaving no trace.

With his heart pounding in his chest, Satoruu rushed to check on Yuka who was on her stomach when she saw the menacing minotaur. Fortunately, he simply slipped and did not suffer any serious injuries.

As Satoruu gently roused Yuka from her sleep, she glanced at Shelina, noticing her frightening demeanor. Something seemed wrong, hidden beneath the surface, as if he was hiding a secret related to the minotaur's lifeless body.

His hands trembled as he instinctively protected his eyes, stepping back slowly with a stiff gait.

Reacting quickly, Yuka enveloped Shelina in a protective embrace, intuitively feeling a mutual unease between them.

Aware of the lurking danger, Satoruu orders Yuka to escort Shelina back home, realizing that it is dangerous for her to remain around it.

After Yuka safely guided Shelina home, Satoruu began to inspect the minotaur's lifeless body. Despite Yuka's previous defences, the creature carries no weapons.

Its shape has no strangeness—just a human face fused with the head and horns of a bull, reminiscent of the minotaur myth of its world knowledge.

"Did Shelina have any trauma? Given his behavior, coupled with the destruction of his home village a year ago, it was possible. But how severe was the trauma to the point that he didn't want to see the carcass of the minotaur?" satoruu murmured, his concern for Shelina deepened.

In the darkness of the night, Satoruu diligently documents his remarkable discovery in this alien realm. From the enigmatic Death Wave to the incredible half-demon race, blessed with innate elemental magic from birth.

After finishing taking notes, Satoruu leaned against the balcony railing of the second-floor room, observing the village below. The cold night air enveloped him, accentuated by the timeless charm of the medieval cityscape.

In this fascinating world, the year stands at 564 Silloe, a dating system similar to AD. The queen's reference to the previous year as 563 Silloe confirms this idea, providing a glimpse of the temporal fabric of this enigmatic world.

Satoruu's gaze was diverted to Shelina who called out to him with her complaining voice. Shelina came to the balcony and told me everything.

It turns out that sure enough, he had a trauma to the destruction of his village 1 year ago. But that was not what caused him trauma, but rather he lost both his parents due to being killed by monsters.

Shelina recounts her past to Satoruu where her parents sacrificed themselves to let her live.

Just then, the Death Wave occurred right in the village of Fironne. Like a virus, a blood moon appears to replace the full moon by propagating to all areas until there is no longer a full moon.

Darkness accompanied that blood moon, all monsters sprung up from all directions and prepared to prey on all the races he encountered.

All the citizens who were there panicked and some of them tried to defeat the monsters that attacked their village. Destruction, fire, and death accompanied the village for a moment.

However, things get worse with the appearance of the destroyer. Shelina did not know who the destroyer was, but she was definitely a man wearing a green shirt. The destroyer brought a three-headed dragon and began to destroy the village helping the monsters.

His parents, who could not resist all this, had to flee, taking him with them. They fled to the river near the border of the kingdom, then saw the ravine below which was the river.

The dragon could catch up with them easily, followed by a minotaur behind the dragon.

Then, her father's hand was blocking Shelina as it was protecting her, while her mother was holding onto Shelina's shoulder. This is where the tragic moment happened.

The two told Shelina that she would definitely meet the people from that other world and would definitely save this world, including her who would be saved by them.

Then after that, his two parents lifted Shelina up and threw her into that deep river. As he was thrown and looked up, the blood of his parents poured out that could be seen from under the abyss.

The terrible death was so hard to accept by this innocent little girl, that even now Satoruu could still see the trauma, fear, and sadness inside her.

Satoruu looked at Shelina's trembling hands and heard her stuttering voice as she told all that. His eyes seemed to be shedding tears of sorrow.

One of his hands gripped the other hand that was trembling tightly as if he was holding back all that sadness.

Unable to see her cry, Satoruu hugged her tightly until she let go of her sadness.

Then, he told Shelina to sleep in her soft voice so that Shelina would no longer think about the tragic incident. Before going to bed, Satoruu asks if he knows where Yuka is.

In her weak voice, Shelina said, "Sir Yuka is in the backyard of the house, under the olive tree."

After laying Shelina on the bed, Satoruu ventured into the backyard, looking for Yuka. True to what Shelina said, she found him sitting under the comfortable embrace of an olive tree (olive tree).

Approaching Yuka and the tree, a calm feeling swept over Satoruu's heart. Yuka, exuding a newfound calmness, greeted him with a bright smile as he approached.

Satoruu shared with him the past Shelina had told him before. Yuka's face darkened upon hearing the news, but she decided that they would not let Shelina experience further grief and disappointment. They vow solemnly to give Shelina a life that suits a child her age, free from pain and fear.

In stark contrast to the events of that night, Satoruu finds solace and gentle warmth in the shade of an olive branch.

"I've made up my mind, Satoruu," Yuka said. "We must indeed save this world and bring peace back, because if we fail, u—"

"Humanity, including us, will be in a critical state" Satoruu said, his determination strong.

Upon hearing these firm words, a smile graced Yuka's lips as she nodded in agreement. Satoruu asserts, with unwavering conviction, that he has also achieved a strong determination to save this world and usher in an era of eternal tranquility.

Next, Satoruu asked Yuka whereabouts in the backyard. However, the moment the question came out of his lips, Yuka's cheeks flushed red, and he timidly fiddled with her hands, letting her hair cover part of his face.

Yuka's gaze turned to the verdant foliage of the olive tree. "I really like olive trees" she admitted gently.

In his view, the olive tree had a deep serenity, not only because of its coolness, but perhaps because of the dim light that adorned its branches. Satoruu concluded that olive trees appear to emit greater luminosity than other plants at night.

"Yuka Olivia and olive tree, your name really symbolizes your relationship with this tree" Satoruu said warmly.

Their laughter intertwined, as they enjoyed the ease and serenity of their conversation.

Yuka finally returned inside the house, while Satoruu remained in the backyard, basking in the silence of the night.

Satoruu brought the sword from the house to the backyard, intending to practice. He began to demonstrate basic sword movements.

"First, attack," he murmured.

He began to slash the wind strongly, causing the sound of wind blowing to be cut by the sword. The wind cut off made him feel even stronger and confident about what they would face next. In addition to the slash, he threw puncture attacks forwards and backwards.

"Second, avoid."

After attacking, he dodged even though there was no one. The avoidance is getting longer and more in tune with the direction the wind is in.

"Last, fend off."

Deftly, he defied the direction of the wind and seemed to block the attack from the wind. Against such a direction advancing in a blizzard, he fended off by changing his way of holding the sword many times.

After that, he stopped the stalk and began to try to combine all the basic movements into a new movement.

"First, take the ready step," his inner self.

Satoruu mounted the horses and prepared the sword in a ready-to-fight position. The night wind is not too strong, but cold. However, all that coldness could not break his spirit, his body, nor his soul.

He opened his eyes when he took the right step. "Second, there is no need to rush to attack the opponent, but rather pay attention to the movements taken by the opponent."

However, not only had he taken the third step, he sighed and left the step ready.

He muttered, "This is not the way."

Satoruu repeated his practice again.

"The first step is not just ready steps, but sigh and calm, huh?" ask Satoruu inwardly.

He kept silent, and looked at what was ahead. Just a wall of a wooden house behind the house, there was no one.

Satoruu had thought, he did not have to worry about whether he could become a savior or not, even a hero or not. He just needs to be himself, and then try to save everyone and the world with himself without being as noble as a savior or a true hero.

With that serenity within, he mounted the horses. Then he closed his eyes, imagining someone was fighting him.

Satoruu can still think of who the mysterious man who saved Yuka was. Magic, the man has great power that is likely to destroy many enemies at once maybe even up to one building.

However, instead of caring who the man was, Satoruu turned the curiosity into a curiosity for the man's strength if he fought with him. If he could surpass it, then he could also protect Yuka and Shelina without having to fear getting hurt.

With a thought later, he opened his eyes again and saw the figure of the mysterious man. Indeed, he could tell if it was just a delusion, but by imagining the figure of the man attacking him, it might be able to make him stronger.

The second movement is not to attack first, just see the way the opponent moves.

Humans have reflex movements that are very useful for humans themselves. Because reflexes are what makes him use the movement to be his way to avoid and fend off attacks that come.

It does take a very appropriate time for all that, one little can be injured even die, but if it is used to it, if it is, humans could dodge or fend off as many attacks as they could if they were not lightning fast. But still, according to him, long-range attacks or supernatural forces will not be avoided if only relying on reflex movements.

Right here, Satoruu demonstrated the third move, dodging all of the opponent's attacks. His eyes could still imagine the figure of the man, yet all the stabs and slashes had nothing to hit him.

The third movement has been carried out, the fourth movement has emerged. Satoruu repelled the slash from the figure of the man.

The fifth movement, deflecting by slightly shifting the sword. Satoruu again deflects but by shifting the tip of the sword, creates friction between the two swords. Scoffing in a slightly evasive manner, he made the figure of the man pushed on thinking he would only fend off as usual.

Then here, the sixth or last move, which is to trick the opponent by opening the gap and then backward. With a sly smile, Satoruu made a gap that allowed it to go behind the man's back by means of the fifth movement earlier.

After the gap opened wide, Satoruu made use of the gap and made it to the back of the man's back. Without giving any time, he slashed the figure of the man right on his back.

The slash was so powerful that it made the figure of the man disappear like a shrinking dark mist. The man was merely the result of Satoruu's imagination, but it seemed that Satoruu had grown stronger because of it.

The next day, Satoruu wakes up and performs activities that can be done in this medieval world.

As he opened the door, a letter lay before the door. The letter was not recognized by whom, there was not even a sender's name there.

The letter read, "You want to know who I am, Dreyl Satoruu? If so, go north beyond the kingdom which is only tens of meters away from the royal wall, then enter the old house, in its basement. You'll find out there."

The person knows his name even including his curiosity, which allows the sender of the letter to be the mysterious man who defeated the minotaur.

Satoruu gave the letter to the two of them—Yuka and Shelina— who were inside the house.

Yuka asked, "North near the royal entrance gate?"

It is possible that in the north there is a house or whatever it is, because the distance is quite close to the royal gate. Agreed, they set out north, along with Viona whom they met while on the way.

As they ventured further north, they were greeted by the sight of an ancient house standing solemnly in the distance. Satoruu takes the lead, with Shelina and Viona at the back, while Yuka stays by his side.

Upon reaching their destination, they found an entrance hidden underground. Descending into the depths, they find themselves in a spacious room, shrouded in darkness despite the numerous torches adorning the walls.

Eager to continue, they attempted to approach the door right in front, only to find a majestic gate blocking their path, effectively separating them from Shelina and Viona.

Satoruu and Yuka remained together, but an inexplicable burst of fire suddenly appeared, surrounding Satoruu and forming a barrier separating him from Yuka. He finds himself trapped in a ring of fire, while Yuka stands helplessly outside.

Realizing the dangerous nature of the situation, Satoruu instinctively unsheathed his sword, taking a defensive position, ready to face whatever awaited them next.

Satoruu took a deep breath, bracing himself for the impending danger.

"It's now or never. Face me!" He declared with determination, fully prepared to face whatever lay ahead.

In accordance with his expectations, a sinister dark mist appeared amidst the swirling flames. Slowly, the fog spread, revealing a large minotaur holding a menacing axe, ready to take down Satoruu. This minotaur was unlike any he had ever encountered before, with a towering stature and a huge weapon in hand.

Maintaining his composure, Satoruu focused his attention on the fiery battlefield, ready to engage in battle.

Meanwhile, Yuka stood anxiously behind the ring of fire, her expression filled with terror upon seeing the terrifying minotaur. Satoruu could not deny that he had also never met a minotaur armed with an axe.

Quickly, the minotaur launched its first attack, but Satoruu managed to dodge it. The second attack was also deftly avoided. However, he knew that simply dodging a minotaur attack would be a futile endeavor.

Determined not to waste any time, Satoruu seized the opportunity and thrust his sword towards the minotaur, aiming to execute a decisive attack.

To Satoruu's chagrin, his stab seems to have little effect on the formidable minotaur. The creature only suffered minor injuries, making it unsure how it could overcome this seemingly invincible enemy.

However, the concept of giving up had disappeared from him, and he refused to give up.

Undeterred, he used the techniques he obtained, choosing not to rely on fending off and instead executing a series of learned maneuvers.

Without wasting any time, Satoruu quickly moved to his third step, gracefully dodging every incoming minotaur attack.

In a display of agility and precision, Satoruu managed to avoid every swing of the minotaur axe. Utilizing the right moment, he abandoned his previous tactics, choosing a daring maneuver.

With a leap, he pushed himself onto the minotaur axe, utilizing close range to launch a decisive attack. His sword found its target, piercing one of the minotaur's eyes, eliciting a roar of pain from the towering beast.

As the minotaur wriggled in pain, Satoruu's mind raced, seeking alternative methods to further weaken the creature and gain an advantage. The scorching heat radiating from the circular fire made it difficult to think clearly.

Immersed in contemplation, Satoruu's gaze was glued to the flames. Suddenly, a consciousness hit him. "Wait, the heat .. That's it!"

Realizing that iron and steel were excellent heat conductors, he quickly devised a plan.

Skillfully, he immersed his sword into the blazing flames, allowing the steel to absorb the burning temperature. After being satisfied with the hot state of the sword, he swung the flat side of the sword forcefully at the back of the minotaur.

A thud resounded throughout the room as the sword made contact. The minotaur roared in pain, its tormented cry mixed with the continuous pain from its injured eyes.

"Stay right there, Yuka," Satoruu's orders firmly, his voice full of determination. "It'll be over soon, or at least I hope so."

After numerous attacks on the minotaur, Satoruu finally executed a decisive blow. Pushing himself from the edge of the ring of fire towards the beast, his precise stab pierced his heart, causing an instant death.

As the life force was drained from the minotaur, the flames that once surrounded Satoruu disappeared, disappearing along with the defeated creatures.

Amazingly, despite the heat, Satoruu's sword remained intact, unyielding from melting. It turned out that the blaze was not strong enough to melt the hardy steel. Nevertheless, the searing heat has made its existence known, even by the giant minotaur.

However, to their surprise, it became clear that their ordeal was far from over as a sinister dark mist enveloped the room.

Yuka, caught off guard by the sudden fog, coughed uncontrollably as it infiltrated her lungs.

"What's this fog?" asked Yuka in the middle of her cough.

The arrival of the fog interfered with Satoruu's concentration, causing his mind and vision to waver, putting him in a state of subtle consciousness.

Struggling to regain control of his body, he tensed up his senses and caught a glimpse of a familiar figure within the fog.

"K–kau …." Satoruu.

He sought to focus his shaky form, but considered it a difficult task beyond his current ability.

In the last moments …

...BRAKK!!!...

Satoruu's body rumbled on the ground, the sound of the clinking of the sword accompanying his descent. His senses were chaotic, his body was on his stomach, and his unfocused eyes could only see the hazy lines of the mysterious man.

Slowly, his vision dimmed, making him unable to focus any longer, and his eyelids gave up from exhaustion, closing.

"Excellent, not even a little hurt."

...~Connect~...