In a sudden burst of panic, a woman let out a piercing shout that echoed through the bustling street. "Help! He stole my wallet! Stop that thief!"
Passersby turned their heads in alarm as she pointed desperately at the thief, who smirked deviously and bolted away with her wallet.
The thief, in a frantic rush, looked ahead and saw a kid blocking his way. Frustrated, he shouted and insulted the child, "Move, you little brat! Out of my way!" He desperately wanted to escape with the stolen wallet.
The child, undeterred by the thief's insults, stood firm, locking eyes with the criminal. As the thief lunged forward to kick the kid out of his path, the child swiftly sidestepped, causing the thief to lose his balance and stumble. Seizing the opportunity, the quick-thinking child skillfully knocked the thief off balance, sending him sprawling to the ground. In a surprising turn of events, the kid grabbed the stolen wallet from the thief's hand.
The triumphant kid held up the stolen wallet and looked down at the dishevelled thief with a mischievous grin. "Looks like you got pretty unlucky crossing paths with me, huh?"
Just then, a security guard who had been alerted by the commotion arrived at the scene. The guard wasted no time and swiftly apprehended the thief, firmly tying him up to ensure he wouldn't escape.
The kid confidently handed the stolen wallet to the security guard, who took it with a thankful nod. As the guard examined the wallet to make sure nothing was missing, he looked at the young hero and asked, "You've done a great job, young man. What's your name?"
With a proud smile, the kid responded, "I'm Kirito. Kirito Kuroha."
Kirito Kuroha, the young hero of the day, walked alone through the bustling streets of Midgar Kingdom. With a sense of accomplishment, he savoured a crisp apple as he strolled along, the sun casting a warm glow on the cobblestone paths. Passersby who had witnessed his bravery gave him approving nods and smiles as he passed.
Kazuto's POV:
As I reflect on the past month, I can't help but feel a mix of confusion and determination. It's been almost a month since I got mysteriously transported into this world. The transition was abrupt, and disorienting, and frankly, I still can't fully grasp the how and why of it all.
The mysterious voice that echoed in my mind during that inexplicable journey insisted that I was brought here for a purpose. My mission, as it claimed, was to confront and dismantle a shadowy organization known as The Cult of Diablos. Little did I know then just how deep and insidious this cult's influence stretched.
As I thought about my strange predicament, one of the first peculiarities I noticed in this new world was my sudden transformation into a child. I had no connections or ties to anyone in this unfamiliar realm. Strangely, it felt like a deliberate choice to keep me unattached, perhaps to make it easier for me to focus on my mission.
In this world, much like S.A.O, it's a realm steeped in a medieval age, where magic reigns supreme. While I was familiar with such surroundings from my virtual gaming experiences, living it with every fibre of my being was an entirely different sensation. The very essence of this world felt both enchanting and perilous.
The creatures and the races of this world were wide and diverse. Majestic dragons were soaring through the skies, mystical elves with their ethereal grace, sturdy dwarves delving deep into the earth, and beastkin, beings with a fusion of human and animal traits. Each of these races added a layer of complexity to my mission, making me realize the enormity of the challenges that lay ahead.
As I became more familiar with my surroundings, I decided to adopt a name in this world. Drawing inspiration from my gaming days, I chose the name Kirito as my first name and added the surname Kuroha. This would be my new identity in this unfamiliar and mystical realm.
My first step in this world was gaining knowledge as much as possible. It seemed that along with my young body I was gifted with quick adaptive abilities and I was a quick learner.
My schedule was packed, but I knew that I needed to finish this mission as soon as possible. During the day, I read books and practised my magic skills. It was hard at first, but once I got the hang of it, I managed to do pretty well. I can say that I grew fond of my wind-type magic. The sensation of controlling the air around me and conjuring gusts was exhilarating.
During the night, I dedicated myself to honing my sword skills. Sometimes I couldn't help but wonder if I made the wrong choice by not continuing my kendo practice with my uncle. However, I was grateful for the skills I had developed in games like SAO, which honed my swordsmanship. Despite the challenges of my small child's body, I could already see significant improvements in my abilities, and it gave me hope that I was on the right path to confront the enigmatic Cult of Diablos.
My power seemed to grow day by day, and soon enough, I noticed I wasn't the typical ordinary kid around here. Concealing my true power became my best option. Unlike SAO, where I could hide my data and personal info, in this world, I couldn't do it that easily. It was crucial to maintain a low profile, as I knew that the cult's eyes could be anywhere, watching for any sign of a threat. So, I continued to train and study, all the while carefully hiding the true extent of my abilities.
One day, after saving a merchant from a bandit's attack, he expressed his gratitude and offered me the opportunity to choose anything from his inventory as a reward. With great care, I selected five unique rings from his collection. These rings possessed the extraordinary ability to seal any power, and I saw their potential immediately. Quietly and discreetly, I harnessed the rings' magic to conceal and safeguard my true abilities.
After a month, I was prepared to start my mission, determined to uncover more about this enigmatic Cult and its mysterious goals.
POV end...
Kirito walked through the bustling market centre of the city. He was cautious of any suspicious activity and keenly aware of the conversations and rumours that swirled around him. The market was a hub of information, and he knew that he needed to gather any leads or hints.
As Kirito strolled through the market, he couldn't help but overhear a hushed conversation among a group of men nearby. They spoke in low tones, their faces tinged with worry.
"We need to find some sacrifices soon," one of them murmured, casting furtive glances around.
Another man nodded in agreement, his voice equally discreet. "The cult won't tolerate any delays. We'll be in deep trouble if we don't meet their demands."
Kirito's heart raced as he realized that he might have stumbled upon a crucial piece of information. Sacrifices and the cult's demands piqued his interest. He discreetly continued to listen, hoping to gather more details.
Kirito, sensing the importance of the conversation, decided to get closer, all the while maintaining a cautious distance. As he subtly moved closer to the group of men, he kept an ear on their conversation.
Just as he was about to catch more of their discussion, a girl's voice pierced through the market's noise, shouting loudly, "Make way! Open the path!"
Kirito was caught off guard by the sudden shout and turned to see the source of the commotion. As he looked in the direction of the voice, he saw a young girl carrying baskets filled with various meats, rushing through the crowded market.
Before he could react, in the blink of an eye, the girl collided with him. The baskets of meat and the young girl tumbled to the ground, scattering cuts of meat in all directions. Kirito, surprised by the collision, quickly extended a hand to help her up.
"Are you okay?" he asked, a hint of concern in his voice.
As Kirito extended his hand to help the girl, he noticed her features more closely. She was somehow around the same age as him, and her unique appearance immediately caught his attention. She had sleek black hair that paired with large wolf ears, and a thick black tail protruded from the back of her dress. It was clear that she was a bestskin.
The girl, seemingly uninterested in Kirito's assistance, quickly picked herself up from the ground. She shot an exasperated glance at the bags of meat now strewn across the cobblestones.
"Delta ruined her meal again!" she exclaimed with an exaggerated sigh, her wolf ears drooping sadly as if she were mourning the fallen meat. "She was bringing these to her pack, and now it's going to be a vegetarian night, or worse, tofu. Ugh!"
Kirito couldn't help but chuckle at the girl's dramatic reaction to the mishap.
The girl's irritation seemed to grow as she noticed Kirito's presence. She shot him a sharp, accusatory glare, her wolf-like eyes flashing with anger.
"You!" she seethed, her voice low and furious. "You're the reason this happened! "
Kirito, taken aback by the girl's sudden accusation, raised his hands in a placating gesture. "Wait, I was just passing by, and I didn't mean to... um, cause this."
As he spoke, he couldn't help but notice something about the girl. There was an unmistakable aura of strength and sharpness in her gaze that hinted at a formidable power lurking beneath the surface. It was clear she wasn't an ordinary child, and Kirito felt a wave of curiosity mixed with caution.
Amid the ongoing commotion, another voice pierced through the bustling market. "Delta! There you are!" A girl with striking purple eyes and blue hair tied into pigtails came running, her chest heaving from the exertion of her sprint. She was a beautiful elf around the same age as Kirito and the girl with wolf-like features.
Delta's ears perked up, and she turned to face the approaching elf girl. "Epsilon, you found Delta!" Delta exclaimed, her anger momentarily forgotten as she rushed to meet her friend.
Epsilon, still catching her breath, shot a slightly annoyed look at Delta as she reached her. "Delta, you always manage to find trouble even in a perfectly normal situation," she said, her tone exasperated.
Delta blinked, her wolf-like ears drooping again, this time in a more submissive manner. "Delta knows, Epsilon, but it's not always her fault! This time, it was... him!" She pointed an accusatory finger at Kirito.
Kirito, feeling slightly put on the spot, tried to explain himself. "I promise, I didn't mean to cause any trouble. It was an accident. I was just passing by when your friend bumped into me."
Epsilon let out a sigh, a hint of irritation in her expression. She shook her head as if the situation could have been easily avoided.
She then turned to Delta and spoke in a commanding tone, "Delta, apologize to the poor guy. Accidents happen, and you should take responsibility for your actions."
Delta glanced at Epsilon with an expression that clearly conveyed her reluctance to apologize. She looked the other way, refusing to make eye contact with Kirito, and spoke defiantly.
"Why should Delta apologize to him, Epsilon? He stinks of weakness," she said with a dismissive tone, her wolf-like eyes narrowing. "Delta doesn't owe him anything."
Kirito was taken aback by Delta's blunt assessment of him, but he decided not to escalate the situation further.
Kirito, maintaining his calm demeanour, spoke to Delta with a reassuring smile. "It's okay, really. Accidents happen, and there's no need to worry about it. I should have been more careful too. Let's just put this behind us."
As Kirito and the two girls exchanged words, an unusual tension seemed to permeate the air around them. It was as if an invisible force was at play, tugging at their instincts, warning them of impending danger. Delta, with her keen senses, was the first to react.
She suddenly stiffened, her wolf-like ears erect, and her sharp eyes darted around as if searching for an unseen threat. Epsilon, sensing her friend's unease, looked at Delta with concern.
"Delta, what's wrong?" Epsilon asked, her voice laced with worry.
Delta's response was quick and chilling. "Delta smells evilness in the air, a darkness lurking nearby."
As Delta's warning hung in the air, a sudden, chilling gust of wind rustled through the bustling market, and then, in an instant, a sharp, long spear came hurtling through the air, aimed directly at them. Epsilon's sharp intuition kicked in, and she shouted in alarm, "Hey, move away!"
In a split second, Kirito's reflexes kicked into overdrive. He noticed a nearby meat cleaver displayed on a vendor's stall, and without hesitation, he snatched it up. With a lightning-fast motion, he used the meat cleaver to parry the incoming spear attack, the blade of the cleaver meeting the spear's shaft with a resounding clash.
The impact sent shockwaves through Kirito's small frame, but he held his ground, protecting the girls from the danger. The spear's pointy head harmlessly clattered to the ground.
The two girls, Delta and Epsilon, stared in shock at Kirito's incredible display of reflexes and strength. Their eyes widened, and their expressions shifted from initial irritation to amazement.
Epsilon, in particular, couldn't help but think to herself, This guy... he's got an aura about him, something I've only sensed once before. Shadow-sama.
With a swift and decisive movement, Kirito spun around and launched the meat cleaver with remarkable speed and precision in the direction from which the spear had come. The blade of the cleaver sliced through the air, heading toward the concealed attacker.
The meat cleaver soared through the bustling crowd of people, drawing gasps and exclamations from onlookers as they witnessed the unexpected turn of events. The blade struck its target with uncanny accuracy, and a pained cry erupted from the assailant.
As the mysterious attacker stumbled backwards, clutching the wound inflicted by Kirito's improvised projectile, a small but fierce group of security guards and onlookers quickly converged on the scene. They apprehended the wounded assailant, ensuring that they wouldn't escape.
Just as the commotion around the captured attacker began to settle, Kirito's sharp instincts kicked in once more. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this situation than met the eye. His keen gaze scanned the nearby rooftops, and there, concealed in dark capes, were two shadowy figures watching the scene unfold.
With a serious and commanding tone, Kirito raised his voice so that it echoed through the market, "You two up there! You won't escape! We've got you surrounded!"
Kirito's resolve solidified, and without wasting a moment, he leapt onto a nearby merchant's stall, using it as a springboard to reach the rooftop. With a combination of agility and determination, he landed gracefully on the tiles above, his eyes locked onto the shadowy figures that had been watching.
Delta, who had initially doubted Kirito's abilities, found herself wearing a mischievous grin. She couldn't help but admire the young boy's bravery and skill, and her wolf-like eyes sparkled with a newfound appreciation. "Impressive," she muttered to herself.
With Kirito leading the way, the duo began a daring pursuit across the rooftops, following the elusive figures who had orchestrated the attack.
Epsilon quickly reached out to grab Delta's shoulder, trying to pull her back and stop her from joining Kirito in the pursuit. She urgently whispered, "Delta, we need to inform Alpha about this. This is a serious situation, and we can't handle it alone."
However, Delta's determination and curiosity got the better of her. She shook off Epsilon's hand and stubbornly stated, "No, Epsilon! Delta's instincts are never wrong. She has to see what's happening for herself."
Epsilon, realizing she couldn't convince her friend, clenched her teeth and decided to take a different approach. She swiftly retrieved a small, black vial from her pouch. With a practised motion, she uncorked it, revealing a blob of dark, viscous slime.
In an instant, the dark slime began to morph and change. It solidified into a set of sleek, black armour, which she deftly donned. Her transformation complete, Epsilon was now armoured in a unique outfit that oozed an aura of darkness.
She muttered to herself, "We're up for big trouble now."