Silence.
Absolute.
---
Something broke.
Inside Yakumaro.
---
Not sadness.
Not grief.
---
Something deeper.
---
His hands tightened.
---
"…You…"
---
The creature stood there.
Watching.
---
"…You killed him…"
---
No response.
---
Yakumaro stood.
Slowly.
---
The system flickered violently.
---
[ Warning ]
[ Emotional instability detected ]
---
"…Shut up."
---
[ Risk of collapse ]
---
"…I said shut up."
---
Something dark…
Moved inside him.
---
Not the system.
---
Something else.
---
His breathing changed.
---
Slower.
Heavier.
---
"…I'll kill you."
---
The air warped.
---
The ground cracked beneath his feet.
---
The creature moved.
---
For the first time—
It attacked first.
---
Yakumaro didn't dodge.
---
He took the hit.
---
Blood spilled.
---
But he didn't fall.
---
He smiled.
---
"…Again."
---
The system flickered wildly.
---
[ Unknown energy detected ]
---
Yakumaro moved.
---
Faster.
---
For a moment—
He kept up.
---
A strike—
---
The creature blocked.
---
But…
It stepped back.
---
A single step.
---
Silence.
---
Both stopped.
---
The creature stared at him.
---
Something new.
---
Interest.