Chapter 21: Chapter 21

Aurora's words hung in the air, each syllable carrying a weight that sent a chill down Haruko's spine. As she stood before him, her presence commanding attention and respect, Haruko couldn't help but feel a sense of unease creeping over him.

"Danger will follow you from now on," Aurora began, her voice steady yet tinged with a hint of sorrow. Haruko's heart sank at her words, realizing the gravity of the path that lay ahead of him.

"The three of us will no longer be able to interfere with your journey. We have interfered long enough," Aurora continued, her tone resolute as she revealed the limitations placed upon them. Haruko felt a pang of apprehension at the thought of facing the challenges ahead without the guidance and support of his mentors.

"We know that the lock has been waiting for the key for the billions of years we have been alive. And we also know that you are the key," Aurora explained, her words laden with a sense of solemnity. Haruko's mind raced as he grappled with the implications of his role in this cosmic puzzle.

"But what we do not know is what the key will unlock. The lock was left by our Master," Aurora revealed, her reference to their Creator sending a shiver down Haruko's spine. The realization that their mission was intertwined with the very fabric of the universe itself left him feeling both humbled and terrified.

"Be careful, Haruko," Aurora cautioned, her voice filled with genuine concern. "Because this mission, instead of being S rank, we could have created an all-new rank for it, SS rank. Because we know nothing of it."

As Haruko repeated the term "SS rank," a wave of disbelief washed over him, his mind struggling to comprehend the magnitude of what lay ahead. The S rank assignment alone had already stirred a deep sense of anxiety within him, but now, faced with the prospect of an entirely unknown and unprecedented level of danger, Haruko felt a knot tighten in his stomach.

The implications of Aurora's words sank in like heavy stones, dragging Haruko deeper into a sea of uncertainty. The realization that his mentors, beings who had traversed the universe for eons, were equally in the dark about the true nature of the mission left him feeling vulnerable and exposed.

The warning from Aurora about the perils that awaited him on his journey only served to heighten Haruko's sense of foreboding. The weight of responsibility bore down on him like a crushing weight, threatening to overwhelm him with its sheer magnitude.

Yet, despite the fear and uncertainty that threatened to consume him, Haruko knew that he could not afford to falter.

As Haruko prepared to depart, a sense of bittersweet nostalgia washed over him. He moved methodically around his room, packing his belongings with a sense of purpose. However, amidst the flurry of activity, his attention was drawn to a glint of light catching his eye from the corner of the room.

Stopping in his tracks, Haruko's gaze fell upon the artifact that lay before him. It was the Eye Of Wrath, a relic he had acquired during one of his missions in the Heavenly Realm. Despite its ominous name, the artifact held a special significance to Haruko, one that brought a wistful smile to his lips.

An unexpected wave of memories flooded his mind as he recalled the mission that had led him to obtain the artifact. It had been a B rank mission, fraught with danger and uncertainty. His task had been to confront and ultimately defeat the fallen angel Aeiziel, a formidable adversary whose name struck fear into the hearts of many.

Haruko chuckled softly to himself as he picked up the artifact, his fingers tracing the intricate patterns etched into its surface. "An item that contradicts with its name," he mused, the irony not lost on him. Despite its menacing title, the Eye Of Wrath had served him well, its power proving invaluable in times of need.

Shaking off the weight of reminiscence, Haruko's eyes hardened with resolve as he stood up from the bed. With determination coursing through his veins, he continued to pack his belongings, each item a reminder of the life he was leaving behind.

As he prepared to leave the safety and warmth of his home for the past year, Haruko couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. This place had been his sanctuary, a haven in the midst of chaos. But duty called, and he knew he could not afford to linger in the comfort of familiarity.

As Haruko stepped out of his room, the weight of leaving behind his sanctuary weighed heavily on his heart. He heeded Lucifero's teachings, pushing forward without a glance backward. As he approached the Teleportation Point, his steps faltered as he caught sight of three familiar silhouettes standing nearby.

Aurora's smile greeted him like a beacon of warmth amidst the uncertainty, her gentle voice carrying a sense of fondness and camaraderie. "Your time with us has been short, but enjoyable," she said, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. "Stand tall and always look forward to the next adventure."

Raiden stepped forward next, a small yet genuine smile playing on his lips. "Remember, Haruko," he began, his voice steady yet laced with emotion. "You are neither evil nor good. Protect your interests at any cost. Life as a mortal is full of danger, and caring about what happens to others, that's foolish. Good luck on your journey."

Lucifero stood at the back, his arms crossed in his trademark stance of stoicism. His gruff voice carried a hint of reluctant affection as he addressed Haruko. "Like this idiotic dragon said," he grumbled, a rare hint of warmth softening his features. "You're neither evil nor good, boy. Don't play a villain or hero. They don't suit you. Just kick anyone's ass that dares to mess with you. Use my martial arts well, Haruko."

Tears welled up in Haruko's eyes as his mentors bid him farewell, their words of wisdom and encouragement wrapping around him like a comforting embrace. With a trembling smile, he nodded, his voice choked with emotion. "Yes, teachers."

Without hesitation, Haruko ran forward and embraced his mentors, their warmth enveloping him like a shield against the uncertainties that lay ahead. Raiden and Aurora returned his embrace with equal tenderness, while Lucifero's embrace was more reluctant, but no less heartfelt.

After bidding his mentors farewell, Haruko stepped onto the Teleportation Point with a determined gaze, his resolve steeling him for the journey ahead. With a solemn expression, he turned to face his teachers one last time.

"Teachers," he began, his voice firm with determination. "I will survive."

As the teleportation process began, distorting his form and enveloping him in a whirlwind of energy, Haruko caught a glimpse of his teachers smiling at him. Even Lucifero, though his smile was small, it was enough to reassure Haruko in this moment of uncertainty.

With a final nod, Haruko closed his eyes, surrendering himself to the sensation of space and time bending around him as he traversed the barriers of teleportation. When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in a dark and unfamiliar place, the air heavy with the scent of decay and the scurrying of rats echoing in the distance.

A sense of familiarity washed over him as he took in his surroundings. This was the Sin Continent, a place he had lived for his entire life. And now, he found himself in the heart of it all, in the most prominent kingdom of Lustmore, within the capital city of Vixen.

This was his home town, a place filled with memories both bitter and sweet. The sweet ones were the ones with his sister. Every other was bitter.

Haruko's gaze swept over the bustling city of Vixen, each corner evoking memories that flooded his mind like a torrent of images. The sights, sounds, and smells of the city enveloped him, transporting him back to a time when life was simpler, yet filled with its own challenges.

The crowded streets teemed with life, the hustle and bustle of the markets mingling with the cacophony of voices and the clatter of carts. The scent of sweat and rotting refuse hung heavy in the air, a familiar yet unwelcome reminder of the city's bustling energy.

Amidst the chaos of the city, a familiar image suddenly flashed before Haruko's eyes – his childhood home. The memories came rushing back with startling clarity, each detail etched into his mind like a vivid painting.

A wave of nostalgia and sadness washed over Haruko as he realized that his home was located nearby. The thought of his sister, the last remaining connection to his past, filled him with a bittersweet longing.

His heart ached with the weight of unspoken words and unfinished conversations, the memory of their last encounter haunting him like a ghost. The pain of their parting echoed in his soul, a reminder of the void that had been left behind.