Chương 39: A Moment's Reprieve

(Katsuo POV)

Exiting the portal room, I received a notification from Lisa advising me to rest before our debriefing session. As I made my way to my quarters, I encountered Valerie and a woman with striking purple hair.

"Hey Valerie," I greeted, my voice hoarse from exhaustion.

"If it isn't Katsuo the Machine," Valerie responded with a playful wave. "So what was it this time? A time terrorist? Cosmic entity? Or better yet, a warmonger dreaming of becoming a god?" Her eyes sparkled with curiosity and amusement.

"Orks," I replied wearily. "A planet full of Orks."

"Oof, that explains why you're looking a bit skinnier," she noted with a touch of concern. "By the way, this is Natalie, a fellow dhampir." She gestured to the purple-haired woman.

Natalie gave a shy nod.

"Nice to meet you, Natalie. I'm Katsuo, a half-devil," I introduced myself, extending a hand for a handshake. She hesitated, staring at my hand.

Trying to ease the moment, I retracted my hand and asked, "So, Natalie, are you planning to join our 'Hybrid' club?"

Natalie looked confused and nervous, glancing at Valerie, who giggled. "She's a bit shy," Valerie explained. "I'm hoping to help her meet some new faces."

"Ah, I see. Well, I hope I get to know you better, Natalie. Be sure to join our hangouts," I encouraged.

To my surprise, Natalie whispered, "Thank you."

I waved goodbye to them and continued on to my room, ready for some much-needed rest before the debriefing.

As I entered my room, a figure suddenly launched at me—Tom, my Best Boi. His pointed ears, expressive green eyes, and silver fur with black stripes were a sight for sore eyes. I scooped him up in a big hug.

"Hey bud, I missed you so much," I said, carrying him to the couch.

He "meowed" as if asking, "Where have you been?"

"I know, I know," I responded, settling onto the couch with him. "I was on a mission. A planet full of Orks. It was tough, but I'm back now."

Tom nestled into my lap, purring contentedly. His presence was a comforting reminder of home, a stark contrast to the chaos of the battlefield.

"You wouldn't believe the things I've seen, Tom," I murmured, stroking his fur. "But enough about that. How have you been? Kept the room in order while I was gone?"

Tom responded with a series of soft purrs and headbutts, his way of saying everything was under control. I chuckled, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over me. It was good to be home.

After a while, I laid back, Tom curling up beside me. The familiar sound of his gentle purring acted as a lullaby, and soon enough, I drifted off into a deep, well-deserved sleep.

Waking up, feeling refreshed. Tom was still sleeping on my stomach, so I decided not to get up. I opened my interface. My kill count on that world was 803,579. Not surprising, given the desperation of the Orks even after their Waaagh leaders were defeated. Then I glanced at my Points: 2,067,850. Quite a lot, though again not surprising, since for those who aren't chosen, the mission would've been a Mid-tier A.

I felt a rustle on my stomach. Tom, now awake, gave me a light headbutt. I scratched him behind his ears. He then hopped off and "ordered" a meal, surprisingly for both of us.

"Thanks, bud," I said.

After I ate, I got up and headed to the bathroom.

Now done with washing, in my bathrobe, I headed to my full-body mirror. My long brown hair fell loosely over my shoulders, my piercing pale olive eyes still intense despite everything. A beard had grown during my time away. My body, noticeably skinnier, was plastered with numerous scars and burns.

I sighed, reflecting on the grueling battles that had left their mark. "It's good to be back," I murmured to myself, running a hand through my hair.

Tom meowed from the bed, his eyes following me as I moved. "I know, I know. I look like a mess." I chuckled, feeling a sense of normalcy return with my furry companion by my side.

After getting dressed in my casual gear, I picked up my Stormweaver's Mantle and Sanchomo, feeling their familiar weight. It was time to head to Lisa's office for the briefing. I gave Tom a final scratch behind the ears before heading out. "Be good, Tom. I'll be back soon."

As I walked through the corridors, the familiar faces of my colleagues and the bustling activity around me felt reassuring. Knocking lightly on Lisa's door, I heard her usual "Come in!" and stepped inside.

Lisa, noticing my attire, said, "You just got back, and now you're ready for another mission?" She teased, but there was a hint of reprimand in her voice.

"I thought it was a briefing, sorry," I said, scratching the back of my head. "And I guess it's a habit I developed recently."

She sighed and said, "We've got psychiatrists here, Katsuo. A talk with them would do you wonders."

"I'll think about it," I answered.

"Well, sit down. This is really important for you." Her voice turned serious. "You are now eligible for a rank up to A. Normally, I'd say 'you have to do this solo,' but you, you're different. You've solo'ed your missions."

"Am I really that much of an outlier?" I questioned, a bit confused and interested.

"Well, NORMALLY," she said with a hint of sarcasm, "after a chosen's first mission, they would ask if they could get a partner, or a buddy of sorts."

"Really?" I said, genuinely surprised. "I've always thought going solo was the norm."

"For most, it's not," Lisa continued. "It's tough out there. You have the skills and determination to handle it alone, but it's always wise to have backup. It's not just about completing the mission; it's about having someone to watch your back, share strategies, and sometimes just to talk to."

I nodded, absorbing her words. "I see your point. But I guess I just got used to handling things on my own."

Lisa leaned back in her chair, studying me. "You're tough, Katsuo, no doubt about it. But you also need to take care of yourself, mentally and physically. This isn't just about surviving missions. It's about thriving and being the best you can be."

I sighed, knowing she was right. "Alright, I'll consider getting a partner for my next mission. And maybe I'll check in with one of the psychiatrists."

She smiled, satisfied. "Good. Now, let's go over the details for your rank-up mission. It's a big one, and I want you to be fully prepared."

I leaned forward, ready to take in everything she had to say, knowing that this next step would be crucial in my journey as a chosen.

"For your rank-up mission," Lisa handed me a file. "A Path of Exile world, just like your Terraria in DC one, and like before. A god wants to absorb the 'bosses' essences. Hence the mission"

I looked at the file, my face turning serious. "Eldritch Horrors, a Cosmic-Entity, world enders, the abyss, and conquerors. I see, an all-in-one nightmare."

She nodded grimly. "This would typically be a low-tier S mission, Katsuo. You being a chosen isn't the only reason why you got this as a rank-up mission. As you are right now, with your potential alone, you could rank among the top ten thousand. And we've got billions of 'employees,' mind you."

"Do I get to train first?" I asked solemnly, a stark contrast to my usual playful manner.

"Yes, you have a year," she confirmed. "And upon entering that world, you'll be put in a time dilation. Meaning, a day here could be either a year or a week in that world. Sorry, I can't get more specifics."

I nodded, absorbing the information. This mission was on a different level, and the stakes were higher than ever. "So, a year of training. Any specific areas I should focus on?"

Lisa leaned forward, her expression serious. "You need to refine your elemental control, enhance your stamina, and sharpen your combat strategies. Your hit-and-run tactics are effective, but against eldritch horrors and cosmic entities, you'll need more versatility. Also, consider building alliances. In such a chaotic world, having allies can be a game-changer."

"Allies, huh? Never thought about that," I mused. "Guess it's time to step out of my solo comfort zone."

"Exactly," she agreed. "Use this year wisely. Train hard, but also build connections. And don't forget to take care of yourself. This mission is not just about brute strength; it's about resilience, strategy, and adaptability."

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the mission settle on my shoulders. "Alright, Lisa. I'll give it everything I've got."

She smiled, a mixture of pride and concern in her eyes. "I know you will, Katsuo. You're one of our best. Now, go get some rest. You've got a lot of work ahead of you."

With a nod, I left her office, my mind already racing with plans and strategies. This was going to be the toughest challenge yet, but I was determined to rise to the occasion.

Walking back to my room, my mind was in turmoil—planning, training, enemies, Eldritch Horrors, a Cosmic-Entity, and a big-ass Beast that kept deities' divine powers in check.

Then, jolting me out of my thoughts was a hard slap on my back. "Dude! I've been shouting your name for about six times now," Hank said, followed by John.

"Sorry, got a bit distracted, Hank," I said, with my usual playful smile.

"Man, you got skinny, Katsuo," John chimed in.

I sighed, "I know, right? And look at this beard and face. I practically look like a homeless man." I joked.

"You got that right! But damn, are those eyes scary. Does anyone ever tell you that?" Hank asked.

"No? I mean, I've been told a lot, but never that," I replied.

John then began listing, "Sword freak, Machine, The One Who Never Rests—those are the more notable ones, you know."

I laughed. "Make sure to add 'handsome' there too."

"Duly noted," John said with a thumbs up.

"Anyway, you got plans tomorrow? Valerie asked if we could meet at the pub. She said something about introducing a new member," Hank said.

"Ah, I've met her just a while ago. She seemed shy. But I'll take you up on that offer. Same time?" I asked.

"Yep, same time. See you tomorrow, and please clean yourself up," Hank said as he and John waved goodbye.

I waved back and continued to my room, feeling a bit lighter after the encounter. The camaraderie of my friends was a welcome distraction from the weight of the upcoming mission. Once back in my room, I'll start to formulate a training plan, determined to use the year wisely to prepare for the challenges ahead.

Arriving in my room, I decided to address the elephant in the room—namely, my beard and hair. Stripping out of my "usual" attire, I grabbed an electric shaver and headed to the bathroom. I couldn't help but appreciate this base; they literally had everything.

"And yes, those too," I mused loudly, thinking about the amenities.

I started by shaving my rugged beard, leaving a bit to maintain an "intimidating" look. Then, I focused on my hair, shaving it off to sport my favorite buzz cut with a line. For the final touch, I shaved a line into my eyebrow, completing my no-nonsense look. After finishing up, I hopped into the shower for a quick rinse.

Stepping out of the bathroom, I heard an "approving" meow from my Best Boi, Tom.

"I look good, don't I?" I asked Tom as I scooped him up for a hug. He purred in response, rubbing his head against my chest. His approval was the validation I needed. I then ordered a meal for us.

Once my meal and Tom's tuna materialized, I set his food down on his perch and sat at my small dining table to eat. The food was a simple but nutritious mix, perfect for someone who needed to regain energy and strength.

Tom, happily munching on his tuna, looked up at me with those expressive green eyes, almost as if saying, "You better take care of yourself."

"I know, buddy. I know," I said with a smile.

Once I finished eating, I decided to play my guitar for a bit. Holding it brought back a nostalgic feeling, reminding me of my past life when I was more "adventurous."

"Wonder what Ron's up to these days," I mused, strumming the strings softly. "I hope he's doing alright."

The gentle chords filled the room, a stark contrast to the chaos and battles that had become my daily reality. Tom curled up next to me, his purring a comforting background to the music. As I played, I felt a sense of peace, a rare moment of tranquility amidst the constant turmoil of my chosen life.

After a while, I set the guitar down and lay back on the couch, feeling more relaxed. The weight of the upcoming mission loomed over me, but in that moment, I let myself enjoy the simple pleasure of music and the company of my furry companion.

"Alright, Tom," I said, looking at him with a smile. "Time to get some rest. Big day tomorrow."

He responded with a sleepy meow, and I chuckled, giving him one last scratch behind the ears before heading to bed. As I drifted off to sleep, my mind was already racing with strategies and plans, but for now, I allowed myself to relax, knowing that the coming year would demand everything I had and mor.