Chapter 83: The Light Within

"Kurogami Masayuki, are you ready for today's challenge?"

"Let's get started then, 'The Great Youkai General of Wolves' Okami Tatsuya! I will do my best within my abilities! I will win this challenge to make up for my sister Mizuchi Haruka's defeat in yesterday's match, she is also my teammate."

"Very well! Then you shall compete with our team!" "The Great Youkai General of Wolves" Okami Tatsuya gestured towards the crowd of youkai gathered in the castle courtyard. Then, a stout man emerged from the crowd. "You will race against this athlete from our side. The one who reaches the finish line first will be the winner of this competition. Kurogami Masayuki, this is your challenge for today, so fulfill what you just declared earlier!"

"What? Are you kidding me, 'The Great Youkai General of Wolves' Okami Tatsuya? Do you want me to race against an overweight fellow to the extent that even lifting his legs to take a step seems difficult? You underestimate me too much, 'The Great Youkai General of Wolves' Okami Tatsuya!" Suddenly, Kurogami Masayuki thought to himself: "Kurogami Masayuki, do not rush to judge and conclude! Remember yesterday's match between Mizuchi Haruka and Fire Tiger! Surely, this cunning old general will reuse old tricks! Who knows if the fat man racing against you is the embodiment of something with the fastest speed in all three worlds? He might be the embodiment of lightning, or at least he is the embodiment of wind. Never mind, just give it your all! Who knows if Snow Sky-Dog was right, 'The Great Youkai General of Wolves' Okami Tatsuya indeed intends to deliver the magical item named 'The Flaming Dragon Saber' to the world of the gods! In short, Kurogami Masayuki, give it all you've got to run at full speed. Kurogami Masayuki, you can win, so give it your best! After all, you cannot afford not to give you all once you have accepted defeat! You must try not only for yourself but also for Snow Sky-Dog and Mizuchi Haruka, your teammates who always believe in your abilities and determination; therefore, oh Kurogami Masayuki, mighty God of Light, give it your all!"

"The Great Youkai General of Wolves" Okami Tatsuya held a small red flag and signaled:

"Both athletes prepare, after my command, give your all to race to the finish! Here is the command: 'Start'."

Kurogami Masayuki used all his energy to run at a terrifying speed. He ran as fast as light. He was as swift as his essence - light! As for the fat man, he ran like a super-meaty duck. After a while, Kurogami Masayuki had left his opponent far behind, and he was only about thirty steps away from the finish line! At this point, "The Great Youkai General of Wolves" Okami Tatsuya suddenly shouted:

"You, fat guy, the time for you to joke with your opponent, and the time for you to hide your true abilities, is over! Run with all your speed!"

Upon hearing this command from "The Great Youkai General of Wolves" Okami Tatsuya, the stout man ran unbelievably fast like an enraged giant elephant. Kurogami Masayuki heard and felt the ground shaking ominously. Nevertheless, he still tried his best to run, hoping to reach the finish line before his opponent. Unfortunately, the fat man did not take too much time to surpass Kurogami Masayuki, and he reached the finish line while making the ground tremble violently with each step he took as he ran with all his might. Kurogami Masayuki failed just like Mizuchi Haruka. And just like how Mizuchi Haruka's opponent behaved in yesterday's match, Kurogami Masayuki, dissatisfied, asked his opponent:

"Hey, fat man, what are you the embodiment of in these three worlds that you can be so fast? In the end, has the wise general Okami Tatsuya used any tricks to make a fool out of me like he did with Mizuchi Haruka yesterday?"

The stout man replied by merging into one with the mind of "The Great Youkai General of Wolves" Okami Tatsuya. At this moment, "The Great Youkai General of Wolves" Okami Tatsuya spoke slowly:

"He is the embodiment of my 'thought'! Kurogami Masayuki, you are the God of Light, so your speed is extremely fast. In these three worlds, only 'thought' can defeat 'light' in a speed contest. When I was in the world of youkai, and I thought of the farthest point of the world of the gods, it took less than a second for my 'thought' to reach there. Have you understood the trick I used to make you lose this challenge today, Kurogami Masayuki? However, you are like Mizuchi Haruka, you have made a great effort, and I truly admire and respect your seemingly unimaginable effort, Kurogami Masayuki, the God of Light! But unfortunately, I still have to tell you that you have lost in this competition, today, and in this castle, my castle."

"Oh, The Great Youkai General of Wolves' Okami Tatsuya, you are indeed wise and experienced like a leading wolf! I accept defeat! I have nothing to deny this failure, but now I put all my hope on my younger brother, Snow Sky-Dog! I have great hope that Snow Sky-Dog will overcome your challenge tomorrow!"

"Oh, Kurogami Masayuki, that is the mystery awaiting all of us to discover tomorrow. But now, the three of you, let's go have breakfast together!"

For Kurogami Masayuki, it seemed that the light in his soul was gradually fading, replaced by the darkness of disappointment and worry. He felt like he had lost much of his self-confidence, he felt like he was caught up in tricks and schemes in this game. Staring at "The Great Youkai General of Wolves" Okami Tatsuya, he sensed the wisdom and talent of the man, but he also witnessed the cunningness and deceit in every action of his.

As he walked, Masayuki quietly pondered over what had happened. This god of light was not just someone striving to overcome personal challenges but also represented the hope of many, hope for a brighter tomorrow, where justice and faith would prevail. But was that an illusion?

"Kurogami Masayuki, why are you staying alone?" a soft voice interrupted Masayuki's thoughts. He turned to look at a young girl, her eyes filled with care and empathy.

"Younger sister, I... I just feel a little sad and disappointed," Masayuki tried to force a gentle smile.

An arm gently patted his shoulder. "Don't worry, Masayuki. Failure does not mean the end. Sometimes, it's an opportunity for us to learn and grow. And you always have us, your teammates, to share and overcome all difficulties together."

Masayuki looked into her eyes, finding solace and encouragement that he needed.

"Thank you, Haruka. I won't give up, I will keep trying. And my younger brother, Snow Sky-Dog, will do the same."

The two stood silently for a moment, as if time had stopped. But then, a cheer from afar broke the tranquility, the voice of Snow Sky-Dog.

"Elder brother! Haruka! Hurry up, today we have a new day full of opportunities and challenges!"

Masayuki and Haruka smiled softly and walked towards Snow Sky-Dog together, starting a new day, where hope and determination still shone bright, no matter how challenging the trials were.

The eyes of Masayuki and Haruka both contained determination and hope, but also could not avoid doubts and worries. They had faced many challenges and encountered numerous failures, yet they still believed that, no matter how difficult it was, they could overcome it if they tried together. Their steps were filled with strength and determination, ready to face every challenge that life brought.

Snow Sky-Dog, Masayuki's younger brother, represented brightness and hope. His cheeks were like a fresh breeze, blowing away all worries and doubts. He was not only Masayuki's beloved younger brother but also a source of encouragement and great strength for the three young gods.

With a spirit of unity and steadfast hope, they continued on their path, never ceasing to search, never ceasing to learn, and never ceasing to overcome every challenge. However life may change, they always knew that, together, they could face any difficulty and conquer every challenge.

And under the deep blue sky, the three gods walked together, stepping into a new day, where everything was a possibility and everything was waiting to be discovered.