The First Step of the Longest Journey

A few hours later, in a discreet, somberly lit office, Akira waited the shadows from the single flickering desk lamp danced across his face. He had called Hiroshi and his position is that of a high-ranking official overseeing the management of the dungeons and raid missions. He had visited him in the hospital within days of the tragedy and promised to help him however he could.

The door creaked open, and Hiroshi stepped in. His sharp but compassionate eyes took in Akira's hardened expression and dark, steely gaze.

Akira had always been a fiery, bright young boy, but now his face held a somberness Hiroshi had only seen in people who no longer cared about the world.

"Akira," Hiroshi said in a warm, low tone of voice.

He came around his desk and sat down, looking at Akira with curiosity and concern.

"You sounded urgent over the phone."

Akira didn't waste time on preliminaries. His voice was calm but carried an edge that made Hiroshi sit up straighter.

"I need your help."

He hesitated for a moment, his fists clenched as he recalled the betrayal. His gaze bore into Hiroshi, unyielding.

"Eri," he began, his tone dark and heavy. 

"She pretended to be loyal—someone my father trusted—but she used me...Hiroshi. Stole from me, lied to me, and left me for dead in a dungeon."

Akira's voice faltered, his words filled with venom. Hiroshi froze, the name hitting him like a punch to the gut. His expression darkened, and his hands tightened into fists.

"Eri?" he repeated, disbelief lacing his tone. "Are you saying that Eri? The one your father saved? The one you asked me about?"

"Yes," Akira interrupted, his voice sharp. "She played him too. She wasn't loyal. She used his trust to position herself, waiting for the right moment to steal everything he built."

Hiroshi leaned back, his face a mixture of shock and anger. He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair as he processed the revelation.

"I can't believe this. Eri? Your father… he spoke so highly of her."

Akira's expression hardened.

"She was a snake waiting for the right moment to strike. And she did. She tore apart everything my father left behind, everything he left me."

Hiroshi's anger boiled over as he slammed his hand on the desk.

"Then let's take her down. We'll hire the best lawyers, drag her through every court in the country if we have to. We'll get your father's fortune back, Akira. Everything she took."

Akira shook his head, his gaze unwavering.

"No."

Hiroshi blinked, stunned.

"No? What do you mean no? She deserves to pay for what she's done. You deserve to have what's yours!"

Akira leaned forward, his voice calm but chillingly firm.

"I don't want lawyers. I don't want courts. That's not how this will end."

Hiroshi's eyes widened, realizing the depth of Akira's resolve.

"You… you're not thinking of—"

"She made it personal," Akira interrupted, his tone icy. "This isn't about money. It's about making sure she gets what she deserves. And as for the company and what she stole from me… I'll take them back, but in my way because i learned..."

"Vengeance isn't about justice, Hiroshi. It's about balance. And I'll make sure the scales tip in my favor."

Hiroshi stared at Akira, a mix of disbelief and concern written across his face. The shock of Eri's betrayal, combined with Akira's unyielding resolve, left him momentarily speechless. After a long silence, Hiroshi finally spoke, his voice softer now, but filled with worry.

"Whatever you're planning, I won't interfere. Just tell me what I can do for you."

Akira's voice was no more than a whisper, laced with a raw edge. He looked at Hiroshi, his stare intense, unyielding.

"I'm going to get them, but I need a way to move unseen. I need a new identity to get into dungeons."

Surprised, a flicker of realization crossed Hiroshi's eyes.

"A new identity and dungeons?? Akira… you mean you've awakened powers?"

Akira's face clouded a faint shadow of confusion crossed it.

"Yes, but I don't remember how it happened." His voice fell soft, almost as if he spoke to himself. "I don't remember much of it at all."

Hiroshi's face scrunched up in concern.

"An awakening without memory… that's highly unusual." His gaze took in the profound exhaustion that had been carved into Akira's face and the weight he carried. "Akira, I can see how much this is weighing upon you. Your eyes… they don't shine like they once did."

Akira's vision clouded a bit more.

"That light died the night they took everything from me. I don't need it. What I need is your help, Hiroshi-san."

Sighing, Hiroshi leaned back, steepling his fingers. He could see Akira's determination—raw and fierce, the intensity in him. He knew Akira wouldn't rest until he had his vengeance.

"All right… I can give you a fake identity. But there are limits. With this identity, you'll only be able to raid low-level dungeons—E-rank to D-rank. Anything above that would draw too much attention."

Akira's mouth clamped down as he nodded.

"That's just what I want. I need time to get stronger."

Hiroshi looked at him for a very long time on his face was a strange mixture of reluctant admiration and deep concern.

"This path you're taking… it's not the kind of path one takes so lightly. It's the road from which no return is possible."

Akira's voice was calm, but his words carried the weight of a vow.

"I already made that choice, Hiroshi-san. The day they did that to my family, my life changed. I changed. I won't stop until they're brought to their graves."

Hiroshi slowly blew out a breath and nodded.

"Then I'll do what I can..

A faint, bitter smile crossed Akira's face.

"The low-level raids are only the beginning. Testing and building up this power—whatever it is—and getting stronger."

Hiroshi stood and extended his hand.

"I'll set it up. I owe your father that much… and more. He was a good friend and an honorable man. If this is what it takes to give you peace, I'll stand with you."

Akira took his hand.

"Thank you."

As they parted, Hiroshi locked his eyes upon him one last time, his features softened with a fatherly concern.

"Be careful, Akira. Vengeance has a way of consuming those who pursue it blind."

Akira's gaze didn't waver.

"I'm prepared for that. One way or another, I'll get them."

Hiroshi nodded, knowing Akira's father was one who strove to bring safety and a semblance of order to the chaos of the dungeons, a man of his principles. Now, looking at Akira—who was so hard-bitten and relentless, sure on his path of vengeance—he only hoped this would be enough to keep him grounded by such a bequest of justice in his heart.

Hiroshi saw Akira leaving but called after him,

"Take care of yourself, Akira. This path… it's a hard one. Remember, you still have people who care about you."

Akira took only a moment of pause, enough to nod, then he left. The door clicked shut behind him, leaving Hiroshi alone in the dimly lit office. He sat back down, his hands trembling slightly as he stared at the empty chair where Akira had been.

"Really, the world is a cruel place, turning a bright kid like that."- He whispered to himself.