CHAPTER-20 Unveiling the Forgotten

In Genta's office, the air was thick with tension. Reena, Razor, and Shin stood in a uniform line, awaiting orders. Genta leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest. The silence was broken when Razor, unable to hold back his curiosity, spoke up.

"Sir Genta, who's the other target you want us to capture?" he asked, his sharp gaze filled with intrigue.

Genta smirked. "You're a curious one, aren't you, Razor?" He leaned forward slightly. "The mission is already completed. You'll know who it is by tomorrow morning. But for now, I have a new assignment for you three."

Reena tilted her head. "Another one so soon?"

"Yes," Genta said. "You all know I've been working on Project Alpha. I need answers from the people who still use the methods of the older civilization. I have been searching for what happened 800 years ago and the history behind the name Nerohashi."

Reena raised an eyebrow. "Sir, we looked everywhere in the Sirocaan and Ice Nations and found nothing."

Genta sighed. "Of course, you didn't. The black market informants only fed us misinformation. I never trusted them in the first place. So, I searched elsewhere and found a lead. There's a village in the Vyralis Nation. They've managed to remain hidden for centuries, possibly moving from one nation to another to avoid being discovered."

Shin crossed his arms. "Then the information we gathered was accurate?"

"Partially," Genta admitted. "By the time we got there, they had already moved. But this time, the information we are searching is very crucial for me. My goal is within reach. Your mission is to go to the location provided and interrogate the people there. I need to know what happened 800 years ago and the history behind the name Nirahoshi."

The three knelt before Genta in acknowledgment of the mission. Then, without another word, they left the office, setting off toward their destination. As they walked out, Genta leaned back in his chair, murmuring to himself.

"After getting the information, I will be close to what I wanted. But after knowing that Yoto got powers, I thought my work was finished. However, there's something more I want to know. The history of his world is like a treasure to humankind, and I want to acquire that treasure to reach my goal."

A sudden sharp pain gripped Genta's chest. He gasped, falling to his knees as blood dripped from his mouth. His vision blurred, and he clenched his fists. "Not again… I don't have time for this. I need to get to him. I need to take the shot… This pain is unbearable." Genta gritted his teeth, forcing himself up.

On the night of the full moon, Yoto, heartbroken by the words he had just heard, retreated to his room. The weight of the conversation pressed down on him, his mind clouded with sorrow and confusion. His heart ached as he tried to push the thoughts away, but the feeling that something inside him had shattered lingered.

Meanwhile, on the deck of the boat, Kaito stood near the railing, staring out at the endless sea. The moonlight cast a pale glow over the water, but it did little to ease the turmoil within him. The gentle rocking of the boat was the only sound until the quiet footsteps of Hatake approached from behind.

"Did you say something to Yoto?" Hatake's voice was soft, almost fragile. "He seemed... so dull."

Kaito turned slightly, his expression unreadable. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice even but distant.

Hatake studied him carefully. "Like his parents... his friends... everything seems to weigh on him. What did you say to him?"

For a moment, Kaito didn't answer. His gaze remained on the dark horizon, the rolling waves below seeming to swallow whatever thoughts ran through his mind. Finally, he spoke, his voice cool and detached.

"I told him the reality of life."

Hatake frowned slightly. "What does that mean? The reality of life?"

Kaito exhaled slowly, as if tired of the conversation. "I don't want him to make the same mistakes I did. It's better if he stays away from her."

With that, Kaito turned and walked away, his footsteps heavy against the wooden deck. His silhouette grew smaller under the moonlight until he disappeared into the ship's corridors.

Hatake remained standing for a moment, watching the empty space where Kaito had been. Then, without a word, he stepped forward and lowered himself onto the railing. 

Alone now, Hatake let out a slow, shaky breath. His voice was barely above a whisper.

"You still haven't recovered from what happened 18 years ago, have you?"

His own words lingered in the air, met with nothing but the cold night breeze. His hands clenched into fists.

"I'm guilty too," he muttered. "I couldn't save his father... or his mother... or my teammates. I couldn't protect them. I failed them all."

The confession felt heavier than he expected. The weight of those years, the regret, the helplessness—it all sat in his chest like a stone.

"I'm... I'm the one who's useless," he admitted to himself, his voice breaking slightly. "I'm the one who let them down."

Tears slipped down his face, unnoticed by anyone. His vision blurred as he looked at the stars, so far away, so indifferent to his suffering.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I couldn't keep them safe."

The scorching sun beat down on the trio as they trudged through the rugged mountains of the Vyralis Nation. Sweat trickled down Reena's forehead as she dramatically wiped it away with the back of her hand.

"Hey guys, I'm really thirsty! Can we take a break for a while?" she whined, dragging her feet. Then she turned to Razor with pleading eyes. "Oyee, Razor, please, just for a little bit?"

Razor sighed, scanning the surroundings for a suitable resting spot. He needed a place with higher ground to keep watch over the perimeter. After a brief search, he spotted a tall tree with enough shade and a strategic vantage point.

"This will do," Razor said, nodding toward the tree. "But we're keeping the break short. We still have a mission to complete."

Reena, grinning, immediately plopped down under the tree. "Okay! I'll take a quick nap then."

Shin shot her an annoyed look. "Oye, are you really a member of the Seven Knights?"

Reena huffed, crossing her arms with a pout. "I'm human, Shin! I get sleepy and hungry when I work hard. I'm not a monster like you! Besides, I'm a fragile and beautiful woman!"

Shin rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. I've seen how 'hard' you work."

Reena's face turned pink as she gasped dramatically. "Oye! I thought you were like my younger brother! Why are you making it sound like I'm lazy?"

Shin smirked mischievously. "OHHHHH."

Reena's eyes welled up as she stomped her foot. "W-What do you mean by 'OHHHH'?! Are you calling me lazy? Shin, you're so mean!"

Razor watched their banter with mild amusement before his sharp instincts caught a sound—rustling from below. Instantly, he raised a hand, silencing them.

Both Shin and Reena tensed, their curiosity piqued. Below, a man was struggling to pull a cart loaded with heavy bags. Razor signaled for them to follow his lead discreetly. Without drawing attention, they trailed the man as he entered a bustling village. People were busy with their daily chores, while children ran around playing on the dirt roads.

Approaching the man, Razor gently patted his back. The man turned around, slightly startled.

"Apologies for the interruption," Razor said in a soft, composed voice. "But we need your help. Our friend is exhausted, and we've run out of supplies. She collapsed from thirst and fatigue."

The man's expression softened with concern. "Oh, that's terrible! I can take you to a place where you can get food and rest."

Razor gave a small bow. "We'd really appreciate that, sir."

Shin hoisted Reena onto his back, playing along with their cover story. As they followed the man, they exchanged knowing glances—this was their chance to gather intel without revealing their true identities.

The man led them to a large wooden building. "This is the place," he said warmly. "The girl who works here is very kind. She'll take care of you."

Inside, they were greeted by a cheerful young woman who guided them to a table. "What would you like to eat, sirs?"

Razor remained composed. "Just a normal meal for three, please."

As the girl left to prepare their order, Razor glanced at his team. "Good thing we're not wearing our uniforms."

Reena beamed, stretching her arms. "I'm so glad I wore casual clothes! I hate that uniform. It's not beautiful at all."

Shin, with a deadpan expression, countered, "Uniforms aren't meant to be beautiful. They're designed for combat efficiency."

Reena scrunched her nose. "Ugh, you're such a party pooper, Shin! You don't know how to enjoy life." She stuck her tongue out at him. "Blahhhhhh."

Shin sighed, muttering under his breath, "How childish…"

Razor shot them both a look. "Enough. Stay focused."

Just then, the girl returned with three plates, setting them down with a warm smile. "Enjoy your meal, sirs."

Reena wasted no time digging in. "Mmm! It's delicious!" she mumbled with her mouth full.

Shin narrowed his eyes. "Where are your manners, Reena?"

"Shut up," she retorted playfully, taking another bite.

The girl giggled. "I'm glad you like it."

Razor leaned in slightly, his tone turning casual but inquisitive. "Can I ask you something?"

The girl nodded. "Of course, sir."

"I've never seen this village before. Is it new?"

The girl hesitated but maintained her polite smile. "Yes, we're a fairly new tribe."

"That's interesting," Razor said. "What's the name of your tribe?"

The girl's smile faltered slightly. She hesitated again before replying, "Oh… um, I'm not sure. I think they haven't named our tribe yet."

Razor hummed thoughtfully. "Oh, I see."

Shin, his gaze sharp and unwavering, interjected, "You're from the Yamikusa Tribe, aren't you?"

The girl froze, eyes widening in shock. "H-How do you know that? Who… who are you people?"