Tetsuya Takumi

Searching for the Element

Hikaru moved through the village, following the faint pulse of energy that told him someone here was different.

The village was alive with the clanking of metal, the heat of forges filling the air with the smell of burning coal and steel.

Hikaru's steps slowed as he entered a large forge at the edge of the village.

Inside, he saw a man—broad-shouldered, covered in soot and sweat, hammering away at a glowing axe blade.

The moment Hikaru stepped closer, the man's hammer paused mid-swing.

Without looking up, he spoke.

"You're standing in a dangerous spot, kid."

Hikaru blinked. "Oh. Uh, sorry."

The man finished his strike, setting the hammer down and inspecting the edge of the axe.

Then, finally, he looked at Hikaru.

His gray eyes were sharp, like a man who had seen his fair share of battles.

He wiped his hands on a rag before crossing his arms.

"You lost, or do you actually need something?"

Introduction to Tetsuya Takumi

Hikaru straightened.

"I'm looking for a handmade sword."

Tetsuya raised an eyebrow. "You and everyone else."

Hikaru chuckled. "Yeah, but I also think you're someone special."

Tetsuya gave him a dry look. "Kid, I'm just a blacksmith."

Hikaru studied him. "You sure about that?"

Tetsuya's expression didn't change.

"Pretty sure."

Hikaru hesitated, then decided to be blunt.

"I think you're the Element of Steel."

Tetsuya stared at him for a second.

Then—

He burst into laughter.

Hikaru frowned. "What's so funny?"

Tetsuya shook his head, wiping his face. "You're the second person who's asked me that."

Hikaru's eyes widened. "Wait—what?"

Tetsuya smirked.

"Yeah. Some guy came through here not too long ago asking the same thing."

Hikaru's heartbeat quickened.

"Who?"

Tetsuya shrugged. "Didn't give his name. Just asked if I was the Element of Steel. When I told him no, he left."

Hikaru clenched his fists.

Someone else is looking for the Element of Steel…

And whoever they were—they weren't part of the Order.

Meanwhile – Teshii in the Amazon Rainforest

Teshii brushed a branch out of his face, stepping over a massive tree root.

He sighed.

"Alright. Paris was fine. China was cool. But how the hell did I end up in the Amazon Rainforest?"

He looked around.

Birds chirped, the sounds of distant animals echoed through the dense jungle, and everything smelled wild and fresh.

"…Actually."

Teshii took a deep breath, enjoying the untouched air.

"This place is kinda nice."

Then—his stomach growled.

He sighed.

"Still no scavenger hunt item, though."

He pulled out his phone—no signal.

"…Mei is definitely gonna kill me."