"Alright, let's get out of this world first, shall we?" I said.
Rin and Yahiko both nodded in agreement.
"But how?" Yahiko asked.
"We need to kill the creator of this fake world I replied ."
Yahiko frowned. "Wait… you don't mean your brother?"
"No, not him," I shook my head. "He doesn't have the power to create an entire world like this. It's someone else. We need to find the real mastermind "The Koronji of Fake Creation."
Yahiko still processing what I said crossed his arms. "Speaking of which, how did you lose your memories, Haruto? You asked us, but what about you?"
I let out a small chuckle. "The demon sword. It takes 24 stabs to completely erase someone's memory. My brother couldn't do it when I still had my powers, so instead, he brought me into this world, where I couldn't use them."
"What a sneaky bastard," Yahiko muttered. "He sure knows how to use his brain. After all, he was the most difficult Koronji to catch."
"I agree," Rin sighed. "So, do you know where to find the Koronji who created this world?"
I smirked. "Yeah. And hey, Kuno, you seem worried about something… right, Koronji of Fake Creation?"
Kuno gasped. "How did you—?!"
I tilted my head. "Well, I may seem dumb…"
"You are," Yahiko and Rin deadpanned in unison.
Ignoring them, I continued, "When you came with Rin, I felt something off. And Yahiko, remember that pill he gave us? It wasn't for healing—it was meant to erase our memories. But fortunately, I heard a voice say 'Purify', which reversed its effects. When we got our memories back, I saw his disappointed face."
I smiled. "I played dumb and pretended I didn't notice."
"And lastly… you can't hide your murderous intent."
A chilling silence filled the air. Then
"Hahaha!"
A black shadow emerged from Kuno's body, holding a spellbook.
"You caught me sooner than I expected," he chuckled darkly. "Impressive."
"You thought I wouldn't notice? You mere Koronji."
He sneered. "I admit it—you're smarter than you look. I am Pocho, the creator of this fake world."
Before we could react, he suddenly attacked.
"Hellfire!"
Flames erupted, engulfing us in an explosion of dust and smoke.
Pocho smirked, assuming we were dead. But when the dust settled, I sighed.
"This won't work," I said, brushing off my coat. "If you're going to fight us, at least go all out."
"You bastard! You remind me of that Koronji higher-up who forced me to create this world!"
"Oh?" I raised an eyebrow.
His face twisted in rage. "Fake World Manipulation!"
Dark energy spiraled around us, forming a void-like prison.
I yawned. "Yeah, no. Dragon Roar!"
I slashed through the void like paper, shattering the prison.
Pocho gasped. "H-How?!"
"I already told you," I said. "Come at me with full force."
"YOU MERE HUMAN!" he roared.
He raised his hand. "Void Rend!"
The air cracked as space itself began to tear, ready to swallow everything in its path.
"Oi, Haruto, what now?" Yahiko called out.
"It's fine." I stepped forward, gripping my sword.
"Dragon Anti-Magic Slash!"
As my blade struck, his spell vanished into thin air.
Pocho stumbled back, his eyes wide with disbelief. "How… how can a mere human be this powerful?!"
I smirked. "I'm not a mere human. I'm the one destined to kill you all."
Before he could react, I vanished in an instant—
"Quick Step!"
With a single, clean strike, I pierced his heart.
Pocho gasped one last time before vanishing into nothingness.
I turned to my friends. "Let's get out of here."
Rin and Yahiko nodded. "Alright."
A portal opened before us, glowing with a soft, eerie light.
But just as I was about to step through, I hesitated.
"Guys, wait."
I used Quick Step and disappeared. Even if this world was fake, the time I spent here was real. And before I left… I had to say goodbye.
I arrived at my house. My mother was there, waiting for me.
"Mom."
She smiled warmly. "Yes, my son?"
"It's time to go."
She walked up and hugged me. "Go, my son."
I clenched my fists. "Mom, I…"
"Shh," she whispered. "I know everything."
Tears welled up in my eyes. "I'll miss you."
She smiled. "Me too. But your father and I will be waiting for you. Now go your friends are waiting."
With a heavy heart, I stepped back. "Bye, Mom."
Then, I reached the portal.
As we crossed through the portal, the sight before us was horrifying.
Our world… was completely destroyed.
No humans in sight. Just endless ruins and silence.
We walked cautiously, searching for any survivors. Then
"Crying…!"
A faint voice echoed in the distance.
I dashed forward and saw a kid being attacked by low-level Koronji mindless creatures with no intelligence.
"Holy Slash!"
With a single strike, I sliced its head clean off.
The kid, still trembling, burst into tears.
I kneeled. "Hey, kid, where are your parents?"
No response.
."I don't think she can talk."
I sighed. "I can't leave her alone, so I guess she's coming with us."
Yahiko glanced at Rin. "Haruto, who is this kid?"
"Oh, I found her getting attacked by a Koronji."
Rin gently took the child. "Poor thing… come here."
The girl hugged her tightly.
Then, she looked at me and pointed. "Papa."
"…Wait, what?"
I blinked. Yahiko burst into laughter. "Ohhh? She talks now?"
The girl then snuggled into Rin's arms. "Mama."
Rin's face turned beet red.
"W-Wait, what?!"
Yahiko smirked. "Well, well, Rin doesn't seem to mind being called Mama."
"Shut up!" she snapped, still blushing.
I sighed. "Let's just focus on finding her parents."
"Lancer, can you hear me?"
"Yes, Haruto.do you sense any living beings yes,I detect survivors underground."
I clenched my sword. "Then that's where we're headed."
Yahiko crossed his arms. "So, people are living underground now, huh?"
Rin hugged the child closer. "Then let's go find her family."
I took one last look at the ruined world around us.
Lancer find the entrance," I ordered, gripping my weapon tightly.
"It's to the north," he responded without hesitation.
"Alright then, let's get moving, shall we?"
The path ahead was eerily quiet too quiet. There were no low-ranked Koronji in sight, and something about it didn't sit right with me.
Then, without warning, a black beam shot toward us.
"Bow down! Everyone, get down!" I shouted.
We barely evaded the attack, the heat from the blast still lingering in the air. I let out a sharp breath. "Damn… that was close."
"Rin, take that kid to a safe place. It's dangerous here."
"Got it!" Rin grabbed the unconscious child and began to move.
"Yahiko, you too take Kuno somewhere safe. He's still unconscious."
Yahiko hesitated for a moment but nodded. "Alright… Be safe."
"Don't die on me," he added with a smirk before following Rin.
I cracked my knuckles. "Now, come out, you sneaky asshole."
A chuckle echoed from the shadows, and a figure emerged. "Nice. You're as sharp as they say," he said with a smirk. "My name is Uraha. I am a higher-ranked Koronji."
I sighed. "Again with the introductions. You Koronji sure love your names, don't you?"
"Haha, you're an interesting human," he mused.
"Enough with the talking come at me!"
"I didn't come here to fight you," he stated casually.
"Like I care." I lunged at him, sword ready to strike
But he vanished.
"Tch. Damn it, he escaped."
I quickly reached out with telepathy. "Rin, Yahiko come back. We're moving."
"Did you kill the koronji? Yahiko asked "
"No he escaped" I replied "
After a few minutes, we arrived at the entrance gate. Two guards stood at their posts, weapons at the ready.
"Who are you? Show your IDs," one of them demanded.
"ID?" I echoed, frowning.
"Without an ID card, we can't let you enter," the guard stated firmly.
I sighed. "Look, let us in. We have a kid with us, and we need to find his parents."
The guard remained unmoved. "No ID, no entry."
A new voice cut in. "What's all this commotion?"
A man approached us, his stance commanding.
The guard saluted. "Sir, they have no identification."
The man turned to me. "Hello, nice to meet you. My name is Kerin. I'm the Chief Commander of the soldiers here. You don't have an ID?"
I sighed again. "No."
"Alright then, sorry to say, but " He paused mid-sentence as his eyes widened in recognition. Without hesitation, he bowed deeply.
"My hero."
"…Hero?" I raised an eyebrow.
"You don't remember me?" He straightened. "You saved me when my village was attacked by the Koronji!"
"Oh… you're that kid?" I asked, scratching my head.
"Yes! Our holy hero!" he declared. "Please, come inside."
The doors swung open, granting us passage.
As we stepped in, Kerin walked beside me. "Where did you disappear to, my hero?"
"I had some troubles," I muttered. "And drop the 'hero' part. My name is Haruto."
His eyes widened in horror. "But how could a mere human dare to call someone so great by their name?!"
"Don't worry about it. Just call me Haruto."
Behind me, Yahiko burst into laughter. "Pfft Hero Haruto, huh?!"
"Oi, Yahiko. Shut up."
Rin chuckled as well.
"Not you too, Rin!" I groaned.
"Sorry, sorry," she said, covering her mouth. "I wasn't laughing at you. I just thought you two go well together."
Yahiko's face turned red. "Oi, shut up, Rin!"
As we crossed the entrance path, an awe-inspiring sight unfolded before us a massive city, stretching far and wide beneath the earth. Towering stone structures lined the cavern, illuminated by glowing blue crystals embedded in the ceiling, casting an ethereal glow over the entire underground settlement.
People bustled about, some carrying supplies, others engaged in conversation, laughter, and business. It was a fully functioning city, hidden away from the surface world.
"They've… built an entire civilization underground?" Rin murmured, eyes wide in wonder.
"It looks like they've been here for a while," I observed, noting the well-structured roads and established marketplaces. "They must have moved here to escape the Koronji attacks."
"Smart move," Yahiko added, adjusting his sword. "But it makes me wonder if they're hiding down here, does that mean the surface is completely overrun?"
As we moved deeper into the city, curious gazes turned toward us. Whispers spread among the people, and before long, the crowd began to part.
Then, an elderly man approached, dressed in ornate robes. He carried an air of authority, his long silver beard swaying as he walked.
"Welcome," he spoke with a warm yet firm tone. " I sense something familiar about you."
The old man studied me closely. Then, his eyes widened.
"Could it be…?" His voice trembled. Then, without warning, he bowed.
The crowd gasped.
"My hero."
I froze. Not this again.
Rin stifled a laugh. Yahiko straight-up snorted.
I sighed. "Just , drop the hero word already I sigh"
My name is Haruto."
The old man lifted his head, smiling. "Whether you accept it or not, you are a hero to us. Come, there is much to discuss first take some rest ."
"Kerin guide them to their rooms " He ordered
Kerin cleared his throat. "Haruto-sama, you can stay here." He guided us to a room,please feel free to call me if you need any help and left"
As he left, I turned to Yahiko. "Oi, it seems we were trapped in that fake world for almost thirty years."
"Yeah," Yahiko agreed, his expression serious for once. "It seems so."
I sighed, rubbing my temple. "Rin, let's find the kid's parents first."
"Right," she nodded.
"Yahiko, watch over Yuno."
"Huh? Why should I watch this old man?" Yahiko complained.
"Just do it."
He groaned. "Fine…"
Rin and I searched everywhere for the kid's parents, but no one seemed to recognize him.
"Maybe we should rest and try again tomorrow," I suggested.
She nodded.
Then, the kid suddenly pointed at a candy store. "Mama!"
"Wait… is he asking for candy?" I asked Rin.
"Maybe," she replied, amused.
I walked up to the candy store owner. "Do you use the same currency here?"
Luckily, they did.
After buying him some candy, we finally headed back to the room. Yahiko had fallen asleep sitting up, his mouth slightly open.
Suddenly, Yuno jolted awake.
"Where… am I?" he muttered.
Rin's eyes widened in relief. "I'm glad you're okay, Grandfather!"
Yuno groaned, rubbing his head. "Ugh… that bastard got me. Possessed my body after I left Haruto. I don't remember much after that…"
"Where are we?" he asked again.
I sat down across from him. "We're in the real world now."
He exhaled deeply. "Oh, so we made it."
"Yeah. We did."
Yuno straightened up. "Alright then. Now, let's talk about what we'll do next."