While Rogan was locked in battle with that scorpion, Sumiko had arrived at the Vaho Woods…
Sumiko's hearing was razor-sharp. The sun was dipping below the treetops. He stepped forward slowly, hand on his axe, ready for anything. Moments later, he heard a rustle nearby—closer, closer still. He drew his axe and crept toward the sound… only to find a man holding a basket of berries.
Sumiko: "Who are you? What are you doing out here at this hour?"
Man: "Can't you see? I'm gathering berries."
Sumiko: "Haven't you heard this area's dangerous? Scorpions roam here and kill people!"
Man: "I've heard, but don't worry—my grip's strong enough to handle them."
Sumiko: "You think your grip will stop a scorpion? Go home. I bet you'll run screaming the moment you see one."
Man: "I'm not leaving until I finish these berries."
Sumiko: "What?! Do you want to die?!"
Suddenly, the man's eyes went wide with terror.
Man (shrieking): "Look behind you!!"
Sumiko spun around—and there stood a gaunt scorpion with twin pincers longer than swords.
Sumiko (mocking): "Did I come all the way here for you, you spindly oaf?!"
Man: "Don't speak that way about my brother!"
He shoved Sumiko to the ground. Sumiko sprang up and stared at the man—whose features shifted into a scorpion-like visage.
Both spoke in unison:
Both (echoing): "Did you enjoy the surprise?! We are the twins—Jane and Kain!"
They pointed to themselves as they spoke, standing side by side before Sumiko. He roared, slammed his axe into the ground nearby, channelling his power into a massive explosion that sent them flying apart. Jane hit the dirt—Kain stayed on his feet.
Sumiko charged Kain but found all his swings blocked. Jane circled him, striking from behind—but Sumiko dodged with blinding speed.
Sumiko (thought): "This is tough… what do I do?!"
He repeated his first move—both twins leapt in opposite arcs. They attacked together, but Sumiko countered Kain and shattered his pincer. Jane struck back, slashing Sumiko's shoulder—Sumiko reeled.
Sumiko: "Kain is stronger, but Jane is faster. I have to take out Jane first!"
He lunged at Kain, then pivoted to strike Jane with his axe. Jane blocked, but Sumiko exploded with the blow, sending Jane to the ground—his pincers shattering. Sumiko turned to Kain, unleashing a flurry of strikes. He avoided each of Kain's counterattacks until he drove his axe into Kain's back and detonated it three times—leaving nothing but dust. But to Sumiko's shock, Kain reformed.
Sumiko: "Then I have to kill the other one before he regenerates…!"
He stared at Jane—who had grown slightly larger, exuding raw power.
Jane: "You exploded my brother… you'll regret that!"
Jane's pincers regrew instantly. He launched a blistering assault—biting Sumiko's shoulders and thigh. Sumiko couldn't dodge a single strike as Jane's speed had increased. Jane kicked him to the ground, poised to impale his heart.
Jane: "This is for my brother…"
Just then, a vial sailed in, striking Jane's pincers and melting them on contact.
Jane (hissing): "What… is this?!"
Sumiko drew strength from deep within and rose, axe in hand. Jane attacked with his tail—Sumiko cleaved it off, then drove his axe into Jane's heart and spinal cord. Both twins dissolved into dust.
Sumiko collapsed to the forest floor, battered and bleeding. Tomayo rushed over.
Sumiko: "You saved me… thank you so much…"
Tomayo: "You're welcome. You were amazing, fighting two at once."
Sumiko: "Thanks… Tomayo, you're a healer—please, treat my wounds."
Tomayo: "Of course. Show me your shoulder."
His shoulder was already turning yellow with venom.
Tomayo: "Drink this vial… and this one, too. That poison almost paralyzed you. Now, you must stay still for five full minutes."
Sumiko: "No problem… thank you."
Tomayo: "Anytime."
Sumiko: "Do all healers work like this?"
Tomayo: "Yes—our task is to stay hidden until a fighter faces true danger. Then we step in to heal. Otherwise, we remain unseen."
Sumiko: "That's incredible…"
He examined his wounds.
Sumiko: "They've fully closed. I'm healed—can we go?"
Tomayo: "Not yet. You lost a lot of blood, and the venom's still in your system. We must wait."
Sumiko: "Alright."
Tomayo: "We passed our first mission. What do you think comes next?"
Sumiko: "I have no idea—maybe more like this, but even harder. Still… it's good to know someone's got my back."
They laughed together.
Tomayo: "Just remember, Saita said healers won't always be there to save you—only most of the time."
Sumiko: "So I might die on future missions…"
Tomayo: "It's possible… especially if the scorpion deceives you like today."
Sumiko: "Yeah… I almost died before the battle began."
Tomayo: "It's dark… I can barely see. I'll light the way."
She lit a match, ignited a metal tube filled with glowing powder, and it flared with brilliant light.
Sumiko: "What is that?! You have a solution for everything?!"
Tomayo (laughing): "You could say that. Healer life, right?"
Sumiko: "Yeah… the entire Pyarod Army is amazing."
They paused—then Sumiko burst into laughter.
Tomayo: "What's so funny?!"
Sumiko: "I just remembered when you first reached Cyan— you were singing at the top of your lungs and dancing…"
He laughed harder.
Tomayo: "So you're laughing at me?!"
Sumiko: "Of course I am!"
Tomayo glared for a moment—then they both collapsed into giggles. Five minutes passed.
Tomayo: "Alright, we can go now."
Sumiko: "Let's race!"
Tomayo: "What?! You're in Explosion—you're faster than me."
Sumiko: "That's just an excuse. Admit defeat!"
Tomayo: "Listen—this is the last time I let you mock me. Do it again, and I'll beat you senseless…"
Sumiko: "Alright, alright… no more teasing, I swear. So… what were you saying?"
Tomayo: "Fine… 1… 2… 3!"
They sprinted back toward the Pyarod Center—
What happened to Himari?
Did she escape?
Did she face her own trials?
Stay tuned for the next chapter!
To find out, wait for the next chapter—delayed until May 28, 2025 due to exams. My apologies for the wait!