5 Chapter 5: A Date with Asuna?
[In the battle against an invisible predator, you can only rely on your hunter's sharp instincts to inflict damage.]
Panting heavily, Rozen surveyed the woods with bloodshot eyes, a fury burning within them. He had just witnessed the slaughter of his clan by an unseen enemy.
Initially, he felt sadness, but as the deaths mounted, he grew furious, suspecting the killer to be a sentient being, likely human.
However, he was mistaken. The enemy was invisible, a creature he identified as a Predator after injuring it—an extraterrestrial sentient from outer space, now on their planet.
As clan leader, Rozen ordered all members to hunt the Predator. Tragically, they were all killed, outmatched by its technology.
In the end, only Rozen remained, surviving with just a minor injury, thanks to his mastery of archery and hunting.
Aware of the Predator's dangerous nature and technology, Rozen still hoped to heavily injure or kill it to avenge his clan.
Holding his breath, Rozen concealed his presence and intent to kill, using his sharp hunter instincts to locate the Predator.
He focused all his senses, listening carefully for the faintest sound.
Eyes wide, he shot an arrow towards the direction his instincts indicated, releasing the bowstring with full force.
SWOOSH
The arrow struck something mid-air, followed by the flow of green blood, strange movements, and a howl of pain. The arrow then oddly released, as if held by an unseen creature.
Rozen focused and quickly shot another arrow towards the area, partially hitting the invisible Predator. However, this revealed Rozen's position to it.
He ran to hide, and the Predator, noticing, chased after him. Occasionally, Rozen glanced back, aiming his bow at the pursuing Predator, both hindering and angering it.
Rozen knew his close combat skills were inferior to the Predator's, renowned for their hunting and terrifying combat prowess, hence their name.
Running until exhausted, Rozen realized he couldn't keep fleeing and decided to end the fight with a suicidal move, knowing this was the end of his simulation.
Facing the enraged Predator, Rozen smiled, grasping a stone spear from his back before charging to stab the creature's vital parts.
His attack was blocked by the Predator's arm blade. Rozen leaned back, dodging an incoming strike while spinning to counterattack. Their clash resounded through the silent forest.
Both showcasing their skills, it was evident that the Predator had the upper hand, given Rozen's numerous injuries. Not surprisingly, as Rozen had only ever fought animals, not humans.
Eventually, the Predator found an opening and stabbed Rozen's abdomen. Smiling, thinking it had killed its prey, the Predator was unaware of Rozen's cunning grin.
Without hesitation, Rozen used his remaining strength to quickly stab the Predator's throat with a hidden knife. Caught off guard, the Predator staggered back, holding its throat, before collapsing.
"Cough! Cough! I guess I'll die," Rozen coughed up blood, clutching his bleeding abdomen. Overwhelmed by fatigue and dizziness, he soon fell and died.
[With your suicidal tactic, you succeeded in killing the Predator and avenging your clan!]
[You died at 35 from severe blood loss and injuries.]
[Life simulation ended.]
Rozen awoke and immediately checked his body, the sensation of slowly dying in the simulation prompting him to confirm his physical state.
He sighed, "I still haven't lived to an old age. Is my limited luck the cause?" He pondered, planning to increase luck in the next simulation to test his hypothesis.
"My life is indeed strange," he mused, his lips twitching. "Why do extraterrestrial beings always appear in my simulated lives? Am I an alien magnet, or is it just coincidence?"
Also at that moment, the life simulation presented Rozen with a choice for anchoring himself to that world, but he opted not to. His desire for a new world was greater, particularly knowing the simulation would require a one-week cooldown if he proceeded.
He then continued his sleep, while filled with an impatient yet excited anticipation for the next morning's meal, or it should be said, his date with Asuna
The following day, Rozen got up and cleaned himself, chatting with Asuna before heading to the breakfast spot at the hotel.
"Tendou-san! Over here!" Seeing Asuna waving in the distance, Rozen smiled and approached her.
"Good morning, Yuuki-san."
"Good morning to you too, Tendou-san!" Asuna smiled back at Rozen, who was momentarily captivated by her smile.
As expected of a waifu! They are all so beautiful, even in this three-dimensional world!
Rozen thought, sitting across from Asuna. He asked, "By the way, aren't your parents worried? Have they contacted you?"
Asuna's expression turned sad. "My parents... they still haven't contacted me. I hope they're safe and okay."
It seems her parents were also in Shibuya during the attack.
"Maybe they don't have access to a phone right now, but I could help you find them if you want," Rozen offered.
"Really?! Are you sure you can do that?!" Asuna excitedly held his hand, her close touch making Rozen awkward, prompting Asuna to realize the intimacy of their gesture.
Releasing Rozen's hand quickly, Asuna looked down, embarrassed. "I'm sorry…" Seeing her cute reaction, Rozen laughed, which earned him an annoyed glare from Asuna.
Afterward, they selected their breakfast menu and enjoyed their meal together, chatting and laughing.
"By the way, Tendou-san, I still don't know which school you attend?"
Rozen paused briefly before smiling and replying, "Well, I just moved to Tokyo, and I haven't decided which school I want to attend here."
Of course, his response was a fabrication, but Asuna, in her innocence, believed him. It was understandable, given Rozen was her savior and she trusted what her life's rescuer said.
"Really?! Then how about transferring to my school, Tokyo International School? It's close to Shibuya and the school is renowned for its educational quality and facilities throughout Japan!"
"Hmm, I'll think about that," Rozen nodded, though inwardly he was reluctant. He didn't want to attend school as his knowledge already surpassed even high school and college students. However, to avoid disappointing Asuna, he acted as if he was considering her offer.
While Asuna was speaking, Rozen suddenly heard a familiar voice, turning to look and sparking Asuna's curiosity.
"Tendou-san? What are you looking at?" Rozen didn't respond, silently stunned by the sight of two very familiar figures.
They were two incredibly beautiful women, drawing the gaze of others around them. One had dark purple hair, while the other's hair was snow white.
If any Honkai Impact 3 players saw them, they would immediately recognize these characters as the game's protagonists, Raiden Mei and Kiana Kaslana.
"Mei-senpai! I've been worried about you! I'm so glad you're okay!" Kiana hugged Mei tightly. Mei, moved by Kiana's concern, smiled affectionately.
"I'm fine, Kiana-chan. Thankfully, a kind person saved me from that attack."
"Really? I'm so grateful to that person. By the way, was this person a man or a woman?"
Unaware of Kiana's keen interest in her response, Mei casually replied, "She was a woman. I never expected to meet someone so strong and beautiful like her. I really admire her…" Mei looked like a fan in awe of her idol, which made Kiana feel uncomfortable and somewhat panicked, even though the person wasn't a man.
The savior in question turned out to be Seri Awashima, who, amidst the chaos, discovered her while leading her Blue Clan comrades in a meticulous search for those entangled in the Shibuya assault.
"Mei! Let's go home! Uncle Ryoma and Auntie are extremely worried about you!" Kiana grabbed Mei's hand and they both ran off, quickly disappearing from Rozen and the others' view.
After watching the two leave, Rozen scratched his cheek with an apologetic smile, "I'm sorry, I got distracted after seeing them."
"It's okay, but I never thought you'd know the famous Raiden Mei and Kiana Kaslana."
Hearing this, Rozen, with a look of realization, asked, "It sounds like they go to the same school as you?"
"Of course! They're even in the same class as me! So, I'm quite familiar with them; we often communicate in class."
I thought they would be attending either Chiba Academy or St. Freya, but it seems those schools don't exist in this world.
Thinking this made Rozen wonder if Schicksal also didn't exist here, prompting him to plan an investigation after this 'date.'
They continued their meal and afterward, Rozen suggested a walk, which Asuna happily accepted. The two of them left, drawing looks from others who saw them as a couple.
Meanwhile, elsewhere, Reisi Munakata, having returned from another world, found himself headache by his current situation.
Imagine being bombarded with spam calls from someone demanding something, and when you refuse, they persist stubbornly until you relent.
That's what our 'Blue King' was facing. A renowned biologist had been calling him, requesting permission to study the fantasy creatures from the gate.
Munakata refused, as the creatures' bodies were property of the government, and the doctor wasn't affiliated with either the government or Japan, making it normal for Munakata to decline.
Unfortunately, he didn't expect the doctor to be so stubborn, leaving him frustrated.
"Captain! How about I talk to Dr. Mobius? She might understand our reasons if I explain them," suggested Seri, looking serious. Munakata shook his head with a bitter expression.
"It's useless, Seri. Dr. Mobius is very stubborn and won't stop until she achieves his goal. Look, she's been calling non-stop since yesterday morning."
Seeing the continuously ringing phone, Seri remained silent, annoyed with Dr. Mobius for pestering her king but unable to do much since Dr. Mobius was a significant figure globally.
Resigning to the situation, Munakata sighed wearily and decided to accept Mobius's request, knowing that if anything happened to Dr. Mobius because of him, Japan could be blamed by the influential WHO.
"Dr. Mobius, I accept your request, but on one condition."
A cunning female voice replied, sounding surprised and intrigued, "Oh? Then tell me, what is your condition?"
"You must not disseminate your research findings to the WHO or your country, and our side must be allowed to access and use your research findings."
"Okay, deal!" Her response stunned Munakata; he thought Mobius would hesitate, but she decisively agreed.
Once again defeated, Munakata smiled bitterly, but knowing this didn't disadvantage his side or himself, he felt relieved.
"Then, I look forward to working with you, Dr. Mobius."
"Looking forward to it as well, and see you again soon, Blue King, fufufu~"
Munakata hung up, and Seri approached him curiously, "What was the outcome, Captain? Will Dr. Mobius be studying those creatures?"
"Yes, she'll be coming to conduct her research, possibly tomorrow. But I still can't believe she agreed so readily to my condition; perhaps it's due to the insatiable curiosity researchers have for new discoveries."
To their surprise, an hour later, Dr. Mobius arrived, her eagerness evident. Her face lit up with excitement and impatience as she arrived.
"Hurry! Take me to where you've stored the bodies of those fantasy creatures! I can't wait to dissect and experiment on them!" Seeing Mobius's eager face, Munakata shook his head and led her there.
Upon seeing the pile of fantasy creatures, Mobius's eyes sparkled. Licking her lips, which looked odd to the onlookers, Mobius, being true to her nature, immediately started examining the bodies.
"I hope Mobius doesn't ruin all the bodies," Munakata sighed and left to continue his duties.
As dusk approached, Rozen's 'date' with Asuna gradually came to an end. Having been informed by Rozen about her family's whereabouts, Asuna decided to head to where her family was staying, rather than returning to the hotel.
"Goodbye, Rozen-kun! I really enjoyed our time together," Asuna said, her voice laced with warmth. Her smile, sweet and sincere, along with her affectionate use of 'Rozen-kun,' subtly hinted at the deepening connection between them.
"I did too, and I hope we can do it again sometime."
"Definitely! I'll be looking forward to it! Then, bye-bye, Rozen-kun!" Rozen waved back, watching Asuna disappear from his sight.
He sighed, "I still can't believe I just had a date with a beautiful girl... and it was my first date ever. An isekai really is a wonderful thing!" He shouted joyfully, drawing odd looks from passersby, and quickly blushed in embarrassment.
"Well, let's head back home then."
