While Sumiko was locked in fierce combat, Himari had arrived at Kawarioka Village. The air was eerily still, and several houses lay in ruins. No sound stirred. Himari moved silently, searching for any sign of the scorpion. She checked every street, but the village lay deserted—no footprints, no movement.
She reached a slightly larger home whose door stood ajar. Stepping inside, she found every villager gathered in a single room, seated on the floor with their eyes tightly shut. She opened her mouth to speak, but a man silenced her abruptly.
Goji (eyes still closed): "Sit with us until we finish."
Himari complied, closing her eyes and sitting just like they did. After a tense silence, the man in front opened his eyes and spoke.
Goji: "Has anyone found a solution?"
A youth raised his hand.
Goji: "Go ahead, Kai."
Kai: "I think we must abandon our village and retreat to a neighboring town. Then we set a trap for the fat scorpion. What do you think, Lord Goji?"
Goji: "As you know, we can't do anything but save each other. It's slow, and our weapons have no effect. We tried fire and swords—no success. If we leave now, we may never return. Has anyone else any idea?"
Himari raised her hand gently.
Goji (noticing her): "Ah, I almost forgot you were here. Who are you, and what do you want?"
Himari: "I'm Himari. I have come to save you from the scorpion. But do you know where it went, or where it might be now? There's been no trace of it around here…"
Goji: "You're too young for this… are you certain?"
Himari: "Do I look like anything other than a fighter?"
Goji: "Yes, you're a fighter—but we formed groups and attacked the scorpion with swords. All in vain."
Himari: "I understand. That won't work at all. But I have trained specifically to fight these monsters. Please—don't waste my time. Does anyone know where it went?"
Goji: "Nohu."
From behind, Nohu appeared beside Himari.
Nohu: "Follow me!"
They slipped out and walked a short distance.
Himari: "Are you sure it left in this direction?"
Nohu: "Yes. I watched it the entire time it approached the village. But it left yesterday morning after killing two villagers—and still hasn't returned."
Himari: "I'll handle it. You have my word."
Nohu: "Be careful. It's very strong… but slow."
Himari: "Understood."
Nohu: "The last path it took was from here."
Himari: "Thank you."
Nohu: "You're welcome."
Himari sprinted off in that direction, scanning for any sign of movement. The forest closed in around her—no rustle, no hiss. She pressed on until she suddenly heard a distant sobbing. She froze—sensing the scorpion nearby. Drawing her sword, she crept forward, each step deliberate. Finally, she saw it: a very fat scorpion curled in a clearing, weeping.
Himari froze, unsure what to do. The scorpion's sobs stilled… it turned its head toward her.
Scorpion (choked voice): "You killed my little brother… my big brother punished me… I will crush you all."
It rose, eyes blazing with fury. Himari surged forward in a blur, her blade slicing into its abdomen. She struck again—but the scorpion slammed its massive tail into the ground, hurling her into the air. She landed hard some distance away.
Scorpion: "I will avenge my brother and make my big brother proud of me."
The scorpion raised its claw to strike Himari as she lay on the ground. She rolled aside and leapt to her feet—charging and slashing, only for the scorpion to block every blow. It opened its huge mandibles and roared so loudly that Himari staggered back, slamming into a tree with full force. Pain flared through her shoulder, but her rage spurred her on. She gripped her Guyan weapon, felt its power surge, and hurled it at the scorpion—severing one of its legs.
Himari (shouting): "You slow, greedy beast!!"
She dashed in, slicing off its other leg. The scorpion collapsed and returned to tears.
Scorpion (sniffling): "Even then… my brother would never be satisfied…"
Himari: "I won't pity you. You weep because we killed your brother—yet you and your kind have murdered countless people, children included!"
She raised her sword high and drove it straight through the creature's heart, the blade emerging from the back. With a final pull, she severed its spinal cord. The scorpion dissolved into dust.
Himari returned to the village, only to find everyone gathered anxiously at the edge of the clearing.
Himari: "You can live in safety now. The scorpion is dead."
Goji: "What?! Are you serious?"
Himari: "Yes, of course."
The villagers stared in shock—then burst into joyous cheers. Himari felt a warm pride bloom in her chest.
Villagers (in unison): "Thank you! Thank you!"
Himari (modestly): "You're welcome. I must go now—farewell."
What will happen after this first mission?
Did the others succeed without harm?
Stay tuned for the next chapter!