The Price of Survival
The ground shook.
Silence.
Heavy.
The man with the shield approached.
And, with a firm blow…
He beheaded the creature.
More people arrived.
Running.
Helping.
The wounded man was still breathing.
Weakly.
But alive.
Erza sheathed her sword.
His expression… wasn’t one of victory.
It was one of heaviness.
Of frustration.
She walked over to Daichi.
— I told you to leave.
Before he could answer—
THUD.
The kick hit his chest.
He fell backward.
Out of breath.
She crouched down.
She held his face.
Forcing him to look.
— If you do that again…
Her eyes were cold.
— You’ll die.
Silence.
Daichi didn’t answer.
He couldn’t.
His eyes moved.
All around.
People crying.
Whispers.
Despair.
The woman.
The blood.
The child’s absence.
There was no victory.
Only loss.
Only pain.
Daichi clenched his teeth.
His body was still trembling.
But his mind…
Was different.
He had seen it.
That world.
For real.
“Everything changes… and nothing stays the same forever. If you’re not prepared to adapt… You won’t survive.” W.S.R.
The whole village gathered.
The atmosphere was heavy.
Unlike any other day.
No one was smiling.
No one was talking normally.
Death was still present.
— They promised to protect us!
One of the villagers shouted.
— Then why do monsters keep appearing?!
Murmurs spread.
Agreement.
Contained anger.
The village chief raised his hand.
— Listen up!
His voice echoed.
— Everyone here knows…
He paused.
— That there are monsters far worse than that one.
Silence fell.
— What we need right now is not panic.
— It’s to strengthen our security.
His gaze swept over everyone.
— We’ve lost Rute…
He bowed his head slightly.
— And her daughter, Norun.
Some people cried.
— That is a terrible loss.
— But we can’t fall apart.
His voice grew firmer.
— We need to come together.
Before he could continue—
— I warned you.
Erza took a step forward.
Her gaze was serious.
Heavy.
— I told you this was going to happen.
Everyone looked at her.
— We have blind spots in the village.
— We need a watchtower.
— Traps.
— And more trained people.
She crossed her arms.
— There used to be many of us.
— Today…
She paused briefly.
— There are few of us.
She pointed to one of the men.
— Bank, with the shield.
— He’s been indispensable.
Then he took a deep breath.
— Rub… swordsman.
— He’s wounded.
— But he’ll recover.
Her gaze hardened.
— So let’s do what needs to be done.
— Anyone who wants to help…
— Go to the tavern.
— I’ll go train myself.
The village chief raised his arm.
— Who agrees?
Hands began to go up.
One after another.
Among them…
Daichi’s.
Erza realized.
And, for a moment…
She smiled.
Later…
In the infirmary.
Rub was sitting on the bed.
Wounded.
But conscious.
— "I'm sorry..." he said, "I failed."
Erza crossed her arms.
— Don’t talk nonsense.
— You’re essential.
She turned her face away.
— Get well soon.
— You’ll need to train the newbies.
Rub furrowed his brow.
— Newcomers?
She gave a slight smile.
— I’m putting together a group.
— And you’re going to help.
Rub let out a soft laugh.
— You can count on me…
He looked at her with respect.
— Queen of the Wind.
Daichi looked up immediately.
— Queen of the Wind…?
Erza rolled her eyes.
— Don’t start.
— I’m not who I used to be.
The reply was curt.
But there was something there.
Hidden.
At the tavern…
It was bustling.
Tables full.
People talking loudly.
But it wasn’t joy.
It was relief.
Survival.
Erza placed a plate in front of Daichi.
— Eat.
He looked at it.
Meat.
Still hot.
— Is that…?
— Bear.
She replied simply.
Then she turned toward the dining room.
— Today it’s on the house!
Some people reacted.
But not with enthusiasm.
Daichi took a piece.
He put it in his mouth.
He chewed slowly.
The taste was strong.
Heavy.
He paused for a moment.
His mind returned.
The woman.
The impact.
The blood.
The roar.
And then…
Erza’s blows.
Fast.
Precise.
Impossible.
— …
He looked at his plate.
Then…
At his own hands.
— I need to get stronger…
He muttered.
Quietly.
But this time…
Without a doubt.
Part 4 The Secret of Survival
The sun hadn’t even fully risen yet.
And the village was already bustling.
Hammers.
Ropes.
Wood being dragged.
The sound of work filled the air.
Miura was no longer standing still.
She was reacting.
Daichi stepped out of the tavern and paused for a moment.
Watching.
Men were carrying logs.
Others were digging the ground around the village.
Ropes were stretched between trees.
Traps were beginning to take shape.
— …
He took a deep breath.
— So… this is what’s going to change everything.
— Hey, kid!
Erza appeared beside him.
Arms crossed.
I’m ready.
— You’re not just going to stand there staring, are you?
Daichi looked at her.
— What do I do?
She pointed.
— Help out at the tower.
— And try not to get in the way.
The base of the watchtower was already being assembled.
Thick logs formed the initial structure.
Some men worked quickly.
Experienced.
Daichi approached.
— Can I help?
One of them nodded.
— Hold this.
He picked up one of the logs.
Heavy.
Much heavier than it looked.
Her arms trembled instantly.
— Ugh…
— Hold on!
Daichi clenched his teeth.
He pushed through.
He tried to hold on.
But the trunk slipped slightly.
— Hey! Watch out!
The man quickly corrected his grip.
Daichi let out a breath.
— Sorry…
— You’re new here, aren’t you?
— You can tell.
Some people laughed.
Not out of meanness.
But because of reality.
Later…
Erza watched everything from a distance.
Attentively.
Correcting.
Guiding.
— That rope is loose!
— Make that structure taller!
— Don’t leave any space between the stakes!
Her presence was steady.
Natural.
Like someone used to being in charge.
Daichi approached, exhausted.
Covered in dirt.
— Will... this work?
Erza looked at the village.
At the defenses being set up.
— It’ll help.
She paused.
— But it’s not enough.
Daichi frowned.
— Then why do it?
She looked at him.
Straightforward.
— Because standing still is worse.
The wind blew between them.
A scream echoed in the distance.
— The trap is set!
Everyone looked.
A deep hole.
Covered with branches.
Stakes at the bottom.
Silent.
Deadly.
Daichi watched.
He swallowed hard.
— This is going to kill…
Erza answered without hesitation.
— Or save.
Later…
The base of the tower had already been erected.
Still incomplete.
But tall enough to see beyond the forest.
Daichi looked up.
— You can see everything from up there…
— That’s the point,” said Erza.
She crossed her arms.
— If we see it first…
— We’ll survive.
Daichi fell silent.
His body ached.
But this time…
It was different.
He was part of it.
Even if only a little.
Even if he was failing.
He was there.
Erza turned her back.
— Get some rest.
— Training starts this afternoon.
She glanced over her shoulder.
— And it won’t be easy.
Daichi let out a small sigh.
But this time…
No complaining.
— …Okay.
The tavern was packed.
More than usual.
Different people filled the room.
Some restless.
Others were silent.
The atmosphere was heavy.
Erza leaned against the counter, watching everyone closely.
— So… you’ve come.
No one answered.
She crossed her arms.
— Great.
— Because some of you will give up before the day is over.
A young man stepped forward.
His gaze was steady. Almost defiant.
— I won’t run away.
Erza raised an eyebrow slightly.
— Name?
— Kaito.
She gave a small smile.
— Everyone says that at first.
A voice came from the back of the room.
Calm.
Stay calm.
— Talking is easy.
Everyone looked over.
A girl was sitting there, calmly observing the group.
— Surviving is another matter.
She stood up.
— Liora.
Erza nodded slightly.
Shortly after, a large man stepped forward.
Firm steps.
A commanding presence.
— Dagan.
He crossed his arms.
— I’m here to protect those who can’t.
Erza studied him for a moment.
— We’ll see.
Leaning against the wall, a girl spoke without even changing her expression.
