Enter The Hot Springs

Morning arrived with soft golden light spilling through the trees. The group was ready to leave the village, still carrying the high from the night before. It was a beautiful day—clear skies, fresh air, and just a hint of breeze. Some broken pieces from the battle still lingered around the roads, but the villagers didn’t seem to care. Their spirits were alive again.

A crowd had gathered near the entrance to bid farewell. They stood at the same gate where Hiyori had first led them into the village. Now she stood there again, crying into her father’s arms as the heroes who had saved them prepared to leave.

Raizo had sent one of his personal guards to guide them through the hidden traps in cave. It was the only safe way out. After a round of goodbyes—hugs, waves, and thanks—the group followed the guard through the cave, past the waterfall, and down the path that led back into the world.

Their next destination: the Capital of the Northern Continent. The place where the tournament was going to be held. Everyone was excited. They’d been on a long journey already, far from home for the first time in their lives—and yet it felt like things were only just getting started.

They crossed jungles, winding hills, stone bridges over quiet rivers. Sometimes they walked in silence, other times they joked around like usual. They stopped for lunch, took breaks when the sun was high, shared whatever food they could buy or cook.

By late evening, they reached a curved mountain road. Rachel had been holding the map Raizo gave her, checking it every few miles.

“I can see a town nearby,” she said, holding the map out to the group. “It’s getting dark. We should spend the night here.”

“Yeah, today was seriously long. I’m exhausted,” Kazuma sighed. “Wait… isn’t this the town with the hot springs?”

Rachel looked at the map again. “Yes. It’s known for its natural hot springs. There should be an inn close to one.”

“Wooohoo! I can’t wait to get in that hot water,” Melissa cheered.

“Hey hey, pick the one with a mixed bath,” Kazuma grinned.

“There isn’t one,” Rachel shut him down instantly.

They all laughed and started walking faster. They found a cozy inn tucked behind some pine trees, steam drifting lazily into the air from the nearby hot springs. It felt like heaven after the long walk. Their legs were sore, their backs stiff from travel—and the thought of soaking in warm water made them move quicker.

The innkeeper gave them two rooms. They tossed their bags in and started unpacking. While the others were still settling in, Ren decided to head out alone. He wanted a bit of peace.

He walked along the stone path leading to the springs. The whole mountain area was quiet, surrounded by greenery and tall trees, and steam rolled gently across the path like fog. He liked this kind of calm.

Then someone called out behind him.

“Hey, would you mind if I join you on the way to the springs?”

He turned around.

A girl stood there—about his age, long black hair that reminded him a little of Rachel. Pale skin, sharp eyes. There was something graceful about her, though she was panting slightly from running.

Ren hesitated a little. “Uh... sure. Is everything alright?”

She caught up to him and nodded quickly. “Sorry—I just didn’t want to walk alone. There’s been some... killings around here. Didn’t you see the posters?”

Ren shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

“Sorry, I’m Lisa,” she said, realizing she hadn’t introduced herself. “I was kind of scared going to the hot spring alone.”

“No worries.”

She pointed to a wooden post up ahead. “Here, look. That’s one of them.”

Ren stepped closer and saw the worn-out poster nailed to the post. “Killer on the loose – beware.” It showed a shadowy figure in a dark cloak with their face hidden.

“See? That’s why I was nervous,” Lisa said.

That’s when a deep, overdramatic voice broke the quiet.

“HEY! Who’s that?!”

Ren winced—he already knew who it was.

Beside him, Lisa jumped at the sudden shout and instinctively clung to his arm.

Kazuma stood at the path, glaring at him with betrayal in his eyes.

“Ren, you traitor!” Kazuma pointed at him. “You left me behind and here you are flirting with a cute girl!”

Behind him, the rest of the group showed up—Rachel, Melissa, and Alex walking up the trail. Rachel’s eyes immediately landed on Lisa… and how close she was to Ren.

Ren saw the look. That look.

“Wait—this isn’t what it looks like!” Ren quickly stepped away, hands up. “She just asked to walk together, I swear!”

Rachel didn’t respond. She just walked past him without a glance.

“Let’s go, Melissa. We’re gonna be late,” she said, her voice calm but distant.

Kazuma nudged Ren with his elbow. “C’mon man, you gotta introduce me at least. Don’t hog all the luck.”

Ren sighed. His peaceful solo walk had officially ended.

Ren stood there, watching Rachel walk off ahead.

Kazuma was still next to him, waiting for an introduction to Lisa.

Ren just sighed. He didn’t say anything—just started walking forward slowly, like he’d lost something.

“Hey, don’t leave me,” Lisa said, running up and grabbing his arm. She walked with him, clinging to his side.

Ren didn’t resist. He just kept walking, not really caring anymore.

Kazuma stood in place, expressionless, watching them stroll away all lovey-dovey.

A dry gust of wind blew by, carrying a ball of grass across the path like some lonely desert scene.

“…Tch,” Kazuma finally muttered.

“Wait for me!!” he shouted, and ran after them.

Later that evening, at the hot springs, the group was starting to gather.

Ren and Lisa arrived first. Melissa and Alex were already waiting near the entrance.

Rachel was there too. She didn’t look at Ren—just stared off into the distance.

Ren tried to break the silence.

“Hey, Rachel… it’s a really nice place, right?”

Rachel didn’t respond.

“Melissa, I’m going in. Meet me there,” she said instead, then walked off and disappeared into the women’s side of the springs.

Lisa looked between Ren and Rachel, then walked up to Melissa. “Hi, I’m Lisa!” she said cheerfully.

The two of them chatted briefly, then went together into the women’s side.

Outside, Ren and Alex waited.

A few moments later, Kazuma came jogging up.

“Wait… this isn’t a mixed bath!?”

His voice echoed loud across the quiet valley.

Everyone stopped and turned to look at him.

Alex quickly slapped a hand over Kazuma’s mouth. “You’re gonna embarrass us again, man—shut up!”

Together, they dragged the struggling Kazuma into the men’s side of the springs.

Inside the women’s area—

Rachel had already undressed and was wrapping a towel around herself, preparing to step into the hot water.

Melissa came in giggling, chatting with Lisa. The two seemed to have already hit it off.

“Rachel! Wait for us!” Melissa called out.

They quickly undressed and wrapped towels around themselves, then followed her in.

The springs were peaceful—open to the sky, with wooden walls dividing the male and female sides. It was quiet. No other guests were around today.

The women stepped in slowly, steam rising around them.

Meanwhile, in the men’s side—

Ren, Alex, and Kazuma had just finished wrapping their towels.

Kazuma struck a pose with one arm pointed to the sky. “Let’s do this!”

Alex looked way too excited.

Ren, on the other hand, still looked like someone had drained the energy out of him.

“Hey, Ren,” Kazuma said, slapping him on the back. “Chill out! We’re gonna show those girls how to have fun!”

The hit nearly knocked Ren forward into the hot spring.

“Gah—!”

“Hahaha!” Kazuma laughed. “Feels like we booked the whole place for ourselves!”

Just then, Kazuma spotted someone.

An old man was soaking quietly in the water, a towel on his head.

The moment Kazuma made eye contact with him, the man tensed—then scrambled out of the water and scurried off, hugging his towel around him like he was escaping danger.

“…Okay, now we booked it.”

Kazuma and Alex ran and jumped into the springs together, causing a huge splash.

Ren stood at the edge… completely soaked by the wave.

He just blinked, drenched and defeated.

To be continued...