Chapter 2: Just Let Me Name You

The forest was endless. Trees stretched high into the sky, their thick branches weaving together like a natural cathedral, and the ground was littered with roots, moss, and the occasional strange mushroom that glowed faintly. I had been wandering for a week now, and despite all my efforts, the nearest human city remained frustratingly out of reach.

I had hoped my Mugengan Eyes would give me a wide-area scan, a kind of divine GPS. No luck. One-kilometer radius, max. I could see the cave behind me, a few cliffs and hills… but nothing else.

“Of course,” I muttered, throwing my hands up. “Why would a ridiculously overpowered eye let me do anything actually useful?”

But honestly? I didn’t care.

I was finally out of that cave. Finally free to explore this world. To adventure. To live out the stuff every isekai protagonist dreams about. Sword, armor, glory… maybe even a harem if I played my cards right.

To keep busy, I had found a stick lying against a tree, my makeshift sword and I practiced. Swing, thrust, spin, dodge. My movements were half real swordsmanship, half improvised theater. The forest became my personal dojo, my sanctuary, and it felt amazing.

Then it hit me.

Battle. Close. My demonic senses twitched, way too sharp to ignore. The raw scent of mana and blood made my pulse spike. I grinned. Fun was close.

I leapt into the air, spreading my batlike wings. The wind rushed past me as I soared above the treetops. The forest beneath me stretched endlessly, alive and breathing, but I didn’t care about getting lost anymore.

Above, I saw her.

A Dark Elf female, fighting three monsters on her own.

She moved like wind and shadow, twin blades slicing through the air with precision. Her hair, midnight black with a violet sheen fell past her lower back in a loose braid. Almond-shaped silver eyes with violet streaks scanned the battlefield, sharp and piercing. Every strike she made was fluid, elegant, and deadly.

Strong? Yes. Strong enough? Not even close.

Three monsters, each one bigger and uglier than the last, were attacking her from all sides. Her pace was fast, her reflexes perfect but one wrong move and she would’ve been torn apart.

I couldn’t resist. Not because she needed help but because this was the time I debuted as a top tier aura farmer. Look flashy, do the impossible, and show off just enough to get noticed.

Descending, I ignited [Black Flame] in my hands. The monsters froze, sensing the heat radiating from me, I had a piercing gaze that I wanted to scream "move". I moved in like a storm, exaggerated and dramatic. Punch, kick, flame strike, the forest shook with every move. One monster went flying with a single fist. Another tried to roar, only to be melted by a streak of Black Flame. The third quivered, utterly demoralized, as I casually tapped its head with my toe.

“This is sad. You call yourselves dangerous?” I muttered.

The Dark Elf froze mid-strike. Her eyes widened. She had been struggling with these monsters and now they were gone. All of them. Taken down with style, finesse… and a touch of mockery.

I turned to her, taking the most dramatic pose I could muster. Chest out, jaw sharp, hand through my long green hair. The "Are you okay?" face.

She screamed.

Blades came at me faster than I could track, slicing the air like wind. I leaned back, letting the swing pass harmlessly by.

“Are you dumb?!” I yelled, equal parts frustration and incredulity.

“You shouldn’t make such a scary face all of a sudden!” she shouted, stepping back and raising her blades defensively.

What the hell is wrong with this girl. This is why women scared me I thought.

Then panic hit me. Right. Conversation. With a girl. Other than my mom or Minako-san, I had never done this. My hands started sweating, my brain short-circuiting.

I remembered a lecture from Minako-san: “Talk to girls like they’re human, but don’t overthink it. Confidence matters more than words.”

Taking a deep breath, I tried to steady myself. “…I—I’m… Amakusa Tengen.”

I stumbled over the last syllable, bowing slightly.

She tilted her head, lips curling into a twisted smile. “Never… talked to a girl before, have you?”

My face betrayed me instantly. She laughed softly, teasingly, leaning closer with an almost predatory grace. I froze, pulse racing.

Then she burst into loud, unrestrained laughter, and my panic spiked.

I just got out of a cave full of A-rank monsters, and now I’m afraid of a girl? How pathetic. Ashryn would be disappointed.

She waved a hand casually. “Thanks for saving me, I suppose.”

I puffed out my chest, trying to act cool. “No big deal,” I said, even though my pride was bruised.

“Are you sulking like a little baby?” she teased.

I clenched my fists. “I’m not! …Okay, maybe a little.”

I straightened, forcing a smile. “Anyway. I’m Tengen. What’s your name?”

Her expression shifted, serious now. “I… have no name.”

“No name?” I asked, curiously.

She explained, calm and firm, about how naming worked in this world. Only humans, certain elves, demons, and dragons could safely name others. Names held power, triggered evolution, and cost mana, and sometimes money. Naming cod also lead to death for the namer. Usually only village leaders or elite warriors were named.

I scratched my head. “Well… why don’t I name you?”

Her jaw dropped. Did he even listen to what I just said?

"No, but thank you for the offer. I wouldn't expect that much from you, especially after you have saved me" She said. 

The she looked up at my face which was glistening with excitement. 

SHOCK!?, Why did he look so exited she thought to herself. 

And then I dramatically went down on my knees. “Please! Let me name you!”

Naming species and evolving them Is stuff I had seen in anime. And I wanted to try it myself.

She muttered under her breath, exasperated. This is the biggest idiot I’ve ever seen. Wondering how tiny my brain could be.

“Why do you want to name me so bad?” she asked.

I panicked, thinking fast. I couldn't tell her I jug want to do something I saw in an anime I watched, she wouldn't even know what I was talking about anyway. So I landed on “Uh… I… like… naming things?”

She stared at me, unimpressed. “Really?”

Failed.... I had no choice, I had to pull out my special move, one that had toppled boulders and moved mountains!!

I tilted my head and gave her my best puppy-dog eyes. The forbidden move, it was for certain powerful, but at the cost of my pride. But all that didn’t matter right now.

Her resolve started breaking... bingo, no matter how hard she tried to resist, It was inescapable, you were just delaying the inevitable. 

Finally, she sighed. “Fine. But… you could die, you know.”

It's my win :)

I waved a hand casually. “Don’t worry. Ive practically died twice already.”

Her eyes narrowed. “What the hell are you talking about?”

What… what do I even call her? I mutteres under my breath, pacing a little. My fingers tapped my chin.

“Dark… no, too obvious,” I whispered. “Shadow… hmm… too generic. She’s… not a shadow. She’s… alive. Dangerous. Graceful. Strong.”

My eyes flickered up to her as she tilted her head, watching me carefully. The faint scar beneath her left eye, the subtle glow of her tattoos in the dim light, she’s… like the night itself.

“Night… dark… moon…” I muttered, spinning words around in my head. Yoru…? The sound felt strange at first, but soft and flowing, almost like her hair sliding over her shoulders. “Yoru…ha…” I said it again, slower, testing it, and felt it fit her, quiet, elegant, with a hidden edge.

“Yes… Yoruha,” I finally said aloud. She started glowing as light enveloped her. An evolution to a High Dark Elf. Her hair changed from black to silver.

She was shocked, she hadn't expected it to actually work, and she started smiling. She had actually evolved, she turned to look at me but I had fainted and missed the entire evolution scene.

She gasped, staring at me, shocked. Thinking I was dead.

"I need to hide his body" She said with the darkest face she could muster.

“Ramen…” I mumbled. Fast asleep. 

A sign of relief was breathed, big enough to blow trees away, then she smiled.

"He must have depleted his mana reserves" She though to her. What a weird human. She picked Tengen to take him back to the village with her.

When Yoruha finally reached the outskirts of her village, Tengen was still slung over her shoulder like an oversized sack of rice. He had been mumbling nonsense the whole walk, mostly about ramen and something about “final boss music” but otherwise stayed blissfully unconscious.

The village guards immediately crossed their spears in front of her, blocking her way.

“Identify yourself,” one barked.

Yoruha puffed out her chest with all the pride of a cat that had just dragged in a dragon’s head. “I am Yoruha, sister of the head warrior Dravel.”

The guards blinked. Their eyes flickered over her silver hair, her glowing skin, her aura that practically shimmered with evolution.

“…Yoruha? But you’re”

“Yes,” she cut them off, smirking, “different. I evolved.” She twirled a strand of her new silver hair between her fingers for dramatic effect.

The guards exchanged uneasy looks.

“Well, even if that’s true,” the first guard said, pointing his spear at Tengen’s limp body, “outsiders are not permitted entry. That human stays out.”

Yoruha froze. Then her eye twitched. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me,” the second guard said. “Leave him somewhere else.”

Somewhere else. As if he were a bag of laundry.

Yoruha’s patience snapped. “Do you two know who you’re talking to?” she barked, her voice suddenly sharp and theatrical. “I have ascended! I’ve gained… powers beyond comprehension!”

The guards stiffened. “P-Powers?”

“Yes,” she declared, throwing out her arms in an exaggerated gesture. “New powers. Instant death powers. One glare from me and poof, you’re gone.” She leaned in close, lowering her voice to a sinister whisper. “Care to test me?”

The guards visibly paled, stepping back just a fraction.

Just then, a new voice cut through the tension. “What’s all this noise?”

The guards straightened immediately. Yoruha turned and her eyes lit up.

“Dravel-nii!” she cried, rushing forward.

The man who appeared was tall, broad-shouldered, and radiated the kind of presence that said “I’ve killed at least a dozen monsters before breakfast.” His silver hair was tied back in a warrior’s tail, his scar across his cheek made him look even grimmer, and his dual daggers gleamed at his hips.

But when his sharp silver eyes landed on Yoruha, his entire body froze.

“…Who are you?” he asked flatly. Shocked at some random suddenly calling her nii.

Yoruha’s smile darkened. Shadows practically poured off her. “Are you saying you don’t recognize your own little sister?”

Dravel blinked. Then the realization hit. Sweat beaded down his temple. His lips parted, then closed. He aged about ten years in the span of five seconds.

“My… my cute little sister, of course!” he said hastily, forcing a nervous smile. “How could I not recognize you?”

Yoruha’s expression flipped instantly. Her face lit up like a festival lantern. “Of course! My brother would never fail to recognize me!”

Dravel exhaled in relief, until Yoruha leaned in, smirking. “Oh, and by the way… you will now address me as Yoruha.”

“Yo…ru…ha?” Dravel repeated slowly. “You… have a name?” His eyes widened. “When? How?”

“Yes, brother!” she bragged, striking a pose. “I got a name!”

Only now did Dravel notice the unconscious human hanging limply over her shoulder. He frowned. “And… who exactly is this sack of potatoes you’re carrying around?”

Yoruha shifted Tengen slightly so his head didn’t loll too awkwardly. “This,” she said proudly, “is the man who saved my life… and then proceeded to name me.”

For a long moment, Dravel just stared. His eye twitched. Then he placed a hand on his chin, sighing dramatically.

“…So let me get this straight. You kidnapped some poor human boy, used him as a meat shield, and then forced him to name you. That… yes, that tracks. Excellent, exactly what I would expect from my devil of a sister.”

“WHAT?!” Yoruha shrieked, her face burning red. “I would never! Do you think I’m some kind of monster?!”

“Yes,” Dravel said immediately, nodding with sage-like wisdom.

Yoruha nearly dropped Tengen out of sheer outrage.

She stomped her foot, pointing a finger right in her brother’s face. “Listen here, you ash-faced gorilla! 

Ash-faced gorrila. Dravel thought smiling, that insult didn't even hit no more, she had used it for over 50 years, couldn't she come up with something better, he thought. 

That’s not what happened! He saved me from three monsters, all on his own! Then he named me willingly! Got it?!” Yoruha continued.

Dravel raised an eyebrow. “Willingly, you say…”

“Yes!” Yoruha insisted, though her voice cracked a little at the memory of Tengen literally begging on his knees for a chance to name her.

She took a deep breath, puffed her chest again, and added, “Anyway! That’s why I’m here! I need permission from Elder Liraeth to let Tengen stay in the village until he recovers!”

Dravel sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “…Well, why not. He saved my cute sister, after all. It would be rude not to offer him hospitality.”

Yoruha blinked in surprise. “…Really?”

“Of course,” Dravel said smoothly, though in his mind his thoughts were far darker. I’m going to kill this human. He evolved my sister and made her even scarier. Unforgivable.

The guards finally opened a path. Yoruha turned back, pulling a face at them: tongue out, one eye tugged down with her finger. The guards ground their teeth but didn’t dare respond.

And so, with Tengen still snoring like a rock, Yoruha marched proudly beside her brother, heading straight toward the Elder’s home.

By the time Yoruha and Dravel carried Tengen into the Elder’s hut, the boy was already awake.

In fact, not only awake, he was practically vibrating with excitement. His wide eyes darted around, his grin stretching ear to ear as he took in the towering wooden walls, the curved beams, the woven floors of living roots.

“Ohhhhhh! No way! A tree house! A classic elven tree house!” Tengen gasped, spinning around like a tourist who had just walked into Disneyland. “Look at this craftsmanship! Actual living wood architecture! Gods, I love fantasy tropes!”

He flopped to the floor, patting the smooth planks like he had just discovered buried treasure.

Yoruha and Dravel stared, their faces draining of color. It wasn’t shock so much as… the sensation that their very souls were leaking out through their ears.

“…What have I brought into the village?” Yoruha whispered, clutching her chest.

She had known this human was strange. But this, this was beyond strange. This was… incurable.

The silence was finally broken by the village Elder, Liraeth. Regal and composed, yet youthful and alluring; a leader whose beauty and aura could rival her warriors, even in her age. A tall, Elf woman with long flowing silver hair. Robes woven of emerald and white, she watched Tengen’s antics with an expression of disbelief.

“…Is he high?” she asked bluntly.

Yoruha instantly dropped to her knees, bowing so fast her forehead cracked against the wooden floor. The smack echoed through the hut.

Blood ran down her brow, but her voice was firm and earnest. “Elder Liraeth! I beg you, please allow him to stay in the village! Just for a short while!”

Both the Elder and Dravel gasped at the same time. Not because of Tengen but because they had forgotten something far more terrifying.

“Oh no,” Dravel muttered. “I forgot just how much of an idiot my sister is too…”

The Elder grimaced in agreement.

“…Explain,” she said finally.

Yoruha lifted her head, blood still trickling down her nose, and hurriedly recounted everything: the monsters, the battle, Tengen naming her, and how he had saved her life.

The Elder listened carefully. But when her eyes flicked back to Tengen, all patience evaporated.

He was licking the wall.

“Ohhh, even the texture! They actually grew this architecture naturally! Incredible!”

The Elder shot to her feet, pale as death. “There is no way I am letting that monster loose in my village!”

“Wha—he’s not a monster!” Yoruha cried. “Tengen!”

“Present!” he said brightly, right arm raised shooting her a grin while crouched upside-down on the floorboards.

“Help me plead our case!” she begged.

But Tengen wasn’t listening. He was too busy tapping the walls, muttering something about “druidic resonance frequencies.”

Yoruha’s eyes welled with tears. “Please! Please, Elder Liraeth, I swear he’s not dangerous!”

Dravel sighed, stepping forward. His face was calm, serene, almost noble. “Elder, I too ask on behalf of my sister.”

Yoruha turned to him, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Nii…” she whispered, voice trembling with hope.

Dravel gave her a soft smile. “Anything for my little sister.”

But inside, his thoughts were pure venom. Don’t worry, Yoruha. I’ll kill this boy myself. He won’t live long enough to cause more damage.

The Elder rubbed her temples. She could feel her blood pressure rising. Finally, she exhaled sharply. “…Fine. He stays. After all, he has already evolved one of our people. Our village’s strength has grown thanks to him. It would be wasteful to cast him out.”

Yoruha’s face lit up. “Really?!”

“However!” the Elder cut in, her voice dropping into steel. “He will be placed in the highest hut of the village. Bound in chains. With a full guard detail on watch at all times.”

“…Eh?” Tengen froze, blinking rapidly. “Wait. What? Did I just hear ‘chains’ and ‘full guard’?”

Yoruha and Dravel both nodded solemnly. “That’s reasonable.”

Tengen staggered to his feet, flailing his arms. “Reasonable?! That’s not reasonable! That’s imprisonment with extra steps! Look, I’m not into that stuff, alright?! Chains and guards are NOT my kink!”

But his pleas fell on deaf ears.

“Good,” the Elder said with finality. “It’s settled.” She adjusted her robes, her expression hardening. “Now… to the next matter. The one of utmost importance.”

The air in the hut shifted. The warmth drained away, replaced by a cold, grim weight.

Even Tengen, still halfway into his protest, snapped his mouth shut. Something told him that if he kept talking, they’d stop with chains and move straight to a public humiliation ritual.

So, for once in his life… he stayed quiet.