I Reincarnated as Drag king in Another World

Chapter 14: Shadows of Trust

The man's eyes flicked between Kaelith and Asuka, his expression cautiously hopeful. His posture was relaxed, but something about him set Kaelith's instincts on edge. She tightened her grip on her sword hilt, stepping slightly in front of Asuka, her gaze never wavering.

"We'll need more than just your word," Kaelith said, her voice cold and steady. "You're good with a blade? Show me."

The stranger chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "You're cautious. I get it. In a world like this, who wouldn't be? But let's not jump to violence." He spread his hands wide. "Name's Ryo. Just a wanderer trying to stay alive, same as you."

Asuka studied Ryo's face. There was a tiredness in his eyes that mirrored her own—a weariness that spoke of hardship and loss. She glanced at Kaelith, who remained tense, her gaze sharp as ever.

"We don't need trouble," Asuka said softly. "But we do need help."

Kaelith's eyes flicked to her, a hint of surprise crossing her features. Asuka rarely spoke up in situations like this, but something about Ryo's demeanor felt genuine.

Ryo nodded, lowering his hands. "Help, huh? That I can offer. You've got my blade, my word, and whatever scraps of information I've picked up along the way. But I've got one question for you."

Kaelith's grip on her sword didn't waver. "What question?"

Ryo's gaze turned serious, his voice low. "What's your purpose out here? You're not just surviving, are you? People like you don't just drift."

Kaelith narrowed her eyes. "And what makes you think we're any different?"

"Because you carry yourselves like you've got something to protect."

Asuka felt a strange weight in her chest at his words. Was he right? They had been moving forward out of necessity, but what were they really fighting for?

Kaelith remained silent, assessing Ryo with that piercing gaze of hers. Then, finally, she sheathed her sword. "We're heading to the next settlement. If you want to join us, you'll have to prove your worth along the way."

Ryo grinned. "Fair enough. Lead the way."

As they set off together, the tension in the air remained thick. But as the barren landscape stretched before them, a new sense of possibility began to take root.

And somewhere, in the distance, shadows stirred.

The trio walked in silence, each step crunching on the dry, cracked earth. The wind carried faint whispers, rustling the dead trees and brushing against the worn-out fabric of their cloaks. Ryo trailed slightly behind Kaelith and Asuka, his gaze darting around the barren landscape like a man who'd seen too much and trusted too little.

Asuka glanced at him from the corner of her eye. There was something about him — his easy smile and calm demeanor didn't quite match the wariness in his eyes. It reminded her of the people she used to know before this world fell apart. People who hid their fears behind a mask of confidence.

Kaelith, however, showed no signs of letting her guard down. Her posture was rigid, her hand hovering near her weapon. She didn't trust easily, and Asuka knew it would take more than a few kind words from Ryo to change that.

"So," Ryo began, breaking the silence, "what brings two lovely ladies like yourselves out to the middle of nowhere?"

Kaelith shot him a glare. "That's none of your business."

Ryo chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Fair enough. Can't blame a guy for being curious. Not every day you run into people out here who haven't gone completely mad."

Asuka hesitated before speaking. "We're heading to the next settlement. We've had… trouble with raiders."

Ryo's expression darkened. "Raiders, huh? Nasty bunch. I've had my share of run-ins with them. They're getting bolder these days. Used to stick to their own territories, but now they're expanding, taking whatever they can find."

Kaelith narrowed her eyes. "You seem to know a lot about them."

"I've been around," Ryo said with a shrug. "Seen things. Learned how to stay alive."

Asuka couldn't help but wonder what kind of life Ryo had led before the world fell apart. Everyone had a story. Some were just more painful than others.

After a few more hours of walking, they reached a small grove of dead trees, their twisted branches reaching toward the sky like skeletal hands. Kaelith stopped, scanning the area for any signs of danger.

"We'll rest here for a bit," she said. "But stay alert. We're not safe yet."

As they settled down, Ryo pulled out a small flask and took a swig before offering it to Asuka. She hesitated, then accepted it, taking a cautious sip. The water was lukewarm, but it soothed her parched throat.

"Thanks," she said, handing it back.

"No problem," Ryo replied with a grin. "So, tell me, what's your story? How'd you two end up traveling together?"

Kaelith shot him another warning glance, but Asuka spoke up before she could shut him down.

"It's… complicated," Asuka said, her voice soft. "We've both lost a lot."

Ryo nodded slowly. "Yeah. Haven't we all?"

The silence that followed was heavy with unspoken pain.

Kaelith stood up suddenly, her eyes scanning the horizon. "We need to keep moving."

Asuka and Ryo followed her lead, and the trio continued their journey through the desolate landscape. But as the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the ground, Asuka couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.

A faint rustling sound reached her ears, and she stopped in her tracks.

"Did you hear that?" she whispered.

Kaelith nodded, her hand already on her sword. "We're not alone."

Ryo drew his own weapon, a curved dagger that glinted in the fading light. "Raiders?"

"Maybe," Kaelith said. "Or something worse."

The rustling grew louder, closer. Then, without warning, a figure burst out from the shadows, lunging toward them.

Kaelith reacted instantly, her sword flashing as she blocked the attack. The figure snarled, revealing sharp teeth and wild eyes. It wasn't a raider. It was something else.

A corrupted.

"Asuka, get back!" Kaelith shouted, pushing the creature back with a powerful swing.

Asuka stumbled backward, her heart pounding in her chest. The corrupted man moved with unnatural speed, his movements jerky and unpredictable.

Ryo darted in from the side, his dagger slicing across the creature's side. "What the hell is this thing?"

"A corrupted," Kaelith said through gritted teeth. "Humans who've lost their minds to the darkness. They're dangerous."

The corrupted snarled, lunging at Kaelith again. But this time, she was ready. With a swift, precise strike, she drove her sword through its chest. The creature let out a final, guttural growl before collapsing to the ground.

Asuka stared at the lifeless body, her hands trembling.

"They're getting more common," Kaelith muttered, wiping her blade clean. "We need to be careful."

Ryo looked shaken, but he forced a smile. "Well, that was fun. Let's hope we don't run into more of those."

Kaelith shot him a look. "We will."

And as they continued their journey, the shadows around them seemed to grow darker, more menacing.

The road ahead was uncertain, and danger lurked at every turn.

But together, they would face whatever came their way.

The wind howled through the trees as the three trudged forward, their steps heavy with fatigue. The encounter with the corrupted left them on edge, but there was no time to dwell on it. The world didn't grant anyone the luxury of peace anymore.

Ryo broke the silence, his voice low but steady. "Corrupted, huh? I've heard stories, but that was the first time I've seen one up close."

"They were human once," Kaelith said, her tone grim. "People who lost their way. Either through desperation or exposure to the dark zones."

"The dark zones?" Ryo's brow furrowed. "So those places are real?"

Kaelith nodded. "They're spreading. Corruption taints the land, warping everything it touches. Animals, plants, and people — none of it remains the same."

Asuka shivered at the thought. She had seen the aftermath of a corrupted attack once before. A once-thriving village reduced to twisted ruins, with no survivors. The memory haunted her.

"How do you know so much?" Ryo asked Kaelith.

She glanced at him, her expression unreadable. "I've seen more than I care to admit."

"Fair enough," Ryo said, sensing that pressing further would get him nowhere. Instead, he turned his attention to Asuka. "And you? What's your story?"

Asuka hesitated, the weight of her past pressing down on her shoulders. "I'm just trying to survive."

Ryo smiled gently. "Aren't we all?"

The trio continued walking until they reached an abandoned structure — a crumbling gas station, its windows shattered and its walls covered in faded graffiti. Kaelith scanned the area before gesturing for them to enter.

"We'll rest here for the night," she said. "It's better than staying out in the open."

Inside, the air was stale, but it offered shelter from the biting wind. Asuka and Ryo set down their packs while Kaelith stood watch near the entrance, ever vigilant.

Asuka leaned against the counter, exhaustion creeping over her. "Do you think we'll ever find peace again?"

Ryo sat across from her, his gaze thoughtful. "Peace is a rare thing in a world like this. But maybe… if we keep moving forward, we'll find something close to it."

Kaelith remained silent, her gaze fixed on the darkness outside. She knew the truth. Peace was a distant dream, one that might never come. But as long as Asuka held on to hope, Kaelith would fight to keep that dream alive — for both of them.

For now, though, survival was their only goal.

Asuka whispered, almost to herself, "We'll keep going… as long as it takes."

Kaelith finally turned to face them, her expression softening for a brief moment. "And we'll do it together."

In the quiet stillness of the night, that promise was enough to keep them moving forward — into the unknown, into the shadows that waited beyond the horizon.