CHAPTER 42: CHAPTER 9.1: WHAT HAPPENED PART 2

The memories flooded back, including the echo of his sensei’s voice, the weight of a blade in his hands, and the muscle memory of shapes and movements. Along with it came a name that was both familiar and unfamiliar to him.

"Tsurugi," Jin whispered.

"What was that?" Sera asked.

"My name. My full name—Jin Tsurugi." The words felt right, like a key turning in a long-locked door.

___

[LORE ENTRY UNLOCKED – TSURUGI ZAIBATSU]

Category: Heritage / Bloodline / Pre-Collapse Power Structure

Access Level: Unlocked – Memory Resonance Match Confirmed

Entry Title: Tsurugi Zaibatsu – The Sword Behind the Silk Curtain

Summary:

Legend has it that the Tsurugi clan forged swords out of spirit and resolved during the Sengoku period, making them one of Japan’s greatest and ancient martial families. The Tsurugi were renowned for producing prodigies who learned the way of the blade at a young age when others could hardly wield a sword.

One of Japan’s biggest and most confidential corporate clans was the Tsurugi Zaibatsu. The legacy of the Tsurugi family was sealed in steel and shadow, a conglomerate whose influence extended beyond defense contracts, advanced weapons, bio-enhancement research, and cultural preservation.

Its modern financial empire was founded on a centuries-old tradition of martial skill, an unbroken lineage of renowned swordsmen. The Tsurugi were more than just fighters; they were regarded as protectors of Japan’s spirit, maintaining strict discipline while striking a balance between wealth, tradition, and power. According to rumors, the family had access to ancient combat arts that were hidden from the public, its own private army, and genetically modified descendants.

Reika TsurugI –

Reika Tsurugi, a skilled swordswoman and a master of diplomacy, cybernetics research, and tactical strategy, was once heralded as the next matriarch of the Zaibatsu. To inherit the empire, they were groomed from birth.

Jin Tsurugi –

Jin, born of a forbidden union, has inherited more than just a name. Though unaware of his heritage, his instinctual mastery of sword forms, combat reflexes, and mental fortitude suggest deep genetic memory retention.

___

"Tsurugi..." Sera repeated thoughtfully. "That’s a Japanese surname...."

"I remember training in a school dojo," Jin said slowly. "Sword forms. But it’s like watching someone else’s memories."

"Well, that explains," Rosa said with interest. "All that fancy footwork wasn’t just your luck."

"I hate to interrupt this touching moment of self-discovery," Asha said, "but you might want to focus on more immediate concerns.."

"What’s our situation?" Jin stood and checked his balance before asking. He felt stronger than he had in days, and the uniform adapted to his movements automatically.

Sera immediately straightened, shifting into what Jin was beginning to recognize as her command mode. "We’ve secured this level and the one below. Clara has restored power to sixty percent of this sector. We found a sealed armory, but it requires biometric clearance we don’t have yet."

She gestured to Clara, who projected a holographic map from a small device. "The Vault is bigger than we thought. We’ve only explored maybe thirty percent of it. There are entire sectors that are either sealed or unpowered."

Jin stared at the complex 3D layout, trying to make sense of the corridors, levels, and marked areas. His head started to hurt just looking at it.

"So... we go through them one by one?" he suggested.

Sera sighed. "It’s not that simple. We need to prioritize based on resources, security threats, and strategic value. We should establish patrol routes, inventory our supplies, set up communication protocols—"

"Right," Jin said, though his expression suggested he was already lost somewhere around ’strategic value.’

"Your processing speed remains impressively low," Asha commented. "I recommend nodding and letting Sera handle the planning."

"—and we need to consider what we’ll do if we encounter more monsters." Sera continued.

"But we’re safe here, right?" Jin asked. "I mean, we have food, shelter, and power. Isn’t that what matters?"

The room fell quiet. Rosa stopped mid-bite of her ration bar, Clara adjusted her glasses nervously, and Sera’s expression softened almost imperceptibly.

[DIALOGUE CHOICE AVAILABLE – CONTEXT: GROUP DISCUSSION]

[Emotions Detected: Fatigue, Tension, Concern]

Choose Jin’s Response:

A) "...But how safe are we, really, if we don’t know what’s waiting out there?"

[+2 Affinity: Sera – Recognizes her concern, shows leadership growth]

B) "...I’m not trying to be a hero. I just don’t want anyone else getting hurt."

[+2 Affinity: Clara – Honest and protective, builds trust]

C) "...Rosa, tell me a bed, food, and a hot shower isn’t the dream right now."

[+2 Affinity: Rosa – Lightens the mood, earns a playful reaction]

D) "...Asha, be real—what’s the actual safety rating of this place?"

[+1 Affinity: Asha – Curious and logical, triggers data report]

[+New Entry: Vault Threat Index]

Selected: [B]

Jin softly, glancing at the girls. "...I’m not trying to be a hero. I just don’t want anyone else getting hurt."

There was a brief silence.

Clara’s eyes widened slightly, her fingers fumbling with the hem of her new black-gold uniform jacket. A soft pink hue dusted her cheeks as she tried not to look directly at him.

Clara stammering around. "Th-that’s... really thoughtful of you, J-Jin..." She adjusted her glasses, nearly dropping them in the process, then gave him a shy but genuine smile from behind the lenses.

[AFFINITY UPDATE – CLARA VANCE]

+2 Affinity Gained

Current Affinity: 66 / 100

Trust Level Increased

[NEW UNLOCK]

• Clara may now open up about her past, personal thoughts, or initiate support dialogues during rest scenes.

[EMOTIONAL RESPONSE DETECTED]

• Clara feels safer around you.

• She’s more likely to assist with technical tasks.

• Expect deeper conversations and emotional support.

Sera, arms crossed, gave him a side glance, her lips twitching in something that might’ve been a hidden smile, but she said nothing.

Rosa, still perched lazily on a nearby supply crate, grinned like she’d just heard something adorable. "Ohhh, look at you getting all the knight-in-shining-armor on us. Careful, Clara’s gonna fall for you at this rate~" Rosa teasingly said to Clara.

Clara sputtered, waving her hands defensively.

"R-Rosa! I-it’s not like that! I—he—I just meant he’s... kind, that’s all!" Clara said as she fidget around.

"Statistical forecast: 82% probability that Clara is, in fact, falling for you. Continue being oblivious."

Jin blinked. His murmuring to Asha. "W-Wait, what does that even mean...?"

"It means: Good luck, love-struck protagonist."

"Jin," Sera said carefully, "survival isn’t just about having a roof over our heads. We need to understand what happened to the world, why we’re here, and what we’re supposed to do next."

"I know that," Jin said, though his tone suggested he was mostly just agreeing. "I just... I’m glad we’re all okay. That we found this place. That we found each other."

The simple honesty in his voice seemed to catch everyone off guard. Rosa’s usual smirk faded into something warmer, Clara ducked her head with a small smile, and Sera actually looked away for a moment.

"And there it is," Asha said with what sounded suspiciously like fondness. "Your remarkable ability to completely miss the point while somehow hitting the target anyway."

"Look," Jin continued, oblivious to the effect his words had, "I may not understand all the strategy stuff, but I know we’re stronger together. Whatever is out there, whatever happens to the world—we’ll figure it out. Together."

"You’re such an idiot," Sera said, but she was smiling. "A hopeful, naive idiot."

"S-Someone has to keep us grounded," Clara added quietly. "All the planning in the world doesn’t matter if we forget why we’re doing it."

Sera was quiet for a long moment, then nodded once. "Fine. But we still need to be smart about this. No more charging blindly into danger."

"I don’t charge blindly," Jin protested.

"You jumped in front of a Crawler to protect Clara," Sera pointed out.

"That’s different. That was—"