And back, with Chapter 23.
Kay bye.
XXX
Great...The boy sighed internally as he rubbed the bridge of his nose in frustration. Just when I thought I could have some peace and quiet…
"[Heeeeyyy! Hey! Hey! Fuzen! It's me! Hey, hey!]" How anyone could have so much energy and be so loud was a mystery to Fuzen.
"[...Did you eat some strange mushrooms again in hopes they would cure you, Seiji?]"
"[Buhahahaha! That was only once!]"
"[Thrice, Seiji. Thrice is the word you are looking for. It's three times I had to shove medicinal herbs down your throat because you ate unidentified foods and were dying.]"
"[Hahahaha, good times, right?]"
"[No.]" Fuzen replied, as nonchalant and straight-faced as always.
"[Hahahaha! So, what are you doing here? I've been looking everywhere for you.]"
Fuzen looked down at the clothes he was wearing: a simple blue eastern shirt and a pair of blue tight trousers, both of them making up the clothing of the everyday eastern worker. Then he looked over his shoulder at the construction site. "[...I am helping with construction work. Obviously enough.]"
"[Ohh, decided on changing jobs, did you? It suits you! Hahahaha!]"
"[I will cut you.]" Fuzen shot back with a twitching eye. "[I have a debt to pay. That is all.]"
"[Ahh, makes more sense then. You working long? How about eating something together?]"
"[...Is that your new Familia?]" The boy asked, looking at the tall individual and the Chienthrope besides his associate.
"[Yeah! They're the best! And look at my Captain: isn't she absolutely gorgeous?]"
...Moron. What does that have to do with anything? Fuzen sighed and took a step forward. The next moment he was already down on the street just a couple of steps away from Seiji.
"Daaamn, you fast!" His associate switched to the western language, whistling in surprise at how quick Fuzen was.
So quick, in fact, he couldn't even see him move.
"Mhm. It is a pleasure to meet you." The boy bowed to the God and the Chienthrope, having also switched to speaking Koine. "I am Fuzen Katsumi of the Lightning Sword Style."
"I know Seiji mentioned you two being friends, but I didn't really believe it until now…" Naaza said under her breath, the slightest bit unnerved to be in Fuzen's presence. After all, there was not one soul in Orario who had not watched the Vindictive War. She was well aware of what the boy was capable off now.
"The pleasure is ours, Fuzen-kun. I am Miach and this here is Naaza."
I see, then this Chienthrope must be the one Teasanare-sama mentioned before…I shall remember her face.
"...What brings you to the East District, if I may ask?"
"Hahaha, I insisted we come here. You know, try out the food, enjoy ourselves a bit, that kinda stuff."
"...I see."
"So wanna come with us? We ought to catch up too, bro!"
"Don't ever call me that again, bro. But with that said, I will take you up on your offer. I still need to finish things here, though. I will be with you shorty. Do you know where you wish to go?"
"No idea, hahaha! We were just looking around, to be honest."
"I see. In that case I shall treat you as my guests." Fuzen gave a nod then looked over to an alley to his side. He made a hand sign and an individual dressed in black came out from between the buildings.."[Show them to the Sushi Nigiri. They are my guests. Treat them as such.]"
The man gave a deep nod, "[Understood, Young Master.]", followed by a deep bow to the group of three. "Then please follow me, honoured guests."
Both Miach and Naaza raised an eyebrow at the sudden turn of events, all the while Seiji simply laughed. "[What's this? Finally accepted it, have you?"]"
"[You should accept the fact that I will cut you if you don't pipe down. Now go. I will be with you shortly.]" Wasting no more time Fuzen went back to the construction site, letting his associate lead the three to the best restaurant in town.
Indeed, only two weeks passed since the battle but much had changed for Fuzen since then, his influence among them. But a bit of work still needed to be done, things still needed to be set straight.
Until then, no one could know he was alive and in Orario.
Granted he already knew Seiji was in Orario and that he joined the Miach Familia. He simply played the fool in order not to arouse suspicion in his childhood friend-...associate. It is why he informed the people standing guard to allow them passage inside the East District.
Still, why did I reveal myself to him before the time was right…?
That had not been part of his plan.
Was it a lack of sleep?
Lack of meditation?
He did not know.
But he was not meant to reveal himself just yet.
...Then again, it's almost ready. It does not make that much of a difference whatever they know of my status now. I'll convince them to be quiet about it later…
He sighed at the extra workload on his shoulders but shrugged it off in the end. Walking back to the construction site he clapped his hands, gaining the attention of the workers there. "[Listen. It's a bit earlier than usual but you can all go home. Work is done for today.]"
"[Is something the matter, Young Master?]" Asked the chief supervisor, a man in his late fifties.
"[Nothing of the sort. Something came up and I need to leave early. Thus you are all dismissed for the day. Work resumes tomorrow at seven. Rest well.]"
"[B-But we can still work, Young Master!]" The workers shouted, confusing the boy with their sudden motivation.
"[...I will pay you the same even if you leave early. Rest assured and go home.]"
"[W-We can't do that! Young Master is here working with us from dawn to dusk, we can't leave early on our own when you work so hard, as well! We can still work!]"
"[He is right, Young Master!]"
"[Young Master!]"
"[Young Master!]"
This is a pain in the fricking butt!
The boy screamed internally unable to understand why those grown men were so motivated every single day. If only that old geezer would have kept his mouth shut...I feel like I shouldn't build this restaurant for him anymore simply because of the headaches he gave me with his blabber mouth…
Quite so, the building being constructed was no other than the restaurant he frequented before which had been burned down by the weasel from Altena.
Following his stealthy return to Orario he immediately set out to build it once again with his own money.
Honour demanded it, after all.
Other people getting targeted to get at you was the highest slap in the face someone who walked Fuzen's path of the sword and honour could receive.
This was one of the reasons why he became something beyond furious when the weasel target not only this restaurant but even the black-haired Cat Person and his Familia at the time, Loki Familia.
Granted even those so called honourable Samurai from his homeland would lower themselves to kidnappings and blackmailing if their lord so requested, so it was certainly a common enough strategy but for a swordsman, it was nonetheless a great dishonour to target one's associates, one of the worst atrocities one could commit.
He even targeted her, that headless bastard... An image of wavy, long silver hair popped in his mind for but a second followed by the associated mild scent of herbal plants and jasmine.
He shook his head, trying to get it out of his thoughts.
Doesn't matter, she's safe now.
"[...I won't pay you extra, you do realize this, yes?]"
"[Yes, Young Master!]" The workers shouted in return.
"[I...see. Then...proceed? However, do finish work same as usual. I do not want to hear any of you worked beyond the set schedule. Am I understood?]"
The group of thirty men laughed and smiled, for whatever reasons Fuzen could not say, then they nodded at him. "[Sure thing! Please enjoy your night, Young Master.]"
I'm a Disciple of the Lighting Sword Style, damn it. I don't do...enjoyment.
He didn't verbalize his thoughts, however. He had done so before yet they still didn't seem to understand him.
Whatever, I need to move to the next task.
With a sigh, he walked away from the construction site and onto his next destination a couple of blocks away. His walk there was a hustle, ignoring the people who waved and bowed their heads at him.
It was annoying and unwarranted but unfortunately, he could not change other people nor how they behaved.
Well, he could...but that would be counter-productive to his plans and surely backfire on him, Fuzen knew that for sure. Thus he put up with all this unnecessary...whatever it was these people were doing.
With his pace as fast as it was Fuzen arrived at his destination, a simple, eastern house, before he even knew it and took a moment to sigh before knocking at the door.
In record time, less than five seconds in fact, the door swung open. "[Young Master, welcome. You are earlier than usual.]" It was no other than the owner of the burned-down restaurant, simply known to all as Yamamoto. No one knew his first name nor did they ask for it.
"[Some guests showed up here and I decided to wrap things up earlier than usual. Do not worry about it.]"
"[I see. Please, do come inside.]" The old man said as he stepped to the side, allowing Fuzen passage into his home. The boy nodded and took off his shoes before proceeding. It was not the first time he was here so wasting no more time he led the way towards the living room, Yamamoto following him a step behind.
"[What of the packages?]" Fuzen asked.
"[We dealt with most of the previous ones, but...another one came today with another request. He is in the living room.]"
"[...Mhm.]"
Though not exactly rich the owner managed to save a good sum of Valis over the years being one of the best in his trade and thus the house he managed to buy in his old age was rather spacious, built in the manner of the east.
Fuzen walked on, finally reaching the room on the far end of the entrance. As soon as he slid the door to the side, the boy raised a hand to the man inside, keeping him from standing up. "[I am Fuzen Katsumi of the Lighting Sword Style. I hear you have a request.]"
As expected the man seated at the table, in his early forties it seemed, raised an eyebrow in surprise. In truth he already knew what Fuzen looked like thanks to the broadcast a couple weeks ago, but nonetheless surprise overcame him.
Geez. Yes I'm short, I get it already. Heaven's above...Sigh…
"[Sir, do you have a request or not?]"
"[O-Oh. My apologies, Young Master. Indeed, I have a request, the most important one in my whole life.]" The man nodded, the worry bare in his eyes.
"[Tell me what happened, and I shall see to it.]"
"[...W-Will you really, Young Master?]"
"[Ken-san!]" The owner yelled at the man from behind Fuzen, furious at the lack of trust and respect he was witnessing. "[The Young Master walks the path of honour! Don't disrespect him with such thoughtless questions!]"
"[Ah, no. It's alright, owner. This is like, the twenty-sixth time I am asked this very question. I have gotten used to it.]" The boy managed to suppress another sigh from escaping him, waving his hand to the older man. "[As to your question: I shall indeed see to it. However, depending on how much time passed...much damage might have already been done. Too much, worst case scenario.]"
In truth he saw little good coming out of taking back the packages, but then again it mattered little. Taking in consideration how easy the job was and how high the respect and loyalty that came afterwards was, Fuzen knew he should have been grateful instead.
"[I shall forever be grateful to you, Young Master! Then, here is a drawing from two years ago…]" The man, going by the name of Ken, procured a drawing of a girl from his clothes. It was well-drawn, too, probably by some street artist selling his skills for a bit of Valis.
Fuzen looked at the drawing intensely for a couple of moments, taking all of the girl's features in for later use. In truth being an easterner herself Fuzen doubted she would be hard to spot, but one could never be too prepared. "[Mhm. Then, explain what happened.]"
Though he asked that Fuzen already knew what the story would be like. After all, he was told the same story so many times in the last two weeks there was barely any room left for hopes of something original to be told.
A couple of minutes later the man finished his story and Fuzen looked over to Yamamoto, the man giving him a small nod in return. The story was not made up, then, something Fuzen was grateful for. Last thing he wished for was fighting for someone who lied to him. So far he was grateful for being lucky enough not to experience something like that but one could never be too sure. "[I understand your plight. I shall take care of this. We will speak about the payment later. You may leave now.]"
The man bowed his head at least half a dozen times, then left the room, being accompanied by Yamamoto back to the entrance. "[...What of the information from Hermes Familia?]" Fuzen asked a moment later once he was apparently alone in the room.
"[Reliable.]" That was all the reply he got from the Ki source he felt nearby.
"[Good. Take as much money from the warehouse as needed. Buy back the packages. Once they are all secured, I shall destroy them all.]"
"[Understood, Young Master.]"
"[...What of my guests?]"
"[Waiting at the restaurant as per your request.]"
"[Mhm. I shall go over the latest changes with the owner now before joining my guests. In the meantime you go and deal with the latest request, Kato. With some luck the latest package is not stained just yet.]"
"[Your will shall be done, my lord.]" And just like that the presence vanished along with the man.
...I am lucky enough to be able to sense his Ki, but...those shinobi are dangerous, all right…
Fuzen shook his head and sighed.
Now all that was left was to go over the financial status of the East District, securing the packages, allocating money where it was needed, paying the Hermes Familia for their services, listening to the reports of the guards and discussing the enemy's latest move.
Then he could go and eat something.
He let his head drop, rubbing the bride of his nose.
For today, that is. Come tomorrow and everything will repeat again…
"...Just what have I gotten myself into…? Maybe staying dead and forgotten would have been better in the long run…"
Despite everything that has happened, despite everything which has changed, one thought persisted all the same for the boy ever since coming to Orario.
Screw my fricking life...Sigh...
XXX
"Haha, damn this is some good stuff! Hey, boss, try out the sashimi!" The boy laughed, sitting across his God and Captain, three dishes worth of food empty in front of him.
"I will, I will. Still, you sure have an immense appetite, don't you, Seiji-kun?"
"I mean, you can't be strong without eating well, now can you? Buhahaha!"
"...That's all good and well but will the money we have on us be enough for all this…?" Naaza muttered, already going through the process of calculating how much everything Seiji and Miach had ordered would cost. The years of being in debt had left their mark on her, after all.
"It's alright, that shorty will take care of it." The boy responded.
"Still, won't this be abusing his kindness?" The God asked in return.
"Hahaha, you two aren't very familiar with eastern customs, are you? He said we are his guests. In fact, not ordering more would be rude towards him."
"...But still…"
"Like I said, don't worry about it. I'll pay him back in due time."
"I'll hold you to that." The fourth person replied, all heads turning around to see Fuzen standing by their table. When he got there only he knew, but he went undetected until speaking. "Make some room."
"Ah, sure. Here you go." Seiji nodded, sliding further towards the wall, making some room on the bench for the younger boy. "What took you so long? It's been like, what, an hour?"
"Forty-three minutes, in fact. And believe it or not I am very busy as of late. Nonetheless, forgive my late arrival. I hope my choice of restaurant has not been disappointing?"
"Not at all, Fuzen-kun." Miach replied with a warm smile. "Thank you again for choosing it for us."
"I see. I am glad to hear so." The boy made a sign to the owner, the man bowing his head before rushing onto action knife and ingredients working together in a rushed harmony towards his next dish. "To be honest, I was not expecting you to set out on your journey so soon, Seiji."
"Hahaha, why waste time doing nothing? I am healthy now, so I need to make up for lost time! Thanks for that, by the way!"
"...I see. Are you still using that ridiculous sword?"
"Hey, hey! Don't go around dissing my piece!"
Fuzen sighed, scanning Seiji once over. "You are still not strong enough to fight properly with that heavy thing."
"Hahaha, I know right? That's why I gotta keep using it so that's I'll be able to use it correctly someday!"
...All is good as long as you don't drop dead following this line of thought...Still, it is his decision. And not to mention his centre of gravity is probably the best I have seen in all of the people without mastery over Ki until now...
"...As long as you know your limits."
"…? Buhahahaha! What's the matter, bro?! The west changed you this much? Never heard the word limit coming out of your mouth until now!"
Quite indeed Fuzen was a strict believer that any limit could be broken. Without such a mindset coming as far as he did would have been impossible to begin with. Yes, breaking through limits has been what he woke up for in the morning, one limit at a time, ever forward towards grasping the Heavens.
That has been his priority: getting better, getting stronger, no matter the hardship and no matter how much of his own blood and sanity he had to sacrifice.
In the end no compromise could be allowed, after all.
The path to becoming a Disciple of the Lightning Sword Style was filled with sacrifices, but above all it required it's would-be practicians to come face to face with death and conquer it. Only by entering a forced state of death after years of spartan training which broke and rebuilt the would-be Disciples could one truly awaken his latent Ki abilities and increase his pool of Ki to a degree where he could use it in actual combat.
It was indeed a highly risky and dangerous endeavour, but at the very least a Master would be there to guide the process, to try and light the thin path which separated life from death.
Every Disciple had at least that assurance that they would not be completely alone.
But now?
Now…
…
…
Cold.
Dark.
Empty.
No vision.
No voice.
No hearing.
No feeling.
No warmth.
Can't speak.
Can't think.
Can't move.
Can't crawl.
Can't...can't breath.
Suffocating.
So suffocating.
Too suffocating.
Breath.
Let me breath!
You are weak.
Just for once, let me breath!
Put up with it already.
Why?
Why is death…?
…
Why is death just as suffocating as life…?
You know why.
You know it all too well.
...It's not liberating.
It's not liberating at all...
Yes.
Lie.
Everything was a lie…
...Yes. Yes. All lies.
Always has been, always will be.
...But...why?
Does it matter?
Why...why is there no hope at all?
Does. It. Matter?
...No. No!
Not again!
You will submit.
There is no other option.
No!
You are not needed. Submit.
No, stop…
Be it life or death, nothing has changed.
No, not again…
There will be no compromise. After all…
Someone-
There is no escape.
Never has been, never will be.
…
…
Fuzen looked ahead yet at nothing in particular, silent for a couple of moments. He felt his eye and fingers twitch in response to what little memories he still had of that incident but he ignored the tells and memories both.
They mattered little.
"...Humans...are pretty weak, Seiji." He finally replied with a sigh. "Even if your resolve is made of iron your body is still just human, blessed as it is. Don't become arrogant nor overconfident. That is all the advice I can give you."
"...Sounds quite serious when it's coming from you. Something up, Fuzen?"
An interesting question. Fuzen looked to his side at the older boy he had now known for years. It was strange indeed to see him up and about, no longer pale nor skeletal in body, and he didn't know exactly what to think of the situation.
However, his confusion aside he knew it has changed.
Seiji was no longer someone outside the battlefield.
He was no longer what he has been years ago. Thus there would be no compromise here, either. "...Nothing. Just felt like sharing some wisdom I gained. Heaven knows you need it far more than me, after all."
"Hahaha! Damn, you are as irritating as ever!"
"Mhm." Fuzen nodded in return, his food having finally arrived: a plate of salmon nigiri. Breaking his chopsticks apart Fuzen picked up the first sushi roll and dipped it in the soya sauce.
Taking the first bite his expectations were immediately met: it was bland, the boy unable to pick up on any taste. It wasn't anything new, however.
This has been going on for a couple weeks now, ever since that incident.
Was it some sort of follow-up symptoms after that incident? He quite honestly did not know. Nor did he truly care.
Everything was bland lately so one more thing added to the list barely made any difference.
The texture is nice, at least. I guess?
Following that the group of four continued to eat in relative silence, only bringing up some irrelevant topics here and there like the Dungeon and medicinal talk which only Naaza and Miach conversed about.
Seiji choose well, Fuzen thought to himself as he observed the Chienthrope and the God.
They were...not bad people.
At least they did not give him the impression of being bad people. Then again he would still need to have a discussion later with Seiji about being careful. He knew little of the outside world after all, having been confided to his bed for so long.
Just as he finished his food Fuzen felt the presence once again lingering above him, standing up a moment later. "I will need to take my leave now."
"Oh, so soon? And here we just met up after years." Seiji asked.
"...Alas, duty cannot wait. Please do not worry about paying, for I shall take over this time."
"Gotcha. Hey, by the way drop by our home soon, I have a letter from back home for you."
A letter, you say…? Fuzen pondered on the new information.
He doubted it was his Mistress: they have not contacted each other for a long time, before even his arrival in Orario, which meant roughly two years now. With that said, the only person who could write to him was his former Deity.
Hachiman-sama...I have not written a letter home since sending the Elixir for Seiji. I know I should, but...Sigh…
"...Understood. I shall visit you at the Blue Pharmacy soon."
"Oh and by the way your former Familia is looking for you. Especially that one short-haired Amazon. Hahaha, I see her almost every day looking around town for you!"
Hm? Tiona-sama? What could she possibly want with me? Sparring, maybe?
"...I see. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. With that said I do have a favour to ask of your Familia, as well."
"What is it?" The tall, long-haired God asked.
"I would be very grateful if you could all keep my presence here a secret. As a matter of fact, I have some...business I need to finish here and Orario knowing about my presence in the city would hinder my plans. Thus, if you could all keep it a secret I would highly appreciate it."
"Oh, that's all? Gotcha!" The older boy nodded with a thumb-up. "Uhh...I suppose I should not agree to that without confirming it with my Familia first...Boss, what say you?"
The God gave a light chuckle, amused at Seiji's words and his overall lack of understanding. "Of course. Then, we shall keep Fuzen-kun's presence here a secret."
"Thank you for your understanding. I shall not forget this. Please, do enjoy your stay in my East District."
"Wait." Naaza chimed in confused at his words. "Your East District?"
"Ah, have I not mentioned it?" Fuzen replied, his head tilted as he tried to remember whatever he told them or not. "I have bought the East District with the money I got from Altena for coming out on top. This part of Orario belongs to me now." He gave a short shrug. "Most of it, anyway."
"...Huh?!"
XXX
A new day, and with it, another miss.
The girl sat on the terrace of her Familia's Manor looking over the empty garden yet not truly looking at anything, either.
It was a rare...nay, an unthinkable sight to see the girl so quiet and silent, her peers by now used to her energetic and loud personality. But nonetheless here she was, acting like a different person altogether.
"Sigh...Why can't I find him…?...Sigh…"
She has been looking for weeks now all over Orario, but she found no sign. She wasn't the only one, either: her whole Familia kept their eyes open for any signs of the boy.
Alas, nothing came of it.
"Where else can I look…? Sigh..."
Behind her inside the Manor a group of people were observing Tiona in her new, unusual state. "Gods, this is so weird to look at…" The Cat Person, Aki, said.
"I know, right?" Lefiya nodded. "I think she sighed more in the last week than all her life combined…"
"...Is she hurt?" The Sword Princess asked next noticing the girl down below on the terrace touching her chest. "She's grabbing her chest…"
To her side the High Elf shook her head, amazed at the girl's lack of understanding when common sense was involved. "Ais, that's not it."
"Hm?"
"I mean, it's not that hard to notice it, or is it?" The girl's own twin sister, Tione, asked the Sword Princess as she crossed her arms across her chest. "My little sister is in love."
"...Oh…" Ais replied after a long moment of silence, this matter too far removed from what she was good at dealing with. "Is...that so?"
"She's been at this ever since that battle. It's actually...amazing to be honest, that you failed to notice this." The other elf of the group, Alicia, replied to Ais with a laugh.
In actuality Ais has been highly moved by the battle in Altena, bloody as it had been.
She had not felt as eager about something like she did watching the Vindictive War in a long time, the last time was years ago when witnessing Finn and the others up-close on her first expedition.
Between her solo dives into the Dungeon and her alone time in her room contemplating what she was lacking the Sword Princess had little contact with her Familia over the last two weeks, thus her lack of knowledge on the change within Tiona.
"...I'm sorry…"
"Ahh, don't worry about it, Ais." Tione quickly replied, noticing the blonde girl's shoulders dropping. "It's not like we can do something about it."
"...Still, to think Tiona could ever act like this…"
"I know, it's quite unreal…"
"Well, I guess. I mean I'm her sister and I've never seen her like this. Fuzen, huh…?" The Amazon looked downwards at her unusually still sister, confused at the choice the girl made. "I mean, he has nothing on the Captain, obviously, but he's strong. Even so it's weird that she fell exactly for that boy…"
"How so?" Riveria asked.
"I mean...she's been in love with stories of heroes for as long as I can remember. Naturally, I was expecting her to fall in love with some guy embodying those traits. But that boy on the other hand…"
Little else needed to be said and the group of females all had the image of Al-Dale under assault by countless lighting strikes pop in their minds, the city wall brought down by Raiju as it became the coffin for nigh two thousand souls…
They all knew what Tione was talking about.
Fuzen was no hero.
Far from it, in fact.
At best, he was an anti-hero type of person.
At worst...at worst, he was the very villain one could find in one such heroic story.
But even so the hero-loving Amazon felt it in her chest, in her heart, that he was the one.
It has been a surprise even to her, which came as she watched the broadcast of Fuzen's battle against Altena. Overall, she was not quite sure how to feel about all that had happened. She enjoyed a good fight just as much as the next Amazon, Tiona wouldn't deny that.
However, much needless destruction had been inflicted on Al-Dale and it's citizens.
In all honesty she kind of understood why rumours on the street regarding the boy in question were negative, sometimes downright hateful. His actions had not been stellar even if the boy uncovered Altena's many flaws through the testimony of the Treasurer.
Many people had died, almost two and a half thousand in fact, Tiona later found out from information circulating around Orario. Some of these deaths could have been avoided even she knew that much.
His actions had not been heroic in the least.
And she was well aware of this fact.
But even so, Tiona had still been in awe at the display of strength the boy had shown on that day, excited even to see how far he could go, how far his power extended.
It was then that something within her shifted.
Ah. He's the one.
That thought flew through her mind as the battle reached it's climax and her heart began to throb like nothing she had ever experienced before.
In truth, she had always been interested in the distant boy.
His mysterious strength, his determined look, his past, she always wondered how he came to become who he was, something others were just as interested in as her. He was after all a singularity, an individual like no other.
Yes, he was no hero in shining armour like the ones from the stories.
That was the truth, simple as that.
But even so remembering everything he had said, everything he had done and the strength he had shown to the whole world Tiona could say confidently that he was pretty cool. Always had been in her eyes, though she never said so until now.
Perhaps, thanks to his human faults, he was even cooler than the heroes of old.
"...Sigh...I want to see him. Wonder where he's at right now. Hehe, probably training or something like that…"
XXX
"Gaaah-!"
"Arrrgh!"
"Wait! Waitwaitwait- Aiieee!"
"May the Gods have mercy on your souls, for I shall show you none."
His sword flew to the side, cutting flesh and bone alike, man after man falling down to his feet within the confinements of their own hideout.
Fuzen thought little of it, however.
They were neither strong enemies which would allow him to take a step closer towards grasping the heavens nor honourable enough to warrant his respect. At most they would make a fine addition to his stair, if only to increase it's height by a single centimetre.
After all, they were all just…
Vermin. No, leeches would be more appropriate, I guess? Hmm…
"You." He voiced, raising his sword towards the closest man to him, the one whose arm he had cut off just mere moments before.
"…!"
"Vermin or leech? What are you people exactly?"
"...W-What?"
"Are you in shock from blood loss? Then you are of no use. I don't have time for that."
"V-Vermin! And leech! I'll be whatever you want, just spare me!" The man begged as he tightly grabbed the stump which began just below his elbow. Probably a Level 2 if he was able to bite through the pain without losing his consciousness.
Ahh, I see. A combination of both, then. As expected they truly are tainted and disguising. I feel filthy now myself, being covered in their blood...Ugh…
Having received his answer Fuzen gave the man a nod then swung his sword through his throat, blood gushing out of the new wound and onto Fuzen, his eye twitching upon seeing the drops staining his clothes. "I wanna take a bath...Sigh…"
He looked around the warehouse: eleven had been slain so far. The exits were also being watched by the others and seeing how he has received no message, it meant no one managed to escape just yet.
Then again my Ki sensing ability sharpened to a degree I previously thought impossible after that one incident, so it's not like anyone can escape me anymore...
Following exactly that new sharpened ability to sense the life force of other beings Fuzen made his way through the warehouse, passing through the first door then through a second one on the far side of the room. He knew not the layout of this building but the Ki traces in the air were enough for him to follow those who were still in need of purging.
"Come on, come on already!" Just as the boy turned and entered a hallway he came face to face with the last three individuals to remain alive.
They were gathered together at the back entrance trying to find the correct key to open the heavy, metal door. It was certainly a durable metal but that same durability was what kept the men from simply smashing through the door in an attempt to flee.
...Stupid to the end, I guess…
Just then one of the three men turned around and made eye contact with Fuzen, the boy covered in blood from head to toe standing motionlessly as he watched them with a raised eyebrow. "Shit, he's here!"
"Get the fucking door open already!"
"I'm trying, I'm trying!"
Fuzen closed his eyes and yawned, his body already tired from today's work and stress.
He rubbed his eye while his yawning extended past a couple of seconds all the while sticking his katana into the ground to free his other hand and draw his short katana.
Yawn...Time to clean house. I've had enough for today. It's past bedtime, as well.
Grabbing one sword in each hand Fuzen brought his arms back and then threw the swords forward at the remaining men. Having increased his upper body strength via Ki both swords soared through the air faster than even an arrow fired by Alicia or Riveria, piercing the vermin on either side of the door through the chest and impaling them into the wall behind.
Now only one remained-
Click!
Just then the last vermin managed to unlock the door and he darted outside.
"Ah... He's escaping."
I wonder why, though. Even they should understand that vermin are harmful existences and should be removed for the betterment of all. So then, why run away…? You don't want cockroches in your homes either, do you? And so, what do you do? You exterminate them, right?
"Sigh...Now then…" He could reach the man in roughly two Lighting Drive steps, but that sounded like a pain in the ass for he had no more weapons on himself. He would need to tackle the vermin down, then either suffocate him or break his neck, actions he as a swordsman was not exactly used to.
He could also try and kill him with another sword throw but by the time he would manage to pull a sword out the vermin would be too far away for an accurate bullseye like before.
"...This is such a hassle…I just wanna sleep..." Out of options and wishing to get over this as soon as possible Fuzen raised his left arm, index and middle fingers pointing at the vermin running away, and braced himself for the pain which would follow his next action.
"[Lash out.]"
A bolt of lightning crackled through the air, heading straight for the vermin.
Before he could even look over his shoulder the lightning bolt hit the man in the back then came out through his chest, a fist-sized hole punched through his body and lungs.
Something had changed within him after the incident.
What exactly, Fuzen could not say with certainty but it was equally terrifying and surprising.
"The power certainly increased, but…" He looked down at his left arm, both of his fingers having turned charcoal black after suffering 4th degree burns following the energy release.
Pulling up his sleeve he traced the damage up his arm all the way to his shoulder and down his chest.
It seemed like only the area where the Ki got released from suffered the most damage, with the tissue on his shoulder and chest being only mildly scarred, akin to 2nd degree burns. "...I can't use this in a real fight. Any opponent worthy to be called an opponent would dodge something like this. That would only mean I would injure myself for no reason...Sigh…"
He did not understand why he was now able to release Raiju's electricity without the dragon being summoned.
He read his Sword Style's book information on Ki, went through countless theories, but he could not come up with anything that made sense.
Had dying really changed him that much?
Granted becoming a Disciple required facing death and each Ki Awakening ritual also brought forth the chance of dying, but…
That only leaves the 'girl' as an explanation, but...could her presence really make this much of a difference?
"...Whatever. *Yawn*….Sleepy…"
At risk of flipping over and falling asleep any moment Fuzen walked forward, pulling out his swords from the two vermin stuck to the wall, swiping the blood off the blades with a single stroke then placing them within their sheaths.
With the area cleared Fuzen left through the back entrance, making his way across the alleys until he reached the spot Kato, the shinobi, choose to meet up at a couple of blocks away from the scene.
"[It is good to see you well, Young Master.]" The middle-aged man voiced from within the shadows that shrouded his physical body.
"[Mhm. The package?]"
"[Secured, my Lord. She is with the third group a street away from here.]"
"[I see. Grab the nearest group to the scene and dispose of the bodies. I don't doubt Ganesha Familia will be here shortly seeing how we are almost out of the East District.]"
"[At once.]" Not a moment later the presence within the shadows disappeared, the man no longer in the immediate area.
His own job was done, now everything else fell upon the ones that choose to go along with his plan. Thus he could go back to his place and finally sleep...but, he choose not to.
Maybe it wasn't written in stone but he believed there was one last matter only he could address.
...Sigh...No shortcuts as long as duty is concerned.
He left the obscure place he was in and headed towards the Ki sources he felt were one block away from him.
"[It's me.]"
As soon as he made his presence known the group of four men, all wearing identical clothes and obscuring their faces with cloth masks, rushed to his side. "[Young Master!]"
And here we go…
"[Are you hurt?!]"
"[Young Master is covered in blood!]"
"[I'm fine, I'm fine. Tis not my blood. I came to inform you all that the hideout has been cleared. I would like to avoid unnecessary attention so if you could all help with the cleaning, I would be most grateful.]"
"[Ohh, as expected of the Young Master!]"
"[Please leave the remaining work to us!]"
"[Mhm. Though, I warn you, it won't be pretty. I showed no mercy. If you have a weak stomach...best you stay out.]"
In truth it was an unnecessary warning.
Each man chosen to act as scouts and guards were adults who escaped from the war-ridden Far East in search of a better life. They were no warriors, yes, but they had all seen their fair share of war and death, their homeland responsible for hardening them up.
Not one of them would lose his dinner just because of a couple of corpses or the smell of stomach acid sprayed on the floor. "[Leave it to us, Young Master! We will coordinate with the other groups and clean it all up within the next half an hour.]"
"[Understood. Much appreciated. Now, the girl…]" Walking past the group of scouts he approached the last person of the group, the girl sitting on the ground leaning on the wall behind her.
As he drew closer Fuzen sharpened his senses, scanning the young woman from head to toe: her body, her smell, everything, even her very soul, all for the sake of searching for the taint.
Alas, he found nothing.
The girl had been lucky that her father reached out to him so quickly. Most of the others before her had not been as lucky, the taint now engraved in their very being, emanating with their every breath. In another time, in another place, Fuzen would have proven to be an even greater threat to them than their captors themselves, but...he was stronger now. He could think of the long-term plan, unlike before.
They had some worth, yet.
"[...You are Akari Sasaki-sama?]" A meaningless question, Fuzen knew it himself.
He engraved the drawn picture he was shown of her into his mind and a single glance at her face was enough for him to confirm that she was indeed the newest package. However he asked her nonetheless, at least to see if she could answer simple questions after her short time in captivity.
"[Y-Yes.]"
"[Are you in need of medical attention?]"
"[N-No...]"
"[I see. I am Fuzen Katsumi of the Lightning Sword Style. It was my efforts which saw you freed.]"
"[Katsumi…? Then, you are-!]" The woman shot up to her feet, her eyes wide open in surprise as she looked upon the smaller boy. "[You are the Young Master?!]"
Heaven's above, not again…
"[...Yes, I am-]"
Was it because he was sleepy, or had his senses dulled because of his lack of meditation, his days and efforts spend dealing with the East Districts problems?
He was not sure but before he could even draw his sword the woman was upon him, restraining his movements.
Wait wut?
"[Thank you! Thank you!]"
"[M-Ma'am, I would highly appreciate it if you could back away-Gah?]" Before he could finish the female pushed his face further into her voluptuous chest, confining his speech and pleads for privacy.
"[*Sob* Thank you! *Sob*]" By now the woman was crying with gratitude directed at the boy however Fuzen was not aware of her tears as a single though formed in his mind, which he tried to verbalize, alas to no avail.
[Gt awy fom m, yu wixn!]" / Get away from me, you wixen!
Hard as he tried Fuzen could not shake the wixen away, her strength and restraining techniques something he had not yet experienced until then.
The hell is going on?! Is this woman some sort of Level 6 individual?! I have been careless!
Fuzen tried to grab his sword and cut her down but his arm movements were limited thanks to the hold the wixen had on him and his shoulders. In his mind he went through a dozen plans of escape in but a fraction of a second, and then choose the best out of them: he would kick her leg in order to make the wixen lose her balance, then use his own mass to bring them down to the ground. Once there, he would shake himself free then break her neck as punishment for trying to suffocate him-!
Wait...What… what is this...? The previous feeling of sleepiness he experienced intensified as warmth and comfort spread through his face.
Her chest was soft and warm, like a sort of pillow filled with the softest materials known to man. Before he knew it his struggles to break free gradually died out, his eyes slowly closing despite his best efforts at keeping them open.
Tired...So tired...
"[Thank you so much, Young Master! Thank you-...Uhh….]"
"...*Wheeze*, *Wheeze*…"
The woman looked down with a confused look on her face, only the soft sound of breathing emanating from the boy she was hugging. "[...Oh. He...fell asleep?]"
Many things changed following his return from Altena, and not all of them were good or productive on his path to grasp the Heavens.
XXX
"...Ok, that's it." The God stated, removing the piece of paper from the boy's back. Seiji nodded and put his shirt back on.
"So, any changes, boss?"
"Of course. Here, look for yourself." Miach gave a nod then handed the piece of paper to the boy.
Seiji Okita
LV 1
STR H 125 → 128
VIT G 207 → 209
DEX H 114 → 118
AGI H 103 → 105
MAG I 0 →
This was two days worth of progress for Seiji, eleven points in total.
It wasn't exactly bad but nothing exceptional, either. He knew he could have progressed a lot more but Miach and Naaza forbid him from going any deeper than the 5th Floor, both of them having had enough of the boy coming home covered in wounds, all the potions he was given expended in only a couple of hours.
For now, unfortunately, he had to put up with their order.
"You are making good progress, Seiji-kun."
"Hmm...I could do better if I could go deeper. Please lift your punishment from me?" He asked with puppy eyes.
Miach stared at the boy for a long second, then laughed. "Haha."
"Hahaha! Sooo…yes?"
"Haha. No."
"Tsk...You are something else, boss man, I'll give you that..."
"You are too hot-headed, Seiji-kun. Coming covered in wounds every day...A God gets worried for his Children, you know?"
Ahh...now I feel bad…
"...Well...sorry."
"As long as you understand. My order was not meant to keep you from becoming stronger."
"...I get it, I get it. I will go along with it for now. But do understand that not everyone is okay with remaining the same forever."
"I know. Only for a couple of days, all right? Until I know your excitement died out a bit."
"Sure thing, yeah. Anyway, it's morning now so I'll go do the usual. Cap' should have the first batch ready."
"Mhm. Good luck."
Waving at his God Seiji left the room located on the first floor and headed down to the shop then walked into the lab where Naaza and Miach usually brewed the potions. "Morning, Captain!"
"Good morning, Seiji."
"You are as beautiful as ever, Captain!" He exclaimed loudly with a smile taking in all of Naaza's features which by now became his motivational foundation for every day.
"Sigh…Do you have to yell that every morning, Seiji?"
"Course I do! My Captain is the most beautiful after all, and each day makes me only more aware of it!"
This boy...lacks any sort of tact. One is clueless, the other is tactless...Sigh...
"...Did you have breakfast yet?"
"Nah, I'll eat later! First work then reward! Hahaha!"
"I see...Then, those are the potions I finished." Naaza said as she placed a reinforced bag of potions on the table, all newly brewed and ready to be sold. "Twenty-four in total."
"Gotcha, Captain! I'll sell them if it's the last thing I do!"
"You don't have to go that far…"
"Of course I do, it's for you after all! So gimme a kiss if I manage to sell them all?" He flashed a smile at her.
"…"
"...Geez, no luck today either, huh?" Seiji sighed, shaking his head. Then he made a one-hundred and eighty. "Hahaha! Doesn't matter! I'll get my kiss from you eventually!" Wasting no more time Seiji grabbed the bag and flung it over his shoulder, ready to head out.
"The prices?"
"'Course I know them! Five hundred Valis for the Healing Potions, four-hundred fifty for the stamina ones and nine thousand for the Magic ones."
"Mhm, then good luck today."
"You bet! I love you, Captain!" And just like that he darted out of the shop and onto the street ready to do his part for the Familia.
"...I'm really grateful for his contribution, but...I'll need to have a talk with him soon…"
She gave him enough signs so far that there was already someone she loved but the boy either ignored said signs or simply failed to notice them altogether. At first his compliments had been...amusing, to say the least, but Naaza believed they would die out before long.
Lo and behold, three weeks later and the boy still hasn't given up.
His honestly was respectable, Naaza could say nothing against that but the sooner he stopped the better for Seiji and her, as well. He was young so this was all simply hormonal for him. It was nothing new for young boys to have interests in older women, after all, but she didn't want him to suffer too much if his feelings were even just slightly more than just hormonal reactions.
After all she loved Miach, and she had loved him for years now ever since...ever since the tragedy that befell their Familia.
Worst case scenario, if the boy didn't stop soon the clueless God would take his side and cheer him on in his fiery endeavour.
That was a scenario she truly feared.
"Yes...I'll need to have a word with him soon."
Still, she couldn't lie, either.
It was nice to be complimented as a woman for once.
XXX
It was no secret that in Orario the morning was the time for business.
After all, the ratio of high to low class Familia was incredible, countless small Familia scattered all throughout Orario.
All those small Familia were in dire need of profit and as such their Adventurers set out to the Dungeon first thing in the morning, hoardes upon hoardes of them gathered at the foot of the Babel tower.
Indeed, the morning hours were the best for profit.
Something the boy knew very well.
And thus…
"Potions, get your potions! Blue Pharmacy quality, right here from yours truly! Healing potions! Stamina potions! Magic Potions! You need them, we got them! Get your potions now, be prepared for the Dungeon! Healing potions, just five hundred Valis per vial! Stamina potions, at the incredible price of four hundred and fifty Valis! Magic Potions, nine thousand Valis! Hahahaha! Think about your mages and how their Magic might save your life! Buy a Magic Potion, blast your way through the Monsters of the Dungeon! Potions, get your potions now! Hahaha! Buy a potion, ensure your survival and help a brother in need of Valis out! Hahahaha!"
His voice echoed all throughout the large empty area surrounding the Babel Tower, a feat which was most incredible when taking in consideration the chatter produced by hundreds of Adventurers scattered around.
Fourteen healing potions, eight stamina potions, two Magic Potions. All put together, twenty eight thousand six hundred Valis. If I sell them all we will be twenty eight thousand Valis closer to paying off our debt and I'll be twenty eight thousand Valis closer to my kiss. All right! I'm motivated now! Hahahaha!
"POTIONS, GET YOUR POTIONS! BLUE PHARMACY QUALITY! YOU NEED THEM, WE HAVE THEM! GET YOUR POTIONS NOW! HAHAHAHAHA! HEALING POTIONS, STAMINA POTIONS, MAGIC POTIONS! ALL BREWED FOR YOU BY OUR BEAUTIFUL CAPTAIN NAAZA, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CAPTAIN IN ALL OF ORARIO! POTIONS BREWED WITH UTMOST CARE, RIGHT HERE FROM YOURS TRULY! GET YOUR POTIONS, BE WELL PREPARED FOR THE DUNGEON! HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"Damn, you're loud as always..."
Seiji turned around, being met with six faces he was familiar with. This was the whole of the Tyr Familia: three Humans, a Dwarf, an Elf and a Hume Bunny. "Ahh, Tyr Familia! Interested in some potions? All Blue Pharmacy quality, brewed by our beautiful Captain! Get your potions, avoid being overrun by monsters! Hahahaha!"
Their first meeting happened a little over a week ago when Seiji was rushing through the 6th Floor after just defeating a sizeable group of Monsters, itching for some more progress. Just then he heard a scream and went to investigate, soon finding the Tyr Familia being overrun by a large group of Monsters caught in a choke-point with no escape and two of their members injured.
Not thinking for very long Seiji rushed in from the rear, cutting a line through the enemy to clear a path for the Tyr Familia to escape.
Granted, he managed to do what he set out for but he got bitten, impaled and bludgeoned at least a dozen times by the time he reached the group and in the end they had to drag him out of the Dungeon.
That was also the reason why his Vitality jumped as high as it did and reached Rank G.
"Pour some more salt into the wounds, why don't you…?" The male Human Captain sighed.
"Hahaha, we all got out alive so it's all good, innit? Anyway, wanna buy some potions?"
"I mean, I guess. Give us four Healing Potions."
"Coming right up! That'll be two thousand Valis. Thanks, by the way! Now I'm two thousand Valis closer to getting my kiss! Hahaha!"
"Wait what?" The female Elf mage asked, as confused as the rest of her Familia.
"Hahaha, if I sell all those potions I'm going to get a kiss from my Captain! Ahahaha, though it's only a one-sided promise on my part! But you never can know, now can you?!"
"Hahaha, you're going all out, ain't you laddie?" The Dwarf vice-captain asked as he gave the boy a heavy pat on the back.
"Course I am! I love her after all! Hahahaha!"
"Geez, you don't have any delicacy, do you?"
"Pfff- Hahahaha!"
"Don't just laugh as a reply, you goof!"
"Sorry, sorry! Just remembered someone who fits that no-delicacy description even better than me is all."
"Anyway, thanks for the potions. You aren't going to the Dungeon today?"
"No, I'll go, but later. First I gotta sell these. Can't allow myself to go down there for selfish reasons before I bring a smile to the face of the woman I love first. I'm a man first and Adventurer second, after all! Buhahahaha!"
"Well...wow…" The group of six whistled at the boy and his honesty, both amused and respectful of his unique perspective. "...Gaah, damn it. Give us six healing potions and one Magic Potion. And do it fast before I change my mind!" The Captain added as he scratched his head with a sigh.
"Really?! Oh, wow! Having mates is the best! You're really helping a bro out, homie! That would be a total of twelve thousand Valis! And thank you for your patronage!"
"Sure, sure, here you go. Anyway, good luck with your one-sided promise. If something comes out of it then we'll go drinking."
"Sure thing. And stay safe, don't get, pff, overrun by Monsters or anything. Buhahahahaha!"
"...Little bastard. I should get a refund…"
"Just let it go, 'homie'. Pfff!"
"Stop getting influenced by the Self-Parade Maniac, you idiots!"
His first hour out a success Seiji continued to walk around the foot of the Babel tower, yelling his services loud enough for the dead to rise up from their tombs and tell him to shut up.
Nonetheless the few complaining Adventurers aside, his sky-piercing volume helped him out a lot with his sales, and three more potions had been sold within the first thirty minutes after his first sell.
Oh man, this is looking great! Can't wait until I bring all the profit back home! Captain's smile is just the best!
"Hey! Seiji, that you?"
"Hmm? Ohh, Loki Familia!" Turning around he saw a group of Loki Familia: the Amazon sisters, the Sword Princess, an Elf girl and some other females making their way towards him. "Interested in some potions?! Blue Pharmacy quality!" He wasted no time and grabbed a couple of Potions, holding them up for display.
"Well, someone's giving it their all." The older of the twins said.
"Course I am! You ladies heading into the Dungeon? Make sure you stack up on some potions! Healing Potions, Stamina potions, Magic Potions! You need them, we have them! Excellent quality, top prices! Buy now, be prepared for the Dungeon!"
Seiji informed as he held three potions high in the air advertising them to both the Loki Familia group as well as all other nearby groups.
"Not bad, not bad. You're really fired up for it! You're even making me all fired up. Give me one healing and one stamina potion!" Tiona stated.
"I got your back, sis! That will be nine hundred and fifty Valis!" The boy replied taking out the required potions out of his bag in one, swift move.
"Thanks! Here you go!"
"Thank you for your patronage, Amazon of Loki Familia!" The boy said as he grabbed his payment loud enough for all to hear. After all, having someone as popular as a first class Adventurer be a customer was good advertising for one's wares and already he could see heads turning around to look at him.
"Say, Seiji. Have you seen Fuzen yet?" The younger Amazon twin asked.
"Hahaha, no! Little prick sure knows how to stay low, that's for sure!"
Naturally, he lied.
It was just a week ago that he and his Familia met the infamous boy in the East District and dined together. However he promised to keep his whereabouts a secret and that is just what he was going to do.
But even so Seiji and his Familia both were amazed, to say the least. Orario was a city of ears and eyes, each wall having at least one pair of each. And still even so, in this bustling city of bored Gods and ever-present intrigue, Fuzen had managed to keep himself in a low profile, not even a rumour going around that he might be in the eastern part of town.
"Aww, is that so…? Thanks, anyway."
"No problem! Still, you Loki Familia are really going all-out searching for him, ain't you? Knowing him it's not because he made best buddies with any of you, so...why?"
"For all kinds of reasons." Tione replied with a shrug. "This one here follows her heart, for example. Then our Deity won't stop in her endeavour to get him back to our Familia. Some want to fight him again and so on."
"Hahaha! Interesting. Well, I hope we all get to see him-"
Light.
Exactly in that moment all of Orario turned their heads to the eastern part of town from where a pillar of light shot up to the Heavens, a sign that a Deity had left the Lower World.
But who?
How?
Why?
As these questioned intrigued all those who were watching the pillar of light, only Seiji felt a drop of sweat falling down his forehead.
Bruuuuuh…..
XXX
"...And the Lord said to me: "The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds. Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who prophesy in my name although I did not send them, and who say, 'Sword and famine shall not come upon this land': By sword and famine those prophets shall be consumed. And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem, victims of famine and sword, with none to bury them—them, their wives, their sons, and their daughters. For I will pour out their evil upon them...Jeremiah 14:14-16."
Just then the pillar of light began to die out, it's divine energy fading away along with the luminescence. The boy looked up, towards the hole in the clouds the Deity's departure left behind.
And yet his anger did not subside, even though he knew that Deity would no longer trouble him, nor anyone else, for as long as they could count.
"...May you burn in hell for all eternity you rotten, vile bitch."
Of course he knew that would not happen.
There was no justice to be found, neither in this world nor in Heaven.
There was no justice to be found anywhere.
...All things considered, what now? She destroyed the lives of countless innocents only to return to her cosy place back in Heaven as her sole punishment where she will continue to look down on us, laughing at our misery like so many others...God, I hate this world so much…So, so much...
Yet but another reason for why he needed to grasp the Heavens as soon as possible and without delay.
The next era will be mine.
The next era will be that of the Lightning Sword Style.
"...All you assholes just wait..."
XXX
Yeah, that's about it for this Chapter.