Days passed just like that and I am now walking around the block early in the morning just before sunrise. Because I got used on walking with Honoka this time of the day, I decided to continue doing it even though she's not here anymore. As for Ciana, Iwa and Ruby, I left them in the Inn while they're still asleep.

"So this is where the market is," I whispered to myself as I explore the noisy and rowdy place. There are lots of vendors around, some have stands and others just have sheets spread out in the floor with their products on it. Lots of products can be seen being sold to [Katzens] stopping by including meat, vegetable, fruits, spices and others. "Anyway, this market is really big. I think I'm lost now," I said while looking around. Can I even get out of here? I'm walking here for hours already.”

"Raiki?" a familiar voice said behind me.

I then turned around and saw a girl wearing a red orange oriental dress while carrying two big paper bags.

"Honoka," I muttered and made a big smile after seeing her.

"It really is you!" she followed happily and rushed towards me. "What are you doing here?"

"Just....exploring around," I replied.

"Where are the others?" Honoka asked.

"Still sleeping in the Inn we rented last night. Anyway, are you done shopping?"

"Yeah. Just as I expected, this place really has everything," she replied cheerfully.

"I'll carry this one," I said and took a bag from her.

"I can handle it," she responded, somewhat a little shy about making me help.

"There are no monsters here so all I can do is to help you carry this," I followed, hoping that will convince her.

"Then…thanks," she whispered with a gentle smile.

We then walked towards the exit of the market while we’re talking about what happened to us these past few days. Before we know it, we are now at the crossroads again where we parted ways last time. The sun is now set with the time around seven in the morning. As we search for the words we should say to each other before we say our goodbyes, all we did was to stare at each other’s eyes, not knowing what to say.

“I guess...this is a goodbye again,” I said with a sad smile.

“That’s...right,” she said with a melancholic expression.

“Goodbye, Honoka.”

“Bye, Raiki.”

I then turned around and started walking away. But after some steps, I decided to stop.

“Raiki!” Honoka suddenly called.

I immediately turned around and replied, “Honoka...”

“Just like I thought...I can only carry one bag so...can you...carry this to the place where Master and I currently stay?” Honoka asked with her eyes darting around and slightly blushed cheeks.

I then gave her a smile and said, “Of course.”

We then walked across the roads and after minutes of walking, we reached the slums of [Taurus Empire].

“So this Empire also has places like this,” I said while looking around the small houses made of scrapped materials. The people around once again greeted Honoka after arriving.

“You are really popular wherever you go,” I said to Honoka as she waves to the people around.

“They are just grateful to us because Master Chen provides the food that they can’t afford. You see, all people here were starving because the foods here in [Taurus Empire] are also expensive. Jobless people like them can only eat rarely,” Honoka explained with serious eyes.

“I guess there are indeed many people like them everywhere in [Katzenschtatz],” I followed with a similar expression as her while looking around the area.

“And feeding them...is Master and I’s job,” she continued and looked down. I can’t see her current expression.

“Honoka, what’s up with those soldiers?” I asked after seeing lots of man wearing the same kind of armor.

“They are...[Taurus]’s Soldier!” she said with a sudden frightened expression and sprinted forward.

“Wait!” I shouted and followed her.

“Master!” Honoka called after seeing Chen with a horned muscular guy that is already around 7 foot in height wearing a color black heavy armor. The armor gives you the impression of a fortress that is really impenetrable.

“So you’re back, Honoka,” Chen said with a serious expression.

“So this is your disciple,” the horned man said and looked at Honoka with an intimidating glare.

“N-nice to meet you. I-I’m his disciple, Honoka,” Honoka replied, trying her best to not be intimidated.

“You don’t need to be that scared. I’m just here because I’m requesting for your Master’s return as a soldier,” God [Taurus] said with a smile.

“I’m very sorry but just like I said to your men these past few days, I can’t do that because I’m travelling across [Katzenschatz] to feed the starving people and give them ways to have a good life without getting hungry. I already decided to quit being a soldier a long time ago,” Chen replied in a polite yet serious tone.

“The war is near and I’m not gonna just sit around and do nothing after hearing that you’re back here. That is why I’m going to bring you back so your strength will not be wasted,” God [Taurus] continued with absolute resolve in his voice. Just from that can make your legs shaky out of fear.

“I’m sure that there are plenty of youngsters who are much stronger than me now. That is why I chose this lifestyle because I know that I can help more people here compared to being just a soldier, that’s all,” Chen replied in pure earnestness with unwavering eyes.

“Won’t you really change your mind?” God [Taurus] asked once again.

“I’m afraid not, God [Taurus],” Chen replied with serious eyes.

God [Taurus] then looked down and replied, “Too bad then.”

“!”

“I guess I have to convince you using brute force, [Rocky]!!!” God [Taurus] shouted and a brown light circled around his right hand. It then formed a hammer made out of boulder almost as big as his body size.

“[Honoka]!!!” I shouted.

A katana then formed in my left hand and before the hammer hit Chen, I somehow blocked it with a swing. The impact from our clash created a gust of wind, strong enough to shake the poorly made houses around us.

“Heeeeehhh,” [Taurus] reacted with a surprised yet amused expression.

Honoka…this is…

(It’s…amazing. My level…became 70 all of a sudden!)

“You managed to block my attack, kid. Who are you?” [Taurus] asked with an amused grin.

“Raiki, a 6th rank soldier,” I replied as our [weapons] spark while clashing.

“Raiki, huh. I think I heard about you from Sagiru,” [Taurus] muttered.

God [Sagittarius], huh. I heard from Ciana that [Sagittarius]’s real name is Sagiru.

“He said that you’re strong but I didn’t think that you’re already this strong.”

“Thanks for the compliment,” I followed seriously.

“So…you know Chen, huh. Friends, perhaps?”

“That’s right. That is why I won’t let you harm him no matter what.”

“How brave of you,” he said and laughed out loud afterwards.

“Let me ask you something. Have you ever tasted Chen’s cooking?” I asked.

“Of course not,” he responded in a tone that he’s not even interested in what I’ve asked him.

“Then, you don’t have the right to force him to become a soldier again!”

“Such courage…or rather…arrogance, I guess I now know why Sagiru got interested in you. But…” he continued and his strength increased exponentially all of a sudden.

“Ughhhh!” I reacted and tried my best to not get overpowered by his hammer.

(Raiki…this…is…bad…)

“Haaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!” he shouted and swung his hammer as hard as he can, making [Honoka] transformed back behind me.

A critical hit?

After that, he immediately pointed his hammer at me and said, “But you still can’t beat me with your current level,” he said and emitted a very strong killing intent. In an instant, a sweat appeared on my forehead.

His [weapon] then transformed back and the two of them started to walk away from us.

“Raiki, are you okay?” Honoka asked after approaching me.

“Yeah. No need to worry,” I replied and wiped my sweat in the head using an arm.

After taking some steps, [Taurus] stopped and looked at me.

“Let’s make a deal, brat. In our next fight, win against me and I’ll leave Chen alone but if you lose, Chen will become a soldier again. Do you agree?”

Is he...giving Chen a chance?

“O-of course!” I immediately responded.

“Also…you can never again participate in the [Soldier Challenge] and become a soldier!” he followed and laughed out loud. “I, as one of the Constellation Deities, set those as the rules for when you challenge me for my symbol!”

After hearing those words, Honoka, Chen and I got shocked.

“Let’s go, men!” [Taurus] yelled.

“Yes, Sir!” the soldiers replied and followed [Taurus]. After that, they finally left the place.

“Raiki, why did you do that? Now your job is on the line,” Chen said in a worried tone.

“I just can’t stand there doing nothing while they take you away by force,” I replied seriously.

“Raiki, thank you,” Chen said and bowed.

“It’s not a big deal, really. And I’m planning to beat him from the start anyway,” I followed with a smile.

“Raiki…” Honoka muttered with a sudden serious expression.

“Why?” I asked.

“Please become my [wielder]…again.”

“Honoka…”

“This is also my battle as Master Chen’s disciple. I want him to continue cooking so please let me participate in your next [soldier challenge].”

That’s right. I know I can’t beat [Taurus] with just Ciana and Iwa’s help. I also need Honoka’s strength in my next battle.

“Okay. Let’s win this again...together,” I said and gave her a smile.

“Right. Together,” Honoka replied with a smile.

I won’t let [Taurus] take Chen. We will surely win because…losing is not even an option.