*… because of you…*

Haruki: I know but…

*…why…*

Haruki: I tried!

*…leave….*

Haruki: No…Please…don’t

*YUNA!!*

Haruki: NOOOOO!

Haruki opened his eyes and sprung up.

*Huh...phoo…huh…phoo* ~Heavy Breathing~

Haruki: …Yuna

Haruki was holding his head in pain.

*Haruki: More importantly, where am I?*

Haruki looked around at him. It seems like it was a… room? The “room” was too big to be called one. It was the size of a mansion’s living room. It had a porcelain flooring, a tea table with 2 chairs on the right side of the bed and a giant circular bed with a canopy over it where Haruki is sleeping right now. There were 2 out-of-place wooden chairs beside his bed. And…a wet stain on the bed near those chairs…Haruki quickly moved away from the spot.

*Haruki: I don’t even want to know…*

Haruki then saw that the sheets were messed up with hints of his handprints on them.

Haruki: …I hope no one saw me… *sigh* Sympathy is the last thing I need right now…

A frown formed on his face. Haruki then gently pepped up his cheeks and tried to get out of the bed.

Haruki: Ow! What the-

Haruki looked down at his body. His bare chest was covered in bandages but they were clean-white.

Haruki: Huh? There is not even a single red on it and yet, I feel like I’m being- ARGH! What…is…this…

Haruki held his left side of his chest near his heart. An agonising pain was striking his heart.

Haruki: ARGHHHHH!! MAKE IT STOP!!

The pain was going stronger every second. From getting pricked by needles on a finger to getting stabbed by a knife. The pain continued to torment Haruki.

Haruki: ARGHHH! WHAT’S….HAPPENING?!

*SLAM*

Woman: {Soothing Heal}!!

The black-haired woman darts into the room and quickly chants a healing spell. Faint green light and white particles surrounded Haruki. The white particles entered Haruki’s body. Haruki’s body starts to ease up. The soothing green light lightens up the pain in his heart. The pain started to disappear

Haruki: Huh? The pain…

Woman: Don’t worry. I used Soothing Heal to ease your pain…

Haruki: You…!

Haruki got startled. He began to crawl further away from the woman on the bed. He then saw a vase on the tabletop and grabbed it and prepared to swing it.

Haruki: What do you want?

Haruki glare at the woman. The woman was startled. She wasn’t generally scared of the glare but his eyes. His eyes were blank. Blank like an unused paper.

*Woman: What? His eyes…The amount of distrust that lies in his eyes. How many treacheries did he have to go through to have those eyes?*

Woman: W-wait. I am not your enemy. I am actually your ally. My name is Claire de Carvellier and I am here to help you.

*Haruki: de Carvellier? Mother to that girl…? It’s not like it matters anyway*

Haruki: Ally? Help me? Why in the world should I believe in you? This place has people who want to kill me. Even if you give me your name doesn’t make people trust you.

Claire: Y-you do have a point but I will prove to you that I am indeed your ally. Barret, the guard who raised his weapon against you, is due to his punishment.

Haruki: That still doesn’t prove anything about you being my ally. Anyone can punish their underlings.

Claire: I will not question your beliefs but we punish our underlings according to the rules like humans. And what he did was unforgivable, so we gave him a punishment as fitting.

Haruki: …Death?

Claire was shocked and her expression suddenly changed to an angry one. Her speech became rougher as she was showing signs of displease.

Claire: What? I do not know your image of yours about us but we are not beings that simply kill our underlings for a mistake they did.

Haruki: Even if his mistake was raising his weapons against a child?

Claire: True. From anyone’s point of view, its punishment is worthy of death but I do not kill my underlings. They swore their loyalty towards me, and as their master, I must properly respond to my underlings. Even if it’s the mistake that is worthy of death, I will make sure my underlings will atone it rather than dying for it.

*Haruki: do not kill instead of cannot… poor choice of words or… *

Haruki: Then what was his punishment?

Claire: We demoted his rank-

Haruki: HUH?! A demotion?! So much for “a fitting punishment”.

Claire: Wait let me finish. Demotion is not the only punishment we gave. We gave 2 weeks’ worth of rigorous training to be completed in 1 week and also…

Claire looked at the open door. Haruki looked over at the open door and saw a big silhouette.

Claire: *Ahem*

Claire indirectly signalled at the black figure to enter. The black started to move towards the door. What Haruki saw made him agitated.

Haruki: What...is...he...doing...here!?

The person who entered was the last person Haruki wanted to meet. Actually, he did not want to meet him at all. It was the first person he saw when he entered here. The person who gave him the first impression of this place. The person who wanted to kill him. Haruki tried to get out of the bed.

Claire: Wait! He is not here to harm you or anything

It was Barret!

Haruki got off the bed. He raised his arm to be on guard while looking at the big brute in front of him in his eyes. Barret was sending menacing glares at Haruki.

Haruki: And you telling me that while he is glaring at me like that? If you want to kill me, I prefer if you don’t trick me into lies like that.

For a 15-year-old boy deeming a truth is a lie was too much to bear for Claire. It only made her worry even more

Claire: Barret! If you want further humiliation, then continue on with your provocation. I implore you

Claire sends deathly signals towards Barret who was standing behind her. Barret broke in a cold sweat. He broke his eye contact with Haruki and looked down to his feet. Haruki still kept his hands up.

Haruki: Then why is he here?

Claire: It's the third part of his punishment.

Haruki: What?

Haruki was puzzled.

Claire glanced back at Barret and signalled him with her eyes. Barret suddenly had a change of expression. Before he had a hint of fear in his face since the moment Claire shut him up. But now, he was visibly frustrated.

Then suddenly he started to walk towards Haruki. Haruki kept his hand in guard but he was moving backwards. He wanted to run but the injuries he sustained earlier, prevented him. Barret was walking faster and Haruki moved backwards until he met a wall with his back. Barret continued to walk forward until he was a few steps away from Haruki. Barret looked at Haruki in the eyes. Haruki was reading his movements and looked at his surrounding to somehow to escape. He also needed to take care of Claire who seemed to stare at Haruki with sympathetic eyes.

*Haruki: So that’s the type of eyes you give to when sending to someone to kill a child. What a hypocrite*

Haruki who was getting ready to run. But then, the man in front of him slowly was lowering his body. Haruki was confused but he still kept his hand up. He didn’t want to lower his guard. Meanwhile, Barret continued to lower his posture until he was on his fours. He lowered his head to the floor until his forehead kissed the floor. Haruki was even more confused about what was going on.

Haruki: What in the world are you trying to do? You are making a fool out of me, aren’t you?

Barret: Master Haruki, I would like to apologize for my incompetence and my ill-mannerism earlier. Please forgive me and overlook my mistakes.

Haruki felt a mixture of feelings. He was shocked to see someone who was prideful, was lowering his head to apologize but at the same time, he felt suspicious. He felt there was no sincerity in his apology. And also, someone calling him Master all of a sudden made him felt him uneasy.

Haruki: Huh? What’s the meaning of this?

Haruki directed the question towards Claire. His voice was filled with anger. He felt like he was been played a fool.

Claire: As you can see, this is his third punishment. A fitting punishment, no?

Haruki: As I can see, yes. But the underlying truth?

Claire: There are no ulterior motives. This is his third punishment. An atonement to his mistake.

Haruki: And like that, I’m supposed to believe you that you have no whatsoever motives?

Barret: I had just about enough with your attitut’, boy.

Barret snapped. Haruki’s sarcastic statement had broken the last thread of patience in Barret. Barret who put his pride on the line to apologise to Haruki who he deemed to be a brat could not be calm after hearing his Master getting humiliated by a brat.

Barret: Didn’t I tell you already? Our Master just wanted us to bring you to her but since you retaliated, we had no choice but to try to catch. She-

Haruki: Catch? Fufufu- Is that how you put it to words?

Both Claire and Barret were startled when Haruki’s voice turned dark. But Haruki was looking down on his feet so they couldn’t make out the expression he was putting out.

Haruki: I never knew the word 'catch' in this world meant 'kill'?

Haruki looked up with a crazed statement with an equal crazed expression. A dead expression with no emotions but pure anger. Both Claire and Barret were shocked like a lightning striking them.

Barret: Don’t you get cocky now, boy!

Barret was quick to recover from the shock. Claire was immobilized in shock. Barret was quick to pounce on the chance to pummel Haruki.

Barret: Eat this!

Barret was swung his right arm for a right hook. It was flying to Haruki’s face. Haruki’s injury prevented him from dodging by sidestepping, so he slid down the floor. The hook met the wall behind Haruki. The punch was so powerful, it made a crack in the wall.

Haruki, who was on the floor looked at the face of the attacker. His eyes were red, the ones filled with anger and hatred. Those eyes were showing Haruki the truth once more about what kind of place he is in.

*Haruki: … this place will be the end of me*

Claire: BAARRERT!

Right in front of Haruki’s eyes, he saw the familiar hand with a dense red sinister aura around it. It was flying straight through the face of Barret. The punch was so powerful in sent Barret through the wall and due to the large momentum, Claire followed him through the wall.

Haruki: What…the…hell…is…she?

Haruki who was still on his back held his head in fear. As he thought the first time here, when Barret attacked and now, he believed that staying here would only one road for him and it was a highway to his grave.

*Haruki: I have to get out of here*

Haruki stood up and while holding his chest in pain, he quickly moved out of the door. He couldn’t run so he limped as fast as he could as they were distracted. Haruki was walking until he met a familiar corridor.

*Haruki: This corridor? If I remember correctly…*

Haruki walked through the corridor slowly as he was looking for something, then he suddenly came across a familiar corner

*Haruki: As expected…this the way that she showed me before*

Haruki walked through the corridor until he met the wall.

*Haruki: Damn! I forgot about this wall. I doubt that I can use magic…Well, it doesn’t hurt to try…?*

Haruki: What was the spell again… Mirage Erase? Let’s try it

Haruki held out his hand and tried to chant the spell

Haruki: Mirage Erase!

A few seconds past, nothing happened. Haruki tried a few more times but the result was the same.

*Haruki: Damn…It seems like I don’t know the basis of magic. Do I really have to find another wa- Wait, the spell reads Mirage Erase. Does that mean…?

Haruki placed his hand on the wall, that is what is supposed to happen but his hand went through the wall. As Haruki predicted, Mirage Erase erases only the illusion or camouflage, not physical objects

Haruki walked through the wall and continued walking, He suffered the same fate as before. He had to crawl on fours to get through the tunnel-like before. He crawled and crawled until he saw the light. He quickly crawled until he was out the other end of the tunnel. Then Haruki saw the same scene he saw before, a royal staircase to his left, he was a floor above the exit as he overlooked the railing in front. The only thing that was different was there were no guards like last time. Without wasting a single second, Haruki started to trot towards the door while holding his chest. Even though most of the pain is gone, he still feels an after-effect of the pain.

Even though the pain of his injuries, Haruki ran faster. He darted out of the door. Out the door was a massive park-like area. It had a big, wide peach pavement, likely for vehicles and it was surrounded by lushes of trees of varying heights. It was not just your normal height for a tree but it was at least twice the size of your typical trees

Haruki continued to run. Without looking back at the mansion, he just ran. His mind was filled with nothing but to run away from the crazed-filled mansion. He ran on the pathway until he reached the gateway. After the gateway, there was nothing but a forest in front of him. There was no path, just footsteps of random sizes. Haruki had no choice but to run through the forest. He followed the footsteps as he figured it would out of the place.

Haruki ran at a fast pace. Over the overgrown roots, under the low branches and slaloming through multiples trees at a constant pace. Haruki not once dropped his speed. His agility was nothing to mess around with. He trained his agility since he was young…for many reasons.

Haruki was reaching his limit. Actually, it was still far from his limit but due to his injuries, it took a toll on his body. As Haruki, was about to stop, he heard the sounds of water splashing.

Haruki: A sea? *Sniff*. The air is not salty so it should be a lake or a river.

Haruki who ran until his throat was dry walked in the direction of the splashing water to quench his thirst. After walking for a few minutes, he reached an open area with a huge lake in the middle. There were no trees from the shore of the lake to where Haruki was peeking from which was at least 10 meters. Haruki looked around the lake to see if there was anyone around the lake. Without seeing anyone in the proximity of the lake, Haruki walked toward the lake.

Haruki reached the shoreline of the lake and looked down.

Haruki: What…the…

Haruki was staring eye-to-eye with his reflection. Since Haruki hasn’t since his face after the transformation, he was shocked to see the new look.

Haruki: White hair…blue eyes… Damn this place. Well, it’s not like I can do anything about it now. Now…

Haruki bent down to scoop a handful of water and drank.

Haruki: It's drinkable

After deeming it to be drinkable, Haruki submerged his head into the freshwater lake and drank it, and after that, he washed off all the dirt on his body and face. He then sat under a tall tree with a lot of shade to take a rest.

Haruki: What should I do now? Even if I found a way out of this place, I have nowhere to go. Nobody to rely on in this place… Well, it’s not like I had anyone to rely on in the original place either. *sigh* Maybe this world is no different than my world…

Haruki looked up to the sun that is attacking the land below with its barrage of heat. Even under the shade, the surrounding was still hot. Haruki was hot and sweaty.

Haruki: This place is way too hot. Maybe I‘ll go take a dip in the lake to wash off the sweat.

Haruki stood up and started to walk out of the shade and towards the lake. Just as he was about to leave the shade…

??: {Fireball}!!

A ball of fire come out from the left side of Haruki, out from the forest. It travelled towards the lake but the fireball got extinguished by falling into the lake.

*Haruki: Shit!*

Haruki quickly jumped into the nearby bush. He didn’t want to run away because it will make unnecessary noise. And he also knew that the enemy didn’t know where he was since the fireball was not shot in his direction. Haruki peeked through the bush to find the source of the fireball

??: As expected, Lil’ Miss. Your fire is generational, It’s even better than an average mage and you are only 15.

??: Fufu… Praise me more, Uncle!

Out from the left side of the forest where 2 people. One was a big guard and the other was a girl, who was one-third of his size but Haruki couldn’t make out the figure until they reached the shoreline of the lake.

*Haruki: Geh! It’s those two. The old man and the annoying one, Amanda.*

Old Man: Don’t get cocky now!

The old man was rubbing Amanda’s head playfully. Meanwhile, Amanda tried to get his hand off of her but couldn’t as he was much stronger.

Amanda: Uncle! Stop messing my hair up. Come on, we got a mission to do. To find that idiot. I don’t want my mom to get angry at me again.

Old Man: Oh, are you sure it’s just because it was your mom’s order?

Amanda: Of course not! For pinning me down and lying to me, he is going to get a hell of a beating.

Amanda pounded her right fist with the palm of her left hand with a sinister look to follow while the Old Man couldn’t help but laugh.

Old Man: But, can you though?

Amanda: What do you mean? Of course, I can. He is just a norm. With mom’s training in magic and yours in swordsmanship, beating him would just be a piece of cake!

Old Man: I like your confidence, but he is not your normal opponent. His chances of beating you are higher than you beating him. Actually, you beating him in a fight is will be a miracle.

Amanda: Huh?! What do you mean? Are you saying that he is stronger than me?

Amanda was angered by the statement made by the old man

Old Man: Regarding just the swordsmanship and magic in a fair battle, you will win, hands down since you are being trained by Claire and me. But fighting is more than just knowing the way the sword is held or the level of magic you know. You need to learn how to adapt to your opponent. Studying his movements, learning his weakness during the fight and use it against him during the fight, it’s not something easily learned. The only way to achieve it is by fighting and gaining experience. And that boy, the way he moved, the way he adapts to the situation and even the way he plays mind games with his enemy… that boy must have fought battles for 5 years at least.

Amanda: 5 years of mock battles? That is absurd.

Old Man: Mock battles? Hahaha…Oh, how naïve you are, Lil’ Miss. No, not mock battles but… battles that put your life on the line.

Amanda turned pale. She was staggering and her hands were shaking,

Amanda: Huh? You are joking, and for 5 years at that… He should be like 10 years old, right? There is no way, Uncle. You have to be joking….There is no way a child of that age fight for his life like that.

Amanda was staring at the old man’s eye to get into eye contact but he just gazed at the blue lake, silently. The long silent made Amanda more anxious. She felt a weight attach to her heart. It was too much for her bear. Meanwhile, the old man who was beside her heard her depressed sigh.

*Pat*

The old man placed his left hand on her head and softly patted her. Amanda didn’t shake it off this time. She just allowed the old man to caress her head. He bent down with his hand still on her head to meet her eye level.

Old Man: Don’t worry. Lil’ Miss. We will find him and give him the proper care that he deserves.

The old man gently smiled at Amanda. A smile for tears. Amanda had tears welling up in her eyes but it was wiped off by the old man’s big finger.

Amanda: Y-you will…?

Old man: It’s my duty and obligation to listen to your wishes. And also, a promise for my niece. So, stop crying, alright?

Amanda nodded and wiped off her tears. She turned her gaze towards the lake. She put her hands around her mouth.

Amanda: YOU IDIOT! WHERE ARE YOU!

She shouted at the top of her lungs. The old man who was beside her had to close his ears cause of the loudness of the shout. Meanwhile, Haruki nearly fell over due to the shock of the shout. He rubbed his ears that were ringing.

*Haruki: Damn, she can shout. But the old man…He is something else. To know someone’s battling experience just by looking at their eyes and movement...Anyways I need to get out of here*

Haruki turned his back to them and started to crawl slowly away from the lake. He took one small glance at both of them.

Both of them were playing at the shoreline. Amanda was splashing water at the old man’s armour. While the old man was swinging his sword to prevent the water from reaching him.

*Haruki: Family, huh?*

Haruki then turned forward and started to crawl away. Avoiding all the branches on the ground he managed to reach a safe distance to get on his 2 legs.

Haruki: Barefoot is not ideal for running. Maybe I should take some leaves to cover my sole. But all the damn trees here are way too tall. If only there was-

Haruki was looking around him to see if he can find a small tree.

Haruki: -a small tree. There’s one here.

Haruki paced himself towards the tree. Carelessly, he stepped on a branch on the ground.

*Snap*

*Haruki: Shit! I hope they didn’t hear it. Well, from this distance, it's humanly impossible… humanly.*

Haruki continued to approach the tree but carefully this time, avoiding all the branches. Then Haruki started to pick off the leaves to tie them to his sole. He tied a few layers of leaves for one sole.

Haruki: Good. I can run a bit more carefree, those small pebbles really sting.

*Rubble*

Haruki was startled. He heard leaves being ruffled. He stood up from the boulder he was sitting on and started to walk backwards while keeping his eyes on the bush.

Amanda: Are you sure?

Old Man: Yes. I heard it. Even though I am up the years does not mean my skills are deteriorating.

*Haruki: Shit! How did they find me? I was quite the whol- Damn, that branch sold me out. But still, how did he hear it. I was far from the lake. Oh yeah, inhuman abilities. *

The ruffling of leaves was getting louder and louder. Haruki realised that his time was running out.

*Haruki: Where to hide? Behind the bush? Too open. Behind the boulder? Too small. Behind the tree? To expose… Nowhere to hide. Seems like I got no other choice. I got to run.*

Haruki without a second to spare started to sprint in the opposite direction, where there is a small path between the barrage of trees. At the same time, Amanda and the old man spotted Haruki.

Amanda: There he is! He is running away?!

Old Man: Not this time. Let’s go. Claire allowed us to use some basic subjugation attacks to catch him. So, go wild!

Amanda: Got it!

Haruki was running at a fast pace but then suddenly-

Amanda: {Slime Floor}!

Haruki ran into a trap. The spell casted by Amanda made the floor in front of Haruki slippery. Haruki was now wavering his body around with his hand outstretched to maintain his balance.

*Haruki: We are in a forest. How is that even possible. Well, two can play that game.*

Haruki started to move his legs. His feet were still on the floor. Haruki was skating on the slippery floor and moved even faster. He was leaving them in the dust until he reached the end. He jumped and started to run. But when Haruki looked behind, he only saw one person.

*Haruki: Amanda is chasing me, and looking at the old man, he should be faster than her. So, that means…

Haruki suddenly slid down.

Amanda: Wha-!

A shimmering sword was swung at Haruki at a high speed but the quick-witted Haruki meant he had a close shave with the sword. Since it was in Haruki’s blind spot, Haruki couldn’t spot the swinging sword but his surrounding awareness and quick decision making made him avoid the sword. Haruki quickly recovered from the sliding and stood up. He didn’t want to waste his chance so he started to run again.

Meanwhile in the back….

Amanda and the old man were running, trying the close the gap between them and Haruki.

Amanda: What?! How did he saw that? It was too fast even for me to see…AND I knew when and where you’re to swing.

Old Man: He didn’t…

Amanda: Huh? Then did he slip by luck?

Old man: He didn’t also. That kid is something else, he was aware of his surroundings and realised I wasn’t chasing him. So, he knew that I was setting up a trap for him. He knew that the trees were his blind spot so he looked for the biggest one where I can hide behind and perfectly timed his dive to avoid the attack. He did all of this in seconds.

Amanda: All in seconds?! Is he even a human?

Old man: Don’t worry, he is still human. He has limits. So….

The old man grabbed Amanda by her collar and placed her behind his back (piggyback riding).

Amanda: AH- WAIT! This is too humiliating! Put me do-

Old man: Sorry, Lil’ Miss! We are in a rush. Hang on!

Amanda flung her arms around the old man’s wide neck. Then, the man planted his right foot behind and

*BOOM*

…he launched forward like an arrow with immense speed, speeding themself towards their target.

Amanda: AHHHHH-HAHAHAH! This is fun! Faster! Faster!

Old man: It’s nice to see you are enjoying but don’t forget about the objective. Get ready… he is gonna reach the edge soon…

Amanda nodded at the statement and change her expression into a serious one.

Haruki who was in the front heard a loud boom at the back. He knew something dangerous was coming so tried to run faster but-

*Haruki: Shit! These injuries are just a nuisance.*

Haruki panted heavier and heavier every step he takes. He was nearing his limit. He wanted to get out of the forest. Then to his luck, he saw a light at the end of the forest. He figured it was the exit so he ran towards, keeping the same pace…but was it his luck?

Haruki ran out of the forest and into the light. The light blinded his eye so he couldn’t see what’s in front of him. Haruki abruptly stopped when his eyes adjusted to the light. He was standing over an edge.

Haruki: Where…in this hell….am I?

Haruki was standing at the edge of, not a cliff but a floating island. The sky was vibrant blue with a red-hot sun. White puff clouds were in the sky . Numerous other islands were floating in front of him, all similar to the island he was on. Haruki felt like he was in fantasy land. But not everything was a fantasy land. In front of those islands, which was on the right side of Haruki was a giant portal covering the whole space, up to down, left to right. Through the portal was something more sinister. The sky was dark red and there were blacked-out towers and buildings. It looked like another world.

Haruki: Is this even hell, to begin with?

Old Man: Yes. It doesn’t describe as you humans describe it. Sorry if it didn’t match up to your expectations.

Haruki was startled. He turned back to see on his right was the old man and on the left was Amanda. Both of them was still in the forest. They kept their distance but slowly approached him with their hands on the sword which was still in their hilt. Haruki got caught in a trap. He can’t go back as there is nothing but a void below him. Left? Right? His viable option is through the middle but he knew they are not stupid to leave the middle unguarded. He figured there is a trap lying around.

Haruki: Tsk… Pretty smart

Haruki said in a low voice

Old man: You are kinda dim, aren’t you? Not running through the middle.

Haruki: I am not dumb enough to fall for your provokes and also not realise there is a trap there.

Amanda: Tsk

Haruki: …and you are even dumber than you look. To give show your expression in front of your enemy. I wasn’t even sure was there or not. But thanks to you, I know there is.

The old man looked at Amanda in a dissatisfied manner. Amanda felt heavy as she was looked down upon. She then directed many glares towards Haruki.

Amanda: *sigh* Why don’t you come back? We don’t want to harm you.

Haruki: Geez, what a cliché line. ANYONE who says that means they are definitely going to harm you.

Amanda: Then what do you want us to do to make you believe us? We will do anything.

Haruki: Again, with the cliché lines. Just because you say you will do anything, you won’t specify when. And that when is usually after you are done. But before my request is fulfilled, I would be lying on the floor covered in my own blood or turned into a mindless slave, running and doing tasks at your bidding.

Amanda was taken back at Haruki’s statement. What he told was ringing true in a way. But Amanda didn’t like that. She felt Haruki was alone…too alone. Believing none, doubting everything. She wanted him to believe.

Amanda: Please-

Old Man: Amanda!

The old man shouted abruptly. Amanda was shocked. She looked at the old man and saw that the old man was showing an angry, ruthless face but his eyes were the opposite. It had a hint of sympathy hidden behind his eyes. Amanda then collected her composure.

Amanda: Sorry, Uncle.

The old man then turned towards Haruki.

Old Man: I don’t care if you believe me or not, because I lost the rights when I showed you hostility as soon as you arrived here but please, believe her and Claire. They both really want to help.

Haruki: Trust is something not easily gain through mere words. I don’t believe people just through words only, so don’t waste your time trying to convince me.

The old man lost all colours in his face other than one, anger. He was glaring at Haruki.

Old Man: Boy, when someone is sincere, you should respond with respect.

Haruki: That was a test. Seems like age is catching up to you.

The old man’s eyes widened in shock. He then narrowed his eyes.

Old Man: What do you mean?

Haruki: If you were actually sincere, you would have reacted in disappointment. But since you got angry, it meant you trying to fool me.

*Amanda: Oh no, Uncle’s hot temper. It is already bad enough. He somehow made it worse. Seems like. I have to resort to what mom gave me.*

Amanda was touching the back pocket. She reached out a small sack with a small string tied at the end of the sack. She then loosens the knot. She looked at Haruki who was still talking to the old man. The old man then saw what Amanda was about to do. He understood her intentions. He continued to stall Haruki. Amanda came closer to get into throwing range. Haruki who was talking to the old man realised something was wrong. He then looked at Amanda, who had her hands behind her. Haruki narrowed his eyes. He looked at both of them. He then realised that both of them were at a different distance.

*Haruki: Was she closer to me? Maybe my eyes are playing tricks on me…*

Old man: S-so, if you go back, I can promise that you will be treated like a royal. You will have a high authorization in the house if you come back.

Haruki then turned back to the old man who was still trying to stall time. Amanda thanked the old man in her heart and continued to approach Haruki. She didn’t want to miss it. She walked another 3 steps and she was in throwing range. Amanda was aiming the sack in her hand and winded up her hand backwards. She then was about to be in motion of throwing when Haruki caught Amanda in the corner of his eyes. He realised that Amanda was trying to throw something at him but it was too late. The sack was hurled and hit Haruki in the chest. The knot was loose so the content inside sprung out. It was a pinkish white powder. Haruki accidentally inhaled some of it. Then Haruki’s vision started to go blurry, his head was heavy and his eyelids were closing. Haruki realised it was a sleeping powder.

*Haruki: Fuck…need…something…to stab…*

Haruki fell on his knees. He was nearly about to be knocked out when he saw a rock in front of him, He started to crawl towards it. Amanda realised what his about to do.

Amanda: Uncle!-

Old Man: Got it.

The old man took off like a jet towards Haruki and knocked the rock away. Haruki couldn’t hold on anymore. Haruki couldn’t hold off the effect anymore. Slowly but surely his eyes were shut. He went into a deep sleep.

Amanda: For him to resort to such measure…

Old Man: Didn’t I tell you, he is not just your ordinary boy…

__________________________________________________________________________________

*should….wake up….soon*

*…damage…minimal*

Haruki: *grunt*

Amanda: Mom! He is waking up!

Haruki woke up and sat upright on the bed. He rubbed his eyes to see where he was. From Haruki’s point of view, there was Amanda sitting on a chair to his left, the woman, Claire standing near the end of the bed in front of him and the old man standing in front of the door with his arms crossed. Haruki was frustrated that he couldn’t escape.

Amanda: You don’t have to show that face. It’s not like you can escape from this place anyways. You need-

Claire: Amanda…

Claire said gently. Even though it was said gently it was filled with hostility. Amanda was startled so she took a step back while zipping her mouth.

Claire:*ahem*. I would like to apologize for the unpleasantries you witness before. You must have been scared when you saw that. But we have no intentions to hurt you so would you like to hear us?

Haruki: …No.

Old Man: Didn’t I tell you it would be a waste of time. Instead of asking for his help, we should just use this time to train our troops. He is not the only one who is strong.

Haruki: Ask for help? Strong? Fufufu…. So, I was right to doubt you. You just wanted to use me. You want me to reach your goal as a tool and abandon me like a fool.

Haruki coldly uttered it. He then moved out of the bed.

Claire: N-no. Wait. There is a reason for it. W-we didn’t mean it that way

Amanda: Plus, there is nowhere to go anyways. You are on an island. An island!

Claire was trying to stop Haruki with her hands but it was brushed away by Haruki. Amanda flung her arms around his neck to hold him down when he walked past her.

Haruki: Don’t touch me.

His cold, angry voice. Haruki glared sharply at Amanda. Amanda got startled and she let him go.

Suddenly,

Haruki: ARGH- Shit!

Haruki held his heart in pain. He felt the same pain he felt before. But this time it was worse. It felt like it was eating him inside him.

Claire: Please drink this.

Claire handed Haruki a small vial. The vial had a dark red liquid inside.

Claire: Drink this and the pain will-

Haruki pushed her hand away.

Haruki: …don’t need it…argh!

Claire: But!-

Haruki: I DON’T NEED IT! Now, move!

Claire stepped away from Haruki. Haruki walked towards the door.

Old Man: Even after they beg, you still want to be stubborn?

Haruki: As you said, it’s just a waste a time.

The old man looked at Haruki’s eyes. Then he stepped away from the door and Haruki without batting an eye step out.

Amanda: Why didn’t you stop him? We need him, don’t we?

Claire: *sigh* It’s true, but right now this is the best move. He is emotionally unstable. His trust he has in us will only worsen if we continue to force his trust out of him because we are using the words that have hurt him in the past.

Amanda: But I watch my words when I talk…

Claire: Your speaking manner was polite but the words you chose was what made him trust him less. Words like “trust us” or “we won’t harm you” has hurt him to the point where he will doubt everything, even they are the truth.

Amanda: So, what are we going to do now?

Claire: …Wait.

Amanda: Huh? we are running out of time.

Claire: Patience, my daughter. Trust is something built on time and patience