SC1 15.2 – Unexpected Guest

Once we arrived in the hut, I checked Yunno’s back one more time. After I’m sure her wound was fully healed without leaving a mark, I let her to take afternoon bath with Yui and Kato. After that we have dinner. It went rather quietly than our usual dinner, but Yunno and Yui ate heartily so I could put mind slightly at ease.

Then, I asked Yunno and Yui to go to the bed early, and they fell asleep in no time. Today event must be had taken some toll on them.

As for Kato, she sat with me in the dinning hut. From her facial expression, I could tell she was nervous as hell, and she should be because I still couldn’t forgive her.

“I’m sorry. Because of my carelessness, Yunno had to experience an unbearable painful experience,” Kato bitterly said.

“Honestly, today event make me wonder, maybe I should have just killed you back then,” I casually said but Kato sensed it that I was drop dead serious, as she slightly flinched.

“I’m ready to receive the punishment,” Kato firmly said.

“Well, I have no intention to punish you.”

Worry instantly filled Kato’s eyes to the brim, “Do you want to get rid of me?”

“That’s one of the options I’m considering right now,” I casually admitted. “Tell Yunno and Yui that you have to return to your hometown for an urgent matter, and you don’t know when you can come back here.

Then, I will imprint to your mind every fundamental knowledge and martial arts I know that suitable for you. I guarantee that this knowledge and martial arts will help you reach Level 20.”

“What about the Soul Binding you put on me?” Kato asked as she looked at me straight to the eyes.

“It will wear off on its own in 20 years, accordingly to our initial agreement.”

“Can I really reach Level 20 using the knowledge and martial art you gave me?”

“You can,” I firmly said. “It will take ten years if you work hard, fifteen if you work moderately.”

Shock and surprise instantly filled Kato’s eyes to the brim. “That’s super super super too fast. Even Master Hisami would never imagine such possibility exists.”

“Yet, it exists,” I casually said.

As question mark popped up in her forehead Kato’s asked, “It is not demonic path, is it?”

“No,” I gave Kato another firm reply. “It’s possible because you have solid innate talent and good soul mark. With correct knowledge and correct martial art to match it, reaching Level 20 is more than possible.”

“What happened after I reach Level 20?”

“You are on your own.”

“Meaning?”

“At Level 20, you will be more than capable to decide what you should do to breakthrough to higher level.”

“I see.” After a long silence Kato asked, “What is the other option?”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“You stay here. I help you shaping your martial art step by step. I guarantee you will reach Level 20 in seven years.”

“At what cost,” Kato said as she curiously looked at me.

“Pretty much like our first agreement,” I calmly replied. “Yunno and Yui become your first priority. You put their safety, wellbeing, happiness, and everything else above your own.

It’s just that from now on, I will limit your discretion for everything related to them. You can’t act or decide without my consent.”

After a long silence Kato asked, “What about your safety, your wellbeing, and your happiness? Can I put my own above yours?”

“You can,” I casually replied.

“Are you sure about that?”

Another surprise was clearly visible on Kato’s eyes. I also could tell she had a hard time believing my answer.

And so I assured her, “I can manage my safety, wellbeing, and happiness on my own.”

“I see.”

Kato then fell into contemplation, while I calmly enjoyed my tea. It was calm and quiet mood I enjoyed so much. But unfortunately, the mole that I tried to lure came out faster than I expected.

“Let’s continue this talk later. I have to entertain unwanted guest right now.”

“Is it dangerous guest or just curious one?”

“Both.”

“Do you need my help?” Kato asked as she vigilantly scanned the dark bamboo forest around the hut.

“No. He is not strong enough to kill me.”

“Sanno, don’t underestimate your opponent.”

“I don’t.” After taking a glance on the darkest part of the bamboo forest I looked back at Kato. “Until I come back, kill anyone who tries to enter the yard, even if it’s a kid or weak-looking elderly.”

“Understood.”

Without further ado Kato took out her kodachi and put it in her lap. As for me, with casual steps I left the hut and went straight to the darkest part of the bamboo forest. It was around 40 meters from the hut so I arrived in no time.

The unwanted guest had waited for me in a small opening. He didn’t bother to hide his presence, but he hide his identity by wearing all black from head to the toe, along with black mask. However, with ease I used Essence Pulse to check his real identity, and the result was rather surprising.

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Based on Unfortunate Sanno’s memory, I knew Head Constable Shouji to some extent. He was an only child from an ordinary family. Both his parent die from plague that hit Rokube back then.

At that time, Head Constable Shouji was only 14-year-old. He then joined the constable corps. Other than having hardworking and positive attitude, Head Constable Shouji also had friendly and fair personality which made people tend to like him. Lot of people agreed that those traits were the primary reason why his carrier was smooth and bright.

He became head constable at the age of 36, the youngest head constable in Rokube since this town was built 320 years ago. And in the last 23 years since he led the constable corps, his reputation only became better and better.

That’s why I wondered, with such clean records why he chose to work for a demonic warrior. Not to mention, his martial art belong to orthodox path.

Wasting no time I expressed my curiosity. “Head Constable Shouji, may I know, what made you decide to serve a demonic warrior?”

Even if Head Constable Shouji wore black mask, I still could see the shock that flashed in his eyes when I mentioned his name.

“Don’t bother to deny,” I calmly added. “Even though somehow, right now you are Level 2 warrior, I still can recognize you from the scar in your left thigh and right shoulder.”

After letting out a deep sigh Head Constable Shouji took his black mask off. “I know some high level warrior see things not only by their eyes. Even so, seeing a Level 1 do it really gives me unpleasant chill.”

“Sharp perception has nothing to do with level,” I calmly said, while inwardly I refrained myself from telling my potential enemy that dragon warrior had Essence Pulse as their sixth sense.

After a small smile Head Constable Shouji said, “Outer appearance is truly full of deception.”

“Tell that to yourself.” After a pause I added, “Honestly, I never imagined that someone who is so clean like you works for demonic warrior.”

As curiosity filled his face to the brim Head Constable Shouji asked me, “How do you know I work for demonic warrior?”

“The poison on small tube on your left waist, it’s concocted from a corps of newborn baby. Only high level pharmacist from demonic path knows the method, and only their most loyal subordinate has the joy to use it.”

My explanation seemed had rung some alarm, as Head Constable Shouji suddenly increased his vigilant. “Despite only a Level 1, you are far more knowledgeable than all warriors I have met. Too bad, I have to kill you.”

Without a warning, Head Constable Shouji darted straight to me while withdrawing the short sword in his back. He didn’t even want to finish our conversation before killing me.

‘Damn Impatient Old Dude,’ I muttered as I prepared myself to welcome the fight.

*****