Chapter 56: Fumito

Both Niko and Ivanic walked down the spacious hall of the castle, the intricate architecture still managing to amaze them no matter how many times they passed through it. The floral designs on the wooden door and window frames were almost hypnotic, so carefully crafted that it felt as though each curve and line had been drawn by hand with painstaking attention to detail. Despite the beauty of their surroundings, the echo of their footsteps across the wooden floors carried a heavy silence between them.

Niko’s expression was serious, his concern for Fumito growing with each step. He knew the trauma Fumito had endured. The loss of comrades, the crushing weight of survival in this brutal world—they were burdens no one could carry without scars. Niko understood all too well, but he feared what Fumito might have done in his isolation. The thought of him taking drastic measures, of succumbing to the grief, gnawed at the back of Niko's mind.

As they approached Fumito’s door, both Niko and Ivanic exchanged a glance, their worry mirrored in each other's eyes. Niko knocked three times.

Silence.

They looked at one another again, a hint of unease tightening the air around them. Niko knocked again, louder this time.

Knock! Knock! Knock! The sound echoed through the long, empty hallway, the stillness of the castle amplifying their concern.

Niko raised his hand, ready to barge in if necessary. But just as his hand hovered near the door, a voice came from the other side. It was faint, but unmistakably Fumito’s.

“The door is unlocked. Just come in…”

The tension broke as Niko exhaled with relief. He slowly turned the doorknob, pushing the door open to reveal the room within. Though it was not as grand as Niko’s, it was still spacious, bathed in the soft light streaming through a large window. The medieval decor gave it a homely, albeit austere, feeling.

Fumito sat on the edge of his bed, his posture slightly hunched but not as defeated as Niko had feared. There was a sadness in his eyes, but also a glimmer of resolve that hadn’t been there before.

“We're glad you're okay,” Ivanic said, breaking the silence as he stepped forward. “We thought that maybe…”

“What? That I would take my own life?” Fumito interrupted, his voice steady but carrying a hint of sorrow. “After people who cared for me gave their lives so that I could keep mine? That would be pointless. A waste. And worse—it would disrespect their sacrifice.”

He smiled slightly, though his eyes shimmered with unshed tears. Despite the emotional turmoil, there was a determination there that gave Niko a deep sense of relief.

Fumito stood up slowly, brushing off his clothes before turning toward Niko and Ivanic with a small smile. “I've run out of the food I had stored in my inventory,” he said, attempting to lighten the mood. “Is there anything left here to eat?”

Ivanic's face brightened at the question. “Let's head to the kitchen. We’ve still got some meat from some creature we killed earlier. I’ll cook you something.”

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The mood shifted, the tension easing as the three men shared a quiet moment of camaraderie. It felt good to see both Fumito and Zheng alive and recovering, a small victory in a world filled with so much loss. As they made their way to the kitchen, Ivanic filled Fumito in on everything that had happened while he was recuperating—the creation of the clan, the nearby territories, and the looming threats from Tera.

Niko wasted no time in extending an invitation to both Fumito and Zheng to join the clan once they were fully healed. He needed everyone on board to execute his plan for gaining power and securing their territory. They couldn't afford to move forward half-heartedly.

The items collected from the two dead protectors were divided accordingly. Zheng, being a close combat fighter, took the bluish armor, adjusting to the feel of the heavy material on his frame, and also having the Tera insignia replaced by the one of Dark Hope. Ivanic, ever practical, took the short sword, choosing to keep it for emergencies. And Fumito—although initially unsure if he could even wield it—took the greatsword. After leveling up during the castle’s conquest, Fumito had yet to allocate his stat points. Now, with the need to wield a more powerful weapon, he put his points into strength, allowing him to handle the sword more easily and effectively.

Niko observed their choices with interest. Each of his teammates seemed to be forging their own path, developing in different ways. He, of course, had a "seed" skill—one that would only grow in complexity as he leveled up, pushing him further into the role of a necromancer or spirit-wielder. But the others? Their progression was more of a mystery. Ivanic’s skill set still left Niko wondering. Was it also a seed skill, or was Ivanic adapting to what he had available? Zheng, on the other hand, was more straightforward—his combat skill made him an excellent front-liner, but Niko worried about the potential dangers it posed. And then there was Fumito. His flashbang orb ability was useful, but it didn’t give away much about where his future path would lead.

“Do I even need to concentrate on their progression?” Niko thought to himself, his mind racing through possibilities. He knew he needed to prioritize his own growth—intelligence, in particular, to control more spirits. But without his spirits, what was he? That thought haunted him, nagging at the back of his mind like a question he couldn’t yet answer.

The sun had yet to set by the time the group gathered in the common area, discussing their next steps over a hastily prepared meal. The atmosphere was much lighter now, the sense of impending doom temporarily lifted by their shared determination.

“We should stay within our territory for now and clear out any remaining monsters,” Zheng suggested, eager to regain his strength and test his newly equipped armor. “Leaving them here could pose a threat later.”

“I agree,” Ivanic added, nodding as he glanced at Niko. “Once our territory is secure, it wouldn’t hurt to explore the nearby lands. We need to know what’s out there. It could give us a huge advantage.”

Niko listened, considering the options. “The sun hasn’t set yet,” he mused aloud. “And I’m almost at level ten. Should we try to push for it today?”

“I think it’s worth it,” Fumito chimed in, his voice stronger than it had been in days. “We need to keep improving. The enemies we’re up against… they won’t wait for us to catch up.”

Niko nodded. He knew all too well that their enemies were formidable, and the unknown threats from the other territories weighed heavily on his mind. But most of all, he felt the pressure of reaching level ten. The Unique Bronze Box was waiting for him, and inside, it held the promise of something powerful—something that could give them the edge they so desperately needed.

“Alright,” Niko said, standing up with renewed determination. “We still have time before nightfall. Let’s see if we can clear out the monsters in our land.”

The others agreed, their resolve hardened by the weight of the battles to come. And as Niko gathered his staff and summoned his spirits, he couldn’t help but feel that tonight, everything would change. Level ten was just within reach, and with it, a new chapter in their struggle for survival.