Chapter 5: Getting Some Work Done
image [https://i.imgur.com/LC5qRvM.jpg]
The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room where Kenji lay awake. His mind was still entangled in the remnants of the dream that had disturbed his sleep. The voice of the deity, both commanding and irate, echoed in his thoughts, leaving him uneasy. He replayed the words in his mind, trying to decipher their meaning and intent. Yet, the more he pondered, the more elusive any clear understanding became.
Kenji turned his head, glancing at Aito, who was in sleep-mode beside his bed, recharging in the light from the window. He contemplated sharing the dream with his companion, but hesitated. The surreal nature of the dream made him question its validity. Could it have been just a byproduct of the stress and strangeness of this new world? Deciding not to alarm Aito without a concrete reason, Kenji resolved to keep the dream to himself for the time being. He got out of bed quietly, carrying the weight of uncertainty as he prepared for the day ahead.
As Kenji stepped out of his room, he was greeted by Elara, the old man's daughter. She held a bundle of clothes, neatly folded in her arms. "I thought you might need these," she said with a gentle smile.
image [https://i.imgur.com/6mzpBhu.jpg]
Kenji accepted the clothes, a mixture of curiosity and gratitude in his eyes. They were simple yet well-made garments, predominantly in earthy tones, with a rugged, practical design. After changing into them, Elara fussed over him, adjusting the outfit to ensure it fit. She seemed pleased with it, and he felt a subtle shift in his own perception, as if embracing a small part of this new world.
His modern clothes were certainly out of place now. Kenji folded them carefully and stored them away in a wooden chest provided by Elara. It felt like storing away a part of his past, a symbolic gesture of his unexpected journey into this unfamiliar land.
As he placed his bomber jacket into the chest, Kenji's thoughts drifted to its history. The jacket was a legacy from his American grandfather, who who had passed it down to Kenji's mother. His mother wore it throughout high school and college. She had added patches she collected. After meeting Kenji's father, she also did the design representing the Sato family on the back, symbolizing the blend of her heritages. Eventually, it became Kenji's during his own high school years, turning into his favorite piece of clothing, a cherished emblem of his family's diverse roots.
image [https://i.imgur.com/b1yXFoO.jpg]
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Kenji tentatively approached Elara, who was tidying up after breakfast. "Elara, about the stone your father gave me yesterday... do you know what it is?" he inquired, feeling the weight of that stone in his pocket.
"Oh, that's the Mana Stone from the fish," she replied without missing a beat, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. "Dad thought it only fair that you have it, considering your help."
Kenji furrowed his brow, "Mana Stone? I'm not sure I follow. What exactly is that?"
Elara paused, a look of mild surprise crossing her face. "You don't know? But... it must be similar to what powers Aito, isn't it? Don't you have them where you're from? When a monster dies, they usually leave a mana stone in their heart."
Her answer only raised more questions, but Kenji was reluctant to admit complete ignorance of what seemed to be general knowledge. "I... honestly don't know what to do with it. It seems like something quite valuable."
"It is to some people," Elara agreed, then added with a hint of resignation, "We have an old golem that worked our fields, but it's been broken for ages. If we had someone with the skills to repair it... perhaps that stone could bring it back to life."
Kenji's eyes lit up at the possibility. "I'd be very interested in trying to fix it," he admitted. "It sounds like a challenge, and I think Aito and I could learn a lot from it."
Aito walked in, having overheard the conversation. “If you tell us where it is, we can go there right away.” His voice sounded even more animated and confident than the day before. Kenji wondered if his personality was still evolving.
image [https://i.imgur.com/9sS4Aqk.jpg]
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Kenji and Aito, guided by Elara's instructions, ventured out from the cozy confines of her house, making their way through the village. As they walked, Kenji's attention was drawn to the villagers, busy with their daily tasks. However, something unusual caught his eye. The older villagers, he noticed, were engaged in surprisingly heavy labor. One elderly man effortlessly carried a hefty bundle of firewood, while another, with the strength and stamina of someone much younger, single-handedly pulled a plow through a field, a task that would normally require a horse.
Observing these extraordinary feats, Kenji pointed them out to Aito, whose analytical mind quickly pieced together a theory. "It seems that people here continue to strengthen with age, much like the progression from childhood to adulthood. But here, the adults seem to keep gaining strength well into their later years," Aito surmised.
Intrigued by this phenomenon, Kenji wondered aloud about the implications. Aito, seizing the moment to provide further insight, added, "Interestingly, your physical strength has slightly improved since yesterday."
Kenji, puzzled by this revelation, pressed for more information. "How can you tell?"
Aito elaborated, "I still have access to your profile, and it's been updated. You're now listed as 'Slayer of the Monstrous Fish' and 'Interdimensional Traveler.' Correspondingly, your physical attributes have shown a marginal increase."
Kenji was taken aback by the notion that Aito could still monitor his status in this new world. "You can still see my profile?"
"It didn't occur to me until you highlighted the unique physiology of this world's inhabitants. It seems you're becoming one of them," Aito deduced, his tone reflecting a blend of curiosity and matter-of-factness.
After a brief pause, he continued “I’m not able to alter your attributes anymore though, I just tried making you less ugly.” He digitally chuckled at his own joke, it seemed he had gained an odd sense of humor. “I guess it’s in a read-only mode.”
Kenji ignored the barb, he needed a moment to process the information. He was still grappling with the drastic shift in his identity from an Earthling to... something else. Aito, with his advanced processing capabilities, quickly adapted to these new revelations, but for Kenji, the adjustment was more complex and personal.
As they continued their walk, Aito made another keen observation, "You may not have noticed, but some villagers seem to be using abilities that we'd classify as supernatural."
Taking a discreet look at the villagers, Kenji noticed subtleties he had missed before. A woodworker was moving his hand as if he held sandpaper, yet no tool was in sight; his bare hands glided over the surface, leaving behind a smooth finish. Nearby, a woman doing laundry manipulated the clothes without touching the dirty ones, orchestrating their movement with mere gestures. Even the children, who seemed to be playing with sticks, slaying imaginary monsters, were causing leaves to fall from distant trees with each swing, as if by magic.
The absence of dramatic gestures, sound effects, or grandiose displays made these 'magical' acts blend seamlessly into everyday life. This casualness was in stark contrast to the flashy, exaggerated magic of movies and TV shows Kenji had grown up watching.
Awakening that morning, Kenji had clung to the notion that he was still on Earth. This village, with its warm and welcoming inhabitants, wasn't too different from the rural farming communities he visited as a child. But now, witnessing these subtle displays of magic, he realized just how far from Earth he truly was.
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image [https://i.imgur.com/HC21IcI.jpg]
Continuing their exploration, Kenji and Aito made their way through the village, arriving at a clearing where the golem stood.
The golem stood tall and imposing, its figure a curious blend of rustic charm and intricate mechanics. From a distance, it seemed a mere scarecrow, draped in tattered rags and topped with a straw hat, blending seamlessly into the pastoral landscape. Yet, as they drew closer, Kenji and Aito could discern the true marvel of its design. The golem was once a masterful creation of clockwork and gears. Some of it was hidden beneath wooden panels weathered by time and elements. Its limbs, although showing rust, bore the intricate craftsmanship of interlocking gears and rotating joints, suggesting a fluidity of movement belying its current stillness. The large scythe it clutched in one hand hinted at a past of laborious fieldwork, now stilled by the passage of time. Despite its state of disrepair, the golem exuded an air of dormant power, as if it was merely waiting for a spark to spring back into diligent service.
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
Kenji searched for a conventional means to activate the golem but found none. The absence of any visible wiring or power sources intrigued him. Subconsciously, he reached into his pocket, feeling a slight vibration from the Mana Stone.
Curious, he brought the stone closer to the golem. To his amazement, faint runes engraved on the golem began to glow in the Mana Stone’s presence, previously hidden from sight. "These symbols seem familiar," Kenji commented, intrigued by the glowing script.
Aito, peering closely, added, "They're reminiscent of the script used by the Angels."
As Kenji traced the symbols on the golem's arm, a sense of understanding washed over him. "Grasp, Cut, Repeat," he deciphered, his intuition bridging the gap between the unknown script and its meaning.
"It appears you've adapted to both speaking and reading the language here," observed Aito.
Kenji paused, the realization dawning upon him. They had been communicating in a completely foreign language since arriving without his conscious knowledge. Had it started even before they had arrived? It was a subtle yet profound change in his cognitive abilities.
Aito watched Kenji's growing comprehension with amusement. "Your grasp of these symbols seems stronger than mine. I’m able to speak it, but you seem to have adapted even further. Keep reading them aloud for my records too.”
Kenji proceeded to the golem's legs, reading out, "Stand, Crouch, Step." He noticed how the etchings connected like circuits to a central hub. There was a logic to the design that Kenji understood. Peeling away the rotten wood covering part of the golem's chest, he uncovered a hatch where these circuits converged. Inside was a lifeless, colorless stone, the golem's depleted power source. Unlike the outer limbs with a few basic commands, the central hub was covered in a web of more complex instructions.
Kenji studied the inside of the Golem, following the vibrations he felt from the Mana Stone in his hand. After removing the dead stone, a new set of runes inside the golem started to glow, revealing a row of freshly scratched symbols. These were unlike the basic commands; they formed instructions that almost sounded like a prayer. They seemed crude in comparison, etched in haste, the way someone might take their keys to an ex-lover’s car.
"Protect this village, and may thieves fall as wheat to the scythe, continue until I command otherwise," Kenji read aloud. The Mana Stone in his hand responded, escaping his fingers and snapping into place as he spoke.
Life returned to the golem with a hum. The once dim runes now glowed brightly, particularly in the golem's head, which scanned its surroundings before focusing on Kenji. After a brief assessment, it redirected its attention to the surrounding field.
The golem's movements were initially tentative, almost like stretching after a long slumber. It firmly gripped its scythe, testing its weight and balance with a swing through the air.
Aito broke the tense silence. "You did it! It's working!"
Suddenly, the golem's attention shifted to Aito. In a swift, threatening motion, it swung its scythe towards Aito.
Alarmed, Aito scrambled away, the scythe missing him by inches, and Kenji, acting on instinct, grabbed Aito and leapt to safety. The golem, now focused on Aito in Kenji's arms, advanced menacingly, its rhythmic scythe swings gaining momentum.
Heart racing, Kenji sprinted away from the relentless golem, finally ducking behind a storage shed to break its line of sight. The sounds of creaking metal ceased abruptly, then faded as the golem moved away.
After tense moments of silence, Kenji cautiously peered around the shed. The golem had redirected its attention, now targeting a pair of black birds at the field's far end.
"It appears to target intruders," Kenji deduced, watching the golem's behavior.
Aito, still shaken, replied, "That was too close for comfort!"
Kenji pondered, "It didn't react to me until I picked you up. Maybe it only responds to certain triggers."
Aito, wary of the idea, responded, "Testing that theory could be dangerous."
Nevertheless, Kenji knew they couldn't leave the golem unchecked. "We need to figure this out, or it could hurt someone. Stay back while I try something."
Ignoring Aito’s protests, Kenji approached the golem with raised hands, Kenji spoke soothingly. "I'm not here to harm or steal. I helped fix you."
The golem's gaze shifted to Kenji, its mechanical head tilting slightly as if processing his words.
Kenji continued, "You can relax. Maybe drop the scythe?"
---
image [https://i.imgur.com/NfuoAvv.jpg]
As Kenji uttered "drop the scythe," the golem instantly released its grip on the tool. Seizing the moment of calm, Kenji continued, "The village is safe, and there are no thieves. You can cease your actions."
The golem, appearing contemplative, tilted its head toward its chest. After a brief pause, it sat down on the grass, the previously glowing eyes dimming into a soft shimmer.
Kenji quickly opened the central console and carefully extracted the Mana Stone, feeling its resistance give way.
"It's safe now!" he called out to Aito, who hurried over, still visibly shaken.
"That was reckless, Kenji! You couldn't have known that would work!" Aito chided, walking over on his short legs.
Kenji, choosing to ignore Aito's concern, shifted the focus to the golem's programming. "Someone altered its original functions."
Intrigued, Aito examined the internal compartment. "Show me the words you read."
Kenji pointed out the location, careful to hold the Mana Stone more securely this time. "This section here, it's written differently, not part of the original design."
Aito scrutinized the inscriptions. "Indeed, these were scratched-in later, covering the initial commands. The golem was meant for simpler tasks, like harvesting wheat. Guarding the village wasn't its intended purpose."
Kenji pondered. "Maybe we should try to revert it to its original settings. Elara and her father didn't mention it attacking intruders."
Kenji inspected his bag and the small tools it held, and Aito produced another small electrical attachment from his hand. The duo then engaged in meticulous work, reminiscent of Kenji's experience with automotive detailing. “Removing scratches is easy with a little practice, but people don’t scratch up their valuables to get practice.” He remembered his uncle's advice about the craft as they carefully buffed out the newer commands scratched over the old.
As they delved deeper into their task, they discovered some parts that had been replaced over time and had broken the engraved ‘circuits’ between runes. Aito, with his precise attachments, began to etch what seemed like the missing connections.
Engrossed in their work, they discussed potential enhancements and the golem's mechanics, deducing that power was being lost in its limbs, which they knew now must have all been replaced at some point. Their confidence grew with each repair and completed circuit, but eventually Kenji found himself lost in the rhythm of the work, aimlessly clearing away rust. He had forgotten he wasn’t working on an old truck.
Aito broke the silence, "I think it's time to test it."
Kenji nodded, his mind snapping back to the task at hand. "Let's see how it operates now." He placed the Mana Stone back into the chamber.
The golem and the stone hummed to life, and Kenji, cautious not to issue any unintended commands, gave the first directive. "Stand!"
Obediently, the golem rose.
"Grasp," Kenji continued.
The golem reached down, securing its scythe once more.
"Tend," Kenji instructed.
The golem turned its attention to the field, momentarily regarding Kenji and Aito, then began its task. It moved with surprising fluidity, cutting the overgrown grass precisely.
As they observed, the golem transitioned to weeding, its metallic hands effortlessly breaking the soil. As it moved, excess rust fell from its joints, showing healthy metal still underneath.
Aito and Kenji exchanged glances, a silent acknowledgment of their success.
Their observation was interrupted as Elara, her children, and her father approached. Elara held a basket with lunch for Kenji. "We were starting to worry," Elara joked. Kenji had been so immersed in his work, he hadn’t even noticed them approaching.
Her father, astonished, noticed the active golem. "You've actually fixed it! I haven't seen it move like this since I was a child."
"We just cleaned it up and replaced the Mana Stone," Kenji replied with a smile. He proceeded to explain the golem’s commands to Elara and her father.
The father and daughter joyfully tested the golem’s capabilities, and even the children got a turn. Soon all four of them were playing like kids with a new birthday present. The afternoon sped by like that as they took turns eating and commanding the golem. Despite thinking he understood the golem’s full capabilities after studying the runes, there was some aspect of it that was greater than the sum of its parts. Elara was able to get it to dance by instructing it like one of her own small children, speaking gently at times and firmly at others. The children also almost got the golem to chase them in a game of tag before every adult simultaneously jumped up and shouted ‘No!’ at the sight of the golem starting to run after them.
image [https://i.imgur.com/WQt9VJT.jpg]
Eventually day turned into evening, and Elara led them all back home. As they walked away, the golem resumed its preprogrammed routine, becoming just another part of the small, but remarkable, village once more.
As they ate a simple dinner, Aito entertained everyone by recounting the fairy tales of Earth, changing his voices to match different characters. Guests, still curious about the new arrivals, dropped by with gifts of food. One person even brought a set of clothes for Aito. Soon the small house was packed in an impromptu continuation of the feast the night before. Kenji, never completely comfortable in a group setting, took the opportunity to slip away to what had become his room.
image [https://i.imgur.com/vlpIrAb.jpg]
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As he laid down, he heard Aito switching from performing the plots of fairy tales to various Manga. Kenji realized he never had time to check exactly what other data his friend decided to access when he was looking up flight recorders, but the cat was out of the bag now. Even if he had the means, it seemed wrong to think about deleting any part of him now.
The events of the day lingered in Kenji's mind, both exhilarating and unnerving. A lot had happened for him. He was speaking and even thinking in another language, he saw magic with his own eyes, and helped a golem come to life. He wasn’t sure he would be able to sleep at all as he looked out the window and imagined the names of new constellations. Yet, as he closed his eyes, he immediately found himself in a dreamlike realm, standing atop clouds.
“Mortal, we have much to discuss,” echoed a familiar, commanding voice in Kenji’s mind. His heart raced, a mix of awe and apprehension washing over him. The bravado that had carried him through the day faded, leaving him feeling inexplicably small and vulnerable under the intense scrutiny of an alien god.
image [https://i.imgur.com/SDMSTJa.jpg]
End Chapter 5: Getting Some Work Done
Next: Chapter 6: Calling Tech Support