The following morning, a thunderous crash echoed through the camp. A large tree had toppled over, revealing a shirtless, sweat-soaked Enopy. His muscular frame glistened in the early sunlight, defined through the thin fabric of his tank top.
"Huh? What's that sound?" shouted the man in charge of the caravan, his voice sharp and alarmed.
Groans and murmurs rippled through the rows of tents. Children poked their heads out, drawn by the noise. One by one, they gathered in a loose circle around the fallen tree—and around Enopy.
The caravan leader's voice rang out like a thunderclap."ATTENTION!"
Startled, the children quickly split into two lines and bowed in unison, forming a path that led directly to Enopy. He, too, had thrown on a thin kimono like the other boys and now lowered his head respectfully.
A powerful presence stepped through the path they had formed.
"Sir Kaito!" the children said in sync, their voices full of awe and anxiety.
Kaito stood tall—6'5", with stark white skin, flowing black hair, and a thick, commanding beard. His piercing gaze scanned the crowd before settling on Enopy.
Kaito spoke calmly but firmly, "What were you doing?"
Enopy, still catching his breath, kept his head low.
"I was training, sir. I didn't want to fall behind just because we're on our way to the training facility. I figured... if I stay ready, there won't be any surprises—accidents or otherwise. I want to be at my peak when we arrive. Also…" he hesitated for just a second before adding, "I wanted to impress you, Senior. I knocked over that tree as a demonstration of my strength."
He stole a quick glance toward Hina, hoping she noticed.
But that wasn't the full truth.In his mind, Enopy continued:
It wasn't Kaito I was trying to impress. It was Hina. According to my memories, she likes using strong men to serve and protect her. This was just bait.
Kaito raised an eyebrow, visibly surprised by Enopy's eloquence.
"You're right. You should be at your peak. The training ahead isn't for the weak," Kaito said, voice low and serious. Then his face darkened. "But... there will be no accidents on this journey."
Kaito turned to walk away, pausing only when he noticed Enopy's glance again drifting toward Hina. His eyes narrowed before he left without another word.
Behind him, the other kids shifted awkwardly. They had expected Enopy to be punished. Instead, they were left embarrassed, their hopes for drama crushed.
As a result of the early commotion, the caravan departed sooner than planned. Six hours into the trip, they stopped for lunch and rest.
Hina stepped into the same carriage as Enopy. He looked up as she entered and offered her some berries. She accepted them without a word.
"Why are you here?" Enopy asked casually, stuffing a handful of berries into his mouth.
"No reason," she replied. Then after a pause, added, "I heard you were trying to impress me."
"Just a little," Enopy said with a grin, offering her more berries. Then he gestured to the exit. "But don't worry—I won't do it again. You can leave now."
Hina lingered for a moment, as if she wanted to say something. But then, without a word, she stepped out of the carriage.
A small smile crept onto Enopy's face—then quickly faded.
By nightfall, word spread: Hina had fallen ill.
The next day, she was dead.
That evening, a group of boys approached Enopy. Leading them was a tall boy with shiny golden hair tied back into a warrior's tail. He wore a brilliant blue battling kimono and a scowl.
Enopy recognized him instantly.
"Tivly," he thought. One of the bastards who beat me to death before. The one who killed the former owner of this body.
"You poisoned her!" Tivly shouted, pointing a trembling finger. "I know it was you!"
Enopy remained seated, expression calm. "Oh? And how do you know that?"
"I saw her! I saw her come out of your carriage with berries in her hands!"
"And?" Enopy tilted his head. "I did give her berries. We talked. Why would I want her dead?"
The group hesitated. Then, one of the boys behind Tivly blurted, "Because Hina orde—"
SLAP!
Tivly's hand struck the boy across the face, silencing him.
Tivly's face turned red with rage and shame. Without another word, he spun on his heel and stormed off. The others followed quickly behind.
Enopy watched them go.
"Although I did poison her, it's a shame," he thought coldly. "She could've been useful. I might've kept her around longer. Maybe even given her a more elegant death. But time is precious. I don't play long games."
He let out a long sigh, then turned away and walked in the opposite direction.
That night, Enopy descended a hill and found a quiet place to train.
He swung his sword—a gift from his father—a hundred times. Then another hundred.
Sweat poured down his back as he attempted a technique he only vaguely remembered. He focused all his energy into a final slash—and to his surprise, the blade split a large rock clean in two.
Inside the rock? Nothing. It was hollow.
And then—the rock vanished.
In its place sat a strange metallic ball and a weathered scroll. Enopy hesitated, then hurled his sword at the ball. Nothing happened.
He walked over cautiously. The moment his fingers touched it, the ball crumbled into dust.
He turned to the scroll. Tapping it gently with his blade first, he ensured it was safe. Then he picked it up, flipping through its pages.
A voice echoed in his mind.
"Would you like to process and learn this technique?"
Enopy grinned.
"Yes."
He sat on a rock, the scroll in hand, and began processing the move he had just attempted. The same move that had cracked open the earth——and led to his new discovery.