*******............"Hmmn! You can just call me Old Jin or Gramps Jin, and there's no need to be so formal with me, young Erick," Old Jin humbly addressed himself, finding his full name unnecessary. He took a liking to the young man and encouraged Erick to adopt a more casual tone."Alright, Gramps Jin! Have you been taking care of this garden?" Erick inquired, sensing the genuine life force emanating from the plants."Hmmn! Yes, I live alone here, and tending to this garden keeps me occupied. It's also a way for me to indulge in my hobby of nurturing plants," Old Jin replied, sitting down as he gently caressed the leaves and flowers.In a world where otherworldly energy has awakened, Erick was certain that if the old man continued caring for the garden with such devotion, one of these plants might attain spiritual wisdom in the decades to come."Gramps Jin! Do your children visit you regularly?" Aashi asked, her gaze fixed on the old man's weathered face."Hahahah! Young lady, I ha
*******............"Alright, I'll call you back once I'm done with this business. Take care of yourself. Bye for now!" Erick reluctantly accepted his fate and resolved to call Aashi as soon as he finished curing Mr. Katsutoshi's daughter."Hmmn! Bye~" Aashi sweetly responded.After hanging up, he felt a huge sense of relief, and then he composed himself, assuming the posture of an expert.Ever since Erick became a teenager, he found himself struggling to avoid or endure his hormonal reactions. Despite his appearance, resembling an 18-year-old, he had just entered his teens, and puberty brought with it the typical challenges that every young man faces.While his cultivation remained unsealed, he could control his body perfectly. However, whenever he sealed up his cultivation, those problems would resurface. He could still maintain slight control, but in the presence of Aashi, who was not only his most ideal creation but also a literal figment of his imagination come to life, his b
******** ….. ….. "So, have any of you heard about Supernaturals or, more precisely, Supernaturalists?" Erick inquired, carefully observing everyone's reactions for any signs of deception. Mr. Katsutoshi pondered the question, while Dr. Hirono seemed shocked, as if he had seen a ghost – though he found it hard to believe. Sarah Yugami appeared to be the most confused among them, having only a vague recollection of the term "Naturalism," but not knowing much about it. Mr. Katsutoshi eventually spoke up, explaining, "I encountered them about six months ago when I was searching for my daughter. They are a group of people who are no longer considered normal humans. When conventional methods failed to cure my daughter, I sought information about them, hoping they could help. However, everything about them remains a mystery. Despite my status as a retired general, I couldn't find any concrete results, so I gave up pursuing them." Erick acknowledged the information, signaling that it w
******* ...... ...... "I'm really concerned about my daughter's condition," Mr. Katsutoshi said with a trembling voice, feeling even more worried now. Erick wanted to understand the situation better before explaining Yamini Kirin's condition. "Can you tell me how long it was after her disappearance that you found Ms. Yamini Kirin?" he asked. "It was about two years later, in the outer circle of the Honshu region. Some nomads discovered her first, and they took care of her strange illness. I'm grateful to them," Mr. Katsutoshi replied, recalling the circumstances in which he found his daughter. His mind was preoccupied with worries about her condition, leaving him little time to focus on other details. Erick nodded, confirming his suspicions. He then asked another question to make his explanation easier for them to grasp. "How old did she appear to be at that time?" "If I remember correctly, she looked like she was sixteen or seventeen," Mr. Katsutoshi answered thoughtfully, as
******* ….. ….. Amidst the bustling capital city, where busy folks hurriedly go about their daily routines amidst towering buildings and neat streets, a fascinating facade hides a hidden darkness. Yet, this shadowy side is veiled from most eyes, only revealing itself to a chosen few who meet a grim fate after beholding it. Within an abandoned alley that time has forgotten, a place where everyday life seems to have stopped, a group of gang members normally busy with their misdeeds found themselves on a fateful collision course. Three typical troublemakers, known for their petty extortion of spare change from passersby, had an unexpected encounter today. They came across a figure shrouded in clothing, a person whose presence spelled impending doom and a descent into a nightmarish reality. Having accepted a job from a well-to-do individual with an air of affluence, the goons found themselves tasked with a dark mission: kidnapping a child and holding them in isolation for a span
******* ...... ...... "Yare…yare..!! You won't get it, huh? Unless someone teaches you a lesson, you scum!" The young man's eyes glared at them like they were worth nothing. "Hehehe! Kid, stay put and let me give you a thrashing. Maybe then I'll let you off the hook!" The Ochin thug charged towards the young man, aiming for a punch. "Wham!!" However, things didn't go as planned. The Ochin goon, after throwing a punch at the young man, found himself airborne, bewildered by the sudden flip in his view. "Thud..!! Pufff..!! Cough..cough..!!" The Ochin goon coughed out blood, plastered against the wall. His head hit the ground, legs hanging awkwardly like a puppet with its strings cut. "Sorry…sorry..!! I had no idea you were this delicate!" The young man cheekily apologized, his expression devoid of any emotion as he gazed at the fallen Ochin goon. The leader, Henry, and Tomu stood there, eyes and mouths agape, shocked by the astonishing spectacle they had just witnessed. After
******* ...... ...... (Erick Pov) "Phew! Miss Kirin should recover well. Just remember, when she wakes up, probably by evening, make sure to feed her nutritious meals for a week," I told Mr. Katsutoshi, who was waiting at the door. I wiped my forehead, relieved after doing what I could to help Ms. Yamini Kirin regain her health after her coma. "Thank you, Mr. Ricky. I'll never forget your kindness in saving my daughter," Mr. Katsutoshi's tears of joy flowed as he repeatedly bowed in gratitude. I halted his excessive gestures, not used to such attention. "Alright, Mr. Katsutoshi. But I suggest taking her back to Osaka, where both of us currently reside. If any health complications arise, I can promptly diagnose her," I advised, considering the capital's unhealthy air for Ms. Yamini Kirin's recovery. After that, I listed the ingredients for him to gather. He insisted on giving me something for my efforts, so I asked for what I needed at the moment. I sensed the depth of the c
******* ...... ...... (Flashback) Ten years ago, Just like any other day, I played with my daughter in our home's courtyard. It had been a year since my wife passed away, leaving our daughter and me alone in this world. I had retired from the military around the same time, choosing to be with my daughter to compensate for the absence of both her grandparents. My daughter's understanding nature meant she never complained, but I did notice her tears during the quiet nights. She didn't want to burden me, but her eyes revealed her sadness clearly. My days were now entirely devoted to being with my dear daughter and making up for the times I couldn't be there for her earlier. "Hehehe! Otōsan! Look, I caught the balloon," my late wife's memory flashed as my dear Yamini's sweet voice brought me back. "Hahaha! You're a good girl!" I gently patted her head, overflowing with affection. The innocent smile on her face had the power to make me smile and inspired me to ensure her happines