“I’m very sorry, Kaede but in your current situation… Umm… You know.”Miss Viola averted her eyes as she speak with me.“Nope, It's fine.”I said and turned my crutches away from her.Why I’m here? I know that she won’t accept me. After six months of absence from work. Of course, there is nothing for me to go back to.“Kaede!”Miss Viola called out. She approaches me and puts something in my pocket. Checking, It was 20 silver coins. I was puzzled about why Miss Viola would do something for me.“Why? I never do any work…”“... Take it… I feel bad for what happened to you… Promise me… Don’t lose hope okay.”I nodded and bow my head to her.“Thank you.”After I meet with my former employer. I go to a library that I never got to visit for a very long time.When can use my hand and move my arms? I always asked Shun to get one book for me. Little by little, I learned how to read, but not very fluent in other people.I started reading children’s books. Especially short stories. Reading books
With each passing day, the wind comes from the north, softly stirring the surface of the blue lake water. Sun's light reflected off the ripples, transforming into complex and tiny flickers of colors.Besides this wide like was a giant tree.Grasping the ax.Swinging upwards.Striking down.It might be just those actions, but if the mind was distracted even slightly, the reaction from the hard bark would bounce back relentlessly to both arms. Breathing, timing, speed, shifting of body weight, all of them must be perfectly controlled from the beginning, transmitting the hidden power from the heavy blade of the ax to the tree, producing a pleasant, clear, high-pitched sound.While he could understand the theory well, actually doing it wasn't that simple.Noah was given this task in spring when he was ten, and it would be the second coming of summer since then, yet he could only get that pleasant feedback once out of ten swings.He was told by his fellow ax users that his predecessor, alw
“I think... I know where we can find the ice we’re looking for. It's quite dangerous but I’m sure about it.”Yuna attracted The attention of the three other kids with her words. She lifted her head and searches for the sun. She pinpointed the direction where they were and afterward she used her index finger. Pointing toward the northern land.“There! The Ice can be found over there.”“What do you mean by there? It's just stiff mountains I can see over there.”Noah said.“Nope above that stuff mountains… Sister told us that in a higher place, the temperature was lower, became of the cold climate above the mountain glaciers is created.”“Going there just to get Ice was far too dangerous. Just climbing that mountain makes a high probability of a monster encounter… I don’t want to risk my life because of one cold stone.”Noah’s words make sense. It's true for kids like them. Climbing a stiff mountain full of monsters is dangerous. Outside the wall of Stella was already dangerous. The fore
It was Saturday and there are no school for Yuna. The four friends were outside of the city. Shun and Noah as usual get firewood on the need by warded forest. Yue was placed under the big tree with a storybook in her hand. Flipping pages with a smile.Exhausted the two boys laid their backs to the thick moss like they always do. Under this big tree. The scenery was quite relaxing The weather is nice same as the wind breeze.If they have their guards down. They will fall asleep.“What are you two being lazing about?”Yuna said facing grumpy face to Shun and Noah.“We’re not lazy…”“Did you ever try cutting wood? It's exhausting.”“Hmm…”She averted her face for a brief moment and turned back. She then continues…“I find out something interesting yesterday. I got curious about where the block of ice came from and checked the map. I found out that the river was flowing to the nearby mountain located west on the city.”“That mountain isn’t warded. Also, that mountain was said to have gobl
“Raawwwwwwww!”The dragon released a growl that echoed through the children's eardrums.Intimidated by the dragon's overwhelming presence. Shun wasn’t able to move. His body continuously trembles in fear. His mind was already consumed by fear.The dragon turned its head toward the golden-haired girl, Yuna. It opened its big fang attempting to bite down. Yuna saw it coming and move quickly. She then realized that her lower feet were already crushed down by the boulder of rock.The cold temperature and adrenaline in her body made her unable to feel any pain for the moment. But when she saw her feet already crushed down. She can’t resist herself and release a scream.“Aaaaaahhhhhh!”“Take this!”Noah with his ax swings it with all of his strength toward the dragon’s right eye.Destroying its eye. He made the dragon lift its long head and slam the rock walls. The cave trembles while the dragon started thrashing.“Yuna… Are you okay? Shun, help me push this boulder on Yuna’s feet…”“No… I’
After Shun told the story about his past. I silently look up at the stars while sitting on the wooden floor of our house.I don’t know what to say to Shun, but I have to say it.“Shun is an idiot.”“That’s right, I’m an idiot and coward man…”Before he continues and lowers himself more. I immediately turned my body to him and knock on his head with my small fist.He’s looking at me with confusion for a moment and averted his face afterward.“That’s not my point. There is no way Shun would know a tragedy would happen or a dragon will suddenly appear. Everything was an accident. You were just 12 years old at that time. I guess it's normal for you to be scared. I’m already 14 years old but I’m still scared of bugs.”“Still, there’s still a probability of me saving them. I didn’t even move to attack the dragon. I’m not brave enough that’s why I’m still in this City. I’m a coward. I lack courage. And now I’m enjoying myself taking care of you while thinking you are Yue. Because you two loo
“See, I’m super strong.”I said as I flexed myself looking at Shun and Alicia with a big smile on my face.“That was insane… The demon tree that took the nutrients of the northern part of the forest fell… I saw it with my own two eyes but I still can’t believe it… The demon tree is already gone.”Alicia put her hand on her forehead.“Kaede is really strong… Are you an adventurer before you drifted into this city?”Shun said.“Well, something like that. I split an entire island one time and killed a dragon before.”I was referring to the battle island event and the first dungeon I took when I was starting as a player.Being a player in RPG and an adventurer seems to be similar.Honestly, I’m not sure if my damage will do this much. I’m only expecting a huge wedge when I swing my ax. I’m a bit surprised myself. Since they look shocked about it.I can’t help to be a little arrogant about it.In this world, I’m still unable to know my real stats. But I have a brief understanding of how th
The group of arrogant adventurers vanished without a trace in our sight. With the four knight guards witnessing my strength. They started to believe that I’m capable of cutting the demon tree.“That strength is unbelievable. I have never seen anything like that. I remember there is a story about it before. The adventurer wielding a sword and destined to purge evil… I remember it's a hero story. Could it be that you’re a hero?”“No, I’m just someone who happened to be strong. I just happened to have this strength. I guess it's some kind of blessing.”“Well, it's true there are people like you. But this is the first time I met one. We’re going to report the demon tree subjection quest to the guild. We’re going to write a testimony about it as evidence. You can visit the guild for more information on how your ability to gain the quest reward.”I have happy that I’m able to have the reward.I look at my hand and saw the sword. The shiny sword earlier was cracking and its blade was full of