Seeing that Kaito had ignored their protests and the vehicle was already in motion, Marcus, Elias, Calvin, and Lucas could only exchange sorrowful glances. They had no other choice but to quickly settle back into their seats.
Each of them activated the safety harness straps, the futuristic restraint system used in the vehicles. This system projected a flexible energy strap that secured the passenger firmly in place. Once their harnesses locked around them, they each reached out instinctively for the stability grips, the sleek metallic handles designed to absorb vibration and sudden jolts. Their hands tightened on them as if holding on for dear life.
Kaito, however, paid no attention to their nervous actions. Without glancing back, he focused ahead and guided the jeep smoothly toward the main gate of the ancestral estate.
Even though Kaito had mentally prepared himself for operating old Federation technology, he couldn't deny that it felt a little uncomfortable. Compared to the advanced vehicles of the spirit rune era he remembered, this machine was crude. Spirit-rune vehicles were far superior, martial artists could channel their spirit power directly into them, enhancing both speed and performance. The vehicle would respond as if it were an extension of the driver's will, moving with precision and power. By that time, steering wheels had become little more than decorations, vestiges of a bygone age.
His thoughts drifted as he tightened his grip on the wheel. Perhaps I should try to reintroduce spirit rune technology myself.
Among the countless books he had obtained from the library ruins among those that contained the knowledge of the hundred arts there were also volumes on spirit runes technology. Those texts contained detailed records of runes that could be practiced up to Rank 9, higher than anything known in his previous life. Even the most powerful spirit rune master back then had only reached Rank 7.
Kaito knew well that the texts alone were not enough. To reach Rank 9, one also needed immense talent. But if someone had already been able to reach Rank 7, then with those books, reaching Rank 9 was possible.
He remembered that spirit rune master from his previous life vividly. Before the spiritual surge, that man had been just an ordinary person with no background, no influence, and no strong family behind him. It was only by chance a fortuitous encounter that he came into contact with the art of runes. With hard work, clever use of connections, and pouring every bit of resources he earned into his rune cultivation, he had managed to rise to Rank 7.
As his fame spread, powerful families and great organizations extended invitations to him, eager to bring him under their banners. Many of these families had hoarded large collections of rune knowledge, including some from the library ruins. For them to offer him access to Rank 9 runes would not have been surprising, though they would have done so only under strict conditions. Kaito was convinced that one of those conditions must have been tied to these rank 9 rune techniques either an exchange or an inducement to join their factions and to sell himself to them.
But that spirit rune master had refused every offer. Despite temptation, he never bent his will. Instead, he chose to remain independent, building his own power from the ground up. Kaito could only admire such resolve.
The man had then gone on to create the Spirit Rune Master Association, giving the independent rune masters a place to register, accept missions, and receive rewards.
Kaito's eyes narrowed slightly as the thought struck him. If I am really going to develop spirit rune technology into vehicles and eventually expand it into other products, why not recruit him?
Until now, nobody had recognized the full extent of that man's talent. Even the spirit rune master himself had not realized his potential until much later. If Kaito could find him early and recruit him, it would be an enormous advantage. Along with him, Kaito could also recruit others who had risen to prominence after the surge in spiritual energy in his previous life.
While he was lost in thought, the hunting jeep had already reached the ancestral estate's gates.
Seeing the vehicle approach, one of the guards stepped forward. Recognizing Kaito and the others seated inside, the guard gave a polite nod. Moments later, the massive gate slowly swung open, allowing them passage.
By now, the jeep had traveled smoothly enough that Marcus, Elias, Calvin, and Lucas began to relax slightly. Seeing that Kaito hadn't driven recklessly and had managed to guide the vehicle properly all the way to the gate, they let out a collective sigh of relief. Still, they did not deactivate their safety harnesses, but they did loosen their grips on the stability handles, their knuckles no longer white with tension.
Kaito, without reacting to their caution, continued steadily forward. The jeep hummed softly as he guided it out of the estate and onto the road beyond.
Their destination lay ahead, the Grey Stone Mountains.
...
This was the path that the Ren family's hunting teams had traveled countless times before. Because it was so frequently used, the estate had built a proper road stretching all the way to Grey Stone Mountains. This road made the journey far easier for their hunters, reducing the time and energy needed to reach the base of the mountain range.
As soon as the hunting jeep rolled out of the ancestral estate's premises, Kaito pressed down on the accelerator, and the vehicle surged forward with a low hum. The sudden increase in speed made Marcus and the others tense immediately. Almost at once, they grabbed onto the stability strips once again, their bodies stiff with nervousness.
Marcus turned his head sharply toward Kaito, his eyes wide. "Brother Kaito! Brother Kaito, please slow down! There's no need to go this fast we can reach there even at a normal pace. There's no need to hurry!"
Elias, equally anxious, added his voice. "Yes, Brother Kaito, please slow down. We're really not in any rush. We can still play after we come back from the hunting trip, so there's no reason to push it."
Lucas and Calvin, though quieter, nodded hurriedly in agreement, their gazes fixed nervously on Kaito.
But Kaito didn't so much as glance at them. He kept his eyes straight on the road, his hands steady on the wheel, ignoring their protests. His cousins thought he was speeding because he wanted to cut the hunting trip short, to get it over with quickly so they could all return and play Glory again. But that assumption was far from the truth.
Kaito's real reason was different. By now, he had already adjusted to the handling of this hunting jeep. His earlier discomfort with the old Federation technology had faded, and confidence had returned. He knew he could handle the vehicle even at higher speeds, so he pressed the accelerator again, increasing their pace further.
The Grey Stone Mountains could already be seen in the distance. The road they traveled stretched directly toward the Endless Mountains, with no human habitation nearby. From the moment they entered this road, the looming silhouette of the Grey Stone range was visible far ahead, a constant reminder of their destination.
On either side of the path, tall trees lined the way. Their branches stretched outward, their leaves forming green canopies that cast dappled shadows over the road. The scenery was beautiful sunlight flickering through leaves, wind rushing past, and the endless forest stretching into the horizon.
But Marcus, Elias, Calvin, and Lucas were in no mood to admire it. Their attention was fixed on Kaito's driving. The second time he accelerated, their expressions darkened further. Realizing that Kaito had no intention of listening to their pleas, they gave up on persuading him. Instead, they tightened their grips on the stability strips, clenching them so hard their knuckles turned pale. If danger came, at least the harness straps and the stability strips would help them endure the impact.
Behind them, the scenery blurred rapidly, retreating at an almost dizzying speed. Trees and shadows flew past as the jeep tore down the road, its repulsors humming steadily.
Kaito, however, was calm. He kept his focus entirely on the path ahead, shutting out the cousins' nervous shifting in their seats. In his mind, the road wasn't just a path to Grey Stone it was tied to a memory, one that weighed heavily on him.
He remembered clearly the incident from his previous life. At that time, the hunting team led by his eldest grandfather had once again set out on an expedition into the Endless Mountains. Along with them, several younger members of the family had been brought along whose plan had only been to hunt in the Grey Stone Mountains, a routine trip just like the one now.
But none of them had realized that one of the most unlucky situations imaginable was about to unfold an incident so unexpected that no one had even considered the possibility.