The wind howled, making the fallen leaves dance through the sky.
Several drops hit the ground — not raindrops, but Takashi's sweat.
The old man, Orvin, had his hand extended for a handshake.
Yet Takashi hesitated to reach out. The pressure he felt wasn't natural.
"Why does he want to shake my hand? Maybe he's trying to earn my trust just to kill me later… No, if that were his goal, he would've done it long ago… Could he be from the Skull King gang, here for my sword? But his clothes aren't like Yamikaji's or his men's… Damn it! What does this man want?"
After a long hesitation, Takashi finally spoke his first words to Orvin:
"What's your goal in helping me?"
Despite Takashi's words, Orvin didn't lower his hand. He only smiled wryly, remaining silent.
Takashi stepped back a few paces, raising his fists cautiously.
"Tell me, what do you want? What made you help me? Are you part of that gang!?"
After a brief silence, Orvin finally lowered his hand, still wearing that faint smile.
"I told you already, my name is Orvin. I was just passing through and saw you fighting those monsters alone, so I decided to help you because you looked like you needed it."
Though Orvin's words sounded honest — and coming from a cheerful old man made them hard to doubt — Takashi didn't believe a single one.
"You think I'm stupid enough to believe that?"
"No. Why don't you want to believe me?"
Takashi gave him a serious look.
"I know that kind of gaze too well — one that seems sincere and kind, yet hides piles of lies and evil behind it. I just want to make sure there's nothing suspicious behind yours."
Orvin scratched his beard, trying to recall why he had come there in the first place. Then he suddenly raised a finger, remembering.
"Oh, right! I came looking for someone called the Calamity—"
Before he could finish, Takashi lunged forward and threw a sharp punch.
Orvin blocked it with his forearm, smiling faintly as his thoughts drifted.
"Just as I expected, boy."
Takashi didn't stop there. He pulled back and aimed a kick at Orvin's knee, but the old man dodged effortlessly.
"What's wrong with you, boy? I don't think I did anything to deserve this attack."
Takashi didn't respond — just stared at him unblinkingly.
"That was reckless. I shouldn't have attacked so stupidly. If he's smart enough, he'll figure out that I'm the one he meant by that title."
He took a deep breath, then stepped back.
"I know who the Calamity—"
"Really! I'm glad to hear that, boy. Then tell me where he is!"
Takashi didn't answer immediately. A hidden smirk crept across his face — a quiet sense of victory.
"I can use him to learn about the Skull King gang. But first, I need to find out if he's from that village or not."
On the western side of the forest lay a large village called Tisalia, also known as the Village of Chaos.
Though it was a hub for merchants trading goods with the great cities, corruption and injustice thrived there.
Its people were among the few who still believed in the legend of the Three Calamities.
Takashi formed his plan in his mind, then spoke with a slight grin:
"Alright, I can tell you where he is — but on one condition."
"A condition?"
"Yes. You'll have to answer three of my questions."
Orvin's smile widened, his eyes glowing with curiosity.
"Ask away, and I'll answer!"
"Alright. My first question — are you from a village on the western side of this forest?"
Orvin scratched the back of his head, tilting it in confusion.
"What village are you talking about?"
"I see," Takashi interrupted. "So you don't actually live in this forest."
He raised two fingers.
"My second question: what do you want from the person you're looking for?"
"I heard he's strong."
Takashi frowned. "That doesn't answer my question. What do you want from him?"
Orvin lowered his head; the warmth vanished from his tone and face.
"Peace. That's what I want—"
"Peace? Explain more. What does that have to do with him?"
Orvin raised his arms and head toward the sky, speaking with passion:
"I want to gather strong people — people who can bring justice and end oppression. I want to build a world free of war, free of monsters, free of gangs. That's why I want to recruit the Calamity here into our alliance and overthrow the corrupt systems — like class hierarchies — to bring true justice and fairness to our world, boy."
With every word Orvin spoke, Takashi's heartbeat quickened.
Each sentence struck a chord within him, as if a great opportunity had appeared before his eyes.
He wanted to ally with Orvin — but his experiences, burned into his memory, made him unable to trust completely.
"I want to join you, Orvin, if you're honest. But I can't trust that easily… I was going to ask if you know anything about the Skull King gang, but after hearing your goal, if I ask that now, you'll get suspicious. So instead, I'll ask you this…"
Takashi clasped his hands together and asked his final question:
"My third and last question: what did you do to those monsters earlier? What was that powerful pressure you trapped us in? Tell me everything about it!"
Orvin looked up toward the shimmering moon, closing his eyes and sinking into deep thought.
…
After a few seconds, he lowered his head quickly, smiling with excitement.
"Alright! I'll tell you."
Takashi cleared his mind, focusing on Orvin's words — if he could understand that phenomenon and how to gain it, a new path toward his goals might open.
"But first, I must ask you something, boy… Do you know what aura is?"
At that direct question, Takashi felt he had finally found a thread leading to the summit.
Silence filled the air once more. Then, connecting his memories together, Takashi answered:
"Yes… I know."