CHAPTER 6
WHEN SILENCE STARTS TO WATCH BACK
The night in Rimba Village felt colder than usual. Inside the simple inn room, Kyoichiiro sat cross-legged on the floor, his back against the wooden wall. Claire was already asleep in the bed, her breathing regular and deep. But Kyoichiiro couldn't sleep. His mind returned to the strange footprints and the ambiguous conversation with the brown-haired man that morning.
This village is hiding something. And it's dangerous.
He stared at his own hands—the small, weak hands of a six-year-old child. Yet within them resided the mind of someone who had experienced death and rebirth.
Kyoichiiro: (to himself) I can't just stay still. If there's a threat, I have to know about it. To protect Claire. To understand this world. But… with a body like this?
He stood up slowly, trying not to wake his sister. With careful steps, he left the room, descended the softly creaking wooden stairs, and stopped in front of Edon's door. He knocked softly.
Kyoichiiro: "Excuse me."
A moment later, the door opened. Edon stood behind it, wearing simple sleepwear, his face sleepy but alert.
Edon: "Oh… it's you. What is it, son? It's late."
Kyoichiiro: (in a calm, serious voice) "I want to make a request. Please allow us—my sister and me—to stay here for one year. After that, we will leave and find a way to repay everything you have given."
Edon was taken aback. His eyes widened momentarily, then narrowed as he observed the small child before him. Kyoichiiro's expression was not like that of a child his age—too calm, too calculating.
Edon: "Are you serious? One year? Why?"
Kyoichiiro: "We need a place to recover. To become strong. And…" He paused briefly, choosing his words. "…this village feels safe. But I know not everything is perfect. I just need time."
Edon looked at him for a long time, then sighed. A small smile appeared on his face, a mix of worry and emotion.
Edon: "Alright. You may stay for as long as you need. About payment, forget it for now. The important thing is that you're safe."
Kyoichiiro: "Thank you." He gave a slight bow, a habit from his previous life that still lingered. Then he raised his head.
Kyoichiiro: "Good night, then, Uncle Edon."
Kyoichiiro returned to the room, but his sleep remained brief. His intuition told him something would happen.
---
Morning arrived with an unnatural silence. Usually, the village would already be bustling with the sound of roosters crowing, children running around, and farmers preparing for the fields. Today, there was none. Only the wind blowing softly and leaves rustling.
Kyoichiro was already outside, walking along the main dirt road. His eyes observed every detail: house doors tightly shut, windows locked, almost no kitchen smoke visible. The village seemed to be holding its breath.
Claire: (from behind) "You again. Always disappearing in the morning."
Kyoichiiro turned. Claire stood in front of the inn, arms folded. Her face showed a hint of annoyance, but also anxiety.
Kyoichiiro: "A bad habit, I suppose."
Claire: (approaching, voice low) "You feel something strange, don't you? I do too. Too quiet."
Kyoichiiro crouched, grabbed a handful of soil, then let it fall slowly between his fingers. The soil was dry, even though there had been dew the night before.
Kyoichiiro: "This village is too clean. Not clean because it's diligently cleaned, but… as if something is being hidden."
Claire: "Hidden from what?"
Kyoichiiro: "From us. From outsiders. Perhaps from the outside world."
Suddenly, from the eastern part of the village, a scream shattered the silence. Short, panicked, and abruptly cut off.
Two villagers ran past, their faces pale with fear.
Villager #1: "Close all the doors! Don't let anyone out!"
Villager #2: "Quick! To the granary!"
Claire reflexively reached for her waist—a movement usually made to draw a sword, but her sword wasn't there. Her weapon had been lost since the palace incident.
Claire: "What's happening?"
One of the villagers glanced back briefly, his eyes wild.
Villager #1: "Don't interfere! This is village business! Go back to the inn!"
But Kyoichiiro was already moving. His steps were quick yet controlled, following the direction the villagers had run. Claire immediately followed.
They reached the edge of the village, where an old, leaning granary stood. Its large wooden door was barred from the outside with a thick wooden beam. From inside came the sound of heavy, deep breathing—not human breathing. Accompanied by a scraping sound, like claws scratching wood from within.
Claire: (whispering) "That's…"
Kyoichiiro: "A magical beast. And it's still alive."
Edon suddenly appeared behind them, his face serious, devoid of his usual smile.
Edon: "You shouldn't see this. Go back."
Kyoichiiro: (without turning) "It's too late for that, Uncle Edon. What's really going on here?"
Edon was silent for a moment, his breathing heavy. The scratching sound from inside the granary grew louder.
Edon: "Every few weeks… something like this always happens. Magical beasts that are injured, wild, or… cursed, appear around the village. We usually manage to trap them and confine them here."
Claire: (voice sharp) "Why not report it to the authorities? Or ask knights for help?"
Edon: (voice becoming low and bitter) "Because if we report it, this village will be wiped off the map. They won't help—they'll burn the entire village and everyone in it 'to maintain security.' We've seen it happen in a neighboring village."
Kyoichiiro understood instantly. This village lived under a dual threat: from mysterious, appearing magical beasts, and from authorities who would destroy them if they knew. So they chose silence, handling it themselves in their own way.
Suddenly, the sound from inside the granary stopped. An eerie silence descended.
Then—
THUD!
The wooden door shook violently from an impact inside. The wooden bar splintered.
The gathered villagers retreated in panic.
Villager #2: "Not now—! They're usually not this strong!"
Kyoichiiro stepped forward. His gaze was cold, analytical. He calculated the risks.
Kyoichiiro: (to Claire) "Claire, if my calculations are wrong—pull everyone away. Don't try to fight."
Claire: "And if you're right?"
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Kyoichiiro's lips.
Kyoichiiro: "Then this village must choose. Continue hiding and living in fear, or face the reality they've been concealing."
The granary door cracked again, and this time the bar broke. The door opened slightly, and from the gap, a single glowing red eye peered out.
---
One year later.
A bright morning in Rimba Village. Kyoichiiro and Claire stood in front of Edon's inn, each carrying a small bag with their belongings. A year of living in this village had changed them. Kyoichiiro, now seven years old, was slightly taller, his eyes sharper, and at his waist hung a specially made wooden practice sword crafted by Edon. Claire, now nine, also looked stronger, though traces of trauma still lingered in her eyes.
Edon stood before them, his eyes glistening.
Kyoichiiro: (bowing deeply, in the Japanese style of respect from his previous life) "Thank you for everything, Uncle Edon. For the shelter, the food, and the lessons over this past year. We will never forget your kindness."
Claire: (also bowing) "Thank you so much."
Edon wiped his tears, smiling bitterly.
Edon: "You two… take good care of yourselves out there. The world is crueler than you imagine. But…" He looked at Kyoichiiro. "…I think you already know that. Don't forget, there's always a place for you to return to here."
Kyoichiiro: "We won't forget it."
A simple horse-drawn cart was already waiting out front. The driver was an old man who usually delivered goods to neighboring villages. Kyoichiiro and Claire climbed onto the cart, which was loaded with sacks of wheat. After saying their goodbyes once more, the cart began moving, leaving Rimba Village behind.
The journey passed along a dusty road flanked by forest on both sides. Kyoichiiro sat silently, his eyes constantly observing their surroundings. Claire glanced at him occasionally, curious about her brother's calmness, which sometimes made her uneasy.
Claire: "You're always like that. Silent and observing. As if planning something."
Kyoichiiro: (without turning) "Living in this world requires planning. Especially if we don't want to die without knowing why."
Claire wanted to retort, but suddenly the cart stopped abruptly. From within the forest, seven men in ragged clothes jumped out, blocking the road. They carried various weapons: rusty swords, axes, and clubs.
Bandit #1: (grinning) "Ha! Nice catch! Get off the cart and hand over all your valuables! If you want to live!"
The cart driver trembled in fear.
Driver: "We… we don't have anything valuable! Just wheat!"
Bandit #2: (swinging his sword) "Liar! Get down now!"
Kyoichiiro let out a soft sigh. He calmly descended from the cart, followed by a tense-faced Claire.
Kyoichiiro: (flat voice) "Leave now. I don't want to hurt you."
The bandits laughed heartily.
Bandit #1: "Hear that! The little one wants to be a hero!"
Kyoichiiro didn't waste time. His body shot forward—a movement that was quick and efficient, the result of intensive training over the past year. His wooden sword struck Bandit #1's wrist, causing his sword to fall. A follow-up kick targeted the knee, bringing the bandit down.
Two other bandits attacked simultaneously. Kyoichiiro spun, dodging the first sword slash, then used his wooden sword to parry the second attack. With a follow-up motion, he struck their weak points in the stomach and chin. Two bandits fell, groaning in pain.
Bandit #3: (angrily) "Damn brat! Kill him!"
This bandit wielded two swords at once, attacking wildly. Kyoichiiro took a step back, analyzing his irregular attack pattern. When the bandit swung his swords too wide, Kyoichiiro kicked his leg, causing him to lose balance. Before the bandit could fall, Kyoichiiro stepped on his neck with enough pressure to knock him unconscious, then pointed the tip of his wooden sword right in front of the bandit's eyes.
The two remaining bandits saw their comrades fall within minutes. They trembled, dropping their weapons.
Bandit #4: "S-sorry! We were wrong! Please don't kill us! We're just hungry!"
Bandit #5: "Yeah! We'll leave! Please let us live!"
Kyoichiiro stared at them with a cold expression that froze their blood.
Kyoichiiro: "Take this trash and get far away from here. Don't worry, they're not dead, just unconscious. But if you come back…" He didn't finish the sentence, but his gaze was enough.
The bandits immediately picked up their companions' bodies and fled into the forest.
Kyoichiiro turned to the cart driver, who was still stunned.
Kyoichiiro: "It's safe now. Can we continue?"
Driver: (astonished) "Yes… yes! Of course! Thank you, son! You… you're incredible!"
They climbed back onto the cart. Claire sat next to Kyoichiiro, looking at him with a mixed expression.
Claire: "So… you haven't just been practicing this past year, you've truly mastered it."
Kyoichiiro: (still looking ahead) "Practice without results is pointless."
Claire snorted, then flicked Kyoichiiro's forehead gently.
Claire: "Pretending to be wise."
But a small smile appeared on her face. For the first time since leaving the palace, she felt a little safer with her brother by her side.
The cart continued moving, leaving the forest and entering a hilly region. In the distance, a new village came into view—larger than Rimba, with fertile fields full of fruits and green plants. Smoke rose welcomingly from house chimneys.
Kyoichiiro observed the scene. This world was vast, full of mysteries and dangers. But also full of possibilities. With a body still small but a mind sharp, and now with some combat skills, he was ready to take the next step in his journey to understand—and perhaps one day, change—the destiny set before him.