"..."
SHEEK!
Shuku yanks the Blood Icepick from Kubo's forehead, the sound echoing just as it did when it first pierced his skull. Blood spurts from the gaping wound, splattering across his lifeless face.
A long silence follows. Kubo's body remains still, cold, unresponsive. His vacant eyes stare, unblinking. For a full minute, nothing moves. Given the sheer length of the Icepick, Shuku is certain. His enemy is dead. He has to be.
Just to be sure, Shuku lightly slaps Kubo's cheek a few times, watching for any sign of life. His gaze lingers on the shattered skull, searching for anything unusual. Nothing. No movement. No hint of regeneration or healing. Unlike him, Kubo has no second chances.
Satisfied, Shuku rises to his feet, spits on the corpse with disdain, and steps away.
"..."
Even though he got what he wanted, something still feels missing, something to mark the occasion. As a little souvenir, Shuku glances around to make sure no one is watching. Once he confirms he is alone, he kneels down and starts looting Kubo.
He searches the pockets of Kubo's armor, then moves to his chest plate, and finally checks any other possible hiding spots. It is a struggle. Kubo's massive body and heavy armor make it difficult to reach inside and turn him over. But in the end, the search goes smoothly.
The battle turns out to be quite profitable. Shuku finds about 50 gold coins, though not directly on Kubo's body. Instead, he discovers a pouch filled with gold attached to the horse Kubo rode to this place.
Kubo himself has nothing on him except bloodstained clothes and heavy golden armor. For someone like him, it was a smart choice. Carrying unnecessary items into a fight would only get in his way. Instead, all his belongings, including maps, food, and money, are stored on the horse.
Although the golden armor seems valuable since it is real gold, Shuku does not think taking it would be a good idea. The first problem is the size. The armor was made to fit Kubo's massive and obese body, not someone as slim and slightly malnourished as Shuku.
Selling it could be another option, but that would also be a bad idea. The armor's sheer size would make it difficult to carry alone through miles of desert to reach a civilized city. Even if he managed to do that, there was no guarantee that greedy opportunists would not try to steal his loot.
There is also the issue of finding a buyer. Something this valuable, stained with blood that would be hard to clean without raising suspicion, would make anyone question its origin. A man like Shuku, slim, dirty, and poor-looking, selling such a prized item would only raise doubts.
Simply put, there are too many issues with looting the golden armor. The problems it creates far outweigh the rewards it offers. So, it is a no for him... however...
"Maybe this one."
Shuku decides to take something else, an item Kubo called the Aiguilette, a golden cord that runs from his right shoulder to his chest. It looks detachable, so Shuku grips it tightly and yanks with force. With little effort, it snaps free from the armor.
This golden aiguilette is the only loot he takes directly from Kubo's body. He is not sure what to do with it yet. Maybe he will sell it for some cash, or perhaps keep it as a trophy. For now, he tucks it safely into his pocket, and also...
"Oh! I almost forgot the axe."
The golden axe, the weapon Kubo used to fight him, is by far the best loot from this battle. It is heavy but manageable, made of gold, and completely unstained. A perfect item to sell to resellers, with no question about it.
After finishing his search and preparations, Shuku grabs the golden double-headed axe, mounts Kubo's golden horse after stripping it of all unnecessary gold, and starts riding. Though he taught himself to ride a few days ago, he still has a long way to go before mastering it.
After the horse has walked a few meters, Shuku pauses and looks back one last time. His eyes linger on the lifeless corpse of Hotaru Kubo, the man who made his life miserable. He takes in the sight, locking it in his memory.
"..."
He smiles. Then, sensing it is time, he turns away and rides off before anyone arrives. He flicks the reins, urging the horse to go as fast as possible, heading south toward what he hopes is a civilized city.
From what he remembers, the Pope mentioned that the continent has only two kingdoms: South Apomis and North Apomis, also called Main Apomis or simply Apomis. North Apomis is where they, the so-called "heroes," were summoned. It is the kingdom Kubo belonged to, the one that protected him, the same place where the king stripped Shuku of his dignity and human rights.
Within just a few days, North Apomis had already left a terrible impression on him. Despite having a few people there he considered friends, returning was out of the question, especially now. The Apomis King despised him, and he had just brutally killed one of the kingdom's beloved otherworldly heroes.
So, even though he has no idea what awaits him in South Apomis or what hardships and challenges may come, he knows one thing. Maybe, just maybe, his future lies there.
Kubo's death marks the end of Shuku's weak and vulnerable days, but his journey is far from over. His revenge has only just begun.
...
10 Days Later
...
Mildura City – The southernmost beach city of South Apomis
An apartment receptionist sits behind the front desk in the main hall, illuminated by dim sunlight during the day. She reads her book while waiting for any customers to walk in and rent an apartment.
Since the apartments operate on a monthly rental basis, most tenants focus on their own jobs and barely acknowledge her presence. Her only real duty is to assist new customers in getting their rooms, along with cleaning the hall during her free time, which happens to be most of the time.
However, her usual quiet and uneventful routine is disrupted by the sound of the door opening. A young man, dressed in tattered black clothes, steps inside the building.
As he scans the room, his eyes land on an average-looking girl with short pink hair, wearing what looks like an office uniform. She sits at the desk positioned at the center of the room. Without hesitation, he walks straight toward her.
"Umm... is there a room available?"
His voice carries a hint of shyness as he speaks to the receptionist, a total stranger. Seeing a new tenant for the first time in a whole week, she instantly drops her book and stands up, ready to do her job.
"Yes. And how long will you be staying?"
"About... a couple of months, maybe longer, I guess..." he replies uncertainly.
"Well then, what kind of room would you like? Cheap, medium, or extravagant?"
"Could you... give me the details of each?"
"The cheap tier is the smallest one we have. It includes a bedroom and a toilet. Costs around 1,000 dollars a month or about 40 dollars per day."
"Dollars? You mean Apomis dollars?"
"... Yes?" she answers, slightly confused.
"K. What about the next one?"
"The medium tier costs around 3,000 dollars a month. It includes a bedroom, a small kitchen, and a quality toilet."
"Quality?"
"Yes, sir. The medium-tier bathrooms are bigger, with better water flow and improved sanitation. The extravagant tier is similar to the medium tier but more spacious, with better lighting, higher-quality clothes and bedsheets. In short, it is a room fit for nobles. So, which one would you like?"
"Which would you suggest?"
"If you are on a budget, then the cheap tier is your best option. If you want to live more comfortably and luxuriously, then the extravagant tier is the way to go. Otherwise, the medium tier is the best choice for average workers like you and me. So, which one will it be, sir?"
"Hmm... Can I switch room tiers even if the rent period for that month is not over?"
"Unfortunately, no, sir."
"Ok."
The man pauses, deep in thought, brainstorming the best way to spend his hard-earned loot wisely.
'I have enough money to stay in the cheap tier for four months. Forty gold coins, each worth about 100 dollars, should cover it. But I don't want to live in an uncomfortable or messy room for an entire month. I could spend 3,000 dollars on the medium tier, but that would leave me with only 1,000 dollars... I could sell the golden axe. It should be worth at least 10,000 dollars... but should I risk it?'
"..."
The receptionist stares at him, visibly bored as she waits for his decision. She is familiar with this situation, having dealt with many customers just like him, people who come to her apartment complex with a limited budget but still want to live comfortably. That is one of the reasons why they limit the apartment options to just three tiers.
"... I ..."
The receptionist's eyes widen as the man finally speaks, as if he has made his decision.
"I... will take the medium tier, please."
As soon as the words leave his mouth, his face twists into a grimace, already regretting the decision and the fact that he just spent more than half of his budget.
"Alright, sir. Would you like a room on the lowest floor or a higher one?"
"Does it cost extra?"
"No, sir."
"Okay. Do the higher-floor rooms have windows or balconies?"
"Yes... sir. Do you not want a room with windows or something?"
"No, I just wanted to make sure..."
As he answers, the receptionist gives him a puzzled look, clearly confused by his concern.
"Just in case, could I ask you something?"
"??? Yeah?"
"Are you... a manhunter?"
"A what?"
"Manhunter. Are you a manhunter?"
"Manhunter?"
"You're not? I thought only manhunters would be cautious about something like that. Anyway, since you're not one, I guess there are no precautions or warnings I need to give you."
As the receptionist jots down notes in her notebook, the man finds himself puzzled by her words.
"Alright then, a medium room on a high floor with windows. That will be 3,000 dollars for the first month. Please pay within the next 30 days, and the deposit is 500 dollars, sir."
"..."
The young man stares at her, waiting for her to finish, not realizing she has already completed her statement. In response, she looks back at him, slightly awkward.
"That's 500 dollars for the deposit, sir."
"Oh, you mean right now?"
"Yes, sir."
"Wait a second."
He bows down, opens his large black bag, and takes out his gold pouch for the payment.
"Here you go."
As he takes out five gold coins, each equivalent to 100 Apomis dollars, he places them on the table. The receptionist quickly collects them, slipping them under the desk before resuming her note-taking.
While she writes, the man takes a moment to look around the interior. Despite being built mostly from wood and brick, the place feels surprisingly cozy and welcoming. The professionally designed furniture, warm atmosphere, and soft, dim lighting contrast with the brightness outside, making the space feel calm and peaceful.
'Well, they say this is one of the best places in the city, after all.'
"Okay, sir. I just need your name, and we'll complete the check-in."
"My name? Oh yeah, it's..."
He hesitates for a moment, debating whether he should use his real name. By now, word of what he did might be spreading, and if people recognized him, he could be in danger. But as he glances at the pink-haired receptionist and her professional demeanor, something about her makes him feel like he can trust her. He just hopes she doesn't recognize him, at least not yet.
"My name... is Shuku Ryuu."
"Okay then, Mister Shuku."
She bows slightly and writes his name on the metallic key she had set aside earlier, showing no sign of recognition. Shuku watches closely, then exhales in relief. It seems the news has not spread this far yet. Once she finishes, she puts down her pen and hands him the key.
"Alright, Mister Shuku, here is your key. Your room number is 17, located on the third floor. You can use the stairs on the left to get there. If you encounter any problems during your stay, you can call me or any other employee for assistance. Welcome to Le Lumière, sir. I hope you enjoy your time here."
Shuku is slightly taken aback by the professionalism and warmth of the service. In his mind, he silently thanks the strangers on the street who recommended this place. But appreciation aside, he wants to get to his room as soon as possible. After ten days of surviving on only five hours of sleep per night, resting on wet forest soil and the harsh, dusty sands of the desert, he desperately needs a real bed.
Without further ado, he grabs his pack and tucks his pouch away.
"Thank you," he says before heading up the stairs.
"You are welcome, sir," the receptionist replies.
...
...
"Ahhh..."
As soon as Shuku unlocks his room, unpacks his belongings, and checks the bathroom, he immediately jumps onto the bed. He stretches his muscles and buries his face into the soft pillow.
"So good. Guess I didn't make the wrong decision."
He is a little surprised by how comfortable the room is. If the medium-tier room is this good, with warm running water, a clean atmosphere, and well-crafted furniture, he can only imagine how incredible the extravagant tier must be. Though the thought crosses his mind, he quickly pushes it aside. Right now, all he wants is to enjoy the comfort he has finally found. After almost a month without sleeping in a proper bed, this moment feels like pure bliss.
"..."
After a few minutes of relaxation, he turns onto his back, staring at the ceiling as new thoughts creep into his mind.
"I need to get a job." And so, he decides he needs to find a job.
With only 1,000 dollars left to last him the month, reality starts to sink in. Nearly 1,000 dollars had already been spent on travel and food just to get here from the desert near North Apomis' southern border. Another 3,000 is about to disappear for rent. Living in a city is far more expensive than he expected, and if he doesn't start earning soon, he could end up homeless next month.
"What was it the receptionist said? Manhunter?"
That word lingers in his mind. His first thought is to recall the way she said it. 'Manhunter... like an assassin? Hunting people for money? And she sounded like it was normal here. Is that really a thing?'
Too many questions flood his exhausted brain, but he has no energy to dwell on them for long. There are still 30 days until his first rent is due, and at least 60 before the next. Plenty of time to figure out a way to make a living. For now, all he wants is sleep.
As he tries to drift off, his mind refuses to settle. Even on the most comfortable bed he has had in weeks, something keeps him awake, something that still lingers in the back of his thoughts.
"Should I try to get back to my old world?"
The thought crosses his mind. After all, this world is hostile to him. Dangerous monsters, medieval laws and customs, and enemies lurking in every shadow. On top of that, the lack of modern conveniences makes daily life much harder than what he was used to.
But after a brief moment of reflection, he arrives at a conclusion.
"... No. There's nothing left for me there."
Even though his old world was more comfortable, unless someone handed him a way back, he wouldn't even try. What awaited him there was loneliness and despair. No parents. No siblings. No one he was close to. Nothing to return to.
And here, in this new world, he had something that made staying worthwhile. Revenge. A place where he could hunt down those who wronged him, erase them without consequence, and finally take control of his own fate.
Back there, he was vulnerable and weak, dependent, easy prey, and utterly hopeless. But here, even if life wasn't comfortable, he was untouchable. Invincible. At least to his enemies. No one could bully or mistreat him anymore.
Why should he return to a place where he had nothing left?
"Maybe I'll change my mind someday. But for now, just forget it."
With his decision made, Shuku let out a deep breath, sank into the bed, and drifted into a long, well-earned sleep, pushing aside any worries that might come for him later.
------------------------- Author's Note -------------------------
To make things simpler for both myself and the readers, the currency in this novel will be called the Apomis Dollar, with a value equivalent to the US Dollar in real life.
I'm doing this because it's easier to understand and manage rather than creating an entirely new fictional currency with its own value system, which isn't the main focus here.