Next morning,
Nikolas and Erick headed downtown again, this time with a clear mission: To buy even more resources! Despite their bank account being empty, they had no intention of returning empty-handed. The reason? They weren't using their own money—they had Reginald's credit card!
After convincing their parents that the world would collapse and money would be useless, they gave them the unlimited credit card.
"If this calamity thing doesn't happen and I don't become like the superman you've told. Well… you better run faster than my belt, boy!" Reginald warned them before handing the credit card.
Now, the brothers were speeding down the highway, laughing uncontrollably at the memory.
"Can you believe Father actually wants to become like Superman? Is that even possible?" Erick gasped, tears streaming down his face from laughing so hard.
Nikolas managed to calm himself, nodding confidently. "Yes! I could cut a mountain in half if I wanted to. Actually, I did it twice!"
"Ha! You know I'll be even stronger than that!" Erick's eyes gleamed with determination as he flexed his biceps.
"HA! Wanna bet?" Nikolas grinned.
"Deal!"
A moment of silence passed before Erick's thoughts turned more serious. "Still, don't you think it's kind of cheating to know what's going to happen? You already know who's going to die and who's going to get stronger…"
"In theory, that makes sense…" Nikolas sighed, the weight of the thought heavy on his shoulders. The idea of being sent back to the past still felt surreal, like a dream he hadn't fully woken from. "But honestly, I have no idea why I was chosen—or if I was even chosen at all. It's not like some higher power handed me a manual or anything. There are so many things from the future that I'm still in the dark about. And as much as I knew the names of some powerful people, most of them were out of reach. It's one thing to know who's strong, and another to actually get close to them. You'll soon realize that the stronger someone is, the more distant they become. They operate on a different level, a different reality altogether."
He looked out at the road ahead, the morning sun casting long shadows over the highway. "And then there's the fact that going back means nothing if I'm not willing to change things. The future isn't set in stone, brother. The same people who became strong before might not even survive this time around. For all I know, the smallest action could ripple out and change everything."
Erick nodded, absorbing his brother's words. "Like a butterfly effect, right? One small change can have huge consequences."
"Exactly," Nikolas agreed, his voice carrying a mix of determination and uncertainty. "Every decision we make now could have far-reaching effects. One wrong step can cause a disaster…"
Erick leaned back in his seat, his expression thoughtful as he processed his brother's words.
As they drove, Nikolas recounted his first year in the apocalypse to Erick—the relentless battles for survival, the loneliness that gnawed at him, and the moment he met Master Yuemura. Despite the grim stories, Erick's excitement only grew. The knowledge of the future, combined with the ability to prepare for it, was a powerful motivator.
Their conversation continued until they arrived at Balfur's store. The doorbell chimed softly as they stepped inside, greeted by the familiar scent of old wood and dust. The shop looked emptier than before—no weapons or armor adorned the walls, a clear sign that they had cleared out most of the inventory the previous day.
"Greetings! Oh—Nikolas and Erick, right?" Balfur's voice echoed through the quiet shop. The old man looked up from behind the counter, his eyebrows rising in surprise before settling into a warm smile. "Did you forget something, lads? Didn't expect to see you back so soon."
[Yes, you!] Nikolas thought, biting back the urge to blurt it out. But how could he convince this kind, unsuspecting man that the world was on the brink of collapse and they needed his help?
Well, he couldn't.
"Uh, it might sound a bit odd…" Nikolas began hesitantly, searching for the right words. "But you remind us a lot of our grandfather. He passed away a while ago, but he was the one who first introduced us to the greatness of warriors from the past. We were thinking… maybe we could help you out with the shop or anything else you might need?"
Balfur blinked in surprise, caught off guard by the comparison. He was just an old man with a deep passion for ancient relics and knightly tales. It warmed his heart to know that someone else, especially these young boys, shared his love for a time long forgotten by most. Most modern people didn't appreciate the grandeur of knights anymore—it was all about flashy internet games and virtual worlds, a far cry from the chivalry and honor that once defined true warriors!
As Balfur stood quietly, absorbing their words, Nikolas and Erick exchanged a worried glance. They mistook his silence for reluctance.
"If it's not enough, we can buy the entire store!" Erick chimed in, his voice brimming with confidence.
"Or better yet, you could come with us! We recently bought an old house near ours, and we could set up your shop there. We'd be more than happy to help you out!" Nikolas added eagerly, seizing the opportunity.
It was all lies, but who would be able to deny it a few weeks later?
Balfur laughed, a deep, genuine chuckle that echoed through the dusty shop.
Though their offer seemed a bit outlandish, it also touched a lonely part of his heart. . He had no family, no one to share his stories or his passion with. The thought of being surrounded by people who cared, even if only for a short while, was undeniably appealing.
"I don't want to be a burden to you boys, but I truly appreciate the offer," Balfur finally replied, a sincere smile softening his features. For a brief moment, he had considered accepting, but caution prevailed. He had only just met these boys; perhaps one day, but not yet.
"We can't force you," Nikolas said with a nod, understanding Balfur's hesitation. "But we won't change our minds either! For now, how about we help you clean the store?"
Nikolas knew that recruiting the old man would take time. The best approach was to build a strong relationship first, earning Balfur's trust little by little.
With that, the brothers rolled up their sleeves and got to work. They dusted off shelves, polished the remaining objects, and swept away the cobwebs that had accumulated over the years. The store had seen better days, but with each swipe of the cloth and sweep of the broom, it started to regain a bit of its former charm.
Minutes later, the sound of loud sneezes echoed through the shop, followed by more laughter. The dust was so thick it felt like they were in the middle of a sandstorm, but that didn't deter them. Instead, it turned into a shared moment of camaraderie, as if they were all in on some great adventure together.
***********
The sun was high in the sky when they finished cleaning up. The store transformed and seemed brand new, not only did the shelves and floor shine, but the items on display looked brand new! Nikolas also took advantage of this time to look for Relics, but unfortunately he was unable to recognize any object.
[I wish I had the system now…] he thought with a sigh. His relationship with that system had been complicated—he hated it for the whole ten years as the cause of the apocalypse, but now he found himself yearning for its assistance.
After the last speck of dust had been wiped away, Balfur invited the brothers to share a meal with him in the back of the store where he lived. The table wasn't large, but it was overflowing with food. The air was filled with the mouthwatering scent of home-cooked dishes. They talked and laughed, mostly continuing their lively discussion about the great warriors of the past—samurais and knights.
If anyone had glanced in through the window, they might have mistaken them for a family: an elderly grandfather sharing stories with his two attentive grandchildren.
"Thank you for the cooked cornmeal, sir. It was delicious!" Erick said earnestly as they prepared to leave.
"Now you know where we live," Nikolas added, smiling warmly. "If you ever change your mind, you're welcome to join us anytime."
Balfur chuckled, his heart warmed by their offer. "Haha, thanks, kids! I'll think about it. Who knows what the future holds?"
As they stepped out onto the street, Nikolas paused and turned back, a thoughtful expression on his face. "And who knows," he said softly, his voice just loud enough for Balfur to hear, "maybe the Age of Knights will rise again soon…"
The old man's eyes widened in surprise, a flicker of something ancient and hopeful sparking within him.
**********
That afternoon, the brothers made the most of their father's credit card, visiting every store they could find and buying anything that seemed useful. They spared no expense, knowing this might be their last chance to prepare before the apocalypse hit. Among their many purchases, they managed to buy a second pickup truck, identical to the one they were driving. The price was steep, but they spread the payments over fifty installments. Long live credit, indeed!
They stocked up on more food, water, equipment, and even managed to secure two diesel-powered generators. They also purchased hundreds of liters of diesel, careful to buy from different gas stations to avoid drawing too much attention. Nikolas knew that under normal circumstances, people might think they were eccentric at best, but with the apocalypse looming, he was beyond caring what others thought. Soon enough, the world would be too chaotic for anyone to remember him anyway.
Because their current truck couldn't carry everything, some of the larger items were scheduled to be delivered to their house over the next few days—the last week before the world would change forever.
With most of their preparations complete, Nikolas spent the remainder of the day relaxing with his family, soaking in the peace and normalcy while it lasted.
It was midnight when Nikolas woke up. His mind, restless with anticipation, finally drove him out of bed. Dressing in a set of black clothes, he strapped on his newest weapons—a matching pair of a tanto and a katana, gleaming with purpose. He had acquired them from Balfur's store, and the weight of the blades felt reassuring in his grip.
As he crept through the quiet house, the sound of his father's loud snores echoed through the hall. Moving silently, Nikolas made his way to Erick's room and gently shook his brother awake.
"Huh…? What's going on?" Erick mumbled, his voice thick with sleep.
"Alright…" Erick muttered groggily, still half-asleep but obediently reaching for his clothes.
Without another word, Nikolas slipped out of the room, leaving his brother to gather his senses. He could feel the urgency in his blood, the need to be ready, to train, to strengthen themselves for what lay ahead.
The garden, bathed in moonlight, would be their arena tonight. It was time to ensure they were prepared for the battles to come.