Renki sighed before weakly standing up.
"Why do I feel slower?"
He notices that everyday tasks like simply standing on his own two feet, are suddenly slower for him. The same headache from earlier rushes back causing him intense pain. He stumbled to the ground holding his head. He takes in a deep breath before gagging at his body odor.
"I smell like crap! Makes sense since I did crash into a dumpster."
Trying to push past the pain he manages to stand back up on his feet.
"I can't think about anything… why? Maybe this is due to me using my imagination? Never mind I'll have to handle it later. Right now I gotta get out of here."
He once again tried to push past the stinging pain throughout his head. He managed to stand up and slowly walk out of the alley. When he walked out he was greeted by the corpse of the man who attacked him in the previous alley.
"Oh, my god."
He held his mouth and repressed the vomit that was making its way up his throat. Seeing the man's guts spilled across the ground horrified him as he fell to the ground, scurrying away from the body.
-I think I'm going to be sick. I've never seen a rotting corpse in person before.
His stomach began to grumble and feel weird causing him a feeling of discomfort. He closed his eyes and turned his head, facing away from the body. He took a deep breath attempting to calm himself.
"Remember, I have to get out of here. Yeah, he had it coming anyway."
He got on his hands and knees before continuing ahead of him. He walked through another alley before exiting to see a bar in front of him. The bar was made up of old oak wood which seemed like it had been there for a long time. The bar had a flickering neon sign which said, "Higurashi Bar".
-I thought everyone was spawned at the same time. Then how could they have built all of this within just minutes? Besides, when I was being attacked I heard no sounds of construction. Maybe I was spawned late? I'll brush it aside for now.
He walked up the old and rusty wooden steps of the bar. He opened the painted white wooden door to be greeted by several people sitting at tables drinking and having a fun time. He scanned the room but, nothing caught his interest.
-I guess I'll go get a drink.
He walked about halfway toward the bartender who was serving another customer before he realized something.
-I have no money. Crap!
He began to scramble his mind to think of a plan. It was like this for a few more seconds before he came up with a plan that he wasn't a fan of.
-I know what I gotta do. Although I don't want to. But It's my only choice.
He tiptoed his way over to the black serving counter which was made out of marble. He leaned up against the counter.
"Excuse me." Renki politely said.
The bartender turned around to face Renki while holding a bottle of whiskey in his right hand. The bartender was dressed in a gray tuxedo and wore a pair of white gloves on his hands. He had short slicked back, and spiky dark blue hair. He had unusual light gray eyes with a pale complexion. He looked to be in his early 40s or late 30s. He was tall and slightly muscular. He smiled at Renki who smiled back.
"Hello, what can I do for you today?"
Renki paused.
"Sir, can I get a job?"
The bartender paused.
"If you want a job you are going to have to clean yourself up first. You stink and your clothes are burned and torn."
"Is there a place where I could clean up?"
The bartender looked at Renki like he had made a joke while Renki was confused. At this point, the bartender realized that Renki was serious.
"Are you serious?"
Renki nodded.
"You could just use your imagination or do you not know how to?"
Renki shook his head.
"I know how to I think. But, at this point, only my thoughts have come back after I only used my mind once."
The bartender sighed before smiling once again.
"I get it, your mind has been dulled."
"Dulled? What does that mean?"
The man paused racking his mind on how to explain this to Renki.
"Hey kid, what's your name?"
"My name is Wukong Renki."
"Wukong family from Naha prefecture?"
"Yes, how do you know my family?"
"Years back in the newspaper I... you know heard about what happened."
Renki's face changed to a gloomy look as he stared down at the floor causing his hair to cover his eyes.
"Hey kid, I'm sorry I-"
"No! It's fine!"
His abruptness caused the bartender to jump back for a moment.
"It's fine."
"Anyway, being "dulled" is after someone expends all of their creativity. Once someone does that their mind goes blank to where they can't even think let alone use their imagination. It wears off after a while and right now you seem to be in the middle of it. And since yours depleted after just one attack... it seems you aren't creative"
Renki nodded while hiding his displeasure.
-Man I friggin suck!
"So Wukong, since you can't use your imagination right now I guess I'll do it for you."
"Thanks."
The bartender closed his eyes concentrating. He envisioned Renki's clothes which were fixed. Next, he adjusted his scent to that of lavender. The man held out his hand and then pointed his index finger at Renki. Renki began to be surrounded by a greenish-blue light that then covered his body. The light then began to resemble the armor of an Edo-period samurai. It then dissolved, revealing his new and improved suit.
"Wow, I love it!"
The bar went silent looking at Renki before continuing with their business as usual. Renki sniffed himself.
"And I smell good too!"
The bartender opened his eyes smiling.
"There, much better."
"Now, about my job..."
"Listen, anyone can work in this world. It's some choose not to and decide to become heroes and adventurers. But, since you wanna work your hired."
Renki jumped up in the air smiling which caused the whole bar to erupt in laughter.
"I did it!"
He landed on his feet grinning.
"By the way sir, what's your name?"
"The name's Takahito Morikawa."
Takahito smiled.
"I'm ready to work, Morikawa-Sensei!"
Renki bowed.
"Wukong lift your head."
"Yes, sensei."
Takahito pointed at a table with a young mother and her child.
"Now, the key to serving customers is diplomatic relations since most people can use their imaginations to defend themselves."
Renki nodded.
"Now, I want you to go serve that mother and child."
"Yes, sensei!"
"Now go."
He pushes Renki in the direction of the mother and child. Renki takes in a deep breath before continuing toward the table.
-I have to be calm and collected when talking to them. I don't want to disappoint Morikawa-sensei.
He stood in front of the table which was made up of wood. The mother was pretty and looked to be in her early 20s. She wore a light pink sweater and blue jeans. She had aqua-blue hair with violet eyes. She had smooth dark skin and she seemed to be wearing some sort of makeup. The child was a girl who had to be no older than 5 years old. She wore a pink t-shirt with a sunflower on it and wore pink shorts.
Renki looked over to the girl smiling wide. The girl sat back in fear.
"Mommy, that man's creepy!"
-Oh no, not good she thinks I'm creepy!
The woman's face turns into one of rage as she stood up flipping over the table. The whole bar went dead silent focusing on Renki and the woman.
"You creep. Are you into little girls!?"
"Huh!? No, I'm not!"
"Then why was my 5-year-old daughter creeped out when you smiled at her!?"
Renki took a step back as the woman took a step forward.
"I-It was a simple misunderstanding."
-Damnit I shouldn't have stuttered. Now I look even more like a creep who likes little kids!
The woman growled.
"Misunderstanding my ass!!! Creeps like you shouldn't be allowed to live!"
The woman shifted her weight into her heels which she used to dig into the ground. The woman mustered her strength, willpower, and creativity. Her body began to glow in a golden light.
"I can only use two attacks before I'm dull so... I'll use both of them to kill you!"
-Oh crap she's gonna use her imagination. I'm dead for sure!
That golden energy then moved from her body to both of her fists.
"Die!!!"
The woman rushed at Renki and he closed his eyes waiting for the attack but... something blocked her attack.
"Stop!"
The woman hit Takahito with her left fist sending him crashing into the back of the bar.
-Morikawa-sensei protected me!
Takahito wiped the blood from his mouth as the woman became flustered.
"Damn, I hit the owner."
"Heal."
Takahito's chest was covered in a bright green light as the bruise on his chest healed.
"Well... now's my chance to get the guy!"
The woman launched herself at Renki who tried to dodge but...failed.
-Damn my reflexes are slower because I got dulled.
The woman hit Renki directly on the left side of his skull with her right fist. The blow cracked open his skull causing blood to trickle down his head. Renki was sent flying across the bar, landing in a pile of glass near the bar's back exit.
"That'll teach you to make suggestive eyes at my daughter!"
"I'm sorry, Morikawa-sensei." He said weakly.
Takahito stood up, walked over to the center of the bar, and faced the woman.
"Please get out of my bar and never come back again."
His tone was a mix of gentle and harsh, like a mother. The woman picked up her daughter and left angrily mumbling to herself. Takahito sighed.
"Sorry, everyone for the commotion. I'll make sure to give my employee a stern talking to."
He walked over to Renki who was lying in a pool of his own blood. He got on one knee and felt for Renki's pulse.
"Morikawa-sensei...I failed you."
"Good, you're still alive so I can end your life myself. But first, heal!"
-He's going to kill me!? Well, at least he was the one to do it. I wouldn't want anyone but my boss to kill me. At least I'll die with a smile on my face like any good protagonist would. Hehe.
Renki's head was covered in a bright green light as his skull regenerated.
"Get up."
-Is this the same sensei from earlier or... was that just a mask?
Renki got up and walked outside alongside Takahito with neither one of them saying a word. When they got outside Takahito shove Renki to the ground.
"I'm sorry Morikawa-sensei, I'll do better next time. I promise!"
Takahito grinned but, the feeling wasn't the same. His grin gave off an evil presence.
"Unfortunately Wukong, there won't be a next time. I'm going to kill you."
"Why?"
"That stunt you pulled today may have killed my business so in return I'm going to kill you. Fair trade right?"
Renki smiled gleefully.
"What the hell are you smiling about?"
"It's just before right now you gave me a job and treated me like family. For that I am glad that you're taking my life right now is fine by me...Sensei."
"So for my final lesson, I'll teach you how to die as a good disciple would!"
Takahito kicked Renki square in the face sending him tumbling back. Blood trickled from his broken nose as he smiled. Takahito picked him up by the hair before striking him in the stomach. Renki fell to the ground gasping for air.
-The pain doesn't matter only the emotion behind the hits. But, his hits have no emotion behind them and they only cause me great pain throughout my body.
"Scum!"
Takahito teleported behind his back in a flash kicking him in the back which made him screech out in pain.
"Quit screaming!"
Takahito flipped Renki over forcing him on his back as he stood over him beating him with a barrage of punches and insults.
A mysterious person in a brown cloak walks up the stairs leading to the bar when they notice Takahito beating down Renki.
-Do I help or go into the bar? Well, that kid could become a student of the dojo but, do I really want to go through the trouble of fighting for some random guy? Oh, what the hell!
"Shujin Tiger technique: Tiger Flash!"
In a flash, they appeared feet away from the two.
"Hey, leave the kid alone!"
Renki and Takahito turned to see the cloaked person.
-Who is she!? They both thought.
Takahito paused his assault on Renki and got up to face the unknown challenger.
"Who the hell are you!?"
"I was just gonna ask you the exact same thing."
"I am, Takahito Morikawa owner of the bar next to you."
-Ehh I would forget about this to get free drinks but master Shujin wouldn't forgive me.
The unknown person dramatically threw off their cloak, revealing their identity. "They" were a female. She had short and dirty violet spiky hair with a single bang that could touch the tip of her nose. She had crimson-red eyes and a medium complexion. Her skin seemed ruff and she had a band-aid on her nose. She also had medical wraps wrapped around her hands. She wore a black motorcycle jacket like a cape. Along with that, she wore a white t-shirt, ripped black jeans, and a pair of beige sandals. She was quite cute and looked to be in her 20s. She was on the taller end and was quite muscular although the average person wouldn't notice.
"My name is Tora Josei disciple of the Shujin dojo, but around town, I'm known as the Tiger Goddess and I'm gonna kick your ass!"
She pointed at Takahito with a fierce look on her face. Takahito grinned before cracking his neck and stretching.
"I haven't fought in a while."
"In my peak base without using rampage, I destroyed a mountain range in a single attack. But, I estimate in your rampage you could destroy a town."
"Don't underestimate me...HAAAAAAAH!"
Takahito let out a primal roar as a blue aura surrounded his entire body. His muscles expanded ripping out of his shirt as his aura sent ripples throughout the airwaves around him.
"ARGHHHHH!"
He unleashed one final scream as his aura dissipated
"Are you done yet!?"
"No, I'm just summoning my energy."
Takahito took in a deep breath before exhaling. He raised his arm high above his head, pointing up at the clouds, up at the rising moon. His arm glowed with a golden light.
"I am the one who rules all, the one who defies god and nature himself, the one above the heavens...legendary sword nikko!"
His energy erupted into a golden spiral that went high up in the sky. The light dissipated before forming a golden sword the size of a large building. Takahito then swung the blade downwards which stopped right at her feet.
"Prepare yourself, Tiger!"
They both entered a fighting stance.
-They are both fighting all because of an average guy like me.
Renki thought as he stared up at the moon which gave light to the night sky.