Kei was still mulling over his mistakes. Speaking too openly about his knowledge might come back to haunt him at times. Sometimes silence was the best option. Despite his deep understanding, how could he not have known that mentioning the other Niko hinted at his affiliation with Worn, the organization created for killing? How could he have believed that his actions were justified by simple hatred from a group of people?
The words were clear, "Where did you meet the other Niko?" It was a sharp and somewhat dangerous question with a hint of fear. He could say he encountered him through the Kure clan, where he saw him using something called the Niko Style, the Adamantite Kata.
-So, what's this other Niko like? - Shiba asked.
-A complete madman, deranged. At best, he's a killer who cares less about life than anything else, - Kei replied.
-Ohhhhh... -Shiba remarked.
-That's why it surprised me that there were two people with the same man. I thought they might be twins, but there's a noticeable difference. The guy I met let me live because he saw me as trash not worthy of death, - Kei explained, quickly glancing around. A lie, something he was adept at, and they accepted his story.
Niko relaxed and watched the sparring between him and Shogo. Secondarily, he observed all of Kei's styles—his speed, power, and focus in battles. Kei needed much learning, but Niko believed he could shape Kei over two months. Without giving it more importance than a signal from Shiba himself, who promised to look after his family, and a gesture from Shogo indicating they would fight again in two months, Kei gathered his things and followed Niko on their journey inland.
They ran, avoiding transportation, for six hours. The weights in their hands and the adjustment of steel bars and springs burned Kei's muscles. These springs helped strengthen his back and abdominal muscles.
-Let's go, still 45 kilometers to the next town, - Niko said.
-I think I can do it, - Kei tried to say, but it escaped on a lungful of air. They arrived in the town that same night under the moonlit sky, both resting in the rear of a house, sheltered by wooden planks.
Kei fell into a deep sleep, unaware. The last thing he saw was Niko's rising and falling breath as he fell asleep. When he did, Niko opened his eyes and observed Kei.
-Distrust. Is he asleep or pretending? - Niko thought, checking his pulse with a finger. Indeed, he was asleep. Niko rested for two hours, then went into the woods to hunt for lunch and breakfast for the next day—a high-protein dinner.
Kei woke with a slight tremor, looking around cautiously.
-Relax, you're safe, - Niko said.
-I see, - Kei replied.
-I prepared the food, - Niko said, pointing to a large pot and a campfire where there were rabbit skewers—or maybe the pot contained rabbit stew. They both took their fair share of meat, along with a large plate of food. Kei ate like a child, unaware that the broth contained a sleeping draught that would keep him asleep for twelve full hours. "No problems when you wake up," was the last thing Kei heard before falling asleep. Niko sighed, seeing that the young man trusted him completely—or perhaps it was his trust in his master. If he trusted Shiba as he trusted a father, Niko took Kei and hurried off. He needed to reach the interior border as quickly as possible, passing through and arriving at the Yamashita Prefecture. There, he took and paid for a hotel room. When Kei woke up in the hotel bed, there was a note on the front, and he checked his body.
Everything is in place!
-Don't worry, I'll protect you with my life, but try not to get involved in anything that could cause trouble, - Niko commented, handing him protein bars. "We're on the border with the interior, one of the most dangerous places in the world. It's where the law of the jungle prevails. There, we'll find great fighters, masters, assassins, and others. It's a place where only the fittest survive. Try not to stir up trouble. We're heading towards Niko, then on to Tokita."
-Yeah, I'll do as you say, - Kei replied with a genuine look of disdain that made Niko chuckle.
-You're just like Ohma. You two will get along when you meet, - Niko commented, handing him a cloak and a cloth hat to wear in the coming days. Kei's hair was very conspicuous and could cause certain problems.
-I thought the interior was a myth, - Kei said, putting on the gray parka cloak that seemed to carry the dirt of the earth.
-Oh no, it's real. It's a place that makes life harsh. There are dangerous places where even I would hesitate to go. There are certain dangers—chemical, inorganic, traps, martial arts masters, and other things that are best not even to think about, especially with your deep sleep, - Niko remarked.
Kei nodded. According to his knowledge, the people of the interior didn't exist; they were people detached from reality, living under a shelter that was none other than the world of a thousand years ago.
The first rule of the interior: Act as if it's your home.
The second rule of the interior: Sleep with one eye open.
The third rule of the interior: Trust no one.
The fourth rule of the interior: Your last day could be tomorrow.
The fifth rule of the interior: Always have a plan ready.
The sixth rule of the interior: Never show weakness; weakness can be exploited in unfamiliar ways.
Entering the interior was like stepping into the entrance of the world's end hell. He saw children in cages no older than four years, and in other places, people were wearing all kinds of weapons. Some had meat without knowing its source, animals, military personnel, and rough-looking individuals of all kinds.
-Let's go, it's this way, - Niko said, entering a shop.
There was an old man, skeletal and severely burned, seemingly without eyes.
-We'll use the Hundred Steps Path, - Niko said loudly. The old man moved aside, pushing open a hatch that revealed a staircase leading into a tunnel. Much of this place was filled with underground tunnels; there were even communities underground.
-You're quiet, - Niko remarked.
-I'm learning everything I need to know. It's something I think will serve me in the future. Perhaps one day I'll understand why we're here. I suppose it's part of the training, - Kei replied softly, not wanting anyone besides Niko to hear his thoughts.
-I see. Come on, it's three kilometers to the exit, - Niko said, stopping as he noticed the tunnel had changed—a sign of an ambush, seismic event, or human activity.
-I think we'll have to take a long walk, - Niko mentioned, alert to the situation. Crossing to the left would lead them to the Goyu Path, making their journey longer, but he remained cautious.
-What's wrong? - Kei asked.
-We might be ambushed, - Niko commented, just as a knife flew towards him. He swiftly reacted, pulling the thrower from the shadows. Five figures emerged, masked and with bloodshot eyes.
They wielded all sorts of weapons and didn't appear to be amateurs in using them.
...