Paul stood, stunned as he stared at the ruin before him.
"T-t-this was once part of human civilization?" He stammered.
The lean man nodded, a grim look on his face which was evident despite the fact that he still had the scarf tied around his head and face.
Paul was amazed but curiosity got the better of him as he observed. Despite the fact that it was night, the silvery glow of the moon up high in the sky illuminated the night, enabling him to see pretty well.
Paul saw a long-dilapidated road of broken bricks, overturned soil, and numerous craters leading in a straight line into the distance and disappearing in the darkness of the night.
This was once a tiled road.
On both sides of this straight road, he saw ruined buildings. Most of them already collapsed as if victim to some apocalyptic power or natural disaster.
Paul had only ever seen them depicted in comics but today, for the first time in his 18 years of living, he saw storied buildings that was not a pagoda.
On both sides of the road, there were storied buildings, the least of them being 2-storied buildings. Some were toppled over completely; others had their foundations destroyed as they leaned on each other for support.
And then, he saw skyscrapers.
The first one he saw collapsed far away, blocking the road entirely ahead with its long frame and intricate glass design that seemed to come from a world long lost. Most of it was covered by red moss and plants, but it looked beautiful still.
There were shops too, Paul could still see their ruined signposts by the side of the road, and then there were the ruined cars too.
Most of them were already covered by rust, laying about haphazardly.
"This was a town before the Age of Gods".
Paul nodded, still stunned by the sight.
The lean man looked backward, at the thick darkness of the jungle behind them. "We've been traveling for more than 2 hours already, with some luck, we should have lost them by now".
"Besides, the weather is changing". He looked up.
"I think we should find a shelter to spend the night here".
"Traveling at night through the Endless Wilderness is too dangerous. Me traveling alone is barely manageable, but not with you".
Paul nodded. "I'll follow your lead".
The lean man looked forward. "Let's avoid that skyscraper. I'm 100% sure that inside it is already infested by demonic beasts".
"Let's find shelter in one of the more unassuming buildings".
They did exactly that, entering the upper floor of one of the 2 story buildings that toppled, leaning on another ruined building for support.
Entering inside, they avoided 2 weak General demonic beasts, located an empty room with 2 windows before entering inside.
Sitting at one corner of this room, Paul stared at the lean man who already closed his eyes to rest.
10 minutes later, still inside the room, Paul kept on staring.
"What?" The man asked, opening his eyes.
"Nothing," Paul shook his head. "I just can't seem to shake the encounter with the Blood-Fang Wolf off my head".
"I knew you were powerful, but I could never estimate your power until then". Paul looked at his hunting knife that was still on his hand. "Umm, please, can you teach me to be powerful like you?"
The room was dark, they could barely see themselves but the man still looked in Paul's direction, he didn't answer.
"I know, I'm a Cosmopolitan but I also know that it takes more than God powers to be a truly powerful awakened warrior".
"To be a powerful combat awakened, you need to be good with a weapon".
"Please," Paul went on his knees. "Teach me to be good with the knife".
There was silence for a few seconds, then the lean man dipped his hand into the small pouch that was attached to his brown leather ranger clothes.
There was a clanging sound as he threw something over.
Paul picked them up, they were 2 daggers, he looked at the lean man.
"Those are apprentice rank Stilettos; they will serve you far better in the wild than that hunting dagger that you carry".
"You're short, and you have a lean body, wielding the dagger is just about perfect for your physique".
Paul picked the 2 Stilettos up, surprised at their weight despite their tender size. Of course, with his superhuman strength, it was still a piece of cake to pick them up.
Both Stilettos had a slivery blade and a black handle; it was foldable.
Watching him pick them up effortlessly, the lean man commented. "Most apprentice awakened don't have the strength to wield those Stilettos, its why they're rotting away in my storage pouch but you seem to have the required strength".
Paul bowed respectfully. "Thank you, sir, I won't waste this privilege".
"Stand up, assume a stance and attack an invisible target with the Stilettos".
Paul stood up and did as he was instructed only to attract a shaking of head from the lean man. "You've never hunted, have you?"
Paul blinked. "I've hunted a few wild Boars in my village".
The lean man waved his hands dismissively. "Those doesn't count". Pausing slightly, he looked at the boy. "Paul, what is the essence of combat?"
"Victory". Paul answered immediately.
"Close, but that is not it," the lean man shook his head. "The essence of combat is murder". He said in a serious tone.
"No matter what weapon you're using, whether you're using your bare hands, the essence of combat remains murder".
"Once you're clear on your goal for fighting, it's easier to exert your full strength in battle".
"As for the principles of wielding a dagger, precision is the core".
"It's not a power-hungry weapon like an Axe.
"As for your Stiletto, it's even more specialized, it's a dagger primarily intended for thrusting and stabbing".
"With precision, you can bring down even a Giant with a Stiletto".
"Besides, with your God power of superhuman strength, you can bait your opponent into thinking you're all about precision. When he buys it, you can teach him a treacherous lesson by ripping his head off with your bare hands".
"You can move a boulder, ripping a human head off is easier than that".
"For your first dagger lessons, I want you to stab both Stilettos at your imaginary target's throat a thousand times for each dagger".
Paul's eyes widened into saucers. "What?!"
"Do that or forget about it".
Paul paused. "Wait, does that mean you already accepted me as a student?"
"I never said that". The lean man snapped.
Paul chuckled. "I'll do it then, sensei". He teased.
Standing up, Paul imagined a much bigger version of the Blood-Fang Wolf in his head and once he had a concrete image in his head, he started stabbing.
"1…, 2…, 3…, 4…"
"Count in your goddamn mind!"
"Oh, sorry boss".
'5…, 6…, 7…, 8…'
While he stabbed, the lean man closed his eyes and rested.
A few minutes later. "Umm, Mr. lean man, I just remembered that I still don't know your name, what's your…?"
"Geass".
"Huh?"
"Geass, that's my name".
"Oh, ok".
A few minutes later, it seemed like the man was finally asleep, Paul continued stabbing diligently as he counted.
He was determined to get strong as soon as possible.
After what felt like 40 minutes later, the lean man's eyes snapped open.
Paul noticed it. "Sensei Geass, what happened?"
The lean man stood up silently, walked up to the window and looked down, then he frowned. "They're coming".
"They're close".
Paul's eyes darkened.