Kai ventured deep into the forest, his small frame moving with surprising agility through the dense underbrush. The forest was alive with the sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves, but Kai's mind was focused solely on his mission. He had to find the most valuable medicinal herb to win the competition and earn the Blackthorn Village Sword Arts. His determination was unwavering, and his eyes scanned the surroundings with the sharpness of a hawk.
After what felt like hours of navigating through the thick foliage, Kai finally spotted a small, weathered cottage nestled among the trees. The herbalist's cottage. He approached cautiously, his heart pounding in his chest. The cottage looked abandoned, with vines creeping up its walls and the windows covered in grime. But Kai knew better than to judge by appearances.
He knocked on the door, but there was no response. Taking a deep breath, he pushed the door open and stepped inside. The interior was dimly lit, with shelves lined with jars of dried herbs and strange concoctions. In the center of the room sat an old man, the herbalist, hunched over a table, grinding something with a mortar and pestle.
"Excuse me," Kai said, his voice steady despite the nervousness he felt. "I need your help."
The herbalist looked up, his eyes narrowing as he took in the sight of the young boy. "I don't help strangers," he replied gruffly, returning to his work.
Kai's hand tightened around the dagger. He had hoped it wouldn't come to this, but he couldn't afford to fail. "I'm not asking," he said, his voice cold. He lunged forward, using the basic sword move he had been practicing. The herbalist tried to resist, but Kai was quick and determined. Within moments, the old man was tied to a chair, unconscious.
When the herbalist woke up, he found himself bound tightly, unable to move. Kai stood before him, his dagger glinting in the dim light. "Tell me where to find the most valuable herb," Kai demanded, his voice devoid of emotion. "Or I'll have to do something ungrateful."
The herbalist's eyes widened in fear. "Please, don't hurt me," he pleaded. "I'll help you. The herb you seek is in the red box on the shelf."
Kai's eyes narrowed. He didn't trust the herbalist. He walked over to the shelf and took down the red box, opening it to reveal a dried, crimson herb. He broke off a small piece and approached the herbalist. "Eat it," he commanded.
The herbalist's face paled, and he tried to turn away, but Kai forced the piece into his mouth. The old man gagged and spat it out, tears streaming down his face. "I'm sorry," he sobbed. "It's not the actual herb."
Kai's patience was wearing thin. He channeled his qi into his palm and slapped the herbalist across the face. The force of the blow knocked two of the old man's teeth out, and he cried out in pain. "Tell me the truth," Kai demanded, his voice icy.
The herbalist, now trembling with fear, nodded frantically. "Under the bed," he gasped. "There's a blue box. The herb you seek is in there."
Kai moved to the bed and pulled out the blue box. He opened it to find a vibrant, blue-green herb inside. He broke off a small piece and returned to the herbalist. "Eat this," he ordered.
The herbalist hesitated but then took the piece and chewed it slowly. He swallowed, and Kai watched him carefully. When the old man showed no signs of distress, Kai knew he had found the right herb. But anger still burned within him. The herbalist had tried to deceive him, and Kai couldn't let that go unpunished.
Without a word, Kai raised his dagger and plunged it into the herbalist's chest. The old man gasped, his eyes wide with shock and pain. Kai watched as the life drained from his eyes, feeling no regret. He had made his choice, and he stood by it. If he felt regret, he wouldn't have killed him in the first place.
Kai wiped the blood from his dagger and took the blue box, carefully placing it in his bag. He left the cottage, his mind already focused on the next step of his journey. The forest seemed quieter now, as if it too was holding its breath in the aftermath of what had just occurred.
As he made his way back to the village, Kai's thoughts were a whirlwind of emotions. He had done what he needed to do to win the competition, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he had crossed a line. He had taken a life, and that was something that couldn't be undone. But he pushed those thoughts aside. He had a goal, and he would do whatever it took to achieve it.