Kazuki made his way through the quiet village, his footsteps heavy but his resolve unwavering. He soon arrived at a familiar shop—the place where he and Sato had spent so much time buying supplies, sharing jokes, and planning their next steps. But today, the shop felt different, as if it carried the weight of a future Kazuki wasn't sure he could handle. (Creak... the door opens with a low groan)
The old shopkeeper, a grizzled man with silver hair and sharp, wise eyes, glanced up from behind the counter. He recognized the look on Kazuki's face immediately—one of a man who had lost something irreplaceable.
"So," the old man grunted, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, "it finally happened, didn't it?"
Kazuki stood still, his icy eyes locking onto the shopkeeper's, but he didn't answer. His silence spoke volumes.
The shopkeeper sighed deeply. (Clink... he sets down a bottle of herbs) "You're not safe here, kid. The King will send more after you. It's time for you to leave this kingdom."
Kazuki finally broke his silence, his voice low and devoid of warmth. "Where should I go then?" (Kazuki's tone sharp as metal on stone)
The shopkeeper straightened, his gaze becoming serious. "There are other kingdoms out there—places where you can grow stronger and stay under the radar. You have options, but none of them are easy." He paused, as if weighing Kazuki's situation. "You could try Valdoria. No magic there—just pure combat training and physical strength. Their warriors are unmatched, and you'd fit in well with your fighting spirit."
Kazuki stared blankly at the old man, not giving much away.
"But," the shopkeeper continued, "there's another place... Nocturnia. It's a dark, cursed land where forbidden magic is not just practiced but revered. You might find what you need there to control your powers."
Kazuki's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing, only nodding slightly. His cold expression remained unchanged, as if the very idea of cursed magic was something he had already accepted deep inside. (Faint rustling of wind through the cracked windows)
"Well, I figured you wouldn't say much," the old man chuckled grimly, "but I won't send you off without something useful." (Shuffle... as the old man reaches below the counter)
He pulled out a green coat, its fabric thick and sturdy, lined with white fur that seemed to shimmer faintly in the dim light of the shop. "This," the old man said, "is made from the fur of a Frostbane Lycan—mystical beasts long extinct. It'll keep you warm in the coldest nights and protect you in battle. You'll need it where you're going."
Kazuki hesitated for the briefest moment before reaching out and taking the coat. (Rustle... as he grabs the coat, the fabric brushing against his skin)
The old shopkeeper fixed him with a knowing look. "I've lived long enough to see more than most," he muttered, his voice barely a whisper now. "You're something special, kid. Something dangerous... and something powerful. But even power comes with a price."
Kazuki swung the green coat over his shoulders, the white fur brushing against his neck. His face remained expressionless, but his mind raced with thoughts of vengeance, power, and the weight of his destiny. (Rustling of the coat as it settles on his shoulders)
Without another word, Kazuki turned to leave the shop, his heavy boots echoing across the wooden floor. (Thud, thud... each step louder than the last)
As he reached the door, the shopkeeper called out one last time, "Remember, kid. Strength alone won't win this for you. Watch your back."
Kazuki stopped for a second, casting a cold glance over his shoulder. His voice, barely above a whisper, cut through the air like ice, "I don't need anyone to watch my back."
With that, Kazuki disappeared into the evening mist, his footsteps fading into the growing darkness. (Whoosh... as the door closes behind him with a soft, final thud)
The shopkeeper stood still, staring at the door for a long while, his eyes filled with both concern and a strange sense of pride. "That boy..." he muttered under his breath, "...is going to change everything."
(Silence falls over the shop, the wind outside howling faintly)
With a final glance back at the village, Kazuki whispered to the wind, "I'll surpass it all... or die trying.