He woke up abruptly. A face appeared in his mind, and he pressed both hands against it.
“Same dream again… When will I stop dreaming about that day?” he wondered, planting his hands on the ground as he looked up at the sky.
A gentle breeze passed by and Hisamaru breathed it in. The sun’s rays were beginning to rise; the fog slowly evaporated, giving way to the morning dew.
— What a beautiful view this morning! he said with a smile, admiring the scenery.
He sighed, then rose and washed his face.
“Today the master and I return to Kitsunedo… If he’s not there, he’s probably meditating as usual,” he thought as he walked, rubbing his hands together.
He stopped at the edge of the ravine and cupped his hands to warm them, the sound of waves crashing into the bay drawing his attention. Lowering his eyes, he saw his master’s cloak and staff lying among the cataracts.
— What are Master’s cloak and staff doing among the falls? he asked, puzzled.
Listen carefully, little Hisamaru… I feel the end is near… If one day you wake and no longer see me, please—do not weep for me… I do not deserve your tears, he remembered.
— Oh no, Master… he said, starting to run, grief in his gaze.
Hisamaru raced down the trail, replaying memories with his master. He stopped on the beach.
“You know, Hisamaru, life is far too complex to fully understand… And even as we age, there remain things that surpass us,” his master had said, touching a tree.
“Where are you going with this, Master?” Hisamaru replied, intrigued, touching the tree himself.
The old man paused, turned, and smiled at Hisamaru.
“People change over time because of what they experience, and most of the time that change brings nothing good… Men’s hearts tend to darken or harden, until it’s hard to recognize the person standing before you,” he answered nostalgically.
Hisamaru fell silent as his master placed his right hand on his head.
“And you see, Hisamaru… this old man beside you fears change—the way the world will become and the people who will shape it,” he said, sounding both sad and distant.
“I don’t know what to say, Master… All I know is that change is part of the world, even if sometimes we wish things would stay the same. But there’s nothing we can do,” Hisamaru replied, averting his gaze.
The old master laughed softly and wiped a tear from his left eye.
“That’s true… Hisamaru, if I were to disappear, I want you to inherit my cloak and my staff. Use them to mend what I could not. Protect the world with these artifacts, and—most importantly—be a better version of me and a better version of yourself,” the master added.
Those words… were in truth a farewell, and I failed to understand them… I couldn’t say goodbye, Master… he thought as he walked along the coast toward the cataracts.
He entered the jagged rocks, retrieved the cloak and staff, and emerged weeping.
“Hisamaru, promise me one thing,” the old man asked as they reached the open plain.
The elder had stood up, and the sun was setting behind him.
“What is it, Master?” he asked, surprised.
“No matter what happens, do not change. I know it won’t be easy, and I’m not asking you to shut your heart to others, but I want your heart to be as wide as your strength. And if rage and resentment ever consume you, remember how you came to be here,” his master said.
Hisamaru, his eyes shining like stars, nodded.
“Master… whatever you could not accomplish, I promise to do it in your stead. I will protect this world you cherish,” he thought, donning the cloak and slinging the staff across his back.
竜王無限の上昇システム
[ Ryūu Ō mugen no joūshō shisutemu ]
Dragon King Endless System Of Rise
Chapter 1 : Hisamaru, the Heir
Hisamaru followed a narrow path until he reached the edge of the woods. In the distance, a house appeared, and as his eyes swept across the horizon, he noticed other small dwellings scattered here and there.
— A village… Maybe I can find the road to Kitsunedo in one of these houses, he muttered calmly.
He stopped in front of a tavern and stepped inside, his gaze discreetly scanning the room. The atmosphere was heavy, thick with the pungent stench of alcohol and sweat.
Towering figures, their bodies etched with jagged scars, turned toward him in unison. Their eyes, sharp with predatory suspicion, lingered on his appearance.
— Well, well… another mage wandering into our den, sneered a man with a wild, bristling beard, his raspy laugh drowned in a swig of ale.
— And judging by his fancy clothes, I’d bet my cock he crawled straight out of some noble’s nest.
— You’re only saying that ‘cause you can’t even get a woman with that pig face of yours, another shot back — a one-eyed brute whose silver teeth gleamed ominously in the dim light.
— But if we strip him down, we’ll make a tidy sum. Enough to buy you some new toys for… your lonely hobbies!
Go buy yourself some teeth first, you sack of shit! the bearded man spat, leaping to his feet, rage burning across his cheeks.
Maybe then your face won’t look like a goddamn asshole anymore!
Slowly, Hisamaru walked forward, his gaze fixed straight ahead, as if he were the only soul present in the midst of this raucous chaos.
Calm down, he whispered inwardly to himself.
I’ll just ask for directions, then I’m gone. Nothing to fear.
Just as the bearded brute squared himself to confront him, Hisamaru stumbled. He tripped clumsily and crashed right beside a hulking man known only as the Butcher, who burst into roaring laughter along with his gang.
It’s nothing, Hisamaru reassured himself, rising to his feet, determined to continue unbothered.
I’ll get up and keep walking. No reason to spark trouble.
But as he straightened, a heavy hand smacked sharply against his backside. His head snapped around instantly, his eyes flashing with pure animosity at the Butcher.
— Hey there, pretty thing! Not watching where you’re walking? the Butcher jeered, his gravelly voice thick with provocation.
His glass eye, cold and unblinking, seemed to mock Hisamaru with every glint.
— You just dirtied my brand-new boots. Cost me an arm, you know. You’re gonna have to clean them.
Hisamaru’s eyes flicked briefly to the muddied boots, then to the man’s hands. A faint flush crept into his cheeks. Quickly, he averted his gaze, raising a single eyebrow before a cryptic smile tugged at his lips.
He turned to walk away, but the Butcher yanked him back roughly by the cape.
— Hey, doll, I’m talking to you! His voice grew shriller, his grin stretching into something grotesque.
— Play deaf with me, and I swear I’ll give you a… a handjob with a machete! He punctuated the threat with a disgusting motion of his hand.
A cold bead of sweat trickled down Hisamaru’s forehead. His gaze swept across the tavern, taking in the other patrons. Without exception, every single one of them had their weapons on display — either ready to strike or simply eager to enjoy the spectacle.
— So? Are you going to clean them…? the Butcher pressed, his mocking tone shifting into something colder, sharper — a deadly threat.
Crushed beneath the weight of the atmosphere, Hisamaru pulled out a handkerchief and crouched down. As he began wiping the dirt from the boots, a nervous chuckle slipped from his lips.
So this is what Master Big-Eye went through? he thought, a faint smile curling on his lips as an image of his teacher surfaced in his mind, tinged with nostalgia.
If I resist here, I’ll pay dearly… The master was right. The world is far harsher and far more complex than it looks.
Once he had finished cleaning, Hisamaru straightened himself again. But no sooner had he risen than the Butcher poured an entire mug of beer over him.
It’s nothing, Hisamaru repeated inwardly, his jaw tightening ever so slightly.
I can’t lose my temper over something so trivial. I’m better than this.
A calm, almost defiant smile spread across his face. Without saying a word, he walked straight toward the waitress.
— Excuse me, fair lady, could you please show me the way to Kitsunedo? he asked politely.
One of the men at a nearby table stood up, stepping behind Hisamaru. His frame was massive, his presence alone suffocating.
— What’s this, dollface? You walk in here without greeting anyone, and the first words out of your mouth are “fair lady”… Do you take us for some bloodthirsty brutes? the Butcher growled, pressing a single massive finger against Hisamaru’s head.
Hisamaru calmly seized the man’s finger and pushed it away.
— Forgive me for the misunderstanding. I should have greeted you all first. A thousand apologies for the offense. But I’m a bit pressed for time, I hope you can understand, he replied with a faint smile.
— What’s your deal, huh? Just because you’re a mage, you think you can talk down to us with your fancy words? You think we’re uneducated trash? snarled another man sitting close by.
— No, that’s not it at all! I’m not looking down on you… I only wanted to be polite! Hisamaru answered, flustered.
Suddenly, every man in the tavern rose, surrounding him.
— Damn that Butcher… sighed the Bearded Man, slumping back onto his chair, frustration clear in his voice.
— This mage is gonna strip us dry, just like the last one he dragged in!
— What, you regretting it now? the One-Eyed man sneered, his silver tooth gleaming.
— That’s ‘cause you won’t have the coin to buy your little toys for… you know, those lonely nights of yours! He chuckled, his glass eye glittering with mockery.
The Bearded Man shot him a wicked grin.
— Shut it, asshole. Go get stuffed by another cock instead!
— I can’t stand these damn mages. Always acting like they’re above the rest of us, muttered another man, twirling a rusted hook in his hand.
— No, it’s not like that! I don’t think I’m better than anyone… We’re all equals here! Hisamaru insisted, raising his hands defensively.
— Then let’s teach you some manners, you arrogant bastard of a mage, the Butcher declared, stepping closer.
Hisamaru swallowed hard — when suddenly, a scream tore through the air.
A man in nothing but underwear, bound to a wooden wheel, his body riddled with knives, shouted at the top of his lungs:
— Run! They’re all maniacs! They’ll strip you bare!
Everyone froze, turning to glare at the prisoner. But when they looked back — Hisamaru had vanished.
— Where the hell did he go?! shouted the nearest man.
A loud creak echoed above them. Heads shot upward, but the rafters revealed nothing. Then came the grinding sound of a wheel spinning… They turned back toward the prisoner’s wheel — and found it empty.
— He’s mocking us… That worthless excuse of a mage is toying with us! snarled the man at the center, already at the edge of his patience.
— There! They’re trying to run out the door! the waitress screamed, pointing accusingly.
Hisamaru and the half-naked man locked eyes with the brutes, then exchanged a grimace.
— Run! the half-naked man cried.
The two bolted out, sprinting with all their might.
— A round for everyone who chases that mage — and a full pouch of D-Coins for whoever brings him back to me! the man at the center bellowed furiously.
The thugs roared, drawing axes, spears, swords, and bows before storming out into the night. Only one remained seated, watching with narrowed eyes.
— Are you serious? A pouch of D-Coins isn’t just pocket change. You must be filthy rich to throw that kind of money around. Half a pouch of that is worth three full pouches of H-Silver… the waitress purred, her eyes gleaming with greed.
— Mage gear starts at thirty pouches of D-Coins… And that flame-haired mage’s equipment is worth a fortune. No way he could afford that legitimately. He must’ve stolen it, the man scoffed, climbing onto a bench.
The waitress leaned in close, her hands snaking around his neck, lips brushing his ear.
— And what about my services…? How many pouches will you pay for those? she whispered.
The man smirked, lips curling at the edge.
Meanwhile, Hisamaru and the half-naked man ran deeper into the woods — until Hisamaru suddenly stopped, crouching low, one hand pressed firmly against the earth.
— What the hell are you doing?! Did you forget we’re being chased?! the half-naked man shouted, panic in his voice.
The ground trembled beneath them. The cries and footsteps of their pursuers drew closer. The half-naked man’s fear grew unbearable.
— I don’t know who you are or what you’re doing… But I want to live. Thanks for saving me, but if I want to survive, I have to keep running! he said frantically.
He turned to flee — but froze when the brutes burst from the trees, weapons leveled at them.
Oh no… his heart sank with bitter regret.
— Did you really think you could escape? one of the men snarled, bow drawn tight.
— Not at all! Just a little evening jog, you know! the half-naked man laughed nervously, edging backward.
— Step aside, sweet cheeks. We’re here for the mage, the One-Eyed brute barked, shoving him out of the way.
The mob closed in, encircling Hisamaru, who still knelt with one hand on the ground.
— Hey, mage-boy, the Butcher sent us to give you that machete handjob… You don’t mind, right? the Bearded Man sneered, stepping closer.
But the ground suddenly split open with a deafening crack. From the abyss burst a monstrous centipede, its segmented body towering into the sky. The brutes screamed in terror, dropping their weapons as they fled into the darkness.
The beast let out a screech so powerful that birds scattered in a frenzy. The half-naked man bit his tongue, fists trembling.
Shit… If I still had my gear, I could’ve summoned something to fight it… But like this, even if we run, there’s no way out… We’re finished… he thought, collapsing to his knees before the monster.
But when he glanced at Hisamaru — the boy was standing tall, unnervingly calm.
What the hell is wrong with him?! Doesn’t he know this thing is considered unkillable? the man thought, horror lacing his voice.
He rushed forward, grabbing Hisamaru’s hand — and froze.
The ground around Hisamaru glowed with a deep violet summoning circle.
— You’re wasting your time! That thing is immune to magic! Every mage is told to run from it! the half-naked man shouted.
Hisamaru said nothing.
The centipede lunged, massive jaws opening wide. The half-naked man shut his eyes, sinking to his knees.
So this is where I die… he thought bitterly, staring at the sky with resignation.
In the blink of an eye, the centipede froze solid — encased in a coffin of glittering ice.
The half-naked man stared in disbelief, his breath turning white in the misty fog that spread across the battlefield.
⟩⟩⟩ TO BE CONTINUED ⟩⟩⟩
Please sign in to leave a comment.