End of the first task

The following day Hiroshi got back to work for yet another research. He asked Hukuro for a book again, this time about curses and their types. After three hours he received the book.

Another four days passed studying that same book. After those days Hiroshi's condition had worsened twice as much: his stomach rumbled with pain, he had eaten only to survive. If he tried to rest he remembered the voice and would start working again.

The following morning arrived.

"Hukuro, could you come with me to the nearby forest? I need to gather something," asked Hiroshi while sharpening a knife.

"If you want, tell me what you need and I'll bring it to you."

"Ok, then take this."

Hiroshi gave her a list half a meter long of things to collect.

"Bring it to me as soon as possible."

"But what do you need these things for? Herbs, branches, flowers, pond water, yuoic seeds and everything else... What is this?"

Hiroshi answered in a bizarre way while making his mechanical laugh, as if he had become completely mad:

"HAHAHAHA! I'M OBSESSED WITH MAGIC! I LIKE TO EXPERIMENT WITH NEW THINGS, AND I SAW THAT THIS PLACE IS PERFECT!!! HAHAHA! DO YOU KNOW WHAT I WANT TO DO?! DO YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW? IF YOU WANT I CAN TELL YOU, EH, BUT THE CHOICE IS YOURS! HAHAHAHAHA!"

"Hehehe, I don't think these things serve any purpose, and besides, your condition doesn't seem to be one of the best."

"Don't worry about me, I'm fine."

"Alright, if you say so."

So Hukuro went into the forest to look for the things. About five hours later she returned with everything.

"Thank you, I didn't expect you to come back so fast," said Hiroshi staring straight into her eyes.

Even though he could clearly see that her condition wasn't one of the best - her clothes were torn, leaves, copper and different types of insects were stuck to her skin - Hukuro said nothing and went to her tent.

After that Hiroshi began preparing the antidote.

* * *

The night of the following day Hiroshi prepared himself again and went out with a bag in his hand. He arrived again inside Rania's mother's tent without being noticed.

As soon as he entered, Rania's mother was awake and saw him.

"You came back?" she asked.

"You're awake at this hour?"

"All these days I was waiting for your return."

"Did anyone ask about this cut?"

"No, during the day I cover it and at night I uncover it so you can enter."

"Thank you. I see that you care about your life, then."

"Everyone cares about their own life."

Hiroshi pulled out a leather pouch from his bag.

"Alright. Then take this pouch. Inside here is the remedy for your curse. Thank GOD that the curse isn't high level, because those curses can only be dissolved by the owner himself or by killing him. You must drink this liquid every day before sleeping at night until it's finished, so about a week. It will be bitter, but not more bitter than death."

For a moment there was silence.

"I thank you," she said.

"Good, my task is finished here." Hiroshi moved to leave.

Rania's mother stopped him: "Wait! First answer my questions."

"What do you want?"

"Why did you help me? What do you get in return?"

"Thank GOD who sent me to you. I will obtain peace of mind."

Then Hiroshi went a bit forward and said: "Start smiling. Your daughter needs it."

"Are you... someone who knows her?" she asked.

"I am nobody. Nobody knows me, and I know nobody."

Hiroshi stopped for a moment, turned his head toward the woman and said: "You're the exact copy of your daughter. Just a bit more adult."

The woman, hearing this, felt the urge to ask immediately: "At least... tell me your name."

Hiroshi resumed walking. He didn't turn around. He didn't slow down. But his voice, firm and distant, crossed through the night.

He left the tent but before going he said, lowering his head: "Names serve those who want to be remembered, thought of, called and thanked. And I have no such necessity."

Then Hiroshi disappeared into nothingness as if he had never been there.

The woman remained there alone again, as if nothing had happened, as if all this had been just a dream, as if that man had never existed. Now the only sign of him was that pouch she held in her hand.

And so ended one of Hiroshi's tasks that he had in this long journey.