Chapter 4 — Whispers of Power
Shells Town had a strange way of pretending everything was normal after chaos.
Yesterday, the Grey Rat Gang got folded like laundry.
Today?
Vendors were already back in the market shouting prices. Marines were lazily patrolling. Even Helmeppo was bragging again like he did anything.
Basically:
The world reset.
But I didn't.
My body still thrummed with that feeling—
that thrill from fighting real enemies instead of old-man training drills.
It was addictive.
And dangerous.
I stretched my arms above my head and walked through the Marine base courtyard, long hair swaying behind me.
Master Retsu stood at the center, staff in hand, eyes closed in meditation.
"Morning, old man," I said.
He opened one eye.
"You look restless."
"I'm always restless."
He smirked. "Good. Restlessness means you haven't hit your limit."
"I don't have a limit."
"…You will someday."
We stared at each other a moment.
Then he sighed.
"Fine. Let's push you closer."
Training began.
Retsu's Harshest Lesson Yet
Retsu didn't warm up today.
He attacked instantly.
His staff blurred, sweeping toward my ribs with bone-cracking speed. I dodged, but the tip still grazed me.
"Faster," he said.
"You're the one who got faster," I shot back.
He spun the staff, slamming it down from above. I blocked with my forearm—pain shot up my arm but training kept me grounded.
"Your movements are sharp," he said.
"But your mind wanders."
"It's bored."
"Then focus harder."
He stepped in, low stance, and jabbed. I barely deflected it.
Every strike carried experience, not strength. He wasn't trying to overpower me—he was outthinking me.
Again.
And again.
And again.
"Stop predicting one step ahead," Retsu said, swinging again.
"Predict three."
"That's a big ask!"
"You want to be the strongest man alive?"
"…Damn it."
His grin widened.
"Then shut up. Don't think. Feel."
He rushed me again.
This time… something clicked.
His foot shifted slightly.
His staff angled a hair lower.
His shoulders loosened—
Predict.
He was aiming for my leg.
I jumped back before the staff even moved.
Retsu's eye sparkled.
"Good."
Then he swept the other direction.
I blocked.
He jabbed.
I deflected.
He faked a strike—
I didn't fall for it.
We clashed for what felt like hours, until sweat dripped from my hair like rain.
Finally, Retsu lowered his staff.
"That's enough. You've grown again."
I collapsed on the ground.
"You say that every day."
"And you always make it true."
Rumors Begin to Spread
As we walked back toward the mansion, a pair of young Marines whispered loudly as I passed.
"That's him…"
"Yeah, the demon kid. He took out six thugs alone."
"I heard he dodged a full-speed strike like nothing."
"That's because he's Morgan's son—"
"No, no, the other one. The good one."
I blinked.
"…Demon kid?"
Retsu laughed.
"That'll be your nickname soon. Young monsters always get nicknames."
"Can I get a cool one at least?"
"No."
"Tch."
But…
I didn't hate it.
Strength attracts attention.
Attention attracts challenges.
Challenges attract fun.
Good.
Let them talk.
Helmeppo's Strange Request
When we reached the mansion, Helmeppo was waiting at the door—arms crossed, one foot tapping, expression trembling between pride and insecurity.
"There you are!" he snapped.
"Took you long enough!"
"Didn't ask you to wait," I said.
"I wasn't waiting! I just—look, shut up!"
He pulled me aside.
"I need you to… help me."
I blinked.
"…What?"
He leaned closer, voice shaking.
"Teach me how to fight."
I stared at him like he grew a second head.
"You. Want to train?"
"Don't make me repeat myself!" he shouted, blush creeping up his face.
"I—I just don't want the Marines laughing at me anymore! They said I'm the weaker twin!"
Ah.
So that was it.
Being compared to me bothered him.
"That's not my problem," I said.
His face twitched.
But then… I sighed.
"Fine."
He froze.
"R-really?!"
"Sure. I'll train you."
His eyes lit up—
"…After you stop acting like an idiot."
He deflated.
"You ruined the moment!"
"Yep."
But the truth was… a small part of me respected him.
He was spoiled. Weak. Cowardly.
But he asked for help.
And that meant he wanted to change.
Maybe just a little… but still.
"Meet me tomorrow," I said. "Before sunrise."
"S-sunrise?! That's too early!"
"Okay, we can start at midnight instead."
"NO SUNRISE IS FINE SUNRISE IS GOOD THANK YOU."
"Thought so."
Morgan's "Gift"
Later that afternoon, Morgan summoned me to his office. The room smelled like freshly waxed wood and ego.
"You called?" I asked.
Morgan stood with his cape draped dramatically, arms crossed like some kind of stage actor.
"I heard about your performance," he said. "The townspeople are whispering about you."
"Good whispers or bad whispers?"
"Yes."
"…Okay."
He opened a wooden chest beside his desk.
Inside:
Weighted gauntlets.
Marine-standard beginner gear.
Steel. Heavy. Rough.
"These are for you," Morgan said. "Train with them. Build strength. Build discipline."
I lifted one.
Holy hell.
It weighed like a cinderblock.
"You sure these aren't for adults?"
"You're taller than most adults," he muttered.
Fair.
"Thanks," I said.
Morgan stiffened, like he wasn't expecting gratitude.
He coughed.
"Don't embarrass me."
"Depends."
"Damian—"
"No promises."
Strength Check — Weighted Training
I strapped on the gauntlets after leaving the office.
My arms immediately felt like lead.
Damn.
Perfect.
I threw a jab.
It felt slow.
A punch.
Also slow.
Retsu approached, staring at the gauntlets.
"You'll use those now?"
"Yep."
"They'll slow you down."
"That's the point."
He grinned.
"That's my student."
I shadowboxed for an hour, adjusting to the weight.
Each strike burned.
Each movement dragged.
But each punch made me stronger.
These weren't enough to satisfy me forever, but for now?
This was good.
Very good.
Nightfall — A New Kind of Restlessness
I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling again.
Same as always.
But tonight felt different.
Three days now—
three days where I felt myself climb a little higher.
Three days of whispers spreading through the base.
Three days of adrenaline.
Three days closer to the destiny I wanted.
Tomorrow?
More training.
More growth.
More challenges.
And eventually…
Much later…
On the horizon…
A straw hat would appear.
But for now?
I closed my eyes with a grin.
"Bring me something new tomorrow."
This world was too big to let things stay boring for long.
And I was ready for whatever came next.