Chapter 26: Living in the forest
The next morning.
On a high tree branch reaching out midst the dense canopy. His messy hair swayed lightly according to each morning wind, and face was peaceful like dreaming a long dream midst the sky and forest trees.
Morning light started to snake through leaf gaps, shining each gentle sun ray down on his face. A sun ray glided over his eyelids, making eyelashes vibrate slightly. He smacked his lips, grimaced, then slowly opened eyes—drowsy eyes still sleepy, dreamily looking at sky clouds changing color high above.
The kid rubbed eyes, mouth mumbled a sentence not clear, then yawned a very long one. Looked around, he took a few seconds to realize he was still lying on the tree branch—high, but safe, where he climbed up since last night to avoid night dew on the ground.
A small bird perched nearby sang a clear song. He stretched, small body turned in a flexible way as if already too used to waking up midst the sky. Morning wind blew through, carrying scent of young grass and tree resin, making him take a very deep breath.
Eyes now already brightened, full of life. And so, like a little squirrel, he started to slide down from the tree branch, ready for a new day full of adventure ahead.
Standing on the ground, he raised two hands to the sky, stretched and shouted loud.
"Good morning, forest..."
Lowered eyes to the stream once again, the stream appeared like a blurry silver silk ribbon in the thin mist still lingering on the ground. Early day sunlight was not harsh, only just flickered through canopies, shining down on the water surface light rays shimmering like sprinkled gold scraps. Stream surface was clear, flat in slow parts, reflecting the pale sky color and tree branches swaying slightly in morning wind.
Sound of water flowing gurgling rang out regularly, harmonizing with bird songs chirping somewhere in the forest, creating a gentle harmony, like whispering to wake up the whole forest still sleepy. Small stones scattered along the stream bed covered with a thin moss layer, slippery and young green, catching each water drop comforting like playing.
Occasionally, a yellow leaf fell lightly down the water surface, floating along the flow like a tiny boat. The air was fresh, cool, carrying the scent of young grass, of tree resin, and a bit of purity characteristic only found in early morning.
The stream at this time was not only a part of nature, but like a living being breathing, singing, bringing a feeling of serenity and gentleness for anyone stopping by the bank to silently watch.
Kazuka opened wide eyes once again because of surprise, he walked close to the stream and looked around.
"Oh my god, this stream day and night is equally beautiful."
He went along the small path covered with wild grass, shoes stepped lightly on the ground still damp with dew. Morning wind blew through making messy hair fly up, and skin was tingly because of the light cold of morning. On the sleepy face, his eyes still lingered with a bit of dreaminess, but each footstep was naturally bustling, as if body was used to the morning in this peaceful mountain forest.
A thin water vapor rose from the stream surface, cool and fresh. Not saying anything, he stepped near, bowed down kneeling by the water edge.
Two small hands cupped, he scooped a scoop of water then splashed on face. The cold water suddenly made him shiver, shrunk body, mouth blurted a small "Ah!", but then burst into giggles because of the feeling both cold and refreshing. He scooped water again, this time slower, letting each water drop roll over cheeks, washing away streaks of fatigue remaining from sleep.
Several water drops lingered on chin and fell into stream, creating small wave circles spreading far. He raised head, face dripping wet but eyes shone, full of life. Wind again blew through, carrying scent of young grass and tree resin, while he stood up, used hand to wipe water on face, ready for a new day to begin.
"This place truly is great, now is summer but in this forest it is cool like spring."
Kazuka ran back to the tree stump, had the bag of things and his sword placed there. He reached hand to take the sword and ran toward the stream.
Stood there and looked toward the water flow flowing in a gentle way, he could see clearly what was under the stream bed. Pulled the sword out of the scabbard.
Held it on right hand, the sword was covered by a small energy source.
He raised hand pointing the sword tip toward the water surface. Sword tip was pointing straight toward a fish standing still under the clear stream flow.
He stabbed the sword tip out, his energy launched out. A small explosion on the water surface making water splash everywhere on the bank. The fish surfaced and floated according to the gentle flowing stream.
He took the sword and swiped it toward himself. Held the fish on hand with a joyful face, but after that changed to disappointment.
"Forgot don't have flint stones, again have to dive down to find, knowing that then jumped down always."
"But I don't want to go down water at all, surely go around the bank search first."
Kazuka while walking while looking intently along the river, he bowed down and picked up a stone, used water stream to wash away soil from the stone and stood up walked on.
"One more stone."
After a while searching, finally he also found the second stone on hand. But because it was too wet so he placed it on the ground to dry.
"Just leave it there, now try out to that cave."
Kazuka stood in front of the cave that yesterday he aimed for.
Just walked near, he suddenly saw a black shadow in there. Startled and backed away.
Inside there, its roar rang out shocking the whole forest, like wanting to chase the stranger out of its territory.
It stepped outside, that was a giant black bear.
Kazuka stood opposite the giant black bear midst the dense forest, where the ground was cracked because of the beast's claws and the air smelled of blood and tree resin. The bear roared, roar echoed like thunder, blood red eyes fixed on him like looking at a small prey. Its fur stood up, giant body like a moving mountain, each step made the ground vibrate each heavy rhythm.
Kazuka pulled sword out and tightened the hilt, the blade shone dim in his hand, the blue energy glowed around the body. His hair moved, face although still young but shone with determination and absolute concentration. No longer the bewildered kid—Kazuka at this time was a real warrior. He whispered, voice calm but decisive.
"Come here."
-"I haven't faced a bear before, but currently I think I can take it down in an easy way."
The bear roared loud and rushed forward like a black storm, giant claws struck down with power that could crush boulders. Kazuka glided to the side, leaving an afterimage, and launched a sword stroke full of energy. Sword blade slashed diagonally through the beast's shoulder, making black blood spray out in streaks. But it only became more aggressive.
Kazuka slid body down ground to avoid a strike, then bounced back up into the air, turned body midst the air and gathered power into the sword. Light around him flared up strongly, blurry energy characters appeared around the arm, and he shouted loud:
"Take this!"
An energy-filled slash tore the air, creating a long light streak hitting straight at the bear's chest. It screamed, staggered backward, the whole body vibrating because of the strike.
He didn't let it counterattack—Kazuka rushed forward, he glided around the beast like a whirlwind, launched continuous accurate slashes. Each sword strike carried an air-tearing energy flow, cutting deep into the thick skin of the monster.
Finally, when the bear roared one last time and collapsed, Kazuka landed lightly on the ground, sword tip stuck into the damp forest floor. The energy mist around him gradually vanished, face covered in dust, but stood firm midst the giant beast's corpse.
"Haha probably me before then would lose to it, but me now then not."
He ignored the bear corpse and went toward the cave. When stepped in several steps, the fishy blood smell immediately hit his nose, around were skeletons of other animals scattered everywhere and blood still clinging even on the wall.
"Oh my god, why so smelly. But this cave is also wide."
"Surely I will bring that bear to sell and buy new glowing stones. This cave daytime but so dark."
He went outside, looked at the bear for a long time.
"It is too large, surely I can't carry it. It seems when standing behind house and looking up at the mountain, I remember have a pull cart. Don't know if the old man lets me borrow? But forget it just take surely he also doesn't know."
Kazuka went to old Kibaou's house. That cart was right next to the wooden fence. He walked near and looked around with a cautious look.
"Where is that old man? Surely not here, I just take it."
Kazuka held the two shafts of the pull cart, he just like that pulled it away smoothly into the forest.
Behind the tree at the back of the fence, the old wolf was standing there and observing Kazuka without making a sound.
Kazuka pulled the cart into the forest with a brooding look.
"Don't know if anyone buys from me? But just bring out to sell, haven't sold yet so how to know if anyone buys or not?"
Pulled the cart close to the corpse of the bear. He took his sword starting to skin it like a professional craftsman. This sharp sword helped him very fast already finished filtering and cut the bear skin part to one side.
He chopped each part of the bear out. It was divided into 6 parts. Head part, two arms, two legs and the torso part.
He carried each part of the bear on his shoulder and placed it into the cart. Pulled straight toward the old wolf's house.
"Hope that he went somewhere."
Next to the house was a road just enough to go, as if it was designed for this cart to pass through.
He pulled the cart with a bit of difficulty to the well right next to the fence on the other side of the house.
The old well was covered by many mosses, there also had a bucket made of wood.
He pulled the large rope and pulled up a bucket of water, a bit of difficulty in lifting it out of the well mouth but also succeeded.
He took the water bucket and washed splashing into the bear meat place and washed away the blood clinging on there.
The sun already rose to the peak of the head. He was pulling the cart to a quite crowded place. In front was a large building with the sign: Explorer's Guild.
Seeing him pulling the cart with the bear corpse placed on top, many people also went close with curiosity.
There were people wearing armor and carrying swords, there were people carrying spears. There were people carrying staves. Outfits some were normal, but some were strange.
Some were equipped covering the body, but some wore revealing clothes as if convenient for fighting.
They walked near Kazuka's cart. A man with a bald head started the conversation with him.
"Hey kid, you hunted this bear?"
Kazuka just put the pull cart down and raised face.
"Yeah I did it."
That guy immediately arrogant, despising face looking at him.
"You found the corpse somewhere right? Kid like you how to hunt it?"
But several people in the crowd shouted loud at that bald guy.
"Children now not lacking strong ones? If you don't buy then get out bald guy."
He was spoken to then angry turned back said loud.
"What did you guys just say?"
But the crowd was so crowded making him not know who it was then turned face back.
Kazuka stood watching then suddenly realized.
"Oh no, I don't have scales, like that then sell how?"
A girl with quite revealing outfit stepped up, black hair, short, pointed finger at the thigh part of the bear.
"Hey, let sister take this thigh meat part."
Kazuka laughed awkwardly, pointed finger at the bear thigh.
"Sister, sorry, I don't have scales, so I cut for you this big piece."
"Yeah, just do that."
Everyone around after knowing immediately rushed in to buy meat.
"That kid doesn't have scales, buying surely not a profit?"
The bald guy was standing in front then was covered by the crowd.
After a while, on his cart there were many silver coins lying scattered. The bald guy angry pointed finger at Kazuka's face.
"Hey kid, if you winning against this bear is true then fight me a match."
Kazuka was cutting meat for a woman then raised head.
"No, I still sell meat."
Everyone around also noticed back at the two people.
"How about this, if you win against me then I will give you 10 gold coins, what do you think?"
He took from his person a money bag and tossed it into the air. Kazuka heard that immediately brightened eyes.
"You say true?"
He smirked, pointed finger at himself and shouted loud.
"I never lie to children."
There were 3 people sitting at a water shop right next to the building: Explorer's house.
One guy among them with black shirt, face like a malnourished person for long time, pointed finger toward the direction Kazuka was standing.
"Seems yesterday I saw that kid enter the house of old wolf Shibaou. Possibly he is the new disciple of that old wolf."
Several people around immediately heard and shouted loud.
"Seems that kid is the disciple of that old wolf. You crush him bald guy."
"Good luck kid."
Kazuka stood in the middle then nodded accepting the challenge.
"Okay I agree, but you must keep word."
He smirked laughed loud.
"Of course, but if you lose to me then you must kneel and bow to me."
Kazuka with determined eyes.
"Okay."
Still keeping that despising smile looking at Kazuka.
"Let me see what talent the new disciple of old wolf has?"
He immediately took the axe behind back out.
"Use weapons kid."
His sword used to cut meat for sale was sticking on the arm of the bear. He pulled it out and jumped over the cart.
"Okay."
Very fast a large circle by the curious people surrounded the two.
The guy with black shirt before sitting at the water shop also ran to watch, he ordered one guy going along also wearing black cloak, carrying a staff.
"You set up a barrier."
He raised the staff high. A transparent barrier appeared separating the people outside.
Kazuka and the bald guy stood opposite each other. Kazuka held sword with 2 hands, right foot in front of left foot, eyes looking not leaving the bald guy.
The bald guy also bowed body down, right hand held axe and left hand spread wide the palm like wanting to crush someone.
"Kid, you go first."
The bald guy's energy carrying white color enveloped his person. Kazuka with blue energy source also enveloped the body.
He launched very fast toward the bald guy. The crowd outside was cheering non-stop.
Seeing Kazuka launch near, he roared loud then suddenly struck axe down.
Boom!!!
The road surface exploded when the axe blade touched the ground. But Kazuka had jumped to one side and avoided that attack.
He counter-attacked—launched from the side, hand pulled sword swung a diagonal slash up on the bald guy's shoulder. The blade touched the flesh hard as stone, sparked fire. Although not cut deep, but enough to make that guy roar and back away one step.
Kazuka jumped back to observe.
"So it is like that, he concentrates energy into the spot I prepare to attack with extremely thick energy source. And also uses energy from inside to help flesh harder. No wonder I slashed through his energy but when touched his skin then didn't get affected."
-"Truly interesting, now I just know that."
Everyone outside were surprised with that move.
"Good job kid, focus."
Angry because of being taken the stage by Kazuka, he angry, energy radiated stronger more.
He spun axe counter-attacking in a blink, he launched with fast speed, a powerful spin making wind tear around the axe blade. Kazuka backed away, feet slid long on ground, two hands pulled sword in defensive stance. Face dripping sweat but eyes were sharp as steel.
-"What the hell? So fast."
He launched near with anger, hand holding axe raised to sky with intention to split him in half.
-"Surely you will swing sword to counter-attack as well as block this move. But this strike force will crush you."
Kazuka brought horizontal the sword up, the bald guy immediately was pleased.
-"You are dead kid."
Suddenly his sword tilted, sword tip pointed down ground. His axe blade struck the sword and glided down. It struck hard down ground and made the ground appear a large crack.
He followed the inertia of the axe blade then tumbled body according. Kazuka gathered energy into the fist at left hand and punched hard into his side, his and the guy's energy sources were colliding each other continuously. The punch still could not touch him.
Right hand he released the sword and punched a straight strike to his face. His eyes turned white and flew away hitting into the barrier layer.
"I know you will concentrate it into one spot."
His mouth spat out a large mouthful of blood, he raised hand and wiped it and stood up.
Kazuka immediately launched near with his slash.
A flow of energy exploded from under his feet, pushing him to launch high up. He turned body midst the air, hand pulled sword full of energy then struck straight down from above the head. The bald guy roared, raised axe blocked.
Clang!
Two power flows collided for a while, making dust clouds blow murky, a large explosion echoed the whole road section. Pressure made rubble fly everywhere.
Both backed away after the contact, but at this time the shoulder of the bald guy already bled, blood flowed out soaking his shirt.
-"This kid is too strong."
Kazuka gasped, hand still tightened sword, feet firm like nailed down ground.
-"Tired, using large energy in short time like that makes my body uncomfortable."
The bald guy immediately dropped the axe down, raised left hand.
"I surrender, you win."
Kazuka froze, he was surprised because he won. The barrier layer was also dispelled.
Outside loud noisy sounds rang out continuously.
"Damn it why lose?"
"How about it, betting for that kid is eating big like me."
The bald guy threw for Kazuka the money bag, he caught it and watched him turn body away.
Left hand he held the axe and hugged right shoulder walked staggeringly forward. There were several guys immediately ran out teasing him.
"You are so stupid, letting lose to even a kid."
He angrily roared loud.
"Shut up."
Sky also turned dark, he immediately turned body and pulled the cart back. While walking while thinking.
"Why did he surrender? Although his shoulder bled but he has left hand and extreme energy source. He can treat the wound."
"While me at that time gasped continuously like that, surely he also realized. Why surrender?"
"But whatever not think for tired, anyway I see that fight was also okay, but I am still weak, I need to be stronger."
Walked back to the house and placed the pull cart into old spot, he exhaled a very long breath.
"Tired. On the cart still has one bear arm surely soon I roast it. Soon must go inside steal from old wolf a bit of salt. Just now while walking while thinking I forgot not buy anything."
The old wolf was sitting on the house roof, he spoke making Kazuka startled.
"You want to steal what? Kid."
Kazuka angry, raised face looking and pointed finger toward him.
"What the hell are you doing up there? Intending to scare people?"
The old wolf jumped from the roof down, pressed close to Kazuka's face.
"Today you went to cause trouble kid?"
Kazuka startled, he avoided his gaze, voice stuttering.
"Huh?... What?... I cause what trouble?... Where did you hear?"
Kazuka jumped back.
"Hey don't scare me? If wanting to fight then launch in here."
-"This old man I also don't know if strong, at least must wait enough 7 days when he teaches me then I know."
The old wolf turned away and went into the house. Left Kazuka standing there and into fighting stance.
A while later, Kazuka was lying by the fire, next to was the bear arm bone. He was lying sleeping midst the empty land in front of the cave.
The next day, advancing deeper into the forest, he walked while looking around.
"That old wolf said in here have many animals, go deep inside find some."
Walked for a while, he saw a pride of lions lying around a corpse of a deer. He hid in the bush, observed once and gave conclusion.
"So it's like that, earlier walking for a while that no animal ran out turns out this is the small territory of this lion pride. But why looking at them they are larger than normal."
"Last time several tigers that I hunted for sister Aiko's wedding surely were small as half of them. Remembering that forest was also quite peaceful."
"Or is it according to each place? Forest that spot has many animals and food, so they just go around is catch. While here have many more threats with lions, like: bear. No wonder it is so large."
After a while of hunting tigers, finally he also pulled according the cart with 6 tigers filtered of skin to stack on each other.
"This time I didn't slash but used scabbard hit them so skin is still intact. Hope that someone will buy them."