CHAPTER 00008
Hubok pulled back, leaving Okiji bleeding on both sides. If he didn't deal with the wounds, they would certainly overtake him. However, at the same time, he had to worry about the adversary who had made it clear he was not to be taken lightly.
With a ridiculous haste, Okiji tore a corner of his shirt, splitting it in two, and tied two tourniquets around both wounds. Although it had stopped the bleeding, he needed to act fast, before he lost circulation entirely.
This setback allowed Okiji to realize Hubok's weakness, though. His absurd fighting pace meant he needed long periods of time to recover between his strikes. Thanks to the dent he had just made in Okiji, Hubok was experiencing one of those periods now.
Okiji used this time as the opportunity to finish him once and for all. He dashed for Hubok, knocking him down, then thrashed his blade at the mayor's neck, essentially the only exposed place on his body.
His audience was clearly disgusted by the sight, but for the most part, expressed satisfaction in seeing such a despisable man meet his demise. It was made obvious that the fake citizens Hubok had brought with him were mindless goons when they seemed extremely distressed with nobody to report to. They quickly fled the village, spilling out in every which direction.
When only the true population remained, Okiji saw how truly happy everyone was. They were freed from the tyrannical rule that seemed to loom over this village for so long. Showing perhaps the most intense display of excitement, though, was the little boy who had been following Okiji from Bay Harbor. He was whooping, jumping, thrilled it seemed more by the fight than the feeling of freedom.
Okiji decided to approach the boy. As he got closer, the boy didn't dial back his excitement, cheering even louder. Okiji crouched down to the boy's height, placing his palm over his head.
"I noticed you've been following me all the way from the other village. Are you from there?" he spoke softly in an attempt to calm the child. It wasn't very effective, however, as he continued to shout.
"No, sir! I'm from this village! My mom sent me to Bay Harbor to make a delivery, and I saw you fighting there! You were so cool!" Okiji chuckled.
"Nice to know I have my fans." He paused for a moment. "What's your name, kid?"
"Akar, sir!"
"Akar, huh? Well, Akar, you're a very energetic boy."
"I'm sorry sir, but I just can't contain my excitement! When I grow up, I want to be a brave adventurer too!" Okiji was touched by the boy's aspiration, so he decided to nurture it.
"Well, then, you better get to training! Maybe one day, we'll even meet again. One day, when you're a brave adventurer." The boy's face lit up, illuminating his bright white hair even more.
"Yeah! I'll explore the whole world! And then, we'll meet again, when we're both brave adventurers!" Okiji laughed, then stood up.
"Well, I hope that day comes," he said. "Until then," he began to walk away, tipping his hat as he left. "Goodbye, Akar. I hope we meet again soon." With those final words spoken, he walked down a dirt road that led out of the village, presumably continuing his journey, leaving the awe-struck child behind him.
As the sun sank lower in the sky, it was the start of a new tale of adventure.
The adventure of Akar.