After the disciple got a proper beating from his master, they continued on their journey. They arrived at a small village that had been destroyed by monsters.
The master muttered again:
"Damn my luck!"
Ryo said:
"Master! Let's go into the village. Maybe someone survived."
The master replied:
"Fine, let's go."
They entered the village, but it was completely ruined. The stench of corpses filled the air…
Finally, they spotted someone on the verge of death. Ryo rushed toward him.
Just as he was about to touch the man, the master stopped him:
"This human is dying. If he's been wounded by monsters, he's already tainted… and he must die."
Ryo protested:
"No! We can't do that. He's human, too. He has wishes, just like us. He has a family. There has to be a way to save him."
"Master! You're strong… please, do something!"
The master shook his head:
"Sorry, kid, but even if he survives, he can't live like before. It's better if he dies now—at least his suffering ends."
The man, coughing weakly, said:
"Th-thank… you… but this is… the end… (cough… cough…) I just… hope there's never… anyone else like us… Please… (cough… cough…) if you ever see someone in need… don't hold back… help them…"
Ryo, tears streaming down his face, shouted:
"I promise! I'll destroy all the monsters!!!"
The man smiled through his own tears, thinking of his family—reaching toward him in a meadow as he walked toward them—and passed away.
Ryo, grieving and crying, muttered to himself:
"One day, I'll destroy those monsters. They ruined our entire lives. I'll kill every single one of them."
The master looked at him:
"You really want to destroy the monsters?"
Ryo nodded firmly:
"Every single one of them."
The master said:
"Then you'd better keep that determination. From now on, I accept you as my disciple."
Ryo, truly shocked, bowed and said:
"I will give my all as your disciple!"
The master replied:
"Alright, let's move."
They continued on. Ryo asked:
"Now that I'm your disciple, what about my training? What should I do?"
The master said:
"Training… start by carrying these packs on your back."
Ryo grumbled:
"I already do this every day!"
"Then keep doing it," the master said.
Ryo thought to himself:
"Right, these are the first steps to getting stronger and destroying the monsters. Finally… I can get strong."
The master glanced at him, muttering:
"Look at that grin. Sigh… I'm tired. I just want to sleep."
Night fell, and they finally set up camp.
Ryo asked:
"Master, what exactly do you do? I know you travel, but why?"
The master, lounging, said:
"If you don't get it, it's because you're an idiot. But I'll tell you a little. I just travel and enjoy life. Years ago, I realized this world is meaningless and empty, so I decided to travel, hoping to understand its joys. I was once famous, but when I realized the truth, I abandoned fame and sought to enjoy life."
Ryo asked:
"Master, what did you do before you became a wanderer?"
The master replied:
"Even if I told you, you wouldn't understand… maybe someday you will."
Ryo thought: "Wow! Master must be amazing. I really want to know more about him."
The master asked:
"And what about you?"
Ryo said:
"I used to work on a farm with my father. It was a good time. I'd wake up early, take care of the animals, then help with farming. At noon, I'd go home to eat with my mother and study a little."
The master said:
"Oh, so you can read and write."
Ryo nodded:
"Yes, a little. But one day, monsters attacked our village and massacred everyone. My parents saved me at the cost of their own lives… if I had been stronger… maybe it wouldn't have happened…"
The master said:
"It's fine. The past is the past. Remember your parents sacrificed themselves for you. So, live a life worthy of their sacrifice."
Ryo looked up at the sky:
"Is it really true that when someone dies, they become a star?"
The master replied:
"No. They're sent to the afterlife, judged for their deeds. Good people go to heaven, bad people go to hell."
Ryo asked:
"So… my parents went to heaven?"
The master said:
"If they were good, yes. Heaven is the best place for humans. They can live happily forever."
Ryo smiled:
"Thank you so much, Master! That really makes me happy."
The master replied:
"I didn't say anything. I just don't want my disciple to be sad."
"Now go to sleep. We have a long journey ahead tomorrow."
Ryo, feeling a bit of happiness thinking of his parents, drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, the master said:
"Get up. It's late."
Ryo replied:
"Did I oversleep? I usually wake up early. Ah, whatever. Let's go."
They continued walking. Ryo asked:
"Master, do you think it's really possible to destroy all the monsters?"
The master replied:
"Already asking questions this early? At least let some time pass."
Ryo chuckled:
"Haha… just wondering."
The master said:
"Yes, it's possible. But you have to surpass human limits… even become stronger than ten Stars and the Sun."
(Ten Stars refers to the ten strongest people in the world, and the Sun is the current strongest person.)
Ryo asked:
"Master, how strong are you? Are you on the level of the Ten Stars?"
The master said:
"I've never cared about rankings, so I never chased them. But I know the Sun—he's a childhood friend—and I know the Ten Stars too. I just don't want to compare myself or compete in rankings."
Ryo said:
"Oh… so you really are strong, Master."
The master replied:
"Of course I'm powerful. Now let's go, and stop asking questions—I'm not in the mood to answer."
They walked until they finally reached a city.
Ryo exclaimed:
"Wow! This city is huge…"
The master said:
"This is nothing. It's a small city."
Ryo said:
"Oh, so there are even bigger ones? Let's go inside!"
They reached the city gates and entered.
It was Ryo's first time in a city, and he wandered around curiously.
The master warned:
"Don't get lost. I don't have the patience to find you."
Ryo replied:
"Okay, Master. I'll stay close to you!"
Suddenly, his eyes caught a vendor selling goods. He spotted a bracelet and asked:
"How much is this?"
The vendor said:
"Ten yuan."
Ryo exclaimed:
"Wow, that's expensive! Forget it."
Then he noticed the master had disappeared. He looked around, calling:
"Master! Where are you?!"
Finally, he saw a kid and asked:
"Did you see someone with a covered face, long hair, and a cloak?"
The kid replied:
"Yeah, I saw him. I'll show you."
They went down an alley, but suddenly, several of the kid's friends surrounded Ryo, saying:
"Give us everything you've got!"
---
End of Chapter 3