"So why are we here?" Roco asked Hinko. They were at a coffee shop, drinking coffee.
"We are going to meet one of my students," Hinko said, taking a sip.
A gust of wind—unnaturally strong—swept into the shop. Kichu's face tensed up, sensing something. Before he could react, a man appeared in front of them and sat down in the chair.
"Why did you call me?" the man asked Hinko.
Kichu and Roco were shocked—they hadn't sensed the man until he was already seated.
"Why can't you travel normally?" Hinko asked him.
"Ah... it's not fun. Just spill the thing already," the man said, taking a sip of coffee.
"You have to do a mission. I think you got the message already."
"Yeah, yeah... I got it. But I'm not gonna do it anyway," he said, unserious.
"It's Sir Xavton's order. You know you can't reject that, do you?" Hinko pressed him.
"Hah... that old man is still alive? Okay, I'll go. It'll take 30 hours," he replied.
"Why such a perfect time?" Hinko asked.
"One hour to travel and 29 hours for adventure," he said with a smirk.
"Hah... What a jerk!" Kichu and Roco were surprisingly thinking the same thing.
"You won't be traveling alone. These men are coming with you," Hinko said.
"Yeah, whatever... I'll just—what did you just say? You're joking, right?" the man asked.
"I'm deadly serious. It's Sir Xavton's proposal as well," Hinko said.
"I'm gonna kill that old hag," he muttered, turning to Kichu.
"What's your name, kid?" he asked.
"It's Kichu," he replied.
"You?" the man pointed at Roco.
"I'm Roberto Roco," Roco replied.
"I'm gonna forget it anyway. I'm Fizz Highbolt. I am the fastest man alive," he declared.
"Fastest?" Kichu asked.
"Yeah, he's got the Class Two Sin: Lightspeed. But he can't travel at the speed of light—though he's faster than you'd think," Hinko explained to Kichu.
"What do you mean 'faster than I think'?" Kichu asked.
"Did you see that?" Fizz asked.
"What?"
"Exactly," Fizz said, then walked to the door.
"I'll meet you kids. Wait for me," he added, then disappeared.
"Um... are we going to be okay?" Roco asked Hinko.
"Haha... don't mind his talking. He's reliable," Hinko assured him.
They left the shop and walked through the road, enjoying the city.
Suddenly, an explosion shook the area nearby. They turned toward the source.
"What is that?" Kichu exclaimed and ran toward it.
"Wait, Kichu—" Hinko tried to stop him, but he was already far ahead. He looked for Roco, but he too had followed Kichu.
The scene was terrible. Part of the city had been destroyed. Thousands were injured.
Kichu arrived and saw a man with white hair holding a boy by the neck. The boy was struggling to breathe.
"How dare you put your dirty hands on me? Do you know how much this dress costs?" the man shouted and tightened his grip.
Kichu's face filled with rage. He was moments away from striking the man down when—
"Leave the boy, Sir Esco!" a voice shouted.
Another man arrived in a hurry. He didn't look like a fighter—he was calm and composed.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"He touched me with his filthy hands. I'm punishing him," Esco said.
"You did all this just because the boy touched you? Leave him at once or prepare for the consequences," the calm man demanded.
"Are you trying to threaten me?" Esco challenged.
"You know what will happen if His Majesty hears about this, don't you?" the man said as he walked up.
"You son of a bitch," Esco growled, then dropped the boy.
The calm man rushed over and caught the child.
"I need healers at City Spore!" he said into a transmitter.
"You should get going, Sir Esco," he added through gritted teeth.
Esco turned away and walked off.
"Is there any healer around?" the man shouted.
Hearing that, Hinko ran to him.
"Let me look at him," he said, healing the child.
Healers quickly arrived and began treating the injured. The place became packed with activity.
"What are you looking at? Help them," Hinko said to Kichu and Roco.
They looked at each other and rushed to assist. Within an hour, everyone was treated. The calm man oversaw the situation with care.
"Hey, who is he?" Kichu asked Hinko.
"Ah... he's Eldrin Valehart. He's the Hand of the King. This planet is now under the Vastros Dominion Empire," Hinko explained.
"Now? Which empire was it before?" Roco asked.
"It was under AUL until ten years ago," Hinko replied.
"Who was that bastard? I was really close to cutting his throat," Kichu said.
"He's the Minister of Economy, Sir Esco der Von. I'm glad you didn't do anything stupid. Trust me, you don't want this entire kingdom as your enemy."
"Well, your economy is messed up. If that man hadn't stopped him, I would've handled it my way," Kichu said, clenching his fists.
"Hey, you there," Eldrin approached.
"Thank you for your help. You're lifesavers," he said.
"It's our duty, sir," Hinko replied.
"It would've been tough without you. I saw you two helping as well, young ones. You have my gratitude," Eldrin said, bowing.
"It's our pleasure," Kichu responded.
Eldrin smiled and walked away.
"He's a nice man, isn't he? I think the king is even nicer," Kichu said.
Hinko's face darkened.
"It's not as you think," he said.
"What do you mean?" Kichu asked.
"The King of the Vastros Dominion Empire craves power and title. He invades and conquers lands. He was once the leader of a small cult, gathered people with his ideologies, and conquered everything in his path. He's known as the Boundless Conqueror. The true definition of fear," Hinko explained.
"Is he that bad?" Kichu asked.
"Worse than you think. He's calm—until someone touches what's precious to him. I wonder if Sir Esco will see the sun tomorrow," Hinko added with a grin.
At the other side of the planet... inside the castle of the king...
"Greetings, His Highness." A man knelt before a figure seated on a grand throne. It was the king of the Vastros Dominion Empire, also known as the Boundless Conqueror.
"An incident happened at the City of Wisdom," the man said, sweat dripping down his face.
"What is it?" A harsh voice echoed from the figure.
"There was an explosion. Thousands injured. Four people died," he said with a gulp.
The king went silent.
"Were there any researchers among them?" he asked, biting into an apple.
"Yes, Your Highness. Three of them were researchers." The man closed his eyes, bracing for the consequences.
Hearing that, the king crushed the apple in his hand. A strange, overwhelming aura filled the room.
"Who did it?" the king demanded.
"It was Sir Esco Der Von," the man said fearfully, trembling.
"Bring him here," the king commanded.
"As you wish, Your Highness," the man said and quickly exited the room before the aura could consume him.
---
At the city...
"Where is this place that the transcript is?" Roco asked Hinko.
"It's quite far. It would take a week or so," Hinko replied.
"If he went to retrieve it, wouldn't it be much easier?" Kichu asked.
"Yes, it would. But... I don't know. It's Xavton—we never know what he's thinking," Hinko said.
Kichu walked silently, deep in thought. Suddenly, someone bumped into Roco.
"Hey, watch where you're going, asshole," Roco snapped.
"Who the fuck orders me?" The man turned to face Roco. It was Sir Esco Der Von.
"You're lucky that I'm in a hurry, mutt," he spat, walking away quickly.
"Stop there, you asshole!" Roco shouted. Kichu looked back at him.
"Hey, isn't he...?" Kichu said, then took off running behind Esco.
"I should get away from this planet as soon as—" Before he could finish his sentence, a man appeared in front of him.
"Where are you running to, Esco?" the man said, taking a small knife from his pocket.
"Please don't kill me, Your Highness. I wasn't doing it on purpose. That brat touched me. As a Galacter, it's disgusting. I think Your Majesty knows it better than this lowly minister," Esco said, kneeling.
"Why run? You know I can kill you in a second, don't you?" the man said, placing his foot on Esco's head.
"Now, who's the low being? You're on the ground now. Who's dirty?" he mocked, laughing.
Esco stayed silent, trembling.
"Uh... I asked you a question. Who is disgusting?" the man asked again.
"Uh... Me, Your High—ugh!" The knife stabbed through his neck, cutting his sentence short. Blood spilled from his mouth.
"Too late," the man said, walking away.
"Your Majesty... you can't wander off like this," Eldrin Valehart called out, rushing through the crowd.
"Burn him somewhere," the man ordered casually.
Kichu and Roco, who had witnessed everything, stood frozen, already ready to draw their weapons.
Suddenly, the man felt their intense stare. His eyes locked onto Kichu.
In that moment, he sensed immeasurable soul energy. Kichu's hand moved on its own, drawing the sword.
Seeing the sword, the man's eyes widened. A smile like that of a treasure hunter spread across his face.
"We should move, Majesty," Eldrin said, stepping forward and showing him the way.
But the king remained focused on the sword, unaware that Kichu and Roco had already slipped away.
"Eldrin..." the man called.
"Yes, Your Highness?"
"I think I found it," he said and laughed like a madman.
---
Kichu and Roco hid in a quiet alley, both panting heavily.
"Who was he? No... what is he?" Roco asked, terrified.
"I don't know... but I'm certain of one thing. I couldn't even hurt a single hair on his head," Kichu said, looking at Roco.
They returned to the crowded area and later met up with Hinko—only to be met with an earful of scolding.
"You two get as much sleep as you can tonight. You're leaving tomorrow," Hinko said.
"Where is this place?" Kichu asked.
"Far away, there's a region called the Land of Nobody. It's a region of mysteries. It was discovered only 20 years ago, so there hasn't been enough exploration. Sir Xavton believes that the major clue to the God's Land is there."
"Umm... I wanted to ask earlier. What is God's Land?" Roco asked.
"It's the land of gods. We're now in the land of mortals. Above this realm is one where only gods live. They watch over us. And protect us from above," Hinko explained.
"Bullshit. If they exist, why is this world such a shitshow? They're watching us? Haha... I wonder if we're like a reality show to them," Kichu said.
"I don't know more. Nobody does. But we have proof that it existed. So, he's going to find it," Hinko said.
Kichu looked at him and sighed. "Whatever. I hope the gods don't kill me because of this," he muttered, then went to bed.
---
At the same time, inside the castle...
"Your Highness... I have news," a masked man said to the king.
"Speak," the king ordered.
"A boy is in the Grand Library... with a sacred sword," the masked man said.
The king smirked. Then he laughed—so loudly, it echoed outside the castle walls.
"Finally. I found it. I thought it was a fake, but it really is the sword. I've wondered my whole life how I could conquer the entire universe. The sword is the answer. It belongs to me," he said, laughing uncontrollably.
-To Be Continued....