"Shadowy figure… elaborate."
"I was gravely ill, on the verge of death. But out of nowhere, I was inexplicably teleported to another place, a realm so shrouded in darkness that I couldn't discern anything around me. Thus, I couldn't see the Shadowy figure's face, but I'm certain his voice was like that of an old man. And he seemed to possess otherworldly powers. At first, I didn't understand, nor did that shadow tell me anything; he just directly asked if I wanted to live. Terrified of losing my life, I immediately said I wanted to live, I didn't want to die. He then gave me something to eat before returning me to where I was. Before teleporting me back to my original place, he told me I needed to devour lives; the more I did, the more powerful I would become," Kuin explained, a hint of the lingering terror in his voice.
"Oh, quite interesting. Anything else?"
"No… I don't know anything else about that abnormal figure, but he seemed like a human beyond my comprehension. So I simply accepted his words and offer and began to increase my powers."
"I see. Now, do you know about that guy?"
"No…" Kuin shook his head.
"Hmm… I believe you because someone as powerful as that monster wouldn't be foolish enough to reveal anything to someone like you. But one thing is confirmed: someone is spreading these types of powers across the world, or something to that effect. And that woman who breastfed me possessed similar powers to that shadow," Sky thought before asking, "Well, do you know there are more people around the world like you and me?"
I hadn't known before, but after seeing you, I've confirmed it. And that's why that Shadowy figure told me I don't have to give anything in return, but I have to risk my life all the time to get powerful, Kuin thought, before replying aloud, "Yes, I know."
"Good… so, ahh… what's your name?"
"Kuin… I don't have parents."
"I see. I am Sky Grace… So, Kuin, today I'm going to make you an offer. Since you know I've let you live because I want a helper, here's the deal: take it or leave it," Sky announced abruptly. Kuin tensed slightly.
"What deal? To become your slave?"
"Yes. Do the things I tell you, and you'll be free to do whatever you want and increase your powers; no one will stop you. I will protect you from anyone more powerful than you. You'll get a chance to increase your power and become strong enough to survive alone, since you know your path isn't easy. If government officials find out your whereabouts, you're as good as dead. But if you come under my wings, you'll be able to get powerful with my blessings," Sky explained, watching Kuin's eyes widen.
"You mean you're okay if I kill others to increase my powers?"
"Yes."
"Wow, that's quite a generous offer to me. But what do I have to do in return?" Kuin asked.
"Nothing much… just do what I say. I want your loyalty towards me," Sky said in a serious tone.
"Okay, then I, Kuin, accept your offer, ahh…"
"Just call me Sky for now…"
"Okay, Sky… so what should I do?" Kuin asked again.
"For now, you know that girl's home, right? But wait, what do you do after all this? I mean, you don't just kill or eat all day, right?"
"No, no, of course not. I work at a nearby shop around that girl you saved yesterday. I live a normal life and do this at night. I live normally because to capture those humans, I need to analyze many things before making a move, and my normal life allows me to do that analysis before acting. And I don't want to live in the forest all day. I don't kill to live, but to increase my powers. Killing humans isn't a necessity for me, and I don't want to engage in large-scale activities and get caught by the police, because I'm not powerful enough to openly do that," Kuin replied.
"Hmm, that's good. You seem quite intelligent yourself. So, since you can live like a normal person, continue doing that. In half a month, you'll come to the city with me. There, you can do a part-time job to live normally while executing your 'things' at night. Since you're more powerful than a normal person, you won't get caught that easily, and even if you do, you can run; I'll help, but those are later concerns."
"For now, I want you to protect that girl whom you were about to kill yesterday until we leave for the city. After all, the population in this village is quite low, and in the city, it would be more lively, and fewer people would care," Sky said. Kuin immediately interjected.
"More people with more thick thighs!" Kuin said with a giggle, then asked, "But wait, why do I have to protect that bitch? If I don't attack her, wouldn't she be fine? Oh, sorry, my mistake, she's your girlfriend, right? Okay, I'll protect her until then. But how should I get in contact with you?"
"She has my contact. If you have anything important to tell, then tell me through her. But I guess you wouldn't need to contact me, because in this village, I don't think there are any people with superpowers, plus even if there are others besides me, you can handle them," Sky explained. Kuin nodded in understanding.
"And don't worry, when we leave for the city, I will definitely take you with me."
"Nah, I'm not worried about that, because if you don't take me, I'll just continue what I'm doing currently. But when can I stop following your orders?" Kuin asked for confirmation, thinking it was quite a good offer from someone more powerful than him.
"Well, when you can defeat me. You won't have to follow me any longer. Other than that, you have to follow my orders. If you try to act smart or something, then I have…"
"Don't worry, that time wouldn't come. After all, I don't want to lose this early, since I have a second chance to increase my powers," Kuin said with confidence. Sky nodded calmly.