## 1. The Logbook
The journey continued, and Hiroshi had established a routine. He wrote down information in the notebook he took from Ghazu, a habit that Kerchack couldn't criticize.
> **Hiroshi's Logbook**
>
> * Ghazu mentioned "Heroes" in his notebook, but passing through villages and cities, I'm sure there are no heroes here, or this world doesn't know what the word hero means.
> * I think I learned something from that disgusting fat man. I hope it's the good part.
> * Kerchack hasn't spoken to me in days. For some reason, he's allergic to talking. We all need some time, so I'm here to help him. I feel he's unhappy, even if he doesn't show it.
> * I often come across exotic, small animals, and they don't attack me. I feel their energy and how they feel. One day, I fed some that seemed hungry. I think they like me.
> * A village was attacked by Goblins 3 days ago. Luna was scared. My new companion is afraid of people but loves animals. I saved the village from the attack. They gave me healing potions, as well as food supplies. Doing good, although difficult, sometimes has an advantage.
> * I feel like I'm teaching Luna values that my parents didn't teach me.
> * I have constant nightmares about my world. Being alone is terrible, especially in this world. I think Kerchack understands.
> * Luna reminds me of someone, but my memories are few. I don't remember my world or how I ended up here.
> * What a mystery, isn't it?
> * Well, it was a good conversation with myself. Lol.
>
> **Signed: Hiroshi**
## 2. The Bond with Luna
After Hiroshi finished his notes, Luna approached him. She was shy, wearing warrior clothes, loose red and blue robes, and her hair was down.
"Can you comb my hair and tie it? I can't," she spoke with difficulty, but Hiroshi understood.
"Come here," he replied. Taking care of Luna, her hair was combed and tied. He checked her clothes and her small dagger that she could barely use. Luna's body was better, more agile, quick, and confident, although her shyness didn't show it.
Hiroshi talked to her about how to deal with people and about her constant nightmares. Her past was cruel, and Hiroshi knew that the best way to forget the past was not by pretending it didn't exist, but by talking about it and dealing with the traumas together. Luna liked being with Hiroshi, constantly smiling and hugging him. He was a brother, father, or friend to her, it didn't matter.
Hiroshi said his morning prayer, thanking him for being alive and praying for the souls of those he couldn't save. Luna tried to do the same, but she was impatient.
## 3. Tibe Village and the Tracker
On the map, Hiroshi saw that the burned village, **Tibe**, was close. He marked it on the map. It was a good time to take a look and gather information.
Five hours later, they arrived.
A small village of 20,000 people had been devastated. There was no one. Everything was lost in the flames. With every step, a burned body. A miserable sight for a people who just wanted to live.
Hiroshi noticed something interesting: recent footprints of about 30 people leaving, probably less than a day's journey. There were recently extinguished campfires. His intelligence level gave him quick deductions. Not everything was punch and blood.
In the notes, the Leper King gave bonuses for children. Could the footprints be from children from the village who were taken? Perhaps.
Hiroshi explained the situation to Luna. Her gaze changed. She wanted to help and was willing to give her life for it. She lost everything, and she understood the children better than he did.
"Kerchack, if you're listening, I hope you're well, my friend. I'm here if you need me." There was no answer, but Hiroshi wanted to give his support.
Trying to go as fast as possible, Luna rode on his back while he used the Dragon's power to run faster and have more stamina.
After three hours of running, he noticed that the footprints had stopped. They were probably erased. There was a tracker who had joined the kidnappers.
"Damn! What do I do?", Hiroshi looked up. The sun was too strong, hindering his view. From afar, a hawk soared in the sky.
He didn't know why, but Hiroshi felt he should whistle and, somehow, ask the animal for help.
Surprising everyone, the hawk came and landed on Hiroshi's arm, seeming intimate, old friends.
"Wow, I feel like I've known you for so long. Could you help me?"
The hawk just nodded its beak, a clear sign of confirmation, which shocked Luna and Hiroshi even more.
"I'm trying to locate a group of over 30 people, mostly children, by the footprints. Please, Mr. Beaky, I need help."
> **Hawk:** Name Beaky (Named by Hiroshi)
>
> **HIDDEN Status obtained:** Charisma 50 (BOND WITH ANIMALS)
>
> **ULTRA RARE Skill** (0.00000001% of the population has this skill)
>
> **Quest unlocked:** Beaky, Friend.
>
> **Develop bond 5**
>
> **Rewards:** Hawk Sword (increases agility +10, dexterity + 10, in addition to obtaining the Sacred Flight sword technique)
"My God, what is all this? Damn, Beaky, you bring me luck, thank you, friend." A warm laugh and a stroke on his head.
Beaky flew off in search of the children. He was fast and quick. In minutes, he found the group and informed Hiroshi, who cut through the forest.
## 4. The Attack and the Sacrifice
Less than an hour later, he arrived at the location. There were tents set up and carts with bars and children inside, mostly women and some men. Soldiers with the golden tree symbol on their chests.
"Bastards," Hiroshi noticed the look of anger in Luna's eyes.
There was a skilled swordsman that Hiroshi noticed among the soldiers and a tracker with a black cloak, daggers on his hips, and knives on his legs. There were 10 soldiers in total and 30 children.
Hiroshi attacked along with Luna.
The battle began. For Hiroshi, it was easy. He was a brute force machine, channeling the draconic power. His punches were explosions, and the **Death Breath** was a cold mist that disintegrated the common soldiers.
For Luna, it was difficult. She was agile, but weak. Hiroshi was always by her side, teaching her: "Don't look at the sword, look at the body! The body lies, but the intention doesn't!"
The swordsman and the tracker were the real challenge.
| **Enemy Status** | Swordsman (Captain Lira) | Tracker (Shadow) |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Estimated Level:** | 15 | 12 |
| **Class:** | Master Swordsman | Assassin |
| **Strength:** | 18 | 10 |
| **Agility:** | 15 | 20 |
| **Stamina:** | 12 | 10 |
Captain Lira, the swordsman, was a whirlwind of steel. His sword sang in the air, forcing Hiroshi to use his hardened skin as a shield. The Tracker, Shadow, was a shadow. He moved with incredible agility, throwing poisoned daggers that Hiroshi could barely dodge.
The fight was difficult. Hiroshi was taking a beating, at a tactical disadvantage. Lira used deep cutting techniques, aiming for the joints. Shadow used Lira's distraction to get close and attempt quick, lethal blows.
Hiroshi took a kick to the stomach that made him cough up blood. Lira took advantage of the opening and struck a blow to the head. Hiroshi blocked with his forearm, feeling the impact that threw him to the ground.
"You're strong, but you have no technique, worm!", Lira shouted.
At that moment, the Tracker Shadow saw Luna, who was trying to free the children. He threw a poisoned dagger.
The dagger hit Luna in the back. She screamed and fell.
Hiroshi saw the blood. Luna's scream. The image of Bella crucified.
The fury exploded.
Kerchack roared in his mind, but this time, Hiroshi didn't resist. He unleashed the bloodlust. Black lightning surrounded his body.
He stood up, his skin scaly and dark. He used a new technique, a punch that concentrated all the draconic energy.
The punch hit the Tracker Shadow's chest, exploding him into a cloud of flesh and bones.
Captain Lira tried to flee, one of his legs broken by the impact of the explosion. But Hiroshi walked slowly towards him. Lira begged for mercy.
Hiroshi didn't listen. He exploded Lira's chest with a final punch.
## 5. The New Reality
After the battle, Hiroshi used his potions to heal Luna. She was fine, the dagger had not hit a vital spot.
The children were saved. Hiroshi wrote a letter to Noc Village, asking for someone to come on horseback to pick up the children.
They were saved, but Hiroshi understood the new reality. The more he used Kerchack's power, the more brutal he became. To save people, Hiroshi sacrificed his humanity.
***
**END OF CHAPTER 9**