Kai let out a loud laugh, clutching his stomach after hearing Ijin Man proudly declare, "A king's heart and two fists!"
Ijin raised a confused eyebrow, staring at Kai with a mix of disappointment and disbelief. "You really think you're in any position to laugh at the man who just saved your life?" he said flatly.
Kai smirked, tilting his head with a playful shrug. "Yeah, maybe I owe you my life… but that's it. Nothing else."
"Nothing else?! Brat, who do you think you are!?" Ijin shouted, puffing his chest like a lion. His red cape flared dramatically behind him from the gust of wind caused by his passion.
Kai simply turned his head the other way with a scoff.
Ijin sighed deeply and sat near the fire. "How'd you end up like this anyway?"
Kai's fists clenched tightly. His teeth ground together with frustration. "That damn Oliver…" he muttered. "I trusted him."
There was a long pause.
"Why… does this always happen to me?" Kai whispered. "Judas, Oliver… I gave them my all. My friendship was never fake. And in the end… they all betrayed me." His voice cracked. "What mistake did I ever make?"
Tears shimmered in his eyes. He blinked rapidly, trying to hide it.
Ijin looked at him, then stood with fierce energy. He clenched his fist, brought it to his chest, and declared,
"THAT'S WHAT HEROES ARE FOR!
When you've lost trust in yourself… there's always a hero standing — flying in the sky, watching over your pitiful self.
Not so you can trust him… but so you can have faith in him."
Kai looked up. "Old man, you didn't have to be so damn lame."
Ijin twitched. "Wha— Lame?! I give you the most heroic speech of your life, and you—! Ahem! AHEM!" He quickly composed himself. "Kai, my two divine heroic eyes can no longer bear to see your pitiful self.
From tomorrow, we begin training. Not just to fight — but to become a hero you can believe in.
And training starts at 4 a.m. sharp."
Kai's face dropped. He grumbled but didn't protest.
Next Morning
BANG! BANG! The cave thundered with sound.
Kai groaned awake to see Ijin looming over him. "You're five minutes late. That's 500 push-ups."
"Seriously—!?"
"No excuses!"
Kai dropped and began.
"One… two…"
Weeks Passed.
Every day began at 4 a.m. Sharp training. Grueling workouts, meditation, sword swings, forest runs.
As the sunset painted the sky, the cave filled with the comforting aroma of simple soup and warm bread.
The cave, with its flickering firelight and stone walls, slowly began to feel… like home.
Kai stared into the flames one evening, the bowl in his hands.
"A person like me… with no home… still wishes for one."
He sighed quietly, stood, and went to wash by the nearby river.
Returning with wet hair, he sat down and devoured the bread and soup like a beggar who hadn't eaten in days.
Within minutes, he drifted off into peaceful sleep.
This routine continued for a month. For the first time in a long while, Kai smiled without force.
"If only I could stay here forever…"
He paused.
"But that's not possible. I have a goal I must achieve… no matter what."
A Sudden Attack
"Stop slacking!" Ijin barked one evening, noticing Kai's dazed stare. Kai sighed and resumed push-ups.
Just then—
WHOOSH! An arrow narrowly missed him.
Kai rolled instinctively, eyes wide. A horde of arrows rained down.
Ijin's eyes glowed—Zyre Gear 3: Perception.
He closed his eyes and murmured, "Ten archers. One… Spirit Archer. Gear 3 Zyre user."
Ijin shoved Kai aside. "Run, kid! Save your life! I've already lived too much. This is where it ends."
Kai stood frozen. "I… I don't want to—"
"GO!" Ijin roared. "I'm old. I've had my heroic moments. Let me die like a hero.
You have your whole life. You're a rising star. Live it to the fullest."
Kai shook his head, tears breaking free. "No… I won't leave you!"
From above, the spirit archer called out, "Kill the boy."
A flurry of arrows launched.
But Ijin moved—blinding speed—intercepting every arrow with his own body.
Blood sprayed.
"Ijin!" Kai screamed.
Ijin, coughing blood, pulled Kai close.
"Change your name. You're being hunted by Divitae.
Go to the Alcricia Empire's eastern gate. There's a secret wall. It'll lead you to the Asylum of Divinity.
You'll have to pass the trials… but you'll be safe."
Kai cried, "Don't talk! Save your strength!"
But Ijin smiled.
"One last thing. Your sword, Ivar—it changes form based on your emotions.
It's rare… precious. Never let go of it."
With that… his eyes closed.
A final breath.
"Ijin…?"
Kai's scream echoed through the forest.
End of Chapter 18