CHAPTER 65: TO HUNT

The feel of the hot rays of the scorching afternoon sun on my skin is such a delightful feeling.

The way it sprinkles on my skin— I can’t help but adore it.

I’m standing, my head’s raised up— facing toward the sun. My eyes are closed as I embrace the sunlight.

I’ve done it.

The weight of the braces on my wrists— I can withstand them to a certain degree now.

Now I stand, listening to the tender hymns and the sweet whispers of the wind while enjoying the feel of the rays of sunlight.

The wind whispers again, directly into my ears; "K’s coming."

I immediately open my eyes and my neck flickers toward K’s direction.

He’s walking slowly, coming from the gate.

I can’t walk, and I can’t run. The braces on my ankles hold me back. But I can at least stand up now.

I can’t lift my hands up though. I just hold them steady by my side.

It’s like I’m balanced. Like I’m in a state of absolute equilibrium. And I have to stay this way or else I’ll fall.

K’s long sword’s on his shoulder, and his eyes are widened slightly as he stares at me.

My lips stretch to the extreme, painting my face with a satisfied smile.

"You’re standing?" He asks with a low voice.

I chuckle softly, then I nod, "I am."

He scoffs, "cheeky brat.." he whispers, but his wide grin is still plastered on his lips. "Today’s the day, Blank. I hope you didn’t forget?"

"I didn’t. I’m hunting a Pirantroph in the beast terrains on my own today." I reply.

"Good. I’ve helped you long enough. It’s been three weeks. You should be able to hunt on your own by now." He speaks gently as he motions toward the corner of the courtyard where wooden training dummies are piled up. He throws his sword there.

"Yes you have, K. And I’m grateful." I reply.

"Oh.." he pauses, "Haha! You’re changing, kid. That’s good. To think you that you can thank me. And now you aren’t running mad with hunger anymore, huh. That’s right, slowly, learn how to tame the hunger."

What’s he even saying this time? Doesn’t he remember the fact that he beat the madness out of me?

Grrrrr!

My belly rings, the barely sealed hunger threatening to surface.

I think he heard that one.

He lets out a soft sigh as he removes his wrist braces.

Boom!

The first one cracks the ground as it lands.

Boom!

The second one follows, leaving web-like cracks on the ground.

He rolls his two wrists, and they make crack sounds.

He then takes off the golden lace tying his white robe. His robe loosens, showing his bare chest and abs.

He takes the robe off and throws them at the spot where he threw his sword.

He’s now wearing only black pants. He looks at me for a second, then looks away. And he hides a smile with his thumb as he brushes his lips with the same thumb.

He takes off the braces around his biceps. And the same thing that happened with the earlier braces happens again.

He leaves the braces on his thighs and ankles, and he bends low.

And he starts doing push-ups.

What are you doing, K? Right now?

"One.. two.." he mutters as he continues doing push-ups with only one hand.

"Kid, go. Go bring back our dinner for the week." He speaks in a low voice.

"I know, it’s already been established. But, first, the braces?" I ask.

But he pays no attention to me, "thirty five.. thirty six.. take them off on your own. You must know how to do so by now after watching me all this while."

"Ah! You’re right!" I exclaim, "but one problem, genius. I can’t move my hands!" I yell.

"Fifty six.. did you raise your voice at–"

"You imagined that."

"Hmm. Find a way. And go! You must be hungry by now. So find a way to remove your braces, and bring us food! Sixty nine.."

He’s gonna be doing this until tomorrow morning, isn’t he?

I turn my gaze away from him, and down to my two hands struggling to stay steady by my sides.

How do I do this?

"Hmm," I muse. If my hands were not busy, right now, I’d be caressing my jaw.

I just have to find a way to get the pins off. That’s the only way to take the braces off.

Can I bite it off with my teeth? Yes, I’d do that.

But, how do I bite it off? Bend down?

Fwoosh! A wind slicing sound pierces through the air.

Ching!

The pin of the brace on my right wrist falls off, and the brace falls out of my wrist.

"You’re wasting too much time. Take the other one off, and the ones on your leg, and go. One hundred and fifty five.." K mutters.

What was that? What the hell did he throw? Wait. He’s still counting? That means he didn’t throw anything. Then what the hell was that?

Immediately my right hand frees up, I remove all the braces on me.

A soft exhale leaves my lips as I roll my shoulders and crack my fists.

Then I jump up— high in the air, and land. "Now, that’s what I’m talking about."

It feels different.

"Go. And remember, don’t use spells. Catch a Pirantroph, preferably a large one— with only your bare hands and raw strength. Do NOT use any spells. Trust me, I’d know if you do use any spells." He speaks with a blunt tone.

Why don’t you just tell me to kill myself.

"I know, K. You’ve said it before." I speak as I turn to face the wooden gate— preparing to head out.

"Two hundred and.. And remember, the path to the terrains is by the left, not the right. Right leads to Ludia, left leads to the terrains. Remember. Left. Left!"

"Alright! I’ve heard already!" I yell as I walk toward the gate.

I quicken my pace. I don’t want him to suddenly come hit me for raising my voice.

As I open the gate, he whispers behind me;

"Don’t go back to Ludia."

I nod. And I walk away.

I always finish whatever I start. I’m not going to run away.