Chapter 5: Reckless Daring

"...It's fascinating the more I see it. This world."

 

Holding something steaming in my right hand, I looked around the village.

 

Dozens of very small bears made of fire, with a warmth like hot water, were moving about helping people.

 

Sometimes they threw themselves into firewood to kindle flames, and sometimes they offered their bodies to children shivering from the cold night air to share warmth.

 

This warm, bread-like thing was also just handed to me by one of those bears.

 

After briefly gazing at the bread, I shifted my gaze to the side.

 

The sun was rising.

 

Rising to withdraw the night's veil stained with despair and evaporate the dawn dew mixed with blood, the standard and symbol of morning's arrival.

 

The hazy moon disappeared, and the fierce sun filled its place.

 

And something leaned against my shoulder.

 

It was Giyeon, asleep with ragged breaths, perhaps exhausted.

 

...She did struggle all night without sleep.

 

Carefully laying Giyeon's body on the soft grass, I turned my gaze back to the bears.

 

Channeling internal energy into my ears, I heard voices from here and there calling the bears helping people the 'Stove God'.

 

Stove God. The god of the hearth?

 

I shoved the bread in my hand into my mouth as I searched my memory.

 

A hot, spicy fragrance assaulted my tongue, igniting fire as it went down my throat.

 

"Kgh! Cough!"

 

It wasn't even that spicy, but caught off guard, I coughed, expelling the fiery energy.

 

Gah... stings.

 

Massaging my throat, I recalled.

 

Bear-like appearance. Illuminated beast that controls fire. Stove God.

 

Could it be?

 

...Nurungji? Marchosius?

 

Startled, I raised my head to look at the small Stove Gods.

 

Perhaps noticing my gaze, one small Stove God turned its head.

 

When our eyes met, a strange energy surged towards me.

 

A warm fire energy imbued with warmth.

 

...Marchosius was a deity particularly benevolent towards humans.

 

I lowered my head again and shoved the remaining steamed bun into my mouth.

 

Still, thinking about it again, it's a pity. Although it was just a minor precursor, I clearly saw the form of a technique.

 

Recalling the form of the technique I had seen, I closed my eyes.

 

As expected. It's experience. What I absolutely lack is experience.

 

Once my 'internal energy' recovers to some extent, my lacking 'spirit' and 'body'—the mind and physique among spirit, energy, and body—should also find balance and grow together. So, accumulating experience to grow my energy is the top priority.

 

But there's a problem.

 

'Energy' here means skill.

 

...I'm not a grandmaster; am I supposed to create martial arts?

 

Sighing, I chewed and swallowed the last piece of steamed bun.

 

Food made by someone else is truly the most delicious.

 

It's so convenient when someone makes it for you.

 

...Wait a moment.

 

Made by someone else?

 

Right. Do I really need to create it myself?

 

My mind certainly retains memories of wuxia novels.

 

So, I just need to adapt the martial arts within them to suit me!

 

With a realization that sent a thrilling shiver through my mind, I inwardly cheered and adjusted my posture, sitting cross-legged.

 

The start must begin with the most basic of basics.

 

Only a tree with wide, sturdy roots can endlessly stretch upward.

 

Therefore, the sword technique I shall choose...

 

"You're in meditation. Wouldn't it be better to come later, Subduer of Demons?"

 

"What nonsense, Ganyu. The Lord of Geo, the Stove God, and Guizhong are waiting. We must bring him as soon as possible."

 

...Oh dear.

 

They won't give me time to train.

 

I eventually opened my eyes and rose from my spot.

 

There was a somewhat familiar face.

 

Ganyu. And...

 

"Hmm. Are you that 'peculiar human'?"

 

...Peculiar human, huh.

 

Well. It's better than an illuminated beast. At least it's human.

 

A woman dressed in jade-colored clothes resembling a bird's form stood beside Ganyu.

 

Probably... the Subduer of Demons?

 

A beauty so great that if I were an ordinary man, I'd be mesmerized by two beautiful flowers, unable to answer, just staring blankly at their faces.

 

But my spirit, worn down over 80 years, merely made a martial salute and bowed my head.

 

"This lowly one is named Gawain. I pay my respects to the adeptus."

 

"...It's fortunate you're a human who knows etiquette."

 

I raised my head again, picked up the sword lying on the ground, and fastened it at my waist.

 

"Follow. The Lord of Geo and Guizhong wish to see you."

 

"Understood."

 

The Lord of Geo wouldn't kill an innocent human, presumably.

 

It should be safe, so following shouldn't be a problem.

 

Obediently answering, I walked forward, and the Subduer of Demons's expression twisted slightly.

 

However, it didn't seem to be out of displeasure.

 

"...Truly peculiar, just as you said, Ganyu."

 

"Right?"

 

Ganyu and the Subduer of Demons turned around and began to walk very slowly.

 

Boringly so.

 

"I appreciate the consideration, but you may move faster. I can keep up with that much."

 

Eventually, I cautiously spoke, and the Subduer of Demons frowned.

 

"Are you saying a human can keep up with an adeptus's speed?"

 

...That's the normal perspective. Humans and adepti are beings on different planes.

 

But I, too, have long departed from the category of 'ordinary human'.

 

"It may be slow, but I will strive to keep up."

 

"...Hmm. Fine. Try to follow as best you can."

 

With those final words, the Subduer of Demons wrapped wind around herself.

 

It resembled a jade crane ascending to heaven.

 

Witnessing the Subduer of Demons ascending, clinging to tremendous wind, I felt something surge into my mind.

 

It was a thunderbolt-like realization.

 

An ordinary human probably wouldn't have seen it, but to my eyes, the speed was sufficiently visible.

 

"I'm sorry. The Subduer of Demons isn't accustomed to dealing with humans..."

 

"It's... fine..."

 

Constantly replaying the scene in my mind, I stretched my foot forward.

 

Before flying up, the Subduer of Demons clearly 'stepped' on 'empty air'.

 

Wind gathered to form a foothold, and that foothold became solid ground, supporting the Subduer of Demons.

 

My foot stopped in the empty air.

 

"Like... this."

 

I pushed internal energy.

 

And drew the surrounding energy beneath my foot.

 

Instantly, a feeling of my body becoming as light as a feather swept through me.

 

And my foot.

 

Tap.

 

Stepped on. Empty air.

 

"...?!"

 

Seeing me standing in the empty air, Ganyu's eyes widened, and she spoke with her mouth agape.

 

"How...?"

 

...As expected. What I need is experience.

 

A footwork technique like this should have been internalized long ago after undergoing the transformation, but I'm only learning it now.

 

Looking at my foot planted in the empty air, I pondered.

 

But my pondering was soon interrupted by the Void-Stepping technique that came undone.

 

...It's not perfect yet. But I saw a precursor.

 

Experience. What I ultimately need is experience!

 

"...Let's depart. We've been delayed."

 

"...Ah! Of course."

 

Ganyu soon began running to chase the Subduer of Demons, who had already gone far.

 

As expected of an adeptus. Even ordinary running produces such speed.

 

Lamenting the inherent difference, I stepped forward.

 

The essence of the Void-Stepping technique I just grasped melded into my footwork, honed by stepping on stone.

 

Soon, I began shooting forward at tremendous speed.

 

A leap like an arrow being shot.

 

...!

 

It changed.

 

I could feel with my whole body that even the speed was different.

 

My foot landed, but the small grasses only swayed slightly without breaking.

 

Grass Gliding... was being used even without conscious effort.

 

If I internalize it a little more and gain experience, I might be able to use Void-Walking beyond Void-Stepping!

 

I took another step forward!

 

With the joy of discovering something new, I smiled and ran.

 

"...Eek!"

 

The strong wind I created while running made Ganyu stagger slightly.

 

And the distance to the Subduer of Demons began to close rapidly.

 

The Subduer of Demons, perhaps sensing the changed air flow even while flying, glanced back.

 

"...Hah!"

 

Seeing me chasing at a fierce speed, she let out a hollow laugh.

 

"You. Are you really human?!"

 

I answered the question not with words but with my body.

 

Increasing my speed even more.

 

The vast Guili Plains.

 

In those vast Guili Plains, two beings were charging, tearing the wind apart left and right.

 

I soon caught up with the Subduer of Demons, and we ran side by side across the Guili Plains.

 

"Impressive!"

 

The Subduer of Demons looked at me with genuine admiration.

 

"We'll arrive soon, so gradually slow down."

 

"Understood."

 

The wind blew with a tremendous sound but couldn't interrupt the conversation between me and the Subduer of Demons.

 

Gradually reducing my speed, I saw a large table existing beyond the Guili Plains.

 

Quite a few people were seated around the enormous table.

 

And...

 

The closer I got.

 

I felt a tremendous energy pressing down on me.

 

And as soon as I, sensing something strange, came to an immediate stop.

 

The gazes of all seated around that table gathered upon me.

 

When the gazes of the others fell upon me, I could endure it somehow.

 

But when the two beings seated at the head of the table looked at me.

 

...Good grief.

 

I drew a sharp breath and momentarily reached for my waist.

 

But soon coming to my senses, I returned my hand to its original position.

 

And moments later, Ganyu arrived, breathing heavily with ragged breaths.

 

"Ganyu. Is that human truly the 'peculiar human' you spoke of?"

 

"Yes. I have confirmed it, Xiao Yue."

 

A man reminiscent of red somewhere asked, and the Subduer of Demons answered.

 

"What did you confirm?"

 

"He could match my speed."

 

"...A human, you say?"

 

Xiao Yue... meaning Xiao Yue, the Deer of Solar Essence?

 

Xiao Yue, the Deer of Solar Essence, looked at me with eyes filled with wariness.

 

"Whether he is human or not, it's problematic."

 

"...I find myself agreeing with you for the first time in a while."

 

"So you think so too, Li Shu."

 

Li Shu. Meaning Li Shu, the Mountain-Folding Stag?

 

"Blind suspicion isn't good. Having power doesn't automatically make one evil."

 

"Jia Zhen is right. Moreover, no matter how strong he seems, could he be stronger than me, Xiao Suo, the Sky-Soaring Falcon?"

 

"I didn't mean it that way, so don't agree like that, Xiao Suo..."

 

Jia Zhen, the Wolf of the Western Winds, and Xiao Suo, the Sky-Soaring Falcon... I see.

 

Feeling my head grow faint, I slowly shifted my gaze.

 

Marchosius, the fire-igniting one I saw earlier.

 

The woman with a mysterious aura, still silently watching me with an enigmatic smile.

 

The man wearing a white hood looked at me with golden eyes.

 

"What is your name?"

 

As the white-hooded man spoke, the adepti, who had been speaking amongst themselves, fell silent in an instant.

 

As always, I made a martial salute and bowed my head.

 

"This lowly one is named Gawain. I pay my respects to the great Lord of Geo, Rex Lapis, the Stove God, and the adepti."

 

Enduring the tingling in my brain, I gave my greetings.

 

Ever since meeting the Lord of Geo's eyes, the crown of my head where the Baihui point is located had been pulsating and tingling madly.

 

As if trying to tell me something.

 

"...Hmm. It seems he is one who knows etiquette."

 

As Xiao Suo, the Sky-Soaring Falcon, nodded and murmured, everyone present nodded as if in silent agreement.

 

"Right. Gawain. The reason I call you thus is to establish a contract."

 

...A contract?

 

"Will you make a contract with me and protect the people of the Guili settlement?"

 

For a moment, I desperately spun my dazed mind.

 

The Lord of Geo is proposing a contract to me?

 

...But I need to train.

 

Even training is insufficient time to see the next realm.

 

"Of course. It's not a request without compensation."

 

Perhaps noticing my hesitation, Guizhong interjected.

 

"Tell us what you desire. A contract is something both sides should be satisfied with."

 

"...Right. This is such a contract."

 

As the Lord of Geo nodded in permission.

 

Crack!

 

"...Kgh?!"

 

Once again, something like lightning surged up in my mind.

 

A precursor.

 

A precursor!

 

Without realizing it, my mouth opened.

 

"...A stone spear."

 

"What did you say?"

 

The Subduer of Demons, who had been quietly beside me, asked back in surprise.

 

But not wanting to miss the precursor of enlightenment surging from my mind, I opened my mouth again.

 

"Please throw one of your stone spears at me, Lord of Geo. I will endure it. That is all I ask."

 

Silence descended.

 

"Ha..."

 

And Xiao Suo, the Sky-Soaring Falcon, was the first to open his mouth.

 

"Hahahahahahaha!!!"

 

He burst into laughter.

 

"A peculiar human, you say? He's just a mad human!"

 

The other adepti were looking at me as if seeing something bizarre, and the Lord of Geo, perhaps slightly taken aback, was looking at me with eyes slightly widened.

 

"...Hmm. We called you to recruit you, not to kill you. Have you no other conditions?"

 

Guizhong asked, smiling as if amused.

 

I shook my head.

 

"I apologize. But I desire that."

 

"Why?"

 

Guizhong asked, seeming genuinely curious.

 

"I wish to realize. That is all."

 

"Realize what?"

 

"...I wish to realize my martial arts."

 

"Even if you die?"

 

"Even if I die."

 

I answered with blazing eyes.

 

"If I can realize it. It doesn't matter."

 

Guizhong's expression brightened even more.

 

"An interesting human. Morax? Can you do it?"

 

"...I have no intention of killing an innocent human."

 

"It's a contract, right? And this human named Gawain seems to desire it? Moreover... he doesn't seem like he'll die easily! I'll intervene if it gets dangerous!"

 

Someone advised Morax, who was pondering while looking at me.

 

"I also recommend you grant his request, my lord."

 

"Xiao Suo. Why so?"

 

"Hmm... Regardless, you intend to recruit him, correct? To use him in battle, you must know his strengths and weaknesses to deploy him appropriately."

 

"...Right. It is a 'contract'. I shall uphold it."

 

Rising from his seat, the Lord of Geo spoke to me.

 

"Then let us first relocate. This place is close to the Guili settlement and could cause damage."