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Chapter 45: Where the Secret Smiles… and Power Rises Without Permission
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Zokimoshi approached with staggering steps, his body looking like a painting split in half; one side moving with determination, while the other seemed to refuse cooperation, swaying like a puppet that survived a losing battle.
Kazo:
(What… how did you wake up?)
With the sound of slow metal scraping, Zokimoshi pulled his sword from its sheath with visible difficulty, raising it toward Kazo. His hand trembled, but his eye held a primitive stubbornness.
Zokimoshi:
(Do not underestimate my body… that came from the wild.)
Kazo fixed his gaze directly into Zokimoshi's eyes, a calm look carrying hidden provocation.
Kazo:
(And why are you pointing your sword at me?)
A short silence… then an answer that didn't fit the situation at all.
Zokimoshi:
(I don't know… I think it's a dramatic effect.)
Kazo raised an eyebrow with slight sarcasm.
Kazo:
(I know you're stupid, but I didn't know you understood drama.)
Zokimoshi sighed, as if saving his energy for something more important.
Zokimoshi:
(Alright, save your words.)
He began raising his left hand upward with difficulty, then lowering it, repeating the motion, trying to move his left leg as if his body needed to be reminded how to function.
Zokimoshi:
(Just wait… a little… and I'll make… my body return as it was.)
Without paying him much attention, Kazo turned toward Rinion and started walking.
Kazo:
(Rinion, follow me. And I don't care about that, Zokimoshi.)
Kazo walked away, but his eyes flickered with slight surprise, as if he noticed something he wasn't ready to admit yet.
They walked a little, then suddenly stopped. Kazo looked at the ground with focus.
Kazo:
(I think it's here.)
He raised his head toward Rinion, his voice shifting into a strict training tone.
Kazo:
(Hands will emerge from the ground and try to grab you, but don't let them catch you. Avoid them, and don't use your brain. This training will help you focus on flying without thinking.
Alright… start.)
He stepped on the ground, and a small part of it sank downward, as if the place responded to a command.
Kazo stepped back slowly, and the ground began to split in small sections, opening and closing like a mouth testing its prey.
Rinion:
(Wait, I'm not ready.)
But the ground didn't wait.
Hands began emerging—fast, twisted, as if they already knew their path.
Rinion tried to avoid them, but her speed was lacking. She barely avoided a few, and every failed attempt was a harsh lesson.
Kazo (thinking):
(I want someone to watch her. I want to go there… I have an idea.)
He headed toward Zokimoshi, his voice now suddenly serious.
Kazo:
(Zokimoshi, you're responsible now. Watch this girl, guardian… and don't take your eyes off her.)
Zokimoshi quickly raised his hand to his forehead instinctively.
Zokimoshi:
(Yes, sir! But what is a guardian, and what is responsible?)
Kazo:
(Just watch. No questions.)
Zokimoshi:
(Understood.)
Kazo began walking toward the stairs, while Zokimoshi stared at his own hand, wondering silently:
"Why did I raise my hand?"
Kazo climbed the stairs, then looked behind him with clear tension.
Kazo:
(No one can see me now. I must finish the mission quickly… it's extremely dangerous.)
He swallowed hard, sweat dripping from his forehead. He leaned against the wall, looked around carefully, then placed his hand on it… and a small part sank inward.
Suddenly, a hidden door opened.
Kazo quickly entered, grabbed binoculars, and began looking.
In the living room, a painting moved aside, revealing his eye beneath it as he scanned the area… no one.
Kazo:
(Good. No one's there.)
He exited, pressed the wall again, closing the door, then went up to the living room.
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Scene 2 — Living Room
He began crawling along the wall like a ninja, looking around with childish fear until he reached a cabinet containing weapons.
He touched it from below—it moved aside, revealing a hole underneath.
Kazo jumped in, and the cabinet returned to its place.
He slid through long, twisting pipes that stretched forward, then curved upward, then dropped downward…
This continued for about a full minute, before he finally fell onto a pile of stuffed bears.
His expression instantly changed to pure happiness.
Kazo:
(I've arrived.)
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Scene 3 — The Secret Room
A room flooded with stuffed dolls.
Cabinets full of dolls, a doll pool, a doll bed, walls and ceiling covered in dolls… everything… dolls.
Kazo jumped onto the bed, began playing like a child, swimming among them while laughing.
Kazo:
(I missed you, Flovo, Blobbo, Moko, Shinko, Girko, Hoko…)
He started naming each bear one by one.
Then he grabbed two bears and began playing.
Kazo (raising one slightly):
(How are you today, Mr. Flovo?)
Kazo:
(I'm fine, Mr. Blobbo. Would you like some tea?)
Kazo:
(Yes, Mr. Flovo, I would love to have some.)
Hours passed… while on the other side, Kiyora and Rinion were struggling with their training.
In the evening, Kazo grabbed the wall, and the entire ceiling turned transparent as he looked into the living room.
Kazo:
(Lucky me… no one's there.)
He returned through the pipes, climbed up to the ceiling, the cabinet moved aside, he came out, and it returned to its place.
Kazo:
(Yes… like this, no one will know.)
Suddenly—
Nero (from behind him):
(Dad, where were you? We were looking for you—we even had lunch without you.)
Kazo immediately tensed, turned around, and began sweating.
He closed his eyes and said nervously:
Kazo:
(Nothing… I was just standing here looking at the cabinet. And it would be weird if I said there's a room underground.)
He opened his eyes and thought:
They said they ate… does that mean Kiyora ate? Also, why didn't I see her standing here???!
He ran quickly, went down, reached Kiyora, grabbed his mouth and forced it open.
Kazo:
(I told you—no food until you finish your training… spit out everything you ate.)
Kiyora:
(Wait, stop! I didn't eat anything. I've been here the whole time.)
Kazo stood up and examined him.
Kazo:
(It seems you're not tired… and I don't believe you.)
Kiyora:
(That's because I rested, and I swear I didn't eat anything.)
Kazo:
(Alright. How many times did you lift the rock?)
Kiyora (smiling):
(I'm almost done. I reached 7,759… just a little left.)
Kazo:
(What? That fast? Night hasn't even fallen yet, and you're almost finished.)
Kiyora:
(Yes.)
Kazo (coldly):
(Alright, listen. You have about 2,241 left, and I know you're lying. So as punishment, you must do 5,000 more lifts. That means you must complete 7,241.)
Kiyora:
(I swear I'm not lying. I really reached 7,759.)
Meanwhile…
Rinion felt something strange.
Rinion:
(Maybe… that's it.)
A hand emerged from the ground—but she felt it before it touched her. She quickly moved away.
Rinion:
(It really is… that.)
She shouted:
Rinion:
(I've completed the training!)
But her eyes were hiding something.
Kazo looked at her and thought:
(What kind of students are these?… I feel jealous… yet I feel happy because they're progressing at an incredible speed.)
As for Rinion, inside her, happiness mixed with deep sadness:
(I didn't realize I would obtain it… I did it… I did it… I did it…)
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To be continued…