Navi sat on top of a dead likha, his clothes smeared with dirt and blood, sword still in hand, eyes fixed on the sunset.
"Exhausting day…" he muttered.
From a distance, someone shouted, "Get that thing out of here already!"
"Mind your own business!" Navi snapped back.
I can't even take a break, he muttered.
He sighed, stood up, and prepared to lift the dead creature onto his back.
"Ughh! Why is this so heavy?"
Struggling, he carried the dead likha through the road. People stared — not with pride, but with annoyance and cold disgust.
"Move faster, you bad luck!" someone yelled.
Navi shot them a tired, silly glance. "The hell did I do?" he muttered, then shouted, "Shut the hell up!"
After a while, he reached a small shop. Breathing heavily, he dropped the likha at the doorstep and pushed the door open.
"Good day, sir — or night, whatever! I'm here to sell this likha. I'm thinking maybe… five silver for this one!" Navi said loudly.
The shop owner frowned and walked over, clicking his tongue.
"Tsk. The body's full of stab wounds. This type of likha rots faster — I'll take it for one silver."
"What!?" Navi protested.
"Listen, kid. I've told you many times. Don't stab it over and over — finish it with one clean blow!"
"But this one was fast!" Navi argued.
"I don't care! You're a sandata, you should know how to kill a likha properly! What, your grandpa didn't teach you that? One silver. Take it or bury it."
"Tsk… Fine," Navi grumbled. "Just give me the payment."
He took the single silver coin and walked out of the shop, frustrated.
"Does he even know how hard it is to kill a likha? If only I've listen to my grandpa and mastered the sword style Grandpa taught me, I'd kill them easily. I'm the only sandata on this island — he should be grateful," he muttered bitterly as he walked down the street.
He bumped into a hooded man. "Oh, sorry!" Navi said. The man didn't reply — just looked at him briefly before walking away.
"Huh…" Navi whispered.
Later, he bought five fish and a loaf of bread. When he reached his small house near the forest, a howl greeted him.
"Ohh, Sigil! Did I make you wait long? Don't worry, here's your food!" he said to his dog.
The dog licked Navi's wounds.
"It's okay, just scratches," Navi said. "I heal faster than normal people anyway."
He lay down on his bed as Sigil climbed onto his stomach.
"Ohh, you wanna hear about my day, Sigil?"
The dog barked and wagged its tail.
"Of course, of course! Hehe. So, I fought a big likha earlier. It scratched me a little, but y'know… I was strong, so I killed it. Saved the city once again and—"
He kept talking until he slowly drifted off to sleep.
The Next Day
The sun was almost set. Navi prepared for another hunt, sword slung across his back, and headed into the forest.
Hours passed with no sign of a likha. He decided to rest under a tree.
Suddenly — a massive paw struck him across the chest! The impact threw Navi through the air, and his sword flew from his grip.
"Agh!"
He looked up, stunned. "A bear!? no a likha bear!"
His sword lay behind the creature. The likha slowly advanced toward him. It lunged — Navi dodged, but its claws tore into his leg.
"Ahh!!!" he screamed, as pain shot through his body and blood soaked his clothes.
He crawled toward his sword, grabbed it, and raised it weakly. The likha charged again, pinning him to the ground. Navi jammed his scabbard into its jaws to block its bite.
His instinct screamed at him to stab wildly — but he remembered his grandfather's voice:
> "remember this, kid. if you're in the middle of a fight don't panic breath and coordinate your attacks"
That memory steadied him. He waited — focusing, breathing, finding the perfect moment.
Then, in one swift motion, he slashed.
The likha's head fell cleanly in half.
Navi pushed the heavy corpse aside. His vision blurred. A sharp pain burned in his abdomen — he was bleeding out. Darkness closed in.
The Dream
As he lost consciousness, memories flooded his mind.
"Grandpa, why do I have to learn a sword style? You won't even tell me our clan's name!"
"Because you have to," his grandfather, Seraphiel, said. "I'm already 151 years old, Navi. I won't be here forever. There will come a time when I'll—"
"Okay, okay, I'll train!" Navi interrupted.
Seraphiel chuckled. "Alright then, let's continue."
Later, exhausted and drenched in sweat, Navi sat beneath the fading sun. Seraphiel watched him with pity in his eyes.
"You need to be strong before leaving this island, Navi… I want you to avenge your parents. I want you to survive."
"But, Grandpa, you're strong! Why can't you avenge them yourself?"
"Haha… I'm old, Navi."
"Uhh… okay," Navi muttered. "But first, tell me — what clan are we really from?"
Seraphiel smiled faintly. "After you master our sword style, I might tell you."
BOOM—!
A thunderous explosion ripped through the air. Both of them looked toward the town in shock.
"What was that!?" Navi shouted.
Seraphiel's expression turned grave.
"Stay here, Navi—"
"No! I can fight! I'll help you!"
"No!" Seraphiel roared. "Just this once — listen to me!"
Navi looked down. "Please be careful, Grandpa…"
Seraphiel smiled softly. "I may be old, but I can take fifty likha at once. Don't worry,
child."
Navi watched as his grandfather's figure disappeared down the path toward the town.
He jolted awake, gasping for air.
"Huff… huff!"
Night had fallen. His wounds were nearly closed — only scars remained, faint but real. He was weak but alive.
"How long… was I out?" he whispered.
Navi looked at the dead likha beside him, sighed, and began to lift it onto his back once more, ready to walk to town — again.
He was exhausted—he nearly dropped the Likha.
"Oh, come on… just a few steps left…"
He pushed himself forward and finally reached the shop.
The moment he arrived, he pushed the door open—
—and collapsed to the ground.
The dead body of the Likha fell on top of him.
The shop owner was shocked and rushed over.
After a while, Navi woke up.
"…Where am I?"
He was lying on a bed.
He jolted upright and rushed outside—
then realized he was still inside the shop.
"Good morning, kid," the shop owner said.
"How long was I out?" Navi asked.
"Since you arrived here. A whole night."
Navi blinked.
"Your payment's right there. I'll buy it for 1 gold. You did good, kid."
"1 gold?! You serious?!"
"Yeah. Apparently the Likha you killed is rare—and definitely not supposed to be on this island. I don't know where you found it, but I'll take it."
Then Navi remembered something.
"Oh shit—I gotta go!"
He grabbed the gold and ran outside.
As he ran, he saw three men beating someone.
"Looks like they caught a thief or something…"
Then he looked closer.
"…A kid?!"
He rushed into the small alley and pushed one of the men aside.
"What the hell are you doing?!"
"Get the fuck out of here, kid," one of them said. "This one's a thief. Either we beat him, or we let the tanod cut off both his hands!"
"But we can't make him work without hands," another man laughed.
Navi frowned.
"…How much?"
"Huh?"
"I said, how much?"
"Three silver. What—you gonna be this thief's hero?"
"…Fine."
Navi paid them.
They left.
Navi helped the kid stand.
"T—thank you, ser…" the kid coughed.
"Yeah, don't worry about it. Just don't steal next time," Navi said. "Not a lot of people are willing to help a thief."
"Yes… thank you, ser."
"I can walk now… thank you again."
"Yeah. Don't steal, alright?"
"Yes, ser…"
Navi walked away to buy some food.
"I earned a lot today… I should treat myself."
He hurried home, wanting to feed his dog early.
The next day—
Navi was heading to town when someone called him.
"Hey, ser!"
Navi turned.
"Oh—you're the kid from yesterday. What is it?"
"So… you're the last Sandata on this island?"
"…Yeah."
"Please hire me, ser! I'll help you carry the Likha! I don't need payment—i just want to help and maybe learn how to hunt Please!"
Navi sighed.
"It's dangerous for you. You could get hurt—badly."
"I promise I won't be a problem! I'm good at hiding! I'll hide when you fight! Please, ser!"
"…Fine, fine."
"YES!!"
"Oh, by the way—I'm Ulap! What's your name, ser?"
"I'm Navi."
"Alright, Ser Navi!"
After buying what he needed, they headed to the forest.
Before entering, Navi stopped.
"Alright. If you want to stay in this job, you stay close to me and follow every command. Understand?"
"Yes, ser!!"
"Good."
They entered the forest.
After a while, they reached a cave.
"This is probably a nest. Weak Likha stay here. Stay close."
Navi drew his sword.
As they stepped inside—
five wild squirrel-like creatures attacked.
"Get down!" Navi shouted.
He quickly killed all five.
"Wow… they're bigger than normal animals…" Ulap muttered as he collected the remains.
"That's enough for today. Let's head back and sell it," Navi said.
On the way back—
"Alright, Ulap. Tell me about yourself. Why did you steal from those guys?"
Ulap looked down.
"I worked for them… I cleared the tall grass from their fence. When I asked for payment, they didn't pay me."
He paused.
"I didn't want to steal… but my sister is sick. I had no choice."
Navi's expression softened.
"…Where are your parents?"
"My mom left with her lover three years ago. A pirate."
"…And your dad?"
"He died two years ago. I'm the one feeding my siblings now."
Navi looked at him quietly.
"…What about you, Ser Navi? Do you have parents?"
"I never knew them. My grandpa said they died in a feudal war."
He paused.
"I grew up with my grandpa… but he died two years ago. During that enormous Likha attack."
Ulap's eyes widened.
"…So you're Seraphiel's grandson?"
Navi looked away.
"…Yeah."
"I'm sorry—"
Ulap shook his head.
"You know… I never blamed your grandpa. My father said he was a great man. I'm sure he had a reason not to lend his swords."
He clenched his fists.
"I blame the Likha. They're the reason my dad died… and so many others."
He looked at Navi.
"That's why I never understood why people hate you and your grandfather. He literally saved everyone."
Navi looked at him—
and smiled slightly.
"…Thank you for saying that."
Ulap nodded.
"Oh, by the way, ser… people say you used to look more serious before your grandpa died. They said you never looked sad again."
Navi frowned.
"Wait—who's saying that?"
"…I didn't believe it," Ulap added.
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah… because you have the same eyes as my mom."
He looked straight at Navi.
"You're not really happy, ser. You're pretending."
Navi looked away.
"…Oh, look—we're here."
He forced a laugh.
"Let's sell it."
They entered the shop.
"We've got some Likha!" Navi said. "Just average ones."
"Hey, Ulap," he whispered.
Ulap unpacked the bag and placed the five creatures on the counter.
The shop owner examined them.
"I'll take these for 50 copper."
"Alright!" Navi said.
"Wait, ser—that's not fair!" Ulap said.
"What?"
"50 copper isn't fair!"
The shop owner frowned.
"What are you talking about, kid?!"
"You should pay us 3 silver, not 50 copper!"
"What do you know about selling Likha, huh?!"
"Why don't you bring a book, and I'll prove it to you?"
The shop owner clicked his tongue.
"…Tch. Fine. Take it and get out of my shop!"
They took the silver and left.
Outside—
"…What? How did you know that?" Navi asked.
"I read it in a book."
"A book?"
"Yeah. My mom was a librarian before she left. She used to let me in the library. After she left, the new one doesn't let me anymore."
"…That's cool," Navi said.
"From now on, you help me sell Likha at the right price."
"Yes, ser!"
"Oh—and here."
Navi handed him 2 silver.
"No, ser—I said I'm just helping! I just want to repay you!"
"Take it."
"I can't—"
"You already helped me. Take it, Ulap."
"But—"
"No 'but'."
Navi shoved the silver into his hand.
"Meet me at my house tomorrow. We'll hunt again."
They went their separate ways.
"Thank you again, ser!!" Ulap shouted.
Navi waved as he walked home.
Navi was in the middle of preparing his food when—
knock. knock.
He didn't even look up.
"I told you, come back tomorrow, Ulap—"
He opened the door.
…and paused.
"Oh."
Standing there wasn't Ulap.
It was Cameron.
Three years older than the last time Navi saw him, dressed neatly, posture straight as ever. Two armed men stood a few steps behind him, silent.
Cameron gave a small, polite smile.
"It has been years, hasn't it?" he said. "You've grown taller."
Navi blinked, then scratched the back of his head.
"…Cameron?"
"And how is your grandfather?" Cameron continued.
Navi's expression didn't change much.
"He's dead."
Just like that.
A small pause.
Cameron's smile faded—not into grief, but into something sharper. Surprise.
"…I see."
Navi shrugged lightly. "Yeah. Been a while."
Silence lingered for a second.
Then Navi stepped aside.
"You gonna stand there all night, or are you coming in?"
Cameron gave a short nod and stepped inside. His two men remained outside without a word.
The house was simple. Quiet.
Navi walked ahead casually.
"You want coffee? Or… I don't know, water or something?"
Cameron shook his head.
"No need. I've already dined at a tavern in town."
"Damn," Navi muttered. "Must be nice."
Cameron ignored that and looked around briefly, taking in the place.
"I've just returned from the westlands," he said. "A year of trade. I thought it best to stop here first… before making my way to Maharlika."
Navi leaned against the table, arms crossed.
"…Cool story," he said. "So what do you actually want?"
Straight to it.
Cameron looked back at him.
"I came to reopen a deal," he said calmly.
Navi already looked uninterested.
"With your grandfather," Cameron continued. "The swords."
Navi let out a small breath through his nose.
"Ah. That."
"I would like to purchase them," Cameron said. "All six."
"No."
No hesitation.
Cameron tilted his head slightly, studying him.
"I am willing to offer one hundred gold for each blade."
Navi snorted.
"You think I'm that broke?"
"It is a generous offer."
"Yeah, for someone else," Navi replied. "Not happening."
Cameron's expression didn't change.
"You refuse rather quickly."
"I've heard this before," Navi said. "Same answer."
A small silence.
Then—
Cameron exhaled softly, almost amused.
"Very well."
He turned toward the door.
"I have other matters to attend to. I cannot keep a noble buyer waiting."
He paused at the doorway, glancing back slightly.
"I will return," he said. "Perhaps… you will have reconsidered by then."
Navi waved him off lazily.
"Yeah, sure. Don't get your hopes up."
Cameron gave a faint smile.
"We shall see."
He stepped outside.
His men followed.
The door closed.
Navi stood there for a second…
then muttered under his breath—
"…Not happening."