6 An old man.

' could that be a demon...',

Licht thought before taking a fighting stance, his gaze fixed on the bushes with a firm look over his face.

*Szzzz...Szzzzz...

The sound of moving bushes started to become more audible as it was heading toward him.

Seeing the movements in the bushes directed toward him, he became a little concerned but quickly calmed down and found a big tree to hide behind it. This act may appear to be cowardice or an act of sacredness for some people but for Licht, it was a basic safety major.

He chose to hide rather than run because running would make noises that would alert the figure, whom he believes to be a demon.

*Woof...

Soon the movements came to a halt near the bushes where Licht had been standing before and just after a while, a dog emerged from it.

The dog was snow white with golden eyes, making him different from others and also cute at the same time.

" It was just a do- ",

Seeing the dog emerge from the bushes, he sighed and began to speak but then suddenly paused as later an old man came into his sight.

The first thing Akira noticed about the old man was his calm and gentle face, he had grey eyes and long white hair reaching his shoulders.

" Oh~ Hiraku, did you find something? ",

the old man asked before reaching near the dog and patting him on his head. He was dressed in a tiger-patterned jinbei kimono with navy-coloured pants which are fastened at his shins by white kyahan guards. He also wore traditional black tabi socks and sandals.

*woof...woof...

The dog nodded to his question and started to look around as if looking for something.

" A human!.. finally I can...I can get out of this forest and gather some information about this world ",

Licht who was hiding behind the tree thought with a relief expression before revealing himself. Even if he didn't the dog would have tracked him.

*thud....thud...

the old man and the dog heard a sound coming a little far away from them, both immediately looked in the direction only to spot a teenager.

The old man has a surprised expression on his face it's not because he spotted a teenager in this dangerous forest, it's because the teenager's clothes were stained with blood.

And the teenager is none other than Licht.

*woof....woof

On the other hand, the dog started to bark at him.

" Wait, Hiraku! ",

The old man said softly before caressing his pet and stood up from the ground before looking at Licht.

" Ahhh~oji-san...I apologise for my rude behaviour....but may I ask you some questions? ",

Licht asked with a smile before standing in front of the old man, holding the sword in his hand. He didn't mention his name as he felt it was not necessary.

' This kid looks scarier ',

The old man thought as he as saw his smile, the blood-stained clothes and the sword in his hand made him look like a cute psycho.

" Sure~go-head! ",

The old man said politely before placing his hand on his back.

" Could you tell me more about this forest? like where it is and how I can get out of this! ",

Licht inquired and waited for the old man to answer.

' He is sure a straight-forward kid ',

the old man thought before answering.

" oh~its means you are not from this forest and probably lost the way before ending up here...Anyways this forest is located on the outskirts of ' Kiminare village ' ...have you ever heard that name? ",

The old man asked before fixing his gaze on Licht as if he was curious to know the answer.

' this old man...he must be checking something...should I tell the truth or a lie...considering several possibilities I feel like a lie is the better option ',

Licht thought for a while before answering.

" I know about that place...I remembered hearing this name when I was 9 years old ",

Licht replied with a soft smile, his eyes and voice didn't waver while answering as if he was telling the truth.

" Ho~you are not anywhere near from this place...that village is quite popular, you know ",

The old man said as he assumed Licht must be from a faraway place considering he heard this name years ago.

" Anyways you want to get out of this forest, don't you? ",

Licht simply nodded in response to the old man's question.

" Follow me, child...I will show you the way ",

The old man said before turning around, as the white dog saw his master turning, he also did the same.

" I will be in your care, oji-chan ",

Licht said before taking a step forward and after that, the old man started to walk in the east of the forest, followed by the dog and Licht.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

" We've arrived licht ",

In front of a wooden house stood two people and a white dog behind them, they were the old man, his dog and Licht but something seemed off, licht who was beside the old man was startled for a while however his expressions remain calm.

" Oji-san, didn't you said, you would take me to the village then what's the- ",

Licht raised his guard and looked at the old man before asking but he was cut off in the middle.

" Calm down-Licht, look at your clothes they are completely mess now, going to the village like this would be quite problematic for you ",

The old man said politely before stepping forward and opening the door.

" I see ",

Licht also realised why the old man had bought him here. It's not like he never thought of this matter it's just that

where can he find clothes in the middle of an unknown forest?

' This old man seems very caring ',

Licht reflected as he remembered his conversation with the old man. In their way, they talked a bit about themselves like introducing their name and many more.

From these conversations, Licht could tell that the old man is easygoing person.

" Licht~come to the backyard, I will prepare a bath for

you ",

The old man said before striding inside the house.

" Thank you very much, Oji~san ",

Licht thanked him and went to the backyard to wait.

' Oh ~yeah what was the name of the oji~san?...ah~it's kurayami ',

Licht recalled the name of the old man as it would be shameful of him not to remember the name of the first person he met after his reincarnation nevertheless kurayami was also helping him a lot without asking anything in return.