Chapter 12: Aftermath

Everywhere, flames and smoke billow, reducing most of the buildings to mere rubble. The remaining structures teeter on the brink of collapse.

The area is littered with lifeless bodies, some mutilated and others charred, their demise a testament to the wretchedness of their end.

Amidst the oppressive silence, a blood-stained hand emerged from the debris.

With determined strength, it cleared the stones, unveiling a deep cavity that housed a figure ravaged by wounds and burns. It was Isaac, and if he hadn't managed to reach this refuge in the nick of time, survival would have been impossible.

"Fuck those bastards, I will kill them next time we meet." Isaac continued to curse furiously as he crawled out, he had suffered severe injuries after receiving a direct hit.

After emerging from the well, Isaac surveyed the devastated surroundings. There was nothing left intact. The village had been reduced to ruins. As he moved through the wreckage, he came across the lifeless bodies of familiar faces.

He knew that he had been fortunate to escape a similar fate. Gathering what little strength he had left, Isaac spotted an opportunity among the remnants of the houses. He mustered all his remaining energy and maneuvered through a window, eventually finding himself inside a small well, where he took refuge.

This desperate move was his last gamble, as he feared that his presence could be detected through Observation Haki. Though the two individuals in black robes possessed this ability, they had not used it thus far, as there seemed to be no reason to do so.

After witnessing the devastation of the village, Isaac returned to Julia's ruined house and retrieved the diaries containing his recorded knowledge of this world. There was nothing left there that tied him to the place anymore.

As he set out on his journey, Isaac faced a difficult dilemma. His injuries were severe and required medical attention, but seeking help in the city or neighboring villages would risk exposing him as a survivor of the massacre.

This would surely attract the attention of the Celestial dragon and his followers, putting his life in danger as he had witnessed their actions.

No matter how much he pondered, Isaac couldn't find a rational explanation for the massacre. It seemed unfathomable, as if they had gone mad or lost their minds. This uncertainty only added to his concerns for the future.

...

Crack!

A small rabbit emerged from the bushes, cautiously surveying the area for any signs of danger. Finding it safe, the rabbit began to nibble on some tender plants nearby.

SUHHH!!!

Suddenly, a swift arrow pierced through the air, striking the rabbit in an instant. Emerging from the bushes was Rainer, a towering man standing at three meters tall, possessing a muscular physique and a nondescript face.

Rainer was the hunter who had saved Isaac from a ferocious beast four years ago.

After collecting the rabbit, along with several other animals he had hunted, Rainer made his way back to his home.

"Hmm, what's this? Did some monsters attack him?" Upon his return, Rainer discovered the badly wounded body of a young boy. Initially assuming he was deceased, upon closer examination, he realized the boy was barely clinging to life. Without immediate treatment, his chances of survival were slim.

...

"Where am I?" Isaac murmured as he slowly opened his eyes, finding himself in an unfamiliar surroundings, his gaze fixed on an unfamiliar ceiling.

"I may not know where I am, but at least I'm still alive," he thought to himself. After fleeing the village, Isaac had made his way towards the mountains, seeking a safe haven to tend to his injuries. However, he had abruptly lost consciousness along the way.

His mind filled with the memories of those he had lost—Julia, Old Theo, Grandma Rica, Kevin—his loved ones who had perished. Overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness, Isaac's face contorted with anger.

He clenched his fist tightly, blood trickling from the wounds on his hand. He despised his own weakness, realizing he had been unable to protect those dear to him. But vengeance was not his immediate goal.

He refused to let his life revolve around revenge, instead resolving to seek strength and, if possible, eliminate those responsible. Should he fail, he would strive to carve out a peaceful existence, free from the disturbing influence of those he had vowed to confront.

"You seem to have woken up."

Isaac's chin lifted to its highest point as a rough voice emanated from the door, causing him to feel uncertain about his whereabouts and whether there were potential threats nearby.

However, as he turned and caught sight of the speaker, a mix of relief and surprise washed over him. He hadn't anticipated crossing paths with Reiner again.

Reiner, perceiving Isaac's guarded expression, reassured him, "Don't worry, I have no intention of causing you harm. Can you please tell me where you come from?" He aimed to convey his goodwill and establish a sense of trust.

Observing Isaac's cold gaze, Reiner acknowledged the lack of willingness to engage in conversation. Nevertheless, since Isaac had regained consciousness, Reiner offered his assistance, proposing to escort him to the nearest village.

He mentioned that he knew some people there who could provide temporary care until Isaac's recovery.

"I want to stay in this place," Isaac stated with a cold and detached tone. The spark of vitality he had gained over the past four years had vanished.

His eyes now mirrored the lifelessness he had carried in his previous world. Julia had been the one who illuminated his world, but now she was gone.

"Oh, really? And what compels me to accommodate your request?" Reiner retorted with a sarcastic expression.

"How about we make a deal? I'll offer you 100,000 belly, and in return, you'll allow me to stay here for a few weeks," Isaac proposed. He had no desire to go elsewhere.

During this period, he needed to conceal himself until the situation calmed down and the threat of the Celestial dragon subsided.

"Haha, 100,000 belly is not a small amount, but I won't take care of you just for that," Reiner chuckled in response.

"Then would you be willing to take care of me if I offer more money?" Isaac inquired, aware that the initial amount was not sufficient. He wanted to gauge Reiner's thoughts and see if he would be open to his proposition with a higher sum.

"Boy, now that's interesting," Reiner replied with a raspy laugh.

"Well, what do you think about this? I'm willing to offer you 300,000 belly, but in exchange, you must train me in swordsmanship and keep my presence here a secret," Isaac proposed.

The thought of parting with more than half of his savings at that moment pained him, but he knew he had to make a compelling offer.

"Well, I accept your offer, but I don't see the money," Reiner expressed his satisfaction. The prospect of earning a substantial sum of 300k through taking care of this boy for a few weeks was quite enticing.

"Don't worry, you will get it"

...

[4 weeks later]

With a loud crash, a tree fell, creating a thick haze of dust.

"Boy, you never got better. I told you that you should make the sword a part of your body. You rely solely on your physical strength without attempting to harness that strength into the sword," Reiner said, lying under the shade of a tree.

Isaac had started sword training about a week ago, but he hadn't made much progress.

"Come and show me how," Reiner's incessant talk provoked Isaac's anger. He began to believe that this person was skilled at nothing but talking.

...

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