BONDS

After resting for an entire day, Kibe wakes up to see that he is in the barn. He looks around and sees that everyone is up and about, doing their respective chores to make the barn tidy before leaving. Marlin scoops the hay together, making piles while Wazuki and Shinji take those piles outside. Ruka cleans the rafters of the barn, disposing of cobwebs, spiders and moss that is growing on the wood.

Kibe yawns while stretching and Shinji takes notice.

"So you are finally awake, Dragon Boy."

"You know, I feel as though there is some discrimination behind that name.

Shinji shrugs while making a devious face.

"I call you that because you sleep like one. Do you know that you snore?"

"I do not!"

"Ruka said you do haha!"

Kibe blushes slightly while Ruka smiles. He then looks at Shinji who is still smirking at him. He runs at Shinji, who expected this and runs through the barn door. They ran past Marlin who was carrying water to the animals, almost making him fall.

"Hey! Watch it! Get back to work, you two."

Shinji turns his head

"Lighten up, Masked one. My task has already been completed."

"Let them take a break, M. Not everyone can keep up with your work ethic." Wazuki says.

"I only did this much because I had a wolf with me but now I am cleaning because I refuse to leave this place so unsightly."

"Speaking of which, what is its name?"

Marlin wanted to answer but thought back to before he came into the town, remembering that he had not named it yet.

"By the look on your face, as well as your body language, you forgot."

"Stop deconstructing my mannerisms." , Marlin says with a displeased expression.

He then stares at the wolf, thinking about a name for him and after some thought, he could not make a name up. He was then reminded of his closest friend in his past life, the one who saved him on multiple occasions, risking his own life in the process. Marlin smiles as he stands up and pets the wolf who stares at him.

"Rakesh."

Awaiting a response from the wolf, he pets it while the wolf responds with a soothing growl.

"I think he likes it." , Wazuki added.

"Of course he did, Rakesh is the name of a great man. It is a name that should be acknowledged."

"Sure, if it means that much to you then by all means, honor it." Wazuki replies.

Muto walks into the barn holding a bag while wearing a straw hat.

"I brought the rewards. Line up, kids haha!"

"Took you long enough."

Shinji and Kibe walk in.

They had been sparring outside when they saw Muto coming.

"Oh yeah, we were getting high tier pills today, right?"

"That was indeed the agreement. The greatsword as well."

Wazuki springs up, being the first to get there.

"Slow down, kid. Let me warn you first."

Wazuki looks at him puzzled.

"Warn me about what?"

"There is an entity sealed inside the blade, hence its crimson color. I want you to promise me that you will never let it take you over, if given the chance."

Wazuki stares at him and takes the blade by the hilt.

"I will keep that in mind."

Muto lets go of the blade and Wazuki stumbles at the sheer weight of the greatsword, holding it with both hands and using his full strength.

(This may be impractical in battle for the time being.) he thinks.

He feels a large amount of bloodlust coming from the sword and ultimately decides to place it in the spatial ring.

"The rest of you are to get one high tier cultivation pill each, correct?"

"Yes."

Muto hands each of them a pill but walks up to Wazuki holding a pill, handing it to him.

"Our deal was already completed. I cannot accept any further payment."

Muto shakes his head and scratches the back of it, sighing.

"It was not meant for you."

He looks over to the corner where Ruka is packing her stuff and looks at Wazuki who understands the situation.

"If she refuses it then you can have it."

"I feel as though this is something you should give her."

Muto begins to leave

"If she is like her mother then a simple pill will fix nothing. Besides, I already came to terms that I will fix it sooner or later."

(What terrible parenting. Well, I do not think I can do any better.) Wazuki thinks.

Marlin walks back into the barn after leaving.

"The Carriage is outside. Let us get to packing stuff up."

They all agree in sync and begin to load the carriage.

Kibe speaks up.

"So, who will pull all this luggage?"

"..."

The entire barn goes silent as everyone tries to come up with an answer.

"I could help with that." a voice says at the door of the barn.

They all look to see who said this and Marlin and Kibe almost instantaneously recognize the person. It was Koya.

"Koya? How did you find us?"

"Don't sweat the details haha! Just know I can solve your problem."

He lets off an innocent smile. Marlin stares at him, awaiting his solution.

Koya pulls a ring from his ear and throws it, revealing two horses.

The group looks in sheer surprise.

"How the hell did you do that?! Is that a spatial ring or a blessing?"

"No, Spatial Rings are an infinite space where you can hold things of a certain size and density. All I did was open a gate to where my horses were residing. Pretty cool right?"

"Where can you get that?"

Koya smirks

"I found it in a dungeon so it is the only one in the world… I think."

Dungeons are structures which have been left in the world by various beings, whether it be Gods, Demons or Spirits. It is currently unknown when the first dungeon was found but they have been explored since the first group of Otherworlders came to Sai Kido. They are normally very dangerous, so much so that conquering even one dungeon is labeled as a noteworthy feat of strength and intelligence.

The group goes to the house of the old lady who owns the barn and thanks her for letting them reside there for almost a week.

"Oh, you guys are welcome. Remember to live life to the fullest! Enjoy the time you have with your friends."

"We will." Marlin says while handing her a bag of silver and gold."

She sheds a tear and gives the whole group a hug, wishing them good luck on their journey.

They all ride the carriage out of the village and into the forest where Marlin sits atop, with Rakesh walking beside him to pick up on any unsavory people or animals that are met along the way.

Making use of the time, Wazuki hands Ruka the pill that Muto gave him.

"Here you go. Make use of this to get stronger without worries."

She inspects the pill and hands it back to Wazuki, writing on her paper.

"You can have it. I have made it this far without his help so I do not need it now."

Wazuki leans back and closes his eyes.

"Holding grudges distract you from your goal, Ruka. I will not tell you to forgive him but -"

She stops him by showing the paper in his face before he could finish.

"Wazuki. I respect you more than the rest of this group but please, Do not pry into my life."

Ruka gives him a cold look and turns away from him. Wazuki remains unfazed but hears the same young girl from the forest fight laughing in his ear which annoys him.

(My social meter is way too low for this.) Wazuki thinks.