The Terrible Master and Disciple (1)
“I sense it. Troka, Flan.”
At the tranquil summit of Mt. Muak, where even the chirping of insects had ceased, a woman opened her mouth. Her voice, briefly spreading through the mist, was soon scattered by the wind.
“Is it finally time for them to come… how unexpected.”
Leaves fell from the branches, gathering in heaps before settling beside the woman. She caught a falling leaf with the tip of her foot and gently placed it on the ground.
In this quiet place, where even the mist seemed to settle down, the woman quietly gazed into the distance.
“No, it’s not the first time they’ve come, so should I say it’s irritating…”
She began to recall the beautiful past in her memories.
The youthful and delicate Troka.
The fierce-looking and burly Flan.
The image of these two unlikely figures, who had come to her to be accepted as disciples, still flickered before her eyes. They were special to her, being the first disciples she had taken on in decades.
Troka, who would drag the grumbling Flan into training with a forced smile. The fact that she would see Troka again, whom she had cherished so much as a disciple, stirred an indescribable emotion deep within her.
Although their parting had been regrettable, the bond between master and disciple was not so easily severed, so their reunion was a joyous event.
“Still, they’ve come at a time when I was feeling lonely, so I should welcome them happily.”
How much has Troka grown?
How strong has he become after overcoming his limits and defeating the Demon King?
“Heh, I’m looking forward to it.”
Now, the old folks just watch. It’s against the way of things for a hermit to interfere in the affairs of the world. Yet, she couldn’t contain her excitement at feeling the growth of her disciples.
The woman’s face was bright as if filled with hope. The mountain range, surrounded by mist, was reflected in her clear blue eyes. A piece of her memory became vivid once again.
“Troka has been unwell, so he’ll need some medicinal herbs… I should gather them quickly.”
She steadied herself slowly. The magic that filled the area began to ripple slightly.
“To do that… I need to take care of these nuisances first. Their numbers have increased suspiciously. It’s an unusual occurrence—perhaps a dragon has come to Muak.”
The monsters that had been silently observing the woman began to move. While they busily took their positions, the woman’s expression remained infinitely peaceful.
In that moment, with a pop, the air distorted. Blood gushed forth from the void. Then, the body of a monster fell to the ground.
“…I’ve been talking to myself more often. Perhaps I’m getting old.”
With a bitter smile, the woman clenched her fist. And even though she staggered, she stood up.
“Before Troka arrives, it would be nice to have some fun. Since I’m not in the best of health, come at me quickly.”
It was the day Flan arrived at Frontis in a near-dead state, and the mists of Muak were dyed with blood.
* * *
Ha, ha, ha. My breath reached the tip of my chin.
“…A dojo should be made at the foot of the mountain, where could it possibly go wrong?”
I walk along a stone path overgrown with vines and leaves due to neglect. With every step, the weeds crunch underfoot, a bundle at a time. The sensation of trampling the tough grass is more unpleasant than I thought.
As expected, there’s not a single bureaucrat who does their job properly in any world. This is something that should be maintained for the citizens.
This place is Mt. Muak, a mountain shrouded in fog streaming from the fissures. It’s filled with invisible monsters that even moderately experienced soldiers struggle to preserve their lives upon entry.
Only a few, such as nobles with the ability to detect the demonic energy of the beasts, beastmen who can sense their surroundings through the flow of the wind, and those who have reached a certain level of skill, can survive on Mt. Muak.
And then.
-Crackling!
“…Sixteen of them.”
Lumen is a person who has proudly surpassed that level.
Thanks to that, the surrounding monsters couldn’t even approach within a 10-meter radius, getting thoroughly roasted.
It seems like her reaction is unusually quick only to the monsters coming from the right. Is it just my imagination?
I continued to advance, turning approaching monsters into electric barbecue. Unlike other knights, she automatically detected and dealt with the monsters around me, allowing me to climb the mountain without any difficulty.
Of course, I had to climb the mountain myself, but that much was bearable.
After a long climb, I finally reached the top.
Upon ascending the final staircase, a massive gate greeted us. The grooves were still in their place, unchanged. The main gate, draped in fog, was truly an overwhelming sight.
Perhaps that’s why, even Lumen paused for a moment to gaze at the gate.
“Troka and you… trained here, right?”
“Yes, that’s right. Though I was just an add-on.”
Troka, who had brought me here, had included me in the training. Unlike him, who possessed the power of a hero, I was only a bit sturdier than an average person, so I went through all sorts of hardships. But thanks to that, I’ve managed to survive a few brushes with death, so it wasn’t meaningless.
“Then let’s part ways here. I know a safe route down the mountain, so it’s fine.”
Lumen briefly looked at the letter in my hand and then quietly nodded.
“Good luck. Don’t make the same mistakes I did.”
“…”
I didn’t respond, and Lumen began to descend the stairs alone. Watching her grow distant, I turned my head back toward the main gate and slowly pushed it open.
Creak, the old gate’s hinges scraped my ears. The sound, unchanged from years ago, tickled my brain. I shouted loudly, trying to forget that sensation.
“Master! Are you there?”
But no answer came back.
My voice echoed through the silent dojo, filling it. She shouldn’t be asleep.
I thought for a while, finally deciding to step into the dojo.
The interior was cleaner than I expected. It would be natural since the master was still alive, but surprisingly, there was not a single spot to criticize, everything was well-maintained.
I remember. Lying against a tree in the distance, I recall the conversations with Troka.
Talks about what we’ve done in the original world, what we’ve done here, and how we will live in the future—conversations that lacked both context and meaning.
Even when he was expelled by this damned master, he must have been crying here.
If I had realized it then, could I have prevented his death?
…No, there’s no time to indulge in such thoughts. To deliver these letters to those women, I must keep moving. I need to finish the task as quickly as possible to achieve my second objective.
Right, let’s get moving.
First, I headed to the most familiar place, the training ground. Since the master spent most of her time there, she would likely be present there. If not, well, she must have gone out.
So, I took my place in the center of the empty dojo.
Only a sigh escapes me. The person who doesn’t return for at least a fortnight once they go out. It’s not easy to be alone in an atmosphere like a horror movie.
The room feels empty, and idle thoughts abound. Where could master have gone?
Perhaps to dig up herbs.
But even if she ate them, it won’t fix what’s broken.
The mist was thick, and a subtle stench of dampness tantalizingly wafted through the air. This is why Mt. Muak is uncomfortable. It not only awakens past memories but also the mist seeps into the heart with every breath, consuming.
I mustn’t be disturbed already. Despite being fully aware of this, my heart’s pounding showed no signs of calming down. It just churned like an overfilled balloon.
…But agitation, disturbance.
A cynical smile spread across my face. It was an expression that could make someone feel unpleasant. I brushed my face, trying to erase that emotion.
Phew, it will probably take a bit more time for master to return. So, in the meantime, I should make some snacks to fill my stomach. There’s no time to waste on strange thoughts.
I tidied up my spot and headed to the kitchen. The cooking tools were worn but not dull. There weren’t many ingredients available, so I decided to make something simple to eat.
The clatter of dishes and the sizzling of oiled jerky teased my ears.
…I used to be the one cooking when everyone was together. Now, that past is no longer retrievable. At first, everyone was on good terms, but how did it come to this?
“Fucking bastard…, why don’t you say something…”
I really hate the fog. To shake off the feeling, I roughly shoved the well-cooked jerky into my mouth. Strangely, my throat was tight, and I couldn’t swallow. It was a filthy feeling, as if I had fallen into a mud pit.
Taking a harsh gulp of the cold water nearby made me feel slightly better.
It’s only right to clean up after using something. My mood was a bit unsettled, but I had to make sure to clean up properly.
-Creeeak.
It was while I was wiping down the dishes used for cooking. The quiet hinges screamed loudly, announcing master’s return. She has finally appeared.
I calmed my heart and turned around.
Hmm yeah everything is sus