Rey returned late in the evening, his footsteps heavy as he pushed the wooden door open and ascended the creaking stairs toward the second floor. The faint smell of herbs drifted through the hallway, mixed with the soothing hum of Kyoko's voice. He raised his hand and gently knocked on Yuki's room.
"Rey, come in," Kyoko called softly from inside.
Rey pushed the door open. The sight before him tugged at his chest—Kyoko was carefully feeding Yuki soup with a wooden spoon. Yuki leaned weakly against a pillow, her body still wrapped in bandages, but her eyes lit up when she saw him enter.
"Yuki," Rey said quietly as he stepped inside.
Yuki tilted her head, noticing the strange object in his hand. Her voice was faint, but curious. "Rey… what is that?"
Rey held the item out carefully. "Just place your hand on it. Pour your number into it, and something will happen."
Though confused, Yuki trusted him. She nodded, reached out, and touched the item. A soft white glow enveloped her arm for a moment before fading like morning mist.
"Now… check your number," Rey urged.
Kyoko gasped when Yuki raised her arm. "Twelve thousand and forty?!"
Yuki blinked, confused. "Twelve? But… that's not right. My number was only eleven thousand before, not twelve."
Rey gave a small smile. "It's what they had stolen from you. I forced them to give it back. Just accept it, Yuki."
Kyoko's expression hardened. "Rey… don't tell me—you fought them?"
Rey nodded firmly.
Kyoko's face paled. "This is dangerous. You'll be hunted down. Punished. Do you realize what this means?"
"I do," Rey answered, his tone calm but resolute. "That's why tomorrow… I'm leaving this village."
Both Kyoko and Yuki froze, their eyes wide.
"You're leaving?" Yuki's voice cracked. "Rey, are you sure?"
Rey nodded again. "Yes. I can't stay here any longer. Not after what I did."
The room fell into silence, only the faint rustle of wind outside filling the gap. Kyoko bit her lip, her hands trembling as she placed the soup bowl aside. Yuki's eyes glistened with tears.
Breaking the silence, Rey exhaled. "There's… something I've been hiding from you both. I didn't show it because… if I did, maybe you'd treat me differently. Maybe even hate me."
Kyoko and Yuki looked at each other, then back at him. Yuki shook her head gently. "Rey, we've known you for months now. Nothing could make us hate you. Show us."
Rey hesitated before tugging up his sleeve. The mark on his arm glowed faintly—an infinity symbol, etched into his very being.
Both women gasped.
"Th-that… that isn't a number…" Kyoko whispered.
"It's ∞," Rey confirmed.
Yuki tilted her head, bewildered. "It looks more like a symbol than a number."
"That's why I have to leave," Rey explained. "I need answers. Tomorrow, I'll head to the capital. I'll search the great library there and learn the truth about what this symbol means."
Kyoko's lips trembled, but she nodded. "Then go, Rey. Just promise… you'll come back alive."
---
The night slipped by faster than Rey expected. Before dawn, when the sky was still painted in deep shades of indigo and violet, Rey descended the stairs with his travel bag. The house was quiet. He paused at the doorway, his voice low.
"Miss Kyoko… I'll be going now."
Kyoko, already awake, stood waiting with a small bundle wrapped in cloth. Her eyes were red from crying, though she smiled bravely. "Here. Food for the road. Bread, dried meat, and water. If you ever need a place to rest… this house will always be open to you."
Rey accepted the bundle, bowing his head. "Thank you… for everything."
Before he could step out, a voice called weakly behind him. "Rey… wait."
He turned. Yuki limped toward the doorway, leaning on a crutch, her bandaged legs trembling with every step. Kyoko rushed to support her, but Yuki shook her head, clutching something tightly in her hands.
She held it out to him, her face flushed. "Here… a gift for you."
Rey blinked, surprised, and took the package. He unwrapped it carefully. His breath caught.
Inside was a brand-new set of clothes.
A long red coat with white trim lined the edges, its fabric soft yet durable. Prominent gold buttons gleamed along the front and cuffs, and beneath it lay a crisp white shirt with an open collar. A black vest was folded neatly on top, decorated with three horizontal red straps and gold buttons. Finally, a pair of black trousers rested at the bottom.
Rey slipped into the outfit, fastening the vest and pulling on the coat. It fit perfectly, as if tailored for him.
He turned back to Yuki, who smiled faintly despite her tears. "You look… like a real adventurer now."
Rey's chest tightened. He managed a smile. "Thank you, Yuki. I'll treasure this."
Kyoko and Yuki stood side by side, waving as he stepped out into the still-dark streets. Rey lifted a hand in return, his silhouette vanishing into the mist of early morning.
The blacksmith's shop, surprisingly, already glowed with warm orange light. The steady clang of hammer against steel echoed from inside. Curious, Rey pushed the door open. The bell jingled, and the burly blacksmith looked up.
"Oh, kid. You're early," the man said, raising a brow. He glanced at Rey's new clothes and nodded knowingly. "Hmph. Leaving, aren't you?"
Rey nodded. "Yes."
The blacksmith sighed and set down his hammer. "What about your weapon? The Runebear horn."
Rey placed two gold coins on the counter. "Give it to Yuki. It belongs to her now."
The man's brows rose. "Yuki? You mean the daughter of that warrior—the strongest man in this village before he passed?"
Rey nodded firmly.
The blacksmith stared at the horn, then back at Rey. His rough voice softened. "Very well. I'll deliver it safely to her. You have my word."
Rey smiled faintly. "I trust you."
He turned and stepped outside once more.
The cool morning breeze brushed against his face as Rey walked to the edge of Iwata. He stopped, turning back one last time. The village sign stood tall, the words carved deep into its wooden surface:
Welcome to the Village of Iwata.
The first rays of dawn broke over the horizon, painting the sky with streaks of gold and crimson. High above, shadows of flying creatures passed against the light, their cries echoing across the land. The world beyond was vast, dangerous, but full of promise.
Rey tightened his grip on his bag, his eyes fixed forward.
"My journey," he whispered, a small smile tugging at his lips, "is only beginning."
He walked until he reached a small river. Kneeling, he cupped his hands, scooping cold, refreshing water to his lips. The ripples shimmered beneath the rising sun, and Rey's reflection stared back at him—not the boy who once struggled in Iwata, but the adventurer who now carried an infinite mark upon his arm.
And so, with the dawn of a new day, Rey's path began.