After defeating the monster, the Master walked toward the city.
Ryo, who had drained all his energy like a dead battery, was carried to Master Zhang's dojo by poor Wong and Master Zhang.
When the Master reached the city, he saw a heartbreaking scene: destroyed houses and soldiers helping civilians like exhausted rescuers.
With a serious expression, he walked toward a soldier and asked him about Ryo.
"Hello. Have you seen a boy with black hair and red eyes? I think there was also a big martial artist with him — I mean Wong."
The soldier replied,
"Hello… hmm… yeah, I think I saw them. They went to Master Zhang's dojo. Master Zhang is really famous."
"Master Zhang… that name sounds familiar… Can you tell me where I can find his dojo?"
"Yes, Master Zhang's dojo is very well-known. It's in the southern part of the city, you can find it there."
"Hm… alright. Thanks for the help."
"No problem."
Happy and hungry, the Master headed toward the southern district.
Meanwhile, Ryo finally woke up after a deep sleep and found himself inside an old hall that smelled of incense.
"Ow… where am I? Don't tell me I got kidnapped…"
Master Zhang, who was sitting in the corner meditating as if he were in another world, said,
"Don't worry, you're safe. I just look like a scary old man."
Ryo, who didn't know the old man, took a defensive stance as if ready to fight.
"W-Who are you? Are you one of those underground criminals?"
"Heh heh, calm down. This old master has no intention of hurting you — I even saved your life. I'm Master Zhang Qian. While traveling on the road, I heard an explosion. I knew someone was fighting. Then I saw you wrestling with a monster, and Wong lying in the corner like a doormat."
Ryo remembered Wong.
"Ah! How's Wong? He was seriously injured — did he die?"
"Hm… he's in rough shape. We took him to a healer. He'll probably stay in the healing hall for a few days… wasting our money."
"Phew… thank god… By the way, do you know where my Master is?"
The old man replied,
"Your Master? I haven't seen him… Maybe he still hasn't found you."
Hearing this, Ryo tried to get up and run out, but the moment he moved, his whole body felt like it had been electrocuted and he fell back down.
"Kid, you're not in good condition. Don't do anything stupid. You need to rest. Don't worry — our dojo is famous. Your Master will definitely find you."
A heavy silence filled the room.
After a while, Master Zhang asked,
"By the way, that energy and the core you had… Have you ever practiced martial arts or magic before? Or did you just make that up?"
"Huh? No, I don't know anything… As far as I remember, I was drowning in a huge ocean when a bright force saved me…"
"That force was extraordinary. I've never seen anything like it. I think it's something special… You said you have a Master, right? Do you know who he is or what he does? He sounds really strange."
"Hm… honestly, I don't know… When I met him—"
Right then, someone knocked on the door — one of Master Zhang's disciples.
"Excuse me, Master Zhang, someone is here. He says his disciple is inside."
Ryo said,
"Oh! Master came to find me! He must've sniffed me out."
Zhang replied,
"No problem. Guide him in. And bring some tea for him, please."
The Master, waiting outside, was approached by one of Zhang's disciples.
"Please come in, Master. Your disciple is inside. We're honored by your presence."
The Master looked around, impressed by the beauty of the dojo.
"Wow, this place is really nice. Looks like you're rich."
When the door opened and the Master entered, he saw Ryo — and someone else sitting next to him like a statue.
The moment the old man saw the Master, he rushed forward and bowed deeply, as if witnessing a legend.
"Master! Finally, I get to see you again! Do you know how long I searched for you? I practically plowed through the entire world!"
The Master looked confused.
"Huh? Who are you? You don't look familiar—"
Zhang quickly stood up.
"What? You don't remember me? In the martial arts tournament, I was your opponent! I learned so much from fighting you — even though you beat me to a pulp."
The Master thought for a moment and remembered.
"Oh! Aren't you the guy who, after getting beaten half-dead by me, said you wanted to become my disciple — and I ran away?"
"Heh heh, yes! I finally found you! I have so much to tell you—"
Ryo stared at Zhang bowing to the Master, frozen like a statue.
"Master, what's going on here?"
"Ah, Ryo, you're awake? It's a long story — I'll explain later. For now, focus on recovering."
Zhang realized that the Master Ryo had been talking about was him, and he was completely shocked.
"I always thought you'd never take a disciple. Didn't you hate the idea of teaching? How did you end up choosing this kid?"
"Heh, it just happened. Long story. I found him in the ocean one day."
"How are you feeling? You okay?" the Master asked.
Ryo replied,
"Master Zhang saved me. If it weren't for him, I'd be dead."
"Old Zhang, thank you for saving my disciple. I'll repay you someday."
Zhang said,
"No, no! Please, don't say that! I'd do anything for you — I'd even go buy you fruit from the market! As long as your disciple needs time to heal, please stay here in my dojo."
The Master thought to himself,
Nice. Free place and free food. We can stay for a few days. I've got no worries now.
He chuckled to himself.
Ryo frowned,
"Master, that face again… That evil grin…"
"Ahem. Ahem. Old Zhang, thank you. We'll stay until my disciple recovers. We'll eat a little and won't bother you too much."
Overjoyed, Zhang shouted to the guard outside,
"Go prepare the best room for the Master! Hurry!
And bring them food — he's definitely starving!"
The Master said,
"Alright, I'll stay here with Ryo for now. I need to talk to him."
Zhang nodded.
"Then I shall go attend to my subordinates."
Zhang left, and the two were alone.
Ryo said,
"Master, that core you made for me… thanks to it, I managed to defeat the monster. Thank you so much."
(The Master's words —)
"That power wasn't something you were supposed to awaken so soon. You had a high chance of dying. I'm glad you're okay.
But you won't be able to use it for a while…"
Ryo:
"Hm… that's fine. Even if the price of using it to kill monsters is my life, I'll still use it…"
The Master frowned at the childish foolishness of the statement.
"It's true you hate monsters, but throwing your life away for one monster isn't worth it.
Get stronger first — then use your power properly. Dying before improving is just stupidity, kid."
Ryo flinched and quickly nodded.
"O-Okay, Master…"
After a short silence—
Ryo said,
"Master… before it transformed, that monster looked like the vice-chief of the trading house…
How can a human turn into a monster?"
The Master leaned back, sighing impatiently.
"The Trade Alliance is part of the root system the monsters built.
There are monsters with intelligence — very high intelligence.
They're called Grand Dukes.
They create serums that can turn humans into monsters, and with the help of corrupted humans who'd do anything for money, they capture innocent people and transform them.
And that alliance was part of them…"
Explaining everything again bored and annoyed the Master, so he kept it brief — though the truth was far more complicated.
Ryo became extremely upset hearing all this.
His hatred for monsters grew even stronger.
"Innocent people… being slaughtered, dying, even being turned into monsters…
These creatures have no mercy for humans…
I swear I'll destroy every last one of them someday…"
Even though he was exhausted and could barely move, Ryo forced himself to bow deeply and said,
"Master, please teach me martial arts and how to use the core's power!"
End of Chapter 15