-Now I get a clear look at him.-
A Hawaiian shirt. Colorful, packed with tightly clustered flowers in red, yellow, and dull green. Slightly faded by weather and time, the collar crooked, one button fastened wrong.
"I've never met such a pathetic minigod power bearer before," the old man chuckled.
Noen looked at him with a desperate, furious stare.
"Me… a god-power bearer?" His voice trembled. Tears ran down his face again – not only from grief, but also from disgust and rage. "I hope I misheard… I would never be one of those…"
The old guy suddenly jumped back several short, hurried steps, as if something invisible had pushed him away.
"Manipulation…" he murmured, his eyes widening slightly. Then he lifted his gaze back to Noen, studying his face closely.
"You're trying to manipulate me? Wait… that means…"His eyes swept over Noen's body – over the strange, pale garment.
"You're the bearer of a power from a high mini-god, aren't you?"
Noen shook his head, completely overwhelmed. "What are you talking about…?"
Suddenly, the old man's attention sharpened on Noen's clothing. "Hey," he murmured in a confused tone. "Where did you get those clothes?"
Noen opened his mouth. "I don't even kno–"
In that very instant, the old man moved.
A single, precise strike to the side of his neck.
Noen's eyes widened for a brief moment, then his body went slack and he fell unconscious.