Wake! Up
Wake up!
Ren jostled awake while panting, sweat cascading down his body like a shower.
Damn it… what's with these dreams? Ren muttered between breaths.
Arg… I feel terrible. Can pain from dreams linger in reality too? If so… I'm screwed.
He stood and scanned his surroundings.
Then it hit him.
The memories crashed back like a tidal wave.
His eyes widened.
Isn't… isn't this the place where it happened?
As if to confirm his thoughts, the tunnel cavern walls in front of him reflected a green emerald glow before a familiar voice echoed.
"Finally awakened."
Ren sprang up, turning toward the source of the voice.
"Don't come close!" he shouted.
"Hey, it's me. Miyoshi. You remember me, right?" the figure said, waving his right hand.
"Miyoshi? Is that really you? Ohh, thank the heavens it's you."
Then realization hit him like a jolt. Immediately, he shouted, "Wait! Where's she?!"
"Where's who?"
Moving backward, Ren continued, "Don't play dumb. You know who I mean."
"Well, relax, man, relax. If I wanted you dead, you would've been dead."
Ren's back hit the corner, a sharp realization flickering in his mind. Yeah, what he said is true. This is unlike me. Why am I acting so strange?
Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, Ren made his way toward the figure sitting in the center of the cave, where the remnants of a smoldering fire crackled, the scent of barbecue hanging in the air.
The figure motioned to the ground beside him, his voice steady. "Sit. In a few minutes, dinner will be ready."
Ren walked toward the fire and sat opposite the figure. No way I'm sitting that close to him. Though he resembles Miyoshi very much, I'm almost certain he's not him. Eighty percent sure, at least.
They sat in silence for a while, neither willing to be the first to speak.
Sooner or later, this conversation has to happen… I might as well start it, Ren thought.
Clearing his throat, Ren finally said, "Hey… who are you?"
"I'm Miyoshi."
"No, you're not," Ren cut in immediately.
A brief pause followed. The fire crackled softly between them before the figure spoke again.
"And how do you know I'm not?"
"I just know it."
A pause, and then, "Hmm… I see."
Good instincts, the figure thought quietly. Strength and manners, too. He might be the one… though I still need to watch him.
He gave a faint nod. "You're both right and wrong."
"Right and wrong? How—"
"I'm not finished."
Ren fell silent.
"As I said, you're wrong in the sense that this is Miyoshi's body," the figure continued calmly. "But you're right in that the one controlling it… isn't him."
"Not him? How so?"
"You don't need to know how." The figure's tone left no room for argument. "The only thing you need to understand is that fact. Also… I would like to ask a favor of you."
A brief pause settled between them.
"Ask away," Ren replied.
The figure's brows creased, his gaze drifting into the distance as if he had momentarily lost his train of thought. Then he blinked and refocused.
"Oh—right. The favor."
The fire popped softly.
Then he continued, "You see, Miyoshi is the shy type. He doesn't really know how to blend in with his peers… so I'd like him to follow you for some time. That's all."
A babysitting job, huh? And just how long is "some time"? Ren thought.
Then he asked, "What's in it for me?"
"Now, now—don't be greedy, kid. I just saved your life, and you're already asking for more?" the figure said, releasing a faint killing intent.
A cold shiver ran down Ren's spine.
Damn bastard… what's with the killing intent? Can't I be a little greedy? Does he even understand what he's asking for?
Still under the crushing pressure, Ren slowly raised his head. Gritting his teeth, he stared the figure straight in the eye.
"I… said… what's… in… it… for me!!"
"In exchange for your life… and the Key," the figure replied, his lips curling slightly into a smile.
The killing intent intensified.
Ren's head spun. His vision blurred as the weight pressed harder against him.
Then, as if on cue, the pressure vanished.
"Hey… dinner's ready. Let's eat before it gets cold."
The sudden shift left Ren momentarily stunned.
The figure pulled two steaks from the fire and extended them toward him. "Here. These are yours."
Turning back to the fire, he grabbed another piece and immediately took a bite.
"Mmm… delicious."
He glanced back at Ren. "So—what do you say?"
"Fine. It's a deal," Ren said after a moment. "But under my roof… and under my lead."
Silence followed.
The figure chuckled.
"The name's Miyato. Nice doing business with you." He stretched out his hand for a handshake.
Ren stared at the hand for a second before reaching out and clasping it.
Ding!
A translucent blue screen flickered across Ren's vision.
[Class Detected]
Class: Transformer
Name: True Jade
Ability: Jade—
The screen flickered violently before the rest could load.
[Ability Usage Detected]
[User is advised to disengage]
Ren's eyes narrowed as he tried to pull his hand back—but couldn't.
Just as I thought… he's up to no good, Ren realized, lifting his gaze toward Miyato—only to find him staring into empty space.
[Ability Usage Detected]
[User is advised to disengage]
"Mister Miyato," Ren said sharply.
"Oh—sorry. Seems I drifted off for a moment," Miyato replied, finally releasing Ren's hand.
"If you don't mind me asking… what's your ability?" Miyato said, his brows slightly creased as he continued staring into the empty air.
Ren paused, weighing whether to answer. After a moment, he decided against it.
"Am I obliged to answer?" Ren shot back.
"Hm?" Miyato blinked, then waved it off. "Never mind. Forget I asked." His attention returned to the steak as he continued chewing.
Growl—
"I guess I really am hungry," Ren muttered, pressing a hand to his stomach.
He glanced down at the steak in his hand, now cooling in the night air. The rich aroma made his mouth water. Without hesitation, he dug in, devouring it.
Within seconds, the first steak was nearly gone.
A minute later—
"Can I have more?"
"Sure."
…
"More!"
Miyato slowly turned toward him.
"Dammit… how many more until you're satisfied?"
…
"More?"
"Dammit, just take all of it!" Miyato snapped, his voice carrying clear frustration.
"Okay," Ren replied instantly.
Several minutes later, Ren lay flat on his back, the warmth of the fire reflecting off his overly full stomach.
Miyato stared at him in disbelief.
"Dammit… what have I gotten myself into?" he muttered. "Why did I even think it was a good idea to cook my precious Bualow recipe for this rascal?"
He sighed, rubbing his temple.
"Well… thank the heavens he's finally asleep."
Miyato's gaze drifted back to Ren, his expression slowly turning thoughtful.
By the way… what was with that guy's class?
His brows tightened.
My ability keeps failing every time I try to analyze him…
He stopped mid-thought, exhaling slowly.
Well… thank the heavens I pressured him into accepting the deal. Otherwise…
The fire crackled softly as the cave fell into silence…
and for a brief second, the emerald glow flickered again.