Chapter 60 — The First Collapse
S.C. 1510 — Late August
Foosha Village – Behind Makino's Bar
The morning air was crisp, touched by the scent of early autumn. Ren slipped quietly out of Makino's bar before anyone else woke up. Zemo followed silently, steps soft, tail swaying like a ghost in the dim light.
The shed behind the bar still looked like a forgotten corner of the village — baskets stacked haphazardly, old fishing nets tossed aside, half-rotten crates leaning on the wall.
Perfect.
Ren lifted the hidden wooden plank beneath the baskets and climbed down into the shallow pit he had made the previous day. Zemo sat above, ears rotating like radar.
The underground room was still barely a room — more like a cramped hole in the ground. But it was enough for Ren.
He picked up a small wooden shovel he had carved last night and began to dig quietly.
Scrape… scrape… scrape…
The sound was soft, but Ren still flinched at every noise.
This wasn't play — this was a secret.
If adults discovered this, they would definitely misunderstand.
"Let's go carefully today," Ren whispered.
The walls held up well because of the clay reinforcement. Ren nodded, satisfied. He had done well yesterday.
"Right wall next…"
He dug slowly, lifting moist earth into a bucket. His breaths were steady, his movements rhythmic, almost meditative.
Until—
crkkk…
Ren froze.
A soft cracking echoed through the cramped pit.
"…No."
He pressed his hand against the wall he was digging.
It felt warm. Soft. Too soft.
crkkk… crkkk…
Then—
THUD!
A chunk of dirt collapsed inward, showering Ren in loose soil.
Zemo barked sharply from above.
Ren raised his arms to shield his face, stumbling back as dust filled the tiny space. The pit was barely big enough for him to move, and even a small collapse felt terrifying.
"Ah—!"
He coughed, blinking the dust out of his eyes.
That could've been very bad.
He looked at the collapsed section. The clay mixture on that side wasn't fully hardened. His haste from yesterday had caused a weak spot.
Ren sat still for a moment, heart hammering.
"I can't rely on clay alone…"
His breathing steadied as his mind began turning.
He needed structural support.
He needed something stronger.
But wood beams would look suspicious if someone saw him carrying them.
He closed his eyes.
Think, Ren. Something natural… Something common… Something villagers won't question.
Then it came to him.
Roots.
Tree roots.
Strong, fibrous, curved, flexible — perfect natural reinforcement.
The forest behind Foosha was full of trees with long, thick roots that spread near the surface.
Zemo barked again, impatient.
"Alright, alright," Ren said softly, brushing off dirt.
He climbed out of the pit. Zemo inspected him immediately, sniffing him aggressively as if checking for injuries.
"I'm fine… just dirty."
Zemo sneezed directly into his face.
Ren blinked.
"…Thanks for the concern."
Forest Edge — Mid-Morning
Ren knelt near a tall pine tree and dug gently at the base. The soil was damp and easy to move aside. Soon, thick brown roots appeared beneath the surface.
Perfect.
"These will act like wooden ribs," Ren murmured. "They'll hold the walls together."
Zemo dug excitedly beside him, nearly uncovering the whole tree. Ren had to grab the fox's scruff.
"No, not the whole root — it'll kill the tree!"
Zemo growled in protest.
"You can dig the other side."
Zemo trotted five steps away and immediately began digging a new hole with reckless enthusiasm.
Ren sighed.
"…I need to teach you moderation someday."
He cut three healthy side roots — not enough to harm the tree's health — then dragged them back to the shed.
Back at the Pit
The roots curved naturally, almost fitting the walls perfectly. Ren wedged the first one vertically, pressing its ends firmly into the clay.
Stable.
Strong.
No collapse.
"Good… this will work."
He installed the second root across the other side. Then a third root above it, forming a crude but functional frame.
Zemo watched him quietly, head tilted.
Ren stood back, wiping mud from his cheek.
"This is how we'll do it. Clay for the gaps… roots for the bones."
Zemo wagged his tail.
Ren nodded.
But today wasn't about excitement. Today was a reminder.
His hands trembled slightly — just slightly.
"I need to be more careful."
This underground room wasn't just a secret project.
It was the foundation of his future.
His protection.
His only safe place to understand this world.
And a collapse, even a small one, could kill him.
Ren knelt down and placed a hand on the wall.
"We'll do it slowly," he whispered. "Slow and steady… No rushing."
Zemo leaned against his leg.
Ren smiled faintly.
"Let's finish reinforcing the walls."
Evening
By the time the sun began to set, the walls had been reinforced with roots and fresh clay. The pit felt more solid, safer, warmer — still small, still humble — but now stable enough to deepen.
Ren climbed out with aching arms and legs.
He brushed Zemo's fur softly.
"Today was scary," he whispered. "But we learned something important."
Zemo nuzzled his hand.
They walked back to Makino's bar together as the village lanterns flickered on.
Ren's body was exhausted.
But his determination?
Stronger than ever.
Tomorrow, he would deepen the room.
Tomorrow, he would build something real.
Tomorrow, he would take another small step into the future.
End of Chapter 60