"What did you just say?"
Kalu asked, gazing at Boris with bewildered eyes.
"There are Kora Stones in the caravan."
"Are you certain of what you're saying? This is extremely serious,"
Kalu cut in, his expression hardening instantly as his sharp eyes locked onto Boris.
"Yes. Absolutely certain," Boris replied, meeting Anton's gaze with unwavering calm.
"Where?"
This time it was Anton who spoke.
"In the ninth wagon—there's a large barrel," Boris said, pointing in that direction.
Anton didn't utter another word. He strode directly toward the wagon, Kalu close behind.
Boris followed quietly.
The ninth wagon belonged to an Elven merchant—green-skinned, with long pointed ears, medium-length green hair, and fully yellow eyes.
He was busy inspecting his goods when he noticed Anton and the others approaching.
"Mr. Kalu? Hello! Do you need something from me?"
"Garin, I have an important question," Kalu said, as Anton stepped onto Garin's wagon.
"Hmm? Of course, no problem… but excuse me—what is Mr. Anton doing?"
Garin's eyes widened when he saw Anton attempting to open a specific barrel…
But his expression didn't last. He quickly masked it with a gentle, practiced smile.
"Ah—"
Before Kalu could speak, Anton called out from atop the wagon:
"The barrel is sealed with a Koshin Seal."
Anton struggled with the metal lid, but a thin layer of yellow energy clung to it like luminous gaseous paint.
A white paper sat atop it, adorned with a yellow insignia.
"It's perishable food, Mr. Anton—and extremely valuable. It's frozen, sealed, and among my most important goods,"
Garin said with unshakable confidence.
"I'll be honest with you, Garin. I suspect you're carrying Kora Stones. And you know how dangerous that is. I explicitly ordered that any quantities be sold and stored in the vaults at Little New Viaco."
"Mr. Kalu, you know I'd never disobey your orders. It truly saddens me that you'd doubt me."
Garin placed a hand over his heart in a masterfully theatrical gesture, though his tone remained perfectly assured.
"Ah… yes… I just want you to open this barrel for us—just to confirm, that's all,"
Kalu replied hesitantly.
"I fully understand your request, Mr. Kalu…"
He paused, then added,
"But I can't open it now. This seal is single-use only, and I won't let my valuable goods spoil over idle curiosity, will I, Mr. Kalu?"
Boris stood silently behind Kalu.
*He's skilled at acting… no, far cleverer than that.*
*Even before being asked about the stones, he deliberately called the barrel "among my most important goods."*
*Among traders, that phrase means only one thing: Don't touch it.*
"By the way—who's the insolent one who told you to suspect me, Mr. Kalu…?"
Garin's eyes flickered from Boris to Anton and back, finally settling on Anton.
Boris watched the scene, calculating something in his mind.
*He suspects Anton because he was the first to approach the wagon…*
"Instead of making baseless accusations, you'd do well to check your arrogance, Mr—"
"It was me."
Boris cut him off before he could finish.
"I'm the one who said you're carrying Kora Stones."
"Ah, our little hero! You were truly impressive—I was even considering hiring you as my personal guard—"
"Stop dodging and sweet-talking," Boris said firmly.
Garin shrugged. "Alright then, boy—what's the basis of your accusation?"
The air grew thick with tension.
Boris looked up at Garin—their height difference making the confrontation starkly clear.
"Go on, prove it, you little chick," Garin sneered, dropping his fake gentleness.
Without a word, Boris stepped past Garin and climbed onto the wagon.
He pointed to the engraving on the Koshin Seal.
"This is a high-grade Koshin Seal, designed to prevent leakage—not the kind normally used for food."
"I'm the type who notices details," Garin retorted.
"Also, this barrel—its manufacturing label says it was made using Kona Encryption? These containers are expensive. Why use one just for food?"
Boris gestured to the barrel's surface.
Despite the Koshin Seal, its slight translucence revealed faint hidden text visible to all.
"I can't read it…" Anton said, squinting at the writing.
"Isn't that… Chinese?" Kalu asked, stepping closer to inspect it himself.
"Do you understand it?" Anton inquired.
"No, I only recognized the script… Boris, do you know MISFIT languages? That would be incredibly rare if so."
Kalu turned the question to Boris.
"I've been through unusual circumstances. But you— as a merchant—did you recognize it from Bangjin Company?" Boris asked in return.
"Yes, I've dealt with their goods a few times…"
A moment of silence passed.
Realization—and a flash of anger—crossed Kalu's face.
"No one uses Bangjin barrels just for food, Garin. Are you…?"
All eyes turned to Garin.
Time seemed to freeze…
When Garin saw the accusing finger pointed at him and felt trapped—
He finally exhaled and spoke:
"…Yes. They're Kora Stones."
But he didn't stop there.
"But the seal is strong—you can't sense them—"
"Not impossible."
Another voice spoke.
Footsteps approached.
Dark brown hair and beard, a patch covering one eye—Jon had arrived.
"There were traces in the forest. Kora levels exceeded 300 units."
"But that's too low—" Garin objected, only to be cut off by Jon.
"Tch! I hate math. Urine contains only 5% of an organism's total Kora units. So that means…"
"It means the creature's concentration exceeds 6000 units," Boris said this time.
"Ah, tch!" Jon clicked his tongue in annoyance, then fell silent.
"This—"
Garin was stunned—but before he could respond, Kalu suddenly grabbed him.
Kalu yanked him by the collar and slammed him to the ground with immense force, leveraging their height difference.
"Garin! I gave you all a clear order! No Kora Stones into Jugesp!"
"But—"
"Not another word, or I'll knock your teeth out!"
Garin nodded fearfully, and Kalu threw him down.
"I'll deal with you once we're out of this forest," Kalu said, his eyes blazing with fury.
Silence fell.
Everyone exchanged glances.
"Now, how do we handle this massive quantity? Isolation won't help—it's far too much. It's a serious threat…"
"I think we have no choice but to take it with us,"
Anton said, placing a hand on the barrel.
"What if we move Garin to the rear of the caravan? If we're attacked, we'll offer him as bait,"
Jon said bluntly, his single eye making him look even more menacing.
"W-what—"
Garin started to protest, but one sharp look from Kalu silenced him.
"If only someone here could use Koshin Fire, we could dispose of them easily… Ah, but even then, we'd need a massive amount…"
Kalu paused, then continued:
"Fine. We'll follow Jon's suggestion for now. But keep this quiet. I don't want to cause panic among the others."
Everyone nodded and dispersed to their duties.
Only Anton remained, watching Boris walk away.
Something stirred in his mind.
*To feel it, you need at least 5000 units... How did he feel it?*
***
Night fell quickly, like a heavy blanket draping over the earth.
Tents were erected swiftly and precisely.
Around every corner of the camp, fires bloomed, spreading warmth among the gathered caravan members.
The cold air filled with laughter and whispers.
Though the memory of the earlier attack still lingered, the camp's mood was slowly healing.
At the heart of the camp sat Kalu, his blue eyes wide open, glinting with a soft, lively sheen.
He laughed heartily despite his wounds and the mental exhaustion from Garin's betrayal.
"Hahaha! A young man traveling alone with his little sister? Where was my courage when I was your age? I used to be scared of a tree's shadow!"
His face bore signs of fatigue, but his eyes still burned with life.
Before him sat Boris—
His expression blank, devoid of any visible emotion.
Was he annoyed by the conversation? Or lost in deep silence?
His silver eyes stared only at the fire.
He spoke in a low, measured tone, as if weighing each word carefully:
"I only do what must be done."
He looked at Kalu with eyes as still as a stagnant lake.
"I'm curious—why are you two traveling alone? You don't have to answer if you'd rather not," Kalu said, gently stroking his beard.
Boris replied quietly: "No big reason. I'm just used to traveling alone."
He glanced behind him—Sonia was asleep beside Sofia in Imenata's tent.
He continued, his voice softer: "I'm just delivering Sonia to her family. It's a duty… nothing more."
A short silence followed. Kalu studied him with piercing eyes.
"You two aren't blood siblings, are you? Adopted, perhaps?"
There was no surprise in his voice—only quiet certainty.
"Something like that. Yes."
Boris answered as if unwilling to elaborate further.
He lifted his head, silently observing the camp.
Kalu spoke with intuitive gentleness: "Is that really the only reason you're traveling to Entdeckt? I find it hard to believe you'd cross 700 kilometers through one of the most dangerous forests just to deliver a little girl…"
It was a reasonable question.
Deep silence settled.
There was no hesitation—but a flicker of resolve passed across Boris's face.
"I have something I must accomplish in the capital," he said quietly.
Kalu recognized the reluctance.
He shifted the topic to something lighter, less personal, more comfortable.
"Ah, the full night of Lunana is approaching…"
Kalu exhaled. "Only five days left… I've spent the whole Warm season on the road… what a shame."
Both men raised their eyes to the sky.
Three moons shone in different hues, bathing the night in soft, vibrant halos.
Boris spoke calmly: "That means the peak of the Warm season has begun… we still have its second half. Don't give up yet."
"Maybe… but the next forty—or perhaps fifty—days will be spent traveling to the capital."
He sighed, as if trying to absorb what little remained of the season.
Boris looked at him: "Opportunities are brief—but they're still opportunities… even if fleeting."
"I suppose you're right… you're wise for your age, lad," Kalu nodded with admiration.
They sat alone by the fire.
Camp activity quieted. The women continued distributing food.
Imenata approached, her eyes warm, her smile ever-present.
She carried two wrapped food bundles and said cheerfully:
"Kalu, and little Boris—here's your share!"
Boris took the parcel wrapped in banana leaves; Kalu took the other.
"Wait! Why is mine smaller?" Kalu protested.
There was no real anger in his eyes—only light teasing.
Imenata laughed innocently: "Because children need more food to grow strong and healthy! Right, Little Boris!"
Her eyes sparkled, her white teeth flashing in a grin as she playfully tapped his nose with her finger.
"Umm… I've nearly reached puberty… almost…" Boris spoke with unusual shyness.
"Almost? Are you twelve yet?" she asked, sitting beside him.
"No… still a few months away…" He lowered his eyes under her maternal gaze.
"Hmm, just a few months? You still look so young… though your height isn't bad—maybe…"
She placed her hands on his shoulders.
"Many say my face looks childish…" A faint blush crossed his eyes.
"I think it's more feminine than childish… and your hair too…"
She gently ran her fingers through his copper strands.
"Others have told me that as well…"
Suddenly, the conversation was interrupted.
"Do you mind if I join you?"
A calm, tired young voice.
"Tamer, come—take your share,"
Kalu said, turning skewers of meat over the fire.
Tamer sat quietly beside Kalu.
"You seem more at ease—are your head injuries fully healed?"
"Sorry again about that,"
Kalu and Boris said almost in unison.
"I'm truly fine. No problem—accidents like this happen. What were you talking about?"
Tamer asked, threading meat onto a wooden skewer.
"We're investigating the true age of Little Boris, tee-hee~"
Imenata said, combing Boris's hair with her fingers—without asking permission.
Then she added: "By the way—how old are you, Tamer? I mean… elves usually live long…"
"I'm forty-seven. I'm not a full elf—I'm a Subhalf-human hybrid."
Tamer scratched his chin as he spoke.
"Hmm? Forty-seven still seems young for your appearance…"
After Imenata, Kalu spoke: "I thought you were Semi-Human. Do you have other bloodlines? Or is your elf blood dominant?"
"Well, I'm half elf and one-sixth Florasapia…"
Silence fell—
broken only by the crackling fire—
and Imenata's soft hum.
Tamer looked at Boris, then at Kalu.
*Florasapia…*
The word echoed in their minds like a strange name.
"Eeeeh?! Florasapia???" Imenata shrieked.
Kalu choked on a piece of meat. Imenata jumped to slap his back.
Boris raised his eyebrows slightly—a flicker of curiosity lighting his eyes at this rare trait.
"Is that surprising? I thought it was obvious from my pupils…"
"Ah—well, I assumed it was just your personal TRAITUM…" Kalu coughed, his face red.
"No, it's just a genetic trait."
Then, with slight embarrassment: "My mother was Triquar-Human, with one-quarter Florasapia blood."
Kalu caught his breath: "That's extremely rare… I don't mean offense, but last year was the first official recognition of Florasapians as dominant entities."
Imenata lightened the mood: "You don't seem to have plant-like features—except your eyes…"
"Well, my mother showed some traits…" he said, rubbing his cheek.
"What kind of traits did she have? I've never seen a Florasapian."
Imenata tilted her head slightly.
Tamer took a quiet breath and said:
"She had green veins on her skin—especially on her arms and neck."
He continued: "Also white petals scattered among her hair strands… and her pupils were exactly like mine."
Imenata tilted her head further, fascinated:
"I've heard Florasapians also use Kona—but differently from elves, without the Konavascular System. I think they call it Kona Mass…"
Tamer shook his head: "I don't know for sure… my mother passed away when I was young. I never learned much about her abilities."
A brief silence followed—as if the question had stirred an old void within Tamer.
Kalu spoke warmly:
"Sorry, Tamer… we didn't mean to bring up painful memories. We can change the subject."
Tamer smiled gently: "It's alright… your curiosity is natural. There are no Florasapians living in Unitium. I've heard most live on the outskirts of Tartia."
"That's true," Kalu said, turning a piece of meat on the fire.
"I've never seen one in my life. You're probably the closest thing to one around here."
Tamer nodded, then added with a small smile:
"I don't even know how my mother had a quarter Florasapia blood—her other lineage was fully human."
He continued: "My father was a full elf from Tartia. He married her on this continent. As far as I know, my mother was from here, and my father from the other continent—a strange paradox, given common knowledge."
Kalu laughed: "A transcontinental family! Seems like travel is written in your blood, hahaha~"
In a quiet moment, Imenata reached out and pulled Boris into a tight hug.
Her finger trembled oddly as she squeezed his head:
"Awwww~ You're so cute! Like a beloved little kitten!"
Boris stayed stiff in Imenata's embrace—didn't smile, but clearly flustered.
Not knowing how to respond, he let her do as she pleased.
Tamer smiled, while Kalu burst into laughter.
The fire danced.
The cold air crept in.
A hawk watched from the treetops.
The mood was filled with warmth and laughter.
Jon sat silently at the edge, his eye patch covering his missing eye.
He observed the scene with his lone orange eye.
His gaze shifted from smiling Tamer to silent Boris.
He seemed detached from the world around him.
No one noticed him.
No one saw the flame burning in his eye.
As he clenched his fist in the shadows…
The copper-haired boy by the fire noticed.