In the early morning, as the first rays of sunlight wove through the branches, Ren woke to the delicate melody of birdsong. He opened his eyes slowly, glancing left and right for his master, but the surroundings were silent; Master Huan was nowhere to be found.
As Ren tried to stand, a familiar weight dragged his body down. He realized he was still wearing those massive iron weights; he hadn't taken them off since yesterday's grueling training. Instead of waiting for his master's return, he decided to start his morning with a burst of activity. He began his warm-up with rapid sprints through the hills and steep rock climbing.
During his training, Ren noticed something incredible. The weight that had made him gasp for air just yesterday seemed to have vanished today! It wasn't that the weights had grown lighter, but that his body had evolved. His muscle mass was more defined, and his explosive power had become fluid and effortless.
Suddenly, a familiar voice cut through his thoughts: "Hey! Over here, boy!"
Ren stood before his master, who had appeared out of thin air, and asked curiously, "What's the new lesson today, Master?"
Huan replied with a sharp gaze, "Take those weights off now. The time has come."
As soon as Ren unfastened the straps, the weights hit the ground with a thunderous thud, leaving deep craters in the solid earth. Ren jumped in place, feeling as if gravity had ceased to exist. "Oh! I feel like a feather floating in the air. My body is so light!"
Huan smiled. "Indeed. Now, we shall test your true speed. Do you see those leaves? I want you to catch every single one before a single speck touches the ground."
Before the Master could even finish his sentence—before he could even say "Go"—Ren unleashed a lightning-fast phantom punch toward the tree. The tree shook violently, and dozens of leaves fell at once. Before the Master could blink, Ren had gathered all those leaves in his fist and stood perfectly still, as if he hadn't moved at all.
Master Huan was stunned. "It's... incredible! Your speed has increased manifold. It's unbelievable, my boy."
Ren laughed gratefully. "Yes, it's all thanks to you, Master. I succeeded in all your harsh training."
But Huan's smile turned into a mysterious chuckle. "And who said the training is over? We haven't even finished the beginning! Hahaha."
The Master's tone turned serious. "There is one final theoretical training to strengthen your primal instinct. You must close your eyes now. When the rain begins to fall, you must dodge every single drop. I want you to emerge from the storm without a single drop dampening your clothes."
Ren was puzzled. "I truly don't know where you come up with these miraculous trials! But I am ready."
Ren stood under the canopy of the sky, head tilted back, eyes closed, waiting for the sky's signal. The rain began to fall slowly at first. Ren started to move with great speed and agility, shifting in blurred streaks that made him look like he was teleporting. But he failed; the droplets struck his body, and he was drenched.
Huan shouted, "I said close your eyes! Do not open them! The rain is just beginning and you've already failed. How will you become the strongest warrior this way? Now go, dry yourself by the fire, change your clothes, and try again."
Ren tried again, but this time, something was different. His steps were no longer random; every movement was calculated with surgical precision, accompanied by a spiritual sense of every drop sliding from the heavens. The rain intensified into a storm, and Ren continued to dance with the elements. Night fell, and the darkness took over, yet Ren did not stop his dance with the rain until the dawn of the next day.
When the rain finally ceased, the Master found Ren collapsed on his knees from exhaustion, but the surprise was shocking: he was not wet by a single drop!
Huan praised this historic achievement, thinking to himself in awe: (What is the secret of this boy's evolution? This training took me more than ten attempts, yet he succeeded in only two! This is a level that even the most veteran warriors struggle to reach).
Huan called his disciple: "Come, Ren. Well done. You've succeeded exactly as I expected. You are no longer the weak Ren I once knew. Do you remember your old self?"
Ren looked at his body and his powerful fist, amazed by the radical change. He had been so immersed in training that he hadn't noticed his own growth. He replied in a steady voice, "You know, Master? I have never felt the power of my fist like this before."
The Master said wisely, "Indeed... and make sure, my son, to use this fist for good and not for personal gain."
Ren replied firmly, "Yes, I will crush evil wherever it stands."
Huan laughed. "I know you are kind-hearted, but beware. Sometimes, kindness is a fatal weakness. You must distinguish between kindness and hesitation. In your future, you will face manipulators and deceivers... In battle, cast pity aside."
"Understood... What now?" Ren asked with excitement.
Huan answered, "Now we eat, then we set off for practical training. On our way, we will pass through the city of 'Zemir' to change the training atmosphere and roam its markets."
The journey took two days of arduous walking until the buildings of Zemir began to loom on the horizon. At the outskirts, Huan said, "Listen, we will part ways here. We meet back at this spot in three days. Take this money and buy what you need."
Ren replied, "Alright, take care of yourself, Master."
Huan laughed with a fond sneer, "Did you think I've become a senile old man? I am your master, boy!"
Ren waved at him, smiling. "Don't worry, I am your disciple; I won't cause trouble."
The two parted, and Ren entered the crowded market. An exquisite, ornate dagger caught his eye, but its price was exorbitant, so he left it. Suddenly, a delicious aroma drew Ren to a small restaurant. A young boy greeted him with a menu.
"You look like a stranger to this village from your clothes," the boy said curiously.
Ren replied, "Yes, I am on a training journey with my master. What is your name?"
The boy replied, "My name is just 'Ben.' I was born and found myself with this family that owns the restaurant. Your name is Ren Kuroski? That's a truly majestic name, like a powerful warrior's!"
Ren smiled a smile that hid painful memories, but suddenly, a massive man named 'Raijin' burst in. He grabbed Ben by the neck, lifting him high, shouting, "Didn't I tell you not to speak, you lowly servant?" He began to beat him.
Ren couldn't control his temper and shouted, "Let him go, you scoundrel! How can you hit a small child?"
Raijin replied arrogantly, "And who are you? This is none of your business! If it weren't for me, this brat would be dead."
Ben said in a muffled voice, "It's alright, Ren, I'm fine." Raijin left after threatening Ben with punishment if he slacked off.
Ren asked Ben sadly, "Why do you endure all this cruelty?"
Ben replied, "We will talk tonight after my shift. Wait for me in front of the restaurant."
At night, Ben came out and accompanied Ren to his dilapidated, filthy hut. Ren's heart ached for the boy's condition. Ben said, "I endure the humiliation because I am alone, and because I owe Raijin my life; he saved me from a fire that killed my family. You are the first person to care about me."
Ren replied emotionally, "Because I was just like you in the past. Tell me, do you have any talent?"
Ben answered in a voice that was a perfect replica of Ren's: "Maybe..."
Ren was stunned. "It's like I'm hearing myself speak! How did you do that?"
Ben replied, "I used to mimic TV characters until I could imitate any voice or language with 100% accuracy."
Ren was impressed. "You are amazing! Why don't you leave this village and come with me and my master?"
Ben replied faithfully, "Maybe in the future, after I pay my debt to that man."
Ren vowed, "One day I will come back for you. That is a promise."
Ren spent the next two days helping Ben in the restaurant for free. Despite the greedy Raijin agreeing immediately to the free labor, Ren was happy in his new friend's company. The time for parting came.
"Take care of yourself, Ben. We will meet again one day," Ren said sadly.
Ben replied with a smile, "Yes, take care of yourself too."
Ren arrived at the meeting point to find Master Huan waiting. "You're late, boy," the Master said, noticing Ren hadn't spent much of the money.
Ren replied, "Things happened that delayed me, and I didn't need much of the money."
Huan replied seriously, "Alright, get ready... the real journey begins now. What awaits us is much greater. Our next destination: The Cave of Dusk Shadows."
Ren replied with eyes gleaming with challenge, "I am ready!"
The two set off into the unknown, leaving the city of Zemir behind, heading toward a destiny that no one could foresee.