Interlude 3
"Ah, my injury… it hurts!!"
During a mock battle, Kengo cried out loudly. The Wolf Warrior stopped their attack for a moment and relaxed their stance.
"What’s with the sudden outburst? You should’ve said something before doing that."
"No, remember that ‘White Sorcerer’ sword strike I blocked the other day? That one’s still bothering me!"
Kengo showed his arm to the Wolf Warrior. A dark red bruise, resembling a line, marked his arm, and from the wound, blood slowly started to seep out.
"Was it a blow that surpassed your 'Blessing' ability? That sounds terrifying."
"'Kōgo Nīō' isn't invincible, you know! Well, I wasn't going all-out back then, either."
"...I’ve said this before, but stop casually mentioning your ability name."
"Huh? We’re close, so don’t worry about it!!"
Heaven’s Armor—the Blessing that Kengo Shishikura possesses. Its effect is simple: "Harden the user's body." However, its hardness can deflect bullets as if they were pebbles, and a punch from him becomes stronger than diamond. It’s not a very versatile ability, but it's a purely combat-focused Blessing that excels at both offense and defense.
Generally, Blessings surpass human capabilities, but they aren’t without weaknesses.
"We’re comrades! I want you to know everything—my ability’s details, my ability name, and even the 'cost' that comes with it, Wolf Warrior!"
"What are you going to do with that information? Besides, I can't do anything about your 'cost.'"
That’s the "cost"—Blessings always come with something the user has to pay.
Activation is unconditional, but after activation, the user inevitably faces some sort of risk.
In Kengo's case, muscle spasms occur somewhere in his entire body. If used for a short time, it results in symptoms like a stiff shoulder or a tight waist. However, if used for a long period or at full power, the backlash can be severe enough to affect daily life. The reason Kengo was temporarily out of action, according to him, was due to appendicitis, but the Wolf Warrior knew that the real reason was different.
"If you can't move, we're finished. Use your ability appropriately, Kengo. There won’t be another chance."
"Even so! My Blessing is meant to protect everyone! I’d rather hold back to preserve myself and see everyone get injured—that's what I don't want! Forgive me!!"
If the user is unable to pay the cost of their Blessing, and continues to use it, the answer is “forced collection,” and something else will be taken in place.
In the past, Kengo fought until forced collection happened. As a result, his joints hardened abnormally, and he had to undergo artificial joint replacements in both his right elbow and left knee. A long-term absence was inevitable.
"Still, you're worried about me, huh? You're kind."
"I'm only worried about losing you as a combat asset."
"Don’t be shy, don’t be shy!! Alright, let's go eat!!"
With his wound still open, there was no way he could continue the mock battle. Kengo grabbed the Wolf Warrior's arm and, with extraordinary strength, dragged him along.
Kengo had always been forceful. He had the power to pull others along—both physically and by nature.
On the other hand, the Wolf Warrior was quiet and emotionally restrained. Despite his youth, he lacked any sort of liveliness.
"So, what are we eating, Wolf Warrior?!"
"Anything’s fine."
Inside the headquarters of the Shishima Organization, there was a cafeteria. Kengo shouted loudly in front of the ticket machine, while the Wolf Warrior ordered the first set meal he saw. Kengo, on the other hand, had a stack of tickets for everything from set meals to rice bowls and noodles.
"Hey! You're not getting extra rice, are you?!"
"I'm not."
"You're growing, you know? You need to eat more! You're in your growth period, after all!"
"I'm not."
Given that Kengo was over 190 cm tall, he had a big appetite. In contrast, the Wolf Warrior ate very little and didn’t really care about food.
"Come on, be more aware of eating! It’s wasteful otherwise!"
"Once it’s in the stomach, it’s all the same."
"There’s no way that’s true! Every grain of rice has its own flavor! So, you should appreciate the farmers who grew it and eat it all in one go! That’s the proper etiquette, right?!"
"What kind of etiquette is that?"
Kengo, who ate quickly, was particular about the taste. For the Wolf Warrior, food was simply about nutrition, and taste didn’t matter much. If the food was nutritious enough, he’d probably eat mud without complaint.
Kengo and the Wolf Warrior were complete opposites in this regard. One might think they'd argue constantly, but surprisingly, things went smoothly between them. Fundamentally, they were quite similar.
"Alright! Next time, I’ll take you to my favorite restaurant! It’s cheap and delicious!"
"I’m fine. But after you’re done eating, go to the infirmary."
"Alright? That means you’re going, right!? I accept!!"
"How did that happen?"
"Food makes life richer, you know! You should understand that, Wolf Warrior!"
"I don’t need to."
If life could be enriched with every meal, then doing anything would lead to happiness.
The Wolf Warrior was not happy. That was why he fought and sought more. That was all there was to it.
An hour later, when the Wolf Warrior returned to training, he likely wouldn’t even remember what he had eaten for lunch.
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