Chapter 9 9
Kouta and Misora had finished meeting with the other Realizers for the mission. They rushed to where the space collapse would appear. According to estimates, it will happen soon.
Kouta and the other realizers quickly arrived at that location. But they could only remain silent and open their mouths wide when they saw the scene before their eyes. They didn't find space collapse there. What they saw were the corpses of monsters scattered around the place.
"What exactly happened in this place?"
"Is space collapse happening faster than we think? So, who killed the monsters?"
The Realizers said in confusion. Not because of seeing the monsters' corpses but rather the people who had done it. On the other hand, Kouta frowned as he felt a resemblance to the events in Ibaraki.
The monsters' corpses were perfectly dismembered, and some became minced meat. Kouta could tell that the person who did it was cold-blooded and possessed a very powerful Phantasmal Object, at least on par with him.
"We'd better split this team in two. The first group spreads out and looks for clues about this incident, and the other group will collect valuable items in this area." Kouta said to the other Realizers. There is no team leader in this mission. Because of that, he couldn't command the other Realizers.
"I agree with your opinion. We must also explore the surrounding area to ensure none of the monsters escape." A female Realizer quickly agreed to Kouta's words, and the others had no objections. After that, they split their team and spread out in the area to carry out their respective tasks.
***
In a house in the Hinohara area, an old man is sitting drinking a cup of coffee and watching a boy lying unconscious in front of him.
"Hmm..." Tenku groaned and slowly opened his eyes. he again lost consciousness and woke up in a place he didn't recognize.
"Are you awake, kid?" The old man asked and then took a sip of the coffee in his cup.
Tenku's body trembled, and he quickly stood up after hearing the voice. He remembered the voice of an old man who suddenly appeared before him and knocked him unconscious.
"Who are you!? What do you want from me!?" Tenku became alert and intended to release his Phantasmal Object. He felt like a rabbit in front of a tiger.
Then Tenku suddenly felt pain all over his body. Either this was due to his power's side effect or that old man's punch. But he had to endure it for now because he thought his current situation was in danger.
When Tenku turned his eyes toward the source of the voice, he could see the face of the person who had made him lose consciousness. He was a white-haired old man with an oriental face. Even though it looks like Japanese people, Tenku feels a little different.
"Calm down, kid. You don't need to be so wary. I have no ill will towards you. What's more, are you willing to lose yourself if you continue to use that power carelessly?" The old man said indifferently.
"What do you mean, old man?" Tenku wouldn't believe the old man's words because he had attacked him for no reason.
"I mean that you will be in danger if you continue to use that power." The old man stood up and walked slowly towards Tenku.
Tenku was ready to manifest his weapon and fight against the old man, but the other party suddenly stopped his footsteps.
"Do you feel like something is trying to enter your mind and take over your body after you use that power?" The old man smiled and asked.
"How did you know about it!?" Tenku panicked after hearing his words. He was surprised that the old man knew what happened to him every time he used his Phantasmal Object.
"It's not a secret to Realizers, and you'll find out later. But the problem now is how you handle your current situation." The old man saw that Tenku was still wary of him and could only sigh in his heart.
"Do you know how? If so, please tell me." Tenku felt that the old man was not lying to him.
"Why should I tell you?" The old man smiled slyly, and that made Tenku a little annoyed.
"If you don't want to tell me, I'll get out of here." Tenku didn't want to linger in that place because he had to return to Misora's house before she and her husband returned.
"Wait! Wait! Alright, I'll tell you. But first, you have to promise me one thing." The old man panicked and tried to stop Tenku.
"I don't want to. What if you want me to do something dangerous? I'd rather find out myself than have to get it from you." Tenku snorted and walked unsteadily from the pain in his body. Even though he was only a six-year-old boy, Tenku wasn't a fool.
"I wouldn't ask you to promise anything like that!" The old man quickly denied Tenku's words.
"Then what do you want from me?" Tenku stopped his footsteps and looked at the old man.
"We'll talk more about it over sitting down and drinking juice." The old man pointed to a chair not far from where he was standing.
"I'm sorry, but I can't waste my time here. I must return immediately." Tenku shook his head and walked towards the exit from the house.
"Okay! I'll take you back to your house! Wouldn't that be quicker? I can say my request is on the way." The old man suddenly disappeared and reappeared in front of Tenku.
It surprised Tenku because the old man didn't take out his Phantasmal Object, but he could move that fast.
"Okay. Please take me to this address." Tenku took a piece of paper from his pocket and gave it to the old man. He had written down the address of Karitoshi's residence before he slipped into Kouta's car.
"Hmm… Coincidentally, this place is only fifteen minutes from my apartment on foot! It looks like we do have a destiny! Let's hurry and get in the car!" The old man was slightly surprised to see the address on the paper.
But he quickly became excited after learning that Tenku lived not far from him. Then the old man grabbed Tenku's hand and led him to where his car was parked. After the two entered the car, they immediately left the place.
"So, what exactly do you want from me, old man?" Tenku started the conversation first.
"Can you not call me old man? My name is Wang Haotian, and I'm from china. From now on, call me master!" Wang Haotian felt uncomfortable being called an old man.
"Why should I call you master?" Tenku tilted his head in confusion.
"Because I want you to be my disciple!" Wang Haotian said seriously.
"why? Why do you want me to be your disciple?" Tenku couldn't agree to the request before knowing the reason.
"Because of your Phantasmal Object and its unique power. Besides, becoming my disciple will solve that problem of yours." Wang Haotian answered honestly.
"What do you mean? I don't understand." Tenku shook his head as he did not know about the power of his Phantasmal Object. Wang Haotian didn't answer him, but glasses with an antique shape suddenly appeared in his eyes.
"That is…" Tenku was shocked when he saw that.
"This is my Phantasmal Object." Wang Haotian replied curtly.
"Glasses? Your Phantasmal Object isn't a weapon?" Tenku looked at Wang Haotian's glasses curiously.
"From the beginning, the Phantasmal Object used the word object behind it because not everything that humans manifested would be in the form of a weapon. Phantasmal Objects originate from humans' feelings, desires, ideals, and hopes. Of course, that person must have the potential to be able to awaken it. Therefore, Phantasmal objects have various forms." Wang Haotian stopped his words and drank the mineral water from the bottle. After that, he continued his explanation.
"But whatever form the Phantasmal Object takes, it will only be used for combat. Even though you can't use it directly to injure your opponent, it might increase your fighting ability." Wang Haotian continued to talk without taking his eyes off the road in front of him, and Tenku seriously listened to him.
"My Phantasmal Objects are called Ancient Glasses and can see distance, invisibility, and energy flow around me. With these glasses, I can see the abilities of your scythe." Wang Haotian turned his gaze to Tenku, and his glasses emitted light.