69novels Page 23
Page 23
The cool night breeze brushed against my skin, slightly dispelling the heat brought on by the smell of alcohol.
Ryosuke didn't return to the cramped hotel; instead, he casually leaped onto a rooftop.
Akira Moriyama clumsily followed, and soon he was sprawled out beside him, snoring loudly.
The surroundings became completely quiet.
Above us was the night sky, dotted with countless stars, and the Milky Way stretched like a ribbon.
The city night sky was much clearer and brighter than in my previous life, when it was shrouded in light pollution.
Ryosuke rested his head on his arm, a sense of indescribable melancholy washing over him.
In my previous life, I was aloof and distant, like an inconspicuous stone in a corner of the city.
My parents died early, my relatives are indifferent, I have few friends, and my work is mechanical and repetitive. The only solace after get off work is the cold screen and virtual world in my rented room.
Socializing? That's a burden.
Life is like a stagnant pool, without a ripple.
He is alive simply because he is not dead yet.
Ryosuke could almost smell the soil and peach blossoms of Momoyama.
I could almost hear the pear blossoms chattering with concern.
The image of Jigoro's stern yet concerned gaze flashed before my eyes, along with the awkwardness of Shota, who was clearly unconvinced but couldn't help but compete.
And Tamayo's gentle, tearful appearance.
Now there's another one: Akira Moriyama.
Vivid faces flashed through my mind.
Although the game starts at hell difficulty.
Although there's a terrible system that's always eyeing his pitiful lifespan,
Although you have to face all sorts of disgusting and terrifying evil spirits...
But this path of slaying demons, forged with one's life, doesn't seem so bad after all.
At least, he's not alone anymore.
There are people waiting for him to come home, people fighting alongside him, and people with the same goal.
This life is no longer just about existing; it has gained weight, and there are things I want to grasp and protect.
He turned his head and glanced at Akira Moriyama, who was drooling.
Although this guy is incredibly bad at the game, he has amazing luck and no bad intentions, so he's a pretty good mascot.
A slight smile touched his lips. Ryosuke closed his eyes, letting the alcohol and fatigue envelop his body, his breathing gradually becoming steady in the night breeze.
Akira Moriyama let out a painful groan; the headache from the hangover made him wish he could bury his head in the ground.
"Uh...it's dawn?"
He sat up groggily and found that Ryosuke next to him had already gotten up.
He stood on the edge of the eaves, breathing in the rising sun.
Every breath was rhythmic, and the whole body radiated a powerful vitality.
Akira Moriyama shook his head, feeling that Ryosuke seemed different.
He couldn't quite put his finger on what was different, but he felt more energetic.
Ryosuke didn't turn around, his tone urging, "Pack your things and let's go."
"Huh? Oh! To Narrow Mist Mountain!"
Akira Moriyama then realized what was happening and jumped off the roof with Ryosuke.
The two left Yamagata Prefecture and embarked on a long journey.
The mornings in Narrow Mist Mountain are soaked with thick fog and sweat.
The thick fog pressed down on the mountains; taking a breath, my nostrils were filled with the scent of grass and trees.
In the distance and near at hand, the figures of young men kept flashing through the mist.
Looking at these figures, Ryosuke frowned and pondered.
Compared to Thunder Breathing, Water Breathing is gentler and is the easiest of all breathing techniques to learn.
Therefore, Urokodaki Sakonji had many more disciples than Jigoro.
The training methods for the two are also completely different.
One focuses on explosive power and speed, while the other focuses on endurance and resilience.
Ryosuke remarked, "In Momoyama, we emphasize explosive power. Training is like risking your life. If you don't control your sprint properly, you can easily fall off. Mr. Urokodaki's training... feels even more grueling."
"Is such that."
Akira Moriyama nodded, then smiled wryly as if he had thought of something: "I also suffered a lot during training."
Ryosuke smiled but didn't say anything.
He suffered much more than they did.
He will never forget the excruciating pain and tearing sensation of his liver when he first started training.
After turning past a misty forest, the view opened up a bit.
On a relatively flat open space, several huge rocks, each about two people high, stand.
Two teenagers were repeatedly swinging their knives at him.
One of the boys had medium-length, flesh-colored hair, silver eyes with horizontal lines, and a scar on the right side of his face; he was none other than Sabito.
Each time he swung the wooden knife, it made a whooshing sound, and stone chips fell down in a flurry.
The black-haired boy beside Sabito was much more silent.
Giyu Tomioka had a handsome face with little expression, but compared to Sabito's swiftness, each of his sword swings was as gentle as a flowing stream.
Although it looks delicate and weak, its power is by no means weak.
"Sword Rabbit! Brave and righteous!"
Akira Moriyama waved and shouted.
The swinging motion of the knife stopped at the same time.
Upon hearing the voice, Sabito turned his head, his eyes crinkling into a smile: "Senior Brother Moriyama!"
He responded cheerfully and strode forward to meet her.
Yiyong silently sheathed his sword and followed behind.
"The mission is over? How's it going in Yamagata Prefecture?"
Sabito's voice carried the clear, energetic quality unique to young boys, and his gaze fell curiously on Ryosuke.
"Hmm... the demons were quite troublesome, but we've dealt with them all." Akira Moriyama said, scratching his head somewhat awkwardly.
He didn't put in much effort and still won without lifting a finger; it was Ryosuke who killed the demon.
"And who is this?" Sabito asked.
"Oh yes!"
Akira Moriyama quickly stepped aside to introduce himself.
"This is Ryosuke Yasui, a disciple of Jigoro Momoyama's Kuwajima, a Thunderclap Swordsman! We owe him a lot during the final examination at Fujikazeyama!"
His tone was filled with undisguised admiration: "He single-handedly wiped out most of the evil spirits entrenched in Fujikasane Mountain, and even killed the Hand Demon! If it weren't for him, probably very few of us would have made it out..."
Sabito carefully examined Ryosuke, his gaze filled with respect.
"It was you! Ryosuke Yasui!"
Sabito's voice was filled with excitement: "Senior Brother Moriyama and the later junior brothers all mentioned you when they came back! You single-handedly wiped out Fujiiyama... and protected the lives of so many companions who participated in the final assessment..."
He took a deep breath and bowed deeply to Ryosuke.
"I deeply admire your achievement and sense of responsibility! Thank you!"
Looking at this boy who should have died young in the original timeline, giving Tanuki and Giyu a buff, but who was now full of vitality, Ryosuke felt a strange warmth and a sense of accomplishment welling up in his heart.
"Excessive praise."
Ryosuke reached out and held Sabito's arm, stopping him from bowing any further.
I'm not that good; I just did what you would do.
Even the previously silent Giyu Tomioka raised his deep blue eyes, stared intently at Ryosuke, and spoke with utmost seriousness.
"You're very strong; you killed so many ghosts and you're still alive."
Chapter 21 I Won't Be Hated!
The air was quiet for a moment.
"Ha ha ha ha……"
Sabito couldn't help but burst into laughter, slapping Giyuu's shoulder wildly: "Giyuu, people will hate you for talking like that!"
Giyu tilted his head expressionlessly, then looked intently into Sabito's eyes.
"I won't be disliked by anyone."
Ryosuke couldn't hold back for a moment.
"Hahahahaha..."
This earnest explanation made the rabbit laugh even harder.
Akira Moriyama's lips twitched; he wished he could cover Giyuu's mouth on the spot.
He nudged Ryosuke on the shoulder and hurriedly explained.
“Ryosuke-san, please don’t mind him, my junior brother is… not very good at speaking.”