Dong, dong.
A faint sound.
Honma Shojun was startled. He crawled out of his sleeping bag while Honma Noriko remained calm.
"Someone...!" Honma Shojun whispered.
"That's not a person." Honma Noriko remained unfazed, having seen too much of the world, "It's an animal. The sound is scattered by the wind outside. It's an animal."
"An animal?" Shojun asked.
"Yes, it could be a wolf that followed us. It's not a human. Don't worry, I can still distinguish between people and animals." said Honma Noriko, embracing her knees, "Shojun, we carry a great secret. Others may say we mother and son bear the sins of history. But don't care what they say. Unleash your talent and ambition."
"Mother means," Shojun stood up straight, "you want me to go kill that animal."
"Yes." Honma Noriko nodded, "I will teach you many things in this wilderness. This is your first lesson."
Silently, Shojun nodded. He knew his mother's teachings were precious and valuable.
