Chapter 125 — Recruit #1 Begins Island Work
S.C. 1511 — Late January
Hidden Island — Eastern Cliff Base
The morning waves lapped softly against the shore as Ren's small boat touched the sand.
Zemo hopped out first, sniffing eagerly.
But today, someone else was waiting at the meeting point.
A thin boy, maybe ten or eleven, stood half-hidden behind a tree.
Dusty clothes.
Bare feet.
Eyes sharp, yet timid.
Arlen.
The first person from Gray Terminal who had been quietly taking Ren's food parcels with honesty.
And now… the first person Ren was willing to trust.
Ren stepped closer.
"You came," he said gently.
Arlen nodded, nervous but determined.
"I… I didn't steal anything. I swear."
Ren smiled softly.
"I know."
Zemo approached and sniffed Arlen's hand.
Arlen froze.
Zemo licked his fingers once.
Ren laughed.
"That means he likes you."
Arlen's shoulders loosened a little.
The Rules of the Island
Ren led Arlen toward the cliff entrance, still covered with vines.
"Before we go inside," Ren said, "there are five rules you must always follow."
Arlen straightened, listening carefully.
**1. Never come unless I tell you.
2. Never bring anyone here.
3. Never take what you don't need.
4. Always work in pairs — me or Zemo.
5. If you see something strange, stop instantly."
Arlen nodded quickly.
"I'll follow every rule. I promise."
Ren saw the sincerity in his eyes.
Gray Terminal kids didn't lie about promises.
They had too little in life to waste words.
Entering the Base
Ren pushed aside the vines, revealing the narrow stone tunnel.
Arlen's eyes widened.
"You… carved this?"
"A little every day," Ren said.
Zemo barked proudly like he had carved it himself.
Ren led Arlen through the dim tunnel.
The ceiling beams.
The lantern hooks.
The shelves.
The carved floor.
Arlen whispered, "This… this is like a secret house."
Ren smiled.
"That's the idea."
The First Task — Stone Sorting
Ren handed Arlen a simple wooden crate.
"Your first job is easy," Ren said.
"Take the stones I dig out and sort them here."
He pointed to three marked piles:
Large stones
Medium stones
Dust & debris
Arlen crouched immediately, studying the rocks.
"These big ones are good for walls," Ren explained.
"Medium ones can support the floor. Dust goes outside."
Arlen nodded hard.
"I can do that!"
And he did.
Carefully.
Quietly.
Efficiently.
Ren noticed something.
Arlen wasn't fast…
but he was meticulous.
Every rock he placed was deliberate, almost respectful.
Second Task — Cleaning Chamber Two
Ren walked Arlen to the sleeping chamber.
"It's dusty here. Can you brush the walls and floor?"
Arlen picked up the wooden brush and nodded.
Zemo followed him like a supervisor.
As Arlen brushed:
SCRAPE—SCRAPE—SCRAPE.
Dust floated in the warm lantern light.
Arlen didn't complain.
Didn't rush.
Didn't cut corners.
When he finished, he wiped sweat from his brows and whispered:
"…I've never cleaned something this nice before."
Ren paused, then placed a hand gently on his shoulder.
"Someday, more people will live here.
And you're helping build it."
Arlen's eyes glimmered.
Lunch Break by the Shore
Ren brought out the simple food he packed:
Dried fish
Apples
Bread
Water
Arlen stared as if he was looking at treasure.
"You don't have to eat fast," Ren said softly.
"No one is taking it from you."
Arlen blinked, then nodded slowly and ate at a calm pace.
Zemo curled on Ren's lap, tail flicking contently.
The sea breeze was gentle.
The island feel was peaceful.
Arlen looked at Ren.
"…Why help me?"
Ren answered honestly:
"Because someday, I'll need people I can trust.
And I'd rather trust someone honest than someone powerful."
Arlen lowered his head, overwhelmed.
Final Task — Carrying Tools
Ren gave Arlen one more job.
Helping carry tools from the boat to the chamber.
Arlen wasn't strong.
But he tried with everything he had:
dragging crates
pushing planks
carrying ropes
stacking small jars
Ren didn't correct him unless necessary.
Effort mattered more than perfection.
Zemo kept bringing sticks, believing he was also helping with "transport duty."
The End of the First Day
As the sun dipped low, Ren closed the base entrance.
Arlen stood quietly, hands dirty but eyes bright.
"Did I do good?" he asked.
Ren smiled.
"You did great.
Better than I expected."
Arlen's breath caught.
Ren continued:
"You can come tomorrow. Same place. Same time."
Arlen's face lit up with something Ren hadn't seen before.
Hope.
He bowed his head deeply.
"Thank you… Ren. I won't let you down."
Zemo's Final Inspection
Zemo walked around Arlen in circles…
…then sat beside him.
Ren laughed.
"That means Zemo approves."
Arlen smiled for the first time — a small, shaky smile.
Ren reached out his hand.
"Welcome to the island, Arlen.
You're our first helper."
Arlen took the hand with trembling fingers.
The island base…
the merchant group…
the future…
Just gained its first person.
One honest boy.
One small step.
One beginning.
End of Chapter 125