Chapter 3
Two weeks after the encounter, Shin reaches a city far away from the cave.
At the city gate, he is stopped by two guards. One of them steps forward and asks,
"Show us your identification."
Shin shakes his head.
"I don't have one."
The guards exchange looks.
"Then we can't let you enter," one of them says. "But… what is your name?"
"My name is Shin Kusagawa," Shin answers calmly.
The guards freeze.
"Kusagawa…?" one of them repeats in disbelief. "Do you mean the noble family that lives in the temple of this region?"
"Yes," Shin replies.
The guards hesitate, then ask,
"Do you have proof?"
Without a word, Shin takes out a necklace. Engraved on it is the symbol of the Kusagawa family.
The guards' expressions change instantly.
"T-Please forgive us," one of them says hurriedly. "The Kusagawa family is the most powerful family in this land—and the founders of this city."
They step aside and allow him to pass.
Shin enters the city without questioning it, unaware of the weight his name carries.
His first priority is to find a place to stay.
As he walks through the streets, he notices an inn and steps inside. He approaches the counter, where a woman greets him.
"How much would it cost to stay here for one or two weeks?" Shin asks.
"Thirty silver coins," she replies.
Shin pays without hesitation.
"I'd also like some bread and soup with meat," he adds.
She nods and prepares the meal.
As Shin eats, the door suddenly opens. Several men enter—soldiers.
They announce that they are here to collect taxes.
The woman steps forward nervously.
"Could you give me another week? I still need to buy food for my guests…"
The soldiers burst out laughing.
"You should be grateful we don't take more," one of them says mockingly. Another insults her openly.
Shin clenches his fist. He can't listen anymore.
He stands up and walks toward them.
"How much is the tax?" he asks.
"One hundred gold coins," a soldier answers with a grin.
Shin's eyes darken.
"That price will be reduced," Shin says coldly.
The soldiers laugh.
"The king sets the prices, boy."
Shin stares at them.
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
The soldiers scowl.
"You're asking for trouble."
"Do as I say," Shin replies calmly, "or you'll regret it."
That's enough for them.
The king's soldiers attack.
But Shin doesn't hesitate. In moments, he strikes each of them in the face, knocking them unconscious one by one.
Later, they are taken to the castle, far away from the city.
Shin returns to his table and continues eating as if nothing happened.
The woman approaches him, trembling.
"Thank you for helping me," she says. "But the king won't let this go."
Shin looks up.
"If a king cannot protect his people from injustice," he says quietly, "then he is not worthy of being king."
She nods slowly.
"What is your name?" she asks.
"My name is Shin."
She smiles faintly.
"I'm Isabella."
Shin thanks her for the meal and goes to his room.
When he wakes up again, it is already dark outside. He washes up and goes downstairs to gather information about the Adventurer Guilds in the city.
A man nearby answers his question.
"All the guilds are in the city center. There are three of them."
Shin thanks him and orders more food.
Isabella is back at the counter, telling the other guests how Shin protected her inn. Shin feels embarrassed as people start staring at him.
But he knows one thing.
If he truly wants to change the world, he must become stronger.
After finishing his meal, he thanks Isabella once more and returns to his room.
Exhausted from traveling and overexerting himself, Shin lies down. His thoughts race—then slowly fade.
He falls asleep.
What will Shin do next?