Chapter 5
The land of MistyRain
A long silence filled the room.
Kayaku rose from his chair, the firelight flickering across his sharp features. Without a word, he moved toward a tall, shadowed shelf along the wall. His fingers traced the spines of old, leather-bound books and jars coated in dust, searching for something.
The crackle of the fire was the only sound, echoing softly in the stillness. Even Atoi remained seated, eyes fixed on Kayaku, every muscle alert.
Dodo watched from the side, arms crossed, her expression calm but curious.
The villagers outside whispered quietly among themselves, hesitant to move under the weight of the room's tension.
Finally, Kayaku's hand paused on a small, unassuming book at the top of the shelf. He lifted it down carefully, almost reverently, and placed it on the table before him. Dust motes danced in the firelight as he opened it, revealing…
Kayaku carefully turned a few fragile pages of the book. The crackle of the fire and the soft shuffle of pages filled the room. Finally, he stopped, his finger resting on a worn sheet.
Atoi leaned forward instinctively. The page revealed a detailed map—its lines faded but precise, showing mountains, rivers, forests, and a vast, shadowed region marked with strange symbols.
"This…" Kayaku said, his voice low and serious, "is the MistyRain Empire. What remains of it… and what it hides."
When Atoi saw the map, he leaned very close to it.
His eyes carefully followed every line — the river border, the desert, the forest, the Lost Kingdom.
He didn't say anything.
The room was heavy with silence.
Then—
clink.
Dodo gently placed the teapot on the table.
The small sound felt loud in the quiet room.
Atoi slowly lifted his head.
He turned and looked toward that side — at Dodo… at the rising steam from the teapot.
For a moment, his sharp expression softened
Dodo gently pushed the cup toward him.
"Take it," she said softly.
"You're exhausted."
Steam rose between them, warm and calming.
Atoi looked at the cup for a moment… then at Dodo.
Kayaku closed the book slowly.
"This… is all I know about that place," he said, his voice low and serious.
The fire crackled between them, shadows moving across his face.
"I never went deeper. And those who did… never returned."
At that moment, Atoi lifted the cup and took a slow sip of the tea.
The warmth spread through his body, easing the cold that still clung to him from the journey.
He didn't break eye contact with Kayaku.
Even while drinking, his gaze remained steady… determined.
The steam rose between them, soft and quiet — a sharp contrast to the danger they were speaking of.
Atoi lowered the cup slowly.
"Nobody knows why I am here," he said calmly.
His eyes remained fixed on the fire.
"And I intend to keep it that way."
"At least do me one favor," he said quietly.
"Give me the map… please."
His voice was calm, but there was firm determination behind it.
Atoi looked at Kayaku steadily.
"And I would like to stay here… for one or two days."
He paused for a moment.
"I need to prepare."
Kayaku and Dodo looked at each other.
For a brief moment, silence passed between them.
Then… they both smiled.
Kayaku crossed his arms.
"You don't need to ask."
Dodo stepped forward with a bright grin.
"You're already our guest."
The fire crackled warmly, and for the first time since Atoi arrived… the room felt lighter.
Atoi lowered his head slightly.
"Thank you… so much."
His voice was quiet, but sincere.
For a warrior who carried so much silence, those words felt heavier than armor.
Dodo smiled softly.
Kayaku simply nodded.
Outside, the mist drifted past the windows…
And for the first time since entering Oxmusk, Atoi allowed himself a moment of rest.
Far beyond the village…
A dark mountain stood beneath the heavy clouds.
At its peak, carved into the black stone, there was a cave.
From its entrance, a cold wind flowed outward… carrying a faint, unnatural aura.
The mist around the mountain did not move.
It only circled… as if guarding something inside.
Inside the cave…
An old man stood before a massive stone door.
He wore a long red robe that flowed like quiet flames in the darkness.
His short grey hair framed his weathered face, and his eyes glowed faintly in the darkness. In his hand, he held an ancient iron key.
Without hesitation…
He inserted it into the lock.
The sound echoed through the cave.
The door trembled.
Then—
He removed the key… and held it over a small blue flame that appeared in his palm.
The metal began to glow.
Red.
Orange.
White.
And slowly… it melted.
Dripping like liquid fire onto the stone floor.
The old man watched silently as the last piece of the key dissolved.
The old man closed his eyes slowly.
"Wait… for the time," he whispered.
His voice echoed softly in the dark cave.
The old man turned and began walking toward the mouth of the cave.
His footsteps echoed softly against the stone walls.
As he stepped outside…
The cold mountain wind brushed against his red robe.
Waiting outside…
Komado stood there.
His dark fur moved slightly in the mountain wind.
His body was huge — built like a living fortress.
A long scar crossed his chest.
But his eyes…
His eyes were calm. Intelligent.
He was not just a beast.
The old man looked at him.
"It is sealed," he said quietly.
Komado gave a deep, low growl… almost like understanding.
Then the mountain fell silent again.
Komado lowered his head before the old man.
The massive gorilla bent slightly, showing respect.
Even with his enormous strength, his gesture was gentle… loyal.
The old man placed his hand on Komado's head.
"You have done well."
The old man looked at the dark sky.
"Just wait for the right time… now," he said quietly.
The wind moved around them.
Komado remained still.
Komado reached behind his back.
From a wrapped cloth, he carefully pulled out a black katana.
The blade was dark, almost absorbing the moonlight instead of reflecting it.
He knelt slightly and offered it to the old man with both hands.
The old man looked at the weapon in silence, then accepted it slowly.
He held the sword in both hands, feeling its weight. For a moment, he studied the dark blade.
The wind moved his gray hair gently.
"…Enok.... ," he said quietly.
The word echoed across the mountain.
Komado did not move.
The old man slowly turned his head… and looked back toward the cave.
His eyes narrowed.
Deep inside—
Far beyond the entrance…Past the cold stone walls…Past the sealed door…
There was something hidden.
Inside the chamber…
A single book rested on a stone altar.
It was bound tightly with heavy iron chains.
Early in the morning…
Soft sunlight slipped through the window.
Atoi was still asleep.
Dodo stood beside him, arms crossed.
She leaned down slightly.
"Atoi… wake up."
No response.
She poked his shoulder.
"Hey. Atoi. It's morning."
He moved a little… but didn't open his eyes.
Dodo sighed.
Dodo crossed her arms and leaned closer.
"If you don't wake up now…" she paused dramatically.
"I'm going to kick you out of that bed myself."
Her foot lightly nudged the side of the mattress.
"Don't test me." Atoi didn't react.
Not even a twitch.
Dodo's eyebrow twitched.
"Oh… you're ignoring me?"
A dangerous smile appeared on her face.
"You crossed the line."
Before he could respond—
THUD!
She kicked him straight off the bed.
Atoi hit the floor with a heavy sound.
Silence.
Dodo stood over him.
"I warned you."
Atoi slowly opened one eye…
"…Good morning." Dodo turned away after kicking Atoi off the bed.
"Get ready," she said casually.
Without waiting for his reply, she slid the door open. Atoi slowly stood up, still half asleep.
He walked toward the doorway.
The door was already open.
He stepped outside into the warm morning air.
The village was alive with movement.
People were heading to work, carrying tools and baskets.
Children ran through the streets.
Smoke rose gently from the houses.
For a moment… everything felt calm.
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