After finally reaching the top of Mount Yakushi, Tuziku was immediately attacked by a legendary Centaur.
After struggling to get past the Creature for quite some time—
Tuziku found himself trapped between the Centaur's spear and the edge of the mountain's peak.
In the end, the Creature launched a ferocious attack.
However...
Just before its attack could reach Tuziku—
The Centaur's body suddenly froze mid-attack.
Tuziku was left speechless, his eyes and mouth wide open.
Wh—what just happened...?!
It's... not moving...
It suddenly stopped during its attack!
Without breaking eye contact, Tuziku slowly stepped to the side of the Centaur, removing himself from between the Creature and the edge of the mountain.
Tuziku breathed heavily.
Looks like it really is frozen in place...
What the hell happened?!
Tuziku gazed at the back of the Centaur.
It remained frozen, its spear still lunged toward the edge of the cliff.
SMACK!
Tuziku slapped his cheeks.
"I don't have time to be surprised!"
"Now is my chance to grab that chest and get out of here!"
Tuziku turned and ran toward the chest in the opposite direction of the Centaur.
He reached the chest and picked it up.
Thank goodness...
I finally managed to get the chest!
Tuziku exhaled sharply as he began to carelessly lower his guard.
Just as he began to relax—
The Centaur was suddenly able to move again.
FWOOSH!
The Creature lunged its spear forward, but upon realizing its target was gone, it lowered its weapon and wore a confused expression.
After a few seconds, the Centaur slowly turned and spotted Tuziku holding the chest in his hands.
What... was that sound just now...?
Tuziku slowly turned his body.
To his horror, he found the Centaur glaring at him furiously.
Its expression screamed rage.
Tuziku's eyes instantly widened as realization struck him.
"It's... moving again?!"
Suddenly—
The Centaur began charging toward Tuziku, its spear aimed directly at him.
Sh—shit!
I have to get off this mountain!
Tuziku immediately bolted in the opposite direction of the Creature.
As he rapidly approached the edge of the mountain's peak, he glanced over his shoulder and noticed the Centaur had almost caught up to him.
This is bad...!
It's almost caught up to me...!
He glanced at the edge of the mountain.
If I slow down to climb off the mountain, he's definitely going to catch me...
But if I continue, I'll run straight off the mountain!
Tuziku was conflicted.
As he approached the edge, only a few feet away, he took one final look at the Creature, which was also only a few feet behind him in pursuit.
I... can't slow down...!
"DAMN IT ALL!!!" he shouted before jumping straight off Mount Yakushi.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
He screamed as he soared through the air from 500 meters above the ground, all while hugging the old wooden chest.
If I hit the ground from this high up...
I'M GONNA DIE...!!
FWOOOOOOOO!!
He sliced through the air as he approached the ground at devastating speed.
NO WAY!!
I...
"I CAN'T DIE HERE!!!"
He clung tightly to the chest.
"HAAAAAAAAHHH!!"
The ground finally came into sight.
I can see the ground...!
This is it!
As Tuziku closed his eyes and braced himself for impact—
FWOOOSSH!!
A gust of wind suddenly erupted from below and began to slow Tuziku's momentum.
Then—
A figure suddenly caught Tuziku in mid-air.
"Just in the nick of time!"
Huh...? He thought to himself.
As he slowly opened his eyes—
He gasped.
You're...
FWOOO...!
Almost as if supported by the wind, they slowly descended toward the ground.
Thud!
Thud!
Tuziku safely reached the ground.
"Old man Ryōkōjū...!" Tuziku exclaimed.
"Boy..." he replied.
...
A few moments earlier...
Just after Ryōkōjū and Kutcher returned to the house—
"I can't believe you, Grandpa!" Prīōra shouted.
"And you too, Kutcher...!"
"How could you let Tuziku do something so dangerous?"
"We're going after him now!" she shouted.
"But, Prīōra..." Ryōkōjū pleaded.
"No excuses!" she snapped.
"You're coming too, Kutcher!"
Kutcher remained silent.
Suddenly, Nēgus burst into laughter.
"That cocky little brat is probably dead by now!" he shouted in a content tone.
Prīōra glared at him menacingly before storming off.
"Let's go, you two!"
Back to the present moment...
"Tuziku!!" a female voice called out.
Suddenly—
Prīōra came bolting toward Tuziku, with Kutcher slowly approaching from behind.
Prīōra...
Then—
WHACK!!
She launched a ferocious punch straight toward Tuziku's jaw.
"OWWWW!!" Tuziku screamed out.
"What was that for...?"
Suddenly, without warning, she hugged him tightly.
She cleared her throat as she pushed him away.
"Prīōra..." Tuziku mumbled.
"Geez, Tuziku..."
"You could've fallen to your death," she said with a grin.
As she glanced at his hands—
She gasped.
"Don't tell me..."
"Is that the legendary treasure chest?!"
"You mean..." she gazed at him.
"You actually faced the Man-beast?!"
As she carefully observed Tuziku's appearance, she realized something.
"Tuziku... you're wounded!" She covered her mouth.
Tuziku glanced at his torso.
Kutcher suddenly stepped forward.
"Tuziku..."
"You actually did it...!"
Tuziku chuckled.
Suddenly—
Thud!
Tuziku collapsed to the floor.
"Tuziku!"
"Tuziku!"
Prīōra and Kutcher rushed to his side.
The next day...
Tuziku suddenly jolted awake.
"Haaahh...!" He panted.
"Where am I...?!"
As he glanced down, he realized that his shirt was gone and his stomach was wrapped in bandages.
That's right...
I passed the Old Man's test!
Even though I barely survived that 500-meter drop from the cliff...
Tuziku stared at the palms of his hands for a brief moment.
Then—
"Ohh!"
"You're finally awake, boy..."
Ryōkōjū entered the room and approached Tuziku.
Tuziku gasped.
"Old man Ryōkōjū!"
"I passed your test!" He grinned confidently.
"Yeah..."
"You did!" Ryōkōjū stroked his long white beard.
He placed his hands behind his back.
"Boy..."
"To be honest with you, when I sent you to the top of Mount Yakushi, I expected you to flee after encountering the Man-beast..."
"But you showed me otherwise by actually passing the test, even if you almost fell to your death in the end!"
He turned his back toward Tuziku.
"Alright, boy..."
"You've definitely demonstrated your resolve with this test, so..."
"As promised, I'll teach you the Hakashi Technique!"
Tuziku clenched his fist, wearing an excited grin.
Finally...
After all this time—
I'll finally be able to fight!
CHAPTER 40 END