Inside the royal palace, King Alvert and Prime Minister Reon were still discussing the coming crisis.
A royal knight suddenly entered the room, bowed respectfully, and reported, “Your Majesty, the date for the World Council has been finalized.” “Messengers have already delivered invitations to every kingdom.” “The meeting will be held three days from now.” King Alvert nodded.
“Very well.
You may leave.” “Yes, Your Majesty.” After the knight departed, Reon let out a quiet sigh.
“Now we’ll see what the other kings think.” King Alvert gazed out the window.
“I only hope they understand the gravity of the situation.” — Meanwhile, on the White Mountain…
Rain collapsed onto the ground, completely drenched in sweat.
She could barely move.
Ankit looked down at her with a satisfied smile.
“You’re still very weak.” “But if you keep training every day, you’ll gradually become stronger.” He looked toward the sky.
“The sun is already high.” “It’s time to take a bath.” “And after that, we’ll go look for something to eat.” Rain struggled to sit up.
“You really are heartless.” “You showed no mercy while sparring with a little girl.” Ankit pointed at himself.
“I’m a little kid too.” “And I’m younger than you.” “Besides…” He raised the wooden stick in his hand.
“It wasn’t even a real sword.” Rain rolled her eyes.
“Yeah, yeah…
whatever you say.” Then she suddenly remembered something.
“Wait…” “Where are we going to bathe?” Ankit pointed toward the waterfall.
“At the waterfall near the cave.” Rain’s cheeks instantly turned red.
“W-We aren’t…
going to bathe together, are we?” Ankit’s face turned bright crimson.
“W-What are you talking about?!” “You’ll bathe first.” “I’ll stand guard and make sure no wild animals come near.” “After you’re done, it’ll be my turn.” Rain smiled awkwardly.
“O-Oh…” The two climbed down the mountain and walked toward the beautiful waterfall.
Crystal-clear water poured down the cliff, while the peaceful sound of flowing water echoed through the forest.
The entire place felt calm and refreshing.
Ankit stood behind a large tree with the bow and arrows he had crafted earlier.
“You can start.” “I’ll stay here.” Rain nodded.
“Okay…” Ankit carefully watched the surrounding forest, remaining alert for any danger.
Suddenly— “AAAH!!” Rain’s scream echoed through the valley.
Ankit immediately rushed toward the waterfall.
The moment he arrived, he saw a large wild wolf preparing to attack Rain.
He frowned.
“So it’s only a normal wolf…” “At least it isn’t a Magic Beast.” He quietly raised his hand toward Rain.
“Stay calm.” Before the wolf noticed him, it leaped straight toward Rain.
Whoosh!
Without hesitation, Ankit released an arrow.
The wooden arrow flew through the air and pierced the wolf’s neck.
The beast collapsed instantly.
Ankit rushed into the shallow water.
“Rain!” “Are you alright?” Before he could hear her answer— Slap!
A loud slap landed squarely across his face.
“You pervert!” “Don’t look over here!” Ankit froze.
The red outline of Rain’s fingers remained clearly visible on his cheek.
Without saying another word, he dragged the wolf out of the water and quietly waited outside.
A few minutes later…
Rain emerged from behind the waterfall.
She was now wearing the clothes the Creator had left behind in the cave.
Walking toward Ankit, she lowered her head.
“I’m…
sorry.” “I shouldn’t have slapped you.” Ankit forced a small smile.
“It’s alright.” “It was my fault.” “I should’ve looked away first.” Tears slowly formed in Rain’s eyes.
“I really am sorry…” Ankit immediately panicked.
“H-Hey…” “Please don’t cry.” Seriously…
he thought helplessly.
She slapped me…
yet she’s the one crying.
Trying to change the mood, he smiled and said, “By the way…” “You look really cute in those clothes.” Rain blinked.
Her tears stopped almost instantly.
A faint blush spread across her cheeks.
“R-Really…?” For the first time that day…
A small smile appeared on her face.
After making sure Rain was safe, Ankit stepped away from the waterfall and took his turn to bathe.
A short while later, he returned wearing the clean clothes the Creator had left behind in the cave.
Rain was quietly staring at the dead wolf lying nearby.
Ankit followed her gaze.
“So…
what should we do with it?” “Should we bury it?” Rain hesitated before speaking.
“…Can’t we eat it?” Ankit looked at her in surprise.
“What?” “You want to eat a wolf?” He scratched his head awkwardly.
“If you really want to, you can.” “But…
I don’t eat meat.” Rain looked at him for a moment before softly replying, “If you aren’t eating it…” “Then I won’t either.” Ankit smiled.
“Alright.” “But we can’t just leave it here.” “It deserves a proper burial.” He removed his outer clothes, keeping only his undergarments on, and began digging a pit with a sharp stone.
After several minutes of hard work, he buried the wolf and covered the grave with soil.
Only then did he put his clothes back on.
Rain looked at him.
“So…
what are we going to eat?” Ankit smiled.
“Come with me.” “I’ll make something good using vegetables today.” He led her deeper into the forest before stopping beside a familiar-looking plant.
“Look.” Rain tilted her head.
“What is it?” Ankit knelt beside the plant and dug around its roots.
A few moments later, several potatoes emerged from the soil.
“These are potatoes.” “We eat the roots.” Rain looked at them curiously.
“I’ve never seen anything like this before.” Ankit carried the potatoes back to the cave.
As he walked, he smiled to himself.
Looks like my previous life is finally becoming useful.
Getting a degree in agriculture wasn’t a waste after all.
Back at the cave, he boiled the potatoes over the fire.
Soon, the two children quietly ate their simple meal.
After taking a few bites, Ankit sighed.
“They’re pretty bland…” Rain silently continued eating without complaining.
Ankit smiled apologetically.
“I know they don’t taste very good.” “Tomorrow, I’ll try to find some chili peppers or other spices.” “This is a forest.” “We should be able to find something.” The day slowly passed.
By evening, they once again ate boiled potatoes along with a few wild fruits they had collected earlier.
When dinner was over, Ankit’s eyes landed on the ancient book resting in the corner of the cave.
He smiled.
“Finally…” “It’s time to read this.” He picked it up and slowly opened the first page.
A few seconds later— “…What?!” Ankit stared at the page with a twitching eyebrow.
“You seriously call yourself God?” The first page contained only a single message.
Meditate.
Meditate.
Meditate.
Everything you seek will come through meditation.
“…That’s it?” Ankit let out a long sigh.
“So that’s the entire first lesson…” Shaking his head, he carefully closed the book and placed it back where it belonged.
He then looked toward Rain.
“Come on.” “Meditate with me.” Rain blinked in confusion.
“M-Meditate?” “What’s that?” Ankit sat down cross-legged.
“Just copy me.” He closed his eyes.
“Sit like this.” “Now close your eyes…” “And focus only on your breathing.” Rain tried her best to imitate him.
Thirty minutes later…
She suddenly groaned.
“Aah…” “This is impossible…” “It’s harder than sword training…” Unable to endure any longer, she gave up, climbed onto the rope bed Ankit had built, and quickly fell asleep.
Meanwhile, Ankit remained completely motionless.
Three full hours passed.
Only then did he slowly open his eyes.
He glanced toward the sleeping Rain and smiled faintly.
Well…
Today was her first day.
There’s no need to rush.
He looked toward the silent night sky beyond the cave entrance.
Then he quietly closed his eyes once again, allowing the peaceful rhythm of his breathing to guide him deeper into meditation.