Chương 198: Chapter 1: “The Boy’s Departure”

A scrawny boy was getting ready. Into something like a hemp sack he had pulled out from somewhere, he stuffed as many nuts as he could, which he had gathered in the nearby forest. Since his foster parent, "Uncle," passed away from illness, the sun had risen and set dozens of times already. In the small settlement where he lives, there is no longer a single human being other than him.

Even if he stays here, the powerless boy would spend days not knowing if he would see tomorrow, and eventually, he would run out of strength in solitude and meet death. Rather than that. The boy finally decided to leave his familiar birthplace and go on a journey. In search of other living humans. In search of a new peaceful land where he can live.

"Uncle said so. That he came from beyond the 'Sea,' a place with lots of water." While stuffing nuts, the boy muttered to himself. It was a habit since he became alone.

"Then surely. If I go beyond there, they will be there, right?" Other survivors. Companions who will welcome lonely me. The boy's physique was frail, still leaving traces of innocence here and there. In terms of age, he would be about ten and a little more. He possesses a lively high-pitched voice before it changes. Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. His cheeks are slightly sunken, and his unkempt black hair, grown naturally, had no gloss at all.

It suggests he hasn't been getting proper nutrition. And he was wrapped in clothes of earth-colored cloth that were worn out and tattered, with holes here and there. There are no spare clothes anymore. Only one water bag made of animal skin was tied to his waist. Finally packing the last nut. He ties the mouth of the sack.

"They must be there. Definitely." Staring at the sack, once more. As if telling himself, he muttered. With clumsy hands, he grips a moderately sized wooden stick he picked up for self-defense. Finishing the preparations for the journey. The boy came out of the crumbling ruin made of straw. Leaving the settlement, which takes less than five minutes to walk around, he headed to a humble place where a single wooden stick was thrust into a round mound of earth.

At that place where he spent almost a whole day burying Uncle's remains, he closed his eyes and offered a silent prayer. The boy knows no people other than Uncle. When he became aware of things, only Uncle was by his side. He learned words from Uncle and was given a set of knowledge necessary for living. He was also given the name Esta. When Uncle died, the boy did not shed tears. A world ruled by the survival of the fittest.

For him, who grew up in the great nature where the exchange of life is natural, he didn't quite understand how he should grieve. He just felt sad. He just felt lonely. That feeling made him build a grave. And he vaguely understood that he couldn't live all alone. That's why I'm going on a journey. Rather than waiting for a slow death doing nothing here. Even if I die on the journey, to live. Eventually, the boy opened his eyes slowly.

Looking around, except for the rear where his hometown lies, three sides are surrounded by deep forests that seem to continue endlessly. If he listens carefully, he can hear the cries of small insects and birds. He has no idea where to go, but. Looking up at the clear white sky. For the time being, the boy decided somewhat on a whim to head towards the direction the sun was shining.

"Uncle. I'm going." Hiding a firm determination in those eyes. Packing lots of courage and modest hope into his small body. Into the endless forest, the boy took a step forward.