PART 1: BEYAZ
Chapter 6 – The Guest
Two children were walking down the street...
On the dusty roads of the town, under the shadows of old stone buildings...
One was around 8-9 years old, the other about 5-6.
The older one looked messy. His clothes were torn, shoes covered in mud. His face carried both exhaustion and a curiosity he hadn't felt in a long time.
They were talking to each other:
– Big brother, what's your name?
The younger one's voice was soft. Innocent and sincere.
– My name is Mahey Hilua. What about yours?
– Inou Sincui.
– That's a nice name.
– Thank you.
"Inou, huh?"
That name… it sounded familiar to Mahey. Like a trace that hadn't been erased from his past.
But not quite...
The truly strange thing was that these people spoke his language. His own language. As if it was completely natural for him to understand everything in a world not his own.
"So strange…"
– Big brother?
– Yes?
– Where are you originally from?
The question hit like a slap.
"How do I even explain?" he thought. "I died in another world and came here," wasn't exactly an option. He wanted to be honest, to be a good person in this life. But telling the truth could cause chaos.
He smiled slightly:
– I'm from a village east of here.
That lie would work for now. After all, he was just talking to an innocent little kid.
But just then...
– Wow, what a coincidence… I used to live in that village too, until a year ago.
– Oh, really?
"What!?"
"Great… just my luck."
The sparkle in Inou's eyes hinted that another question was coming.
But Mahey quickly changed the subject:
– So, why did you come here?
A dark cloud passed over Inou's eyes. His face turned pale. He took a deep breath before speaking:
– Because my mom and dad died. I came here to live with my grandma.
– Oh… I'm sorry for asking.
– No, it's okay.
As Mahey looked at the child, he felt a tightness in his chest.
So much pain, in such a small body...
His fate was starting to resemble Mahey's own.
Compassion… sympathy…
These were feelings he had forgotten in his previous life. But now… they were resurfacing from deep within his heart.
Maybe it wasn't just his body that had become childlike — maybe his soul had too.
Suddenly, Inou's voice broke his thoughts:
– Come this way!
He turned to look.
Inou was waving to him from the entrance of a narrow alley.
The distance between them was only six or seven meters, but Mahey's thoughts had carried him much farther.
He walked over slowly.
At the end of the alley, Inou pointed to an old house with timeworn walls:
– That's the place!
And he started walking. Mahey followed.
---
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
– Who's at the door?
– It's me, grandma!
After a moment, the door creaked open.
An elderly woman peeked through the gap.
Her eyes immediately fell on Mahey's messy appearance — clothes dirty, face pale.
Worry was clear in her voice:
– Who is this child with you, Inou? You didn't get yourself into trouble again, did you?
– No, grandma! Actually, this big brother saved me from some serious trouble.
The woman paused, then lowered her head and turned to Mahey:
– Thank you for protecting my grandson, young man. I'm truly grateful.
– You don't need to thank me. I only did what I had to.
Inou cut in:
– Grandma, this big brother came from the eastern village and doesn't have a place to stay. Can he stay with us?
– Of course he can. How could I turn away someone who saved my grandson?
And just like that, the three of them went inside...
---
The house was old but warm. Cracks in the walls, creaky wooden floors…
Everything spoke of a life lived.
There was no wealth here, but there was peace.
As Mahey looked around, the smell of cooking reached his nose.
Soon the grandmother set a simple soup and a few slices of dry bread in front of them.
Mahey didn't complain. He'd been through worse.
But what really caught his attention wasn't the food — it was the atmosphere.
Despite being poor, this house was filled with warmth.
Inou and the grandmother laughed and teased each other, trying to lighten the burden of the past.
Their laughter gave off a sense of trust.
And Mahey...
For the first time in a long while, he felt the warmth of a family.
It was a feeling both familiar and painful.
He used to feel that way before his mother died. Ever since then, his heart had turned cold.
---
When night came, everyone went to bed early.
Mahey was given a mattress stuffed with straw.
As he lay down, he murmured:
– It's not bad for now... But I can't stay here forever. I don't want to be a burden. I still don't have a place to call my own. Or food…
His memories were slowly fading.
Was that good or bad? He didn't know.
And with a thousand thoughts in his head, he finally drifted off to sleep...
---
Morning
After two nights sleeping on tree branches, this bed felt like paradise to Mahey.
When he woke up, he felt fully rested.
But he wasn't alone in the house — Inou and his grandmother were already up.
– Good morning!
– Morning.
Breakfast was the same again: soup and bread.
But this time, it felt different...
Shared food always tasted better.
After breakfast, Mahey stepped outside and headed toward the town market:
– I need to find a job.
He walked for hours, from shop to shop.
Every time, he heard the same answer:
– We're not taking on any apprentices right now.
Eventually, he stood in the middle of the street, fists clenched:
– Damn it! Doesn't anyone need help!?
Frustration… helplessness…
Should he go back to stealing?
But he didn't want that. He wasn't going to live like he did in his old life.
Then…
Two merchants nearby caught his attention:
– Unicorn lion horns are impossible to find these days. Prices are through the roof!
– I heard someone paid 45 gold for one!
– Some are even paying more!
"Unicorn lion?"
"Are there really magical creatures in this world?"
Suddenly, he remembered the horn he'd seen in the cave.
Could it have been that?
– What should I do?
He was torn.
He hadn't seen the horn clearly. It could've belonged to an ordinary animal.
But as the merchants kept talking, his doubt turned into a spark of hope.
---
By the end of the day, drowning in thought, he returned home.
It was evening.
He was afraid.
What if they didn't let him in today?
But they did.
The door opened, and he was met with warm smiles.
They gave him food.
Smiling...
With kindness...
The ice around Mahey's heart melted a little more.
He didn't cry...
He couldn't anymore.
But he thought to himself:
– One day, if I have enough money… I'll help this family.
---
– Mahey, big brother?
What?
Did he just say "Mahey, big brother"?
He smiled.
He put down his bowl and turned:
– Yes?
– Do you have a grandma too?
– No, unfortunately...
Inou fell quiet for a moment.
But then a light sparked in his eyes:
– If you'd like, my grandma… could be your grandma too.
A sincere smile spread across Mahey's face:
– Alright, let's do that.
– Do you know how much I love my grandma?
– How much?
– As much as the sun!
– Really?
– Really!
And that night, for the first time, Mahey slept in peace.
Not because the bed was soft — but because his heart was.
---
A completely white space...
– Mahey!
– Can you hear me?
A voice…
Then the Light Blue Flame appeared. There was urgency in its tone:
– As soon as you wake up, go back the way you came into the village!
– That path will lead you to your family in this world.
– But Inou must come too. You must protect him!
CRACK!
The blue flame flickered violently.
– Spiritual pressure again. I'm leaving!
– Wait!
But it was gone.
Leaving behind only these final words:
– The Divine Will Tribunal... is rapidly carrying out its judgment on you...
---
Mahey woke up to a ringing in his ears:
– HELP!
– EVERYONE, RUN!
Horse whinnies...
Screams…
Chaos...
End of Chapter 6