Weak Body, Strong Heart

Chat with an ancient and almost near the canon

When at one point, I introduced myself, and in return, the guy revealed his name to be Charanko. We engaged in conversation, and I recounted the events that led me to meet his master, SilverFang. As I narrated the tale, Charanko listened intently, occasionally letting out a chuckle at the more humorous parts.

After I finished my story, Charanko's eyes sparkled with admiration as he began to share his own thoughts about SilverFang. He spoke passionately about his admiration for his mentor, and I found myself sharing in his excitement, though not in an extent. In that moment, it felt like a bond was forming between us, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie with Charanko. As our conversation continued, it became evident that we were quickly becoming best friends, and I mentally sealed the friendship with a firm handshake in my mind.

As we continued our ascent up the seemingly endless stairs, our conversation meandered through various topics, ranging from hobbies to favorites. We laughed at each other's bad jokes, finding humor in the simplest of things amidst the strenuous climb.

Amidst shared laughter over our terrible jokes, Charanko revealed something unexpected – he confessed that I was one of the first true friends he'd ever had.His admission struck a chord within me, evoking a sense of empathy and understanding. Charanko explained that, in his world of karate, genuine friendships were scarce, with most interactions limited to acquaintances who shared his profession. As we delved deeper into conversation, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness for his solitary existence amidst a sea of fellow practitioners.

Not even the past of 20 minutes, wow that short of conversation I have with Charanko, thought that'll be like an hour or so, and I walk very slowly and all of the sudden.

As I sat on the stairs, feeling the exhaustion seeping into my bones, Charanko's concerned expression didn't go unnoticed. His suggestion to hop on his back caught me off guard, but before I could voice my concern about adding weight to him, he reassured me with a simple statement: "It's okay, you're not heavy, so it's not a problem."

His words sparked a mixture of gratitude and admiration within me. Was Charanko able to read my mind, or was my face simply that easy to decipher? With a hesitant smile, I accepted his offer, grateful for his kindness and understanding.

As I hopped onto Charanko's back and we resumed our journey up the mountain, I couldn't help but marvel at the breathtaking view around us. The crisp mountain air, the tall trees and the sight of a mountain goat nearby added to the charm of the moment, making me feel alive in a way I hadn't before.

However, just as we neared the dojo, Charanko suddenly broke into a run, catching me off guard. With a yelp, I instinctively tightened my grip around him, clinging on for dear life as we dashed up the stairs at a startling speed. My shout echoed through the mountain, a mix of surprise and exhilaration coursing through me.

We finally reached the gates of the dojo, and I couldn't help but marvel at its beauty. The serene atmosphere and traditional architecture added to its charm, but there was something noticeably missing—people. The dojo seemed eerily quiet, devoid of the bustling activity one would expect from a martial arts training center.

As I glanced around, I noticed the absence of other students, apart from Charanko. It reminded me of the manga I had read, where one of Bang's top disciples had gone on a rampage, defeating all the other students and leaving the dojo in disarray. It seemed that the aftermath of that incident still lingered, with many students either leaving or recovering from the damage caused.