Solo Cultivation in The Apocalypse

Hitori just did what he was told. It was too hard for him to comprehend the secret Akira had revealed, and he needed confirmation of that claim. But from whom?

Kakashi was always a bad option. Kyoryu was a stranger even if he knew Hitori, Hitori did not know him. That left him with the only option, Eya. she was trustworthy and too simple to think of anything cruel. Why would she in the first place?

Kyoryu stopped them when the house was visible. "Draw your wands and be ready for the enemy," Kyoryu said as he charged forward.

Kakashi was by his side, Eya was covering Reon, and Akira was covering Hitori, but Hitori was ready with his wand– ready to take down Tengoku if the time comes to it.

They were closer to each other than they were while running. So Hitori had a chance to eavesdrop on Kakashi and Kyoryu's conversation.

Kakashi said, "I don't know what IT is. But I am afraid of it."

"YOU are afraid of something? Is IT a human?"

"Looks like one, at least," Kakashi confirmed. Eya was listening right behind him.

"Is he dangerous? I will check anyway."

"The thing is, I never sensed him. We never knew how long he has been in the woods, guarding the house, till he called us."

"What did he say?"

"He said in a bloodthirsty voice that he wants Tengoku. He seems to have a thing against him."

The man in the woods did? Why?"

"I never found it. I wonder if I ever will. I went near him, but the pressure and his strong presence pushed me away. I thought, as long as he is not hurting us, we are good."

"I need to take a look at this." He stepped forward and approached the house's backside, Kakashi guided him.

Hitori was confused. Just how many things he was unaware of about himself and his house, but everyone else seemed to be aware of them.

He reached Eya, she was standing a few meters away from the house. "Why are we stopping?" he asked, she glanced at him.

"Oh, Hitori-san, we need to check something first."

"Check something or check on someone?"

She sighed. "I guess I should tell you about it. Yes, on someone. You see, a humanoid monster is hanging behind the house."

Hitori's expressions remained plain. He had overheard the conversation, so it was not a big surprise, but he still wanted to hear it from Eya, in her words.

"But he has been in the woods for god knows how long. Kakashi could not sense it. Now Kyo-san wants to make sure that IT is safe for us."

Hitori raised his eyes and saw a green glow in the trees ahead of him. He tried to clear the tension off his face, but Eya noticed it anyway.

"It is alright. If IT is dangerous, they will end IT, and we will be safe."

Hitori shook his head. "He wants something else, he is not dangerous."

She paused, thinking of a reply. "W-What do you…" He ran past her, "mean? Hitori-san!" She turned and tried to grab Hitori, but he was far away from her.

Reon watched in surprise as Hitori ran past her. Akira was debating whether to stop him or not, but by the time he was done, Hitori had already reached the sight.

Green all over his head, Kakashi and Kyoru talking with someone above their heads. Hitori closed the distance when Kakashi hear the crunching of a branch. He turned around and drew his wand.

Hitori cast a spell for equipment that would help him see clearly. He got a pair of sunglasses. He put them on and saw a silhouette of a man hanging in the air.

That sent a shiver down his spine. Someone was watching his every step, someone who looked– felt– this strong. How ? and why? Is he one of my relatives too?

Hitori heard the guy mention something about Tengoku and how he wants to kill him. Now he felt at peace. That man wanted Tengoku and not him. Finally, an ally.

Kakashi glanced over his shoulder and saw Hitori behind him. He jumped and rushed to Hitori. "What are you doing here?" Hitori's eyes were fixed on the green glow. "That is nothing. We are safe, just get back."

Hitori stood straight without moving. He only moved when Kyoryu nodded, the glow disappeared, and he gave Kakashi a thumbs-up.

"Tell everyone it is safe to enter the house," Kakashi said.

Hitori was convinced, that although he had not revealed the mystery, he cared only less as long as he was safe. But maybe finding out about it would not hurt.

Hitori stepped forward and went past Kakashi. "Oi," he said, Kakashi knew what Hitori was planning to do, so he stayed back. "Think again, boy."

Hitori glanced at Kyoryu who had just risen his head and was standing still. "He is safe, don't do anything to him," he said.

But Hitori ignored him and stood under the man held by the vines. He was still glowing, but dimly. He admired the beauty of the green shade, even when it was not his favorite color, he liked the contrast.

"Are you the Guardian Spirit?" Hitori asked, but no reply from him. Hitori had many questions, like– what are you, where are you, why are you, since when are you, etc.

After a minute of staring at IT's back, Hitori was sure he was not getting a reply. So he sighed and said before turning around, "If Tengoku is what you want, then Tengoku will be what you get."

He met Kyoryu and Kakashi's eyes before dropping his head. Nothing was personal with Tengoku, and IT seemed to have a personal grudge against him. Hitori concluded it will be alright to let IT have him.

Hitori looked at Kyoryu and nodded. "That man, whatever and whoever he is, will end Tengoku. We just have to wait for him."

He walked past the worried and tensed Kakashi. "Are you sure?" he asked.

Before Hitori could nod, the green glow intensified and spread to Eya and others standing meters away.

Hitori looked over his shoulder and saw the hanging man turning around. Suddenly, Hitori got excited. He felt like God was showing himself only to him, a golden and premium opportunity.

But everything went in vain. That guy's eyes were the only thing visible. The rest was wrapped in vines and tattered clothes only covering his legs and man parts. He was shirtless.

"I am the Guardian Spirit," he claimed.