Martial Arts Worlds

"Interesting? What do you mean?"

Kiernan asked and sipped on his steaming hot coffee.

"I thought there was something strange about this island," Wren said. "The way everyone here is smiling like they're happy all the time."

"I mean, this place is very nice," Kiernan said. "I would be happy to live here. They also have the greatest security possible, the navy fortress right in their backyard."

"Yes, but something doesn't feel right," Wren said. "I haven't seen a single sour face since we arrived."

Kiernan looked around the cafe. Everyone was smiling. Now that he was thinking about it, it did seem quite creepy.

"I think it is the doings of that tree," Wren nudged her chin towards the x-marked tree. "I think it is a cursed tree."

"A cursed tree?" Kiernan raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"

"All cursed trees do different things. I think this one amplifies the happiness of everyone around it."

"That doesn't sound much like a curse," Kiernan said. "They're happy, so what?"

"The cursed trees give a fake sense of happiness. It's a trap." Wren said in a serious tone. "This happiness they're feeling is fake, and it always comes with a price."

"A price?"

"I think the emotion they're feeling changes from generation to generation. This generation will feel happy, but the next one will feel miserable enough to kill themselves."

"Well, shit…" Kiernan sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Find adventures on empire

"I checked a sign by the tree. It told the birth year of this beloved town of theirs," Wren said. "This one was built almost fifty years ago. In World Sea's years, the generation of people changes every fifty years."

"So, one day, a switch is flipped, and instead of feeling happy, everyone will feel miserable and start killing themselves. This island is just one year away from being extinct?"

"I am afraid so," Wren said and sipped on her drink. "I think I am glad it is a cursed tree, though. It means we don't feel bad for cutting it down. The effects of happiness will disappear, but at least they won't die next year.

"At least it isn't a spirit tree. Some islands completely die without the protection of spirit trees."

"Why aren't we affected by the tree?"

"I think it does. I am feeling unnaturally happy to be here, but to have stronger effects, I think we must be here longer under its influence."

"Now we know what to do; let's just wait a good moment," Kiernan said. "Go buy an axe. A strong one, please. Once I cut down the tree, we'll start running."

"Mmh~" Wren nodded and gracefully drank her coffee.

At that moment, Kiernan looked over Wren's shoulder and saw a person sitting a few tables away. He was wearing a navy cap over his eyes and had a navy soldier's shirt on with a blue neckerchief tied around his neck.

He was drinking his coffee from the first glance, but then, Kiernan caught his quick glance in their direction. It felt strange and suspicious.

"That person had been throwing glances in our direction for the past few minutes," Kiernan said. "Don't turn away. He is definitely a navy soldier."

"Maybe he is attracted to my good looks?" Wren asked playfully.

"I am sorry to burst your bubble, but I think he is looking at me more than anything," Kiernan said. "I think he recognizes me."

"How?" Wren said with a frown. "Even I barely recognized you on the sketch."

"The navy soldiers must have a better description of me than the sketch, such as the length of my hair, color, and how I look. My bounty is fairly new, so I guess some still recognize me with that vague description."

"Do we skip town?" Wren asked with a smile.

She was acting ordinary, trying not to attract any attention from anyone.

"No way," Kiernan said and cracked his knuckles. "This is a young navy soldier. I think he wants to catch me alone to get some shitty promotion or something."

"Well, I will go get that axe; I'll leave you alone to have some fun~" Wren stood up, leaned over to him, and planted a kiss on his cheek. "Good luck, babe~"

After she left, Kiernan was about to stand up, but suddenly, his phone started vibrating in his pocket.

He took his phone with him in case Ambrose wanted to call him for something.

'Is it Ambrose? Maybe something is wrong.'

Kiernan pulled out his phone and saw who the caller was—it surprised him that his caller was actually his father over from Irio.

'Dad?'

Kiernan stood up, and as he left the cafe, he side-glanced inside through the window and saw that the navy soldier also stood up in a hurry and was making his way towards the door.

Ding!

After accepting the call, Kiernan moved to the narrow alleyway between the two shops, leaned against the brick wall, and placed the phone against his ear.

"Dad, is everything alright?"

"I am relieved to hear your voice, Kiernan. When are you coming back?"

"Soon, Dad, soon," Kiernan said with a long sigh.

"I want you to come back now." Karma's voice sounded from the other side.

"Why? What happened?" Kiernan asked with a frown.

"Nothing, but…" Karma sighed. "World Sea is getting more dangerous with each passing year. I just read that another passenger vessel had disappeared, and guess what, it was heading to Nightingale as well.

"That could've been you!"

'Well, that was me.'

Kiernan cleared his throat.

"I will be back soon, Dad. I haven't even seen Mom yet, and I am not leaving before seeing her."

"Forget her. If you haven't seen her yet, she might have left Nightingale, or she has died already. Either way, I want you to come back home. The next semester is around the corner, and Coach Jin has come for you a few times already.

"I think the school is already getting ready for next nationals. With you, I think they have really good chances for the championship."

"I know, and I will come back very soon, I promise."

Kiernan said, and then peeked towards the street; the navy soldier was walking in his way without any more hiding his intention of coming to him.

"I have to go now; see you later."

"Wait, Kier—"

Kiernan quickly disconnected the call, pocketed the phone, and crossed his arms.

The navy soldier arrived at the entrance of the alleyway and looked at Kiernan with a narrow gaze.

"Is something wrong, sir?" Kiernan asked.

"Don't I know you?" The navy soldier asked and pointed at him rudely.

"Maybe you tell me."

"I think I do~" The navy soldier grinned. "Your appearance is very distinct. You look different from other rugged-looking pirates, so it isn't too hard to recognize you!"

"So what now?" Kiernan playfully offered his hands in surrender. "Will you handcuff me?"

"Nah…" the navy soldier took off his cap and dropped it on the ground. "I will kill you."

"Oh, that's not very navy-like, is it?" Kiernan asked with a frown. "I am scared."

"I fucking hate you pirate filth," the navy soldier said in anger. "You're all playing with innocent human lives, and my parents already suffered in your hands. I've come to these waters to seek vengeance!"

"Well, bring it on, Mister Navy." Kiernan rolled his sleeves to his elbows. "I think you're a good test opponent for me."

The navy soldier just smirked. He knew that Kiernan was Martial Champion.

He, on the other hand, was battle-hardened Martial Master!