Chương 3: Futomo

Kyapen Futomo enters in scene!

— Don't meddle, old man. — complains the leader of the rogues — Or you'll end up getting hurt.

— Exactly. Just because you're known around here doesn't mean you'll get away with it if you get in our way!

— ... Unharmed? What are you talking about? What's going on here?

Futomo observes the rogues surrounding the two musketeers and quickly understands the situation. He pushes a few buttons on one of his gloves, and a mischievous grin appears on his face.

— Ah, I see... You've fallen into a trap. Typical of rogues, especially weak ones. They're always looking for easy prey, but I don't think these musketeers fall into that category. Besides, thieves like you have a reputation for talking too much and acting too little.

The thieves turn to Futomo with menacing looks on their faces.

— What's up, guys? — jokes Futomo — Did I say something wrong? People like you only attack in groups, because you can't be sure of your punches! What's more, quantity is not quality.

— Wait... — says one of the rogues — What did that old man say?!

— He thinks he's a famous fighter. But in the end, everyone bleeds.

— Well, group. I think those two little soldiers can wait... — says the leader, with an angry look on his face — Let's teach that madman a lesson.

The five rogues advance toward Futomo, armed with daggers and arrows that begin to glow green, indicating the presence of poisoned magic.

The musketeers start talking to each other:

— Do you think he can do this without a Mecha, Telly? Futomo isn't very good at hand-to-hand combat. At least, I've never seen him fight like that.

— Even though I'm not a fan of his, Futomo always has a trick up his sleeve. His talent isn't limited to mechas or gadgets. He stands out for his intelligence and ability to use unexpected resources.

The group of thieves begins to surround the scientist.

— Look, old man — says the leader, approaching Futomo — I'm going to do you a favor and cut off that thing you call hair. You might like a shorter look.

Futomo slides his fingers determinedly down the leg of his glasses. Suddenly, the rogue is pulled up by his hair, but there seems to be nothing holding him up. The other rogues look at their companion with surprise.

— You seem to take good care of your hair, otherwise, it wouldn't stretch so much. What shampoo do you use? I'd like to buy one just like that! Hahaha!

— What kind of magic is that? I didn't see you conjure anything! Let me go, you lunatic!

Futomo lets out a sigh:

— I'm sorry, but you chose the wrong words, thief.

The rogue is then thrown a long distance by something invisible and disappears over the horizon. The other rogues look at Futomo with fear and start to walk away. The two musketeers also look at the scientist with surprise.

— Is this old man a wizard? But wizards usually use conjuring words!

— Don't let him scare you! Let's all attack together. I doubt that dark magic can hit everyone at once!

The four remaining rogues start throwing arrows and knives at Futomo. He adjusts the glasses on his nose upwards, and all the projectiles launched towards him hit something invisible and fall to the ground.

— Cowards. I also know how to attack from a distance. Look!

Futomo then starts throwing a series of punches in the air, and the rogues seem to be hit as if they were a single person. They all receive damage to the same parts of their bodies at the same time until Futomo executes a powerful hammer blow: he brings his two fists together above his head and moves them quickly from top to bottom, simulating the impact, causing all the thieves to receive a blow to the back of the head and fall unconscious immediately.

— Well... That was quite a test — concludes Futomo, breathlessly — Thank you, musketeers!

The musketeers listen to him, still confused by what happened there

— Ehr... it was nothing, Master Futomo.

— How did you do it? Telekinesis? Telepathy?

Futomo lets out a laugh:

— Let's just say it's a surprise for the tournament, boys. I don't want to spoil the experience you'll have.

Futomo takes a rope out of his backpack and throws it into the middle of the rogues. The rope attracts all the rogues like a magnet, bringing them together at a single point, where they are automatically tied up. Then he adds:

— And you owe me one for that. You can settle the debt on the following condition: You keep what happened here a secret. Is that clear?

— Of course, sir!

— Right... Where will you take them?

— To the capital. I'm sure they won't be treated lightly since they attacked the kingdom's musketeers. Good luck on your journey!

— Thank you for your help, Master Futomo.

— I hope you represent us well in the tournament. Farewell!

Futomo gives a brief smile and heads off in the opposite direction to the musketeers. They continue on their way, questioning what they have just witnessed.

— I still think it's telekinesis, guri. No wizard or sorcerer can do that without saying a word!

— Let's leave that for later, Lup. Now, let's hurry before any more nasty surprises turn up.

As they walk in opposite directions, some green lights appear around Futomo, like fluorescent dots, and follow him as he advances.

— Futomo, you liar — mutters the fighter to himself — Did you tell them they'd get a surprise? I meant surprises... hehehehehehe.

The secrets of the mysterious Kyapen... What will fate bring us from Kimaran?