Episode 1: The Emotionless Boy (Part 1)
Karon had suffered a severe head injury after falling from a wagon in his childhood.
It happened when he was barely three years old, just beginning to run around. The accident left him unconscious for a long time, and even after waking up, he spent his days in a daze.
The most crucial point was that as he grew after the accident, he could barely feel any emotions. Whether the head injury had affected his brain nerves remained unknown.
A boy with brown curly hair and no emotions.
Perhaps that was why people often got startled when they suddenly encountered Karon. His lack of presence and emotionless behavior created a significant sense of disconnect. Some might have even seen him as a monster.
Fortunately, there were no physical issues, but until he turned thirteen, he often spent time alone, staring into space with empty eyes. No matter what happened, there was never any change in his emotions.
Making friends was difficult due to his parents' occupation. They led a small mercenary band, traveling the continent to protect merchant caravans. Unable to leave Karon alone, they always took him along.
Compared to his peers, he was smaller in stature, spoke little, and wasn't active. His parents couldn't help but worry.
Yet there was a positive side—he received much attention from the mercenaries, leading to a busy(?) life. Why would mercenaries like a boy who remained expressionless all day?
The reason lay in his special ability.
"Karon! About a week ago... do you remember where we put the saw we used while camping? I thought it was in the tool wagon... but I can't find it anywhere. I'm about to get scolded by the captain. Please save me."
As the mercenary Jan pleaded desperately, Karon replied in a monotone voice:
"You packed it late and shoved it beside the food wagon."
"Ah! Right! Thanks, Karon!"
Jan bowed his head and quickly disappeared.
Indeed. Karon never forgot anything he had seen once—whether it was just a fleeting moment or years ago. This sometimes led to absurd situations.
One such case was being a witness.
Scottz—a bald man with bulging muscles—approached Karon with his close colleague Glion.
"Karon! I'm lending Glion 2,000 shillings. Can you be our witness?"
"Okay."
2,000 shillings equaled a mercenary's monthly salary. Karon answered indifferently.
"Here, Glion—2,000 shillings. When repaying, make sure it's 2,200 shillings in front of Karon. If Karon doesn't remember it, you didn't repay! If you lie about repaying poorly, you're dead! You know how incredible Karon's memory is?"
"I know, I know! Really appreciate it. I'll repay within a month for sure."
The mercenaries who trusted Karon's memory always lent and received money—and everything else—in front of him.
"Karon, have you eaten?"
The mercenary who had just finished the transaction asked. Karon didn’t answer and instead stared blankly into space again. The two mercenaries persisted without giving up.
"We’ve got a bonfire going over there roasting meat. Want to join us?"
"Bring it here?"
"We’ll bring it then."
The two exchanged words before making their own decision and leaving. Conversations with Karon usually went like this.
Once they were gone, Karon sighed softly and buried himself in the pile of luggage atop the wagon.
Here we go again.
He had another ability he hadn’t told anyone about—his senses occasionally became extremely sharp. In fact, even without them mentioning it, he already knew they were roasting meat over the bonfire. The sound and smell of cooking meat filled his mind completely at times like this. To cope, he would deliberately blur his focus by staring into space.
That day was no different from any other.
They had accepted a request from a small city's mercenary guild to escort a merchant caravan transporting rare trade goods. The week-long journey required numerous supplies.
The large wooden-wheeled wagons carried tents, food, daily necessities, toolboxes, and other items—all essential for escort missions requiring camping.
Karon always observed their preparations. He compared current cargo with past journeys, discreetly pointing out missing items when needed. Sometimes mercenaries actively asked him for help.
To the mercenaries, Karon was indispensable.
At that moment, his parents Anesa and Feder approached.
"Karon. This mission could be dangerous. Stay close to us at all times."
"Anesa. How long will you coddle him? Karon's grown now. He needs to learn to fight alone."
When Anesa tightly gripped Karon's hand, Feder standing nearby rebuked sternly:
"Karon! You're already fourteen! You must learn to protect yourself. We can't shield you forever. Take this."
Feder offered him a dagger in an intricately embroidered sheath that looked quite expensive.
Anesa immediately flared up:
"Feder! Have you lost your mind? Giving a child a blade!"
"Anesa. Other boys his age train with swords! We should raise him the same way!"
"Karon's different! You know that! Our son is special!"
When Anesa stood firm, Feder stepped back and softened his tone:
"Hmm. Still, we can't let him live under our shadow forever. This is for his own good."
"I'll take it."
Karon suddenly interrupted.
"What?"
"Give me the dagger. I'll learn."
Karon extended his small hand. The couple exchanged glances. With no emotions detectable in his voice or expression, they couldn't understand his sudden insistence.
Anesa bent down to hug him:
"Karon~ You don't have to do this. You'll always stay with us."
"Still, I'll keep it just in case."
When even Karon insisted, Anesa had no rebuttal. Feder swiftly seized the chance to fasten the sheath to Karon merchants to find a suitable but eventually relented, lose it."
"Yes."
The more precious than anyone else.
That late afternoon.
As the sun set, fierce winds blew and ominous dark clouds gathered—a storm seemed imminent. The mercenaries and merchants hurried to prepare camp in a clearing, firmly securing tents and digging drainage ditches.
The trade goods, already wrapped in multiple layers of waterproof cloth and tightly bound with ropes, were secured by experienced hands. Everyone familiar with camping made swift progress.
After finishing preparations and a simple outdoor meal, they drew lots for night watch shifts before retiring to their tents.
Meanwhile, Karon was learning dagger techniques from Jan. Though the small blade should have been manageable, Karon's lack of muscle made even basic movements difficult.
Yet Jan was secretly amazed.
'He replicates every move after seeing it just once... Truly extraordinary.'
"Ugh..."
As Karon struggled to swing the dagger:
"Grip it shorter for better control."
Feder suddenly appeared, adjusting Karon's hand position on the hilt before vanishing.
"Hmm."
Following this advice improved the weight distribution. But now Karon's feet tangled—Jan's movements were too fast for his small frame.
"No need for wide stances. Shoulder-width steps suffice."
Feder reappeared to correct his footwork. Jan finally protested:
"Captain! If you keep doing this, why not teach him yourself—"
He trailed off as Feder clenched his fist threateningly. Jan shook his head vigorously and resumed adjusting Karon's posture.
Watching from afar, Anesa chuckled helplessly. Despite his stern exterior, no one watched over Karon more attentively than Feder.
"He should just say what he means."
Anesa shook her head and entered their tent. Soon after, rain began pattering.
Only when the downpour intensified did Feder bring Karon inside, where Anesa had already prepared bedding.
"Aren't you rushing him? He's not accustomed yet."
"I never ordered this. Jan tempted him into it."
Feder averted his gaze while speaking casually.
"Oh? Is that so?"
Anesa pretended to believe him, though she clearly knew Feder had instructed Jan.
"Sleep early. We depart at dawn. Come here, Karon!"
"Anesa. Stop cuddling him to sleep. He's too old for this."
"Fine. I'll stop starting tomorrow. Son!"
Karon expressionlessly let Anesa embrace him. Though devoid of emotion like a doll, his actions mirrored any child's. He must have learned this behavior somewhere.
But there was more.
Surprisingly, Karon's hypersensitive senses didn't activate in her arms. He could fall into deeper sleep here than anywhere else. Without his mother, his acute senses prevented proper rest.
But tonight's peace was short-lived.
Just before dawn.
In the darkest hour.
A sharp cry echoed faintly.
Feder and Anesa awoke simultaneously.
"Did you feel that?"
"Yes. Definitely a scream."
The night watch must have been ambushed. They armed themselves without hesitation.
Karon was already awake.
Anesa hugged him once and locked eyes:
"Don't come outside. Understand?"
At his nod, she kissed his forehead and left.
Once alone, Karon instinctively clutched his dagger. Soon after, clashing weapons and shouts erupted.
"Intruders!"
"All hands, combat positions!"
Clang-clang-clang-clang—
Feder's booming voice and frenzied bell-ringing filled the air.
Karon covered his ears painfully, but the screams and gruesome slicing sounds still pierced through. The relentless clangor outside indicated intense fighting.
How much time passed?
-"Kyaaaah!"
Karon's eyes snapped open. That scream was unmistakably Anesa's. Amidst the chaos, he'd precisely identified her voice.
Rising, Karon glanced once at his dagger before decisively throwing aside the tent flap.
Inside the tent, only the empty dagger sheath remained.
