Chapter 4 - The 3 Year Promise

As the treatment for Haoran concluded, Tasan gave his final instructions to Kalen and Ran the second apprentice, to monitor the patient throughout the afternoon. The room was calm, sunlight streaming through the narrow windows and casting golden patterns across the walls. Eshmund stood to the side, his mind replaying the whirlwind of events from earlier in the day.

He watched as Kalen leaned over Haoran, his hands deft and steady as he adjusted the salve on the bandaged torso. There was a quiet intensity to his movements, every action deliberate and efficient, a clear reflection of his skill. The faint herbal scent of the salve lingered in the air, mingling with the crisp scent of sunlight-warmed wood, grounding Eshmund in the moment as he observed Kalens precise care.

At the doorway, Tasan turned his attention to the magistrates servant, who lingered with an air of polite urgency. The man cleared his throat before speaking. "Master Tasan, the magistrate has instructed me to request your presence this evening. He has gone to personally report to the prefectural governor regarding the spies and will return later tonight to discuss the matter with you. Its too late to travel back now, and the magistrate insists you and your apprentices stay in the guesthouse until morning. Its safer that way".

Tasan nodded gravely. "Very well. Ill meet the magistrate tonight when he returns". Turning to Eshmund and the apprentices, he continued, "Well will stay here for the night. Rest up, we head home tomorrow".

As the group followed the servant to the guesthouse, Eshmund couldnt help but feel a quiet ripple of excitement. The unexpected delay might present the perfect opportunity.

Eshmund took his chance. "Grandpa," he began hesitantly, stepping closer. "Since were staying the night, can I go into town for a bit? I wont be long, and Ill be careful."

Tasan glanced at him, his sharp gaze studying Eshmunds face. "And what business do you have in town at this hour?"

Eshmund hesitated. He couldn't exactly tell his grandfather the truth that he had been saving for three years to buy something he recognized as an artifact from his past life. He offered a half-truth instead.

"I've been saving some money, and there's something I've wanted to buy for a while. Its in town at Carlan's shop. I wont take long. "

Tasan known Carlan as the merchant's kid. The kid seems to tie a friendship with Eshmund since carland's father had treatment with him before. The kid is haughty but actually is a nice kid. Tasan sighed, but nodded. "Don't take too long, and don't wander too much. Be back before dark, understood?"

"Alright" he said, but before he could slip out the door, Tasan called out, "Wait a moment."

Eshmund paused mid-step, turning to see his grandfather standing with arms crossed, his stern gaze softening.

"Take Kalen and Ran with you," Tasan said. "They've been cooped up for too long with work and studies. They could use some time to stretch their legs. I'll handle the patient until tonight."

The two apprentices, Kalen and Ran, who had been quietly organizing their supplies, immediately perked up. Kalen's eyes widened in surprise, and Ran nearly dropped the bandages he was folding.

"Master Tasan, are you sure?" Ran asked, his voice cautious but hopeful.

"Yes, go on," Tasan replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "But don't get carried away. Remember, you're still representing me and this household. Be back before dark."

"Thank you, Master!" Kalen and Ran exclaimed in unison, bowing deeply before quickly gathering their cloaks.

Eshmund couldnt help but grin. He knew his grandfather wasn't one to grant leisure time lightly, and the apprentices had been working tirelessly. It was a rare moment of leniency, and they weren't about to waste it.

The three of them set off together, the apprentices chatting excitedly as they walked through the towns lively streets. Eshmund led the way, navigating the bustling market with a clear purpose.

"This place is amazing," Ran said, his gaze darting to every colorful stall and vendor. "Its so lively compared to the village."

"I've never seen so many different things in one place," Kalen added, pausing briefly to admire a vendors display of polished stones and jewelry.

Eshmund chuckled. "You two act like you've never been to town before."

"That's because we haven't, not really," Kalen replied, his tone half-joking. "Were always stuck in the clinic or studying. This is the first time we've been let out to actually enjoy ourselves."

Eshmund smiled knowingly. "Well, lets make the most of it,then."



"Tistan's Item Shop." The sign stood out clearly from a distance. As they neared the shop, Eshmund turned to the others. "I'm meeting a friend here. Hes helping me buy something I've been saving up for. Its... important to me."

"Sounds mysterious," Ran said, raising an eyebrow.

"You'll see," Eshmund replied with a smirk.

When they entered the shop, Carlan, who had been bored, instantly brightened when he saw them and greeted them with more enthusiasm than usual.

"Eshmund! Long time no see, brother. How've you been? Who's your bodyguard?" he teased.

Eshmund nodded. "I'm good, how about you? You look taller than before. These are my seniors, Kalen and Ran."



"Nice to meet you," Carlan said, grinning as he sized them up. "Actually, I'm a bit bored. You've got good timing, though. The artifact is still here. But aren't you a little early? Did you get rich already?"

"Not really. Are you going to give me a discount?" Eshmund replied, a playful glint in his eye.

"No can do. ' Evil-dragon-dad' would kill me" Carlan said, shrugging as he retrieved a box from a locked cabinet. He placed it on the counter and opened it with a flourish. As Carlan opened the box, Kalen and Ran leaned in, their curiosity piqued.

Carlan smiled as he lifted a metallic cube. "Here it is," he said, carefully placing it in front of Eshmund.



Each face of the cube was divided into four smaller cubes, with a gutter separating each, resembling a Rubik's cube. It shone under the soft lamplight, revealing its smooth surface, etched with delicate, intricate patterns that became more visible as the cube was turned, catching the light in a captivating way.

A capital "S" and "B" in gold-colored metal were etched in the center of one of the cube's faces. The letters "SB-5667" were deeply engraved on the surface of one of the smaller cubes, while icons of fire, water, and lightning each occupied a square, almost filling them and making them impossible to miss. Other squares were filled with logos, their symbols clearly futuristic in design.

"Wow," Kalen breathed, eyes widening as the gleaming object came into view. "What is that?"

Ran tilted his head, studying the intricate patterns on the artifact. "It looks like something out of a storybook."

Eshmund carefully lifted the cube artifact from the table, his fingers brushing over the smooth, cold surface. "Its... special," he said simply, avoiding their curious stares.

"Special enough to save for three years?" Kalen asked, his tone teasing but genuinely intrigued.

"Big brother, you don't understand," Carlan interjected, a playful grin spreading across his face. "This is a hero's dream, the main character finally getting his ultimate weapon!"

Eshmund smiled, a knowing gleam in his eye. "Thank you, Mighty Carland. It must have been hard on you. This hero will finally begin his journey." He added fuel to the fire, knowing Carlan had read far too many storybooks in the shop.

"Dont worry, hero," Carlan replied, still in his playful streak. "If there's an item you need, Mighty Carlan will find it for you... but please, pay for it. Or the 'dragon-dad' will get angry at me."

"Here you go, bless my journey, O Mighty One," Eshmund said, not willing to lose the playful banter, handing Carland a 50-silver banknote.

Carlan, holding the silver note, made a dramatic blessing gesture over Eshmund's head and replied, "Go forth and be a fruitful adventurer."

"Pfft. Kids," Kalen muttered, clearly having been played by the two of them. He couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"I saved it for you, just like I promised," Carlan said proudly. "Didn't even put it on display after we talked. My father thinks its just some fancy paperweight, but hey, his loss is my gain. You're two days early, though. Almost didn't expect you."

Eshmund smiled, appreciating Carlan's loyalty. "Thanks, Carlan. I didn't want to take any chances with this one. Better early than late, right?"

Carlan nodded, his grin widening. "Fair enough. So, how's everyone back in the village? Still causing trouble?"

Eshmund chuckled. "They're doing well. They've been busy lately, but they'll be glad to hear you're planning to visit again."

"Definitely! As soon as my father lets me off the hook, Ill come by and we can get the gang together again," Carlan said, leaning on the counter with a wistful look. "You know, I miss those days. Sneaking around like heroes on some grand quest. Good times."

Eshmund smiled at the memory, but his focus was on the cube. "I'm glad you kept this safe for me."

Carlan waved a hand. "Of course, you're my brother, aren't you? Besides, my father will probably throw a feast when he finds out I actually sold this thing. Some wandering cultivator pawned it off for a few silver coins, desperate for cash. He said it was valuable, but we could never figure out what it actually does."

Eshmund ran his fingers over the cube, feeling the cool metal against his skin. He knew exactly what it was or at least, he had an inkling. From his memories of the previous world, this was no ordinary object. It wasn't a paperweight, no matter how ordinary it seemed to others.

"Pleasure doing business with you, Eshmund. Youre probably the only person in this town who would actually want something like this."

Eshmund smirked, slipping the cube into his bag. "Thats because I know what its worth."

Carlan raised an eyebrow but didnt press further. "Well, whatever it is, I hope its worth every coin you spent."

"It will be," Eshmund said with quiet certainty.

The two of them exchanged a firm handshake before Eshmund turned to leave, Kalen and Ran following behind him.

Behind them, Carlan watched Eshmund disappear into the crowd, shaking his head with a chuckle. "I knew he can do it. Dad look down too much on him" he muttered to himself, already planning his next trip to the village. His father was going to be thrilled, but deep down, Carlan was just glad to help his old friend achieve whatever grand plan he was working toward.



As they walked through the bustling marketplace, Kalen and Ran couldn't stop sneaking glances at the cube nestled in Eshmund's bag. Ran, ever the curious one, nudged Eshmund. "Alright, out with it. What's so special about that thing? Is it just me, or does it look like something straight out of one of those adventure stories?"

Eshmund gave them a sly smile and pulled the cube out again, holding it up so the lamplight caught its metallic sheen. "Well, at least it is pretty, isn't it?... and its look unique. I mean, look at these engravings," he said, tracing the fire, water, and lightning symbols with his finger. "Its not just any old trinket. I think it might be an artifact from Little Garden."

Kalen raised an eyebrow. "Little Garden? Isn't that just some fairy tale people tell kids? Some bedtime story?"

"Not necessarily," Eshmund replied, tucking the cube back into his bag. "I read about it in some of the old books. The unique characters, the design... it matches descriptions of things from there. Of course, I could be wrong, but it does look interesting, doesn't it?"

Ran squinted at him, then shrugged. "You've got some imagination, Ill give you that. But its your money, and if you're happy with it, who are we to argue?"

Kalen laughed. "Exactly. Though, if your grandparents hear about this, they might think you've lost your mind. Spending fifty silver on what looks like a paperweight?"

Eshmund grinned mischievously. "Which is why you're not telling them. I'll handle that part, okay? Lets just keep this between us."

The seniors exchanged amused glances but nodded. "Alright, kid. Your secrets safe with us," Kalen said.

"Good. Now, since were already here, lets make the most of it," Eshmund said, his tone shifting to one of excitement. "I've still got some silver left, and I think you two deserve a little treat. Lets go shopping!"

Rans eyes widened. "Wait, are you serious? You're not kidding, are you?"

"Do I look like I'm kidding?" Eshmund shot back, already heading toward the nearest stall.

The afternoon turned into a whirlwind of laughter and indulgence. Eshmund bought the seniors small gifts a finely woven scarf for Kalen and a leather-bound notebook for Ran, both looking genuinely touched by the gesture. He also picked out a beautifully crafted hairpin and some herbal tea for his grandmother, an a sturdy cane with intricate carvings for his grandfather.

"These are perfect," Eshmund said, examining the items with satisfaction. "They'll love them."

The group then stopped at a food stall selling sweet and savory treats, indulging in skewered meats, crispy fried dough, and candied fruits. The seniors were delighted, especially since such treats were rare for them.

"This is the best part of the day," Ran said, biting into a stick of candied hawthorn. "We should drag you to town more often, Eshmund."

Eshmund laughed. "Only if you promise to keep today a secret. No spilling to my grandparents about anything."

"Deal," Kalen said, raising his skewer in mock salute.

By the time they returned to the magistrates residence, the sun had dipped below the horizon, and the cool evening air carried a sense of calm. The seniors looked content, their faces relaxed in a way Eshmund hadn't seen before.

As they parted ways, Eshmund excused himself, claiming he needed some quiet time. Back in the guesthouse, he sat cross-legged on his bed, placing the cube carefully on the small table before him.

The room was silent save for the faint rustle of leaves outside the window. Eshmund stared at the cube, his mind racing.

Eshmund stared at the metallic cube, his fingers brushing over the etching of "SB 5667." The sight of it sent a strange mix of pride, nostalgia, and disbelief surging through him. He knew what it was, not just a trinket or some pawned artifact but something far more significant. This wasn't merely a guess based on its design or markings. No, he knew because he had built its predecessor.

In his past life, Eshmund had been an engineer, a creator of advanced technology. The cube before him was unmistakable. "SB" stood for "System Boundary" the project he had devoted years of his life to. He recalled the late nights, countless cups of coffee, and the relentless drive to push past every conceivable limit. He had designed the schematics, coded the intricate algorithms, implemented the protective measures, and even assembled the first prototype with his own hands. He had gone further, penning suggestions, theories, and methods to improve it. Concepts so advanced they remained purely theoretical in his time, unattainable with the technology of the 21st century.

"Version 5667," he murmured, his thumb tracing the etched number. His heart raced. The prototype had barely reached version 5 when he had last worked on it. This wasn't just an iteration, it was a monumental leap forward. Whoever had developed this cube hadn't merely improved his design; they had perfected it.

His mind buzzed with questions. Who had advanced his work? Was it someone from his old world, or had his ideas somehow traveled here, to this one?

Eshmund's curiosity burned brighter than ever. "How did it get here?" he whispered to himself.

He adjusted the lamps light, casting a warm glow over the cube. It felt surreal, holding a piece of his past in his hands. Despite the leap in design, he could still see traces of his original work the familiar patterns of circuit channels, the specific way the symbols aligned. Whoever had created this version had respected his framework, improving it without discarding its core essence.

He couldn't help but smile. "Someone out there took my idea and turned it into this masterpiece," he said quietly. "I wonder if they'd recognize me as its creator."

Eshmund chuckled softly to himself, running his fingers over the engraved "SB 5667." System Boundary, the official name, had always been a tongue-in-cheek misdirection. In truth, the name was a cover for its real purpose - Spy Bot. Thats what it was. A repository of nanobots, meticulously designed to scan, analyze, and identify objects, environments, and even living beings.

It was a tool meant for covert reconnaissance, a marvel of miniature engineering capable of gathering detailed data without drawing attention. The original prototype had been crude and limited in its scope, but even then, it had been revolutionary. This, however, was far beyond what he had ever imagined.

Eshmunds eyes lingered on the etched symbols of fire, water, and lightning. They weren't just decorative, he knew that instantly. They were encoded instructions, a layered sequence to activate and unlock the cube. In his past life, he had designed the prototypes with multi-layered security, ensuring only those who knew the proper sequences could access their functions.

"Fire, water, lightning," he muttered under his breath, piecing together the activation process in his mind. The symbols were a cipher - a combination of energy patterns the cube would respond to. It was ingenious in its simplicity, yet without understanding their true meaning, they would seem like mere decoration. The fire symbol represented heat, water signified the loss of heat - or "cold," and lightning denoted an electrical charge. Together, they symbolized the actions of heating, cooling, and finally jolting the cube with a low charge.

However, unlocking the cube required more than just understanding the sequence. The symbols first needed to be aligned on three separate edges of the cube. Moving them was simple: press a finger on a symbol and rotate it, much like turning a face of a Rubik's Cube. When aligned and activated in the correct sequence, the symbols formed the cubes "key."

He grinned as he sat back, staring at the cube like an old friend. "So, they stuck with my humor even after all this time," he mused. It amused him to think that whoever had refined his designs hadn't just improved on the functionality but had also leaned into the quirky elements he had added for fun.

Eshmund leaned forward, his mind racing. If he was right, he knew activating the cube would release the nanobots inside. They would spread out, scanning their surroundings and transmitting data back to the device. The implications of having this kind of technology in this world were staggering. It could map entire regions, analyze materials, or even detect hidden threats.

But for now, he needed to focus. Activating the cube wasn't something he could do haphazardly. While he knew the sequence, the energy sources needed to trigger it weren't readily available in his room. He would need to gather the right tools and create a controlled environment to avoid any accidents.

Still, he couldn't help but marvel at the possibilities. "This thing," he said to himself, holding the cube up to the light, "isn't just a relic. Its a game-changer."

The thought made him pause. Who had brought it to this world? And why had it ended up in the hands of an adventuring cultivator, only to be pawned as some useless artifact? It raised questions he didn't have answers to yet, but he wasn't worried. The answers would come in time.

For now, his priority was to figure out how to safely activate the cube and explore its full capabilities. He couldn't help but wonder what advancements version 5667 might offer. If it incorporated all the improvements he had proposed in his research, it would be nothing short of revolutionary, and incredibly advantageous to him, especially in this world. Eshmund leaned back in his chair, a spark of excitement gleaming in his eyes.