Chapter 423: Compensation [2] His fist connected with Sand’s face, snapping his head to the side. BAM! Another strike, then another, the sound of flesh hitting flesh echoing through the suddenly silent dojo. Everyone gasped, shocked by Noah’s viciousness and the cold expression on his face. They’d seen him fight with skill and control, but this was different. This was personal, brutal, and utterly merciless. BAM! BAM! Noah’s punches continued, each one delivered with the same force Sand had used on Tanaka. Blood continued flowing from Sand’s nose and split lips, dripping onto the polished wooden floor. Sand didn’t cry out. He knew he deserved this and simply accepted the beating, keeping his eyes open and his jaw clenched as Noah extracted payment for every strike that had landed on Master Tanaka. Noah’s hands became bloodied as he continued. Sand’s face transformed into a swollen, bloody mess that would take weeks to heal properly. Still, Noah didn’t stop. "Noah!" Master Tanaka finally called out, his voice firm despite his injuries. "That’s enough!" Noah delivered one final strike, then stopped. He released Sand’s hair, letting the man collapse fully to the floor in a groaning heap. Sand’s face was unrecognizable beneath the swelling and blood, both eyes blackened, nose clearly broken, lips split in multiple places. The dojo remained completely silent except for Sand’s labored breathing and Noah’s gradually steadying breath. Noah stood over Sand’s body, his voice cold and final. "That was for Master Tanaka. Consider your debt to him paid." He turned to face the assembled students, his bloodied hands and fierce expression making him look more like a warrior from ancient times than a modern tournament fighter. "This man has apologized and will provide compensation. He and his family will never threaten this dojo again. If they do, they will answer to me. Is that understood?" The students nodded quickly, some looking at Noah with newfound respect mixed with healthy fear. Noah finally looked at Master Tanaka, his expression softening slightly. "Sensei, I’m sorry this happened because of me. It won’t happen again." Tanaka studied his student for a long moment, seeing something in Noah that hadn’t been there before, then nodded slowly. "Help him up. Let’s get him cleaned up before he leaves." The tension in the room finally began dissipating as several students moved to assist Sand to his feet, though their help was grudging and rough. Justice, in its own violent way, had been served.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ *** Noah remained with Tanaka alone after gesturing for the others to leave and take Sand to clean him up. The old master sat quietly, his bandaged face showing the toll of the day’s violence, but his eyes remained sharp and alert. After witnessing the loyalty the old man had demonstrated, refusing to betray Noah despite torture and threats, Noah was no longer worried about trust. Master Tanaka had proven himself beyond any doubt. He decided to give him one of the most coveted items from his inventory. An item so miraculous that perhaps nothing like it existed anywhere on Earth. Noah reached into his storage ring with a subtle gesture that looked like he was simply adjusting his jacket, and withdrew a single piece of beef jerky. To anyone watching, it would appear to be ordinary dried meat, but Noah knew its true value. [Auto-BeefJerky] [Increases Vitality attribute by 50% for twenty minutes. Permanently increases Vitality attribute by 10 upon first consumption.] "Master, take this," Noah said, holding out the jerky. "I want you to eat it." Tanaka looked at the offered food with confusion, clearly not understanding why Noah was giving him what appeared to be a simple snack at a time like this. But decades of teaching had instilled in him the value of trust between master and student. Without questioning further, he accepted the jerky and ate it. The changes began almost immediately. Tanaka’s eyes widened as warmth spread through his body, starting from his heart and radiating outward. The aches and pains from his injuries began lessening noticeably. His breathing, which had been slightly labored from bruised ribs, became easier and deeper. He looked down at his hands, watching as the bruising seemed to fade slightly, as his body’s natural healing accelerated dramatically. The exhaustion that had weighed on him lifted like fog burning away under morning sun. "Noah..." Tanaka breathed, looking up at his student with shock and dawning comprehension. "What have you done? Why would you give something like this to an old bone like me? This kind of miraculous medicine... this would have made you stronger! You should have used it yourself to become the next prodigy of the way of the sword!" Noah smiled warmly, respect for his mentor showing through. "Don’t worry, Master. I’ve already used one myself. I just want you to get better soon. You took a beating because of me, and I won’t have you suffering when I can prevent it." Tanaka’s throat worked with emotion he struggled to contain. He opened his mouth to speak, perhaps to question further about where such an item came from or how Noah possessed it, but then he closed it again. The old master understood instinctively that this was a secret that needed protection. Whatever Noah had become involved with, whatever sources of power he’d discovered, it was dangerous knowledge that could attract the wrong kind of attention. "I won’t speak of this to anyone," Tanaka said firmly, meeting Noah’s eyes with absolute seriousness. "Whatever you’ve given me, whatever abilities you possess, they remain between master and student. You have my word." Noah nodded with gratitude, knowing that promise would be kept unto death if necessary. That was the kind of man Master Tanaka was. They sat together for a few more minutes in comfortable silence as the beef jerky’s effects continued working through Tanaka’s system, accelerating his healing and restoring vitality that age and injury had diminished. Finally, Noah stood. "I need to take Sand to meet his family and settle the arrangements we discussed. Will you be alright here?" "I’ll be fine," Tanaka assured him, already looking considerably better than he had even ten minutes ago. "Go handle your business... Noah... thank you. For everything."