Kitsune the Minecraft Ninja: Book 2: A middle-grade adventure story set in a world of ninjas, magic, and martial arts by Pixel Ate

Author:Pixel Ate [Ate, Pixel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-08-27T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Over a hearty breakfast with her invisible friends, Kitsune decided to explore the city to get a true sense of the living conditions. Venturing out into the bustling streets again, their first impressions were of a prosperous town filled with industrious craftsmen and thriving markets. But as they strayed from the main thoroughfares into narrower back alleys and modest neighborhoods, subtle hints of hardship emerged.

Beggars clustered on shadowy street corners, some limbless or stricken by disease, holding out wooden bowls with pleading eyes toward any passerby who might take pity and spare a coin. Shopkeepers looked lean and weary, their clothing faded and threadbare, though they still shouted cheerful advertisements of their wares.

The atmosphere grew noticeably gloomier the further they roamed from the city center. Kitsune's heart sank as the reality of struggle and poverty hiding beneath the illusion of prosperity became clear. There was far more to this city than first met the eye.

Snippets of conversation carried to Kitsune's keen ears. “That corrupt Hideo bleeds us dry. My family can barely survive while he lives in opulence,” one peasant woman murmured to another while waiting in a long breadline.

Kitsune's ears twitched as a commotion erupted down the street. She turned to see a scrawny, greasy-haired man burst into a local textiles shop, sending the bead curtains rattling. Behind him strode two burly men with sheathed swords at their belts.

“By order of Magistrate Hideo, I'm here to collect this week's taxes,” one of the men declared imperiously, a smug grin splitting his sallow face.

The weary shopkeeper's shoulders slumped, but he nodded resignedly and began gathering bolts of silk and cotton from his shelves—fine fabrics he had clearly worked hard to acquire and sell.

“I'm afraid the tax has increased again this week,” the lackey said, sneering as the shopkeeper's face fell. “The magistrate has many expenses to cover.”

The shopkeeper grit his teeth. “But... if I give over all of these, I won't be able to make enough money for food.”

The brutes stepped forward menacingly, leaving no room for argument. “That sounds like a personal problem,” one grumbled.

With shaking hands, the shopkeeper surrendered the fruits of his labor, staring mournfully as they were stuffed unceremoniously into sacks.

“You've always been a loyal, prompt taxpayer,” the functionary said. “Keep up the good work.” With that mocking praise, the men departed, ignoring the shopkeeper's anguished look.

As Kitsune reached the outskirts of the city, the contrast grew starker. The vibrant storefronts of the main road gave way to sagging wooden shacks and muddy, rutted dirt paths. Gone were the lively crowds—only a few gaunt figures could be seen trudging along with their heads down.

Haggard faces surrounded them, premature lines etched from constant worry and hunger. The threadbare clothing hanging off their skinny frames provided meager shelter against the biting wind. Most troubling were the hollow eyes—drained of hope after too many days with empty bellies. Kitsune half expected them to come to her begging for money, but instead, she was avoided like the plague.

Bony children

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