He was wearing simple clothes, covered by a long flowing cloak. His hair was half black like the night and half red, and his eyes shone with the color of blood.
He stood before the gang with calm confidence and a merciless gaze.
Time seemed to stop for a moment as the five pairs of eyes stared at the mysterious boy who had appeared out of nowhere. His steps were fast.
He approached while slowly lowering the sword from his shoulder. His voice was calm, but it carried a silent threat within it:
"Don't you feel ashamed? There are five of you… and you're attacking a child who can't defend himself?"
One of the men stepped forward, holding his sword and laughing mockingly.
"And what's it to you, idiot? Do you want to die with him?"
The boy didn't answer. He only gave him a single look that made the man freeze in place as if his body had turned to stone.
The men exchanged quick glances before one of them shouted:
"Kill him!"
They all rushed toward the mysterious boy, their swords shining under the dim light of the lamps.
But the boy didn't move.
In a single instant, he disappeared from in front of them… and appeared behind one of them, his sword glowing with a faint shimmer.
One stab.
The first man fell.
The others turned in shock, but before they could react, he had already lunged at the second one. His strikes moved with blinding speed, as if even the air couldn't keep up with them.
The third tried to use fire magic, but the boy cut off his hand before he could finish the spell.
As for the fourth, he tried to run away, but suddenly found himself lying on the ground, his body unable to move.
The boy stood among the four bodies. His breathing was calm, and his voice was low.
"The game is over."
But suddenly, a voice was heard from the end of the alley:
"Don't move!"
He quickly turned… and saw the fifth man standing there, holding Sol while pressing a dagger against his neck.
His eyes were full of malice, and a mocking smile spread across his face.
"Drop your sword… now. Or I'll slit his throat."
The boy tightened his fist, hesitated for a moment, then threw his sword to the ground.
The man burst out laughing.
"That's better… Now kneel and beg me not to kill him."
The boy hesitated, his body burning with anger… but he was helpless.
Inside his mind, he screamed:
(Damn it…!)
The man raised the dagger higher and said:
"What's wrong? Hurry up! Or—"
But before he could finish, a sudden scream tore through the air, coming from above them!
A powerful kick slammed into the man's face, sending him flying like a rag doll. He crashed into the wall behind him, shattering the stones, and fell to the ground motionless.
"AAAAAH!!"
Sol's eyes were wide open in shock… staring at the female shadow standing in front of him, placing him behind her protectively.
Haruka.
Her shoulders were covered in dust, and her eyes burned with anger.
Sol looked at her as tears ran down his cheeks and whispered with a trembling voice:
"H... Harukaaa!"
Sol was still crying silently when suddenly an angry voice shook the air:
"Have you lost your mind?!"
He quickly turned… Haruka was standing there, her hair flying wildly and her eyes blazing with anger.
"Where did you go without telling anyone?! Do you think you're some kind of hero or something?! At least tell me when you're leaving!!"
She walked forward angrily.
The mysterious boy picked up his sword again, preparing to leave without saying a word.
But suddenly, Haruka stood in his way, her eyes shining with a deadly glare.
"No… you're not leaving."
Then she suddenly lunged at him with a fast punch!
The boy dodged with a slight tilt, but he didn't expect what came next…
A spinning kick!
It cut through the air toward his face, but he ducked down, trying to keep his balance.
"Are you attacking me now?!" he shouted in shock.
But Haruka didn't stop. Her legs moved fluidly, striking with pure taekwondo techniques—low kicks, high strikes, and powerful spins that seemed to tear through the air.
"You started it first!" she shouted while launching a double jump toward his chest.
He barely managed to step back, then calmly raised his hand and muttered quietly:
"Let me finish this…"
A strange red glow began gathering in his eyes…
He used his magic:
Temporary paralysis.
But…
Nothing happened.
Haruka's eyes were still burning, and her muscles moved freely.
The boy's eyes widened.
(What?! Why didn't it work?! I'm sure the minute has already passed…)
He stepped back and shouted:
"Who the hell are you?!"
But before he could get an answer… her fist was already rushing toward him again!
He quickly retreated, but his foot hit the body of one of the men he had killed… and he fell backward for a moment.
Inside Haruka's mind:
(This is my chance!)
She jumped into the air, spinning her body in a high spinning kick technique, aiming her strongest kick straight at his head.
But—
"Haruka!! Stop!"
It was Rei's voice. His shout filled the alley.
The kick stopped just before reaching him. Haruka stared at him, her mouth slightly open.
"What?!"
The child replied, tears still on his cheeks:
"He's not a bad guy! He saved me from that man…!"
Haruka slowly lowered her leg and whispered:
"Oh… so that's how it is…"
Then she turned to the boy and said more calmly:
"I'm sorry… I thought you were with them. Honestly, you don't look that different from them."
The boy stood up calmly, dusting off his shoulder.
"Are you stupid? How could I be like those scum?!"
Haruka laughed nervously while scratching her head.
"I said I'm sorry. No need to shout
But… isn't that a bit cruel? You killed them in front of a child," she said sadly.
"What do you mean?" he replied. " he s already sleeping
When haruka looked at him she was surprised
She said on her mind he s really sleeping
The man added saying
Also i didn't kill anyone. I only knocked them out. The healers will take care of them."
She asked, puzzled, "The healers?"
To be continued…