I couldn't hold myself back; tears slowly began to fall from my eyes. My hands were trembling. I was weak… I had to become stronger. That was the only thing I wanted.
I couldn't endure it and collapsed onto the bed. I spent my time crying beside my sister.
Hours passed like water. Before I realized it, the hospital had closed. I got on a bus and put on my headphones, listening to music.
Since I fell asleep on the bus, a worker woke me up at the last stop. At least my home wasn't far from there.
I kept walking through the side streets illuminated by streetlights. While walking, I heard cries for help.
"Arhhh! Help! Isn't there anyone?!"
It was the voice of a young girl. I immediately ran toward the street.
"Arrh… please, I don't have money!"
Tears streamed from the young girl's eyes as she begged two old men.
"Please, let me go!"
One of the old men struck the girl. When she fell to the ground, her trembling worsened. Her eyes were dry from crying. As the men closed in on her, the green-haired old man reached out his hand toward her.
"Stop right there."
The man couldn't move. A heavy force pressed down on his back. The pressure crushed him. He started losing his balance, unable to endure it.
The grinding of the old man's teeth echoed through the street, followed by a scream:
"Raaahhhh!"
When he managed to turn around, the last thing he saw was a heavy punch smashing into his face. The punch sent him into the wall.
The other old man panicked and fled, leaving his friend behind.
The girl lowered her head in fear. A gentle voice broke that fear:
"Hey, are you okay?"
A young man with white hair extended his hand.
The girl lifted her head. With her innocent face and blonde hair, she looked like an angel.
"Ah… yes, thank you," she said, blushing as she took his hand.
"Be careful. Next time, there might not be someone to save you. Go home now."
The young man turned around and walked away with his hands in his pockets.
"Hey! Excuse me! My name is Elizabeth. Thank you again!" she said, bowing.
When Yhazem turned back, he smirked for a brief moment.
"It's nothing," he said, raising his hand.
"And… hey Elizabeth. I'm Yhazem."
He smiled awkwardly but warmly.
---
January 21
After arriving home, I fell asleep instantly. When I woke up, I completed my daily routine and went to my room. It had been an exhausting day. I needed to go to the gym, but I couldn't.
Even if I didn't want to blame myself, it was my fault. I clenched my fists.
"If only I had been stronger… my brother wouldn't be in a coma, and Shroud wouldn't be dead…"
I collapsed onto the floor. I couldn't take it anymore. I couldn't maintain my strong image. My real self was just a loser. I started hitting my head on the ground.
1
2
3
4…
Covered in blood, I looked at myself in the mirror. Finally, I lost it and smashed the mirror too. I really was pathetic. A miserable person.
I leaned back onto the bed and stared blankly at the ceiling lamp.
Ding dong.
I immediately stood up. Who could it be this early in the morning? My face was covered in blood, but I didn't care. What was the worst that could happen anyway?
When I reached the door, the bell rang again.
Ding dong.
I slowly opened the door.
Behind it stood a blue-haired woman and a man in work clothes holding a sword by the hilt. The woman smiled at me.
"Excuse us for bothering you, but… are you Mr. Yhazem?"
My eyebrow rose suspiciously.
"Yes. How can I help you?"
"Oh, wonderful. We are from the Swordborne household. May we speak with you?"
"Sorry, not right now. I'm not well." I said, trying to close the door.
But the man blocked it with his sword and struck me with the second blow to my heart:
"If you do not join us, you will be executed, Mr. Yhazem."
"Haaa? Wha—"
He continued before I could speak:
"Simply put, due to the demon blood you possess, the church and the government have ordered your execution.
However, by the recommendation and request of your teacher, you've been granted the right to enter the protection-candidate exam for the second daughter of our household.
If you join the household, we can protect you—both in your case and from execution.
By the way, my name is Lengur. Here is my card."
I quickly took the card he offered. The man grinned:
"See you later, Mr. Yhazem."
Only one sentence passed through my mind:
Ah, fuck.