"m-mini gods? What… what kind of nonsense are you talking about!? Me? " Noen blurted out in disbelief.
In the same instant, the old man was already in front of him.
His rough hand clamped around his throat and slammed him against the warm stone wall. The chains rattled as his body jerked instinctively.
His gaze was aggressive now — hard, twisted with disgust, burning with rage. His voice dropped low, venomous.
"Where…" he hissed, tightening his grip around Noen's throat, "…did you get that clothing, you damned demon?"
Noen's breath hitched. His feet scraped desperately for balance, but the chains held him suspended. Pressure crushed his airway. His face flushed. Tears gathered in his eyes as he struggled to breathe.
"I… I don't know…" he rasped, filled with fear.
The old man leaned even closer, their faces only inches apart.
"ANSWER ME!"
His fingers squeezed tighter. Noen's vision blurred. Dark spots flickered before his eyes. His chest burned — every breath a desperate battle.
Then, after what felt like an eternity — the old man suddenly released him.
Noen dropped down hard, dragging in air greedily, coughing and choking as oxygen rushed back into his lungs. His throat felt raw, on fire.
The old man stepped back a few paces, raking a hand over his face before beginning to pace in a tight circle. It was boiling inside him. His jaw was clenched, his hands curled into fists.
He looked almost… unhinged.
"I don't understand it… I don't understand…" he muttered again and again, faster now, more frantic as he paced. "I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS!"
Noen tried to steady his breathing, coughing violently. Pain pulsed through his throat — each inhale scorching his chest.
Suddenly, the old man stopped.
Slowly, his gaze lifted, locking onto Noen.
"I'll just knock your damned head off, you bastard!"
He stormed toward him, his arm drawing back.
Noen pressed himself as far away as possible, but the chains gave him no freedom. Metal bit into his skin as he instinctively pulled against them.
The old man's fist came rushing toward his face.
And just before it struck....
A scream.
From Noen.
Violent. Uncontrolled.
Yet at the same time… strangely gentle.
Something invisible shoved the old man back... not brutally, not with rage, but as if an unseen hand had pushed him away.
He came to a halt a few feet back.
Breathing heavily.