My breath caught. It wasn't enough to survive. But it wasn't the same anymore.
The motion felt delayed—like the result had already happened, and the movement was just catching up.
It stood in a cross stance. Then it began walking toward me.
Slower. Clearer. This was my chance.
But it didn't come toward me. Suddenly, Its attention shifted past me—toward Zekai.
Something about it shifted suddenly—I didn't know what changed, but it clearly sensed something off about Zekai. Whatever it was, it had turned its focus toward him.
"Oh—no."
It didn't matter what it was thinking. I wasn't going to let him die in front of me.
The King Knight raised its sword and swung it toward Mr. Zekai's head.
"This is bad." Nothing should happen to Mr. Zekai.
I rushed forward without hesitation, grabbed the sword lying on the ground, and tightened my grip as I stepped in to face it.
Without thinking, I held my breath and ran forward at full speed, placing myself in front of him to protect him.
I focused everything on my sword. I swung it with all my strength.
"AHHHH!"
"Now—!"
But the moment our blades met, it pressed down with overwhelming force. My sword was pushed aside instantly.
It blocked my attack effortlessly—like my strength meant nothing. But in a single swing— the King Knight sent me flying.
The impact force threw me back. My body slammed against the wall. Pain exploded through my back.
"Ugh—!"
But the next impact crushed me completely. It felt like every bone in my body shattered at once. Blood surged up from inside me, forcing its way out. At that point—I had nothing left to give.
Before I could recover— The King knight stepped forward— then vanished again. I couldn't even tell where it came from anymore—only that it was already there before I could react.
A second later— Its blade pierced straight through my throat.
"…This is too much…"
Darkness.
"—!"
—
I returned again. But this time— every pain remained. None of it disappeared.
Every cut. Every impact. This time—the pain didn't fade when I came back.
It waited. I could feel everything.
My body remembered every death— even when it hadn't happened yet.
Tears started falling from my eyes without me realizing.
"I… can't…"
[ …CONDITION… ]
Mental State: Collapse
Pain Memory: Overloaded
Loop Stability: Failing
[ WARNING ]
Subject nearing psychological break
"I'm weak… useless."
My grip loosened.
"I always run."
"No wonder no one ever stays…"
My chest tightened.
"…and I'm tired of it."
Then why… am I still standing?
"I can't do this… Mr. Zekai…"
...
And somehow, in the middle of all this, memories surfaced.
a different thought surfaced—like everything was leading to this point.
Once, I used to be like everyone else. Talking freely. Kind.
Back then, I didn't know. That my kindness would become my biggest weakness.
The people around me used it. They took advantage of it.
I used to believe everyone around me was good. But when the time came, they showed who they really colors were. People used my kindness whenever it benefited them—and once they were done, they discarded me like I meant nothing. Some even bullied me because of it.
Slowly, I distanced myself and stopped talking. I kept everything inside.
I wanted to be like everyone else—but my kindness only made me an easy target. So I walked away from everyone.
I pushed people away. Day by day, life became emptier.
Until I met Mr. Zekai.
One day, while I was working in the shop—
"Hey, kid… want something to eat?" Zekai said.
"Why do you look so down?"
"No… I'm fine. I'm just working."
At first, I thought he would be the same as everyone else. Someone who would use me and leave. But he didn't.
"Whatever it is… don't keep it inside. In life, when you lose something… you gain something else. That's fate... One day, everything will change. Here—take this drink."
He placed a drink in front of me.
"I don't need it—" But he left it anyway.
"See you, Aron. That's your name, right?"
From that day—
The words he spoke stayed with me, because I could feel the deeper meaning behind them. It felt like he carried unresolved pain and things he could never fix within himself.
Little by little, his words—his kindness—started to change something inside me. He made me realize something simple: life never stays the same. Change will come—whether you want it or not. And when it does… you have to accept it.
His words gave me strength.
"Why don't you try being kind one more time?"
I started believing in my kindness again. Little by little—my life changed.
Because of him… I made friends. I even found someone who loved me.
You changed the thoughts inside me. You gave my way of thinking a new beginning.
"All of this… is because of you, Mr. Zekai."
"Thank you…"
I wiped my face roughly. I don't know what exists within you, but…
My hands stopped shaking.
"So at least once…"
I'll save you. No matter what.
That's the only thing I held onto. If someone gave me kindness—even a little—I would return it but for you I will give it tenfold. That was the only way I knew how to live.
This time—
"I'll protect you."
Even if it kills me again.
Even if this doesn't end here—Even if I don't make it out—That doesn't matter anymore.
I won't run.
[ STATUS UPDATE ]
Mental State: Stabilized Directive: Protect Target
[ NEW CONDITION ]
— RESOLVE DETECTED —
Something inside me didn't break this time— it chose not to run.
This wasn't a fight.
It was me trying to survive something that had already decided how I would die.
Something inside me changed. I could feel a change within me—like an unextinguishable fire had ignited inside, spreading through every part of my being.
The moment the King Knight lunged forward and swung its sword toward my head, my body moved on its own. I didn't think. I didn't decide. I simply stepped aside and dodged.
"Oh—God…"
My breathing became uneven as I stared at my own hands. My body felt lighter. Not just lighter—different.
What is this feeling? It feels like my heart is about to burst, and at the same time, it's like thousands of needles are piercing through my head.
"Huuuh—"
It feels like every nerve in my body is burning from the inside.
I didn't understand what was happening, but something spread through me. A strange energy moved under my skin, dark but stable.
It didn't feel chaotic or dangerous.
It felt controlled—but something underneath it trembled… like it wasn't fully mine yet. But waiting for me to notice it.
End of Chapter 15 - The Kind One III