Chapter 10: I Will Protect Them

Kian sat slumped against the broken wall, blood dripping steadily from his head, his katana trembling in his grip. The orphanage children surrounded him, their voices trembling, their small hands tugging at his arms.

“Brother, what happened? Get up!”

Some cried loudly, their voices cracking with fear. Others clung to him desperately, as if their touch alone could pull him back to his feet.

But one little girl stood apart. Silent tears streamed down her cheeks as she held her doll tightly against her chest. Her lips quivered, her eyes locked on Kian with sorrow and pleading. She did not shout — her quiet grief cut deeper than any scream.

Through the shattered wall, the monster’s glowing red eyes gleamed. It had slaughtered the soldiers outside, their bodies scattered like broken dolls across the ground. Now, its gaze turned back to the orphanage, to the children huddled around Kian.

Kian’s heart throbbed violently. His chest burned, blood pumping faster, something igniting deep inside. I… I… n‑need… to finish him… His face twisted in pain and fury, teeth clenched as heat surged through his veins.

The monster roared and dashed forward, claws raised to strike. In an instant, it was upon them.

Kian’s eyes widened. The little girl stood frozen, doll in hand, tears falling silently.

And then—time slowed. The roar faded, the world froze.

Suddenly, everything turned pitch black. The orphanage, the monster, the children — gone. Only the piece of wall Kian had been resting against remained, faintly visible in the void.

He slowly rose, katana in hand. What… is this place? His breath echoed in the silence, each exhale heavy, each inhale sharp.

The wall behind him crumbled, vanishing into the abyss.

Then, faint laughter echoed. A girl’s voice, carefree, running, giggling.

“Hahaha!”

The scenery cracked like glass. Infinite shards surrounded him, floating in the void. He touched one — his hand passed through. He stepped forward, and his body slipped through the fragments.

On the other side, he glimpsed a girl with brown hair, wearing simple clothes, running joyfully. A little boy with the same brown hair chased after her, laughing. Their laughter rang pure, untainted by fear.

Kian’s voice trembled.

“Who… who are you both?”

He walked through shard after shard, each revealing fleeting sceneries — a house filled with warmth, a training ground lined with swords, a kitchen alive with the smell of food. Each felt strangely familiar, tugging at something buried deep in his memory.

Finally, he stepped through another shard and saw a man. Golden eyes, a pleasant smile, long brown hair flowing like firelight.

The man looked at him calmly.

“They are my kids. The ones I cherish the most.”

Kian froze, heart pounding. This man… I’ve seen him before… five years ago?

The man’s voice was gentle, yet piercing.

“The reason you are here is because you have a grown desire to do something. What is it? Saving someone? Killing someone? Or perhaps… confessing to a girl?”

He chuckled softly, the sound echoing strangely in the void.

Kian’s face twisted in confusion. Heh? What kind of question is that…?

But his grip tightened on the katana. His voice rose, trembling yet fierce.

“I want to protect the kids at the orphanage… I want to protect my village… my friends… my elder… everyone!”

The man’s golden eyes gleamed.

“Hmmm… so you are that type. My memories will empower you. They will teach you even without you learning them. Get ready — this place will disappear now. If your desire to protect remains, we might meet again.”

Kian’s voice cracked, fumbling.

“W‑wait… what is your name?”

The man’s smile widened.

“This is no time for that. Focus — you’ve got someone to protect. Get ready!”

His shout echoed through the void like thunder.

Suddenly, the glass shards around Kian began to crack. One by one, they shattered, falling like fragments of reality. Each piece dissolved into light, replacing the abyss with the world outside.

Kian stood firm, katana in hand. Flames ignited along its edge as the last shard fell. His eyes burned with resolve, his body trembling but unyielding.

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Back to Reality

The monster had reached the orphanage. Its massive fist swung down, aiming straight for the little girl clutching her doll.

“GRAAAHHHH!”

In that instant—

SHHHHHHHHHHHKTTTT!

Kian’s flaming katana slashed upward, colliding with the monster’s fist.

CLANGGGGGG!

The impact rang out like steel against steel, sparks flying, the sound reverberating through the orphanage walls.

The blade couldn’t pierce the monster’s hardened skin — but the force of Kian’s strike was enough to knock its fist back. The beast staggered, snarling in surprise, its glowing eyes narrowing at him.

Kian’s eyes blazed, his face twisted in pain and fury. Blood dripped from his mouth, but his stance was unyielding. His chest heaved, his katana burned, and his voice rang out like a vow.

“I… will protect them!”

The children gasped, tears mixing with hope as they saw Kian rise against the monster’s overwhelming strength. For the first time, they believed he could stand between them and death.