Prologue

“H-help me… please…”

I looked down at the girl who was clinging to my ankle.

“You still have the audacity to ask for my help?”

The slightly-heightened pitch of her voice seeped through the near-silent room. I could feel the stinging sensation in my hands. I glanced at the blood that was dribbling down my arm—what a pain. I was already struggling to stand up straight, and this girl wasn’t making it any easier.

She pulled at my leg. I resisted the temptation to shake her off.

“Please… whoever you are… I’ll give you anything; I’ll do anything for you… so please… just… bring me with you.”

Tears were streaming down her cheeks. Her hair was strewn all across her blushed face. It was truly a pitiful sight to behold.

Suddenly, I heard the subtle grumbling from one of the adults on the ground. I quickly turned my attention.

“…who the fuck are you… you’re a monster… you’re the devil… I don’t care if I can’t defeat you… I’ll take the girl… at least.”

Pulling a gun out of his coat pocket, he aimed it straight at the young girl.

I stared at him silently.

Screaming and crying, the girl clung to my legs like an insect, desperately begging for help. Even if I wanted to move, I couldn’t do so without kicking her away. Well, luckily for her, I didn’t need to move since it was pretty obvious what was going on.

A few seconds passed.

“Aren’t you going to shoot?”

“If you don’t hand her over to me… I’ll shoot!”

“Do it then.”

“You’re just a kid! I know you’re terrified right now! I’ll give you one more chance.”

The man held his gun with more commitment. Still, his emotions were clearly showing on his face.

I wasn’t an idiot, after all.

“Alright then, I announce that I won’t be handing the girl over to you. Now shoot.”

The gun obviously didn’t have any ammunition in it. I had counted the exact number of shots earlier. Anyways, he would’ve shot me by now if there were any inside, not trying to pull whatever this facade was.

I didn’t even need to finish him off, since he was clearly losing consciousness. He wasn’t going to be awake much longer, after taking my kick to the side.

I looked down at the girl who was clinging to me.

I leaned down a little, sliding my arms under her legs and shoulders. Lifting her up, I brought her to my chest. I could feel her soft, silky skin on my fingers.

She is cute.

I guess I’ll bring her along.

“You’re indebted to me, don’t ever forget that.”

****

The events of that day are still clear in my mind, even four years later.

She might not’ve known who I was, but she wouldn’t be forgetting about her debt to me.

— Not until the day she finds out who I really am.