"I AM NOT."
I glared at the soldier, emphasizing every word. Why does it seem like I need to correct him immediately though? As if I don't want to be misunderstood.
I shuddered as another useless thought ran in my mind. It wasn't like that!
The straight protagonist, I! Is determined to run from my role if the heavens pushed it. I won't be swayed by the plot and the progression of the story! As long as I reached the climax and defeated the villains inside the novel, there was no need to act according to every detail and description of the story.
"I am not," I repeated.
I stood and straightened my posture, puffing out my lean chest and tucking my stomach in, before adding, "I'm not being defensive or trying to clear any misunderstanding here. I simply am not comfortable being called a father. Me? A father? No, dude, I'm still young. He's not my son."
Damn it! Why am I blabbering nonsense here? Is it part of the novel's dialogue? Is my mouth trying to sabotage my plans?! I racked my pea-sized brain on how to free my mouth from the chains of the novel's character's conversation.
"I see. I understand."
Daniel Bran answered, looking at me apologetically. He had been misunderstanding me from the very beginning and he felt guilty now it seems. He looked at the kid, "Do you have any relatives?"
The kid who was listening to us shook his head silently.
I sighed in dismay. I glanced at Daniel Bran who had the same look as me. That look of whether to carry the child or to push the child to each other, as both of us had our own duties to do.
Silence reigned between us. It was already dusk and if we still dawdled in this place, darkness would soon creep in, and who knows what monsters it could bring? We have to find a proper place to hide and take shelter.
After a while of waiting for each other to offer a helping hand, I finally broke the silence. I wanted to guilt-trip the soldier for not wanting to save the child, but I also knew that it was a petty and selfish move.
In the end, I offered, "Alright. Let's play rock, paper, and scissors. The one who loses will take care of the child."
I averted my eyes when he glanced at me. What is he looking at? He knew by now I was not the child's father. He can't force me to take him. I puckered my lips and whistled, ignoring his knowing look.
Daniel Bran sighed in dismay. I clearly showed him that I'm not willing to take the child with me.
I know he had decided to go to the towns near the City of Alpas, so it would be difficult and dangerous for a child to tag along with him. But to move freely, I can't have the child with me. The soldier's face changed. He probably realized now that I'm not as kind as he thinks I am. I only save them because I was there after all.
Daniel Bran looked as if weighing something on his mind. I hope he doesn't realize how much my luck was from the smug on my face earlier.
"How about an arm-wrestling?" Daniel Bran suggested. I guess he did. Playing rock, paper, and scissors is still up to luck after all.
I grimaced and replied, "Then you'll win. Do you even see the difference between our muscles? Compared to you, mine was like a saggy meat of an old cow."
Daniel Bran looked amused. But he couldn't possibly accept an obvious defeat, for the safety of the kid is at risk. He shook his head, looking at the me with doubt.
"Tell me your luck first," Daniel Bran demanded.
I lifted my head high and confidently answered, "Twenty percent."
It was a blatant lie that only the protagonist could shamelessly pull off. The soldier furrowed his brows in suspicion. However, seeing me without batting my eyes nor looking even slightly guilty, Daniel could only believe that I was telling the truth.
Finally, after an arduous fight of seeking truth and masking massive lies, we went into battle mode.
With our fists clenched between us, eyes blazing in competitiveness and determination holding our futures in hand, we both inhaled deeply before firing our weapons.
"Rock! Paper! Scissors!"
The rocks met and exploded. Another attack commenced and the battle finally ended—victory gained by the one wielding the sharpest blades against the crumpled and worn parchment.
"Yes!"
Of course, the heavens already knew who would win, and with their guilt and sympathy towards the poor soldier who instantly became a father, they poured a drizzle onto the land, washing the stench and blood of the dead monsters.
Daniel Bran sighed and took off his torn clothes.
I was ready to decline the gentlemanly gesture of the soldier, but the latter draped the fatigued military jacket over the kid's head before he carried him up instead.
Daniel Bran looked at me and nodded slightly, carrying the child in his arms, he spoke, "Well, then, we'll be on our way now. Take care of yourself, kind sir."
Then, Daniel ran the opposite way, carrying the child who gave me one last funny look.
I watched the soldier run fast in the opposite direction, heading towards the enormous door in the background. My left eyebrow twitched at the words echoing in my ears.
"Kind sir, hah! Is he guilt-tripping me?"
The wind blew and I shivered from the cold. All my hair stood earlier as I thought he'd give his shirt to me. Luckily, I didn't misunderstand.
The sky had become dark and the rain would soon pour heavily.
I embraced myself, cursing the heavens for raining on my half-naked self. I ran to find shelter, but the only place I could hide was the old barn. I don't think I can sleep there where the mother of the kid died after refusing to take him.
I decided to go the opposite way instead.
I ran using my speed. I didn't think that something would change, but I was in awe after reaching the next town after only continuously running for half an hour. And what's more? My knees aren't trembling and I don't feel tired at all. The wound in my back is also healing at a rather rapid pace. Maybe I have regenerative abilities?
However, my eyes were bathed in red as soon as I entered the first house, I intended to seek help from.
Inside was a man in black and red clothes, holding a sword dripping in crimson liquid in his left hand and the dangling head of an old man in his right.
My stomach lurched from the bloody sight. Fortunately, my senses after I received that awakening call became sharp. I quickly ducked from the sword that slashed the air and aimed my neck.
What a shitty murderer!
The wind was slashed in two, and the blood dripping on the sword splattered on the walls and painted the ground. I almost swallowed my tongue as I couldn't even scream and shout. My body trembled in fear again, but astonishingly, my bean-sized brain wasn't hurled into the gutter or the trash bin.
I was wide awake, attentive, and alert. My mind was as clear as sparkling water can get. Though my hands were trembling, it seemed I had control over my body. I calmed my nerves and the shaking subsided.
"Hm?"
The cold and creepy voice of the unknown serial killer resonated on the bloody walls. An amused grin that reached his ear broke in his face, revealing his jagged teeth as white as snow.
"You reacted even faster than my katana. Are you also an Awakened?"
If it was a normal situation, I would have asked what brand his toothpaste was.
I exhaled my fear and inhaled my courage with the smell of iron before I quickly crawled away from the executioner. My irises lit green as I watched the moving arrow above the man's head.
Another character on sight. But I wasn't glad nor excited, I wasn't even thinking of knowing the man's role! I wanted to upgrade my skills as soon as possible, but I love my life. Give me one that's easier to acquire!
I glanced around to look for a weapon, but sadly, all I could find was a woman's flip-flops by the door.
Please, guardians! Can these slippers save me?!
"Hey, man. At least answer me if you're listening."
The vicious man threw the head beside me. I almost screamed Mother, but then I remembered I didn't have one.
"Don't worry, if you're an awakener, then I won't kill you."
I furrowed my brows. So, is he awakened as well?
"What?"
I immediately stood and took a few steps backward, avoiding the head that rolled in my way. I looked up and locked my eyes on the evil man.
"I am an awakened. But why won't you kill me?"
"What, man? Do you want me to kill you instead? Hehe. I'm a good citizen. If that's what you want, I will happily oblige!"
He's crazy. Psychopaths shouldn't be provoked, I heard. From the looks of it, the man seemed to be going and killing everyone in his sight – yet he was willing to spare someone as long as they were an awakener?
I brave myself and replied, "Who wants to be dead? I'm just asking why would you go killing these civilians but spare the awakeners."
I wanted to slap myself, especially my mouth. Are you a fool, Atlas?! Why bother asking? Thank him instead for not killing you!!
I gasped at my foolishness, but also gaped at how calm I am. Normally, I should be running in fours if I encountered someone like that. Why am I babbling about nonsense in my head here?
Ah. I'm the hero. The new protagonist of this godforsaken story.
And it was as if the strings of the puppeteer were hooked in my lips, controlling them against my will, making them speak with courage and righteousness, entirely replacing my foul-mouthed and cowardly self.
I submit.
"Killing the innocent is unforgivable. You were given power to wield it for the safety of humanity, yet you dare cut them down. You are no awakener. You're just a murderer."
The man frowned at me. His face looked upset and looked like he wanted to kill me.
I wanted to say – It wasn't me. I'm not that righteous and caring to the innocent, really. Also, I cringe at the dialogue.
If it was Atlas Sterne, the nude painter, he would have said this.
"I can paint your portrait for free. Please, spare me."