"Ahhh, I'm exhausted 😩." I said while walking down the slumps.
It's been months since I got to the capital, and yet I hadn't landed a single job.
*What do I do? I'll really die if I can't find one.* I thought.
As I walked through the winding alleys of the slums, I noticed a group of shady-looking men huddled near a corner. They spoke in hushed tones, their eyes scanning the surroundings with an air of unease.
At first, I thought nothing of it, assuming they were just discussing some illicit business. But as I drew closer, I saw them eyeing a group of children playing in the distance.
My instincts kicked in, and I slowed my pace, observing the scene unfold. The men began to creep towards the children, their movements stealthy and calculated.
One of them grabbed a little boy, clamping a hand over his mouth to silence his cries. The other children scattered, screaming and running for help.
*Those are demi-humans. What do they need them for? No need to overthink, I guess.* I thought running towards them and picking up a piece of wood lying around.
"Hey, someone's here." One of them said.
The alley was narrow, and some of them were running towards me. I jumped up, stepped on the wall, and used the stick to hit the nearest person.
The others kept coming as I used the stick to hit them.
*They were actually this weak😑.* I thought as the children ran towards me.
They clung to my leg while crying.
*Hmm, some human kids are here, too. Where are their parents?*
"You should leave now." I said, smiling at them as they ran out.
Just as they left, I felt a strong object hit my head. And like that, I was rendered unconscious.
I slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in my surroundings. I was met with the faint scent of decay and the dim glow of candles flickering in the distance. My head throbbed with a dull ache, and I tried to lift my hands to touch the source of the pain. But I couldn't move. I was tied to a chair, my wrists, and ankles bound by rough rope.
As my senses returned, I remembered the events leading up to this moment. The kids, the alley, the stick... I winced, recalling the searing pain as the stick connected with my skull.
I struggled against the restraints, but they only dug deeper into my skin. Panic set in, my breath coming in short gasps. Where was I? Who had done this?
The candles cast eerie shadows on the walls, making it seem like dark figures lurked just out of sight. I strained my ears, trying to pick up any sound, but there was only silence.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed through the room, growing louder with each passing moment. I tensed, unsure what to expect. A figure emerged from the shadows, their features obscured by the dim light.
"Welcome back," they said, their voice low and gravelly. "I see you're awake."
I tried to speak, but my voice was hoarse and barely audible. The figure stepped closer, their features slowly coming into focus. I didn't recognize them, but there was something unsettling about their gaze.
"Who are you?" I managed to croak.
The figure smiled, their lips curling up into a cruel grin. "You'll find out soon enough."
*Probably the leader of those groups of bandits.* I thought, closing my eyes.
"Man, you really messed up my plans last night. You'll have to pay for that kid." He said.
That voice, it kinda rings a bell.
"Hmm, Mr. go to Grimbold, he's a friend of mine." I said as he came into full view.
"Wow, you actually guessed it right." He said, smiling from ear to ear.
"But that's all, you won't be leaving soon." He said, walking out.
A few minutes after he left, some guys walked in with sticks.
"You made us get into serious trouble yesterday."
"Don't blame us for this kid. In your next life, you would mind your business."
They began using the sticks to hit me as I winced in pain. They continued this as blood gushed out of my mouth.
They stopped after satisfying themselves, leaving me hanging, with the rope holding me up.
This continued for many days, and I began to regret why I was still living. They already caught more kids by that time.
*How long has it been now, days, no Probably weeks. I don't even know again, maybe just two days.* I thought looking at the kids who kept crying.
*Shut up! You're making me feel weak.* I thought, looking away.
*I wish I could do something for them, but I'm too weak. What can I do?*
*Tora... why hasn't he come for me?*
*No, I shouldn't be relying on others, I have to help these kids before they end up dying.*
One of the guys walked in with a bowl. He walked towards the kids and threw the bowl on the floor.
"Eat up."
*That won't even feed one of them, and they're probably more than ten.*
"Hey, I said eat up!!" He shouted at one of the kids before kicking him.
"HEY!!" I shouted as the kid began crying.
"Hmm?" The man asked, looking at me.
"Oh, you still have the time to care about others. Since the boss isn't around, let's see how much you can take of this." He said, grabbing the boy again before punching him.
*Why? Why would he just bully a kid that did nothing to him?* I thought, looking away.
I tried averting my eyes cause I didn't want to see anything happening to the boy.
"Mama." I heard the boy call as he cried.
I turned towards him immediately and saw the man smiling while beating the boy. Blood gushed out of the boys mouth as he was thrown to the ground and grabbed again.
"Bastard." I muttered.
"What did you say? There's still more." The man said.
"You bastard!!" I shouted as I felt power well-up inside me.
Before I knew what was going on, the ropes tying me up shattered.
"H-hey, what's going on?" The man asked, falling on the floor as I walked towards him.
I grabbed his neck and kept punching him.
"P-lease. I'm so-rry." He said as some others ran inside.
"Hey, you guys grab the kid." One of them said as the others ran towards me.
"You guys came just in time, fireball." I said, directing it towards them.
"Argh!! He's a mage."
"This kid, how can he be smiling while killing humans?" One of them asked.
*What's going on? This feels... kinda exciting.* I thought.
Just then, some men burst into the room.
"What's going on?" One of them asked as I fell on my knees.
*I feel weak.* I thought, trying to stand up.
"Hey, kid!!"
"He doesn't look dead. Let's take him to the Lord."
*Ah... I hope those kids... are safe.* I thought before shutting my eyes.