The restaurant was in ruins.
Arin burst through the back door, gasping for air.
Smoke drifted in the broken light. Tables lay overturned. Plates and chairs were scattered across the floor. The lights flickered, casting warped shadows on shattered walls.
Then he saw her.
Mira—his aunt—stood near the front, gripping a chair for support. Her chest heaved with each breath, but she was still on her feet.
And just a few steps in front of her was a monster.
Its tall, twisted body shimmered like oil and shadow. Long arms. Razor claws. It moved slowly, step by step, like a predator ready to pounce.
Arin's heart dropped.
"You stay away from her!" he shouted.
The creature paused.
Then it slowly turned its head—only its head—to look at him.
Golden eyes locked onto Arin. Cold. Sharp. Unblinking.
And then it smiled. A slow, creeping grin that didn't belong on anything human.
It said nothing.
It turned its head back to Mira, dismissing him.
That was a mistake.
Arin ran — faster than he'd ever moved. A shout tore from his throat as golden light erupted around his fist.
CRACK!
His punch slammed into the monster's chest. The creature launched backward, smashing through the front wall and into the street.
BOOM!
Dust exploded out. Arin stood frozen, staring at his glowing hand.
What… was that?
Across the room, Mira looked at him — wide-eyed, silent.
For a moment, there was no fear.
Only pride.
Suddenly—
BOOM!
The front door burst open.
Black-armored soldiers stormed in, weapons drawn, eyes scanning.
They froze when they saw the monster's body in the street.
"Is it down?" one asked. "Who did that?"
All eyes turned to Arin.
"…I did," he said, voice low.
"You? That thing wasn't weak. How—"
"I don't know," Arin answered, shaking his head.
Then—
The ground trembled.
THOOM. THOOM.
Cracks split the floor. The side wall exploded. Bricks flew. Smoke poured in.
A larger shape stepped through.
This one was bigger. Stronger.
Its body gleamed like armor. Red energy pulsed along its chest and limbs. Horns curled from its head. Its claws scraped against the tiles as it entered, sparks trailing behind.
The boss had arrived.
Its presence made the air feel heavy.
The soldiers froze.
"Gate boss! This isn't a D-rank! Fall back!"
Too late.
WHAM! One blow sent two soldiers flying.
Another opened fire—bullets bounced off its skin.
The boss lunged.
SLAM! Another soldier dropped.
Arin stood frozen.
This one… wasn't like before.
His legs shook.
I can't fight that.
Then—he saw Mira.
Still standing. Still watching him.
Not afraid. Not backing down.
Waiting.
His fists clenched.
Golden sparks danced on his fingertips.
I have to try. I have to protect her.
He ran.
He struck the boss with everything he had.
THUD!
The glowing punch hit its chest—
Nothing.
The boss didn't move.
It looked down at Arin.
Unimpressed.
Then raised its claw—
WHAM!
Arin smashed into the wall.
"ARIN!" Mira screamed.
He collapsed. Pain blurred everything. His arms wouldn't respond.
The boss loomed over him.
Its voice was low and cruel.
"I feel the power in you… but it's hard to believe. So he chose you?"
Arin blinked. "What…?"
"So weak. He must have made a mistake."
It raised its claw again.
"You have to die."
"STOP!"
Mira ran forward without hesitation.
She threw herself between Arin and the blow.
The strike landed.
She collapsed into his arms.
Time slowed.
Her breath came in gasps. Her eyes fluttered.
"Run… Arin… Live. For me…"
Her hand slipped from his.
"No…"
His voice broke. His hands trembled as he held her.
"Please… stay with me…"
The boss stepped forward.
That's when something inside Arin shattered—and erupted.
A golden light tore through him.
The ground cracked beneath his feet. Sparks burst across the ruins.
He rose, glowing, transformed.
His eyes burned.
"You…"
"BASTARD!"
He vanished—
—and reappeared behind the boss.
WHAM!
The punch launched the boss through another wall.
Outside, the monster stumbled back to its feet—but slower now.
They clashed.
Fists against claws. Sparks flew. Shockwaves shook the street.
At first, Arin could barely keep up.
But second by second, he grew faster. Stronger.
His punches hit clean. The boss reeled.
CRACK! — a punch to the chest.
WHAM! — a spinning elbow.
BOOM! — a golden leap and downward strike.
KRAKOOM!
The final blow shook the city block.
The boss fell.
And didn't get up.
Arin stood still, chest heaving, the golden glow fading from his skin.
He turned—
And walked back inside.
Back to the one place he didn't want to face.
Back to her.
Mira lay where she fell.
Still.
He knelt beside her. Took her hand—cold now.
"I stopped it," he whispered. "But I wasn't fast enough to save you…"
Tears hit her hand.
"I'm sorry…"
His fingers tightened, wishing he could bring her back.
She had always believed in him.
She gave everything for him.
And now… she was gone.
The fight was over.
But the silence hurt more than the battle ever did.
Arin sat in the ruins, holding the one person who had always been there.
Not moving.
Not letting go.