Hello. My name is Kim. Just an ordinary guy.
I was simple, cheerful—at least, that's how I seemed from the outside.
But inside... I was stuck.
Alone. With no one truly by my side.
Even when people were around me, I barely noticed them.
Just empty shells.
I always wished to be strong, to protect the weak—exactly as someone once told me:
"A man must protect his brother from evil."
I tried to help everyone... but with time I stopped caring about myself.
Was I truly helping others? Or was I fooling myself?
No one ever helped me.
People... days... all were conspiring against me.
I wasn't strong, nor important.
My years in school—my whole youth—was nothing but a chain of pain.
Bullying, mockery, insults... just for fun. Just to kill time.
Why? Why was I like this?
Ah... how painful this feeling is.
... Ringing.
The phone screams in the room.
I open my eyes: ah... it's Mary.
"Hello, Mary."
"Where are you, idiot?!"
"I'm... at home."
I laughed lightly: "Why is your voice so loud?"
"I was talking to myself..."
Even in my dry, lifeless days... Mary was always there.
I truly loved her.
She shouted through the phone: "Idiot! Are you listening to me?!"
And I smiled: "Sorry, Mary... I was distracted."
"Don't tell me you forgot! We're shopping today for our new house!"
"Ah... right. I'm on my way now."
I quickly ended the call.
Then I heard a soft knock.
"My son, are you awake?"
"Yes, Mom."
She opened the door: "Where are you going?"
"I'll shop with Mary. Do you want to come?"
She smiled: "Of course."
...
Later, at the market.
I called: "Mary, where are you?"
"I'm outside."
I saw her and waved: "Why didn't you tell me you're here?"
She smiled lightly: "To surprise you."
She asked for my help: "Carry these things."
I smiled: "Alright, I'm coming."
Mary stepped toward the street...
Suddenly—
Shots!
A speeding car!
I shouted: "Watch out!"
I threw my body toward her.
Gunfire... my body taking the bullets.
I held her tightly as we fell.
Thank God... she was safe.
But... why? A robbery? Here? Now?
I looked around. My mom... my mom on the ground!
"Mom!" Blood flowing from her mouth. Her last breath.
A stray bullet... she was gone.
"No... nooo!"
I turned to Mary. "Mary! Help me!"
She ran toward us... then boom! Bullets pierced her back.
She fell before me with a weak smile.
"Kim... did you think I wouldn't protect you?"
My tears fell. I didn't know... for losing my mom, or Mary... or both.
She said with a trembling voice: "You are a wonderful person... I love you, Kim."
I screamed: "Mary!" But her eyes closed forever.
Sirens... police... ambulances.
"Seven dead. Any survivors?"
"Only one..."
But inside me, I was already dead.
In the hospital... the nurses' stares, their empty questions.
But I knew the truth:
They were gone.
If I had been stronger... they would be here beside me.
If I had been richer... I could have protected them.
I cried in a muffled voice: "Forgive me, Mom... Mary... I'm sorry."
I wanted to be strong to protect the ones I love, but I couldn't do it.
What is the point of strength if you cannot protect who you love—
Even though I had become empty.
But something inside me had broken.
Something else was born.
A dark laugh escaped my throat, not of joy... but of fire.
I once wanted to be a hero.
But now... I will be something else.
I swear... I will kill them all.