That night was suffocating.
Torches flickered on every corner, their shadows trembling against bamboo walls. Faces were grim and anxious—some lowered their heads, others only exchanged fearful glances. The silence was so heavy that if a needle had dropped, all would have heard it.
At the front of the hall sat the village head, old Gael, his face pale, hands trembling, voice hoarse and unsteady.
"You all know what has happened," he said. "The Blood Claw Gang demands fifty taels of copper. We have only one week. What shall we do?"
No one answered. Only the sound of crickets outside.
At last, a middle-aged man whispered, "Fifty taels… impossible. Our harvest doesn't even feed us. Even selling everything, it won't be enough."
A young woman cried out, panic on her face. "So we just let them burn our homes? You saw their leader's eyes—like a starving wolf!"
The hall broke into argument—some blamed the chief, others cursed misfortune. Yet none dared to offer coin. Not because they refused, but because if their savings vanished, their families would starve.
In a corner, Ains hugged his knees, watching the adults quarrel. He sighed softly.
Then his father, Reno—a gaunt woodcutter who lived by gathering firewood—rose. His clothes were ragged, but his eyes were honest.
"This… two taels we saved for famine." He placed a small pouch on the table. "Not much. But this is what my family can give."
The hall fell silent. All eyes turned to him.
Gael accepted it with trembling hands. "Reno… this means much. But…" he looked into the pouch, face heavy, "…it is still far, far from enough."
No one else moved. Villagers lowered their heads, clutching at their clothes as if protecting the little they had.
Ains looked at his father with pride, but also confusion. "Why only Father? Why does everyone else stay silent?" He began to understand—humans were not like nature.
That night ended without an answer. Only two taels were gathered, and fear hung heavier than ever.
A week later.
The thunder of hooves shattered the village. Dust rose, torches shook. The Blood Claws returned—this time, more than a dozen.
Their leader dismounted, tall and scarred, red headband stained with age. He sneered, eyes gleaming like a predator.
"Your week is over! Where's my payment?"
Gael staggered forward, lifting a pouch with shaking hands. "We… only managed four taels, sir. Please… grant us more time."
Silence. Even the wind seemed to stop.
Then the leader laughed, loud and harsh.
"Four taels? HAHAHA! Do you think the Blood Claws can be mocked with scraps?!"
He snatched the pouch, spilled its contents onto the ground. Four copper coins rolled like insults before the villagers.
"This is your answer to our mercy?" His sword hissed free, his gaze sweeping the crowd. "Then let's make an example."
He seized a young farmer from the crowd. The man's wife screamed, struggling against the gang's grip.
"No! Mercy! Please—"
The plea ended as the rusted blade pierced his chest.
Blood sprayed, staining the earth. The body collapsed with a dull thud, leaving a red pool in the mud.
Cries erupted. Children wailed, women covered their faces, men lowered their heads in shame—yet none dared to resist.
Ains froze, wide-eyed, body trembling. He had never seen death so near. Fear, rage, and helplessness tore through his chest.
The leader shook blood from his blade, voice booming. "Hear me well! From tomorrow, we return every day. Until fifty taels are paid, each day a life will fall! One today, one tomorrow… until you learn to bow!"
Their cruel laughter echoed as they rode off, leaving a corpse behind.
The village drowned in grief. The farmer's wife clung to her husband's body. Gael slumped pale and broken. No words could mend that night.
And amid the sorrow, Ains stood staring at the blood soaking the earth. His small eyes burned differently now.
"They kill as they please… and everyone stays silent. If this continues, more blood will flow. I'm weak now… but one day, I must become strong. Strong enough to stop them."
Above, the pale moon bore witness to the first blood that would change a child's life forever.