[Day 20, 4 days left]
At Faredale's Hospital—one of the medical centers in the eastern district of Z City—Leona lay resting in a bed within the female ward.
Unfortunately, she had developed a fever. Due to her already weakened condition, standard painkillers proved ineffective, necessitating immediate admission.
Christopher sat beside her.
In truth, he had not left her side—not even for a moment.
Leona remained in a deep sleep, her body radiating heat despite the steady hum of the air conditioning.
Christopher:(Thought) You should have told me… instead of keeping it to yourself.
His gaze lingered on her, heavy with quiet regret.
Christopher:(Thought) The heat was too much for her… she suffered a heatstroke yesterday. Thankfully, the hospital was close enough, and I managed to bring her here in time. The doctor said it's a moderate case… two to three days of recovery, even with treatment.
His fingers tightened slightly against the edge of the bed.
Christopher:(Thought) She didn't want me to worry… and yet... I was too focused on the mission… Damn it, I should have been more observant.
His fist clenched at his side, frustration coiling tight in his chest.
Then—
A sudden chill touched the back of his neck.
He flinched.
Lynn: Hold your horses, cowboy. Getting mad at yourself won't do you any good. Here—cool your head.
She passed a cold drink to him.
Christopher exhaled, the tension easing just a little.
Christopher: ...Thanks.
Lynn took a seat beside him.
She had been searching the coordinates of the temple earlier, trying to trace the location from a photograph she was given. That was how she ended up here—how she found him.
———————————————————
For twenty-five years, Christopher and Lynn had known each other.
More than that—
They were best friends.
They had grown up side by side, living next to each other since childhood.
Lynn, the only child of her family.
Christopher, the eldest in a household of five, with two younger sisters who looked up to him.
He had always been kind—caring, protective.
To his sisters.
And to Lynn.
In many ways…
She had always been like family.
Everything was going fine with his life—
Until his home was burned to the ground—his family reduced to ashes—he had nothing.
He was arrested as the prime suspect, yet no solid evidence was ever found. Eventually, he was released.
Lynn's parents took him in legally, treating him as their own son.
Ten years passed.
On the surface, he remained the same.
But deep within, something else endured—
A quiet, festering vengeance for the man still out there… still breathing.
———————————————————
Moments later, Leona began to stir.
Lynn leaned forward slightly.
Lynn: Hey… she's waking up.
Leona's eyes fluttered open.
Leona: Wha…? Where am I…?
Christopher stepped closer, his voice calm but firm.
Christopher: Don't push yourself. You still need rest.
He paused briefly.
Christopher: You had a heatstroke yesterday. I carried you here. The doctor said you'll need at least a day… maybe more.
Leona frowned faintly, trying to sit up.
Leona: But… our mission—
Lynn: Don't worry about that. Most of the S-Class heroes already arrived and secured the coordinates.
She gave a small reassuring smile.
Lynn: We're not in a rush. Focus on recovering first… then we'll continue.
Leona: Okay…
Moments later, she drifted back into sleep.
Lynn watched her for a moment, then exhaled softly.
Lynn: The fever must've taken a lot out of her. Once it settles… she'll be fine.
Christopher didn't respond immediately.
His gaze remained fixed on Leona.
Christopher: I don't know, Lynn… but I'm afraid.
He paused.
Christopher: Afraid that I'll lose one of you again. I'm always too late… and someone always dies on my watch.
Lynn's expression softened.
Lynn: It won't happen again. You're strong enough now.
A nurse entered the ward shortly after.
Nurse: Excuse me… is there anyone strong enough to help carry some rice bags to the kitchen? We're short on staff.
Christopher rose without hesitation.
Christopher: I'll help.
He turned to Lynn.
Christopher: Stay with her. Just in case.
Lynn nodded.
The path leading to the kitchen was steep, and the workload was no small task.
Nearly forty sacks of rice, along with crates of vegetables, needed to be transported.
Only about six people had stepped forward to assist.
And even then—
It should have taken nearly an hour.
But thanks to Christopher, they finished far sooner.
He carried three bags at once, slung across both shoulders, moving up the steep path as if the weight meant nothing.
The others stared in disbelief.
Even with his bulky build, carrying nearly 300 kg (661 lbs) while walking at that pace… it wasn't something any normal person could do.
Minutes were shaved off, and the entire task was completed in under fifteen.
The nurse thanked them repeatedly, even apologizing for the trouble.
But they simply smiled—humble, unbothered—glad they could help.
On his way back, Christopher noticed a man standing beneath a mango tree.
Sunglasses. A cap. Face obscured.
Something about him felt… off.
Christopher lingered for a second—but dismissed it.
Not his concern.
He continued toward the female ward.
Just as he was about to enter, something caught his eye—
A small photograph, lying on a bench outside.
He paused.
Then picked it up.
Curiosity pulled him in.
And the moment he saw it clearly—
His breath stopped.
Christopher:(Breathingheavily) This—this is… It can't be…
The photograph showed his late sisters.
The moment he recognized them, it hit him like lightning—straight to the heart. Memories surged back, and with them, a grief he thought he had buried.
Someone lightly taps on his shoulder and when Christopher look back, Lynn was standing right besides him.
Lynn: Is everything okay?
Christopher: Lynn… you—never mind. I thought I told you not to come out.
Lynn: I know but... when I saw you staring at that paper for a long time and zone out, i thought something is up. What is it?
Christopher: Someone put this photo of Rebecca and Daisy here. Something's not right. There was a suspicious man outside just now, but he's gone. Stay here, in case something bad happens.
Lynn: We can take him down together—
Christopher: I know. But I need you here. Protect these people. You're the only one I can count on.
Lynn: Okay… be safe.
Christopher walked around the hospital, searching for the mysterious man. But there was no sign of him.
Then—
Another photograph.
Pinned to an iron door.
This time… it was his mother.
And Christopher knew.
It was a lure.
The door led to the stairs going up to the rooftop. Without hesitation, Christopher rushed up, ready to face whoever the bastard was. The last photograph was placed near the rooftop door—
His father's.
Opening the door, he found the mysterious man leaning against the railing, calmly smoking a cigarette.
Stranger: You're a little late… as usual.
Christopher: Who are you? Why do you have my family's photos?
The man slowly turned toward him.
It was Samson.
Christopher: Black Gryphone…
Samson: Seems like you can't recall your past… or maybe you don't want to.
Christopher: If you're some scumbag I've beaten before, then it'd be wise to turn yourself in.
Samson smirked faintly.
Samson: Let me jog your memory then. June 8th, 2025.
Christopher's eyes widened the moment he heard that date.
He couldn't forget.
How could he?
It was the day his family died.
Samson: Ah… seems like you do remember. Good.
Christopher's expression hardened.
Christopher: What are you planning?
Samson stepped forward slowly, almost casually.
Samson: Now that we've come this far… I might as well tell you. I was the one who burned your home.
He tilted his head slightly, a sick amusement in his eyes.
Samson: Their screams… it was like music to me. And when they begged…
A faint grin crept across his face.
Samson: …it only made me want to drag it out longer.
That was enough.
Christopher wasn't letting that slide.
In a blur, he vanished from his spot—then reappeared in front of Samson, his fist already moving. The punch carried enough force to obliterate anyone it touched.
But at the last second—
Samson moved.
His body shapeshifted—
And in an instant, he became Christopher.
The punch was caught.
Samson: Going straight for the ki—
Before he could finish, Christopher's fist crashed into his jaw.
Samson snapped back—but answered immediately, driving a punch into the same spot. Christopher took it like it was nothing.
They kicked at the same time.
Impact.
Both were thrown back.
Samson:(Thought) This asshole's ability… nothing special. Just raw strength and speed.
Christopher didn't give him time to think.
He lunged forward, tackled Samson—and both of them went over the edge.
They dropped from the sixty-foot hospital roof and crashed into the nearby forest. The ground shook on impact. Both groaned, but neither suffered any major damage.
As Christopher pushed himself up, something flickered—
A memory.
———————————————————
They were at a beach.
He leaned against a railing, staring out at the waves. Then a small hand reached out to him.
An ice cream.
Daisy: What did I tell you? Don't overthink things, big brother.
Christopher: I'm not…
Daisy: You are. You overthink when you focus too much on one thing. Is it about the fight you had with your classmate yesterday?
Christopher: You're not even Mom. Don't lecture me.
Daisy gently took his hands.
Daisy: Promise me… you won't get angry at others. No matter who they are, or what they did.
Christopher: I…
Their parents called out from a distance, urging them to hurry.
Daisy: Promise me!
Christopher let out a small sigh.
Christopher: Okay, okay… I promise. Now come on—we still have to visit the aquarium.
Daisy smiled brightly.
And just like that—
The memory faded.
———————————————————
Both of them slowly pushed themselves up, catching their breath.
Christopher:(Thought) I'm sorry, Daisy…
But your big brother can't keep that promise today.Not when he's facing the murderer of his family.
Quickly getting back up, Christopher grabbed a nearby 20-meter tall betel nut tree, ripped it out from the roots with ease, and swung it with full force—reaching speeds twice that of sound.
The sheer force would leave a normal person fatally injured… or dead.
But seeing the tree coming, Samson punched straight through it, splitting it cleanly in half. Christopher followed through, aiming the sharpened edge at Samson—but he caught it and snapped it apart, leaving a jagged path between them.
Christopher stepped back—
Then lunged again.
Both of them threw punches at the exact same moment.
BOOM.
The impact blasted them apart.
Samson grinned.
Samson: Once I'm done with you… I'll kill those girls next… and burn them to ashes.
He chuckled.
Samson: Just like before.
The words that means everything for Christopher was threatened, and it enrages him—
Christopher: STOP THREATENING MY FAMILY!!!
In the next instant, both of them moved.
Christopher unleashed everything he had.
Samson did the same.
Their fists collided again—
And again—
And again.
For some reason…Having the same abilities, Christopher's punch came out heavier—stronger.
It sent Samson flying back.
—
Samson:(Thought) What the hell was that? I'm sure I used my full strength in that punch… so why—?
Before he could even catch his breath, Christopher was already on him—closing the distance in an instant, fist cocked back for another strike.
Samson barely dodged.
The punch slammed into the ground—
BOOM.
A massive crater formed on impact.
For the first time—
Samson felt it.
Fear.
Still, he forced himself forward, snapping a kick toward Christopher's face.
Samson:(Thought) Somehow… he's gotten stronger. How? I need to figure this out.
Christopher caught the kick point-blank.
Without hesitation, he yanked Samson forward—
And drove a brutal punch straight into his cheek.
Samson:(Thought) "There's no doubt… that punch was stronger than before. Does this mean… his real ability is—
Christopher didn't let him finish.
He grabbed Samson, spun him violently—
And hurled him away.
Samson's body tore through multiple trees along the path before finally crashing to a halt.