A boy ran through the forest, his breath ragged, his legs trembling with fear.
"Help! Help me!" he screamed.
"Someone—please help me!"
Behind him, Marrowbane wolves closed in, their distorted forms moving unnaturally fast, eyes glowing with hunger.
Suddenly—
A shadow crossed the ground.
Before the wolves could pounce, a figure appeared.
Steel flashed.
Blood sprayed.
In a matter of seconds, the Marrowbane wolves collapsed—lifeless, torn apart with brutal precision.
The boy froze.
The way the stranger killed them was not heroic.
It was merciless.
The mysterious man turned toward him, his expression calm, almost gentle.
"Are you okay, boy?" he asked.
"I hope you're not hurt."
The boy trembled, staring at the blood-soaked ground.
"W-Who are you…?" he asked.
The man paused.
"Who am I…?"
"Oh. My name is Zavinies Lark."
He looked at the boy.
"And what's your name?"
The boy stepped back.
"Why should I tell you my name?"
Zavinies tilted his head slightly.
"Because it's manners."
"Manners?" the boy frowned. "I don't know what that is. And why should I tell you my name?"
Zavinies replied calmly,
"You asked my name, and I answered. Now it's your turn."
The boy hesitated, then spoke softly.
"My name is… Julian Arkwright."
Zavinies nodded.
"So, Julian, where is your home? I'll take you there."
Julian's expression darkened.
"Home…?"
"I don't have one."
Zavinies frowned slightly.
"My father and mother threw me out. I have nowhere to go."
Zavinies felt a sharp ache in his chest.
"Do you have any siblings?"
"Yes," Julian replied quietly.
"Two older brothers… and one younger sister."
"But they don't see me as their brother."
Zavinies asked, "What is your family name?"
"Whittaker."
Zavinies stiffened.
He knew that name.
The Whittakers were a Luxurer family—high-class nobles living in London.
London was one of the richest countries in the world, blessed with gold mines spread across twenty-three caves.
A family like that… abandoning a child?
"Why did they abandon you?" Zavinies asked.
Julian clenched his fists.
"I'm infected by a virus," he said.
"The doctors said I'll only live for thirty days."
"My parents said I was weak… useless."
Tears streamed down his face.
"I'm weak because of the virus—but they didn't care."
"My family is cruel."
He broke down completely.
"I don't have anyone who cares about me."
"I don't have a home."
"My life is short."
"I'm a curse to everyone."
Zavinies looked at the boy in silence.
Then he spoke.
"Don't worry."
Julian looked up.
"I'll help you," Zavinies said.
"You can live with me."
Julian's eyes widened.
"Why… why would you help me?"
"Because you're a good person."
Julian tilted his head.
"What is a good person?"
Zavinies answered gently,
"A person whose heart is innocent, and who doesn't do evil—that's a good person."
Julian swallowed.
"If I come with you…"
"Promise me you won't throw me away."
Zavinies placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I promise," he said.
"I will never abandon you."
Julian finally relaxed.
His strength gave out, and he collapsed.
Zavinies caught him before he hit the ground.
The boy fell unconscious, drifting into sleep.
Zavinies looked down at him, his eyes unreadable.
And somewhere deep inside him, something long buried began to stir.
In Zavinies' Home
Julian looked around the room, curiosity shining in his eyes.
"Hey… what job do you do?" he asked.
"Are you a superhero? You helped me, just like heroes do."
Zavinies froze.
He looked away for a moment.
"…Sorry," he said quietly.
"But I'm not a superhero."
Julian's face fell.
"Huh…?"
"You're not a superhero…?"
His eyes filled with tears.
"Huhhh…"
Zavinies panicked.
"H-Hey—"
"Okay, fine," he said quickly.
"I'm not a superhero… but I'm an UltraHero."
Julian blinked.
"UltraHero?"
"Yes," Zavinies said, forcing a smile.
"An UltraHero helps good people."
Julian's face instantly lit up.
"Oooh! That's so cool!"
Zavinies chuckled weakly.
"I know, I know."
But inside, his heart felt heavy.
I'm lying, he thought.
I'm not a hero… I'm an assassin.
I kill people on a customer's command.
Dinner
"Come," Zavinies said. "Let's eat."
Julian stepped toward the table—and froze.
His eyes widened.
"Ahh…"
"This food… it looks so good!"
Zavinies felt another sharp pain in his chest.
"You're from a Luxurer family," he said softly.
"This food must be worse than what you had before."
Julian shook his head violently.
"No! No!"
"This food is amazing!"
Zavinies frowned.
"What kind of food did they give you?"
Julian replied casually, as if it were normal.
"Stone-like bread."
"Water-like soup."
"Hard biscuits."
"And water."
Zavinies clenched his fist.
Why did I ask… he thought.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly.
"I ask too many questions."
Julian smiled.
"It's okay."
"UltraHeroes can ask questions. They fight bad people, after all."
Zavinies forced a laugh.
"Hey… have you ever seen heroes on TV?"
"Only once," Julian replied.
"But the first time I saw them, I loved superheroes."
"Then," Zavinies said, "let's eat."
Julian nodded eagerly.
He took a bite.
"…Delicious."
"It's really delicious."
His eyes sparkled.
"I've never eaten such good food before."
Zavinies smiled—genuinely this time.
Julian's Room
Later, Julian entered his room.
"Wow," he said softly.
"The room is so big."
"I love it."
Zavinies knew the room wasn't big at all.
But compared to what Julian had lived in…
It must have felt like a palace.
The Name
Suddenly, Zavinies spoke.
"Julian… your family name is Whittaker."
"So why is your last name Arkwright?"
Julian smiled faintly.
"My grandmother gave me that name."
"And I accepted it."
"She was a very good person."
"She cared about me."
"I love her."
His voice grew quieter.
"When she was alive, my family didn't treat me badly."
"But after she died…"
"They changed."
Zavinies lowered his head.
"I'm sorry," he said.
"I didn't mean to make you sad."
Julian shook his head.
"It's okay."
He yawned.
"Can I sleep now?"
"I feel very sleepy."
Zavinies nodded.
"Of course."
"Sleep well."
"Good night."
Julian smiled and lay down.
Zavinies stood there for a long moment, watching him fall asleep.
The assassin—
Who pretended to be an UltraHero—
Quietly wondered how long he could protect this lie…
And this child.
The Next Morning
The next morning, Zavinies gently knocked on the door.
"Julian," he said softly.
"Wake up."
Julian slowly opened his eyes.
When he came to the table, his eyes widened.
Breakfast was already prepared.
"Wow…"
"This looks delicious."
Zavinies smiled faintly.
"Eat as much as you want."
Julian sat down happily.
"Thank you for the food."
As Julian ate, Zavinies spoke again.
"Hey, Julian."
"You said you're affected by a virus."
Julian nodded.
"Do you know the name of the virus?" Zavinies asked.
"Yes," Julian replied.
"It's called Karodola."
Zavinies' expression sharpened.
"This virus has a medicine," he said.
"Am I right?"
Julian nodded again, but his voice grew quieter.
"Yes… but it's very rare and very valuable."
"The medicine's name is Selerref."
Zavinies stayed silent.
"My father and mother had the power to buy it," Julian continued.
"But they didn't want to waste such a valuable medicine on someone useless."
Zavinies clenched his teeth.
"When my grandmother was alive," Julian said softly,
"I didn't have this virus."
"But two months after she died… I became sick."
He smiled sadly.
"If my grandmother were alive when I got sick, I know she would've bought the medicine—no matter what it cost."
Zavinies exhaled slowly.
"…Your grandmother was a truly good person."
"Yes," Julian said firmly.
Zavinies Leaves
Zavinies stood up.
"Okay, Julian."
"I need to go to work now."
"Are you okay staying alone?"
Julian nodded calmly.
"Yes."
"Even at my old home, I spent most of my time alone."
Zavinies paused, then nodded.
"Alright."
"Bye."
Zavinies left the house.
The Assassin Club
Zavinies entered the assassin club—a place where lives were traded for money.
He walked straight to the reception.
"Where's Kyle Ipholan?" he asked.
"Kyle?" the receptionist replied.
"Oh—he's at the bar."
Zavinies went inside.
Kyle was laughing, drinking, surrounded by several women.
When the women noticed Zavinies, they tried to approach him—but he ignored them completely.
He stopped in front of Kyle.
"Hey, Kyle."
Kyle looked up and grinned.
"Oh? Zavinies."
"I've done many jobs for you," Zavinies said coldly.
"You promised that one day, you'd grant me any wish."
Kyle laughed.
"Of course I did."
"So? Have you decided?"
"Beautiful women?"
"A house?"
"A car?"
"Just say it."
Zavinies' voice was firm.
"I want a medicine."
Kyle blinked.
"Huh?"
"The medicine's name is Selerref," Zavinies continued.
"It's used to cure the Karodola Virus."
Kyle stared at him.
"Are you insane?"
"You could ask for women or a mansion—and you want medicine?"
"I don't want those things," Zavinies said.
"I want that medicine."
Kyle leaned back.
"…Why?"
"I want to save someone."
Kyle sighed.
"Huh…"
He stared at Zavinies for a long moment.
"…Are you sure?"
"Yes."
Kyle finally nodded.
"Alright."
"I'll manage it."
"But you'll have to wait one week. The medicine is extremely rare."
"That's fine," Zavinies said.
"I'll wait."
Kyle smirked.
"Anything else?"
"No," Zavinies replied.
"I have other jobs."
"I'll see you after."
Zavinies turned and walked away.
Zavinies accepted a job—hunting a government member named Dern Wook. He prepared and teleported using his Teleportation Diamond, a rare and valuable item that allows precise teleportation. He arrived at a side mountain near New York, knowing Dern would be there buying alcohol.
Spotting Dern's car, Zavinies used his sniper to blast it. The car exploded instantly. He immediately collected DNA samples from the scene as proof of the assassination. Returning to the club, he handed over the samples. The customer verified the DNA and was satisfied, rewarding Zavinies for the successful mission.
At home, Julian ran up and exclaimed,
"Hey, Zavinies! Big brother, welcome back home!"
Zavinies' eyes watered from happiness.
"You called me big brother?" he asked.
Julian nodded.
"You didn't like it?"
"Of course I like it," Zavinies replied.
Julian then said, "I've been waiting for you so much! Please, make food."
"Okay, just wait," Zavinies said with a small smile.
Details for reference:
1) Zavinies Lark: 25 years old
2) Julian Arkwright: 9 years old
3) Black ViSage (Fenhert Greygrious): looks 27–29 years old; actual age not mentioned