My name is Gohim. I live in a small village where I was raised. Life here is simple, but my dreams are not. I dream of becoming one of the greatest fighters in the kingdom—someone strong enough to protect others and bring honor to my family. Every day, I train in my own little way and try my best at whatever I do. I also help those around me, especially the weak, because I believe strength is meant to protect, not to harm.
My father is a blacksmith, known throughout the village for his skill and discipline. Many people respect him not only for his work but also for his wisdom. One day, while working, I overheard him say that someday I would become a great knight. I did not fully believe him at the time, but his words stayed with me.
Later that same day, something strange happened—something I could not explain.
I was walking through the village when I noticed a commotion in the distance. It looked like an old man was being chased by a group of men. At first, I thought it was normal, but something felt wrong. As I looked closer, I realized that only the old man and those chasing him could move, while the entire village was frozen in place, as though time itself had been paused.
Fear crept into my heart, but so did curiosity.
What is happening? Why are they chasing the old man? And why is he the only one who can move?
I had many questions, but I told myself to help first and ask later.
I quickly took a shortcut through the back paths of the village and reached the old man. He looked exhausted and alert, as if he had been running for a long time.
"Follow me," I said quietly. "I can help you."
He looked at me with suspicion. "Are you one of them?" he asked.
"No," I replied. "I'm from this village. I just want to help."
For a moment, he hesitated. Then his eyes fell on a strange crystal-shaped mark on my shoulder—a mark I had always had but never understood. His expression changed, and without another word, he followed me.
I led him behind my house to a hidden hole in the ground. It was a place I had discovered years ago while playing.
I told him to stay hidden. I would cover the hole, and when the men had left the village, I would return to open it and release him.
He nodded.
I covered the hole carefully and stepped away just as the men arrived. They searched the village for hours, but they could not find him. It was as if something was hiding his presence from them.
Eventually, they gave up and left.
The moment they disappeared, everything returned to normal. The villagers began moving again, unaware that anything strange had happened.
I quickly went back, removed the cover, and helped the old man out. He thanked me quietly.
I took him into our house and introduced him to my father, Mr. Kiske. I explained everything that had happened—from the frozen village to the men chasing him.
My father listened calmly, his expression unreadable. He did not seem surprised at all, though I didn't notice it at the time. The old man, however, did.
"I asked my father if the old man could stay with us for the time being, and he agreed."
That night, after I had gone to bed, something important happened.
The old man approached my father and said quietly,
"I know you are not surprised about what happened today."
My father remained silent for a moment, then finally spoke.
"I was once one of the Five Guardians of the Celestial Realm," Mr. Kiske said. "But after the death of my wife, anger took over me. Because of that, my power was taken away. When one of the Five Guardians loses control, the balance is broken. If anger completely takes over, the power can destroy the user."
I had never heard anything like this before.
He continued,
"Your mother was at the market one day, selling goods, when some men attacked her with swords. They stabbed her in the middle of a crowd and tried to escape. When they were caught, they were killed before they could reveal who sent them."
His voice grew heavier.
"I was in the field feeding my cows when two messengers came. One told me to go to the market, while the other said I was urgently needed at the Celestial Palace. I couldn't go to both at once, so I used my speed technique—Lightning Dash—to reach the market as fast as I could."
He paused.
"But I was too late."
Silence filled the room.
"I was filled with anger and pain. Later, during the battle against the Demon King, I lost control. While I was fighting him, he mocked me, saying, 'Doesn't it look good to have your wife lying in a pool of blood?'"
My hands tightened into fists as I listened.
"I became so furious that I released an uncontrollable burst of power. I dropped my sword and fought with my bare hands. I gathered all my strength into one final attack—Spirit Explosion."
My father's eyes darkened.
"That attack killed the Demon King… but it cost everything. After that, the powers of the Five Guardians disappeared, and I never saw the others again."
He looked straight ahead.
"That is what happened."