It wasn't hunger that woke him…
It was the sound.
A violent thud.
Then, a scream.
He opened his eyes slowly…
The cracked ceiling remained unchanged.
But the atmosphere…
Was heavier.
He rose.
His steps were quiet, calculated.
He stepped out into the hallway.
The sounds guided him.
Until he arrived.
The father.
Standing.
Livid.
And the mother…
Sitting.
Silent.
As if it didn't concern her.
"I told you, the food isn't enough!"
He roared.
Then—
A strike.
She didn't move.
She didn't defend herself.
She didn't even look.
"A repetitive pattern."
He noted internally.
"Violence… without resistance… without result."
He stopped at the doorway.
He didn't intervene.
That wasn't his goal.
Instead…
He watched.
"Step One: Understanding."
His gaze shifted to the man.
His movement.
His voice.
His breathing.
"Not strong…"
"Just… accustomed to not being opposed."
Stillness.
Then…
He stepped forward.
One step.
The father noticed him.
"What do you want?"
His voice was sharp.
But the boy…
Didn't lower his eyes.
He looked directly at him.
"Are you finished?"
Silence.
A brief moment.
But it was…
Unnatural.
"What did you say?"
The father approached.
"Are you… finished?"
He repeated it.
With the same calmness.
Tension.
Something in his tone…
Wasn't the voice of a child.
"You're asking *me*?!"
He raised his hand.
But—
"If you're not finished…"
He interrupted him.
"…Then continue."
He froze.
The hand…
Stopped.
In mid-air.
"But…"
He continued.
"…Nothing will change."
Silence.
"You will hit her…"
"…Then you will scream…"
"…Then you will finish."
He looked at him steadily.
"…And tomorrow… you will do the same thing."
Stillness.
Something invisible…
Shifted.
"You aren't changing anything."
He said it with deadly composure.
"…You are just… repeating."
The man's face hardened.
"Damn you!"
He lunged toward him.
He grabbed him by his clothes.
"Who do you think you are?!"
He didn't resist.
He didn't scream.
Only…
He looked into his eyes.
"Do you want to stop?"
He stopped.
The question…
Was unexpected.
"What?"
"Do you want… this to stop?"
Silence.
"The anger."
"…The hitting."
"…The feeling that you are… worthless."
The man's eyes widened.
"Shut up!"
But his voice…
Trembled.
The boy leaned in slightly.
Despite the grip.
"…You aren't hitting her."
Stillness.
"…You are hitting yourself."
A moment.
Absolute silence.
The grip…
Weakened.
"Because…"
He finished calmly.
"…You know you're a failure."
An explosion.
But it wasn't just rage.
It was…
Something else.
He let go of him.
Slowly.
A step back.
"Get out."
The man said.
In a low voice.
But he didn't move.
"…You aren't strong."
He raised his eyes.
"…You are just… the only one screaming."
Then…
He turned.
And left.
Stillness.
Behind him…
There was no screaming.
Nor any hitting.
Only…
Silence.
He returned to his room.
Closed the door.
Sat down.
"Done."
He closed his eyes.
"I didn't change the man…"
"I planted a thought."
"And thoughts… never die."
The system appeared.
> [Analysis: Successful Psychological Impact]
> [Increase in Internal Doubt: +42%]
> [Reward: +5 Darkness Points]
> [Skill Unlocked: Seed of Collapse]
>
He opened his eyes.
Slowly.
He smiled.
"Good…"
"They can be broken…"
He looked at the door.
"…Without a single touch."
And that night…
The father did not sleep.
And that was…
Only the beginning.