Shen trudged through the forest with his head down, frustration painted across his face.
For the past eight hours, not a single middle-class beast had crossed his path — only weaklings. The sky was already bright, his stomach gnawed at him, and his eyes stung from lack of sleep.
Growl.
Shen clutched his belly and groaned. "Great. Saving my appetite for a middle-class beast and now I'm starving…"
He slumped against a tree, tilted his head back, and sighed. "How come I can't find one damn beast worth the trouble in this whole forest!"
His voice echoed into the trees.
That's when he heard it.
"Help! Please, someone, anyone!" A child's voice, shrill with fear.
Shen shot up instantly, instincts kicking in, and sprinted toward the sound.
He burst through the brush to find a small, ragged-looking boy huddled inside the hollow of a tree. A giant hornet — easily the size of a horse — rammed its stinger into the bark, chunks of wood splintering as it tried to reach him.
Shen's eyes narrowed. "Finally, a middle-class beast."
He sprinted forward, conjuring a Water Blade and slashing straight at the hornet's side. But with lightning reflexes, the creature spun and blocked it with its stinger.
"What—?!" Shen barely ducked as the stinger shot at his face. Even so, the hornet's speed felt slower than the Monkeyroo.
He grinned. "Guess I'm faster now."
With Iron Fist activated, Shen smashed his knuckles across the hornet's head. The blow launched the beast into a tree with a resounding crack. Before it could recover, Shen rammed his blade into its thorax, pinning it against the trunk.
Blood splattered across his face as the monster twitched and screeched, then went still.
[Congratulations on defeating Giant Hornet: Middle-class beast.]
[Skill Upgraded.]
Shen blinked. "…That was it?"
His chest rose and fell as he stared at the corpse. "That was a middle-class beast? Why did it feel easier?" Then it hit him. Maybe it wasn't weaker. Maybe he was just faster. Stronger.
"T-Thank you, mister!"
The small voice pulled him out of his thoughts. Shen turned to see the boy crawling out of the hollow, brown eyes still wet with tears.
"Thank you for saving me!" The boy bowed deeply, his tiny body trembling with relief.
Shen softened his voice. "You hurt?"
"J-just a scratch, sir."
"Let me see." Shen extended a hand.
The boy hesitated, then placed his small arm into Shen's palm. A shallow cut stretched along his forearm. Shen closed his eyes, channeled healing magic, and the wound sealed instantly — not even a scar remained.
Both blinked in surprise. Shen thought, My healing… it's stronger now too.
The boy's eyes widened with awe. "It's gone! Thank you, mister!"
Shen smiled faintly. "No problem. But I've got a few questions if you don't mind."
The boy nodded quickly. "Sure! I know these parts really well. Ask me anything!"
Shen chuckled. "Alright, let's start simple. What's your name?"
"Julian Masters," the boy answered proudly.
"And why was that hornet after you?"
Julian looked down, shame clouding his face. "…There's a cave not far from here. It's forbidden to go there, but my friends dared me. They said I was too scared. So I went in to prove them wrong." His voice cracked. "But then the hornet came out, and… they ran away."
Shen's expression darkened. "And what did that gain you?"
"…Nothing." Julian whispered.
"It almost killed you," Shen said sharply, his tone like Shu's lectures ringing in his own ears. "There's a difference between bravery and stupidity. Doing something suicidal just to look cool? That's not bravery. That's throwing your life away."
Julian's eyes welled again. "I just… wanted a friend."
Shen's voice softened, but his gaze stayed firm. "You have a family?"
The boy nodded.
"Then spend time with them. Not with idiots who'd leave you behind to die."
Julian broke down, sobbing quietly. "They won't take me back… I said something awful to my mom and sister. They hate me now."
Shen knelt beside him. "That's not true. They're your family. Mothers always love their kids, no matter how stupid we can be." A bitter smile touched his lips. "Trust me. I wish I had one like yours."
The boy looked at him curiously and saw the shine of a tear at the corner of Shen's eye before he wiped it away.
Shen stood and ruffled the boy's messy hair. "Listen, I'll walk you home after I eat. But first, let's cook this bastard."
They sat by a fire, roasting strips of hornet meat on a spit. As they ate, Julian talked about his life: his stepfather who worked endlessly, his little siblings, the fights he had with his sister. Shen listened quietly, offering bits of wisdom between bites.
"Family isn't perfect," Shen said. "But once they're gone, you realize they were everything." He stared into the flames, his mind drifting to Shu. I miss those simple times. I miss you, Shu.
---
Later, Shen walked Julian back to his small dirt home. The boy hesitated on the doorstep, eyes downcast.
"They won't forgive me…" he whispered.
"Knock and see," Shen said with a grin.
The door opened, and a weary woman with tear-stained eyes answered. She gasped, covering her mouth.
"Mom…" Julian's voice cracked. "I'm so sor—"
Before he could finish, she swept him into her arms, crying uncontrollably. His siblings rushed out, clinging to him, all sobbing together.
Shen chuckled at the sight, quietly stepping back to give them space. The mother finally approached him, tears streaming. "Thank you… thank you for bringing him back."
Shen nodded. "Just keep him out of caves."
With that, he left the family to their reunion, vanishing back into the woods.
---
Deep below Igniculus Prison, Shu sat chained in a dark cell. His foot was locked to the floor, iron biting his skin. He tugged at the chain until his wrists bled.
"I'll get out," he whispered hoarsely. His back slid against the cold wall, his eyes burning with resolve.
"I'll get back to you, Shen… even if it kills me."
His lips curled into a grim smile.
"And when I do… I'll tell you the truth."