Akuma moved ahead with slow, calm steps. Behind him, Karin followed nervously, her eyes fixed on the trail, fear tightening her chest.
Figures emerged from the dark wood; men armed with axes and swords, surrounding them one by one. Karin gasped sharply when she saw how many there were. Her legs threatened to give out from instinctive terror.
Akuma regarded them with an unreadable, steady stare. His body did not move.
"I don't feel like killing today. Get out of my way before I change my mind," he said flatly.
The bandits laughed. One, larger than the rest, sneered with cold amusement.
"Kid, do you know who you're talking to. We're the Beggar Gang. We make kids like you beg in the streets for us. The only problem is you're not disabled. Don't worry, we'll cut off both your legs so people pity you and give you more money. Boys take everything they have and cut off his legs. As for the girl, she'll fetch a good price."
"Yes, boss. I'll cut his legs off myself. This arrogant brat annoys me," another growled, stepping forward with a sword.
Karin's breath hitched. Overwhelmed by fear, she pressed closer to Akuma until her shoulder brushed his. Her body jolted. She looked up at him with hope in her eyes, but it quickly shattered. He was strong, strong enough to crush a few thugs, but these were no ordinary thugs. These were armed bandits, ruthless and far more dangerous. The thought that he might not be able to defeat them all sent a chill down her spine. Still, she straightened her shoulders and braced herself to fight, even as fear gripped her heart.
"Leave us alone!" she cried, her voice trembling despite her attempt to sound brave.
The swordsman sneered. "Trying to act tough? Hahaha!" He laughed, pointing his blade at her.
Karin's eyes widened, but she clenched her fists. "I am a ninja. If you harm us, my village will never let you get away with it," she warned, praying her words might frighten them.
The bandits erupted into mocking laughter. "Oh no, I'm so scared," one said, shaking dramatically as the others joined in.
Their laughter died when their leader raised his hand. "Enough playing. Finish the job."
The swordsman smirked and stepped toward Akuma, raising his blade. "So arrogant moments ago, what happened? Can't even move?" He assumed the boy was frozen in fear. He had seen countless children too paralyzed to scream when their limbs were hacked away.
But just as the sword came down, Karin kicked his wrist. The weapon clattered to the ground.
The bandit's face twisted with rage. He lunged at her, ignoring Akuma entirely. His fists and boots pummeled her as she tried desperately to block and dodge. Some blows slipped through, making her cry out in pain. The man was stronger than her, but she refused to yield, staggering back to her feet even after being knocked down.
The other bandits watched with grins, enjoying the sight.
"Stop wasting time," their leader barked. "Finish it quickly. We have other business."
The swordsman scowled. Pulling a knife from his pocket, he leveled it at Karin, who lay trembling on the ground. "Do as I say, girl. Follow us quietly, or you both die."
Karin's body shivered violently. She looked at Akuma, who still hadn't moved. Fear tightened her chest, why wasn't he doing anything? But no matter the reason, she refused to let anyone harm him. Even if it cost her life, she would protect him, just as he had once protected her.
She hurled herself at the bandit with a desperate cry. "Akuma-kun, run!"
The bandit sneered and lifted his knife to strike, but in that instant Akuma moved. With lightning speed, his hand clamped around the man's throat from behind. A sickening crack rang out as he crushed it in a single squeeze. The body dropped lifelessly to the ground.
Every grin among the bandits vanished, replaced with stunned silence. The forest grew so quiet they could hear their own ragged breathing.
Then Akuma began to laugh. The sound was cold and unhinged, sending ripples of unease through the gang.
"Beggar," he chuckled. "You wanted to make me a beggar? Sorry to disappoint you. I was born a beggar. My whole family name is Beggar. I am the Beggar Prince."
He laughed harder, his voice echoing through the trees like a fractured melody. The bandits shifted uneasily, unnerved by his madness. Even Karin stared in shock, wondering if Akuma had lost his mind.
Then Akuma realized something. Hot tears streamed down his cheeks even as he laughed. It was only the third time he had cried since arriving in this world.
"I really miss my mother and father," he whispered, voice breaking. "It's been so long…"
He remembered his parents, his robot mother and father. The memories stabbed at him like knives. He had always hated being alone, but now he truly was. After severing ties with everyone who had ever cared for him in this world, he was both free and utterly isolated.
Gathering himself, Akuma clenched his fists and thought, I was born alone. I live alone. And I will die alone. Loneliness is just part of my journey. So be strong.
He tried to comfort himself, but the hollow ache inside only deepened.
The bandits stood frozen, unable to comprehend the laughter, the tears, the sudden madness.
Then Akuma's expression hardened. He turned to Karin.
"Cover your ears," he ordered, his voice carrying an authority that left no room for hesitation.
Still confused, Karin obeyed. She pressed her palms tightly over her ears, watching him nervously.
Akuma smiled faintly, then spread both arms wide. With a sudden, explosive motion, he slammed his palms together.
"Thunder Clap!"
A violent shockwave burst outward, the air itself shattering into a sonic boom. The forest trembled. Birds scattered from the trees. The bandits screamed as blood poured from their ears, their eardrums ruptured. One by one, they collapsed, writhing in agony.
It was a move he had once seen in another life, an imitation of the Hulk's devastating attack. He had never tried it until now.
Apparently, it worked.
Then Akuma turned to Karin, a faint smile tugging at his lips. He wanted to test whether he could truly trust her, and seeing her throw herself in harm's way to protect him, even when she had no chance of winning, made him trust her, if only a little more.
Karin froze when she saw it—his smile. For the first time, Akuma was smiling at her. Her breath caught in her throat, her heart hammering wildly. Heat rushed to her cheeks, and her knees felt weak. She didn't know why, but that small, rare smile nearly unraveled her completely.