Craige/Killan's POV
Since Lory wasn't discharged from the hospital yet, I spent more time with Yuan. I thought it would be good to teach him how to fight back, at least a little, so he wouldn't get pushed around by those bullies. I didn't expect much, but I wasn't ready for how hopeless he actually was.
The moment he threw his first punch, I almost laughed. His fist cut through the air clumsily, missing everything. He swung again, but it was even worse, like he was trying to fight an invisible ghost.
"What the hell was that?" I frowned, crossing my arms. "Do you even know how to defend yourself?"
He stopped, breathing a little hard even though we barely started. He shook his head. "Unfortunately, no. I'm not some kind of madman like you."
I blinked at his words. Then a smirk crept on my lips. Bold. He was getting bold enough to say that to my face. Maybe it meant he was starting to get comfortable around me. That wasn't a bad thing. Actually, it was good.
"Woah, woah. You're getting brave, huh?" I chuckled. "But listen… becoming a madman isn't that bad. Sometimes it's the best way to survive. Being that kind of person can be good too."
He gave me a puzzled look, tilting his head slightly, eyes filled with curiosity. "Why?"
"Because Craige is a madman," I answered without hesitation. "And no one dares to mess with him."
That was the truth. Craige, the name they used to call me, the monster they saw me as—was feared by everyone. I was ruthless. I showed no mercy to anyone, not if they stood in my way. I lived for myself, for gain, for survival. If it benefitted me, I didn't care what I had to do or who I had to hurt. That was Craige.
But right now… I wasn't that person anymore. Or at least, I was trying not to be.
"And you're him," Yuan shot back, his voice sharp. "Stop fooling yourself."
His words hit harder than I thought they would. For a second, silence hung between us. Maybe he was right. I couldn't erase Craige, no matter how much I wanted to. The blood, the memories, the faces of those I destroyed, they would always stay with me. But something inside me had changed.
"No," I muttered, more to myself than to him. "I'm not used to being Craige anymore."
I looked at Yuan, at his small hands that couldn't even make a proper fist, at the innocence he still had even after all the bullying. "Back then, Craige had nothing to protect. But now… I do. I have someone to protect. That's why I'll work harder. I won't waste this second chance. Not as a killing machine. Not as a monster. But as a human."
Yuan made a face, almost like he didn't understand a single thing I just said. Then he shrugged. "You're weird."
I couldn't help it, I laughed. A real laugh this time. Reaching out, I messed up his hair, making him groan. "Am I?"
He nodded quickly, his lips twitching into a small smile.
"So what if I am?" I leaned closer, lowering my voice. "Maybe it's because I can feel your brother's heart. The way he cherishes you. The way he cherishes both of you. That feeling… it reaches me too. Maybe that's what makes me weird."
For a moment, Yuan didn't say anything. His eyes softened, and he looked away, pretending to focus on fixing his messy hair. I let him, a small smile staying on my face.
We went back to training, but this time, I didn't just correct his punches. I reminded him to stand tall, to keep his guard up, to never let anyone see weakness in his eyes. He wasn't strong yet, not even close, but strength wasn't only in fists. It was also in the heart.
And if I could help him find that strength, maybe… just maybe… I could believe in this second chance too.
****
After training, Yuan and I decided to go out and buy a present for Lory. She deserved something after what happened, something to cheer her up. I wanted to see her smile again.
But deep inside, I knew whatever gift I bought wouldn't be enough to erase the pain she had gone through. Even before handing it to her, the present already felt useless. Still… I tried. It was the thought that mattered.
We walked down the busy street, entering one store after another, until something caught my attention. A group of men in black suits moved in tight formation, surrounding someone in the middle. Their presence stood out like shadows cutting through the crowd. My eyes narrowed as recognition hit me.
It was him.
The bastard who rooted all of this incident.
My fist clenched so tight my knuckles turned white. My blood boiled at the sight of his smug figure being guarded like some untouchable prince. Rage flooded me, but I kept my face calm.
"Yuan," I said firmly, without looking at him. "Go on ahead. I'll follow after I'm done."
He frowned, confused. "No. Let's just go together. Whatever you're planning, it's dangerous. We should—"
"Yuan." My voice hardened, sharp as a blade. "Go. First."
He froze. I knew he didn't like it, but I also knew he understood I wasn't asking. I was telling him. He bit his lip and reluctantly stepped back, but his eyes lingered on me as if begging me to be careful.
Once he was gone, I pulled a black mask from the rack of a nearby stall, tossed a bill to the seller, and put it on. My heartbeat slowed, not from calm, but from focus. The air around me shifted. Craige was resurfacing.
I followed them quietly, my steps blending into the crowd. They led me into a tall building, sleek glass walls reflecting the city lights. I kept my distance but never lost sight of them. Finally, they entered the elevator.
Perfect.
Before the doors closed, I slipped in, standing at the back, eyes locked on him. He smirked as if he already expected me.
"Even if you bring a thousand guards," I muttered under my breath, "they won't stop me from beating you to death."
The guards pressed the button for the 20th floor. I let them think I was trapped. Let them believe they had the upper hand.
When the elevator stopped, the doors slid open—only for the cold barrel of a gun to press against my temple.
"Bravo," the man sneered, clapping mockingly. "You thought I didn't see you? You really think you can sneak up on me?"
His guards waited for the order, fingers itching on their triggers.
But he underestimated me. Big mistake.
The moment he blinked, I moved. Faster than their eyes could follow. My fist cracked against one guard's jaw before he even pulled the trigger. My knee slammed into another's ribs, sending him crashing into the wall. Bullets flew, but I was already gone, weaving between them like a phantom. One by one they fell, unconscious bodies collapsing in the narrow corridor.
In less than a breath, it was over.
"W-what the—!?" The man's voice cracked with fear as he stumbled backward. Then he did the only thing cowards do best.
He ran.
"HELP ME!!!" he screamed, pushing past anyone in his way. But no one moved to save him. The witnesses in the hallway slammed their doors shut, too afraid to intervene. His cries echoed, pathetic and desperate.
I stalked after him, step by step, my shadow looming over his shrinking figure. Finally, he tripped, falling face-first onto the marble floor.
I stood over him. My eyes burned into his, digging into his soul. "You didn't take my silence as a warning. And now, you've crossed the line." My voice was low, dangerous. "I wonder… how much you'll endure after I beat you to death?"
He trembled, scrambling to his feet. "Y-you can't do this! My family is powerful! They'll—AHHHHHHHH!" His scream tore through the hallway as my boot crashed against his leg, the bone snapping with a sickening crack.
He writhed on the floor, clutching his leg, tears of pain streaming down his face.
"Help meeee!" he begged again, but the silence of the hallway answered him.
I grabbed him by the necktie and slammed him against the wall. His breath hitched, his eyes wide with terror. "Listen carefully," I growled, my voice almost a whisper but sharp enough to cut. "Today, I'll break your arm. The next time you lay your hands on my siblings… both your legs will be gone. You hear me?"
Before he could answer, I twisted his arm back. A bone cracked like dry wood snapping. His scream shook the walls.
He collapsed, his body quivering, sweat soaking through his expensive suit. "P-please… stop…"
I leaned in closer. "Don't tell anyone about this. Or else… I'll come back. And next time, I'll make sure you live the rest of your life as a cripple."
His head bobbed desperately, agreeing. Pathetic.
My last punch crashed into his face, his head bouncing against the wall before his body went limp. Unconscious. Broken.
I let him fall to the ground like trash.
Then I moved quickly. I found the CCTV operator's room, silenced the man with a single glare, and deleted every piece of evidence. Before I left, I scribbled a note and taped it to the door for anyone foolish enough to think of speaking.
"Keep your mouth shut if you value your life."
Walking out of the building, I pulled off the mask and tossed it into a trash bin. My blood was still boiling, but my steps were steady.
They thought they could mess with me.Mess with my family.
They chose the wrong person.