However, Orion's reaction was even faster!
The moment the Freckled Boy raised his arm, it was as if something within Orion was awakened, and a burst of strength instantly erupted.
His body shot out like an arrow released from a bowstring.
"You're looking for death!"
Orion growled.
He flashed in front of Bronya, his right hand shooting out like lightning, catching the stone firmly before it could hit!
The stone, carrying the Freckled Boy's resentment, struck Orion's palm, causing a sharp pain.
But Orion didn't let go; he gripped the stone tightly.
The Freckled Boy didn't expect Orion to catch it, and he froze for a moment before trying to grab another stone from the ground.
How could Orion give him the chance?
He tossed away the stone in his hand, pushed off the ground, and charged toward the Freckled Boy.
Then he raised his hand and delivered a powerful punch straight to the Freckled Boy's stomach!
"Ugh!" the Freckled Boy screamed, his body hunching over like a cooked shrimp as he collapsed to the ground.
Orion didn't stop.
He saw the Freckled Boy struggling to get up, and his eyes hardened as he delivered two more punches to the Freckled Boy's face while he was still on the ground!
"Ah!" With a few more cries, the Freckled Boy completely stopped moving, only groaning on the ground, clutching his face.
"Stop!"
At that moment, Director Natasha rushed over.
Her face was anxious, and seeing the child on the ground and Orion's appearance, she immediately understood what had happened.
Orion only withdrew his fists when he saw that the Freckled Boy could no longer get up, and his gaze swept sharply over the other two children who were trembling in fear.
Those two children, seeing him look their way, ran away scrambling as if they had seen a ghost.
Natasha quickly crouched down to check on the Freckled Boy's condition.
She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that he was not in life-threatening danger.
She looked up at Orion, her eyes showing reproach, but more so, helplessness.
She didn't immediately scold Orion; instead, she first took the injured child and hurried into the Orphanage's infirmary.
Orion stood in place, breathing slightly.
The sudden burst of power just now had even startled him.
This time, he hadn't used Rampage.
Orion felt that his body seemed to possess some kind of instinct, or perhaps talent, which had been suppressed when he was hungry before.
After eating, this power seemed easier to activate.
He looked at his fist, then at the spot where the Freckled Boy had fallen, and sneered.
Orion turned his head to look at Bronya.
Bronya was still sitting on the swing, not a drop of the ice mountain in her cup spilled.
Her eyes were fixed on him, unblinking.
In those eyes, there was no fear, only a sparkling brilliance.
At this moment, Orion looked like a little hero who had descended from the sky in her eyes, powerful and reliable!
Orion walked up to her and asked:
"Are you alright?"
Bronya shook her head, hugging the cup tightly in her hands:
"I'm fine... the soda ice mountain is fine too."
Orion breathed a sigh of relief, looking at the cup in her hand: "Eat it quickly, it's melting fast."
They sat back on the swing.
Bronya continued to eat the ice mountain, her eyes still occasionally glancing at Orion.
"Thank you... Brother Orion."
Orion just smiled and said, "It's nothing."
The soda ice mountain was quickly finished, with only melted liquid left in the cup.
Bronya seemed to want more, carefully placing the small wooden spoon back into the cup.
Orion looked at her reluctant expression and felt that the time was right.
So, he looked into Bronya's eyes and said seriously:
"Bronya, I'll come to see you again next time."
"And I'll bring you even tastier things."
Bronya's eyes lit up: "Really?!"
"But you have to promise me one thing..."
Orion paused, observing her reaction.
Bronya immediately became nervous, nodding vigorously:
"Then I promise first! Brother Orion, tell me!"
Orion smiled slightly, thinking to himself that this child was too easy to fool.
"You must take good care of yourself and live well."
"That way, in the future, we can leave this place together and see the world outside."
Hearing these words, Bronya was stunned for a moment.
Leave this place? Go to the outside world?
She had grown up in the Orphanage and had limited knowledge of the outside world, only knowing that this was Rivet Town, and next to it was Boulder Town; as for places further away, besides the Upper District which she had never seen, they only existed in the fantasy novels Natasha usually read to them.
That book described a magical City of Ice and Snow, warm spring pastures, and even the legendary Land of Lava, as well as the distant Realm Beyond the Sky.
Although it was just a story, Bronya vaguely believed that the outside world was like that because Orion had told her before that it really was like that outside.
"Really... Is there really a way out?" Bronya asked softly.
"There definitely will be."
Orion looked into her eyes, very firm, "Believe me."
Bronya looked at him; Orion's eyes were always so special, so reassuring.
She nodded vigorously: "Mm! I will definitely live well! Brother Orion, we'll go outside together in the future!"
Orion stood up, looking at her trusting eyes, and breathed a sigh of relief.
Good, the plan has successfully taken its first step.
Orion stood up, looking at her trusting eyes, and a smile curved his lips.
Good, the plan has successfully taken its first step.
As long as he latches onto this rich woman, no, latches onto this Great Guardian successor...
In the future, if he wants to go to the Upper District, wouldn't it just be a word from Bronya?
At this moment, Bronya seemed to think of something.
She suddenly extended her pinky finger, her small finger bent, and looked at Orion with extreme seriousness.
"Pinky promise!"
Orion was stunned for a moment before he realized.
Then he also extended his pinky finger and gently hooked it with Bronya's pinky.
"Pinky promise, a thousand years, never change!"
Bronya recited the popular promise chant among the Orphanage children in a childish voice.
After reciting, she looked up at Orion, a hint of slyness in her eyes:
"Brother Orion, don't go back on your word."
Orion looked at her serious expression, feeling a long-lost warmth and purity.
"Mm, I won't go back on my word."
Orion promised, then stood up.
"Then I'll be going, Bronya."
Bronya also stood up, looking at Orion.
Her small face was filled with reluctance, but she didn't cry or pull like other children.
"...Goodbye, Brother Orion."
She had many things she wanted to say, wanting to ask him when he would come again, but in the end, she just nodded gently.
She knew Orion would come back, definitely.
Orion said no more, turning and walking towards the Orphanage entrance.
He had to leave quickly, lest Director Natasha come looking for trouble with him.
She must be furious about him hitting someone just now.
However, just as he was about to reach the entrance, a figure blocked his way.
It was Director Natasha.
Her face lacked her usual gentle smile, her eyes filled with seriousness.
"Orion, wait a moment."
She stood with her arms crossed, staring directly at Orion, clearly ready to settle accounts with him.
Seeing this, Bronya immediately scurried forward, blocking Orion, eagerly trying to explain for him:
"Director Natasha, it's not Brother Orion's fault! He started it..."
"Bronya."
Orion, however, spoke up to stop her.
"One takes responsibility for one's actions."
"It's alright, I'll be right back."
He gave Bronya a look, signaling her to rest assured.
Natasha looked at Orion's calm and composed demeanor, her brows furrowing even more.
"Sigh... Come with me."
She didn't say much in public, turning and walking into the Orphanage.