The morning clock struck seven.
Monsoon season.
Rain tapped softly against the windowpane, and a thin mist floated in with the cold air.
Mother stepped into my room and said,
"Wake up, son. Your sister has her mid-term exam today. Take her to school safely."
I forced my eyes open and murmured through half-sleep, "Okay, Mom."
I left the bed, brushed my teeth, splashed cold water on my face, and drove the drowsiness away.
As I walked downstairs, a hot breakfast was already waiting on the table—soft breads, fried eggs, and a steaming cup of tea.
Father and Rayen were still asleep.
Kelly and I ate together. She kept studying while chewing her breakfast, and I couldn't help thinking how she was still trying so hard in a country ravaged by war—while I lived in peace yet couldn't study properly.
Jealousy made me mutter, "Stop studying now."
Kelly frowned. "Will you write my exam then? You've been studying since yesterday and still haven't finished!
Kelly said mischievously, "How do you understand,loser?"
I clicked my tongue in annoyance. But the funny thing is —both of us were fail in the exam.
The rain outside was heavy and constant, sky thick with gray clouds.
Mother handed me an old yellow raincoat—slightly torn, worn out from years of use.
Kelly got a blue umbrella with a tiny cartoon charm dangling from it.
She wore her school uniform—
a white shirt, pale blue skirt, blue tie, and a backpack that looked too heavy for her small shoulders.
Her hair was tied into two neat braids, a few wet strands sticking to her forehead.
"Let's go, we're getting late," she said while fixing her bag.
The roof echoed with the harsh drumming of rain. I chuckled.
"Let's go. Seems like the rain won't stop today just for you."
We stepped outside.
I looked back at Mom.
"We're heading out."
She smiled softly. "Be careful, both of you."
We walked toward the bus stand through mud and rainwater. Birds huddled under roofs, people hid beneath store awnings, water rushed through the drains, and umbrellas bloomed everywhere like flowers in a storm.
At the stand, the shelter was half-leaking.
Even with the raincoat, half my clothes were already wet.
Kelly stood under her umbrella—dry and smug.
And then I saw her.
Zara.
The girl Riven used to harass.
Still beautiful… but now there was exhaustion in her eyes.
Wet hair clung to her back. She held a pink umbrella and a white crossbody bag.
Kelly instantly recognized her.
"Sis! You're here?"
Zara blinked, surprised.
"You're going to school in this rain?"
Kelly answered sweetly,
"It's mid-term exam. If I skip, I'll fail."
I stood quietly listening.
And I realized—this world was no different when it came to exams.Parents feared low marks more than their children's well-being. Because what will answer to neighbor if we fail?
Sickness, exhaustion, danger—nothing mattered.
Grades mattered.
Kelly's parents were no better than mine.
Kelly asked,
"And you, Sis? Where are you going so early?"
Zara hesitated for a moment.
"Where else would I go... I need money. I teach at a primary school. My mother died giving birth to me. My father is sick, and I have to pay for his treatment… I have no siblings. It's just me."
I froze.
Even the rain couldn't hide the tremble in her voice.
I thought to myself—
Some people are unbelievably strong. And me(Jason)? I can't even study when my parents beg to me. Meanwhile she carries her whole family alone… What future awaits me?
A loud bus horn shattered the moment.
Puuuuuuuuuuuuu!
A red bus pulled up.We got in together.
Kelly and Zara sat side by side while I took a window seat alone.
The bus moved.Rain streaked down the glass.Mud splashed beneath the wheels.
Trees bent under the storm wind.
People and animals scrambled for shelter—everything blurred past us.
Few minutes later,
without warning—
the bus stopped abruptly.
Through the window I saw yellow barricades and two military trucks—Ural-5323 and Ural-4320—their metal bodies dripping rain.
South Military soldiers stood ankle-deep in mud, boots splashing, rifles in hand.
Their eyes were cold.
One ordered the driver,"Everyone off. Now."
The driver begged,
"Sir, there are school children— They'll get sick—"
A higher-ranking officer stepped forward.
"That's not our concern. Get everyone out."
We all stepped into the rain.
Kelly squeezed my hand, trembling.
I whispered,
"Don't be scared. I'm here."
There were eleven of us.
Four young men including me, two married women—one with her husband, one with a child, an old man, and two girls—Kelly and Zara.
The soldiers questioned the young men first.
One smoked as he stared at us.
Another barked questions—
"You're not rebels, are you?"
Any hesitation earned a shove or a slap.
One soldier looked at me but said nothing—maybe my build discouraged him.
Suddenly chaos erupted.
Two officers dragged a married woman toward the truck. Her husband begged, "Please, she's my wife! Let her go!"
They ignored him and shoved her inside, slamming the door shut.
Cries and panic filled the rain-soaked road.
Then I saw it—
the officer holding Zara's wrist.
The chief.
Tall, sharp features, long black wavy hair brushing his shoulders.A massive moustache blending into a full beard.
A dark navy jacket with four pockets, gold tie, red sash around his waist. Shoulder boards with rank insignias. A golden aiguillette draped across his chest.Medals glittered on his left breast.Nameplate above the pocket— Lord Bayonet.
And on his head—
a black ceremonial cap, gold tassel hanging.
Zara tried to pull away.
"Please let go! My father is sick—I'm all he has!"
Bayonet didn't listen.
He signaled two soldiers.
They dragged her into the truck.
Kelly cried.
I placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry. Go to school. I'll come back."
I sent her away on the next bus.The convoys drove off. Soon our bus left too.
I ran....
Through the storm.
Through mud.
Through the trees.
A system bar flashed:
Speed Usage: 30% of 80% Total.
I leapt from branch to branch until I reached the truck, landing on its roof with a metallic boom.
The soldiers panicked.Two climbed up to check.I grabbed one by the collar and threw him off the moving truck.
The second swung at me—I blocked, twisted his wrist, and knocked him out cold before tossing him down.
I kicked the hatch open and dropped inside.
Three soldiers aimed rifles at me.
I pulled out the revolver Galland had given me.
Deep breath....
Fire....
One.
Two.
Three.
All down.
The driver screamed and tried to jump out.
Without him, the truck swerved violently, slammed sideways, and flipped over.
Fuel spilled.
A spark ignited it.
Flames roared.
Panting, I stepped out.
I shot the last surviving soldier in the leg as he tried to crawl away. He screamed, terrified.
I crouched in front of him.
"How many other trucks went ahead?"
He trembled,
"T-Two… they took them to the base… near Junction Station…"
I stood up and left him alive.
Around me—
burning wreckage, falling rain, blood dripping from my shoulder.
And I moved forward....