Chapter 3: Sharp Conclusions

Chapter 3: Sharp Conclusions

Quickly arriving in the alleyway that has their shack, Im able to see the silhouette of a pale, scrawny mans back searching through piles of stuff within the shack. A woman on a blanket is curled in a ball with her head in her hands.

In the corner, facing the man as he searches, is Lins unconscious body. Bruises cover both of them, from head to toe. Faced with this sight, I try to understand the situation. Hahaha, I knew you and your sister had some stuff packed away, but to think this is where you stashed the medicine. I can probably get a good price on these. Thisll teach you to lie to your Old Rong.

Well, that helps a little. I think these people are being robbed, but it could also be something like a domestic assault situation. However, I dont know the full context. Ive never been in this kind of situation before, whether in this life or my previous. What should I do? Starting off this is a kid, a woman I dont know, and a man that seems to rob them.

I dont really know these people well, though the kid seems alright. Should I really stick my neck out for these people? In the other world, it would be easy to look the other way or call the police. Im sure that there are guards that can help here.

Then I hear the scrawny mans mocking voice, say in slow, gravely words, Dont worry Lin, Ill take care of you and Ai quite nicely after I grab this stuff. Like always. Its like hes said this countless times to them.

A shiver runs down my back.

Fuuuuck. I have to decide.

Im just making excuses at this point. I have to assume that no one will come to help. Now that I think of it, the police couldnt really help with domestic assault cases either in my world. Theres no one else but me who can help these people right now.

Looking at the situation, I notice my hands shaking subtly, and I try to think of any other way through this. Forcibly grabbing my hands together, I try to stop the shaking. It helps a little. Im sure that if I get involved, especially with this situation, I need to be ready to be attacked. Looking around quickly, I see a large broken piece of pottery nearby.

Picking it up, my hands stop shuddering a little more. I have to harden my resolve. Ill try to knock him out, but if that doesnt work Ill try to take him down. I think with my healing power, I should be able to keep him unconscious but not bleeding out. Ill aim for a lethal blow and then immediately start healing him when he goes unconscious. I creep to the door.

Luckily for me, the man is facing away from the door and there doesnt seem to be much light. He also seems to monitor Lins unconscious body specifically. With the pottery piece raised, I creep toward him. Carefully, I get just close enough to land a blow. However, the hairs on my neck raise and my eyes meet his on a reflective surface nearby.

The feeling of extreme danger rides down my body. Jumping backwards, I barely see him swing around with something in his hands. With a broken piece of pottery. Facing me with an angry look, he stares me down. Who the hell are you?! Get the fuck out of here before I slit your throat!

With a quick realization, his eyes squint in greed. Wait a second, are you some kind of noble or somethin? Mmm trying to play hero, huh?

His eyes twitch as he keeps his eye on my hand with the pottery piece still raised. Wait a second. How dyou even get around Gong, huh? Shes letting anyone in nowadays?

He steps closer and closer.

I only barely remember taking Tae Kwon Do when I was a kid and in college did some minor LARPing. Ive used no actual weapons or trained with them. Relying on my fantasy reading knowledge, I take a shoddy stance with the pottery in my right hand, attempting to wave him off.

He scoffs.

I can still barely see the faintest movement of his chest.

Shit shit shit.

I dont want to do this.

My heart pounding in my chest, I force myself to think of all the negative outcomes that will happen if this guy lives. He will definitely take revenge on the kids. If he remembers me, hell be coming after me. In a cultivation world, where grudges can literally be eternal, if you get powerful enough.

Fuck, I dont want to do this, but I really dont have any other choice, do I? Okay. I just need to get this done and take care of the kids. I have to focus on what comes after.

With a breath, I raise the rock high.

Then slam it brutally down, hitting his nose and causing a spurt of blood to come out, spraying my clothes and area with blood.

Even more frighteningly, his body twitches. In fear of him waking up, I smack his head even harder and keep going until it stops. By the time the body stops twitching, Ive completely caved in the skull and destroyed the inside. Brain matter and blood everywhere.

If hes not dead, he soon will be.

My stomach turns and I almost throw up, but I see Lin is in the doorway, watching me. Holding it in, I put the rock to the side. His eyes are still dull, staring at the body with a complicated look. When I slowly wipe my hands off on my pants and give him a pained nod, his eyes focus on me. He returns it with a pained smile and a nod. With a hurried turn, he heads back to check on his sister.

As I head into the shack again, I can see Lin is covering his sister up and holding her closely. Soft sobs and pained breaths come from her, as she was beaten pretty badly. With a swollen arm and multiple bruises across her body, based on the level of bruising, it looks like he broke some of her bones.

Crouched in a ball, she is in an enormous amount of pain. Lins eyes are watering and pained, bearing with anger, anguish, and helplessness.

Unfortunately, I realize I have no more time to worry about them.

Ive slowly noticed a throbbing in my side, as I realize I havent gotten through this unscathed either. Because of the adrenaline of the fight and execution, I didnt notice, but the scum buried his pottery piece deep into my side.

Ah, shit. I vocalize, before realizing that metallic taste from earlier, was blood.

Man, I feel tired. Ah, thats a flag, isnt it?

Carefully lowering myself onto my back, I look to the side. I can only see Lin and the sister, cradling each other in comfort, as darkness covers my eyes.