His parents didn't really die because he remembered them being alive.
However, his dreams kept showing scenes of their death, which made him afraid that it might be true.
If they were still alive, they should have taken him back years ago, but they never did.
"Didn't you tell me they are very strong? Don't think about those silly dreams of yours. It's just going to make you suffer and feel anxious," Ariana said as she wrapped her arms around his.
"Yeah yeah, I listen to you. Also, your chest is colliding with my arm," he said, rather embarrassed.
Ariana turned red when she heard this, then she giggled, "Hehe, don't tell me you're embarrassed about that?"
Even though her breasts were small, they were still breasts, which made him feel embarrassed.
Damien nodded while looking up at the leaves above, not letting her see his shy expression.
"Hey, you two, do you want to look for herbs in the forest to sell? We've gathered the others to head out," a tall teenager with brown hair said as he appeared.
"Head out? But isn't it dangerous?" Damien replied.
"What do you mean dangerous? There are no beasts in this mountain. You do know that every orphanage is in a very safe place. Since awakeners always check the mountains to make sure to eliminate threats like this right?"
"You're right about that, but still…" He didn't finish his words as the brown-haired snapped back.
"Come on now, Damien. This is for the orphanage. If we don't find some medicinal plants or herbs to sell, then we'll starve. Resources are very scarce, and I overheard Aunt Cellia saying we're running out of rations. It'll take about another week for them to be replenished," James said with a sigh.
Damien remained silent, while Ariana just sat there beside him, waiting to follow whatever he was going to say.
"So, what do you say? With the number of orphans increasing every week, the rations given by the government that are supposed to last a week might only last a day. But if we try to find other ways, like selling the plants and herbs that grow in the mountains, we can buy food for ourselves and the others," James explained.
After some time, Damien sighed and stood up, "You're right. Let's go, so we won't be a burden," he replied.
"But are you really sure it's safe? Our lives are still more important than those resources," Damien asked.
"Don't worry, it's safe. I've been doing this for over three years, and if something really bad happens, I won't let anything happen to any of you," James said with a smile, pointing to himself with his thumb.
"Then let's go," Damien said.
"As for you, Ariana, I think it's better if you stay. We're not really sure what might happen outside these walls," Damien added, looking at her with concern.
She puffed up her cheeks in rejection, "No, I want to go." she said, crossing her arms and glaring at him.
Feeling that he could not convince her, he could only nod. She smiled and hugged his arm as the three of them headed out to join the others.
In a small house filled with tools, the door opened and the three entered. There were others already present inside.
There were four boys inside, making the group a total of six boys and one girl.
"Alright then, everyone. I think we have enough people to do some excavation. Let's go and set out. And remember, safety comes first. If you ever feel like you're in danger, don't hesitate to run," James instructed, and the others nodded in response.
"Big brother, why is Ariana here? Isn't this going to be a problem since she's a girl?" a teenager with short black hair asked.
He had a good-looking face and looked somewhat mature, since who wouldn't be, after growing up in such a cruel world?
He referred to James as big brother since James was the oldest in the group.
He was already fifteen years old, and from what they had heard, once someone turned fifteen, they would have to leave the orphanage and start supporting themselves.
If they stayed, the food meant for the younger ones would be reduced. That was why, even if some were unwilling, they had no choice but to leave.
Having a shelter to grow up was already considered a blessing.
Taking that blessing for granted and acting unreasonably was something only hypocrites would do.
"What do you mean because I'm a girl? Just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I can't go with you," she said, gnashing her teeth and glaring at him.
He could only raise both hands in surrender as he tried to redeem himself.
"Big brother, you do know what kind of problems we'll face if she gets hurt, right?" Arven voiced his concern.
"Yes, you're right. If she really gets hurt, it would be a big problem. But it's going to be safe. I've done this for over three years. Trust me, nothing bad is going to happen," James said.
"But…" Arven opened his mouth to object, but in the end, he simply shook his head and remained silent.
In this world, women were valued far more than men not because of strength, but because they were the bearers of life.
While men marched to the frontlines, fighting and dying each day to defend their homes, it was the women who carried the future generations.
This division was not just tradition, it was strategy. In a world where entire towns could fall overnight and thousands perished every week, the ability to rebuild a population was as vital as winning any war.
But of course, this was not a decree, and no woman was forced to become a tool for reproduction.
There were also other jobs they could take. And if a woman became an awakened, that special treatment would disappear.
It all depended on whether she chose the path of fighting and killing or the path of simply being protected.
"Anything else to say?" Ariana snapped at him.
Arven was left speechless as he argued hating her attitude.
"You're like a tigress. Hey Damien, if you ever decide to marry a girl like her, I'm 100% sure that your life will be a living hell, it will be much harsher than the world we're already living in," Arven said to him.
This made Damien smile awkwardly, not knowing how to react.
"You bad guy, I'll fight you!" Ariana shouted angrily as she charged at Arven.
But Damien held her back by the shoulders with both hands.
"Ariana, calm down, calm down. It's not worth it," he said gently.
"Hmph, don't think I'm scared of you just because you're a girl," Arven said, looking at her seriously.
"Oh yeah?" Ariana shouted as she took off her slipper and threw it at Arven's face, hitting him squarely on the nose.
He had been standing there feeling proud and cool about what he said, but getting hit that cleanly by a slipper definitely hurt.
He fell to the floor with a big red bump on his nose. Furious, he stood up, ready to fight, but James stepped into the center to stop them.
"That's enough already. Stop acting like kids and let's behave like civilized peop.." James didn't finish, as he suddenly convulsed in pain.
While Damien was holding her back, Ariana had swung her leg frantically, aiming for Arven.
But just as James stepped between them, she accidentally kicked him between the legs. He immediately clutched himself, legs trembling and face pale.
"Oh no, big bro!" Ariana cried out with a sour tone.
"Big brother!" Arven shouted.
"James!" Damien and the other three called out in unison.
Seeing that the situation had returned to normal, James smiled inwardly.
"This was worth the sacrifice," he thought, just before passing out.
…
On the roadside just below the mountain, there was a truck, and two men in suits sat in the driver's seat. They didn't look like drivers at all based on their appearance and clothings.
Suddenly, the locked door behind the truck loosened and swung open. From the darkness inside, countless red eyes began to glow.
Hearing the sound, the two men checked the side mirror and saw that the door had indeed swung open.
"This is not good. Hurry, stop the car!" one of them shouted to the driver before jumping out, even while the vehicle was still moving.
As he landed, he saw about five of the beasts rushing toward the mountain.
Without hesitation, he drew a sword that resembled a katana and charged toward the fleeing beasts.
Seeing him, the beasts growled angrily as three of them charged straight at him. They had gray fur and stood about six feet tall.
These were Dire Wolves, a type of beast known for their speed and deadly teamwork.
The man calmly unsheathed his blade. As the three wolves rushed toward him, he sprinted forward. And when the distance was closed.
He swung his sword, slashing through every part of the charging beasts. The pain was too much for them, as they collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Without wasting a second, he gripped the handle of his sword and hurled it at the two remaining beasts that were running away.
The blade pierced one cleanly, but the last beast managed to escape into the trees. His expression turned serious as he watched it disappear.