"Hey, you filthy orphan! How dare you get blood on my hand?" Rico snarled.
Lucas's head was spinning. He couldn't hear a thing. Rico's punch had been brutal.
"I told you this bastard wouldn't even survive a single punch. Look at him—what a pathetic sight," Arthur scoffed.
Martin stepped forward, his voice laced with venom. "Your parents did the right thing by abandoning trash like you. Just look at yourself—what a loser."
Lucas was finally regaining his senses. He looked at them—each one with mockery and amusement in their eyes.
"Why are you doing this to me?" he shouted. "What did I ever do to you!?"
Martin laughed. "Because you're an orphan. Blame your dead parents!"
He slapped Lucas hard across the face, sending him stumbling back.
Lucas had always been their favorite toy—someone to mock, beat, and belittle for their own twisted amusement. But now… he had reached his limit.
"I hope you don't pass out from just that!" Rico laughed cruelly. "We're just getting started, orphan bitch!" The other two burst into laughter.
But Lucas wasn't hearing them anymore.
Instead, memories flooded his mind—memories of all the times he'd been beaten. He wondered, What if I had fought back from the start? Maybe none of this would have happened. Or maybe things would've been worse. Who knew?
But none of that mattered now.
He clenched his fists. After years of holding it in, the dam finally broke. He grabbed onto a nearby pole and pushed himself to his feet, trembling. For the first time in his life, Lucas was ready to fight back. His thoughts were clouded with rage.
As Rico stepped forward with a smug grin, Lucas struck. His fist connected directly with Rico's nose—CRACK. The sound was sharp and satisfying.
Rico staggered back in shock, blood pouring from his face. "YOU BASTARD! HOW DARE YOU?!"
Lucas stood frozen in disbelief. He had actually landed a punch. For the first time in his life, he had fought back. He wasn't afraid anymore. The fear was gone, replaced by something else—pride.
But that feeling didn't last long.
"YOU'RE DEAD, YOU ORPHAN RAT!" Martin roared and slammed his fist into Lucas's stomach.
Lucas collapsed to his knees, saliva dripping from his mouth. Arthur, who had stayed silent until now, stepped in with a kick to Lucas's face. "How dare garbage like you stand up to us?"
The beating began in full.
All three of them took turns, kicking and punching him mercilessly. They didn't stop until Lucas passed out.
He was slipping into unconsciousness, but Rico wasn't done. He raised his fist again, but Martin grabbed his arm. "Stop! He's already out. Don't commit murder over some orphan scum."
"Tch. Lucky day, bastard," Rico hissed and spat on Lucas's face.
They walked away, leaving Lucas alone, broken and bruised, lying unconscious in the street.
It was the worst beating of his life.