4 PM.
"I thought it was a town… turns out it's just a worn‑down village," Jin muttered to himself as he stepped onto the sun‑baked main street, scanning the cracked walls and crooked shacks lining the road.
His voice sounded annoyed, but the faint smirk tugging at his lips betrayed relief: At least it's civilization.
The blade at his waist—an old Navy sword longer than he was tall—dragged against the dirt, leaving a thin groove behind him. Villagers peeked out from doorways and market stalls, whispering and chuckling at the sight of a kid barely six, face still childlike, swaggering around with a full‑sized war blade.
"It's already late," Jin thought, ignoring the looks.
"First, I need a roof over my head… a hot meal… a real bed—"
His steps froze. He slapped his forehead, and an expression of tragic realization twisted his face.
"Crap. I'm flat broke!"
"HAHAHAHA!"
The villagers, who'd been sneaking glances, now burst out laughing—loud, warm, unfiltered.
"What's so funny?!" Jin spun on them, voice small yet fierce.
"Have some sympathy, would you? I'm just a kid!"
The laughter only grew.
Then, just as suddenly, it stopped.
The smiles drained from every face. People scuttled to the sides of the road, as if an unseen wind had swept them away, leaving a clear path.
"The hell…?" Jin frowned.
A harsh voice barked behind him:
"Oi, brat. Move, unless you wanna die."
Jin turned.
Three figures strode down the street.
One towered like a black‑furred bear, shaggy and broad‑shouldered. Another waddled on thick legs, belly hanging out, eyes half‑closed, gnawing on a bone‑gnawed meat chunk. The third was scrawny, rat‑faced, lips curled in a sneer that revealed broken teeth.
"Bear… boar… and monkey," Jin murmured, tilting his head. "What a circus."
"What're you mumbling, runt? Didn't hear me? MOVE!" Monkey sneered, spitting as he spoke.
Jin's eyes narrowed. Injuries still burned under his shirt, but the smart move was obvious: Stay quiet, keep walking, find shelter first.
He shifted to the side, stepping away from their path. Monkey smirked, satisfied at the apparent submission.
"Tch. Coward," the boar‑bellied one snorted, licking grease off stubby fingers.
As Jin passed the bear‑like thug, the big man's gravelly voice rumbled:
"Oi, kid. That sword looks too heavy for you. Leave it here."
Jin stopped. Slowly, his smirk returned, eyes glittering coldly.
"Oh? You want the sword?"
Boar chuckled, slapping his gut.
"Old man Bear's talkin'. Hand it over, brat."
Jin slid the blade from his belt, holding it out in both hands like an offering. His small frame seemed meek, harmless.
"Sure," he said softly. "Come take it."
Bear stepped forward, boots crushing pebbles underfoot.
"Hah! See? Knew you'd understand. Do as you're told, and we'll even look after you in this village—"
A flash of steel.
Jin's muscles uncoiled like a spring. The sword hissed upward from low guard, trailing crimson.
"Thank you… but no thanks."
THWACK!
Bear staggered back, staring at the stump of his left wrist, blood spurting onto the dirt. His severed hand dropped and rolled.
"AAAARRRGH!! KILL HIM! RIP THAT BRAT APART!"
But Jin was already moving, pivoting toward Monkey. His blade traced a silver arc.
"Too slow."
Monkey barely raised an arm before the sword cut clean through his thigh. He collapsed screaming, blood pooling at his feet.
Boar roared, club swinging. The wind of it slammed past Jin's ear. Jin leaped back, but pain stabbed his shoulder—his old wound had torn open again.
"Damn… can't drag this out."
Boar's stick hammered down, gouging the earth. Jin danced aside—once, twice, three times—the big man swinging so fast dirt and stones scattered.
"Stop running! FACE ME!" Boar bellowed, spit flying.
"You're a grown man beating on a kid and you're calling ME a coward?!" Jin jeered, sweat dripping, breath ragged. "Fitting, though… pig brain."
Veins bulged in Boar's temple.
"YOU… CALLED… ME… PIG!"
Roaring blind fury, he hefted the club overhead. Jin charged first, two hands gripping the blade, body twisting low.
Steel met club. Wood splintered; the shock numbed Jin's arms. He didn't stop. Pushing off, he kicked Boar in the face, flipped backward, landed—
Boar turned, lifting the club again—
Jin pivoted, blade sweeping around behind him in a blinding arc.
The sword bit deep.
Silence.
A heartbeat later, blood rained down. Boar gurgled, stumbled, and collapsed.
Jin stood panting, shoulders heaving. Blood dripped from his blade, soaking into the dry dust.
He wiped the sweat from his brow, flicked the blade. Drops of crimson traced lazy spirals in the air.
The onlookers dared not speak.
"Sorry, but this is the world we live in," Jin murmured, voice calm despite the carnage. "A kid with no money, no name… still has to survive somehow."
He slid the sword back into its sheath, turned, and walked on.
Tonight… at least, I'll have a bed.
This story is inspired from various fanfics i have read from around the world so if you find any similarities please dont mind . Thank you
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T/N :
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