However, Jiang Mo was faster!
The moment the freckled boy raised his arm, something awakened within Jiang Mo, and a burst of power erupted. His body shot forward like an arrow released from a bowstring.
"You're asking for it!" Jiang Mo growled.
He moved to block Bronya, his right hand shooting out like lightning to snatch the sharp rock from the air just before it could hit. The force of the throw stung his palm, but he didn't let go, gripping the stone tightly.
The freckled boy was stunned that Jiang Mo had caught it. He froze for a second, then bent to grab another rock.
But Jiang Mo gave him no such chance. He dropped the stone and lunged forward, slamming a fist into the boy's stomach.
"Ugh!" The boy cried out, doubling over like a cooked shrimp and collapsing to the ground.
Jiang Mo didn't stop. Seeing the boy struggle to get up, he delivered two more punches to his face.
"Aah!" After a few more cries of pain, the freckled boy stopped moving, just moaning on the ground and clutching his face.
"Stop!"
At that moment, Director Natasha rushed over. Her face was anxious, and seeing the boy on the ground and Jiang Mo's stance, she immediately understood what had happened.
Seeing that the boy was down for the count, Jiang Mo lowered his fists, shooting a fierce glare at the other two children who were trembling in fear. They looked at him as if they'd seen a ghost and scrambled away.
Natasha quickly knelt to check on the freckled boy. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw he wasn't in mortal danger. She looked up at Jiang Mo, her expression a mixture of reproach and helplessness. Without scolding him, she helped the injured child up and quickly led him to the orphanage's infirmary.
Jiang Mo stood there, panting slightly. The sudden burst of power had surprised even him. He hadn't used [Berserk] this time. He felt as if his body had some other innate instinct or talent that had been suppressed by hunger. Now that he had eaten, that power seemed easier to access. He looked at his fist, then at the spot where the boy had fallen, and sneered.
He turned back to Bronya. She was still on the swing, the slushy in her cup completely undisturbed. Her eyes were fixed on him, not with fear, but with a sparkling brilliance. In her eyes, Jiang Mo was like a little hero who had descended from the heavens—powerful and reliable.
He walked over to her. "Are you okay?"
Bronya shook her head, clutching the cup tightly. "I'm fine… and the slushy is fine too."
Jiang Mo relaxed. "Finish it quickly, it's melting."
They sat back on the swings. Bronya continued to eat, her eyes still darting towards him from time to time. "Thank you… Jiang Mo-gege."
He just smiled. "It was nothing."
The slushy was soon finished, leaving only melted liquid in the cup. Bronya looked at it wistfully and carefully placed the small wooden spoon back inside. Seeing her reluctance to be done with it, Jiang Mo decided the time was right.
He looked into her eyes and said seriously, "Bronya, I'll come see you again. And I'll bring you even more delicious things."
Her eyes lit up. "Really?!"
"But you have to promise me one thing…" He paused, watching her reaction.
Bronya immediately grew tense and nodded vigorously. "I promise! Tell me, Jiang Mo-gege!"
He smiled to himself, thinking how easily she was swayed. "You have to take good care of yourself and stay alive. That way, we can leave this place together one day and see the world outside."
Bronya was taken aback. Leave this place? The world outside? She had grown up in the orphanage, and her knowledge of the outside was limited to Rivet Town, the neighboring Boulder Town, and the unattainable Overworld. The only other places she knew of existed in the fantasy novels Natasha read to them—tales of a magical city of ice and snow, warm spring-like pastures, a legendary land of lava, and the unreachable realm beyond the sky. Though just stories, Bronya secretly believed the outside world was like that, because Jiang Mo had once told her it was.
"Can we… really get out?" she asked softly.
"We definitely will," he said, his gaze firm. "Trust me."
Bronya looked at him. His eyes were always so special, so reassuring. She nodded hard. "Okay! I'll definitely stay alive! Jiang Mo-gege, we'll go outside together in the future!"
He stood up, a slight curve on his lips. Excellent. The first step of the plan is a success. As long as I can latch onto this rich woman—no, this successor to the Supreme Guardian… getting to the Overworld in the future will be as simple as her saying the word.
Just then, as if struck by a thought, Bronya held out her pinky finger, her expression incredibly serious. "Pinky promise!"
Jiang Mo was surprised for a moment, then understood. He hooked his own pinky with hers.
"Pinky swear, hang it on a hook, won't change for a hundred years!" Bronya recited the popular children's oath in a sweet voice. When she was done, she looked up at him, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Don't you go back on your word, Jiang Mo-gege."
Her earnestness gave him a warm, pure feeling he hadn't experienced in a long time. "I won't," he promised, standing up. "I'm leaving now, Bronya."
Bronya stood up too, her small face filled with reluctance. But she didn't cry or cling to him like the other children. "...Goodbye, Jiang Mo-gege."
She wanted to ask when he would come again, but in the end, she just nodded. She knew he would be back. He had to be.
Jiang Mo turned and walked towards the orphanage gate. He had to leave before Director Natasha came looking for him. She was probably furious about the fight.
However, just as he reached the gate, a figure blocked his path. It was Director Natasha. The usual gentle smile was gone, replaced by a stern expression.
"Jiang Mo, wait a moment." She stood with her arms crossed, staring him down, clearly ready for a reckoning.
Bronya immediately ran over and stood in front of him, trying to explain. "Director Natasha, it wasn't Jiang Mo-gege's fault! He was the one who—"
"Bronya," Jiang Mo cut her off. "I'll take responsibility for my own actions. It's okay. I'll be right back." He gave her a reassuring look.
Natasha's frown deepened as she saw his calm demeanor. "Sigh… Come with me." She turned and walked back into the orphanage without another word.
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