Blake’s Narration: “Years ago, those early days in the village felt like being trapped in the stone age—quiet, dull, and suffocating. There was nothing to do, no excitement. That all changed when I met Major Kang...”

Blake wandered through the dusty village, his footsteps barely audible on the dirt path. The humdrum of daily life seemed like a blur until, one day, the distant sound of rapid gunfire cut through the air. Rat-a-tat. The noise pulled him in, his curiosity sparking to life.

Behind the old marketplace, he found them—men, gruff and hardened, practicing with weapons in a clearing. Leading them was a tall, intimidating man with a rigid stance, barking orders as the men took turns with their guns.

“Your aim is too low!” Kang’s voice boomed. “If you want to use a pistol, stop holding it like you’re watering the garden. Stand firm, brace yourself. Posture straight, feet grounded. And don’t forget—accuracy beats speed. “Always.”

Kang moved from one man to the next, giving sharp, precise advice. “Adjust your scope if you’re using a sniper. Take the wind into account. Steady breath. A trigger pull is a whisper, not a shove.”

Blake stayed hidden behind a stack of wooden crates, peeking at the scene, mesmerised by Kang’s authority. His heart pounded, though he didn’t know why. Every day, like clockwork, he found himself drawn here, watching from the shadows, soaking in the lessons. Today was no different.

Suddenly, Kang’s sharp gaze flicked towards his hiding spot.

“The one over there, hiding behind the crates,” Kang called out, his voice cutting through the air. “What brings you here?”

Blake froze, his stomach twisting into knots. His mind raced, panic surging through him. He thought about running, but his legs wouldn’t move. Slowly, nervously, he stepped out from the shadows, his hands trembling by his sides. His heart thudded in his chest, a drumbeat of fear.

“S-sorry, I was just observing,” Blake stammered, his voice barely audible. He felt small under Kang’s intense gaze, like a deer caught in the sights of a predator.

Kang studied him for a moment before a sly grin crept onto his face. “The fact you’re here every day at the same time tells me you’re either interested or you’ve developed a liking for this... or maybe for the training itself.” His eyes gleamed. “Am I right?”

Blake’s heart raced. His mouth went dry, but he forced himself to speak. “Y-yeah, I enjoy watching.”

Kang raised an eyebrow. “You like watching, huh?” he mused, his tone softer, almost thoughtful. Then he asked, “Would you want to try it? To experience what these men go through?”

Blake’s eyes widened. A shiver ran down his spine. His instinct was to refuse, to run back to the safety of his quiet life. But something about Kang—his presence, his authority—held him there. Blake’s gaze dropped to the ground, his voice shaky. “Y-yes, I think I’d like that.”

Kang chuckled. “No one’s forcing you. You can walk away right now. But... if you decide to join, don’t expect this to be easy.” His eyes hardened. “There’s no place for weakness here. But if you’re serious, I won’t stop you from observing either.”

Blake nodded, barely looking up. “I... I’ll do it.”

Kang’s grin faded into something more serious. He stepped forward, towering over Blake. “I’m Major Kang. What’s your name, kid?”

Blake swallowed hard, feeling a lump form in his throat. “B-Blake... Turner.” His voice was barely a whisper, shaky and uncertain.

“I can’t hear you,” Kang barked, his voice booming. The surrounding men straightened at the sound.

Blake stiffened, his heart pounding. “Blake Turner,” he said, a little louder.

“Still not loud enough! Can any of you hear him?” Kang asked, his voice dripping with mockery. The men shook their heads, smirking.

Blake clenched his fists. His cheeks burned. Taking a deep breath, he shouted, “BLAKE TURNER!” His voice echoed across the clearing.

Kang grinned approvingly. “There it is.” He crossed his arms, nodding in satisfaction. “Very good. Your first lesson—confidence. Without it, no one will take you seriously. Work on that. Speak up. Communicate. Until you can do that properly, don’t bother coming back for more training.”

Blake frowned, confused. “But... why do I need to be confident? I’m just—”

Kang cut him off, his voice firm but not unkind. “Because communication is key, kid. If you’re timid, you’ll get used or ignored. Leaders are the ones who speak up, who make themselves heard. And if you can’t do that, you’ll always be on the sidelines.”

Blake lowered his gaze, his fingers fidgeting nervously. He nodded, unsure if he truly understood, but knowing he couldn’t argue. “O-okay, I’ll work on it.”

“Good. Now go. We’ll see if you come back better.” Kang turned back to the other men.

As Blake began to walk away, his heart still racing, Kang’s voice echoed behind him. “And kid, if you don’t improve, there will be consequences.”

Blake winced but kept moving, feeling the weight of Kang’s words sink in. He didn’t know what consequences Major Kang meant, but he didn’t want to find out.

As Blake disappeared from view, the men began murmuring amongst themselves, uneasy about having a kid join their ranks.

Kang snapped his fingers, silencing the group. “I have no problem with a kid joining the training. It’s rare to see any youngsters show this kind of guts nowadays. If any of you have an issue with it, report directly to me. Is that clear?”

The men straightened. “Yes, sir!” they shouted in unison, the air charged with the intensity of the moment.

#2

Blake’s Narration:

“Major Kang gave me my first task—to build confidence. It seemed simple on the surface, but for me, it was like being asked to climb a mountain. I’d always been shy, only ever talking to my grandma. I didn’t know how to start conversations with people, and the thought of trying made my stomach twist. But I knew I had to try.…”

Weeks turned into months as I worked on my confidence, but progress was slow. Every day I would rehearse conversations in my mind, imagining what to say, how to speak, and how to not sound foolish. But it took three whole months before I finally decided to return to the training camp. Even then, my nerves were still on edge.

As Blake approached the training grounds, his heart started to pound again. The usual sight unfolded before him. The mercenaries—if they could even be called that—were doing their usual drills. Some were firing guns at targets, bullets whizzing and cracking in the air. Others were engaged in brutal physical exercises, lifting heavy weights, and sparring with each other, sweat glistening on their muscular arms. Blake had often watched from the shadows, fascinated and intimidated by their discipline.

He stood at the edge, watching them for a moment. The sound of grunts, shouts, and gunfire filled the air, the same as it always had. Blake muttered to himself, “It’s still the same... nothing’s changed here.”

But there was one difference—Major Kang was nowhere to be seen. Blake glanced around, his eyes scanning for the towering figure, but the man was absent. “Maybe I’ll wait for him to show up,” he murmured, but doubt crept in.

Blake’s palms grew sweaty. It had taken him three long months to muster up the courage to come back, yet he still felt anxious, like an invisible weight pressed down on his chest. His mind raced with excuses to leave. Maybe I should just go back, give it another month of practice, and return later, he thought, feeling his nerves tighten.

But then he shook his head, biting his lip. “No, not everyone’s going to be patient with me forever. I have to ask someone.” He glanced around at the mercenaries—some wielding guns, others looking like they could bench press a small car. One man, in particular, looked wild, like an angry bull, his muscles bulging beneath his shirt. Blake swallowed hard.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

His heart hammered in his chest. “They may look big and scary... but they’re human, right?” He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the encounter. He rehearsed the words in his head—just ask about Major Kang, get your answer, and leave. Simple.

Blake walked up to one of the men, his steps shaky, and tapped him on the back, feeling like he was touching a wall of muscle. “Umm, hello,” Blake said, his voice trembling slightly. “I’m... I’m looking for Major Kang.”

The man turned slowly, towering over Blake. His face was hard, his eyes narrowing as he glared down at the boy. He cracked his neck, the sound like snapping wood, and Blake’s eyes widened at the sheer size of the guy. The man looked like he could snap him in two with a single hand. Blake gulped.

“You want something, kid?” the man said, his voice deep, each word falling like a boulder. Blake’s mind raced. What kind of training makes a person this big? What do they eat, steel?

In a moment of panic, instead of asking his question, Blake blurted out, “Do... do you eat bulls?”

There was a brief, awkward silence. Blake’s face turned red. What did I just say? He screamed in his mind. I was supposed to ask about Major Kang, not blurt out what I was thinking!

The man stared at him for a long second before a slow smirk spread across his face. “Bulls? No... I eat meat,” he said, cracking his knuckles. “Lots of meat. If you eat enough, maybe you’ll grow as big as me, kid.”

Blake swallowed hard again. His legs felt like jelly. “N-no thank you,” he muttered, trying to backtrack at his accidental question. He laughed nervously in his mind. I wasn’t expecting an answer. I got lucky there. Now... focus. Ask the real question.

He cleared his throat and tried again, more cautiously this time. “By any chance... do you know where I could find Major Kang?”

The man’s smirk widened, a glint of recognition flickering in his eyes. “Ah, you’re that kid from a few months back, huh? We thought you’d never come back. Gees, guess I lost the bet.”

Blake blinked. “Bet?”

“Yeah, bet with the guys. We didn’t think you’d have the guts to show up again.” The man chuckled, shaking his head. “Anyway, you’ll find Major Kang in the hut over there,” he said, gesturing toward a small, rundown building at the edge of the camp.

“Uh... thanks,” Blake said quickly, his voice a bit steadier now.

He turned and made his way toward the hut, feeling a mix of relief and embarrassment wash over him. His heart was still racing, but at least he had done it—he had asked. That was a small victory in itself. Each step felt lighter as he headed to meet Major Kang.

#3

Blake Narrating:

“When I first walked into that hut, I didn’t know what to expect. I was nervous, still trembling from that brief encounter with the mercenaries outside. But what I saw inside... well, it was something I never forgot.”

Blake stepped cautiously into the small hut. The air inside was thick, a mixture of wood smoke and sweat, and the dim light flickered from a lantern hanging in the corner. There were three men—Major Kang and two older figures sitting opposite him. Blake swallowed hard, but forced himself to stand up straight.

As soon as he entered, one elder raised an eyebrow and looked at Kang. “When did you have a child, Kang?”

The other elder chimed in, smirking, “I was going to ask the same thing.”

Major Kang shook his head with a faint grin. “He’s not my son. This kid,” he gestured toward Blake, “is interested in going through training himself.”

Kang’s gaze shifted to Blake, his expression soft but serious. “The fear in your eyes has lessened, but it still lingers. How about you introduce yourself to the chiefs? They have every right to deny you training. It’s up to you to convince them otherwise.”

Blake’s stomach churned. His palms felt damp, but he took a deep breath, pushing through the anxiety. “My name is Blake,” he began, his voice shaky at first but gradually gaining strength. “I’m seven years old, and... I want to join the training because... because I want to learn what it feels like to be trained by real mercenaries.”

Kang arched an eyebrow, his expression one of surprise, though he didn’t say a word at first. But his eyes spoke volumes—Blake could tell he didn’t expect the boy to come this prepared.

The two chiefs exchanged glances, silent for a moment before one of them spoke again. “You understand the risks, don’t you?” His voice was gruff, yet there was a hint of concern buried within it. “If anything happens to you, Kang’s the one who will answer for it, not the group.”

Without waiting for a response, the two elders stood, nodding slightly to Kang before leaving the hut. “Carry on,” they said as they stepped out.

Major Kang chuckled softly, folding his arms over his chest. “Well, I guess you managed to convince them. That confidence is shining through now, Blake. So... let’s talk about your training. What do you want to learn?”

Blake blinked, feeling slightly thrown off. “Won’t I just do what everyone else does?”

Kang laughed, shaking his head. “Who does that? We don’t just throw kids into random drills. Each person has their own strengths, their own paths. You don’t send someone with no stamina to the battlefield. Maybe they’d be more useful as a spy or an agent, someone who can slip through unnoticed.” His grin was mischievous, his tone light-hearted. “You’ve got to find your own role, Blake.”

Blake thought for a moment. “I see... well, in that case, can you train me with knives?” He hesitated, thinking about his grandmother. “I’d ask for guns, but... my grandma would probably disown me. Knives... knives are fine, since she didn’t say anything about those.”

Major Kang laughed, his eyes crinkling at the edges. “Knives, huh? You’re in for one hectic training, kid. We’ll start tomorrow.”

Blake’s Narration Continues:

“That was how my path with Major Kang began. From that moment on, I trained alongside him and the rest of the team. The training was nothing like I’d ever imagined—rough, brutal, and relentless. I learned to throw knives with precision, strike with force, and survive in situations I never thought possible. But I couldn’t tell my grandma everything. To her, I spoke only of self-defense, a harmless way to continue my lessons. And whenever she came to check on me, the team backed me up, shifting the training to something more... palatable. But Kang... Kang wasn’t just a mentor to me. He became like a guardian. He toughened me, inside and out. I knew, after those sessions, that I wasn’t an ordinary kid.”

Blake paused, staring off into the distance, remembering the figure of Major Kang back then.

“But now... the man standing before me isn’t the Kang I remember. And everyone else? They’re all strangers to me.”

#4

Blake lay on the cold, hard ground, struggling beneath the weight of several men who pinned him down. Their rough hands pressed his face into the dirt, and he grunted, trying to break free. His heart raced, not only from the physical struggle but from the shock of seeing Major Kang—his mentor, his guardian—leading the attack on his village.

“Who the hell are you?” Blake shouted, his voice breaking with desperation. He kicked against his captors, fury bubbling up inside him. “Why are you doing this to the village? You told me you’d protect it with everything you had! This doesn’t make sense!”

Kang’s smile was cold, unrecognizable. He stood a few feet away, watching Blake writhe on the ground. “Let’s just say,” Kang said, his voice calm, almost casual, “when you see an opportunity, you grab it.” He shrugged, as if what he was doing was of no consequence. “I did tell you I’d protect the village... but that was under orders". The one giving those orders is gone now, Blake. We established a new order.

Blake gritted his teeth, his muscles tense as he tried to pull his arms free. “You’re insane!” he yelled, his voice shaking with anger. “Who steals from old men and women? Are you out of your mind?!”

Kang’s expression shifted, his gaze growing colder, more calculated. He stepped forward, his boots crunching against the gravel. “I’m not stealing from the people,” he said slowly, his tone menacing. “I’m taking the village itself.” He crouched down, now at eye level with Blake, his face shadowed by the dying light. “The truth is, Blake, I’ve always had my eye on this place. And now, I can take it—along with the wealth it can bring me.”

Blake’s heart pounded in his chest, rage and confusion swirling in his mind. His eyes narrowed, his fists clenched tightly against the earth beneath him. “You’re disgusting,” Blake spat, his voice hoarse from the strain. “All this... for money? You’re selling out the place you swore to protect!”

Kang’s eyes gleamed with amusement, his lips curling into a mocking smile. “Now, now... what’s with that look?” he said, his voice dripping with false sympathy. “You’ve always followed my orders, Blake. Why the change of heart now? Don’t you want to be rich?” He stood up again, stretching his arms wide, as if inviting Blake to join him in his twisted vision. “You could have everything—an expensive car, houses, women. You’d live like a king in the city at such a young age. You would even be the youngest, richest kid in town. All you have to do is help me take over the village.”

Blake fell silent, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he struggled to process everything. His thoughts raced—this wasn’t the Major Kang he knew. His mentor was gone, replaced by a man driven by greed. What do I do? Blake thought, his mind spinning. Grandma... it’s getting too scary. What am I supposed to do?

He took a deep breath, glaring at Kang through the haze of confusion and fury. “Just pray I don’t get loose,” Blake growled under his breath. “Because if I do, I swear I’ll slit your throat.”

Kang’s laughter echoed through the night, cold and harsh. “Oh my, where’s that respectful boy I trained?” he said, shaking his head in mock disappointment. “You really are something, Blake.” He gestured to his men, who now stood by with menacing grins, holding pieces of paper. “Here’s the deal,” Kang said, turning to address the gathered villagers. “Anyone who wants to join me, sign this paper. It’s simple—your name and a signature.”

His gaze darkened as he turned back to Blake, his eyes filled with threat. “And for those who don’t... well, let’s just say your treatment will be different. Far worse than death itself.”

Blake glared up at him, his mind racing, heart pounding in his chest as the weight of the moment settled in. The village, his home—everything was at risk, and the man standing before him, once his trusted guide, was now his enemy.