Still in the neighborhood, Jaden was panting in front of a terrifying HOUM after killing all the others, the little HOUM was nowhere to be seen, maybe he chose to go for another prey, it was easier than fighting with these monsters, even the human being.

Jaden determination was started to fade a little.

‘In fact, I don't know how I made it this far, but I think I've given it my all in this fight.’ was what was going through his mind.

He's a young teenager who doesn't think at all about becoming a CREDHOS, and therefore, he doesn't train to kill HOUMS. He just wanted a quiet life. It's for all those peaceful moments that he didn't want to become a CREDHOS.

But life almost always goes against the grain. It very rarely goes as we want it to. Maybe that's why life is what it is—a never-ending series of uncertainties. Some say it's because of its ups and downs that life is worth living.

But wouldn't life still be worth living if it were just beautiful, if it went exactly the way we wanted it to? Isn't that what we call a dream life?

‘Life…’ Jaden hummed in his head. ‘I think in movies; this is where the saviors arrive.’

A protagonist who has given it their all, defeated multiple enemies, and hasn't died yet—this is the perfect scenario, but only if help arrives. Some super strong CREDHOS or even the strongest one offers him to join the association, and that's the beginning of a great story.

‘I think it would have been a fantastic long-running series.’ Jaden thought with melancholy. It wasn't worry, rather, it was melancholy found in great art, in piano melodies, in sad paintings of war scenes, or anything similar.

A feeling that seemed addictive.

Jaden looked up at the sky, inhaled through his nostrils, and once his eyes were fixed on it, he exhaled through his mouth. There was no remorse on his face, no fear, just indifference.

‘So, this is where I'm going to die? Why not? It's a great place, and I defeated a pretty strong opponent. What melancholy. I wish I could feel this way all the time.’ He then added. ‘I guess I should fight more often.’

It would be a good idea. He would probably become a brawl maniac, if and only if he survived against this HOUM. That was certainly uncertain. His death was inevitable, given the number of blows he had taken and his exhaustion.

‘I wonder why he hasn't attacked yet. Is he afraid?’

Instead of feeling relieved, he had a strange feeling inside him. He recalled a case where a HOUM was afraid. There was another one much more powerful. So he turned around just to make sure, although he didn't hope to see nothing. After all, it was his unlucky day.

Once his head had completed the turn, he noticed that there was nothing – not another HOUM.

‘Sigh...’ He couldn't help but let one out, as always, life doesn’t go in the direction we think it should. At that moment, he made up his mind.

‘I'll face death with honor and a smile.’

‘That's the least we can do for someone who goes through all the trouble just to pick us up.’

Isn't it ingratitude on the part of humans to hate the Reaper? She goes all the way just to collect her client, and the client doesn't thank her. What an ungrateful job.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

‘What's he waiting for? It seems like he's surprised to see me so cheerful.’

‘Should I really give up the fight just because I'm feeling drained? Shouldn't I persevere?’

Perseverance, one of the great qualities of humans, one that allows them to reach different heights but also makes them do terrible things. In some cases, it leads to selfishness, which is also a double-edged sword.

The selfish person thinks only of themselves, so whatever the consequences, they'll do what they think is right, except the consequences can be extremely brutal.

‘In the end, I'll keep on fighting, I'll give it my all!’

‘I take it back, the CREDHOS are super strong!’

Just after he had raised his esteem for the CREDHOS to its highest point, the HOUM finally decided to attack. He had no wounds on him. He was as good as new.

‘Isn't that cheating?’ Jaden wondered. ‘How can he regenerate endlessly?’

‘‘Are you finally deciding to attack, HOUM?’’ He had to break the silence; it had become a bit too quiet.

‘Wow, the HOUM is fast.’

In a fraction of a second, the HOUM had his hand around Jaden's neck. Jaden was suspended, his legs far from the ground since his head was at the monster's level. He had his eyes fixed on the young man as if admiring him.

He was pleased to have caught such a challenging prey, one that made him evolve. The white line on his forehead had become even clearer, now visible even though it was only a few centimeters long.

What remains strange is that these creatures don't eat humans; they're content with killing them, and no one knows why.

Maybe to reduce suffering, like a certain tough guy, what was his name again, since they're classics, Dad knows them.

After finishing admiring his target, he opened the hand that held Jaden's neck. Just before he fell, he punched him in the stomach with his right fist, resulting in a waltz of several meters.

The blow was so powerful that Jaden could barely stand up. When he was back on his feet, he raised his guard and yelled.

‘’Hey, HOUM, you... I think you hit like a girl!’’

The HOUM looked surprised; it was probably not the words that surprised him but rather the little guy who survived that punch. He was sure that punch would kill him; he had fought with him and knew his limits, and this blow was more than enough to end the fight.

Unless he had also evolved.

The HOUM had advanced toward Jaden and struck him with a punch to the face. This time, Jaden saw the blow coming, so he ducked and then stepped back a few paces to avoid any surprises.

Just as he stopped to regain his footing, he received a kick to his left ribs. Jaden rolled forcefully to the right side. What was strange was that the kick was much more powerful than the blows he had received earlier, but he didn't feel pain commensurate with that force, as if his body was adapting to the pain.

‘That's actually a good thing.’ Thought Jaden as he got up.

The HOUM was already in front of him, still holding him by the neck. This time, Jaden used all his strength to strike the hand that held him brutally, resulting in what he hoped for: the HOUM's hand was no longer on his neck.

However, he was struggling to breathe, and the HOUM was right next to him. Jaden crouched down to sweep the HOUM and make him fall, and the latter jumped back in surprise, giving Jaden the time he needed.

"I think I'm about to give in." Jaden felt his body responding less and less, as if his reactions were delayed. Nevertheless, he launched himself towards the HOUM.

In front of the HOUM, he jumped with both feet extended towards him. He was so fast that all the HOUM could do was put his hands up to block the blow. However, the impact created an explosion, sending both of them in opposite directions.

"Yeah, that's what we call elemental affinity." Thought Jaden, believing that the HOUM was dead. In fact, he hoped it was the case because he had really given his all in that move.

But life often doesn’t go the way we hope.

The HOUM suddenly moved, and this time, there were no punches or kicks, but rather a hand in Jaden's abdomen.

‘Bleeding... I'm bleeding,’ Jaden thought, his eyes on his stomach.

The HOUM's hand had gone through his belly, and the HOUM was in front of him, looking at him, waiting for a new surprise. However, after a few moments, there was no reaction, so he decided to withdraw his hand.

‘I'm cold...’

...

‘Is this... dying?’

‘I think it is.’

‘All I have to do is close my eyes, and I'll be dead.’

‘Well, that's what I think... or rather, that's what happens in movies.’

As he slowly closed his eyes, he felt another pain; it seemed like the HOUM had hit him again.

‘Was that really pain? Anyway, all I feel is the joy of dying without a care.’

‘’I know, it sounds pretty psychopathic, but... goodbye, life!’’