The sound of fire roared, rapidly engulfing the village. Thick smoke blanketed the countryside, houses crumbled and burned one by one. Desperate screams echoed, merging with the roar.

My heart raced, almost bursting from my chest. I kept running without pause. Without any clear reason, I glanced back, and what I saw there froze me in place.

A little girl stood there in fear.

Before long, a marauder emerged from the thick smoke.

Firm and rough strides, a large and formidable face. He carried a gleaming axe in his right hand, illuminated by the flames devouring the village, and a round shield in his left hand.

The fate of that little girl seemed trapped in the grasp of that marauder.

My body moved on its own, grabbing anything around me and hurling it at the marauder's face, forcing him to shield himself with his shield.

I rushed towards the girl when there was an opportunity, picked her up, and ran away.

To Artelo City, I had to get there to deliver a message to the ruler.

Looking around while running, I decided to head towards the forest.

Who would have thought? The marauders were following us. When I thought we had escaped them, suddenly they were behind us again and again. No matter how fast I ran, they always found our trail.

I heard the pounding of my heart, my legs felt weak and heavy, my breath was labored, keeping pace with my slowing steps.

I stopped, took a deep breath to calm myself. There was only one choice that came to mind at this moment.

I gently patted the girl's back as I set her down.

"What's your name?" I asked. Her parents were probably killed by the marauders.

"Runa," she replied softly.

I patted her head and said, "That's a beautiful name, Runa. I'm Kaelan."

"Runa, here's the thing. There's a city called Artelo to the south; try to run and ask for their help, okay?" I said, pointing in the direction I meant.

Not that I didn't want to save myself, but it was pointless to keep running. The marauders would catch up with us sooner or later.

Runa shook her head. "I want to stay with you!" Tears began to well up in her eyes as she held onto my hand tightly.

I understood that Runa was just an innocent and naive little child. She hadn't fully grasped the dangerous situation we were in right now.

"Listen to me, Runa," I said seriously.

I had to convince her, no matter what. "I'll catch up with you later, okay?"

Runa still looked hesitant.

"In that case, pinky promise?" I offered.

After accepting the gesture, she began to run.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

Not far from here, the marauders surprised her.

Runa backed away slowly, step by step, until she slipped and fell.

New trouble emerged as another marauder appeared from behind us.

I quickly grabbed her hand and pulled her back to my side.

"Get up, Runa!" I yelled.

I felt a heavy burden that words couldn't describe.

How could I save Runa? My mind kept circling back to the same question. "What should I do?" Fear seemed to have permeated every corner of my thoughts.

I tried to clear my mind, for I had to remain strong. They, the marauders with their menacing smiles, continued to approach us. Like predators circling their prey, closing in from both sides.

The circle of death was tightening, and a feeling of dread seeped into every breath.

"Runa, stay behind me," I said. I tried to stand tall in front of her as her protector.

The marauders laughed at me as if it were a sign of my impending death, while the other marauder spoke in a language I couldn't understand at all.

The words he uttered sounded harsh and heavy. "Þú getur ekki flúið aftur!" The phrase echoed in my ears.

I didn't need to understand what they were saying; from their expressions, I understood that they were really going to torture me to death.

Amidst this situation, I spoke to Runa again. I hoped the marauders didn't understand what I was saying.

"Runa, once again, just one more time... Listen to me carefully, when I attack them, run as fast as you can, try to avoid them, and then go south," I said firmly.

I briefly noticed Runa's injured leg, probably from slipping earlier.

"Although it hurts, when you start running, don't stop. Do you understand? Please, Runa, stay strong!" I continued firmly.

Runa tried to understand what I had just said, then nodded in understanding.

Slowly, I determined the right moment to launch the plan.

Now, Runa's safety depended on me, and I had to give it my all. Even though my whole body was trembling violently and my lips were parched.

I grabbed some soil and threw it towards the marauders. They were momentarily surprised, giving Runa a chance to run.

"Now, Runa! Run!" I shouted.

I knew I couldn't protect her forever; now was the time for her to run and save herself.

Time seemed to slow down as I watched Runa start running, evading the two marauders, and the marauders trying to stop her.

I charged at them, diverting their attention towards me.

Look at their massive muscles and their blood-stained axes; I had no chance of winning.

Even so, hope vanished when a powerful kick struck my abdomen, causing me to collapse in pain.

They mocked me with cynical laughter, torturing me with every kick they delivered to my body.

I felt nauseous and dizzy beyond description. My body weakened, and in the end, I couldn't stand anymore; I fell to the ground.

Behind the facade of toughness that I always displayed, my heart wasn't as strong as it seemed. It was just a lie to cover up something I didn't want to face.

It felt like my body couldn't move anymore.

I didn't want to die; please, someone help me.

Faintly, I heard the sound of someone running. Defying the two marauders.

But I didn't care anymore about what happened next. The marauders might already be dead, but to me, it no longer mattered.

The longer it went on, the more the world around me grew silent. The sounds that usually filled this life seemed to disappear suddenly. Everything felt dimmer, like a fading illusion.

My heavy eyelids slowly closed, as if refusing to look further ahead.

Now, I just wanted to release myself from the fatigue and weariness that had burdened me for so long.

Then, like a flash of light in the darkness, like an illusion, my parents' faces appeared before me. "Ah, Mother, Father... I can see your faces so clearly," I murmured weakly. "I miss you both so much; there are so many things I wanted to tell you."

"If only I were given a chance once more. I would strive to become better, for myself and for others. Just as you always taught me, then return to you with a more amazing story. But that's not possible, is it?"