After

{Darius POV}

While I was busy tormenting the uncooperative peasant, some black-haired kid came into the room looking for a fight.

It must be mentioned that this was not the first time. In fact, most if not all of the kids inside this particular room were those who were either brave or dumb enough to resist my rule.

Because of this, I did not find the matter that concerning. However, learning from my previous experience with this blonde kid, I positioned myself to where I could immediately interfere, and take out the opponent.

And just as I dreaded, the new kid was strong.

Completely taking out my two lackeys with efficiency, I noticed that he had his guard down for a moment. Not wanting to miss the opportunity, I immediately activated my gift and prepared to pummel his head just like the other.

But to my surprise, he was able to completely dodge my attack. From that point on I would've normally noticed that something was wrong and prepared for it.

But unconsciously, it seemed that my pride was a little hurt as frustration immediately took over me, forcing me to charge brainlessly at the opponent.

One thing led to another and we ended up in our second standoff. Unlike the first, this time he carried a weapon.

From that first standoff, I am 100% sure that if he wanted, he could completely dodge every strike I do.

This meant that if I wanted to win, I must make him lower his guard.

{Haizz, I only know one option for that, but it's gonna hurt}

Sighing in my mind, I prepared myself for what was going to happen.

Whack!*

"Arghhh!"

"hmm…"

{It hurts!}

It was a feeling someone who has never been hit could not imagine.

But if I were just to let this go then I would sacrifice my face for nothing.

{Come on come on come on…now!}

Surprising the boy, I was able to grab his right arm. Thinking that it was finally over, I used the remaining momentum to push myself forward while also activating [weight manipulation].

I planned on completely crushing him with my body, I don't care if he dies, I just want him to suffer!

Confident in my victory, I did a small hop, and my feet left a few inches off the ground. As I was planning on completely letting gravity do the work, out of nowhere the black-haired boy suddenly moved forward and used his left arm to grab the collar of my shirt.

Not knowing what he was gonna do at first, I was only able to realize it too late.

Since both of my feet were off the ground, that meant that the amount of force I could exert was limited. Taking advantage of that fact and my momentum, doing a martial art move I only saw from professionals, he threw me over his shoulder and onto the ground.

Normally this would have been a strong blow, however, due to my increased weight, the damage was hence multiplied.

I no longer had the strength to continue so I thought that this would be the end of it, however, the boy didn't seem to think so as he jumped high in the and planted both his feet on my face completely finishing me off.

Feeling my consciousness fading, I could only watch as the boy looked at me with cold eyes. Blood was dripping from my lips, and for some reason, tears also fell down my cheeks.

...….

{Jericho POV}

My chest heaved up and down repeatedly as exhaustion hit my body.

"Hah…hah….hah… that…was too close."

If he wasn't overconfident and stayed planted in the ground, I would've lost.

The only reason I won was because of luck and caution, nothing more.

{His dangerous, if we fought again I'm not confident that I would win, how is someone like him only 31st? hahhhh…. Let's think about that later, I wanna finish things up now and rest.}

Heading inside the broken room, I immediately found Fred and carried him on my back.

{If I'm not wrong, the hospital should be that way—}

"UH-UHM!"

"Hm?"

turning my head to see who was calling me, I found a girl along with the other kids inside the room standing in front of me.

"What do you want?"

I was impatient because of Fred's condition so I ended up sounding rude. But they didn't seem to mind as the girl in front immediately responded with a voice filled with gratefulness.

"Tha-thank you for saving us!"

Bowing her head, the others did so as well.

Seeing the scene in front of me, I was slightly taken aback by their actions and froze up for a few seconds.

After assessing the situation, I decided to just roll with it as that would be the fastest way to deal with this situation.

"You're welcome"

"If we could do anything to repay you-"

"No thanks, see you guys later."

Not wanting to waste any more time I carried Fred and ran to the hospital, leaving behind the children unattended.

After a few more minutes had passed from Jericho's departure, a group of women wearing brown uniforms came inside the room carrying a variety of first aid kits.

It seemed that they were already aware of the situation as they calmly treated everyone's injuries without asking any more questions other than the mandatory:

"What happened here?"

With monotone voices.

Seeing the shape of the fat trio, however, shook them.

The two boys had broken bones all over their bodies, meaning with the strength of a teen, Jericho never held back during the fight.

The biggest proof of this was Darius. While Darius' face was completely disfigured, his body was much worse as his back was completely shattered from the throw.

If this was before the concepts of [gifts] then Darius' injuries would've taken months to fully heal, but that was no longer the case.

A woman wearing a dark blue uniform with 3 armbands suddenly arrived at the scene. Disregarding the other children's looks, the woman immediately went to Darius and placed her hand above his chest.

Light green particles began to accumulate on her hands, the glow growing brighter by the second.

After 10 minutes of doing so, she retracted her hand and left the premises as quickly as she came in.

The other women were seemingly used to her already, as they without missing a beat began preparing stretchers.

"Lady Olivia has already applied first aid to the patient. even though his death has been avoided, we need to confirm whether or not some slight after-effects still remain. Take him, along with the two others to the hospital."

Said a short-haired woman wearing 3 armbands on her arm.

"But ma'am, the hospital is currently full because of the recent campaign. Only one room is available as of now."

"If I'm not wrong, that room should be capable of taking in 8 patients. Just ask them to share the room. It will only be for a couple of days anyway"

"Yes, Ma'am."