Chapter 71: THE TWIN MONSTERS

Kai attacked the group of men again. He didn’t wait—he charged straight into the middle of the crowd. His body moved like an arrow released from a bow—fast, precise, without hesitation. Two men in front of him tried to block—one slashed with a sword, one stabbed with a knife. Kai ducked—the sword flew over his head, the wind from its slash brushing his hair. He stabbed the first man’s stomach with his right knife. SHLICK! The man coughed—blood flowing from his mouth—and fell. Kai spun—his left knife deflected the second knife. CLING! Small sparks appeared from the metal clash. He kicked the man’s knee. The man fell—his face hitting the ground.

Rin charged from the side—her kick hit the chest of a man trying to attack Kai from behind. THUD! The man was thrown backward—hitting two of his colleagues. "Don’t be careless!" Rin called out—she kicked another man—the man fell.

Nora moved without sound—her hand grabbed the collar of an approaching man. She slammed him to the ground. THUD! The ground trembled. The man didn’t move. Nora turned—kicking a man trying to stab from the side. THUD! The man fell—his knife slipping from his hand.

The three of them—like one unit. Kai in the center—Rin on the left—Nora on the right. They protected each other—covered each other’s gaps. Every attack that came—was deflected. Every gap that opened—was used. Kai gave directions—Rin followed. Nora moved on her own—but always in the right position.

But—the dozens of men kept coming. Like water that never runs out. Like waves that keep crashing. Kai started running out of breath. Sweat flowed down his forehead—dripping to the floor. Blood flowed from small wounds on his body—his arm, his cheek, his back. But he didn’t stop. He couldn’t stop.

Rin was starting to tire too. Her kicks were still strong—but her movements were slowing. Her breath was heavy—her face flushed. But she kept fighting—kept moving—kept kicking. She wouldn’t give up. Not now. Not ever.

Nora was still calm. Her movements were efficient—no wasted energy. She grabbed—slammed—kicked. One by one—the men fell. But even she was starting to feel the strain. Her breath was heavier—her movements slightly slower. But she didn’t show it. She kept fighting—silent—deadly.

Then—they saw something.

Two twin bald men—giants. Their height was almost two meters. Their bodies were broad—muscular—like bulls. Their heads were bald—shining under the moonlight. Their eyes were small—sharp—like pig eyes. Their noses were flat—their lips were thick—their chins were wide. Their necks were short—their shoulders were wide—their arms were as thick as an adult’s thigh. Their hands were huge—their fingers like sausages—their knuckles protruding. Their skin was dark—covered in scars—like they’d fought hundreds of times. They wore tight black t-shirts—cargo pants—military boots. They stood behind the crowd—observing. Not moving. Just observing.

Kai swallowed. Gulp! Rin swallowed. Gulp! Nora swallowed. Gulp!

"We have to defeat them," Kai said—his voice soft. His eyes didn’t blink—observing the two giants. He searched for weaknesses. But—he found nothing. Their bodies were like concrete walls.

Rin nodded. Nora nodded.

The three of them—attacked.

Rin charged first—her kick hit the first bald man’s stomach. THUD! The man didn’t move. Didn’t retreat. Didn’t react. Rin kicked again—at his face. THUD! The man didn’t move. Rin kicked again—at his knee. THUD! The man didn’t move. Rin backed away—her eyes widening. She felt like she was kicking a wall.

Nora charged the second bald man—her kick hit his chest. THUD! The man didn’t move. Nora kicked again—at his neck. THUD! The man didn’t move. Nora kicked again—at his stomach. THUD! The man didn’t move. Nora backed away—her eyes narrowing. She couldn’t believe it—an attack that strong had no effect at all.

Kai charged—his knife stabbed the first bald man’s stomach. SHLICK! The knife only grazed the skin—didn’t penetrate. Kai stabbed again—at his neck. SHLICK! The knife only grazed the skin—didn’t penetrate. Kai stabbed again—at his eye. SHLICK! The man closed his eyes—the knife only grazed his eyelid. Kai backed away—his eyes widening. Their skin was like steel.

Quickly—Kai pulled Rin and Nora back.

"Don’t attack them!" Kai called out—his breath panting. "Their skin is hard! We can’t hurt them the normal way!"

Rin—who was reckless—advanced to attack one of the men. She kicked the first bald man’s face with all her strength. THUD! The man didn’t move. Rin’s attack didn’t leave a single mark.

After receiving Rin’s attack—the first bald man immediately grabbed Rin’s neck. GRAB! His hand was huge—his fingers gripped Rin’s neck. He lifted Rin—high. Rin, lifted, tried to free herself from the man’s grip—but her efforts had no effect at all. She kicked—kicked—kicked. The man didn’t move. Rin’s face started turning red—her breath starting to choke.

"RIN!" Kai shouted.

Kai charged forward—toward the first bald man. The second bald man tried to block—he swung his hand—huge—like a hammer. Kai dodged—to the left. The man swung his other hand. Kai dodged—to the right. The man tried to grab Kai. Kai jumped—over his hand. The man tried to kick. Kai jumped again—higher.

Skillfully—Kai avoided all the man’s attacks and grabs. He climbed onto the second bald man’s body—feet on his shoulders—hands on his head. Quickly—he jumped to the first bald man. The man didn’t see Kai coming—he was still busy choking Rin.

Kai landed a kick—right at the first bald man’s chin. THUD! The man’s head snapped back. His eyes rolled back. His body wobbled—then fell. THUD! He was unconscious. His grip released. Rin fell—freed.

Kai quickly carried Rin—moving away from that place. He ran—away from the second bald man—still standing—still looking at them with his small sharp eyes. Kai stopped at a place far enough—at the edge of the yard.

"Rin!" Kai called out—without turning his face from the bald man. "Are you okay?"

Rin answered while coughing a little from the choke. "I-I’m okay," she said—her voice hoarse. Her neck was red—marks from the bald man’s grip. "I’m just... a little breathless."

Kai nodded. His eyes were still fixed on the second bald man—still standing—still looking at them—not moving. "Listen," he said—his voice firm. "You and Nora have to go. Now. Follow the others."

"No!" Rin exclaimed—her voice firm. "I don’t want to leave!"

"Me neither," Nora said—her voice flat. "We can defeat that monster."

Kai shook his head. "We can’t," he said—his voice soft. "Their skin is hard. Our attacks don’t matter. I have to use another way."

"But—" Rin tried to protest.

Suddenly—

"GRRRAAAAHHHHH!"

A very loud scream—so loud that Rin and Nora had to cover their ears. The sound came from the second bald man—who suddenly raised his head—who suddenly opened his mouth—who suddenly screamed. His voice—like thunder—like an earthquake—making the ground tremble—making leaves fall—making birds fly.

Kai, seeing that, immediately shouted. "RIN! NORA! GO!" His voice—loud—full—firm. "NOW!"

Hearing that—they had no choice but to leave Kai alone. Rin looked at Kai—her eyes glistening. "Mr. Kai—" she said—her voice trembling.

"Go!" Kai shouted—without turning.

"You have to come home alive!" Rin said—her voice firm—though her tears started flowing.

Kai smiled slightly. "I don’t intend to stay here any longer," he said—his voice calm.

Rin nodded. She pulled Nora’s hand. Nora followed—though she still looked back. They ran—away from that place—following the others.

Kai Alone

Kai stared at the bald man—who was raging. The man stomped his foot—making the ground tremble. He swung his hand—making the air whistle. He screamed—making eardrums ache. Then—he charged at Kai.

Kai dodged—to the left. The man hit a tree—CRACK!—the tree snapped. Kai dodged—to the right. The man hit a rock—CRACK!—the rock shattered. Kai jumped—backward. The man hit the stage post—CRACK!—the post cracked.

Kai tried to dodge while searching for weaknesses. He attacked while the monster attacked—his knife stabbed the man’s back. SHLICK! The knife only grazed the skin—didn’t penetrate. Kai stabbed again—at his neck. SHLICK! The knife only grazed the skin—didn’t penetrate. Kai’s attacks didn’t damage the giant man at all.

Not long after—Kai heard a rumbling sound. THUD! It turned out the giant man Kai had knocked out was now getting up again. The man shook his head slightly—from Kai’s attack. After his condition returned—he stared at Kai—his eyes red—full of anger. The two of them—immediately charged at Kai.

Kai was getting cornered. He had to find their weakness—while dodging their attacks. He jumped—to the left. He ducked—to the right. He rolled—backward. He kept moving—never stopping.

Kai, racking his brain to defeat the two of them—suddenly remembered a message given by Reina when Kai was still young.

Flashback

Field hospital. White tent—smell of medicine—blood. Young Kai—sixteen years old—sat on a bed. His arm was bandaged. His face was pale. Reina—who was still a nurse at that time—was tidying medical equipment.

"You know," Reina said—without turning. "The human body is weak. But there’s one thing that makes them strong."

"What?" Kai asked—his voice soft.

"Tendons," Reina answered. She turned—looking at Kai. "Tendons are the cords that connect muscle to bone. Without tendons—you can’t move. Without tendons—you can’t do anything."

Kai furrowed his brow. "So?"

Reina smiled slightly. "So—no matter how big the creature—if you cut their tendons—they’ll be paralyzed. Forever."

"Forever?"

"Forever," Reina repeated. "No matter how strong they are. No matter how big they are. If their tendons are cut—they can’t move."

Kai fell silent. He looked at his hands—his small hands—hands that had never killed anyone.

"Remember that," Reina said. "One day—you’ll need it."

Back to the Present

Kai snapped back to reality. He stared at the two bald men—still charging at him. He searched—left—right—and he saw something. A knife—lying not far from where he stood. The knife was—longer—sharper—than his own. Kai rolled—grabbing the knife. He gripped it—tightly.

"Alright," he murmured—his voice soft. "Let’s go."

Kai prepared himself—to wait for the two bald men to attack. He didn’t attack—he waited. He had to be patient. He had to be calm. He had to wait for the right moment.

The two men—immediately charged at Kai—together. But—because their movements were too straightforward—Kai easily dodged them. He jumped—to the left. He ducked—to the right. He rolled—backward. He kept moving.

The first bald man—swung his hand—toward Kai. Kai dodged—to the side. The man’s hand—hit air. Kai saw—a gap. He charged—cutting the tendon in the first bald man’s hand. SHLICK! Blood sprayed. The man screamed—loudly. "GRRRAAAAHHHHH!" He held his hand—which couldn’t move. Kai saw it clearly—the hand wounded by Kai couldn’t move.

The second bald man—charged at Kai. Kai dodged—backward. The man hit a tree. CRACK! Kai used that moment of carelessness—he charged—cutting the tendon in the second bald man’s hand. SHLICK! Blood sprayed. The man screamed—loudly. "GRRRAAAAHHHHH!" He held his hand—which couldn’t move.

The two men—now could only use one hand. They stared at Kai—angry—but also afraid. Kai didn’t give them time—he charged—cutting the tendon in the first bald man’s leg. SHLICK! Blood sprayed. The man fell—couldn’t stand. Kai moved on—cutting the tendon in the second bald man’s leg. SHLICK! Blood sprayed. The man fell—couldn’t stand.

The two men—now couldn’t move. They lay on the ground—crying—groaning. Kai stood before them—his breath panting. Blood flowed from his wounds. But he was still standing. He was still alive.

Kai stared at the two men—now helpless. He didn’t kill them—he only paralyzed them. Because—he had promised himself. He wouldn’t kill again. Never again.

Kai took a breath—long. He looked around—dozens of other men still standing—staring at him with wide eyes. They—were afraid. Kai stared at them—coldly.

"Anyone else want to try?" he asked—his voice hoarse.

No answer. Just silence. Just scattered bodies. Just flowing blood.

Kai smiled slightly. He turned—walking away—leaving the battlefield. He had to catch up with Rin and Nora. He had to catch up with Lydia and the others. He had to make sure they were safe.

"Hold on," he murmured—his voice soft. "I’m coming."

Kai kept walking—even though his body ached. He kept walking—toward the forest. Toward them.