"No killing! Just teach them a lesson."

The man I had by the throat was foaming at the mouth, unconscious. Seeing I showed no sign of letting go, Oriental September ran over and grabbed my wrist.

A faint warmth from her touch cleared my head slightly.

"Mm."

I nodded, struggling to suppress the violence within me.

I tossed the man to the ground. My icy gaze swept over the others.

"Run! Run away!"

"Monster! Monster!"

Terrified, they dropped their weapons and fled in panic, no fight left in them.

"That’s enough. Let them go."

NinthMoon held my wrist tightly, refusing to release it.

"Haven’t you protected me well enough?"

Looking at NinthMoon, I shook my head. Eight years as a mercenary had filled me with a thirst for blood and battle. If I didn’t vent this rage…

"Is that so? Then go easy on them. I’ll wait here for you. Don’t keep me waiting too long. It’s late—if I get into trouble, you’d be a lousy brother."

She released my wrist, stepped back two paces, and stood by the streetlight, tilting her head with a smile.

"Mm."

"Hey, Aotian, are you a partner of justice?"

"No. Just a part-time villain, I guess. A nobody."

If justice fails to punish evil, I’ll handle it with darker methods.

A faint smile crossed my lips as I followed their trail.

Once hunted, there’s no escape.

Today they fled out of fear. But tomorrow, when I’m not around, they might retaliate against NinthMoon. If I don’t root out the threat completely, this so-called protection is just a joke.

6

In a dark corner, I kicked aside the human-shaped lump on the ground.

I pulled a pack of cigarettes from my pocket, lit one, and took a drag.

"You’re the last one. Your so-called brothers are all lying by the roadside. Want to join them?"

"No, please! I beg you, spare me! I promise I’ll avoid any place you’re in."

The guy with the mohawk knelt like a shrimp, clutching his stomach and pleading.

I said nothing. Instead, I stepped forward and kicked him flying into the wall behind him.

"Ever thought about those who begged you for mercy? Did you spare them?"

"Screw you!"

As I approached, Mohawk lunged up from the ground, a sharp knife thrusting at my chest.

Huff—the smoke blew into his face.

I grabbed his wrist with an iron grip, making him scream in pain.

I kept squeezing. His face turned grim, sweat drenching his cheeks.

"Kill me! I’ll haunt you even as a ghost."

"So scary. Just kidding."

Crack—the sound of bones breaking echoed clearly in the quiet alley.

"If you can’t handle it, don’t try to be a bad guy."

I crouched down, picked up the fallen knife, and snapped it in two with my fingers right before his eyes.

"This child’s toy—you seem to love using it as a threat."

"Aaah—"

I stabbed the remaining half of the blade into Mohawk’s arm.

"Your scream isn’t pitiful enough."

"Kill me—"

Despair filled Mohawk’s face. He looked up, tears streaming down his eyes.

"Heh. That expression—perfect. Live with that despair. I’ll wait for your revenge. That way, I’ll never lack toys."

I flicked the cigarette butt to the ground, stomped it out, and turned to leave. Time to find NinthMoon.

On the way back, someone must have called the police after seeing the bodies. Three police cars sped past me.

"Back already?"

Rubbing her hands together, breathing out puffs of cold air, NinthMoon stood by the streetlight, tilting her head as she spoke.

"Mm. Let’s go. I’ll walk you home."

"Mhm! Oh, I called the police about those guys. Is that okay?"

"Fine."

"Good. I was worried they might freeze to death out there."

Spinning and jumping, NinthMoon walked ahead restlessly, stepping on the yellow line.

All the way, she acted like a child, making me want to smile and feel a bit envious.

The sky was pitch black. Only dim streetlights illuminated the path.

After a long walk, we reached my place—a so-called slum area. The whole city had changed, but this place remained untouched, surrounded by skyscrapers like it had been abandoned.

"Tired, so tired! I’m taking a shower and then resting."

"Mm."

After she entered the yard, I turned to leave.

"Stay here tonight. This is your home, after all."

Leaning over the wall, she said with a grin.

No worries. How nice that must be.

"Aren’t you afraid of rumors or something?"

"Rumors? I’m no celebrity or influencer. Impossible. Besides, even if we stay together, you won’t do anything to me. I trust you. We’re brothers."

"Your trust is a bit unfounded."

As I complained, she hooked her arm through mine and pulled me inside.

"Wait."

I went back to the door, staring at the pile of cabbages. Left like this, they’d rot after winter.

"Go inside and get me a black marker."

"Yes, sir! Oriental September, executing orders!"

...This girl. So cheeky.

After she returned, I wrote a message on the cabbage bags.

"Take cabbages if needed. Free. But take only what you need—no waste."

After writing, I opened a bag, pulled out a cabbage, and carried it inside.

"Hungry?"

"Mm, a bit. Are you cooking something?"

"Cabbage soup."

I glanced at NinthMoon and headed to the kitchen.

After chopping the cabbage and rinsing it, I heard her happily humming in the bath.

After a while, when she came down wrapped in a towel, the soup was ready.

"Wow! I never knew you could cook!"

"Didn’t you eat the cucumber salad last time?"

"Hot dishes and cold dishes are totally different! Don’t mix them up!"

"It’s late at night. Keep it down. Don’t disturb others."

I covered my forehead. This young lady was impossible to handle.

"Yes, yes!"

Raising her hand high, NinthMoon squinted and devoured the cabbage and soup.

"If you need more, there’s plenty in the pot. Eat slowly. I’m going to shower."

"Mhm! Oh, the bathwater is mine, but it’s clean. You can reuse it."

"Like hell I will. And when you say that, show a little shame!"

"Pfft! We’re brothers. Sharing a bath is nothing, let alone bathwater."

Seriously, do you treat "brothers" as a magic word? All I could do was smile bitterly.