The silence after death was louder than any scream.
Kang Woo stood in the quiet aftermath, chest rising and falling, the weight of survival heavy on his shoulders. The forest watched them — tall, ancient, and unblinking. Three men lay dead on the ground, and a boy barely past thirteen had just crushed one of their skulls.
The boy's name: Hajin Wu.
He stood frozen, hands stained red, breathing sharp and shallow. He didn't cry. He didn't run. He just stood there like a broken statue.
Kang Woo approached slowly.
"You saved my life," he said, wiping the blood from his mouth. "I owe you."
Still, Hajin didn't move.
Kang Woo looked around, then grabbed a half-decent sword from one of the dead men. It was chipped and unbalanced, but better than nothing.
After a moment of silence, he said, "I need answers."
Hajin swallowed hard, then finally spoke.
"I'm… poor," he began. "Had no parents, no family, nothing. I was raised in the slums near the outer mountains. Everyone there dies young — cold, hunger, beatings."
His hands trembled slightly.
"I don't have much talent, but I was lucky… I have a low-grade spiritual root. Barely enough to enter a sect. Cloudmist Sect accepted me out of pity, I think."
He glanced at the dead men.
"They… the Red Fang Sect, they caught me on the road. Said I was worth a few silver coins if sold as a slave. They've been chasing me for two days…"
Kang Woo stared at the boy. Slavery. Poverty. Cults. Talent-based acceptance.
This world wasn't paradise. It was just a different kind of hell.
And somehow… he wasn't surprised.
Hajin looked up at him now, really looked. "You… you're not from around here, are you?"
Kang Woo hesitated. Then gave a half-smile.
"You're right. I'm not. I came from far in the east. Crossed the sea and ended up stuck in these forests. I've been walking for days. No towns, no villages. No idea where I am."
He pointed around them. "Can you tell me what this land is? What country I'm in?"
Hajin nodded, finally a bit calmer.
"This is Jinyang, one of the nine martial kingdoms. We're at the edge of the border region — near the Mistfall Forest. Not many sects operate here, but Cloudmist does. It's the only place that takes in strays like me."
Kang Woo listened closely, committing the names to memory.
Nine kingdoms. Martial clans. Forest borders.
A completely different world — with different rules.
Then, Hajin suddenly stepped forward and bowed low.
"I know I don't deserve to ask but… will you be my hyung?"
Kang Woo blinked.
Hajin continued quickly, "I've never had anyone. No father, no brother. You saved me… and you're strong. You didn't even hesitate when you threw that spear."
Kang Woo stared at him.
A boy. Alone. Hunted. But still brave enough to stand.
Something in him reminded Kang Woo of his own son. Of his younger self.
He sighed.
"Alright," Kang Woo said. "From now on, I'm your hyung."
Hajin's face lit up — not with joy, but relief.
Kang Woo looked toward the horizon.
"Now take me to this Cloudmist Sect."