The creature moved slowly—each step heavy, breath shallow.
Its body was massive, towering like a three-story house. Twin red horns curved out of its wolf-like skull, and its massive paws dragged sharp, bloodstained claws.
Kaito's eyes darted.
"It's wounded… dying. That fall, it wasn't from a leap. It was thrown… by something stronger."
A drop of blood rain landed in the creature's eye. It roared, shaking its head violently.
Kaito noticed the fresh scar across its other eye.
"Blind… it can't see us now."
But the beast wasn't giving up. It lunged forward, driven by instinct.
Kaito tensed. The cave was narrow. He shifted his mother onto his back, right side.
"Its fangs are tilted left. If I stay right…"
The beast's claw tore into the cave's left side, just as predicted.
Kaito punched his fang with everything he had.
Crack.
Agonizing pain shot up his other arm, broken. Again.
Blood poured from his fingertips. His breath came in ragged gasps.
But the blow had worked. The beast's claw veered off-course, harmless.
It collapsed seconds later, lifeless, blocking the cave's entrance. Its body radiated heat, warming the space.
Rain still poured through the damaged ceiling, but the creature's massive bulk sealed the front.
Kaito slumped forward, his body trembling. His chest rested against the broken edge of the cave. His right arm dangled, blood dripping from it. Still, he smiled faintly.
"We're safe… for now."
Behind him, his mother hugged him tightly, eyes shut.
"It's alright now," he whispered, patting her head with his remaining good hand.
She didn't speak—but her grip tightened.
Kaito exhaled slowly, watching the blood rain drip from the beast's carcass.
They wore matching green pajamas—a strange comfort in this cruel world.
Kaito removed his top and handed it to her. She blinked, confused, cheeks coloring slightly.
"Not because you need it… But I have to dig into its chest."
She nodded quietly and covered her eyes.
Kaito picked up a jagged rock.
His hand had mostly recovered—this body was four times tougher now—but it still ached.
He stabbed.
The stone barely pierced the surface—just a nail's depth.
"Just as I thought."
He stabbed again, using his full strength. His broad shoulders strained. Sweat poured.
Kaito thought of his mother's past. She used to live in America, somewhere in the countryside. Her father died when she was 12, and her mother settled with some other guy after that and only paid child support for her.
Later, she met her father in San Francisco. He was a college student there, even tho mom never went to any college or high school, she was a good housewife.
That man used to live in his mom's countryside house. After finishing his college, he lived there for 3 years for his job. In that time, he had fallen in love with his mom's cooking, and his mom also started to have feelings for that man. So they both settled in Japan later on.
One day, he found his childhood friend and cut ties with his mom.
But I did not born by natural ways instead he give scum that was during his childhood friend love making that was dropped off.
I was born by IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)
He remembered how she never once hit him. How soft she'd been. Too soft.
He once felt useless—just a spoiled kid. So he trained.
Bodyweight workouts. Strength yoga. Breathwork.
By sixteen, he became someone reliable. But in the process, he grew distant from the whole world other than his mom.
…
After over an hour, he finally reached it—the core.
A glowing red gem, no larger than a fingernail, nestled in the heart.
He hesitated.
If I eat this… I might pass out. Maybe worse.
He calculated. The blood rain would last four more hours. It had only been three years since they had transferred to this place.
He glanced back at her. She sat silently, knees tucked under her chin.
He smiled faintly.
You're stronger than I ever knew.
He brought the core to his mouth and swallowed it.
Pain exploded through him.
His vision blurred. Blood poured from his eyes, nose, ears—every orifice.
He staggered toward his mother. She saw his condition and rushed over, catching him as he collapsed.
"Mom…" he whispered, eyes fading. "Take care of me… just two or three hours…"
She held him tight, tears welling in her eyes.
"I will," she whispered. "Even if it costs me everything… I will protect you."