Medicine had long been a topic that was not taken seriously in this world.

  Even though cars, phones, and other technologies already existed, medicine was never seen as something truly necessary. People believed there would always be a healer in the family whose Birth-Protection could heal others, or they believed one had to survive without help to prove strength and noble blood.

  However, this way of thinking changed after many wars and epidemics. Humans died, animals died, and plants died. People realized that they had to rely on conventional medicine, and so medical science developed in a unique way.

  Today, medicine must be represented in every family—either by a family member or a worker. Those who do not comply violate the country’s Protection Protocol and must pay fines or face other restrictions. The protocol states that if conflicts between families occur again, both sides must at least possess equal resources. This protocol is one of the most important and fundamental rules everyone must follow.

  Because of this protocol, Naki could be saved from the deadly effects of the poison, and Najun did not die from his injuries and exhaustion.

  “Ahhhhhhh!”

  Najun wakes up with a loud scream and falls out of the bed.

  “Ouch!” Najun shouts.

  “You really must be careful, my son. We just barely saved you from death.”

  Aihara helps his son back into bed and hands him some tea.

  “What happened?” Najun asks, coughing heavily.

  “You arrived here at the temple together with your siblings and collapsed. It was very close, but we managed to save you.”

  “How is Naki?”

  “He’s still asleep, but he’s no longer in a life-threatening condition. Do you want some more tea?”

  Najun nods, and his father pours him another cup. It is a calming tea often used for recovery.

  “I assume the Wonder Bird is gone?”

  “Yes.”

  “You know, from the beginning I had a feeling this would go wrong, but I thought it would be better if you found that out yourselves.”

  “Oh really? Isn’t it your duty as a father to teach us what to do and what not to do?”

  “Come on. I thought of it as a lesson. Who would’ve thought it would end like this?”

  Najun remains silent and continues to drink his tea.

  If he had stopped us, Shinoa might still be alive. Her hatred toward us would still exist, but at least it would be hidden. I wouldn’t know about it, and we could have been normal siblings again who enjoy time together.

  Najun thinks to himself and lies back down. Aihara notices Najun withdrawing and presents a gift.

  “Here. I brought this for you.”

  He holds a small gift box and hands it to Najun.

  “Is it what I think it is?”

  “Yes. It’s a Family Gift. I decided to give you one to make your future easier. I hope you like it.”

  Najun looks at the box and hands it back to his father.

  “Thank you, but I don’t deserve it.”

  “What are you talking about? You tried so hard. Without you, they never would’ve made it there.”

  Najun continues to refuse, but his father opens the box. Several beams of light fill the room and gather in front of Najun into a small sphere.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  The light forms into a hummingbird. The hummingbird flies through the room, exploring it.

  “This is a Family Gift: Pet Type. His name is Bullet. From today on, he will be your loyal companion.”

  “As I said… I don’t deserve it.”

  Bullet does not seem pleased with being rejected and pecks Najun on the cheek.

  Najun doesn’t react, but he notices the hummingbird draining his energy.

  “What does this creature do?”

  “It can absorb magic and release it again. For example, it could heal you or restore your reserves. It is also extremely fast and can fly through solid objects like walls or people. That’s why his name is Bullet.”

  “Okay, okay, I accept you—just leave my energy alone.”

  Bullet stops and settles on Najun’s shoulder.

  “Father.”

  “Yes?”

  “Why did you choose Mother as Number One? What criteria did you use?”

  “There were no criteria. Your mother is simply special. When I saw her for the first time, I just knew it would be her. I had a feeling—excitement.”

  “Nothing else? Just that?”

  ‘Just that’? That’s more than enough. Of course, your mother has a special gift, but that’s not why.”

  “What gift?”

  Before Aihara can answer, his phone rings.

  “Ah, I have an online meeting with important traders. I need to go.”

  He leaves Najun alone with Bullet.

  “Oh, before I forget—Shinoa is still alive. Her condition is critical, but she’ll make it. She’s in the restricted ward.”

  Najun stands up and walks to the window. Bullet is still on his shoulder, fast asleep.

  She’s alive? That’s good. I’m not a murderer… but she still tried to kill me and Naki. And her hatred toward all of us remains. She’s a danger. A danger to the Sakiko family. I need to see her and talk to her.

  “You’re weak. You’re worthless. You can’t save or protect anyone. You’ll never be a good person. Everyone will leave you.”

  These are the words Naki hears before waking up.

  He notices someone sitting at his bedside.

  It’s a red-haired person with a pen in their mouth.

  “Hina? What are you doing here?”

  “Ah, finally you’re awake. I was afraid you might not wake up at all—but here you are.”

  Hina gives Naki his medication and fixes his hair.

  “Why are you doing this? Did Father force you?”

  “No. I’m doing this purely out of love.”

  Naki forces a smile and tries to get up.

  “Wait—where are you going?”

  “I need to see Najun. I need to ask him what happened. For some reason, I can’t remember anything. The last thing I remember is entering that ice cave.”

  “The ice caves? You were there?”

  “Yes. We didn’t know about the place until we arrived. From your tone, it sounds like you already knew.”

  “Kind of. Your father used to talk about some kind of giant refrigerator where he stores monsters and weapons. So that’s what he meant.”

  “I have to go.”

  “I won’t allow it. You need to recover first. You can see your brother afterward.”

  Naki suddenly gets severe headaches and vomits. Hina holds a bucket for him.

  While vomiting, he has a seizure.

  He sees his mother being consumed by a dark force. He only sees her body—not her face.

  He tries to save her, but fails. He screams her name.

  He trembles and loses consciousness.

  “Shit. Doctor! Nurse!”

  Hina runs out to get help, while someone slips past her.

  The person runs to the restricted wing of the medical area, but a guard stands in front.

  The person throws a fork down another corridor, distracting the guard.

  They slip inside and run through the hallway until reaching a specific room.

  They enter and remove the hood.

  “Hello, sister.”

  Najun greets her as if she were awake and sits down beside her bed.

  She’s connected to countless cables. Her vitals look terrible. It’s a miracle she’s still alive.

  Najun sees the stab wound he inflicted and touches it gently.

  “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

  Najun is consumed by guilt and debates what to do next.

  Do I expose her or wait and talk to her when she wakes up? If I expose her, she’ll be punished—maybe tortured. Father would never forgive this. But if I wait, something worse might happen. When will she wake up? Will she talk to me? Will she escape or kill everyone in her way?

  He watches her silently. Bullet hovers next to him and signals whether Najun wants Shinoa killed.

  “No, Bullet. Shinoa will not be touched. Killing her would—”

  Najun suddenly covers his mouth and looks at Bullet, then at Shinoa.

  He paces the room, biting his fingernails. His breathing becomes heavy.

  “No… that would be monstrous. For thoughts like that, I should be killed.”

  He returns to the bed and leans against it, closing his eyes.

  Using his ability, he scans the area.

  No one is nearby. The guard is leaving, and there are no other patients in this wing.

  “I’m doing this for you, Shinoa. It would be terrible if everyone knew you betrayed our family. I’d have to explain it to Naki, of course—but no one else needs to know.”

  Najun raises his hand toward Shinoa.

  Bullet flies to her neck and begins to drain her.

  More and more, until the machines start beeping.

  Najun looks away and waits for the sound he expects.

  He hears it—the sound that tells him Shinoa is dead.

  Bullet tries to return the energy to Najun, but he refuses.

  “Keep it—or give it to someone who deserves it.”

  Najun takes a bandage-cutting scissor and cuts his own neck.

  Bullet tries to stop him, but Najun restrains it.

  “It’s fine. It’s not fatal. I just wanted to make sure I’ll never forget what I did today. What I did for the family—and for Father.”

  He pulls the hood back over his head and leaves the room.

  He makes it back to his own room unseen and lies down.

  His last thought before falling asleep is Shinoa spitting on him and glaring at him with hatred.

  A look that could curse him.

  He smiles faintly in response.

  “So… this is better. Isn’t it?”