Part 1: Chaos with Kids
"Why… are we doing this again?" Kain grumbled, arms crossed, as they stood in front of a large, slightly crumbling orphanage building.
Yujin read the mission scroll again. "Because the academy wants us to 'give back to the community and help rebuild trust between cadets and civilians.'"
Sylvia grinned, elbowing Yujin. "Come on, it'll be fun! We just have to babysit for a few days."
Mira clasped her hands together, eyes sparkling. "Aww, I love kids! This is going to be adorable."
Two minutes later.
A soccer ball hit Kain in the face.
Sylvia was running away from three kids trying to take apart her gadgets.
Mira had a child hanging off each arm, squealing with laughter.
Yujin was being dragged across the dirt by a group demanding he use his "cool powers."
"This," Kain deadpanned, brushing grass off his hair, "is hell."
---
Part 2: Strange Disappearances
That night, after finally wrestling the kids to bed with promises of stories, snacks, and "just one more magic trick," the team gathered in the main hall.
Yujin frowned. "Did anyone notice… something strange?"
Sylvia pulled up her tablet, eyes sharp. "Yeah. I counted twenty kids when we arrived. Only sixteen are here now."
Mira's smile faded. "The head caretaker said four are 'away at a farm.' But when I asked the older kids, they said those four just… disappeared."
Kain's jaw tightened. "And some of the children have marks on their necks. Small, like burn scars."
Yujin's voice was quiet. "Curses."
For a moment, the four of them exchanged looks — playful cadets turned sharp and alert.
---
Part 3: The Investigation
They split up to search.
Sylvia and Yujin combed through the records room, finding scribbled, half-burnt files.
"This isn't right," Sylvia murmured. "Look — these kids weren't orphans. They were left here only recently. No contact info, no real records…"
Mira and Kain checked the grounds. Mira knelt by the old well, fingers brushing a faint, glowing sigil hidden in the stone.
"Kain," she whispered, "this is a demon's seal."
Kain's hands clenched into fists. His voice was low. "They're using the orphanage."
---
Part 4: The Discovery
By midnight, the four regrouped, following faint magical traces beyond the orphanage, through the woods.
The trees grew darker, twisted unnaturally, until they reached a hidden cavern — and the smell of sulfur hit them like a wall.
Inside, faint lights flickered.
When they entered, they froze.
Rows of small beds, chains, half-finished rituals.
In the center, a grotesque workshop — and bodies.
Small ones.
Yujin felt his stomach twist.
Mira covered her mouth, eyes wide with horror.
Sylvia's hands trembled, her voice sharp. "I'm detecting residual demonic energy. High-ranking."
Kain didn't wait.
His sword was out in a flash as he stormed forward.
---
Part 5: Confrontation
The demon emerged from the shadows — tall, armored, its eyes a burning gold.
"Well, well. I didn't expect brats from Star Academy." Its voice was smooth, oily, and cruel. "You're just in time. My research needs fresh material."
Kain lunged, roaring. "YOU MONSTER!"
"WAIT!" Yujin shouted.
But it was too late.
The demon flicked its hand, and Kain was hurled back against the stone wall, coughing.
Mira ran to his side, panic in her eyes. "Kain!"
Sylvia's mind raced. "Yujin! It's warded against physical attacks!"
Yujin's eyes flashed — his awakening power kicking in. "Then we break the wards."
---
Part 6: The Battle
Phase One: Breaking the Wards
Yujin moved first, dodging the demon's whip-like shadows, striking at the glowing runes on the floor.
Sylvia tossed small orbs into the air. "Cover your ears!"
With a blinding crack, they detonated, shattering the first layer of wards.
Mira chanted a barrier spell around Kain, who was already back on his feet, growling. "I'm fine."
Phase Two: The Counterattack
Kain roared, his sword blazing with blue mana. With a single slash, he cut through the second ward.
The demon snarled, lashing out — but Yujin slipped under its guard, his gun drawn, firing precise, glowing bullets that burned into its skin.
Sylvia hacked its summoning circle, overloading the magic flow.
Mira joined Kain, twin daggers flashing, cutting the restraints on the surviving children.
---
Part 7: The Turning Point
But the demon laughed.
"You're entertaining," it hissed, its body swelling, wings tearing from its back. "But you're too late!"
It lunged for the children.
Kain didn't think — he moved.
Sword and claw met in a blast of force that cracked the cavern walls.
Mira screamed. "KAIN!"
Yujin's vision tunneled. "Sylvia—!"
"On it!" Sylvia jammed her gadget into the cavern floor, unleashing a pulse wave.
Yujin's power surged, eyes glowing. "MOVE!"
He leaped, intercepting the demon mid-strike, slamming it back with a blast of raw energy.
Kain roared, driving his sword through its chest.
---
Part 8: Aftermath
The demon collapsed, its body disintegrating into ash and smoke.
Silence.
Then, the faint cries of the rescued children.
Mira ran to Kain, throwing her arms around him, trembling. "Idiot—!"
He grunted, hugging her tightly. "I'm fine."
Sylvia slid to the ground, exhausted. Yujin sat beside her, pulling her into a quiet embrace. "It's over."
The children stared at them wide-eyed.
One tiny girl tugged Kain's sleeve. "Mister knight… are you an angel?"
Kain blinked.
Mira burst out laughing.
---
Part 9: The Return
Back at the orphanage, the local guild arrived to take over. The children were safe, the curses lifted, and the head caretaker revealed to be under a spell — now broken.
That evening, as the four sat on the orphanage steps, watching the sun rise, they were quiet.
Mira leaned her head on Kain's shoulder. "They're safe because of you."
Sylvia snuggled against Yujin. "Next time, we demand double the pay."
Yujin smiled faintly. "Deal."
Kain, staring into the distance, murmured, "No more children should suffer like that."
They all fell silent, the weight of the night sinking in.
---
Part 10: A Bit of Light
As they prepared to leave, the kids ran out, showering them with handmade gifts.
A crooked wooden sword for Kain.
A lopsided, glittery hair clip for Mira.
A bracelet made of string and beads for Sylvia.
And a small crayon drawing — of all four of them — for Yujin.
"Come back soon!" the children called.
As they walked away, Mira smiled. "Next time… maybe just a normal babysitting job?"
Yujin laughed. "I wouldn't bet on it."
Kain smirked. "At least I got promoted to 'angel.'"
Sylvia raised an eyebrow. "Enjoy it while it lasts, halo boy."
And as they left the orphanage behind, the sun rising over the hills, they knew — together, they could face whatever shadows waited next.