"Think fast, Kael… What do I do? What do I do?" he repeated in his mind, his breathing quickening.
One of the officers shouted with authority:
"Didn't you hear me?! Hands in the air, now!"
But Kael was still trapped in his thoughts.
"Can I take them both? I don't want to kill them… but I have to get out of here."
He made up his mind. He closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. Then, like a lightning bolt, he pushed off with his right foot and launched himself toward the officers. With both hands, he shoved them with brutal force.
The officers flew backward, their weapons slipping from their hands as they hit the ground hard and started writhing in pain.
"Agh! Who the hell is this guy?!"
Kael paused for a second, shocked by his own strength.
"I didn't think I could take them both… I hope I didn't damage any organs."
Without wasting another second, he bolted down the street, running as fast as he could.
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Ten minutes later, he finally stopped, completely out of breath.
"Ugh… I must be far enough. Okay, what now?" he said to himself, trying to catch his breath. "I need to get home and keep reading the book."
He continued walking toward High Sky, where his home was.
Fifty minutes later, he arrived at the town.
"Yes! I finally made it. I almost didn't." He let out a relieved sigh.
He went straight to his house, opened the door, and walked in. He dropped onto the bed, completely drained.
"What a long day," he muttered, staring at the floor, worn out.
"I don't understand why this is happening to me. I've already killed someone… I nearly killed two more. Now I have magic, and I get into more trouble every day. All because I'm one of the poor ones. It's so unfair that others have to suffer like I did."
He stood up and looked at the ceiling.
"But now that I have power, thanks to the Creator, I can help the innocent. I won't let anyone else live the life I had. Not anymore. Not in this corrupt world."
He sat back down, pulled the book from his jacket, and opened it to page four.
"This sword holds the power of wind. There is nothing it cannot cut. Speak the words of invocation: 'Sword of wind, come to me.'"
"A sword? In this modern world… well, whatever."
As soon as he finished reading, the book began to glow intensely. Kael shielded his eyes from the blinding light.
From the center of the book, a sword began to emerge.
Kael took a step back, stunned. The sword finally came out in full. It was a shining silver color, with a dazzling edge.
"What a badass sword…" he murmured, eyes wide with admiration.
He stepped closer and grabbed it. It was a bit heavy.
"Whoa, yeah… it's got some weight. But I like it. I've always wanted one. This is awesome."
He examined it from all angles, taking in every detail.
"A wind sword that can cut through anything… I want to try it out, but not here. Not inside the house."
He sighed.
"I don't have a case for it. Better not go out with it. What would people think?"
He placed the sword on the bed and went back to the book. He turned to page five.
"If you wish to continue reading this book, you must complete this mission: eliminate one hundred mortals."
"What!? Eliminate!? I'm not killing anyone else. Why is this book asking me to do that?"
He stood up in fury and threw the book to the floor.
"I'm not going to be a murderer!"
He looked up at the ceiling, desperate.
"Creator! Why is this book asking something like this? Please answer me!"
No response.
"Damn it… damn it! I can't do it. A hundred people!? This book is cursed."
He began pacing the room, hands on his face.
"I have power. I can defend myself. I don't need the book anymore…"
He stopped. Looked down. Took a deep breath.
"But the Creator gave me this book. I can't just throw it away…"
He picked it up and walked to the wardrobe. He hid it among his clothes and locked it.
"There. No one will find it here."
He glanced around his room, everything in disarray.
"Damn thieves… took almost everything. I'll have to clean this mess. But first… sleep. I'm exhausted."
He collapsed onto the bed and passed out.
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Hours later, he opened his eyes and sat up.
He searched his pockets and the sheets for his phone.
"Oh, right… I lost it," he muttered sadly, rubbing his forehead.
He got up and got ready to leave.
"So, now what? I've got no job. My boss won't want to see me… doesn't matter. I'll go look for something."
While walking through town, he stopped at a newspaper stand. He picked one up and read the front page headline:
"Wanted for assaulting police and murdering a citizen. If seen, report immediately. (Reward offered)"
"No, no, no… that's me. What the hell am I going to do?" he thought, heart pounding in his chest.
He set the newspaper down on a nearby table and hurried back home, covering his face with his arm.
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He walked in and dropped onto the bed, hands over his face.
"This can't be… I have to run. If they're after me, they probably know where I live."
He pounded the bed with his fists, over and over.
"Why?! Why?!"
He froze. Then, suddenly, he stood up and went to the wardrobe.
He opened it, took out the book, and stared at it.
"You want me to kill…? Then fine. I'll do it. I'll read this book. I'll grow stronger. I'll protect the innocent. I'm not dying. Not yet…"
He tucked the book into his jacket and picked up the sword from the bed.
"I'm going to use you… I think I've got a long bag somewhere."
He searched through his stuff and found one.
"Perfect."
He placed the sword inside and slung it over his shoulder.
"I won't die… I'm coming for you, Ismael," he murmured, eyes dark and resolute.
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He stepped out of his house, heading toward San Boreal, fire burning in his eyes.