Once inside, with the tension from outside still lingering in the air, Kokoro gently tended to Grandma Haruko. She dipped a rag into warm water and began to softly dab at the swollen spot on Haruko's lip where the warrior leader had struck her. The quiet sounds of water dripping from the cloth into the bowl echoed in the room, but it did little to drown out the anger boiling inside me.

  I tried to wear a mask of calm, but it was useless. Kokoro and Grandma Haruko could still see the rage simmering behind my eyes. It hung over us like a storm cloud, threatening to break at any moment.

  For a few minutes, no one spoke. The only sounds were the faint crackling of the fire and the soft sighs of Grandma Haruko enduring the pain. But I couldn't hold it in any longer.

  "Who were they?" I finally asked, my voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "And what do they want with your village?"

  Kokoro and Grandma Haruko exchanged a glance—silent, knowing. There was a weight to their look, as if the answer had been buried in their hearts for too long. After a brief pause, Kokoro finally broke the silence.

  "They’re warriors from Katsuragi," she began, her voice steady but tinged with bitterness. "The Victory Empire assigned them to watch over our lands. Just like every region has its assigned protectors, we had ours."

  She paused, her eyes darkening as she continued.

  "They were once our protectors," she said softly. "They kept watch over our village, shielding us from the dangers beyond—the monsters, the supernatural threats. But everything changed after the war."

  I leaned in, listening intently as Kokoro recounted the history etched into the hearts of the villagers.

  "The war against the monsters and supernaturals… it took a toll on everyone. The warriors lost many of their comrades. They won, but at a great cost. When it was over, we welcomed them back with open arms. We offered them hospitality, tried to comfort them in their grief. But instead of healing, they turned on us."

  Her voice hardened, the warmth from before now replaced by a simmering pain.

  "They blamed us," she whispered. "They said it was our way of life, our peaceful existence, that drew the monsters to our doorstep. They believed that if we had been more like them—more willing to fight, more hardened—the war wouldn't have claimed so many of their lives."

  I clenched my jaw, anger bubbling again as I absorbed her words.

  "But the war cost us, too," Kokoro added, her eyes glistening with the weight of lost memories. "We lost good neighbors, people who were brave enough to stand beside the warriors and fight for this village. Their sacrifices were just as great, just as selfless. But the warriors don’t see that. They come here now, whenever they please, to take from us—our food, our valuables—as if that’s enough to console their grief."

  She let out a shaky breath, her eyes drifting toward the window where the warriors had disappeared moments before.

  "They claim they're still protecting us," she scoffed, bitterness sharp in her voice. "But they only show up when they want to, when it benefits them. The rest of the time, we’re left to fend for ourselves against the monsters and supernaturals that still roam the forests beyond our village."

  The room fell silent again, but the tension was heavier now, pressing down on my chest. I felt the injustice in every word, and the fire inside me burned even hotter.

  "They don’t deserve your fear," I muttered, more to myself than to them. "They’ll get what’s coming to them."

  Kokoro’s gaze met mine, a flicker of worry in her eyes. But she didn’t say anything. She knew my mind was already made up.

  The weight of Kokoro’s words settled over me like a heavy shroud, but instead of subsiding, my anger only grew. I could feel it burning in my chest, hot and relentless. These warriors—no, these oppressors—had twisted their duty, turning from guardians into tormentors. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms, but I forced myself to take a deep breath, inhaling and exhaling slowly to push the rage back beneath the surface.

  "Have you reported this to Katsuragi, the Victory Empire?" I asked, my voice tighter than I intended.

  Kokoro sighed, her eyes dropping to the floor, while Grandma Haruko’s expression darkened with resignation.

  "We have," Kokoro said softly. "But Katsuragi is facing a crisis of their own. They claim they need their warriors on standby for other regions."

  I felt my jaw tighten. A crisis? That didn’t excuse this. Inside, my thoughts spiraled in anger.

  It’s their duty to protect, not oppress. Being a warrior isn’t just about wielding a sword or wearing armor—it’s an oath. An oath to defend the people, to stand between them and danger, no matter the cost. They knew what they signed up for. Their lives belong to these lands, to the people who trust them. To betray that trust, to steal from the very people they’re supposed to protect—that’s not just wrong. That’s treason.

  I let out a slow exhale, trying to calm the storm inside me, but the injustice gnawed at my soul.

  "Why didn’t you fight back?" I finally asked, my voice low but firm. "Being peaceful doesn’t mean you should be vulnerable. Sometimes, you have to take action to defend that peace. It’s your right."

  Kokoro’s eyes flickered with a mix of pain and frustration, but it was Grandma Haruko who responded, her voice soft yet carrying the weight of years of wisdom.

  "We know that, child," she said gently. "But taking action… it would only attract more trouble." She paused, her gaze distant as if she was staring into the past. "There is no such thing as perfect peace in this world. Peace is temporary, just as every life is. No matter how we achieve it—whether through force or diplomacy—it never lasts. Life is a constant struggle, just as we live each day knowing that one day… our existence will cease to be."

  Her words struck me to my core, a chilling reminder of the fragile balance between life and chaos. But even as I absorbed her wisdom, another thought began to grow inside me.

  That doesn’t mean they have to continue suffering, I thought, my fists clenching again. No one deserves to live under the thumb of oppressors, especially not people as kind and selfless as Kokoro and Grandma Haruko. Something has to be done. Maybe… maybe my coming here wasn’t just coincidence. Maybe it was fate. Maybe I was meant to free this village, to give them back the peace they deserve.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  I offered them comforting words, trying to soothe their weary hearts, but deep down, I knew words alone wouldn’t heal the wounds carved into their souls. The pain they carried—the fear, the loss—it ran too deep. And for how long had they been suffering in silence? Only God knows.

  It all made sense now. Kokoro and Grandma Haruko had hidden their struggles from me, not wanting to burden my peace during my stay. They carried their pain quietly, shouldering it alone—until karma stepped in, revealing their truth in the form of those bastard warriors.

  But their problems are mine now, I thought, my resolve hardening. It’s time someone stood up. It’s time those compromised cowards were replaced by someone who understands what it means to protect. The people of Kokoro—Heart Village—deserve better. And if no one else will rise for them…

  I will.

  The next day, the people of Kokoro–Heart Village resumed their usual activities as if nothing had happened the previous day. Life in the village moved on with a strange sense of normalcy. I accompanied Kokoro to the stream outside the village to fetch some water and gather firewood.

  While I was gathering firewood, Kokoro was at the river, filling our containers. Not far from where we stood, other villagers were busy with their own tasks—some farming, others fishing, or doing the same chores as Kokoro and me. They were all hardworking, their faces calm, hiding the weight of the oppression they endured. It was as if the village itself had learned to carry its burdens in silence.

  We worked until evening, the sky turning shades of orange and purple, signaling the end of the day. As we returned to the village, most of the villagers gathered for a community meeting. They discussed various subjects concerning the village's improvement and their struggles. Kokoro and Grandma Haruko led the conversation, their voices steady, carrying wisdom and strength.

  Meanwhile, I decided to take a walk around the village. The atmosphere felt peaceful, almost too peaceful. The cool breeze brushed against my skin, soothing yet stirring something restless inside me. After exploring every nook and cranny of the village, I felt a pull to venture further, beyond the village borders, into the forest.

  The forest was serene, the tall trees towering above me as the moonlight filtered through the canopy, casting silver rays on the ground. The cool air was refreshing, and for a moment, it felt like the world was at peace.

  But that peace shattered in an instant.

  A piercing scream echoed through the forest—a woman’s scream, raw and desperate. My heart pounded as I sprinted toward the sound, praying I wasn’t too late. The forest blurred around me as adrenaline surged through my veins.

  I arrived at a small clearing, my presence still unnoticed. What I saw made my blood boil.

  Five warriors, faces I had memorized from the day before—men who had stolen from Kokoro’s people—were now attempting something even more vile. They had pinned a young woman from the village to the ground. One held her right arm, another her left. Two more restrained her legs, spreading them apart like the points of a twisted pentagram. The fifth man stood between her legs, unbuckling his trousers, ready to violate her.

  Her screams tore through the night, but they didn’t care. The darkness emboldened them. They believed no one would come to her rescue. They didn’t even bother to gag her, relishing in her fear.

  I couldn’t stand by any longer.

  Summoning my XPT, I crafted a blade in an instant. The metallic glint caught the faint moonlight as I hurled it with lethal precision.

  The blade sliced through the air and buried itself deep in the neck of the man between her legs. For a brief second, he stood still, his hands frozen on his belt as if his mind hadn’t yet processed his fate. His comrades jeered, taunting him for delaying, unaware of the death creeping over him.

  Then, blood began to gush from the wound. His body convulsed, and his head slowly detached, rolling to the forest floor with a dull thud. His lifeless body collapsed backward, hitting the ground with a sickening sound.

  The forest, moments ago so calm and serene under the moonlight, now pulsed with a raw, primal energy. The dying gurgle of the man I'd just killed echoed through the trees, blending with the distant chirping of crickets. The other four froze, their smug confidence evaporating as reality sank in. Their expressions shifting from confusion to horror as they processed what had just happened. Their eyes darted around the clearing, searching for the unseen threat.

  I stepped out from the shadows, letting the faint silver glow of the moon reveal my face. Their eyes widened in recognition—me, the outsider, the one they'd probably dismissed as just another passive villager.

  The weight of my anger and purpose was clear in my voice as I growled, “Your fun’s over.”

  "Who the hell—" one of them started, but his words caught in his throat as I summoned another blade from my XPT, its sharp edges gleaming ominously.

  "Monsters like you don’t deserve words," I said coldly, my voice a low growl, vibrating with restrained fury. "You should’ve stayed thieves. But now? Now, you’ve crossed a line you can’t come back from."

  The one holding the woman’s left leg tried to scramble to his feet, fumbling for his weapon, but he was too slow. With a flick of my wrist, the blade flew, embedding deep into his chest. He let out a strangled gasp before collapsing, his blood soaking into the forest floor.

  The remaining three released the woman, their faces contorted with panic and disbelief. She crawled away, sobbing, her voice hoarse from screaming. But my focus wasn’t on her now—it was on them.

  "You… you’re gonna pay for this!" one of them shouted, trying to muster some bravado. But I could see it in his eyes—fear. Real, bone-deep fear.

  "No," I whispered, stepping closer. "You are."

  "You will die knowing the depth of your offense against me and the good people of Kokoro," I snarled, my voice laced with venom. Fury twisted their face as they charged, sword in hand, its blade glowing with a fierce aura. I stood my ground, unflinching, ready to meet them head-on.

  The second man lunged at me with a roar, his blade swinging wildly. I sidestepped easily, letting his momentum carry him forward before I drove my knee into his gut. As he doubled over, gasping for air, I brought my elbow down on the back of his neck with enough force to snap his spine. He crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

  The last two tried to flee, crashing through the underbrush like desperate animals. But I wasn’t about to let them escape. I couldn’t. This wasn’t just about justice anymore—it was about sending a message.

  I shot forward, my enhanced speed turning the forest into a blur around me. I caught up to the first one in seconds, grabbing him by the collar and slamming him against a tree. His eyes bulged with terror as I pressed my blade to his throat.

  "Please… please, don’t—" he stammered, tears streaming down his face.

  "Did she beg you like this?" I hissed, pressing the blade harder until it broke the skin. "Did you care when she begged for mercy?"

  His mouth opened to answer, but I didn’t give him the chance. With one swift motion, I slit his throat, his blood spraying across the bark behind him. He slid down the tree, leaving a crimson trail in his wake.

  The final one had made it a few more steps before I caught up to him. He tripped over a root, sprawling onto the forest floor. He tried to crawl away, but I stepped on his back, pinning him down.

  "Please… I didn’t want to… it was their idea!" he sobbed, his voice high-pitched and desperate.

  "Coward," I spat. "You’re all the same. Weak when you’re alone. Brave when you think no one’s watching."

  I raised my blade, but before I could strike, I paused. Killing him would be easy. Too easy. Maybe he deserved something worse.

  "You’ll live," I finally said, my voice cold as ice. "But you’ll carry this scar. You’ll remember what happened here every time you look in the mirror. And you’ll know that if you ever, ever hurt someone again… I’ll find you."

  With that, I slammed the hilt of my blade into his temple, knocking him unconscious. I stood there for a moment, breathing heavily, the adrenaline slowly ebbing from my veins.

  I turned back toward the woman, who was now huddled against a tree, her body trembling. I approached slowly, my hands raised to show I meant no harm.

  "You’re safe now," I said gently, my voice softening. "They won’t hurt you again."

  She looked up at me, tears glistening in her eyes, and for a moment, there was silence between us. Then, she whispered, "Thank you."

  But as I led her back toward the village, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. The rot ran deeper than I’d thought, and if the so-called protectors of Kokoro–Heart Village had turned into oppressors, then it was up to me to root them out—one way or another.

  This village deserved peace. And if the warriors of Katsuragi wouldn’t give it to them… I would.