I am Just an Average Tamer

"Why don't you guys play with me?" Kai said in a chilling tone.

The boys froze in their tracks upon hearing Kai's cold voice.

As they turned their heads, their souls nearly left their bodies at the sight of Kai twirling a dagger between his fingers, a sadistic smile on his face.

"B-Big brother, it's—"

One of them stammered, but before he could finish—

Whoosh!

Kai's dagger sliced past his face, leaving behind a thin, crimson line.

The color drained from his companions' faces.

Then—

In a cold, monotonous voice, Kai spoke, "Fuck off."

Without wasting a second, they scrambled and ran out of the alley.

[<…That was too much.>]

'What?'

[<Even though they were bullying this kid, they're still just kids. You went a bit too far.>]

'How? I just—'

[<You're losing your cool quite often lately.>]

Sigh!

'Maybe… yeah, I went too far. I shouldn't have done that.'

Kai slowly walked toward the boy sprawled on the ground, clutching something tightly to his chest.

As Kai reached him, he crouched down and asked in a calm, firm tone, "You okay?"

"Um," the boy nodded and slowly sat up, groaning.

He was lean, with messy brown hair and eyes, and looked no older than ten.

"You're Ethan, right?"

The boy nodded.

"What did you do? Why did they beat you up like this?" Kai asked as he fully assessed 8his condition.

"I... I was just doing what Mira told me to, but..."

"But what?" Kai raised an eyebrow.

"They... they jumped me and stole my money."

Kai narrowed his eyes. "Weren't you with the others?"

"I... I was, but I got separated," Ethan replied, fidgeting with his fingers.

"How?"

[<Give this kid a break, will ya?>]

Zer tried to interject, but Kai ignored him completely.

"I-I had something to do..."

"What?"

"I-It was something important."

Before Kai could press further, his gaze landed on a small cloth bundle that Ethan was trying to hide.

Seeing that, Kai's curiosity piqued.

"Now, what's this?" He reached for the cloth bundle behind Ethan, but—

"It's nothing! Seriously, I swear!" Ethan blurted out, trying desperately to keep it away from him.

But that only made Kai more curious.

Without hesitation, he snatched the bundle from Ethan and began unwrapping it—only to find a loaf of bread.

"Hmm?" Kai raised a brow.

"It's for her! Give it back!" Ethan exclaimed, quickly snatching the bread from him.

"Her?" Kai narrowed his eyes.

"No, no! I mean... for Mira! Ah, yes, it's for Mira!" Ethan waved his hands frantically, as he scrambled for an excuse.

Crack! Crack!

"I see..." Kai gave an amused smile while cracking his knuckles.

Thump!

Thwack!

Smack!

"Now, tell me—who's this for, and who's she?" Kai asked, leaning casually against the wall.

Ethan winced, massaging his swollen cheeks before speaking.

"She's just... a homeless kid. Alone, like I used to be."

[<Why does it feel familiar?>]

"Where is she now?"

Ethan hesitated, then pointed toward the far end of the alley.

"There," he said. "At the end of the alley after taking the left..."

Kai sighed. "Now, let's go. Mira is worried about you."

"No. I won't go back," Ethan snapped.

"And why is that now?" A vein throbbed on Kai's forehead.

"T-They stole the money... How can I go back empty-handed?"

"Just this? You don't want—"

[<Calm down, brat!>]

Before Kai could lash out, Zer's voice cut in, grounding him.

Kai exhaled deeply, calming his nerves.

'Why the hell am I getting worked up over this trivial matter?'

"Don't worry about it. I'll ask Mira not to scold you."

Ethan turned his head away, clutching the bread tightly. "But... I had to give her this too," he muttered.

Kai sighed again. "Fine, go on. I'll come with you."

Ethan nodded and started walking, with Kai following closely behind.

After a few turns through the narrow alleys, they arrived at a half-collapsed shack.

The place was barely standing—one side caved in, leaving a jagged opening where the wall should have been.

The roof was patched together with torn cloth and splintered wood, doing little to keep out the elements.

A few damp blankets were spread on the dirt floor, and the air inside felt cold and stale.

It wasn't a home—it was just a place to survive.

'Damn, it's way worse than where I used to live,' Kai muttered, his expression softening slightly.'

As they stepped inside, a foul stench hit his nose, making him instinctively twitch.

'What a disgusting smell... How can someone even live here?'

Then his gaze landed on a small figure curled up under a tattered blanket.

A little girl—no older than seven or eight—lay there, her frail body barely moving.

Her blonde hair was unkempt and matted, her blue eyes dull and lifeless.

She looked malnourished and weak, like she hadn't eaten properly in days.

Seeing Kai approaching, the girl instinctively shrank back, clutching the blanket tightly around herself.

"Don't worry, it's fine," Ethan said, stepping between her and Kai. But—

The moment she saw Ethan's swollen face, she flinched and squeezed her eyes shut.

"Aah! Ghost...!" she yelped, burying her face in the blanket.

Ethan was taken aback, but after a moment, he sighed and pointed at himself.

"Don't be afraid, it's me, Elina."

"Huh?" She peeked out slowly, her wary blue eyes scanning him.

As she took a closer look, recognition flickered across her face, and relief washed over her eyes.

"Ethan?"

Yeah, it's me." Ethan nodded.

"B-But... what happened to you?" she asked, her voice filled with worry.

"Don't worry, I'm fine." Ethan waved his hand dismissively.

"B-But..."

Before she could protest, Ethan crouched beside her and gently placed the bread in her hands.

"Here, eat this."

She took the bread and began munching on it eagerly, pausing only to wipe the dirt from her face with her sleeve.

[<Feeling nostalgic?>]

'Shut up!'

[<Tch. You're no fun.>]

Kai watched them silently, his sharp gaze assessing the girl.

She looked barely alive—her arms were thin, almost skeletal, with bruises and scratches scattered across her pale skin.

Her oversized, tattered clothes hung loosely on her frail frame, as if they belonged to someone twice her size.

Her blonde hair, dull and unkempt, stuck to her forehead in uneven clumps. Despite the slight relief in her blue eyes, there was an emptiness behind them—the kind that came from too many days of hunger, too many nights of cold.

'It's a miracle she's alive till now.'

[<But she won't be if left alone like this.>]

"Agreed."

[<So, finally decided to take her in?>]

"Why?"

[<C'mon brat, doesn't she remind you of something?>]

"No."

[<You—>]

"Keep your useless thoughts to yourself."

Kai walked toward Ethan and spoke.

"Why don't you take her with you to the orphanage?"

"No, she's not going anywhere," Ethan snapped.

Elina flinched at their exchange, clutching the blanket tighter around herself.

"You want her to survive, right? Then stop being stupid. She needs proper shelter and meals."

"I know, but..." Ethan lowered his gaze.

Kai clicked his tongue and gestured toward Elina. "Just look at her. You think you can take care of her? She won't survive for long like this."

Kai forcefully picked her up and turned to leave.

"P-Put me down!" Elina yelped, squirming in his arms.

But Kai ignored her.

Before he could step out, Ethan blocked his path, glaring up at him.

"You think I haven't tried?" Ethan's voice was tight with frustration.

Kai raised a brow. "What do you mean?"

"I already took her there. You know what Mira said?"

"What?"

"She said she's cursed. That if we keep her, the orphanage will be ruined."

Kai narrowed his eyes, his grip unconsciously tightening.

"Cursed?" he muttered.

"Yeah! Like, how can a little girl be cursed?" Ethan scoffed, his voice filled with disbelief.

"Even if she is, how and why would she do something like that?" Ethan yelled, his voice trembling with frustration.

The moment the words left his mouth, he gasped, realizing how loud he had been.

Kai remained silent, simply watching him, waiting for him to calm down.

Meanwhile, Elina flinched in Kai's arms, shrinking further into the blanket she clutched.

Ethan looked down, his fists still clenched. He wanted to argue, to protest, but deep down, he knew Kai was right.

His lips trembled as he glanced at Elina, her tired blue eyes darting between them.

Kai didn't wait for a response. He simply walked past Ethan, his steps steady.

"Hey—" Ethan started, but Kai cut him off.

"You want her to live, right? Then keep quiet and follow me." His voice was firm, yet there was no trace of mockery or force—just certainty.

Ethan hesitated, his heart pounding.

Seeing this, Kai turned back and gave a small, confident smile.

"Trust me. She'll be safer there than here."

Kai said and walked past Ethan, who just stood there, retorting, "Hey—."

But Kai ignored him.

Reluctantly, Ethan followed after him.

[<Child trafficker.>]

'I'm not.'

[<Then what this is? Forcefully taking a child, to who knows where?>]

'Keep quiet, and you know pretty damn well, where I'm going.'