I am Just an Average Tamer

"Tell me," Kai said, his tone turning serious.

"Who were those boys?"

Ethan stiffened slightly, then lowered his gaze.

"They're just street rats... bullies who pick on me and others, and steal from people."

Kai began moving. "You know where we can find them?"

Ethan hesitated but trailed after him.

"Um," he gave a small nod.

"Lead the way."

Ethan glanced at him nervously and nodded, taking the lead and guiding Kai through the narrow alleys of the town.

After a few minutes, they reached a cluttered courtyard tucked behind an abandoned bakery.

The walls were cracked, and broken crates were scattered around like makeshift furniture.

A group of boys lounged there, lean, scruffy, and loud.

The moment they noticed Ethan, a couple of them smirked.

But three of them stiffened upon seeing Kai standing behind Ethan.

"Well, well, look who's here," said the oldest one, who looked to be around fifteen, grinning as he sat up on a wooden table.

Before he could say anything else, one of the boys hurried to his side and whispered something in his ear.

"Oh? Interesting," he murmured, his smirk widening.

He then sized Kai up from head to toe and opened his mouth.

"You—"

But before he could finish—

Whoosh!

Kai vanished.

Crack!

"Ugh!" he groaned as the wooden table beneath him split, Kai's feet pinning him down by the chest.

One of the boys behind rushed in with a knife and slashed—

Kai twisted and struck him with a sharp chop to the neck.

He turned to the one on his left and—

Whoosh!

Grabbed his collar and slammed him into the wall.

Thud!

"Argh!" the boy squirmed.

But Kai wasn't done.

He slammed his knee into the boy's stomach, knocking the wind out of him and sending him crashing to the ground.

The three boys from earlier dropped on their butts, pale and trembling.

Kai then moved—slowly—toward the boy he had pinned on the table.

He grabbed a nearby chair, placed it over the boy's legs, and sat down with deliberate calm.

Resting his foot back on the boy's chest—this time with a little more pressure—

"Urgh!" the boy squirmed, but Kai didn't move.

He kept his eyes locked on him.

Then he leaned in closer—

Staring deep into the boy's eyes.

The boy's face turned pale; his eyes widened in fear.

He opened his mouth to speak, but the words caught in his throat.

Meanwhile, Ethan stood in the background, watching the entire scene unfold with awe.

After a few seconds of silence, Kai finally spoke.

"Give back the money you stole."

The boy flinched under Kai's piercing stare.

He gulped and mustered all his courage to speak.

"W-We already spent it."

Kai raised a brow.

"All of it?"

The boy quickly shoved his hands into his pockets and pulled out a small pouch, holding it out toward Kai.

"This is all I have left," he muttered.

Kai took the pouch, then turned his head toward the three boys still sitting on the ground, looking like they might've pissed their pants.

"And how about you?"

The trio stiffened, quickly began searching their clothes. Each of them pulled out a pouch and scrambled forward to hand them over to Kai with their hands trembling.

Kai tilted his head toward Ethan.

"Search them too," he said, pointing at the two unconscious boys.

Ethan nodded slowly and began searching their pockets.

After a few moments, he returned with two more pouches.

"Here," he said, holding them out to Kai.

"Keep them," Kai replied, standing up from the chair. He pulled out one more pouch and handed it to Ethan.

Ethan's eyes widened.

But Kai placed the pouch on his hand and walked away.

<You are becoming a bit softie now?>

'Huh?'

<Just look at you—what are you doing?>

'Stop overthinking,' Kai smirked to himself, slipping the pouches into his storage bracelet.

'It was worth the effort.'

Ethan hesitated for a second but then—

"W-Why are you doing this?" he asked, still staring at the pouch in disbelief.

Kai didn't stop walking.

Hands in his pockets, he replied without turning back, "Because someone did the same for me too."

Ethan was taken aback, but he didn't press further.

Tucking the pouches safely into his pocket, he ran to catch up with Kai.

"...Thanks," he muttered.

Kai just nodded.

"You know," Ethan said after a beat, his eyes sparkling with awe,

"When you pinned that guy down… and then the way you sat on the chair and stared him

down like that… You looked really cool."

There was no hostility in his tone, no hatred in eyes—just pure admiration, like a kid looking at a hero.

Kai just smirked and kept walking, while Ethan trailed beside him, continuing to shower him with compliments about how incredibly awesome he was.

Before long, they reached the orphanage.

Only the sound of rustling leaves and chirping birds echoed alongside their footsteps.

Since it was around lunchtime, no children were playing outside.

Knock! Knock!

Kai rapped on the door with his knuckle.

After a few seconds.

Creak!

The door slowly opened, revealing a middle-aged woman who peeked out cautiously.

"Ethan!" she exclaimed, her eyes widening as she rushed forward and pulled him into a tight embrace.

"You boy, you scared us," she said, her voice trembling as tears welled up in her eyes.

"Sorry for making you worry," Ethan replied softly, hugging her back with equal warmth.

She then pulled back and looked at Kai, who stood quietly a few steps behind.

"Thank you so much for your help, young man," she said sincerely, giving him a small bow.

"It's fine, no problem," Kai replied casually, waving a hand dismissively.

But the woman stepped aside and insisted kindly,

"Please, come in. Join us for lunch at least. It's the least we can do."

Kai hesitated for a moment, but eventually nodded.

"Alright… just for a bit."

The woman gently guided Kai into a modest room.

The children, having noticed a new face, trailed in behind—whispering, giggling, and casting curious glances his way.

Kai sighed internally as one of the braver kids tugged at his sleeve, asking if he was a knight or a mage.

Another tried to peek at his bracelet, eyes wide with wonder.

It was starting to get on his nerves.

But he kept his cool.

'I really hate kids.'

[<Really? Then what about her?>]

'Keep quiet.'

[<Playing favorite, huh?>]

He turned to the woman.

"Can I speak with you alone?" he asked, his tone polite but firm.

She gave a quick nod and shooed the children out with a practiced wave.

Then she led Kai to a quieter corner of the room.

--

"Argh!"

Kai groaned, running a hand through his hair as he walked along the cobblestone street.

"Just what kind of mess have I gotten myself into..."

— Earlier —

"I'm sorry, but... I-I can't."

The middle-aged woman lowered her gaze, voice heavy with regret.

"After everything you did for us… you made just one request, and I can't even fulfill it. I'm... please forgive me."

Kai frowned.

"But why? What's the reason?"

The woman hesitated, then finally spoke, her voice low.

"The reason we can't let her in is..."

--

"Tch... Bullshit. Utter bullshit," Kai muttered, clicking his tongue in frustration.

"Can't even come up with a better excuse."

He kicked a small stone off the path and let out a sigh.

"Ugh! What the hell am I supposed to do now?"

<So… what now? Gonna kick her out?>

'Of course not.'

<Finally falling, huh?>

'No!' Kai snapped internally, then frowned.

'Leaving a fragile little girl alone on the streets right after taking her in... That would be beneath me.'

<Then what? The orphanage won't take her in. And it's not like you know anyone who can take care of her.>

Kai gritted his teeth, rubbing the back of his neck.

"...This is getting annoying," he muttered.

"I need to figure something out… fast," Kai muttered with a sigh.

After a few seconds of aimless walking, he finally reached the inn and stepped inside.

Climbing the stairs, he opened the door to his room and entered.

"Meow!"

Vex let out a cheerful purr and leapt toward him.

Kai chuckled, catching her mid-air with practiced ease. He stroked her head gently.

"Did you do your job properly?"

Vex nodded eagerly, rubbing against his chest.

Kai's gaze shifted to Elina, still curled up in sleep on the bed.

Her face looked calm—peaceful in a way that made the world outside feel quieter for a moment.

His expression softened.

"What a mess," he muttered, shaking his head.

Kai glanced at Vex and said softly, "I'll be back in a few minutes, okay?"

Vex gave a small nod and leapt back onto the bed, curling up beside Elina protectively.

Kai exhaled. "Guess it's time for some real work."

He opened his storage bracelet and with a flick of his hand, his black armor slid into the room, piece by piece.

After wearing it, he pulled the mask over his face.

[<Stealth Activated!>]

With a low whoosh of wind, his presence faded into the shadows—and he disappeared.