Chapter 4: Appearance of a new enemy
Heroes, what makes a person qualified to be called a hero? Their strength, their kindness, their compassion, or their righteousness? There are various opinions on this matter. However, they were all wrong. What truly makes a hero isn't kindness or compassion but sacrifice.
Kuber Walton wasn't a person who aspired to become a hero for the sake of others. He wasn't driven by an inherent desire to protect or save lives. Instead, he possessed a pragmatism that often veered towards self-preservation, even at the cost of others. It was this mindset that led him to make a decision that may appear brutal or evil to others.
"Emily, do you have a gun?" Kuber asked Emily while still running for his life.
Emily nodded reluctantly and reached into her jacket, retrieving the gun she had been carrying. Hesitation filled her as she questioned Kuber's motives. "Why are you asking for a gun, Mr. Walton? If you're thinking about killing those beasts with a 9mm bullet, you should think twice. It won't be able to penetrate their hard skin," she said, her exhaustion evident in her voice.
Ignoring her advice, Kuber made a bold decision. He stopped running, removed the safety from his gun, and turned back to face the wolf pack. However, instead of targeting the wolves directly, his focus was on the people being chased. Assessing the situation and weighing the risks, he aimed for the ground near the front runner's feet and fired a warning shot.
There were three individuals being pursued by the wolves, athletic figures who appeared capable of keeping up with Kuber and his group. Their swift pace raised concerns in Kuber's mind. If they caught up, it could endanger not only themselves but also Kuber's group. It was a difficult and pragmatic choice he had to make.
As the bullet grazed the ground, one of the individuals stumbled and fell, momentarily becoming the wolves' target. The others continued running without looking back. Recognizing that the wolves wouldn't be deterred by just one person, Kuber reluctantly fired shots towards the remaining two individuals. The wolves diverted their attention, capturing the prey they had been relentlessly chasing, while the individuals screamed and struggled in their fight for survival.
Emily, who had entrusted her gun to Kuber, was left in disbelief. She had expected Kuber to target the wolves or take a non-lethal approach, but his actions had resulted in harm to innocent people.
However, this wasn't the time to argue about what's good and what's wrong. The wolves still fixated on Kuber's group, their next target seemingly within reach. Urgency compelled them to run once again, desperate to maintain a safe distance.
Moments later, they reached the top of a cliff, where a breathtaking sunrise painted the sky with hues of gold and pink, creating a serene and tranquil atmosphere. Exhausted and drained, Kuber and his group decided to take a much-needed break.
Emily, unable to contain her dissatisfaction and lingering anger, shot Kuber a glare filled with frustration and rage. "Why did you do it?" she asked, her voice seething with emotion.
Kuber sank to the ground, his chest heaving with exhaustion, and looked up at Emily. "What do you mean, Officer Emily?" he asked, his voice heavy with weariness.
Seeing Kuber attempt to feign ignorance only fueled Emily's anger. "Don't try to act innocent, Mr. Walton. You know exactly what I'm talking about," she retorted, her words laced with accusation.
Kuber let out a weary sigh at Emily's unwarranted compassion for strangers. "Why do you think I did that, Emily? To survive, of course. If those people had been faster than us, we would have been targeted by the wolves. We would have become their scapegoats, just as they became ours."
Suddenly, a loud slap reverberated through the air as Emily's hand connected with Kuber's cheek in a fit of rage. "That's just an excuse! You only care about your own safety, Mr. Walton!"
Kuber gingerly touched his reddened cheek, feeling a surge of anger within him. "So what? Why should I risk my life for the sake of others? I've worked hard all my life to ensure a long and prosperous future for myself. You're asking me to throw it away for no reason."
Emily was stunned by Kuber's response. When everyone else slandered him, labeling him as the "Traitor's son" and a "Scammer," she was one of the few who believed in his innocence. To her, who had lived in her father's shadow her whole life, Kuber was a role model—an individual who had become a self-made billionaire, defying the expectations placed upon him by his family.
"I can't believe you, Kuber Walton," she said, tears streaming down her face. "When everyone else was calling you a fraud, I stood by you. I thought you were a kind person. But it turns out you're just like those who would do anything for themselves." Her voice carried a tinge of sadness and disappointment.
Kuber averted his gaze from Emily, unable to provide her with an answer. Emily reached out her hand, gesturing for Kuber to return her gun. "Give me the gun back. I'm leaving this place."
Without uttering a word, Kuber complied and handed the gun back to her. He wore a calm expression as she departed. Meanwhile, Freddy, who had been observing the conversation, decided to accompany Emily. "I'm sorry, Mr. Walton. But you know she has a gun. I hope you understand," he explained before leaving.
Kuber and Alvin stood there, unable to intervene as they were left alone. "It's just the two of us again, Alvin. How many times does this make?" Kuber asked.
Alvin looked at Kuber and counted on his fingers. "I don't know, maybe more than 25 times. If you want to maintain your relationships with others, young master, you need to stop engaging in these situations."
A deep sigh escaped Kuber as he reflected on his past. "Let's leave it be. After all, humans are inherently hypocritical. I'm sure she would have made the same choice if she had thought it through."
Alvin chuckled at Kuber's comment and noticed the sun rising on the horizon. "Young master, leaving that aside, I believe it's time we start moving and search for a safer place."
Kuber turned his attention back to Alvin and nodded in agreement while retrieving his wristwatch from his pocket. "You're right, Alvin. It's already 5 am. Let's head in the direction of the sun." He stood up and began descending the cliff.
Kuber's wristwatch and phone were both functioning perfectly. Although his phone lacked signal reception, it still proved useful for other purposes.
After walking for some time, Alvin caught sight of glimmering light and the sound of flowing water coming from a nearby direction. "Young master, I believe there's a river close by," he said, capturing Kuber's attention.
Without hesitation, they followed the sound and arrived at the banks of a flowing river. Alvin sat down near the river, drinking the water to ensure its safety for Kuber. Satisfied that the water wasn't poisonous, Kuber also took a sip to quench their thirst. It was fortunate that they stumbled upon a river like this when they least expected it.
However, luck was not entirely on their side. Just as Kuber peacefully drank the water, an arrow shot from the other side of the river, grazing his left arm. Alvin swiftly grabbed Kuber's arm and hurriedly pulled him behind a nearby tree for cover.
"It's fortunate that it only grazed your arm, young master. Otherwise, things could have been much more troublesome," Alvin said, his worry for Kuber evident in his eyes.
Kuber winced in pain from his injury. "Don't worry, Alvin. It should be just my arm and not my legs. Whoever shot the arrow from the other side of the river won't be able to cross here, I believe."
Assuming that they would be safe as long as they remained hidden behind the sturdy tree due to the archer being on the opposite side of the river, their situation took a turn for the worse. They found themselves surrounded by a group of creatures from all directions.
Kuber stared at the beings, a feeling of helplessness washing over him. These were not humans to reason with or mindless wolves to outmaneuver. They were creatures straight out of fairy tales—the goblins. The very same goblins are known in games and stories as greedy and brutal monsters.
"What should we do, young master? Should we try to find an opening and run?" fear tinged Alvin's voice as he spoke.
Kuber looked at the goblins with an emotionless expression and replied to Alvin, "Run? Where to? We're surrounded by these green, dwarf-like creatures. The goblins won't stop chasing us until our last breaths. If this is our destiny, then it's better to fight and face our fate."
Kuber Walton had spent his life constantly running, pursuing his desires and ambitions, much like any other person. Just as we all run in search of the things that bring us solace—be it greed, love, or comfort—Kuber, too, had grown weary of this endless chase. He yearned to fight, even if it meant facing his destiny head-on.
With determination and confidence shining in his eyes, he turned to Alvin and asked, "Alvin, do you have an extra knife?"
"I always carry an extra knife, young master," Alvin replied, retrieving a concealed blade from his coat.
Kuber found himself armed with nothing but a single knife to face the goblins. In contrast, the goblins wielded swords, spears, and various other weapons, giving them a clear advantage.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone