Chapter 34: Let’s Roll

Chapter 34 - Let's RollChapter 33

The sun beamed warmly over Small Light Park, a rare haven tucked amidst the chaotic cities. Colorful banners danced in the wind, joyful screams echoed from every direction, and the scent of sweet candy filled the air. The park was alive—overflowing with laughter, love, and life.

Among the crowd, Han, Rin, Laura, and little Xin stood out—not because of their powers, but because of the rare glow of peace on their faces.

It had been so long since they'd felt something like this.

"Look at that!" Xin squealed, tugging at Han's sleeve as she pointed at a merry-go-round shaped like mythical beasts.

Han chuckled. "Alright, alright. Let's ride them all."

They tried everything—from the dragon-themed rollercoaster that made Laura scream and clutch Han's arm (only to deny it moments later), to the gentle sky-wheel where Rin sat quietly, staring at the city from above with rare, soft eyes.

At the snack stands, they devoured crispy fried sticks, syrupy ices, and rainbow puffs that turned Xin's tongue blue. She giggled like a bird, her joy contagious.

For once, time slowed.

For once, they weren't survivors or orphans to or outcasts—they were just kids.

After hours of laughter and games, they arrived at a small, crowded booth surrounded by children and parents.



It was the Prize Shot Game.

A row of moving glowing dots danced on the distant wall. The goal was simple—hit one, win a toy. But the execution? Brutal.

"Only a handful have ever won," someone whispered.

"The Class S Hero toys... they're nearly impossible to get."

Indeed, the prizes were displayed in glass: replicas of beloved Class S heroes—painted with vibrant detail, frozen mid-action, from the iconic pink-haired blade-dancer to the sleek, blue-haired tactician.

Most kids stood quietly, hope in their eyes, sadness on their faces. They wanted the toys, but their parents had already tried—and failed.

Then came a moment of magic.

A young man with striking blue hair stepped forward, holding his little sister's hand. She had matching hair, a sparkle in her eye.

"Big brother," she whispered, "I want that one," pointing at the Light Runner—the Class S Rank 6 hero known for his speed, charm, and signature white suit that looked like a futuristic flash of lightning, with gold accents and a visor mask.

The brother smiled. "Of course, my princess. You'll have it."

He picked up the bow, exhaled slowly, and drew the arrow back. Time seemed to freeze. The crowd leaned forward.

Thwip.

Ding.

The arrow struck dead center. Gasps rose.

He walked back and handed the toy to his sister, who hugged it like treasure. The kids around her stared in disbelief.

"He hit the moving dot..."

"And he got Light Runner?!"

Xin's eyes sparkled. "Big brother... I want one too!"

Han smirked. "Of course, my peace."

"I'm still here, you know," came Rin's dry voice from the side. He raised an eyebrow at Han.

Han flinched a little. "Yeah, yeah. Of course, Rin." Truth be told he had forgotten.

"And me too!" Laura chimed in, arms crossed with a playful glare.

With three pairs of eyes on him, Han chuckled. "Alright then. I'll get four."

The booth attendant laughed. "Four? Hitting one is a miracle."


Han didn't answer. He simply stepped forward and paid for four arrows.

Drawing the bow, he calmly aligned all four.

Mocking whispers began behind him. "What's he doing? Showing off?"

"He won't even get one..."

But Han wasn't just guessing. He activated two of his perfect utility skills:

Analyzer Eye: Active. Eagle Eye: Active.

The world sharpened. The blur of the moving dots became slow, traceable paths. Han's mind calculated trajectories with pinpoint accuracy.

He released.

Whsssh!

The arrows scattered—four flashes of silver in four different directions.

Then:

Ding!

Ding!

Ding!

Ding!

All four lights blinked.

Dead silence.

Even the laughing children paused. The booth owner nearly dropped the prize box. Slowly, he handed over four hero toys, his hands trembling.

Han smiled and passed them out.

Rin picked a red-haired warrior known for his fire-based blade arts—a heartthrob hero with sharp eyes and a devil-may-care smile.

Xin hugged her plush pink-haired blade lady, giggling.

Laura picked the ice-blue strategist hero, elegant and composed.

And Han?

Han took one for himself too—a mysterious hero with long black hair and golden eyes. The Gold Walker, Class A Rank 1. No one had ever seen him fight. Rumors surrounded his existence, but many believed he walked untouched through battlefields

As the group turned to leave, they felt gentle tugs on Han's coat.

A small group of children looked up at him with puppy eyes, hands outstretched, shy and silent.

Han hesitated—then smiled.



"Just this once," he muttered and walked back to the booth.

The vendor groaned internally.

Han paid for five arrows, then fired.

Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding.

Perfect.

More kids arrived. Han smiled, shrugged, and picked up five more arrows.

"P-Please..." the vendor whispered, collapsing to his knees as Han handed out more prizes.

The kids now looked at him with shining eyes—like he was one of the Class S heroes himself.

Even the blue-haired man from earlier stood frozen.

"Who is he?" he muttered. "That precision... He might even surpass most advanced guild members..."

Then, with a quiet grin, he whispered to himself:

"I should introduce him to Master Silver. This guy... he is going to be of some help to the the guild."

A few minutes later, the kids left the stall, their faces glowing with joy as they each clutched a hero-themed toy. The seller, who had his head in his hands moments ago, mourning his inevitable loss, suddenly heard the soft clink of something hitting the counter. He looked up—and froze.

There stood the very "monster" he thought was sent by the gods to bankrupt him: Han. But instead of the devilish grin he feared, Han wore a warm, gentle smile.

Han pulled out a silver card and placed it on the counter.

"There's about 30,000 yen on it," he said casually. "It's for the toys. Everyone deserves to be happy today, don't you think?"

The seller stared in disbelief before slowly picking up the card. A smile crept onto his weathered face.

"Thank you," he murmured.

Han only smiled and walked away with his siblings, clearly off to find more fun. The seller watched them go, his heart unexpectedly light.

He's going to be a great man one day, he thought, a memory flickering in his mind—of a white-haired man with the same warm smile, once standing in that very spot.

---

On the other side of the park, where joy echoed like music, a lone figure sat silently on a bench. His eyes were fixed on a large ride—the spinning wheel that twirled in a looping circle, carrying laughing people round and round.

Ronan's mind drifted.

---

Flashback.

A younger Ronan stood at the entrance of the same amusement park. Beside him was a woman in her early thirties, radiant with a kind smile. Her eyes sparkled with warmth, but the boy next to her was cold, blank. He silently watched the other children play.

"Master," the boy finally said, glancing up at her. "You said you'd teach me how to get stronger. But this... this is for kids." He pointed at the games, disdain in his tone.

She chuckled. "Ronan, you are a kid too."

"No. I'm not like them," he replied, his voice hard. "They have families. I don't. I have a mission... I have to kill him."

The woman sighed softly. Always that same look... always the same goal.

"Alright," she said gently, "but before that... let's have a little fun."

Ronan stared, unsure how to respond. Fun? He didn't have time for distractions. He needed power.

Still, she pulled him along from one game to another, cracking silly jokes, laughing, doing anything to make him smile. But the boy remained stone-faced, unmoved by her efforts.

Eventually, they arrived at a large spinning ride—the centerpiece of the park.

"Okay, one more," she said with a playful grin. "The masterpiece. The Cyclone Spinner."

"I don't want to," Ronan muttered, crossing his arms. "This is all just a waste of time."

She didn't argue. Instead, she took a seat and patted the space next to her.

"If you want to grow stronger, Ronan, you have to balance your training with moments of joy," she said. "Don't forget our motto."

Ronan hesitated.

"...Let's roll," he finally muttered.

Her smile widened. "Correct. Let's roll!"

The wheel started spinning. She shouted it again and again, raising her arms: "Let's roll! Let's roll!"

And then, to his own surprise, Ronan found himself shouting it too. "Let's roll!"

He smiled. For the first time in forever, he smiled.

---

Back to the present.

Ronan's eyes remained on the spinning wheel. His hardened expression had softened just slightly.

"...Master," he whispered. "I really, really miss you."

---

Another Flashback.

This time, the scene was crimson. Blood soaked the ground.



His master knelt, bleeding, her eyelids drooping. Yet even now, her smile remained. A monstrous figure stood behind her, gripping her hair, his face twisted with a devilish grin.

Ronan, still a child, stood frozen in terror. Not this again. Why? Why? WHY? The question echoed in his mind.

"Ronan," she gasped, her voice weak but clear. "Run... Ronan, run!"

But he didn't move. He couldn't. He wouldn't be a coward again—not this time.

Seeing him frozen, she smiled one last time.

"Ro...nan... don't forget our motto. And find some friends. You don't have to be alone... you don't have to stay sad."

Then she turned to the monster.

"You bastard," she whispered through the pain. "Let's roll—to hell."

With the last of her strength, she activated a black sphere in her palm.

A violent explosion erupted.

Ronan's world went white as he was hurled backward, unconscious before he even hit the ground.

To be continued...