01. "Last Stand at the River"

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Jak stood out from the crowd with his slender figure and plain, average features. Despite being the youngest in his family with three elder sisters and two older brothers, he was held to the same standards as his siblings and never received special treatment. His school days were comprised of mediocrity, as no matter how hard he studied, he always placed third in the yearly exam. But, little did Jak know that his life was about to change in a way he could not have imagined.

After living a monotonous life in his small village, he developed a strong longing for adventure and the thrills that came with it. Being unable to join his peers and complete his college preparation due to health issues, he had grown increasingly isolated and had retreated into his own world, watching animes and reading light novels to escape reality. After some time, he developed a severe case of anxiety and was unable to face or even leave the house.

Having had enough of the restrictive and lonely environment, he decided to go home and recuperate. He took some time to relax and enjoy the fresh air of the countryside, and gradually his health began to improve. But his longing for adventure and excitement had only grown during his period of seclusion and he was determined to start living a life of thrill and excitement once again.

He had been looking for something to break the monotony of his daily life for some time now. After reading countless light novels, he finally settled on the idea of travelling, hoping that it would bring him some unexpected encounters.

He was interested in martial arts, but his body was not in the best of condition, so he was hesitant to push himself. But he eventually decided to give it a try, and after a few months of practice, he had learned enough to be able to protect himself and escape any unfavourable situation.

He was excited as he packed his bags and prepared for his journey; the thrill of the unknown was exhilarating. He was confident that this would be a journey of self-discovery, and that he would learn new skills and gain a new perspective on the world.

Little did he know that this journey would introduce him to a wide range of new people and experiences, and that the skills he had acquired in martial arts would be put to the test. But he was ready for the challenge, and he faced it with a newfound courage and confidence that he had never experienced before.

/////// JAK POV \\\\\\

I have always felt something deep in my heart when I see someone smile innocently and genuinely. Whenever I can, I lend a helping hand in whatever way I can, hoping to see more of those smiles.

I wanted to leave this world before I could become too old and become a burden to my family. I wasn't able to provide them the happiness they deserved, only disappointment. That's why I thought, why not make one of my dreams come true and build an orphanage where I can take in abandoned children, raise them to become strong and capable adults, and then set them free to lead their lives however they want.

I had to face the hard truth - if I wanted to get my family out of this financial hole, I was going to have to take a risk. I was never the strongest or bravest of people, but I had no other choice.

It was with a heavy heart that I set off for the border, looking for mercenary work. I knew it was a dangerous life, but if I could make enough money to provide for my family, then I had to try.

Fortunately, I never had to put my life in danger. I was mostly a messenger, delivering messages and packages between employers. I made enough money to keep the orphanage up and running for years, and to hire a nanny to look after them in my absence.

It wasn't an ideal life, but it was enough. I took every job I could to make sure my family was taken care of, and I was content with the knowledge that I had done all I could to ensure their safety.

I had decided to focus on developing a comprehensive plan for the orphanage, from education to health issues and beyond. I thought that teaching the children the basics of martial arts would prove beneficial for them in the long run, as it would give them the skills needed to protect themselves once they graduated and started living on their own.

As I contemplated the mission ahead, I thought of all the amazing women I had worked with on my previous missions. Maybe one of them would be willing to help out with the children, I thought to myself. After inquiring around, I finally found someone who was willing and eager to take on the responsibility. Now that everything was taken care of, I was ready to take leave of this world in a blaze of glory.

I was about to embark on a very dangerous mission, a mission that could quite possibly be my last. As a precaution, I asked my employer for my payment in advance, enough for fifty people to sustain themselves for fifteen years.

Then I took two-thirds of what I had been given and sent it off to an orphanage with a letter, telling the younger ones to become strong and to help out my family in their last days so that when they leave this world, they have fewer regrets. With the remaining third, I sent it off to my family with a letter of my own.

This mission was risky, and I knew it. I had to steal some important information from the enemy base and deliver it to my employer. I had to be careful, and I had to be prepared. But I was ready to take on the challenge, and whatever the outcome, I had my family and the orphanage taken care of.

I was determined to complete the mission. I had to act as a beggar or a wartime victim, thin and feeble, to infiltrate the enemy base and retrieve the necessary information. Everything was going according to plan until I got betrayed and my information was sold to the enemy. Now I had to complete my mission, no matter what the cost, to reach the border with the information. I knew there was no turning back and I was on my own.

My heart was beating fast as I approached the enemy base. I had to remain calm and focused on the mission. I searched the base, looking for the information I needed, and soon enough I found it. With quick and agile movements, I got the information and started to make my way out of the base.

My blood was boiling as I reached the exit, knowing that someone had betrayed me. I had to stay focused, I had to make it out of there with the information without being discovered. I ran and ran, until I was far away from the base, and soon enough I reached the border with the information I was looking for. I was relieved, I had made it out alive and with the information.

My heart was pounding as I made my way closer to the enemy base, my mission to cross the border and make it back to my own side. The base was 20 km away from the border, situated in a small forest area. I had a plan in my mind for the route I would take, but the further I advanced, the more I realized how difficult it would be.

My feet were heavy as I approached the river, the last barrier before I reached the border. The flowing stream of the river directly met the border, and I could see people waiting to take me across. I had to make it there as fast as I could, but I also needed to find a way to distract the enemy so I could pass unnoticed.

I took a deep breath, my mind racing with ideas. I knew time was running out and I had to make a decision fast. With one last look around, I quickened my pace, determined to make it to the other side.

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