CHAPTER 54: LET HIM SUFFOCATE!

Bathed in moonlight, Gara walked carefully along the uneven path that led toward the shadowy mountain.

A soft chirp echoed from his shoulder. The small creature, no bigger than the palm of an adult, pointed its tiny paw toward the mountain ahead.

"Are we going to the herb field, little white squirrel?" Gara murmured.

The little creature responded with a firm nod.

Ever since Gara had rescued this white squirrel, it often came to visit him. And he always offered it flowers and seeds from the herbal plants he cultivated in his yard.

Over time, it almost felt like he could understand what the squirrel was trying to say.

Earlier, when the squirrel had emerged from the bushes, its gestures made Gara feel as if it wanted to lead him toward something important he’d been searching for.

He nearly stumbled several times along the rocky trail, his feet unsure in the darkness.

After a long walk through the treacherous night path, they finally arrived at the herb field. The squirrel squeaked sharply and pointed toward the small wooden shed used to store farming tools.

As he approached the hut, Gara noticed faint sounds from inside. A mix of surprise and relief filled his chest.

It was really his mother. He never expected to find her here in the dead of night, but thank the stars, he had.

Bang! Bang! He banged on the door without hesitation.

Then, a man’s voice answered from within.

Instantly, the air around him seemed to thin, pressing down on his chest. He didn’t recognize the voice, but it was clear, something terrible was happening, and that man was the cause.

Gara stepped back, trembling with a mix of fear and fury. With a flick of his fingers, a blast of water surged forward and slammed into the door.

At that exact moment, the door flung open. "Let me finish one round first before you bring the village peop—"

The man’s words were cut short as the surge of water hit him square in the chest, throwing him backward.

Gara rushed into the hut, eyes narrowed for a moment. Then widened. There, bound and gagged, was his mother.

"Mom!"

He dropped to his knees and began untying her wrists. That knots felt impossibly tight, especially with his heart pounding like thunder.

"Cciiitt! Cciiitt!" The white squirrel chirped urgently from his shoulder, its paw pointing sideways.

Gara turned, just in time to see the half-naked thug, Dilan, already back on his feet and lunging toward them.

With a cold glare, Gara raised his hand.

A sphere of water formed in the air and shot forward, splashing into Dilan’s face with force.

The man froze, clawing at his face. The water refused to fall away. It clung to his skin like a second flesh.

His eyes turned red as his breath began to slip away. Panic and weakness overtook him.

But Gara didn’t flinch. His face remained cold and still.

He turned back to Wina, untying her and pulling the gag from her mouth.

As soon as she was free, Wina threw her arms around her son. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

"I’m so sorry, Mom. I couldn’t protect you," Gara sobbed.

"No, it’s my fault," Wina whispered, running her hand gently over the back of his head. "You shouldn’t have had to come all the way here in the middle of the night. I promise I won’t let myself be in danger again."

Their embrace tightened as emotion swelled between them.

And behind them, Dilan’s body finally dropped to the ground with a dull thud. He was unconscious, defeated by his own struggle against the water.

Only after the sound echoed through the air did Gara release the water from Dilan’s face. He had been controlling the water precisely. He knew it hadn’t entered the thug’s lungs. The man had simply passed out from lack of air.

Suffocating like that wouldn’t kill him, but Gara was well aware it might leave lasting damage in his brain.

In this world, Gara never placed much hope in things like law enforcement or local officials. This was the only punishment he could deliver for now.

As for the others involved, their turn would come.

He turned to help Wina up. Her legs were stiff after being tied all day.

Supporting his mother, Gara slowly led her out of the storage shed. But before they could completely leave the field behind, the white squirrel on his shoulder chirped again and pointed toward the path that led back to the village.

"Someone’s coming?" Gara asked.

The squirrel nodded.

Immediately, Gara helped Wina hide behind a large tree. They waited in silence, watching the bend in the road.

Then a familiar figure appeared, walking toward the shed.

Wina instinctively covered her mouth to suppress a gasp.

It was a woman they both recognized.

The woman glanced at the open door of the shed and called out, half-shouting, "Why is the door open already? Are you don—Ahh!"

She screamed in shock. She had clearly seen Dilan unconscious on the ground. Her legs began to tremble, and she stumbled back.

Before she could flee, Gara raised a hand.

A sphere of water flew from his palm and wrapped around the woman’s face. Just like Dilan before her, she clawed at her face, trying to push the water away and breathe.

"Is this... all Lita’s doing?" Wina asked, her voice trembling.

"She was probably ordered by Satyo," Gara replied, "but she clearly enjoyed doing it."

Wina stood frozen. She had never imagined Lita could hate her enough to agree to such a vile scheme.

"Mom, whatever they’ve done—they’ll reap what they’ve sown."

Wina turned to her son. In the moonlight, she could no longer see the innocence that once filled his face.

Gara’s expression was calm, but his eyes carried a chilling sharpness that could kill.

He pulled out a small pouch tied to his waist and took a pinch of powder from it. Then, using his water, he sent the powder through the water still wrapped around Lita’s face.

...