RAIWAN AGAINST THE DIVINE

Chapter 20: An Advice

The street outside the house wasn't crowded with buildings—only a few houses dotted either side of the road.

Olive trees lined the street in neat rows, their branches swaying gently in the breeze. The road itself was crafted from square, white marble stones that fit closely together, forming a smooth, elegant path. Though the town ended here, the road stretched far into the woods, disappearing into the horizon where the kingdom's borders lay.

Opposite Malina's house stood Sulail's home, and a few meters to its right was Abril's. Beyond that? Well, one would have to walk about twenty meters to reach the next house. These three houses marked the kingdom's edge from this side.

Raiwan stood outside, looking around like a lost child until Malina's voice snapped him out of his daze.

"Let's go,"

He hurried his steps to catch up with her as they crossed over to Sulail's house. Malina knocked, and after a brief wait, a boy about her age opened the door.

The boy froze the moment he saw Raiwan. Pointing directly at him, he exclaimed, "The boy from yesterday! Didn't Anithya say he wouldn't wake up?"

Raiwan gritted his teeth,

"Who are you calling 'boy,' you little, ugly brat? Can't your sticky, underage brain even tell when someone's older than you?" Raiwan snapped, his words slicing like a blade.

Sulail's face turned red with rage, his fists trembling as he prepared to retaliate, but Malina intervened, sending a sharp glare his way.

"Boy, just grab your shoes and don't pick a fight with him on your first day," she ordered.

Sulail sneered at Raiwan before retreating into the house. Moments later, he returned, now wearing his shoes.

"Come on, let's go get Abril," Malina said.

As they approached Abril's house, they saw a boy standing outside, roughly the same age and height as Raiwan. His blonde hair shimmered under the sunlight, and his sharp, chiseled features made people—regardless of gender—take a second look.

The trio walked up to him,

"Hey, you're already up?" Abril said, patting Raiwan's arm. "You must be pretty tough. Are you sure you're okay? Shouldn't you be resting?"

"Don't worry," Raiwan replied confidently. "I've already healed up."

"Alright then," Abril said. "By the way, could you guys accompany me to the shop? My mom asked me to pick up some things."

The group agreed and started walking.

"By the way," Abril said, turning to Raiwan, "you haven't told us your name yet."

"Oh, sorry. That's my fault," Malina interjected hastily.

"Raiwan, this is Abril, and that's Sulail," she introduced, pointing to each in turn.

"Nice to meet you, Raiwan," Abril said with a smile. "I hope you find us decent company."

Raiwan gave a curt nod, and they continued walking in silence until a cross road, Abril stopped abruptly.

"Well, let me give you your first piece of advice as a friend," Abril said, pointing ahead.

"This," he gestured toward the street in front of them, "is what we call the Danger Zone."

Raiwan tilted his head in confusion. "Why?"

Sulail answered with a grimace. "This street is controlled by the Dragon Head Gang. Anyone who enters is as good as dead."

"They're a group of seven, Undisciplined, filthy, bastard-children of spoiled parents who bully weaker kids." Malina added. "They use their parents' influence to do whatever they please. If they catch you, they'll make you kneel and kiss their feet. If you refuse…" She shuddered.

"Why don't you tell your parents?" Raiwan asked.

"We have," Abril said bitterly. "But they just brush it off as a kids' problem. Their only advice was to avoid the street, so that's what we've been doing."

'So we are supposed to take a long route just to avoid some spoiled brats?' Raiwan shook his head internally. But his said,

"Hmmm… They sound interesting," his lips curling into a smirk. "Let's go. I want to see them."

The others stared at him, dumbfounded.

"Are you insane?!" Malina hissed. "These people don't listen to reason! They'll crush us brother!"

Raiwan scoffed. "We're just going to see them and then flee. Unless…" He smirked again. "Are you telling me they're not only stronger than you but also faster? That would be a shame."

When the group heard that, they looked down ashamed, but still hesitated to follow Raiwan, seeing that, Raiwan strode ahead, forcing them to reluctantly follow.

The street was eerily quiet. No laughter, no children playing—just an unsettling stillness.

"Are there no kids here?" Raiwan asked.

"They're all hiding," Malina whispered. "No one dares to come out because of those bastards."

And then…

Suddenly, a voice called out from behind them.

"Hey, you! Stop right there!"

The group turned, only to notice three boys emerging from a house ahead. Moments later, four more appeared from behind, surrounding them.

Sulail began to cry. "I told you! I told you this would happen! Now we're all going to suffer because of you!"

'this idiot! When did he tell me this would happen'

Raiwan ignored him, scanning the gang. All seven boys held whips and were visibly stronger, with some appearing older.

Seeing the way Raiwan was looking at them,

One of them, wielding a red whip, stepped forward and sneered. "Didn't your friends tell you who we are?"

Raiwan remained silent, his piercing gaze unnerving the boy. After a long pause, he finally spoke. "Oh, they did. What did they call you again?" He pointed at Malina. " she said there are seven'Undisciplined, filthy, bastard-children of spoiled parents who bully weaker kids on this street.' Are you them?"

Malina paled. I'm dead.

Raiwan smirked, adding, "I wanted to see how strong you were. Turns out, you're just filthy, sick no bodies. I can smell your stench from here."

"ARRRGHHH!" The boy with the red whip charged at Raiwan, but before he could react, Raiwan punched him square in the jaw, sending teeth flying.

The others froze in shock.

The fallen boy writhed on the ground, clutching his mouth and screaming for his mother.

"Someone as filthy as you shouldn't even touch me without washing for a week," Raiwan mocked.

The remaining boys rushed at Raiwan, but Raiwan remained calm even with their number.

Malina and the rest were so scared to even move, all they could do was pity him in their hearts.

A boy with bald head swung his whip to hit Raiwan. But Raiwan was fast as he side-step and caught the whip with his hand.

He pulled and boy tumbled over, releasing the whip, Raiwan punched him hard on the stomach. The boy was going to crouch but Raiwan hold him by the collar, Raiwan use him as a shield against another whip that was slashed at him.

"Arghh!!!!" The boy screamed.

Raiwan threw the boy to the side and stepped in front of the other boy that slashed the whip. He was busy saying sorry to his friend when he suddenly saw Raiwan in front of him.

"Cover your balls" Raiwan said to him.

"Urhh?" The boy was confused, but then realization hit. But it was too late.

He fell to the ground holding his crouch area while screaming.

The other three now felt hesitant to approach Raiwan. But silly them, they were within his reach!

Raiwan slapped the first one in front of him, the boy gritted his teeth as he dropped the whip and threw a punch at Raiwan.

"Took you long to realize it was a disadvantage!" Raiwan said as he held the hand thrown at him. He continued to slap the boy until the boy fainted.

The other two boys had already fled by then.

Malina, Abril, and Sulail glanced at each other wondering if they were dreaming as they watched the famous, malicious dragon head members groaning on the ground.

Children from the street emerged from their houses, cheering with joy.

"The Dragon Head or Worm's Ass!" one kid shouted, kicking one of the fallen gang members.

Malina, Abril, and Sulail watched in stunned silence, unable to believe what they'd just witnessed.