Chapter 22 - 22: I Just Want To Stay Alive

Translator: Myriad Translations

Arius came out of the police station when it was nearing 9 pm. Before this, he had called home and told his parents that he was having dinner with his classmates tonight.

What really happened was, he was brought to the police station to record his statement.

Fortunately, Arius was a victim, so the police released him after they understood what had happened.

The captain of the criminal police personally sent Arius to the door. He passed a cigarette to him.

"Want one?"

Arius didn't stand on ceremony. He directly took the cigarette and placed it in his mouth.

The two of them lit their cigarettes and started smoking in front of the police station.

"You know how to smoke at such a young age," smiled and teased Arius.

"Let's not talk about it."

Arius sighed and shook his head.

Troy didn't probe further. He dropped the casual attitude and said seriously, "Those robbers fled from other cities to Orange City. They have committed many heinous crimes, and they are all wanted criminals.

"You should be able to tell that they are all cruel people. Their hands are stained with the blood of quite a few innocents.

"You are getting rid of evil for the people by killing them. Hence, don't feel too pressured."

Arius instantly felt much better.

"As expected, they were bad people. If I wasn't forced into a corner, why would a model student like me with all-rounded development in morality, intelligence, and physical education retaliate so violently?"

Troy: …

This brat seemed a little shameless.

Troy felt that his concern was redundant. He said grumpily, "After we finish the procedures on our side, we will reward you with a silk banner and the bounty."

"Huh? You are still going to give me a silk banner and bounty?" Arius was a little shocked. He hurriedly waved his hand and said, "There's no need for that. I don't deserve it."

"Really? This gang of robbers has been on the wanted list for a long time, but no one managed to catch them. So, the bounty is extremely high. It's as much as 100 thousand dollars!" Troy thought that Arius didn't know what he just rejected, so he kindly explained to him.

"I really don't need it. I don't lack the money," Arius replied casually.

"You don't lack the money?" Troy was speechless. This brat was really arrogant.

"Why don't I donate the bounty to your station? You are the protectors of the citizens. That is hard work. You can take it as my way of saying thank you," said Arius.

"Allow me to represent the police and thank you on their behalf." Troy was filled with profound sense of duty.

"Oh right, Captain Troy, before I was taken hostage, my car was abandoned in the middle of the road. Can you help me check if it was seized by the police?"

Arius suddenly remembered his sports car that was stuck in the traffic.

"Okay, I will make a call and ask."

After the call connected, Troy spoke a few sentences. Then, he asked Arius for his license plate number. The answer arrived very quickly.

"It was indeed seized. Come, let me bring you over to collect your car," Troy hung up and said.

"Okay." Arius nodded and followed the guy.

"Honestly speaking, your attacks were a little ruthless."

While walking, Troy suddenly turned and said to Arius.

"This is the first time I've encountered an issue like this. It looks like I really didn't know how to control my strength," Arius said helplessly.

"Compared to you, my first time was very different. I almost failed miserably on an easy task. Luckily, a senior helped me. "Troy was immersed in his memory.

Then, he exclaimed, "You are so young, yet you are already an advanced stage martial disciple. You are stronger than me. I feel that within two years, you can become a martial warrior!"

"Captain Troy, you are praising me too much. I was just lucky. "Arius remained humble.

After some time, the duo arrived at their destination. They were asked to sign some papers before collecting the car. Troy looked at the sports car in front of him and was rendered speechless.

"No wonder you felt that the 100 thousand dollars were nothing. You really don't need the money."

Arius got into the car and waved at Troy.

"Captain Troy, thank you for today. I need to go home now. If not, my parents will be worried."

"You're welcome. I almost forgot that you're a high school student. Hurry up and go home." Troy nodded.

…

A man around 30 years old came beside Troy, who was watching the sports car drive off in the distance. He asked, "What is this young man's background? How is he able to make you send him off personally?"

"He doesn't come from anywhere. But, he's an advanced stage martial disciple. Today, he personally killed five criminals carrying rune guns, empty-handed, "Troy replied.

"Advanced stage martial disciple!"

The man was astounded. "He's only around 17, right? Yet, he's already an advanced stage martial disciple. He even managed to kill five criminals with rune guns on them empty-handed. That's really powerful. Where did this genius come from?"

"Who knows? But… he's really amazing. I'm afraid that when I meet him in the future, I can only look up to him," Troy also exclaimed. The man nodded his head in agreement.

…

Arius didn't know the discussion going on between the two people behind him. He drove his car and went directly to the Shining Martial House.

After he reached the martial arts academy, he directly headed to the second floor.

Looking at the students practicing diligently in the training hall, his anxious nerves started to calm down.

Arius made a round around the hall and picked up the dropped attributes. He then walked in front of a sandbag and started practicing his fist skill.

Bang, bang, bang!

Arius needed an avenue to let out his emotions. He needed to release the accumulated stress and pressure in his heart. Thus, he pounded the sandbag furiously. His arm formed a lingering shadow as he punched the sandbag.

The sandbag started shaking violently due to the force of his punches. It seemed as though it was experiencing a storm.

The students beside him unconsciously took a few steps back when they saw his crazy actions… This was so scary! Was this person a maniac? They needed to stay as far away from him as possible!

While Arius was practicing his fist skill, the image of him killing the five robbers kept replaying in his mind.

If he was given a chance to choose again, would he attack so ruthlessly?

The answer was… yes!

He wasn't used to it, but he didn't feel that he was wrong.

A person who killed others should be aware they'll be killed in return by other people!

Also, in that situation, the robbers would have retaliated even more violently if he hadn't finished them in a single move.

They had rune guns. If he wasn't careful enough, he would be the one getting killed. Thus, kindness was not an option. He did everything… because he just wanted to live.

After he finished practicing his fist skill, he started on his sword and blade skills.

Arius didn't want to stop even for a second. Instead, he wanted to be exhausted. That was the only way he was able to release all the pressure in his heart.

Thus, Arius practiced all the way until 11 pm. After the students left, he dragged his tired body to his car and drove back home.

Only when he reached home did he finally feel relieved and at peace.

"Son, weren't you eating dinner with your classmates? Why did you go to the martial arts academy?"

Dianne couldn't help but ask when she saw Arius drenched in sweat and the look of exhaustion on his face.

"I went there after dinner. We need to be consistent in practicing martial arts, "Arius smiled and replied.

"You are really serious this time, my boy, "Arius said with relief.

"Hurry up and take a shower. I will make some supper for you. Come down and eat it later."

Dianne's care and concern warmed up Arius's cold heart. He smiled and walked upstairs.

He took some clothes and entered the bathroom. Then, he opened the water tap.

Coldwater splashed on his tired body, seemingly washing everything away.

After a cold bath, Arius felt an unprecedented sense of relaxation. He felt light and free. He dried his hair and went down.

"Wow, this smells really good. Mom, what good food did you make?"

"Your favorite egg noodles. I used star beast meat to make the soup and added some star beast meat inside too. Come and eat it."Dianne carried a bowl of noodles and walked out of the kitchen.

"No wonder it smells different. It's even more fragrant. "Arius took his silverware in anticipation and slurped a huge mouth of the noodles.

"This is delicious."

Arius swallowed everything into his stomach like a whale. The heat flowed out of his mouth as he complimented involuntarily.

"Eat more if you find it delicious. Practicing martial arts takes up too much of your energy. You need to replenish your stamina, "Dianne said.

"Okay."

Arius finished more than half of the noodles within a few mouthfuls. He raised his head and asked, "Mom, where's Dad? Why don't I see him around?"

"He went overseas for business. He won't be returning for the next two days," Dianne replied.

"I see."

Arius finished his noodles quickly and patted his stomach in satisfaction. Then, he stood up and stretched his back.

"I'm so full. Mom, I'm going up now. Rest early too."

"Okay. I will I'm going to bed after I wash the dishes," Dianne answered.

Arius went back to his room and took out his phone.

There were a few unread messages on his Signal.

Lisa had dropped a couple of messages, asking him what he was doing. One came from Lynn. This fellow wanted to practice martial arts with him.

They had sent the messages when he was taken as a hostage, so he naturally couldn't reply to them.

Since it was very late, he didn't message them back. He decided to wait until tomorrow.

Arius got on his computer and surfed the internet for a while. He watched the thickheaded netizens quarreling and making fun of other people. When he started feeling sleepy, he climbed onto his bed in a happy mood and said goodnight to himself.

He closed his eyes and slipped into the dreamland.