World Rejector

Chapter 4: Encounter

It hasn’t been long since Fina left my apartment.

Outside the window, the rain shows no sign of stopping.

If anything, it’s getting heavier.

Curious, I check the news on my phone.

An ongoing storm is currently hitting Neo Silicon Valley.

According to the report, it won’t stop until tomorrow morning.

“That girl is in trouble…”

I can’t stop myself from worrying about her.

At the same time, another part of me says this is for the best.

I’m not even sure I want to see her again.

After hearing her story, maybe it’s better if I stay here and don’t get involved in her life any further.

Everyone has their own problems.

Especially me—someone who has no one.

Tomorrow, I still have things I need to deal with.

Finding a new part-time job.

Finishing school assignments and projects.

And most importantly—keeping myself busy and moving on from my ex-girlfriend, Mio.

“She’s already grown up. She can take care of herself,” I muttered.

“This is her problem. She chose to handle it alone. She left because she didn’t want to trouble me.”

And yet…

That uneasy feeling refuses to go away.

Helping others isn’t a bad thing.

I still believe that helping people is the most natural thing to do.

But that mindset has cost me before.

I’ve been exploited more times than I can count.

Used—then discarded when I was no longer useful.

Sometimes, I wonder why selfish, scummy people always seem to live such good lives.

If I changed the way I lived…

If I detached myself from my emotions…

Would things finally get better?

I stood up.

Then I grabbed an umbrella and a raincoat—for Fina.

“I don’t want to get involved any further,” I said quietly.

“But at least… I don’t want her to get sick.”

It’s only been twenty minutes since she left.

My apartment is on the fourth floor, and the elevator isn’t working.

That means she can’t have gone far.

I rushed outside, running through the rain, searching for her.

…

The rain poured down relentlessly.

The streets were empty.

Most people had the good sense to stay inside because of the storm.

That was normal.

But there was one girl running through the rain, clutching a briefcase.

She used it as a shield as she ran, pushing forward with all her strength.

Her name was Fina.

And right now, she was in the middle of a mission—

to return to headquarters and deliver the briefcase and its contents safely.

The wind howled violently, blinding her.

She couldn’t see clearly.

Then—

She collided with someone.

A tall man wearing a black suit.

In his hand…

Was a golden blade.

“I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

The man muttered angrily.

“What the—?!”

Fina gasped and immediately kicked at the tall man’s legs.

It barely affected him.

Instead, he grabbed her arm and yanked her toward him.

“I’ve been searching all night,” he said coldly.

“And this is how you greet me? With a kick? After all the trouble I went through in this storm?”

His grip tightened.

It hurt.

“Let go of me!” Fina shouted.

“Or I’ll scream that you’re sexually harassing me!”

“Go ahead and scream,” he replied calmly.

“The storm will swallow your voice.”

His eyes narrowed.

“Now hand over the briefcase—and die.”

Because of their difference in height, Fina jumped upward and smashed her head into his chin.

The headbutt landed cleanly.

It was enough.

She slipped out of his grasp and ran in the opposite direction with all her strength.

“Running won’t save you.”

The golden sword at the man’s waist lifted into the air.

It shot toward Fina like a bullet.

Too fast.

She couldn’t react—

But her foot slipped into a puddle.

She fell hard, water splashing everywhere.

The sword flew past her head by a hair’s breadth.

“…Lucky,” the man muttered.

“But luck always runs out.”

The golden sword spun in midair, pointing straight at her.

It struck downward.

Fina rolled aside and barely avoided it again, then sprinted into a dark alley beside a construction site.

The man pulled the sword free from the ground and chased after her.

“You’re not getting away again.”

While running, Fina kicked over trash bins, scattering them across the alley to slow him down.

But the man was agile.

He leapt over them effortlessly.

With a flick of his hand, the golden sword flew again—this time aimed at her leg.

It struck.

Fina cried out and collapsed to the ground.

“You’re not escaping anymore,” the man said as he approached.

“Be grateful—you’ll live a little longer.”

“Now talk, little girl. Spill everything you know.”

Fina grabbed a nearby rock and threw it at him.

“Stay away from me!”

She forced herself to stand despite the pain.

“Still fighting?” he laughed.

“I don’t dislike girls like you.”

“I know who you are. One of those shadow organizations, right? Money-driven. Exploiting young people for profit.”

He smiled cruelly.

“Your luck has run out. Time to say goodbye. I’ll take the medicine and sell it on the black market myself.”

The golden sword levitated above his head.

He swung his hand—

The blade shot straight toward Fina.

Then—

CLANG!

A loud metallic sound echoed through the construction site.

“What the hell…?”

The sword was knocked away.

“Who are you?” the man demanded.

“That’s none of your business,” a voice replied calmly.

“What matters is—you’re trying to hurt this girl. Right?”

Noah jumped into the scene, holding a broken umbrella like a weapon.

He pointed it straight at the man.

“U-Um…”

Fina looked at Noah, hesitating.

“…The kind, naive man from earlier?”

“Don’t call me weird names,” Noah said.

“It’s Noah.”

“Well, you didn’t introduce yourself earlier.”

“…Sorry about that.”

Fina stared at him in disbelief.

“Why are you here?! How did you find me? You shouldn’t be involved in this!”

“It’s a storm,” Noah replied.

“How could I stay at home without bringing you a raincoat or an umbrella?”

He tightened his grip.

“Right now, that doesn’t matter. What matters is—I made it in time.”

The golden sword flew again.

Noah parried it with the umbrella.

“Are you two done with your reunion?” the man sneered.

“So your name’s Noah.”

He smirked.

“Judging by how you fight—you’re not a NewType. Let me give you advice.”

“You’re not special like me.”

“Rejects like you should stay out of affairs like this.”

The golden sword circled him at high speed—

Then shot past Noah.

Straight toward Fina.

Noah reacted instantly.

He dove and wrapped his arms around her, rolling away just in time.

“Hahaha!” the man laughed.

“I knew you’d save her.”

He pointed at Fina.

“She can’t even move now. She’s a complete liability.”

He spread his arms mockingly.

“Where are my manners? Since I know your name, I suppose I should introduce myself.”

“My name is Gold. Former executive of the terrorist group known as the White Cult—”

Before he could finish—

Noah punched him square in the face.

Gold was knocked back.

“Who cares about your tragic backstory?” Noah snapped.

“You think you’re special.”

“That arrogance really pisses me off.”

“And what are you going to do about it, Reject?”

Noah raised his fists.

“I’m not letting you hurt this girl.”