But before that, he needed to do something. He had to vent his anger a little bit so that he remained in control and didn't go berserk during the important times of their mission.

Looking at the kid he saw smiling when he entered the hall, he remembered Liira mentioning that the other two escaped due to this guy's antics.

"What's your name?"

He asked, looking at him.

Orion felt puzzled by the golden-haired kid's curiosity about his name, but he decided to answer nonetheless, realising it wouldn't cause him any harm.

"Orion Darkwood."

The golden-haired kid nodded as he mentioned his own name.

"You can call me Runo."

He then looked at the other four children in the room, frowning a little before turning to Orion.

"Follow us for a sec."

Saying that he led the way towards a different hall inside the giant tree. Orion didn't understand the need for this, but he followed him nonetheless, considering he was their captive right now.

Upon reaching there, Runo smiled and asked for something from him.

"Why did you do that?"

Orion appeared confused by his words.

"What?"

Runo's smile turned brighter at Orion's confusion.

"Why did you let your two friends escape from here?"

Orion wondered if this guy had a screw loose up there, like the skeleton guy.

"Because I wanted to," he said. "You won't expect someone to just willingly be kidnapped by others, do you?"

An amused smile appeared on Runo's face.

"You know what? I do. I do believe that everyone should do what I tell them to do, and what you did definitely went against my rules. So, I'll have to punish you a little."

As his words escaped his mouth, Orion once again experienced the sensation of something heavy weighing down on his back. This time, however, the weight felt ten times more intense than on the previous occasion.

His body slumped to the ground, yet the pressure did not diminish. Instead, the overwhelming weight seemed to increase every few seconds, bearing down on him relentlessly.

The trunk of the tree he slumped on started having cracks appear on its surface all around Orion.

"Agghh!"

A painful scream escaped Orion's mouth as he writhed beneath the overwhelming weight.

Every part of his body—his hands, his foot, his head—was engulfed in excruciating pain.

Witnessing Orion's struggle, Runo experienced a twisted sense of pleasure, but he remained unsatisfied. He needed something more from Orion before he would feel truly content.

"Now, beg for mercy, and I shall forgive your crimes if you do that."

Orion moved his head slowly upward as his eyes, filled with hatred, looked at Runo and spat at him.

"Beg for mercy? Damn! Who do you think you are? Some sort of king or prince? … No, nothing. You are nothing but a brat—an arrogant and insolent brat who thinks everyone should obey you just because of your strength, or is it your family background?

Scrap these, and what do you have? A kid with anger issues. Nothing more than that."

He didn't hold back at all and released every bit of frustration he felt just now.

Because he failed several exams in his previous life, he always lived in depression. Never in his life had he felt genuine happiness after the accident of his parents. Therefore, he too had difficulty controlling his anger whenever he felt angry about something.

And what happened just now made him very angry—so angry that he wished he could kill Runo right now. But he also wondered: if he could kill, would he be able to take the last step to end someone else's life? He didn't know this right now.

Moreover, he felt that this kid had some serious issues in his head after hearing him say those things about how everyone should obey him or what not. It made him wonder if all these kids from this world would be like that.

***

Meanwhile, Liira and Rina covered their mouths in shock at Orion's words. They couldn't fathom that someone could speak so boldly to Runo.

Dion also began to retreat, aware of the potential consequences of speaking such words to Runo.

On the other side, Runo trembled when he heard Orion. Never had he ever heard anyone say so disrespectful things to him. More importantly, the words Orion said were like knives stabbed straight at him, for he knew these words held some truths in them.

His jaw clenched as he fought to contain his rising anger.

'Damn him!' he cursed inwardly.

Looking at Orion, who still struggled under the crushing weight, Runo felt a mixture of frustration and wounded pride.

How dare this insolent boy speak to him in such a way? He was accustomed to unquestioning obedience and respect, not this blatant defiance.

Unable to control his anger anymore, he unleashed the full potential of his talent, causing Orion to scream in pain.

"Aaagghhh!"

Blood spurted from various parts of his body as Orion struggled to maintain consciousness amid the intense pain.

Yet, despite his agony, he didn't regret his earlier words. Even if given a second chance, he would speak the same truth.

Though Orion had been a failure in his past life, he had never been a coward.

Thus, despite feeling fear towards the monsters, towards this world, and now towards Runo, he refused to simply sit back and allow them to dictate. That wasn't his style.

If his previous life had taught him anything, it was the will to never give up.

***

"Runo stop! You will kill him."

Liira shouted to Runo upon seeing Orion's body covered in blood. They needed all the kids alive; if any of them died, their chances of leaving this place would vanish.

"No, he needs to learn his place."

Runo laughed maniacally as he intensified the pressure even further.

At that moment, a blue glow materialized over Orion's body, and he became enveloped in a spherical ball of force field once again.

Observing Orion losing consciousness, Rina took matters into her own hands. She utilized her talent to shield him from Runo's onslaught.

"What are you doing?"

Runo, enraged, shouted angrily at Rina. Unintentionally, the pressure he exerted shifted from Orion to her, causing her body to slam forcefully onto the ground.

"No!"

Seeing the impact of his actions, he shouted in distress and hurried to Rina's side. Reaching her, he cradled her body in his hands, checking carefully for any signs of injury. Finding none, he sighed in relief.

"Thank god."

Rina smiled sweetly at him as she saw his anxiety.

"I am fine, dummy, and if you are really worried about me, then learn to control your anger."

Runo nodded hurriedly.