Black Relic

“Fucking hell. . .” Twenty-five-year-old Steven cursed under his breath as he ran his right hand through his hair, his left hand clenched into a fist. He wanted to punch Christian, the friend who had borrowed fish from him and still hadn’t paid him back even after several months had passed.

Steven was trying his best to stay calm, but he didn’t know how much longer he could keep his temper in check.

“This isn’t what we agreed on last month. You said you’d pay your debt in full by the end of the month, but fuck, man. Do you even know what date it is?”

“Wait, buddy. Let me explain,” Christian said with a grin. “I had a lot of things to spend my salary on, so I can’t pay you yet. Like this, for example.”

He raised one foot to show Steven his new shoe. It was high-tech; with a press of the small button on the side, the person wearing it could walk on water.

“Nice, right? I bought these in Manila. They said they were limited edition, so I decided to prioritize them for now,” he added. “Besides, why are you pestering me just to collect your debt? You’re used to struggling anyway, aren’t you?”

Steven’s brows furrowed, his expression darkening. “What?”

“I said you’re used to being poor,” Christian repeated. “So, if you’re asking for your money because you need it, just put up with it for now, buddy! Figure something out. You’re used to working like a fucking carabao anyway.”

The man burst out laughing as if he were deliberately provoking him. Then he slapped Steven on the shoulder.

“You should be grateful I already paid half of it, and you’re still bothering me? You even came all the way to my house just because I haven’t been going to the fish farm much. Fucking beggar. Get out of the way and go back to your brother.”

That was when Steven’s patience finally ran out. He could tolerate anyone insulting him, but not his brother. Christian had already started walking away when he stopped after hearing Steven speak.

“You may have limited-edition shoes, but you’ve got a beggar’s mentality,” Steven said in a deep voice, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Fuck, it’s only a few bucks, and you still can’t pay it? Fucking beggar.”

“What did you say?”

“I said you’re a beggar. Fuck you.”

“You’re fucking asking for it!”

As Christian’s temper flared, he punched Steven. The blow was hard enough to send the young man crashing to the floor. He could taste blood on his lips.

“Did you forget who I am around here, huh? I’m a member of a syndicate, and you’re testing my patience?”

He grabbed Steven by the collar and punched him three more times—once in the stomach and twice in the face.

“After I became friends with you even though you’re just some poor guy, this is how you repay me? You ungrateful bastard!”

One more punch from Christian made Steven’s vision spin. He wanted to fight back, but he could no longer even open his eyes.

“That debt you owe me? Consider it payment for insulting me. Don’t expect me to pay you back anymore, asshole.”

He released the young man’s collar and walked away, leaving Steven alone, covered in blood and writhing in pain.

“Damn it…”

Despite his strength depleting, Steven forced himself to stand and make his way home. His younger brother, Shin, was waiting for him there.

“Brother!”

Shin’s eyes widened before he quickly stood from his seat. He had been studying when Steven arrived, looking battered and bruised.

“What happened to you? Why is your whole face covered in blood?”

Shin was only fourteen years old and currently a Grade 8 student. Their mother had died giving birth to him, while their father had gotten into an accident while working as a driver when Steven was eighteen.

Just when Steven was about to take a gamble on his own dreams, he was suddenly burdened with an enormous responsibility.

And in a country divided between advanced technology and communities that had been unable to keep up with the changes, like their village, opportunities had become scarce for him.

For years, he had worked hard as a fisherman, hoping to somehow lift himself out of poverty, but it seemed like none of it was getting him anywhere.

“Oh, Steven. You’re back—” His childhood friend, Lily, stopped mid-sentence when she saw what he looked like. “What happened? Why are you hurt?”

“It’s nothing. I just got into a fight,” Steven answered before looking at Shin. “Go back to what you were doing. I’m fine.”

“But, wait—”

“One.”

Shin didn’t wait for Steven to count any further and quickly returned to his seat. His brother was kind, but he could also be incredibly irritable. Still, Shin loved him dearly.

Steven then turned his attention to Lily, knowing she wouldn’t let the matter go until she got an answer to her question.

“Got into a fight?” Lily grabbed Steven’s hands and examined them. “You didn’t even throw a punch. How the hell did you ‘get into a fight’? That was a one-sided beating! Who beat you up?”

“I told you, it’s nothing.” Steven frowned before pinching the girl’s nose. She was starting to get on his nerves. “Since you’re already here, and if you don’t have anything else to do, can you watch Shin until early morning? I’m just going fishing.”

“Sure.” Lily immediately agreed. “That’s why I’m here, anyway. I prepared some food because I thought you’d be gone longer. Are you going fishing out at sea again later?”

“Yes. But not there.”

Steven went over to his cabinet and took out the things he needed—his fishing rod, bait, and other supplies.

“Huh? What do you mean, not there? That’s the only place where we can fish—”

Lily’s eyes widened when she realized what he meant.

“Steven. . . I’m not thinking what I think I’m thinking, am I?”

The young man didn’t answer. He continued preparing his things, grabbing some extra clothes in case he ended up staying out longer.

“You’re going fishing in the forbidden area? The one the government banned because they said it’s dangerous?” she whispered, the shock evident in her voice. “Steven, have you lost your mind? Do you want to go to jail?”

“I don’t have a choice. That bastard paid me back with his fists.”

He was referring to Christian.

“School’s about to start, and there’ll definitely be other expenses. If this is the only way I can make money, then I’ll do it.”

The officials in Manila, where the technology and even the entire area were far more advanced, had designated certain areas where people were allowed to fish. In their community, there was one part of the sea they were forbidden to enter.

And that was where Steven planned to go now.

“I’m sure there’s a reason they don’t want us fishing there. Maybe there are expensive fish there that they want to keep for themselves,” he added. “I’ll find out once I get there.”

Lily couldn’t answer immediately. She wanted to stop her friend, but she knew him. No matter what she said, he wouldn’t listen, especially when Shin’s future was at stake.

“Be careful. I’ll take care of Shin here,” she said softly. “But before you leave, let me treat your wounds first.”