A Change

Realization soon dawned on them as they figured out what the young man meant with his words.

This wasn't a threat.

It wasn't even a warning.

It was a statement—simple, calculated, and undeniably sharp. Ludwig had chosen his words with layered intent, and they hung in the air like a blade resting against a throat.

First, it was to point out their lapse in judgment—their error—drinking unknown potions without confirming their safety, without checking for curses or enchantments. For a group of seasoned adventurers, that was careless.

Second, it was a silent show of power. He could've killed their healer. Swiftly. Quietly. Efficiently. And once a healer was gone, a party was nothing more than meat for monsters.

Third... it was a soft reminder of superiority. Ludwig could have bested them even without resorting to underhanded tactics. They knew it. He wanted them to understand that he knew it too.