First kill, 2nd, 3rd and 4th

---

"If that's how you want it, nobody would really mind if two little brats disappeared from the face of the Earth. I'll start with your little sister!" one of the men sneered as he shoved Gerald aside and strode toward the frightened girl.

Gerald, a boy who despised violence yet would do anything to protect his sister, found himself with no other choice. The moment he saw the man grab her by the neck, hesitation vanished.

With a mere wave of his hand, the gravity surrounding the man increased tenfold. The thug immediately collapsed, his knees slamming against the wooden floor as blood spewed from his mouth. Gerald, unshaken, approached his sister and gently patted her head, sending mana into her body. She instantly fell unconscious.

He would stain his hands with blood, but he would never allow her to do the same.

The man on the ground gasped for air, his body rapidly becoming a crumpled mess under the ever-growing force. His bones snapped one after another, the sound echoing through the small cabin. His skin tore open, muscle and sinew rupturing in real-time as though shredded by an invisible force. He let out one final scream before his lungs collapsed entirely, his life snuffed out within seconds.

Gerald barely spared him a glance. His gaze shifted to the remaining two, who were still frozen in shock. They never got the chance to react. The broken nails from the shattered door suddenly shot through the air like sniper rounds, piercing through their skulls and torsos. Their bodies convulsed as pain overtook them, yet no sound escaped their lips. Death came swiftly, but their agony was undeniable.

Gerald exhaled, his silver hair now streaked with crimson. He looked down at his trembling hands, now stained with blood. "As much as I hate violence, I'd protect my sister—even at the cost of eternal bloodshed."

Before he could process his own words, footsteps sounded behind him.

A woman entered the room, her eyes widening in horror at the gruesome sight. Blood coated the walls, the floor, and most notably—the child standing at the center of it all.

Before she could scream or even think of retreating, the broken door behind her suddenly lifted and slammed back into place, blocking her exit.

Her breathing hitched, but she tried to keep her composure. 'The door's just resting against the entrance. If I push it—'

A cold sensation wrapped around her throat. Her silver necklace had come alive, constricting with unnatural force. She clawed at it, her face contorted in terror as she struggled against the unseen grip.

Gerald met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "You shouldn't have come in. I can't trust you to keep this a secret… so the only choice is for you to die as well."

The necklace tightened. Her struggling ceased.

Silence fell upon the cabin once more.

"Damn it," Gerald muttered under his breath, staring at the lifeless body before him. He never thought he'd resort to such brutality. But in this world, it was kill or be killed.

He had learned that lesson a long time ago.

"Don't let it weigh you down," Terra's soothing voice echoed within him. "This is exactly why you needed strength in the first place."

"But still..." Gerald trailed off, unable to shake the unease settling in his chest.

---

Meanwhile, Sheon and Leonel walked through the bustling streets of Wilfharm. All eyes were fixed on them.

Sheon, a top-tier adventurer known for her cold and solitary nature, had rarely been seen with a companion. Many wondered why she had rejected high-ranking parties, only to travel alongside an unfamiliar young man.

Leonel, too, drew attention. His aura was nothing short of overwhelming, possibly even surpassing Sheon's. People whispered among themselves, unsure of where such a powerful figure had come from.

"You seem to have quite the reputation here," Leonel said, flashing a casual smile.

Sheon didn't spare him a glance. "It's nothing much."

Leonel could tell otherwise. Today wasn't just another mission for her—it was personal. He could feel the emotions swirling beneath her cold exterior. Today was the day of her revenge.

Neither of them spoke further. Their journey was quiet, yet it felt as if unseen strings of fate were being pulled.

---

"You!"

Leonel's eyes flared with hostility as he locked onto the child standing before him. He had changed—he was no longer the weak boy from before. In just five days, he had already reached the level of a Fifth Order Mage.

'Damn it! I thought I was the only one with a cheat skill!' Leonel clenched his fists.

Gerald, however, only tilted his head. "Do I know you, mister?"

The casual response made Leonel's veins throb. He gritted his teeth. 'I'll deal with him later. If I act now, I'll blow my cover in front of Sheon.'

"Do you know the kid?" Sheon asked, noticing Leonel's reaction.

"Actually… I think I made a mistake. Sorry for the disturbance," Leonel replied, forcing a smile. He turned away quickly, continuing down the street.

However, Gerald's mind was already made aware of the truth.

"It seems you're the one with that demonic cat that tried to kill me," he said, his tone carrying no warmth. "How could I forget? It's only been five days."

Leonel's hands clenched again, but he quickly composed himself. "Like I said, it was a misunderstanding. I've never seen you before, and I have no idea what you're talking about. A demonic cat? Do I look like some kind of summoner?"

Without another word, he picked up his pace, leaving Sheon confused but uninterested in pursuing the conversation.

Gerald, however, only smiled slightly. "I'll remember you," he muttered.

---

Close to the base of the Rominary Yellow Bandits, two figures walked side by side, engaged in a casual conversation.

Before they could take another step, dozens of bandits in yellow masks emerged from the trees, surrounding them.

One of the figures smirked. "Well, would you look at that? Seems like someone just saved us the trouble of searching. I was starting to get lost."