Chapter 4: Following in Shadow's Footsteps

Kazuto had spent days refining his powers, training his body, and honing his instincts. The mountainous base was now secure, and he had begun to grow accustomed to this world. But something was missing. The thrill, the excitement. He wanted to make his presence known, to carve his own path—just like the mysterious figure he was slowly beginning to understand: Shadow.

Shadow, or rather Cid Kagenou, was a name Kazuto had come to hear whispers of in the streets. He had long since noticed the rumors—the so-called "Eminence in Shadow," a figure who operated from the shadows, making impossible feats seem trivial. Cid's persona was nothing like Kazuto's. Cid played the fool, the weakling, while secretly pulling the strings of his own world.

Kazuto didn't intend to play the fool. But he did want to follow in Shadow's footsteps.

One evening, while wandering the forests near his base, Kazuto heard the unmistakable sounds of struggle. A caravan of merchants had been ambushed by a group of bandits. The thieves, a motley crew of criminals, were ransacking the wagons, laughing among themselves as they stole precious goods.

Kazuto's eyes narrowed. Bandits. Criminals. The kind of filth that needs to be removed from the world.

Without hesitation, Kazuto stepped from the shadows, his crimson power flaring around him like a second skin. His red eyes gleamed as he watched the bandits tear through the merchants' belongings, their laughter echoing in the air.

With a quick motion, Kazuto summoned a surge of red energy, lashing out like a whip. The first bandit fell, his body enveloped by the blast. The others barely had time to react. Kazuto moved with lethal precision, dispatching them one by one. His crimson slime power amplified his every strike, his movements swift and deadly.

"I'm just following in Shadow's footsteps," Kazuto muttered as he cut down another bandit. "That's all."

He didn't leave any survivors. Not a single one. His crimson powers didn't allow for mercy, nor did Kazuto feel the need for it. They were criminals—less than human, in his eyes—and they didn't deserve a second chance.

As the last of the bandits crumpled to the ground, Kazuto turned his attention to the frightened merchants. They cowered, unsure of whether to thank him or fear him. But his gaze was cold. He wasn't here for gratitude.

"Move along," he commanded, his voice sharp.

The merchants, still in shock, quickly packed their things and fled.

But as Kazuto was about to leave, something caught his eye. A small figure, barely conscious, lay in the wreckage of a broken cart. An elf girl. She was injured, her clothes torn, her face pale with blood loss.

Kazuto knelt beside her, inspecting her injuries. The moment she stirred, her wide eyes locked onto his.

"Are... are you... here to kill me too?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

Kazuto's expression softened for just a moment. He could see the fear in her eyes, but he wasn't here to kill her. He was here to help—at least for now.

"No," he said, gently lifting her into his arms. "I'm not here to hurt you."

He carried her away from the wreckage, finding a quiet spot in the forest to tend to her wounds. She was weak, but Kazuto's healing abilities—enhanced by the crimson slime—were enough to stabilize her. After a while, the elf girl regained her strength, sitting up with a look of surprise.

"Who... who are you?" she asked, her voice still shaky.

Kazuto looked at her and shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm just someone passing by."

Her gaze softened, but there was still wariness in her eyes. "Thank you," she whispered. "I... I thought I was done for."

Kazuto didn't respond. He didn't need to. He wasn't looking for gratitude or thanks. He simply acted, just as Shadow would.

As the elf girl stood, she turned toward him. "I... I don't know how to repay you, but—"

"Just go," Kazuto cut her off. "Stay out of trouble next time."

Without waiting for her response, he turned and began walking away. She looked after him for a moment, but Kazuto didn't care to see if she followed.

He didn't need anyone following him. He didn't need gratitude or praise. He was doing this because it was the way of the shadows—the way of power.

And as he disappeared into the night, Kazuto couldn't help but smile. This was only the beginning. He wasn't just following in Shadow's footsteps anymore. He was creating his own path.