The First Kill

The forest was silent. Too silent.

Lee Byung Hun's body still trembled from the fight. His breaths came in short, ragged gasps, and his muscles screamed in protest. But he had no time to rest. The rogue had retreated, but Byung Hun knew what that meant.

He would return.

Stronger. Smarter. Ready to kill.

Byung Hun wiped the blood from his cheek and pressed forward, deeper into the forest. He needed to get back to the village before another fight found him—

Snap.

His instincts flared. He spun around, sword raised.

A figure emerged from the shadows.

Not the rogue.

A man, clad in rusted armor, a jagged axe resting on his shoulder. His face was scarred, his eyes filled with something far worse than hunger—amusement.

"You look lost, boy." The man's voice was rough, filled with cruel amusement. "Must be my lucky day."

A bandit.

Byung Hun didn't reply. He adjusted his stance, shifting his grip on his sword.

The bandit smirked. "Oh? You wanna fight?" He cracked his neck and lifted his axe. "I'll make it quick, then."

He charged.

Byung Hun barely had time to react. The axe swung down like a guillotine, splitting the air with a deadly whistle.

He dove to the side.

The blade buried itself in the earth, dirt exploding into the air.

Byung Hun sprang up and slashed at the man's exposed side.

Clang!

The bandit twisted at the last second, the sword scraping against his armor instead of flesh. He countered with a brutal kick.

It slammed into Byung Hun's chest, sending him sprawling. Pain flared through his ribs.

The bandit laughed. "That all you got?"

Byung Hun coughed, forcing himself up.

"Use your head, boy," the forgotten god's voice echoed. "Strength alone won't win this."

Byung Hun narrowed his eyes. He needed to outthink him.

The bandit charged again, swinging wide. A predictable attack.

Byung Hun didn't dodge.

He ran toward it.

At the last moment, he ducked, sliding beneath the axe's arc. His blade flashed upward.

This time, he aimed low.

Steel met flesh.

The bandit screamed as Byung Hun's sword cut deep into his thigh. Blood splattered onto the dirt.

Byung Hun didn't stop. He twisted, slashing again.

The bandit howled as steel tore across his gut. He staggered back, gripping the wound. His eyes burned with rage and pain.

"You little—!"

Byung Hun didn't let him finish.

He lunged, driving his sword forward—straight into the bandit's chest.

The man's eyes widened. His mouth opened, but no words came out.

Byung Hun twisted the blade.

The bandit gasped. Then, his body slumped.

Dead.

Silence fell over the forest.

Byung Hun's hands shook as he pulled his sword free. Blood dripped from the blade, pooling onto the ground. His breath came fast and shallow.

His first kill.

The weight of it settled in his chest.

"Good," the forgotten god murmured. "You are one step closer."

Byung Hun swallowed hard, his grip tightening on his sword.

This was just the beginning