chapter 7

{Won against a high-level enemy. Higher EXP granted.}

{Axel leveled up to Level 8.}

{Silviya leveled up to Level 9.}

'Looks like we leveled up quite a bit… Well, that means the fight's over.'

I spoke through Mental Hub, knowing my words were already true. As I focused on Silviya's vision, the scene unfolded before me—a hooded figure sat on the ground, clutching his stomach, clearly having lost the will to fight.

He didn't even look at her anymore, as if acknowledging her existence alone might invite another beating.

That's when I frowned.

'Wait… How did this fight even start, Silviya?'

I had only looked away for a minute, and now the fight was already over.

Silviya turned her gaze toward the half-ogre, then casually looked away, her expression as neutral as ever. But I knew better. She was avoiding my question.

She was acting like a guilty dog that had just stolen food off the table.

'You picked the fight, didn't you?' I asked, my voice flat.

'My lord, they were suspicious,' she responded, almost too quickly.

'You picked the fight, didn't you?' I repeated, unimpressed.

'He was weak. There was no threat,' she added, attempting to shift the focus elsewhere.

'You picked the fight, didn't you?'

Silence.

I sighed, rubbing my forehead. 'You picked a fight with a guy three times your size.'

'But my lord, he was so weak I literally knocked him out in seconds,' she said, her voice now filled with unmistakable pride. 'And my senses are always right.'

'Next time we meet face to face, be ready for your punishment.' I let a grin slip into my voice, knowing she would pick up on it through Mental Hub.

'Yess… my lord,' she muttered with a pout.

Wait—she could pout? I didn't know that.

'Goodnight,' I said, cutting off the conversation.

'Have a great sleep, my lord,' she replied.

As I settled back into bed, I briefly wondered if I had been too harsh on her.

No. She is my general. Her choices had consequences. If she got herself killed, I could bring her back, but avoiding reckless fights was always the better option.

Even if this seemed like a minor event, I couldn't let her pride interfere with my plans.

POV: Silviya

The moment my lord disconnected from Mental Hub, I stepped forward, closing the short distance between me and the two hooded figures.

The girl, now without her hood, had platinum blonde hair and clear blue eyes. Her hands trembled slightly as she reached toward the half-ogre beside her, carefully pulling back his hood as well.

What was revealed was… unexpected.

Unlike the usual ogres with long ears and tusk-like fangs, this man had red skin and a human-like face. His features were rough, battle-worn, but undeniably closer to human than monster.

I should have been born just today, yet I already understood so much about this world.

Was this a gift? Or something else entirely?

Before I could think further, the girl suddenly raised her hand, signaling me to stop.

Tears had welled up in her eyes.

"We surrender. Please… don't hurt us any further."

I stared at them, completely unmoved.

No rage. No amusement. Just mild irritation.

Because of these two cogs, my lord would be punishing me.

The girl and the ogre both sensed my displeasure as my presence loomed over them. Their shoulders tensed, their breathing shallower, as if waiting for judgment. They exchanged a brief glance before the girl took the lead, speaking cautiously.

"We are adventurers," she said, voice firm despite her trembling hands. "We were just heading back to our inn."

Her tone held forced calmness, the kind that came when someone had already prepared themselves for the worst.

I narrowed my eyes.

"You really expect me to believe that?" My voice was sharp, cutting through the silence. "Two fully hooded figures, hiding their faces in the dead of night, just happened to be going to an inn?"

My spear shifted ever so slightly, now aimed at the half-ogre's exposed neck.

"I understand the half-ogre," I continued. "His appearance might cause trouble in a human city. But what about you?" My gaze fell on the girl. "Why were you hiding your face?"

The ogre moved, reaching into his cloak. I felt no hostility. So I allowed it. Slowly, he pulled out a small card and extended it toward me.

An adventurer's ID.

Name: Gorthak

Rank: B

The card bore the official guild markings, a signature, and an expiration date.

It looked legitimate, but since I had never encountered one before, I couldn't confirm its authenticity. Still, he seemed to be telling the truth.

But the girl… She was too weak to be his equal. Was she a hostage? No. The way she panicked when I hurt him proved otherwise.

I turned to her. "Do you have proof of ID?"

Without hesitation, she threw hers toward me. I caught it effortlessly and examined it.

Name: Isolde

Rank: E

…Interesting.

With an E-rank adventurer and a B-rank half-ogre, I had no real reason to fight them anymore.

I activated {Nature's Life}, a spell from my High Elf nature trait, allowing soft green light to envelop Gorthak's injuries, sealing them instantly.

With a flick of my wrist, I tossed their IDs back.

"It seems I made a rushed judgment," I said simply. "Take that healing as an apology. But next time—don't walk around looking like criminals in the middle of the night."

Without another word, I turned on my heel and left. There was no need to say anything more. This world was ruled by strength.

If I had chosen, I could have killed them. If they were stronger, they would have killed me. That was the only law that mattered.

Even my apology wasn't sincere—it was simply the most efficient way to resolve the situation.

Jumping onto a rooftop, I surveyed the silent city below.

A town shrouded in darkness, hiding filth beneath the surface. In the alleys, groups of thugs loitered like vermin. In the shadows, figures concealed weapons beneath their cloaks.

Near the center, a bar filled with nobles doubled as a secret meeting ground for the wealthy elite.

As my battle sense enhanced my sight and hearing, I saw it. A girl, being dragged into an alleyway. I let out a quiet sigh.

"Trash doesn't disappear until you start sweeping."

Without hesitation, I leapt down.