Aftermath of the Dark Organization

A Surge in Power

Zero stood still in the midst of the bloodbath, his breath steady despite the overwhelming scent of iron in the air. The corpses of Brock and his dark organization minions lay lifeless around him, their once-powerful presence now reduced to nothing.

Just then, a golden system notification blinked before his eyes.

[System Update: Skills Upgraded]

BLINDNESS (B) → BLINDNESS (S) – Can now paralyze opponents momentarily, extending its effect even on higher-ranked enemies.

SHADOW HIDE (C) → SHADOW HIDE (A) – Stealth ability enhanced, now allowing silent teleportation within a 500-meter radius.

SHADOW CLAW (C) → SHADOW CLAW (B) – The attack range extended, capable of tearing through enchanted armor with ease.

DEVOUR (A) → DEVOUR (S) – Absorption rate doubled, now able to drain even an S-rank's stamina over time.

[New Skill Acquired: REGENERATION (E)]

Zero's eyes widened.

He clenched his fist, activating his Regeneration skill. Small cuts and bruises vanished instantly.

"This skill… If I can upgrade it to S-rank, I'll be able to regenerate entire limbs."

A smirk curled on his lips, but before he could relish his newfound strength—

A weak cry reached his ears.

His expression darkened.

Lily's Cry

Zero whirled around to face the glass containment chamber at the far end of the room.

Inside, a small girl lay curled up, her fragile body pressed against the glass. Her silver hair clung to her face, and her violet eyes fluttered open weakly.

It was Lily.

His neighbor's daughter. The girl he had failed to protect before.

She lifted her trembling hands and pressed them against the cold glass. Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"Brother Zero… my mom… my dad… they're dead…"

Her body shook violently as silent tears ran down her pale cheeks.

A surge of rage and sorrow burned through Zero's veins.

Without a second thought—

BOOM!

He punched the containment glass, shattering it into countless shards. Before she could collapse, he caught her in his arms.

Her frail body felt so light, so weak.

"You're safe now, Lily," Zero whispered, brushing the strands of silver hair from her face.

Her tiny hands clutched onto his cloak tightly.

"…Mom…Dad…"

Before he could say anything else, her eyes fluttered shut.

She had fainted.

Zero gritted his teeth, his heart tightening.

"She's in shock… traumatized…"

He lifted her gently and turned toward the other imprisoned children.

Rescuing the Lost Souls

Scattered across the dimly lit dungeon, dozens of children were huddled together, trapped inside reinforced cages.

Zero's gaze hardened.

Their eyes were hollow, their bodies malnourished. These children had suffered countless horrors at the hands of Brock's experiments.

With one powerful sweep of his Shadow Claw, the iron cages crumbled into pieces.

The children flinched at the noise, instinctively backing away.

One boy, barely ten years old, hesitantly stepped forward. His voice was hoarse, filled with fear.

"A-Are we really… free?"

Zero knelt down, his usual cold expression softening slightly.

"Yes. You're free."

The children burst into tears. Some fell to their knees, while others hugged each other tightly.

Zero took a deep breath.

"They have no one left... just like Lily."

After a long moment, he finally spoke.

"There's a place that can take care of you."

He thought of the orphanage where he had grown up.

It wasn't perfect, but it was better than the horrors they had suffered here.

He personally escorted them to the orphanage, ensuring their safety.

Before leaving, he donated a large sum of money to help support them.

As he turned to leave, one of the children called out.

"Mister! Thank you!"

For a brief second, Zero felt something… unfamiliar. A warmth he hadn't felt in a long time.

But he shook it off.

There was still one child left in his care.

Lily's Plea

Zero carried Lily back to his home, tucking her into a bed.

For days, she remained silent.

She would wake up in the middle of the night, crying softly, whispering the names of her lost parents.

But Zero stayed close, watching over her.

One evening, as he prepared to leave the room—

A small hand grabbed his sleeve.

"Brother Zero… please don't leave me."

Zero froze.

Lily's violet eyes stared up at him, brimming with tears.

"I have no one left… I don't want to be alone."

A heavy silence filled the room.

Zero hesitated.

"Taking care of someone? Being responsible for them? That's not me."

But then he saw the fear in her eyes. The same fear he had once felt as a child.

The fear of being abandoned.

With a deep sigh, he gently ruffled her soft silver hair.

"Fine. You can stay with me."

Lily's eyes widened.

Then, for the first time since he rescued her—

She smiled.

A small, fragile smile… but a real one.

Zero stared at her and thought—

"From now on, I'll protect you. No matter what."

She wasn't just some orphaned child anymore.

She was family.

And for the first time in a long time…

Zero felt like he wasn't alone anymore.