Unbothered

Samuel walked back home as the sun began to set. His body ached, his clothes were stained with dirt and dried blood, but he felt good. He had grown stronger. His magic had improved. The dungeon had been a success.

As he approached his house, he noticed several people standing outside. His steps slowed. He recognized them. The parents of Tobias, Ethan, and Reid.

His heart pounded, but not out of fear. He lowered his head slightly, keeping his face blank. They hadn't seen their sons for days. He knew this moment would come eventually.

His father, Victor, stood in the doorway with his arms crossed. His face twisted in disgust as soon as he saw Samuel. That was nothing new. Samuel was used to it.

One of the men, Tobias's father, turned toward him. His sharp eyes scanned Samuel up and down. "You. Have you seen my son?"

Samuel lifted his head slightly but avoided eye contact. "No, sir. I… I haven't seen them in days." His voice was soft, almost timid. He had practiced this act for years. It was second nature.

Ethan's mother stepped forward. Her face was pale, her hands trembling. "They always pick on you, don't they? Maybe they said something about where they were going?"

Samuel swallowed, shifting uncomfortably. "I don't know. They… they don't really talk to me unless…" He let his voice trail off, eyes dropping to the ground.

Reid's father clenched his fists. "Damn kids. If they ran off somewhere to cause trouble again…" His voice was filled with frustration, but not suspicion. Not toward Samuel.

They didn't think he could have done anything. He was weak. Pathetic. The bullied kid.

Victor let out a scoff from the doorway. "This one? He wouldn't know anything. They treat him like garbage. He's useless."

Samuel flinched for effect. He needed to sell the act. His shoulders hunched, his hands curled into his sleeves. He looked exactly like what they expected—someone broken, someone weak.

The parents turned back to Victor. One of the mothers wiped her eyes. "If you hear anything, please let us know."

Victor grunted. "Yeah."

Samuel slipped past them without another word, stepping into the house. As he walked through the door, he felt Victor's glare burning into his back. He could feel the disgust, the resentment. But he didn't care.

If anything, he enjoyed it.

There was a strange satisfaction in seeing them worried, desperate. The same people who had laughed when their sons tormented him now stood in his house, begging for answers they would never get.

He walked to his room and shut the door behind him. His heart was still pounding, but this time, it wasn't fear. It was something else.

Excitement.

He had killed them. He had taken their magic. And no one suspected him.

The system screen appeared in front of him the moment he sat on his bed.

[Soul System Activated]

[User: Samuel]

[Elements Acquired: Fire, Water, Wind]

[Magic Levels: Fire – 3, Wind – 3, Water – 1]

[New Notification: Investigation Begins]

Samuel frowned and tapped the notification.

[City guards have been alerted to the disappearance of Tobias, Ethan, and Reid. Investigation will begin tomorrow.]

Samuel leaned back, staring at the screen. The guards were getting involved. That was fine. He had played his role perfectly. No one would suspect the weak, pitiful Samuel.

He let out a slow breath. He wasn't worried. If anything, he was looking forward to it,

Samuel closed the system screen and lay back on his bed. His body ached from the dungeon, but the exhaustion didn't bother him. His mind kept replaying the conversation outside.

The parents were desperate. The guards were getting involved. But no one thought of him as a suspect.

He grinned.

For years, they called him weak. Useless. They beat him, humiliated him, and made sure he knew his place. Now they were dead, and he was stronger because of it.

And no one suspected him.

He turned on his side, closing his eyes. Tomorrow, the investigation would begin. He had to be careful, but that wasn't a problem. He had spent his whole life acting small. Now, it was just another part of the game.

The next morning, Samuel woke up to the sound of voices downstairs. He sat up, rubbing his eyes. He had slept better than he had in years.

He stretched, then stood up and walked to his door. The voices grew clearer as he stepped into the hallway.

"Three missing noble boys, and no one has seen them for days?" a rough voice said.

"We sent men out to search," another voice answered. "So far, nothing."

Samuel recognized the second voice. It belonged to the captain of the city guard. He had seen him before during public events, though they had never spoken.

He walked down the stairs slowly, keeping his head down.

Victor and the guards were standing near the entrance. The parents of Tobias, Ethan, and Reid were there too. Their faces were pale and tired.

"We're questioning everyone who might have seen them last," the captain said. "Where were you the night they disappeared?"

Samuel felt all eyes turn to him. He clenched his hands into fists, making himself look smaller.

"I… I was home," he said quietly.

Victor snorted. "That one doesn't leave the house unless he has to."

The captain frowned but nodded. "Did they say anything to you before they went missing?"

Samuel shook his head quickly. "No. They… they don't really talk to me unless they…" He trailed off, shifting uncomfortably.

Ethan's mother sniffled. "They bullied him. We all knew that."

The captain nodded. "I see. If you remember anything, let us know."

Samuel nodded. "Yes, sir."

The guards stayed for a little longer before leaving. The parents left with them, their voices filled with worry.

As soon as they were gone, Victor turned to Samuel with a scowl. "Go back to your room. I don't want to look at you."

Samuel didn't hesitate. He walked up the stairs without a word.

As soon as he shut his door, he let out a slow breath. His hands stopped shaking.

It was over.

They never even considered him as a suspect.

A laugh bubbled in his throat, but he held it back. He had to be careful.

He sat on his bed and pulled up the system.

[Soul System Activated]

[User: Samuel]

[Elements Acquired: Fire, Water, Wind]

[Magic Levels: Fire – 3, Wind – 3, Water – 1]

[Investigation Status: No Suspicion]

Samuel smirked. He had won.

Now, he could focus on getting stronger.