A Prison Break, but Make It Moral

The night stretched on, quiet and deceptively peaceful, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming. I was still processing everything that had happened today—preventing a major event from the game, meeting Cassian Valehart, the feared "Devil's Knight," and even gaining a new skill that boosted affection points.

Now, I was sitting by the fire, feeding Kkum scraps of meat while Cassian silently cleaned his sword across from me. He hadn't said much since our conversation earlier, but I could tell he was watching me—evaluating me in a way that made me feel like I was some kind of puzzle he couldn't quite solve.

I could live with that.

The system alert about gaining his affection had been unexpected, but I wasn't about to start thinking too hard about it. I wasn't trying to collect love interests like some kind of overachieving protagonist. I just didn't like watching people get abandoned because of things they couldn't control.

Besides, black magic was cool. The people in this world were just cowards.

I stretched my arms over my head and let out a yawn. "Well, that was an eventful day. Saved a knight, avoided getting burned at the stake, and got a fancy new skill. Not bad."

Cassian gave me a look. "You talk to yourself often?"

I grinned. "Only when I have something interesting to say."

His lips twitched—just barely. Almost a smile. I considered it a win.

Then, just as I was about to relax, a system alert pinged.

[Emergency Quest Activated: Investigate the Riot in the Nearby Village!] [Details: Reports of a violent disturbance have surfaced in a nearby village. An unknown force is manipulating the townspeople, inciting violence against monsters. Find the source and eliminate the threat.] [Reward: ???]

Oh, lovely.

I frowned at the screen and stood up. Cassian noticed immediately. "Something wrong?"

"I think there's a problem in a nearby village," I admitted. "Something about a riot. People attacking monsters."

His expression darkened. "Where?"

"Not sure yet, but I can find out." I turned to Kkum, who lazily opened one eye at me.

"You heard all that, right?" I asked.

Kkum yawned dramatically before hopping onto my shoulder. "You have a real talent for attracting trouble."

"Thanks, I try."

Cassian was already standing, slipping his sword into its sheath. "We'll leave immediately."

I blinked. "Wow, no hesitation?"

He gave me a pointed look. "You saved my life today. This is the least I can do."

I wasn't sure how to respond to that, so I just nodded. "Alright, let's move."

By the time we reached the village, it was pure chaos.

Shouts echoed through the streets. Buildings had been damaged, broken stalls littered the ground, and people were screaming in confusion. The villagers had armed themselves with whatever they could find—pitchforks, torches, even kitchen knives. And the target of their aggression?

Monsters.

A small, trembling beast—a fox-like creature with too many tails—was cornered by a group of men. A rock flew through the air, striking it in the side. It let out a pained yelp, curling in on itself.

Before I even realized I was moving, I was there, stepping between them.

The man holding the next rock hesitated, staring at me in shock. "What are you doing?"

I glared. "Stopping you."

"They're dangerous! Those things are working with the bandits—"

"No, they're not." My voice was firm. "They're scared. Look at them."

Cassian had appeared beside me, his presence alone enough to make them hesitate further. His hand was on the hilt of his sword, his expression unreadable. The sight of him—the Devil's Knight—made them take a step back.

One of the villagers swallowed. "But… they're monsters—"

"So?" I raised an eyebrow. "That doesn't mean they deserve to be beaten to death."

A heavy silence fell.

Then, Kkum suddenly stiffened on my shoulder, his small claws digging into my sleeve.

"There's something underground," he muttered, his voice oddly sharp.

Underground?

I focused, scanning the area. That's when I noticed it—a large metal grate, slightly ajar, hidden beneath a toppled cart.

Cassian saw it too. His expression darkened as he moved towards it, pulling it open with ease. A staircase led down into darkness.

A dungeon. No—

A prison.

Cassian and I exchanged glances before we descended, the air growing colder with each step.

What we found made my stomach twist.

Cells. Lining the walls. All filled with monsters—some injured, some barely breathing, others too weak to even move.

I gritted my teeth. This wasn't in the game. None of this was supposed to happen.

"What… is this?" I whispered.

Cassian's voice was grim. "A prison. A secret one."

I swallowed hard, hands clenching at my sides. These weren't just criminals locked away. These were creatures—beings—that had been tortured. Hunted. Abused.

A deep, gnawing anxiety crept into my chest.

The game's story was changing. And I had no idea why.

But I did know one thing.

I wasn't going to stand here and do nothing.

Taking a steadying breath, I stepped forward, pressing my hands to the nearest set of bars. "Let's get them out."

Cassian watched me for a long moment before nodding. "Agreed."

We moved quickly, breaking locks, freeing monsters—some of whom looked at us with pure confusion, others with cautious gratitude. I healed who I could, pouring magic into wounds that shouldn't have been there in the first place.

Cassian kept guard, his golden eyes sharp as he monitored the entrance. His grip on his sword was tight, his knuckles white.

He was furious.

I could see it in the way his muscles tensed, in the way his jaw clenched. This—this cruelty—was personal to him.

I didn't ask why. I just understood.

Then, just as we were freeing the last of the prisoners, a warmth flooded through my body.

A system alert flashed before me.

[Unique Magic Unlocked: Divine Power] [The deity of this world acknowledges your actions.]

I barely had time to process it before a golden glow surrounded me. My body felt weightless, as if something beyond me had taken hold. The injuries of those around me healed in an instant.

Cassian turned to me, eyes wide.

"What… was that?"

I let out a shaky breath. "I think I just got a blessing."

His gaze lingered on me, unreadable. Then, to my complete surprise, he bowed his head slightly.

"Thank you."

I blinked. "Huh?"

His voice was quiet. "For saving them."

A warmth spread through me. It was small. But it was there.

[Affection +20]

I smiled, a little breathless. "No problem."

Kkum huffed from my shoulder. "You're really out here playing hero, huh?"

I snorted. "I prefer 'reckless dumbass.'"

Cassian actually chuckled at that.

And despite everything, despite how terrifyingly different this world was becoming—I found myself laughing too.