Chapter 23: The First Kill

It began with a question.

Not from the system.

Not from a god.

But from Akari.

"Who was the first person you killed, Kai?"

He didn't answer.

So she drew her sword, touched it to the earth, and invoked a memory seal.

[System Alert: Memory Trial Initiated by Divine Hunter Akari Morimoto]

Subject: Kai Veyron

Focus: First Confirmed Kill

Memory Lock Override: Activated

This memory will be shared with all nearby witnesses.

The air around them shimmered.

Yulia gasped.

Elira backed up, hand to her chest.

Lira's eyes narrowed, but she didn't interrupt.

Even Virela… blinked. Once.

And then the world bent—

And they were no longer in the forest.

They stood on a battlefield.

Old. Familiar. Burned into Kai's bones.

It wasn't in this world.

It was Earth.