Chapter 5: The Thief Who Stole for the Poor

The town of Duskvale looked peaceful from a distance.

Houses stacked like crooked teeth, stone roads worn down by centuries of foot traffic, and a church bell that hadn't rung in weeks. But as Kael and Zayne passed the broken town gates, they saw the truth.

No laughter. No light. No trade.

Just fear.

Men with black armbands marked with the Church's crest stalked the streets like wolves. Every door was barred. Every window covered. A notice board in the center square read:

"Generosity is theft. Mercy is treason. Tithes are sacred."

— By Order of the Holy Church of Sin

Zayne frowned. "What happened here?"

Kael's eyes scanned the walls. Burn marks. Shackled posts. The smell of rot just under the cobblestone.

"They're hunting someone," Kael said.

[System Ping: Virtue Signature Detected]

"Trait: Generosity. Match Strength: 82%."

"Proximity: 500 meters. Movement pattern: evasive."

Kael smiled faintly. "Looks like they haven't caught him yet."

Two streets over, a Church wagon burst open in a cloud of smoke and shouting.

"AFTER HIM!"

A dozen soldiers chased a cloaked figure sprinting across rooftops. He moved like smoke—fast, unpredictable, almost joyful. Every leap seemed to defy gravity. Arrows flew past him and missed by inches.

He laughed as he ran.

"Too slow, Father Wrath! Did sin weigh you down again?!"

Coins rained from his satchel onto the streets below.

Hungry hands reached out from alleyways. Starving peasants dove for them.

The soldiers hesitated—turning their backs to the chase to beat the peasants away.

[Virtue Triggered: Generosity +5]

[Public Morale Raised – Influence Spread]

The thief flipped in mid-air and landed on a church roof.

And paused.

Kael stood at the edge, waiting for him.

The thief skidded to a halt, blinking.

"…Well, you're not wearing the usual execution robes," he said. "You the new boss around here?"

Kael didn't answer. His system pulsed again.

[Virtue Match: Confirmed]

[Name: Ren Vale]

[Status: Bearer of Generosity – Undeclared]

Zayne appeared on the roof behind him. "Found our guy?"

Kael nodded once. "Ren Vale. Thief. Wanted for redistributing tithe gold to the starving. Classed as a 'generosity heretic' by the Church."

Ren raised both hands in mock surrender. "Okay, okay. Let's not go throwing titles around. I prefer 'philanthropic rogue' or 'public relations expert.'"

Kael stepped forward. "We're not here to arrest you."

"You're not Church?" Ren asked. "Could've fooled me. You've got that 'I've killed a few bishops' look in your eyes."

Kael didn't smile.

"I'm building something. A resistance. A return to the old world. Where virtue wasn't a crime."

Ren tilted his head. "Sounds idealistic. Dangerous. Completely insane."

Then he grinned.

"I like it."

Suddenly, the church bell rang.

Not by rope—but by magic.

[System Alert: Sin-Blessed Detected]

"Greed-class Inquisitor: Approaching fast."

Kael's face hardened. "They're here."

Ren's grin faded. "Damn. I was hoping I'd robbed enough of them to slow down response time."

The ground shook.

A massive figure in gold-trimmed robes marched down the main road, flanked by armored soldiers. His skin was like pale wax, his eyes sunken but gleaming with greed. On his back was a massive balance scale carved from black stone.

Coins clinked with every step.

He lifted a scroll and read aloud.

"You have taken what is not yours. The tithe is divine."

"The poor must earn their place in heaven through suffering."

"For your theft… you shall be erased."

[Greed Skill: Wealth Conversion – Active]

"User may convert stolen wealth into physical force. Danger level: High."

Zayne backed up. "What kind of broken system is that?!"

Kael drew his blade.

Ren cracked his neck. "You guys fight these freaks often?"

Kael glanced at him. "Only every few days."

"Cool," Ren said. "I'm in."

[Virtue Link Confirmed: Ren Vale – Generosity Bearer]

[New Skill Available: Split Wind Lv.1]

"Divides enemy force evenly among all party members within range. Used to protect allies or civilians."

The Greed Inquisitor lifted his hand.

From the scale on his back, hundreds of gold coins exploded outward—each like a tiny missile of divine punishment.

Kael raised his arm. "Ren!"

Ren grinned. "Got you."

[Skill: Split Wind – Activated]

The coins slowed—then split into three swirling storms, targeting Kael, Zayne, and Ren equally. The blow that would've crushed a single man was now manageable by three.

Kael dashed forward, slicing coins midair.

Zayne deflected them with a burst of mana.

Ren danced through them, using rooftops as his playground.

[Virtue Points +5]

"Group Defense Recognized. Morale Boosted."

The Inquisitor roared. "You dare divide holy wealth?!"

Ren flipped backward and blew him a kiss.

"You shouldn't have left your purse open!"

Kael landed in front of the Inquisitor, blade raised.

"Your greed is built on the suffering of the helpless," he said.

The man sneered. "It is divine order!"

Kael's eyes glowed gold.

"Then I'll bring chaos."