Morning light slipped quietly through the small window.
I slowly opened my eyes.
Morvash was still sleeping.
His arm was wrapped around my waist, holding me close. His head rested against my shoulder, his breath warm as it brushed against my neck. He looked peaceful like this… completely different from when he was awake.
I carefully lifted my hand and touched his arm, planning to move it away—
But suddenly, his fingers tightened around mine.
He grabbed my hand.
Still asleep.
"…How long is he planning to do this…" I muttered softly to myself.
He didn't answer, of course. His breathing stayed steady, slow.
I gently tried again, this time carefully sliding my hand from his grip. After a few seconds of effort, I managed to place his hand back on the bed without waking him.
Slowly, I sat up.
"My… body still hurts," I whispered, holding my lower back as I stretched. "I don't even remember what happened before I passed out…"
My muscles felt sore, especially my back and thighs. I winced slightly but forced myself to stand.
I fixed my clothes, smoothing the wrinkles, then wore my robe properly. I strapped my sword to my side and attached my small magic bag to my belt.
After preparing everything, I looked back at him.
He was still asleep.
Quiet. Smaller than me… smaller than Dravic and the others too.
"This one…" I muttered under my breath, then stopped myself before finishing the thought.
I turned away.
Step by step, I walked toward the door and opened it slowly, careful not to make a sound. I closed it gently behind me.
The hallway was quiet this early in the morning.
I headed downstairs and stopped at the receptionist area.
"Good morning, Renji," Ms. Cera greeted warmly.
"Good morning, Ms. Cera," I replied with a small nod.
She suddenly leaned forward slightly and narrowed her eyes.
"Hm? What's that red mark on your neck, Renji?"
I froze.
Red mark?
My heart skipped.
Did she… know?
Before I could panic too much, she spoke again.
"Did a monster attack you?"
I forced an awkward smile.
"Y-Yeah… I got carried away during a fight and got hit."
"I see," she said, nodding. "Try to be more careful next time, okay?"
"Yes. Thank you, Ms. Cera."
I cleared my throat.
"About the potions… I'll deliver them after I'm done hunting today."
"Ah, that's good," she said with a light laugh. "We're completely out of stock already."
"I'll hurry," I replied.
Then I bowed slightly and turned toward the exit.
As I pushed the door open, cool morning air greeted me.
As I was walking along the side road near the forest entrance, I noticed something strange ahead.
A girl was standing near the trees.
No — not just standing.
She was cornered.
Three large men surrounded her, blocking the path. Their backs were broad, their clothes rough, and even from a distance I could tell they weren't adventurers. More like thugs.
I slowed my steps.
"…What's going on?" I muttered.
Before getting closer, I quietly slipped on the invisibility ring I had obtained from the dungeon rewards. The familiar cool sensation wrapped around my body, and my presence faded.
I moved carefully toward them.
When I got close enough, I finally saw her clearly.
A woman with slightly brown hair and green eyes. She looked young. Frightened. Her back was pressed against a tree.
The three men looked twice her size.
Then I heard them clearly.
"Didn't I tell you," the biggest one said, smiling in a way that made my stomach turn, "if you don't pay your mother's debt, you'll pay it with your body."
"P-please," she said, her voice shaking. "I already told you, I'm still working for it…"
"Hah. How long are you planning to make us wait?" he replied coldly.
One of the other men laughed. "Boss, what should we do with this woman?"
The leader grinned wider. "Grab her. I'm tired of waiting. I'll taste her myself."
"N-no, please, stop!" she cried as the two men stepped forward.
I hesitated.
This wasn't a monster.
This wasn't hunting.
This was… people.
For a second, I told myself to walk away.
It's not my business.
But my feet didn't move.
I removed the invisibility.
In an instant, I appeared behind the two men and grabbed their arms just as they were about to touch her.
"What—?" one of them gasped.
They turned, confused.
Then their eyes widened when they saw me.
"W-Who are you?!" one shouted.
I didn't answer.
I tightened my grip.
"Argh! Let go, you son of a—"
Before he could finish, I punched him straight in the face.
THUD.
He flew sideways and crashed into the dirt, unmoving.
The second man tried to pull free, but I twisted his arm and drove my fist into his jaw.
CRACK.
He dropped instantly.
Silence fell.
The "boss" stood frozen, staring at his two companions lying unconscious on the ground.
"Who are you?" he demanded, his voice shaking slightly. "Why are you getting in our way?"
"I'm just doing what's right," I said calmly.
"Right?" he scoffed angrily. "You think you're some kind of hero?"
He reached behind his back and pulled out a short blade.
He charged at me.
To me, his movement was slow.
Too slow.
I didn't even draw my sword.
I let him come closer.
Closer.
When he was finally within reach—
I stepped forward and punched him directly in the face.
BOOM.
His body lifted off the ground from the impact before crashing down a few meters away.
He didn't move again.
I stood there, staring at my hand.
"They're… knocked out with just one punch?" I whispered to myself.
Was I always this strong?
Or was it the lightning core?
I flexed my fingers slightly, still shocked by my own strength.
"U-Um… mister," the woman's voice trembled behind me. "Thank you for saving me."
I turned around.
She was holding her arms tightly, still shaken.
"Don't worry about it," I said.
"But… what about them?" she asked nervously, glancing at the unconscious men.
"Find someone you trust. Report them to the town's nobles or guards," I said. "If they try this again, they'll be punished."
She nodded quickly.
"I'll get going now," I said, turning away.
"W-Wait!" she called out.
I paused but didn't fully turn around.
"T-Tell me your name first," she asked softly.
"…Renji," I answered.
Then I continued walking without looking back.