The forest grew quieter the closer I got.
Not natural quiet.
Dead quiet.
"...This is it."
I stood behind a group of trees, staring ahead.
Several wooden huts.
Rough.
Messy.
Surrounded by broken fences.
And people.
Bandits.
"...Found you."
I moved.
Slow.
Silent.
No hesitation.
I approached the nearest hut.
Voices.
Laughter.
Then—
A scream.
My body stopped for a split second.
"..."
I stepped closer.
Peeking inside.
And I saw it.
A young girl.
Pinned to the ground.
Three men.
Laughing.
Touching.
Kicking.
"...Please—"
"Shut up."
My grip tightened.
The black blade appeared in my hand.
No thoughts.
No anger.
Just—
Action.
I stepped in.
One step.
Two.
Behind them.
One turned his head.
"...Huh?"
Too late.
Slash.
His head dropped.
The second froze.
"Wha—"
Cut.
The third tried to stand—
Too slow.
Blood sprayed across the floor.
Silence.
The girl stared at me.
Shaking.
"...Y-you…"
I didn't answer.
I just looked at her for a second.
"...Get dressed."
Then—
A scream from outside.
"HEY— WHAT WAS THAT?!"
"...Tch."
I stepped out.
Several men turned toward me.
"...Who the hell—"
I didn't wait.
I threw something from my bag.
It rolled on the ground.
Stopped.
A head.
Their leader's head.
Silence.
"...That's your boss."
I said calmly.
"You're next."
For a second—
No one moved.
Then—
"GET HIM!"
They rushed me.
All at once.
Weapons drawn.
Shouting.
"...Good."
I grabbed my bag again.
Pulled something out.
The head rolled again.
This time—
Closer.
One of them recognized it.
"...N-no way…"
Fear.
Confusion.
Perfect.
Then—
They attacked.
Clash.
Steel.
Blood.
The black blade moved like it had its own will.
I followed.
Or maybe—
It led.
One cut.
Two.
Three.
Bodies dropped.
But—
There were too many.
"...Tch."
A blade grazed my arm.
Another hit my side.
"...Still not enough."
They surrounded me.
Ten.
Maybe more.
"...This is annoying."
Then—
"STOP!"
A voice shouted.
Everyone froze.
I turned.
A man stood there.
Holding a knife—
To a woman's throat.
The driver's wife.
"...Drop your weapon."
He grinned.
"Or she dies."
Silence.
My grip tightened.
"...Tch."
I slowly lowered the blade.
It disappeared.
"...Smart."
He smirked.
"Now kneel."
I didn't move.
"...Kneel."
I clicked my tongue.
Then—
Slowly—
I dropped to one knee.
"...Good boy."
Laughter.
Around me.
"...Pathetic."
"...Thought he was strong."
I stayed quiet.
Watching.
Waiting.
"...Bring the girl!"
The man shouted.
"Bring his daughter!"
Footsteps.
Another girl was dragged out.
Crying.
"...Please—!"
The man laughed.
"Nice family reunion, huh?"
My eyes narrowed.
"...You're done."
I whispered.
"What?"
Then—
[Condition Met: Host Suppression State]
[Skill Evolution Available]
"...What?"
[Black Weapon Synchronization: 47% → 72%]
[Skill Unlocked: Shadow Step]
Time slowed.
"...Shadow… Step?"
The world felt… different.
Clearer.
Sharper.
"...I see."
The man frowned.
"...What are you—"
I moved.
Gone.
Before he could react—
I was behind him.
The blade appeared.
Slash.
His head tilted.
Then—
Fell.
Blood sprayed.
Silence.
The woman dropped to the ground.
The others froze.
"...W-what…?"
I stood there.
Behind them.
"...You talk too much."
The blade dripped blood.
My eyes moved across them.
One by one.
"...So."
My voice was calm.
Cold.
"Do you want to die?"
Silence.
"...Or surrender?"
One dropped his weapon.
Then another.
Then—
All of them.
Weapons hit the ground.
"...We surrender…"
"...Please…"
I stared at them.
Long.
Then—
"...Good."
Later—
We moved toward the remaining huts.
The driver walked beside me.
Still shaken.
"...Thank you…"
I didn't answer.
"...My daughter… my wife…"
"I know."
My voice was flat.
"...We finish this first."
He nodded quickly.
"...Y-yes."
We stopped near a small wooden gate.
Two guards.
Talking.
Laughing.
"...Wait here."
I said.
He froze.
"...What are you going to—"
"I'll handle it."
"...Alone?"
I looked at him.
"...Do you want to help?"
He shook his head immediately.
"N-no."
"...Then stay."
Silence.
Then I moved.
The guards didn't notice me.
Until it was too late.
One step.
Two.
Slash.
Both fell.
No sound.
No struggle.
"...Done."
I pushed the gate open slowly.
Darkness waited inside.
More enemies.
More blood.
I stepped forward.
"...Let's finish this."
And this time—
I didn't hesitate at all.