As soon as the prince’s fingers began to loosen, a predatory smile crept onto my lips. Time nearly stopped. Two guards leaped toward me, one aiming for my right shoulder, the other for my left. The moment their jumps took on a defined trajectory, I released the aura of a Battle Master, laced with bloodlust, to stun them for a fraction of a second and force their minds to reassess the situation—just a moment ago, they were attacking a third-class warrior at the peak of his strength…


    Two swift steps forward and to the left, drawing a dagger from my storage while enveloping it in my aura.


    The first guard’s body flew past me on the right, and I plunged my dagger into his liver. He tried to shield his right side with his elbow, but it was too late—the blade sank to the hilt. The second guard, who had aimed for my right shoulder, also missed, flying even further right, landing between the first guard and Hek, who hadn’t even had time to react. His pupils were only just beginning to dilate.


    I withdrew my aura from the dagger, instantly breaking the hilt and leaving the blade buried deep inside. The first guard tumbled chaotically, obstructing the second from drawing his weapon and attacking me.


    Somewhere in the distance, the sound of a goblet shattering against the stone steps near the throne echoed. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Vyr preparing to lunge at me. With my right hand, I pulled a spear from my storage while simultaneously activating the magical circles with runes around the first guard, who had just hit the floor.


    — Stop! He’s not a warrior, he’s a mage! — Len’s scream rang through the hall.


    But it was already too late. The second guard, caught in the momentum of his failed attack, impaled himself on my spear, freezing with his sword raised above his head. Under the influence of the magical circles, the monster core’s sand within the first guard’s body began to transform into mana, which burned him from the inside. Geysers of boiling blood burst from beneath his armor. The guard let out a horrifying scream, desperately clawing at his own guts beneath the armor, but it was futile—the monster’s mana had already permeated every fiber of his being.


    Vyr, the smartest among them, had crouched slightly, shielding the prince with his body while holding his sword and shield at the ready.


    — Stop! Wait! — Len repeated. — What the hell are you?! What magic did you just activate?


    The prince remained silent, still trying to grasp what was happening. So I answered Len instead.


    — That’s none of your business. All you need to know is this—if not for the Church of the White Twins, you bastards would all be dead by now!


    — Enough! — the prince shouted. — We’ve lost! Stop! I’ll withdraw, and we’ll forget all about this. You can walk away freely!


    — Withdraw? Forget? — I bared my teeth in a grin and made a short motion with my right hand, driving the spear clean through the second guard’s stomach. The tip struck his spine. — Anyone who attacks me will die in agony!


    Then I released the aura from the spear and, with a sharp twist, snapped the shaft, activating the magical circles around him. He followed the path of the first guard, desperately trying to tear himself apart before collapsing into a fountain of boiling blood.


    Vyr growled, crouching even lower, his eyes blazing with wild madness.


    I expanded the magical circles, positioning myself within them alongside the two mutilated corpses, absorbing the remnants of monster mana lingering in the air. At the same time, I pulled another spear from my storage. The sight of the expanding magic zone halted Vyr’s attack. Feverishly, he struggled to reassess the situation with his fogged mind.


    — Vyr, stand down! — Len shouted. — Protect the prince!


    For a moment, we all froze again, each contemplating the next move—except for Hek, who was quietly inching toward the door.


    I didn’t want to kill anyone else. I’d already achieved my goal, and a fight with Vyr wouldn’t be a simple stroll. The other three were thinking about how to save their lives—except, perhaps, Vyr.


    — Fine — I said, lowering the tip of my spear and dispersing the magical circles. — I’ll spare your worthless lives.


    The prince and Len exhaled in relief.


    — I’m leaving now, and we’ll forget everything that happened here. But if I so much as hear that you’ve interfered with Hek or the merchant guild… Do I need to spell it out for you, prince? Do we understand each other?


    — Yes, I give my word that everything that just happened will in no way affect the relations between the princely court, anyone in my circle, the merchant guild, or Hek.


    — Good. I heard you, prince. Let’s go, old man — I said, addressing Hek.


    At the door, I stopped and, without turning around, added,


    — I’ll clear out the Misty Forest myself soon. You don’t need to send anyone else.


    And with that, we left, slamming the doors behind us.


    No one stopped us on the way to the gates. Perhaps no one even knew what had happened in the palace.


    — That was incredible, Aney! — Hek said as soon as we stepped beyond the gates of the princely estate. — You took down two Battle Masters in two moves! I’ve never seen anything like it in my life!


    — Enough, old man. It’s been too long a day. Let’s go home.


    Then I suddenly remembered that a few hours ago, I had burned my own house down and stopped in my tracks.


    — Hek, will you give me a new house? I promise I won’t burn this one down!


    — Oh, kid — the old man took my arm — I’ll find you a free spot on the doorstep if I have to!


    His mood was fantastic.


    That’s how we walked home—me, mentally exhausted and silent, and Hek, cheerful and pleased that we had wriggled out of that trap.


    Later that evening, as I sat in a chair on the porch of my new house, pondering my plans for the near future, a girl’s voice rang through the yard.


    — Masteeeeeer! I was so worried about you!


    Then something large, fluffy, and reddish, weighing at least fifty kilos, crashed into my lap, nearly knocking the wind out of me.


    — Mmmph.


    — Mmmph? Is that all you have to say for all my worrying about you?


    — Mia, can you write?


    The question seemed to throw her off.


    — Why do you ask? Are you writing a will? Are you hurt? Are you injured?


    — Shhh! — I pressed a finger to her lips and whispered mysteriously. — I need to make a list.


    — A list? — she whispered back.


    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    — Yeah. A list of things.


    — What things?


    — Things I’ll use to beat you with if you don’t bring me paper this instant! — I barked at her.


    A startled Mia bolted into the house and returned in a flash with paper and a stylus, ready to write.


    — A map, weapons… — I began dictating slowly.


    She diligently scratched away with the stylus on the paper, then suddenly stopped.


    — Master, are you leaving us?


    — I have to go.


    — Master, will you take me with you?


    — No, my business isn’t for children.


    — But Master, I’m not a child anymore.


    — Hush! Enough of this chatter!


    — You’re not taking Mia because she’s too weak?


    This conversation needed to end. I reached out and patted her head.


    — No, Mia. You’re not too weak. I’m too weak to take you with me where I’m going. Now keep writing…


    The next day, I entered Hek’s office.


    — So you’re really going into the forest? Alone?


    — Yeah. I have my own reasons for this. I’m no altruist to do it for the sake of your principality.


    Hek thoughtfully twirled the list Mia had written in his hands.


    — Don’t worry, I’ll gather everything you need, even better than it’s written here. You forgot to list a lot of things.


    — Thanks, old man.


    — No need for money.


    I shifted my gaze from the ceiling I had been staring at to him.


    — What’s with that look? The path through the forest is essential for trade, so consider this my contribution.


    I looked back at the ceiling.


    — Hek, I want to save Grace.


    There was no reply. I tore my gaze away from the ceiling again and looked at the old man.


    — Grace can only be saved if she wants to be saved. But you can try—no one will stop you.


    A vague answer.


    — You won’t try to talk me out of it?


    — Aney, you’re a good kid. Stubborn, but good. And honest. But sometimes, I feel like you’re not from this world, so you don’t understand it. Let me tell you a simple truth about this world. The only thing that matters here is strength. You were thrice right to crush the princely court—otherwise, it would have been you in their place, and soon after, me. So don’t ask me or anyone else for advice. If you want to save Grace, then go and do it—don’t just stand here sniveling! Got it?


    A smile spread across my lips.


    — Thanks, Hek.


    I walked through the streets, pondering. Why is a world that seems so simple at first glance actually so treacherous? Why do things the locals take for granted weigh so heavily on my conscience? Is it me, or is it the world that’s wrong?


    I reached the Adventurers’ Guild. The battered sign above the door was now split in two, hanging crookedly, ready to fall with the slightest breeze. Looks like Grace had sobered up for a while.


    I pushed the door open and stepped inside. Silence. Only an unfamiliar girl was wiping down the front desk. She didn’t even glance at me, so I quietly headed up to the second floor and knocked on Grace’s office door.


    — Come in! — her voice called out.


    Grace sat behind her desk with her usual bottle. But this time, there was something new—a large vase filled with candies.


    — Want some? — she shook the bottle. — I remember you once promised to drink with me.


    — Fine, — I had nowhere better to be, — but this is the last time. For both of us. After this, I have something important to discuss with you.


    — Alright. — Grace agreed easily.


    — So, what is it? — she asked, handing me a glass.


    — I’m going into the forest for a clearing mission. Alone. — I took a small sip as I sat down on the couch. Damn it, I might as well have swallowed molten glass. — Wanted to ask if you’d join me.


    — With you? Why would you want a cripple on your team?


    — Well, you’re not exactly a weak cripple… — I tried to joke.


    — No. — Short and firm.


    — Grace, why? — I genuinely didn’t understand.


    — Ah, kid, kid… First, the team saves me—I haven’t forgotten a single word you told me back then—and now you’re trying to save me. Aney, I don’t want to spend the rest of my life running. I’ll handle things my own way. But just because I won’t go with you doesn’t mean I won’t help you.


    She tossed me a storage ring.


    — Here, you can bind it to yourself later. It has a few books on known monster species—you’ll need them in the forest. And some essentials.


    Grace rummaged through the vase, pulling out a pink candy.


    — The last one. My favorite.


    — Oh, thanks, this will really help!


    — You’re a reckless one, kid. I even envy you. — Grace leaned back in her chair, staring dreamily at the ceiling. — I used to be like that once, too.


    The fiery liquor hit me, and I leaned back against the couch, staring at the ceiling as well.


    — I don’t understand you, Grace. Some things can’t be fixed, but our next actions can change a lot.


    I felt Grace’s heart explode.


    For a moment, I struggled to process it, then sprang to my feet and rushed to her. She was smiling, but all I could do was gently close her eyes with my hand.


    — Fool. You damn fool. “Favorite candy”… — I muttered bitterly.


    After standing over her body for another moment, I left the office and headed downstairs, my thoughts in complete disarray.


    — Grace took her own life. — I told the girl at the front desk. — I’m sorry, I couldn’t stop her.


    The girl flinched sharply, her face instantly turning pale.


    — Mom?! Mom! — she screamed in anguish and dashed upstairs.


    — Mom? — I repeated.


    So that’s how it is… Grace, why did you do this to me?


    This was the last straw. I walked out of the guild and wandered aimlessly through the streets. At some point, I felt the need to sit down. Looking around, I spotted an empty bench near a fountain and sat on it. My thoughts refused to settle.


    So many deaths over the past few days… Yes, it was all because of the prince’s scheme—I understood that—but it still burned me from the inside.


    — Mind if I sit? — a young man in black asked. Without waiting for a response, he sat beside me.


    I tried to look at him, but I couldn’t even move. Seems like I was in trouble.


    — You’re Aney, correct? — the young man continued, gesturing toward the church opposite the fountain. — My name is Kram. I’m the high priest of that church.


    I couldn’t move. Couldn’t even speak. Just how strong was he?


    — Aney, I’ll release you now, and then we’ll talk peacefully, alright?


    — The Church of the White Twins, yet their priest wears black. Strange. — I said the first thing that came to mind.


    Kram smiled slightly.


    — You’re right. But today, we’ll be talking about you, not me.


    I remained silent. I wasn’t even interested in what he had to say. And considering his power, I had no way to shut him up or leave.


    — How did you make me come here without realizing it?


    — Me? Make you? Aney, I’m not a god. This meeting is pure coincidence.


    He sounded sincere, but I didn’t believe him. Before he could take control of the conversation, I asked another question.


    — Are you here to kill me?


    — No. I haven’t decided yet if you’re a threat or a friend to the church. So I have no ill intentions toward you.


    He fell silent, perhaps expecting more questions from me, but I had none. If he wasn’t going to kill me now, that was good enough.


    — Too many deaths, right? — he asked after a pause.


    — Yeah.


    We sat in silence again, staring ahead.


    — So, what will you do about it?


    — There’s nothing I can do. — I sighed. — I’m going into the Misty Forest.


    — And after that?…


    — I don’t know. I’ll have plenty of time to think.


    — Will you return to the principality?


    I hesitated for a moment. Was it worth it?


    — No. It’s… too much. — I couldn’t find the right word, so I just said what I felt at that moment.


    — Good, then you won’t be my problem. Good luck, Aney.


    With that, the priest simply stood up and walked toward the church without looking back.


    After those words, the priest simply stood up and walked toward the church without looking back. Just like that?


    I sat on the bench for a while longer. Strangely enough, after that conversation, I felt like I had pulled myself together. The magic of words? Or something else? Sighing once more, I got up and headed for the Merchant Guild.


    — You didn’t make it in time? — was Hek’s first question as I entered his office.


    It seemed the old man understood everything just by looking at my face.


    — I made it, but she tricked me and did things her own way, just as she wanted.


    — Well, that was her choice. We may like it or not, but she had the right to make it.


    I stayed silent. Hek was right.


    — Hek, I have one last request. Grace had a daughter—please look after her, alright?


    The old man gave a silent nod.


    — So, when do you plan to leave? — he finally asked the question he had been holding back.


    — Tomorrow morning. I don’t think I should stay any longer. The Church of the White Twins has already taken notice of me.


    Hek gave me a surprised look, then simply said:


    — Alright. I’ll arrange transport.


    At home, I found a pile of supplies laid out across my room’s floor. Each one had a small note attached, explaining how to use it. Mia’s handwriting—I recognized it instantly. But I didn’t have the energy to go through it all, so I just stored everything away.


    I lay in bed for a long time, trying to fall asleep. The entire Adventurers’ Guild, the prince’s two guards, Grace… All those people had died because of me in just a single week. Was this just my fate? I only closed my eyes at dawn.


    By the entrance of the Merchant Guild stood a covered wagon, hitched to two lizard-like beasts. Nearby were Bern, Marj, and Hek.


    — Are you sure you’ll be fine alone? — Marj asked as I approached.


    — Never doubted it, — I grinned broadly. — There isn’t a single beast out there that can tear me apart!


    — Good, that’s good! — Marj laughed and gave my chest a light punch. My new armor, a gift from Hek, barely felt it.


    Meanwhile, I glanced around, searching for one more person.


    — She won’t come, Aney, — Hek said.


    That was disappointing. I shook hands with Bern and Marj, then hugged the old man. He trembled slightly, barely holding himself together.


    — We’ll see each other again! Take care until then! — I called out as I climbed onto the wagon.


    Then, already seated on the bench, I leaned toward Hek and added:


    — Tell Mia that I will come back for her when I’m strong enough. I promise.


    — Move out! — I called to the driver.


    The lizards hissed, the wagon jolted slightly, then slowly rolled down the street, away from the guild. I watched indifferently as the buildings and people passed by, everyone hurrying about their own business.


    Then, we crossed the city gates, and the town disappeared behind the horizon.


    The heavy gray clouds finally burst, and a cold rain poured down upon the land.