《Delinquent in Another World》 Chapter 1 — The Accident. ¡ª Damn it! Reiji muttered as he regained consciousness after a long nap. Still groggy, he thought to himself as he realized the routine he''d face throughout the day. "I bet today''s going to be the same as always." ? ? ? Reiji, a 17-year-old Japanese teenager, was in his final year of high school. He had above-average grades and a good appearance. Amber eyes, often compared to the sun, short black hair, light brown skin, and standing at 5''7" tall. A unique appearance that attracted the attention of both genders, with his eyes causing both fear and admiration. He had a faint strawberry scent, noticeable only when someone was close enough. Who could imagine that behind this appearance, he hid an unpredictable personality with a short temper? ? ? ? If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. On that cloudy morning, Reiji prepared for yet another dull day. As he left his house, he found his best friend Tsunada waiting for him on the sidewalk. ¡ª What took you so long? Did you fall out of bed? ¡ª Tsunada said irritably, shooting an angry look at his friend. ¡ª Nobody asked you to wait. Let''s go¡­ I was thinking of skipping the first two classes. ¡ª Are you crazy, man? Last time, Yaki caught us red-handed. Don''t even think about it, every time I go along with your ideas, I end up screwed. Reiji laughed at Tsunada''s words, then responded: ¡ª Just don''t get caught, stop being such a coward. We can hang out in the music room while the first classes pass by. ¡ª ... "Arguing with this guy gets me nowhere. He always has an answer, no matter the context. Damn it." Tsunada thought, resigning himself to the situation. ? ? ? On the way to school, thick fog covered much of the area, and the streets and roads were barely visible. It was rush hour, with the school nearby, but the streets were eerily empty. Without much concern, Reiji and Tsunada crossed the street as the light turned green when suddenly, before they reached the end, they saw a medium-sized red car speeding toward them. The driver, distracted by a phone call, failed to see the signal and the teenagers crossing the street due to the fog blocking most of his view and windshield. In a split second, the car that had been stopped waiting for the light to change attempted to prevent the speeding vehicle from hitting the teenagers, using itself as a shield. The impact killed the woman and her daughter, who was sitting in the back seat, instantly. Due to the force of the crash, the side car flipped forward toward the students, who couldn''t escape in time. They were struck and thrown away. ? ? ? ... Reiji, regaining consciousness, found himself staring at a pool of his friend''s blood, who was lying unconscious on the ground. He tried to crawl closer to his friend but felt his strength leave him as he tried to stand up. Before he could finish his sentence, the red car that had caused the accident began showing signs of overload. The gasoline that had spilled onto the road made contact with exposed wires, short-circuiting and starting a small fire under the car. The flames quickly spread toward the gas tank, causing the car to explode, killing those nearby. ? ? ? March 6, 2014. The day Japan witnessed one of the most brutal accidents near Gakkou High School, in the Yokohama district, at 6:58 AM. A total of 23 people died, and 7 were injured. The date was named Shinku no Hi (Éî¼t¤ÎÈÕ), which means "Crimson Day." ? ? ? Chapter 2 - Opening the Eyes! ? ? ? "Hum..." "Am I... not dead?" Reiji thought in confusion, placing his hands on his head to regain some of his consciousness. He slowly opened his eyes, as the strong rays of the sun hit his face. Lifting his head to look around, he found himself in a bright, greenish environment. "What the hell...?" A cold breeze hit his body, making him shiver. As his senses began to return, he suddenly questioned himself. "Where the hell am I?" ... ? ? ? After a few minutes of unease and anxiety, the student stood up, feeling the environment around him grow darker. As he began to feel dizzy, he lowered his head and held it tightly with his hands. Soon after, flashbacks of his memory appeared in a rapid succession. The strange pain and the memories of the moment of his death returned. "So... I really died... What the hell is this place?" Surprise and disbelief flooded his mind as thoughts tried to deal with the whirlwind of feelings and conflicting information caused by his memories. In that moment of confusion, Reiji heard something, or someone, within his thoughts. Though difficult to hear and even harder to understand, the voice was commanding. Hearing the voice resonate in his head, Reiji tripped over a tree root next to him, falling down onto the ground. A few seconds later, he thought in surprise, not believing this nonsense. "Am I... dreaming?" "What the hell is that weird voice?" "..." After realizing he wasn''t going crazy, Reiji stood up and leaned on a nearby tree. Now with a clearer mind, he reached a conclusion. "So this isn''t a dream." ¡ª Sorry, entity, but I already have Jesus. <...> ¡ª So, what''s the deal? Why are you telling me all this, ''entity''? ¡ª Still consumed by fear and doubt internally, he asked curiously, though it didn''t show. ¡ª Hm... ¡ª Crossing his arms, he thought about everything he had just heard. ¡ª So, in other words... I''m in another world, right? After thinking of the word, a blue window appeared in front of him, visible only to him, showing his personal information. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. [Status] [Name: Reiji Megumi] [Race: Human] [Titles: Traveler from Another World] [Gender: Male] [Primary Gender: Omega] [Level: 1] [HP: 123] MP: ¡Þ [Intelligence: 15] [Wisdom: 37] [Strength: 21] [Vitality: 32] [Defense: 18] Luck: 82 [Magical Affinity: 21000] [Points to distribute: 15] [Skills:] ¡ª Enhanced Senses ¡ª Super Regeneration ¡ª Telekinesis ¡ª Super Healing ¡ª Black Orbs ¡ª Creation ¡ª Beauty ¡ª Persuasion ¡ª Seduction ¡ª Animate Objects "Hm..." "It really looks like an RPG game, just like the ones I used to play back in my world..." "I can see my stats by thinking about ''Status.'' Very practical." "Mp and magical affinity are at ridiculous levels... They must be attributes related to magic. ''Omega''? What the hell is that, and why is it under gender?" ¡ª Hey, Entity, what''s this ''Primary Gender'' and these skills? ¡ª Frowning, the question came out naturally as he looked at the stats. ? ? ? "Thanks to Zet, I managed to gather the essential information about this world... Wait, so I can get pregnant? What kind of craziness is that!? I''ll ignore that for now, I need to focus on surviving." With his heart racing and great anxiety, he thought about Zet''s responses, and when he looked up at the sky, he noticed the presence of two suns. "Damn... What is that?" ¡ª Wait! ¡ª Hearing the entity''s farewell, he shouted eagerly. ¡ª Before you go, can you tell me where I am? A beam of light, accelerating in a spherical form, moved away from Reiji, almost imperceptibly. "What was that?" He thought in surprise, feeling the presence of something moving away. "Even though Zet helped me a lot, he was such an opportunist... Damn! I owe a favor to an entity I don''t know, in a world that''s also unknown... Damn." Chapter 3 — The Rescue! ? ? ? After walking for a long time, Rei, tired of walking without resting, approached a region that was brighter than the others. As he got closer, he heard the sound of water hitting nearby rocks, so he began walking toward the noise, finding himself in front of a large stream. It flowed northward through the forest, covering a vast portion of the area. As he approached the water, he noticed a small shallow spot between the rocks. Tired and covered in sweat, he decided to strip and enter the water. Soon, he began to reflect. "I''m lost, I always knew my sense of direction was crap." "I''ve been walking for so long, passing through completely messed-up areas, and I still see nothing but animals and bushes¡­ This sucks." ¡­ "Now that I think about it, Zet mentioned magic, powers, and stuff. I haven''t tried using any ability yet." After a few minutes thinking about it, he got out of the water. After some time, now dry, he opened his status and saw the synopses of his abilities. He quickly tried to use one. "Passive Abilities" "Sharpened Senses"All senses are enhanced. "Super Regeneration"Regeneration rate is increased beyond normal. "Beauty"Beauty traits are enhanced. "Super Memory"Able to remember the smallest details of something. "Active Abilities" "Telekinesis"Able to move any object with the power of the mind. "Super Heal"A super heal capable of restoring a selected target''s injured area. "Black Orbs"Offensive ability, which creates 3 black orbs through the absorption of ether present in the atmosphere. "Creation"Able to create an object with complete knowledge of its characteristics and materials. "Seduction"Uses charm to attempt to seduce the target. Seduction skills are drastically enhanced. "Animate Objects"By touching objects, you can give them life and information; the longer it remains active, the greater the MP cost. "Hmmm¡­ I wonder if I need to pronounce/think to activate the abilities? Let me try." ¡ª ¡ñ Telekinesis ¡ñ ¡ª he pronounced, staring at the stone beside him. Right after, the stone moved toward the river that Rei had pointed to with his mind. "It worked! So I just need to pronounce and mentally indicate it, that''s awesome! One less worry," ¡ª he thought with a smile on his face, excited. Unable to hide his enthusiasm. As he was leaving that enclosed area, strange sounds heard from afar became closer, and the atmosphere grew heavy. Rei, realizing the situation, moved toward the trees nearby, hiding behind some large rocks close by. A short time later, he saw two deformed quadrupeds with massive black horns on their heads, looking like broken bones. Their skin was grayish, and their large red eyes stood out. They were chasing a small girl wearing a pink dress. Strange sounds and growls were heard. Seeing this scene from a distance, Rei just tried to ignore it. "What the hell is that? Better leave this situation alone, I don''t want to get involved in other people''s business." ¡ª he thought, turning his body and walking in another direction¡­ However, he stopped after taking a few steps. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. "I''ve been lost for hours now, and this is the first time I''ve found someone in this hellish place, and it''s just a child¡­ Damn! I can''t just stand here while someone dies in front of me." At that moment, the child who was running tripped over her own foot, losing balance and falling to the ground. The monsters advanced on her. ¡ª ¡ñ Black Orbs ¡ñ As soon as he pronounced the ability, three black magical orbs began to form, absorbing a type of dark energy from the air. Their composition was dense and heavy, and they attracted nearby objects. Once created, they were immediately launched toward the two monsters close to the child. Two of the orbs pierced the monsters'' backs as soon as they made contact with their skin. As this happened, the orbs exploded, while the third orb absorbed the explosions of the others, not affecting the child lying beside it. [System] ??Level up?? Level: 1 >>> 5 Hp: 133 >>> 173 Mp: ¡Þ Intelligence: 18 >>> 30 Wisdom: 37 >>> 49 Strength: 21 >>> 43 Vitality: 32 >>> 44 Defense: 18 >>> 30 Luck: 82 >>> 94 Magical Affinity: 21000 >>> 21012 Points to distribute: 20 >>> 40 ? ? ? Rei quickly left the forest and went to the child who was lying on the ground. The frightened child, crying nonstop, didn''t understand what had happened. She only saw two mutilated creatures in front of her. When she turned her head, she saw a boy near her. ¡ª Are you okay, little girl? ¡ª he said, extending his hand to help her up. ¡ª W-who are you? D-did you do this? ¡ª she asked, covered in black liquid that had been expelled by the monsters, pointing at the mutilated creatures in front of her. ¡ª In a way, yes. Before that, can you tell me why you''re here alone in this place? ¡ª Thank you for saving me, mister. ¡ª she thanked in a weak voice. ¡ª Two women grabbed me while I was playing in the village. I don''t know why, but I fell asleep. When I woke up, I saw the two monsters devouring them. ¡ª she said, sobbing. ¡ª I tried to run, but they started chasing me. ¡ª she began to cry. Seeing her situation, Rei tried to calm her down, telling some light-hearted stories. ¡­ ? ? ? A few minutes later, the girl calmed down and asked: ¡ª Are you a mage, mister? My uncle always says that mages are strong and can easily kill monsters. ¡ª I believe so¡­ I''m not sure. Did you see how those monsters died? It was pretty cool, right? ¡ª he said with a smile. ¡ª Do you know where we are? ¡ª he asked, noticing the sky darken. ¡ª Mister, this is the Green Forest. My uncle and I always camp nearby in the fall. I think if you head in that direction, you''ll get to the village I live in, but it''ll take a while. ¡ª she said, pointing to the east, where the two suns were. ¡ª You can call me Rei. Can you show me the way? I''m terrible with directions. ¡ª Since I know the area, just follow me. ¡ª she said confidently, standing up quickly. ¡ª My name is Mia, nice to meet you, mister. They chatted as they walked toward the village. To be continued¡­ ? ? ? Chapter 4 - Eternal Gratitude! ? ? ? It was already late in the afternoon, and the day started to get darker. After walking for several hours, Rei and Mia decide to rest for a few minutes. They take advantage of the nearby local plants and trees to pick small fruits and satisfy their hunger. ¡ª We''re almost there. Do you see that tree over there? ¡ª she points to a large, old tree, which seems to have a human-like face, with thin vines hanging over it. ¡ª My friends and I call it the old lady, even if it catches fire or something happens, it always stands tall¡­ We use it to know the way back to the village¡­ ¡ª she continues talking. ¡­ ¡ª Rei, why were you in that place? ¡ª she asks, turning her head slightly, with a doubtful expression, while furrowing her brow. ¡ª I don''t remember much, I think I lost my memory. "I can''t say I''m from another world, I''d be considered crazy¡­ Probably." ¡ª he thinks nervously, avoiding looking at the girl. ¡ª That place is where monsters and dangerous animals are, people from the village always say to avoid it. If it weren''t for you, I wouldn''t have survived, thank you Rei, I promise I''ll help you somehow. ¡ª says Mia, her eyes shining with confidence. ¡ª There''s no need for that, just bringing me to the village is already helping me, I... ¡ª MIA, IS THAT YOU!? ¡ª A man shouts from a distance, interrupting the boy''s speech. Upon recognizing the voice, Mia runs quickly toward where the man is. ¡ª UNCLE! ¡ª she says, crying, while hugging him tightly. ¡ª Do you have any idea how worried I was? Takayo came to tell me that two women had kidnapped you in the morning. ¡ª he says, worried, while hugging the girl. ¡ª The whole village has been looking for you, some people even left the village and went to Heir Forest, even Mrs. Aster volunteered to help with the search. I looked for you everywhere and couldn''t find anything. ¡ª he speaks quickly, as his hands begin to tremble. ¡ª If something had happened to you, I don''t know¡­ What would become of me¡­ ? ? ? After a few minutes of emotion, the man turns his gaze toward where Rei is standing. ¡ª By the way, who is that boy, Mia? ¡ª he says, pointing to the student. Rei, after hearing the man, simply makes a Hang loose gesture. (The hand symbol meaning "all good" or "the situation is under control.") ¡­ Mia then begins to explain what had happened that morning, how she had been kidnapped by the women, and that when she woke up, she saw the monsters devouring them. How she tried to run, but they chased her. How she found Rei, who had saved her from the creatures, and helped her reach the village. ¡ª she reports, still trembling in terror as she recalls those fateful memories. Shocked, after hearing his niece''s full story, the man, angry with himself for allowing the girl to witness all that horror, walks toward the boy. As soon as he gets close to the student, Rei immediately notices that the man has dog ears on his head, about 1.75 meters tall, robust and muscular. He had deep blue eyes, which, when looked at closely, felt like a vast light blue ocean. "This guy is¡­ really handsome." ¡ª he thinks, trying to disguise his gaze. This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. ¡ª I don''t have words to show my gratitude, I promise I will return this favor, even if I have to die for it to happen. If it weren''t for you, my niece would have died. Please, call me Kazuki. ¡ª he says, bowing his head, as a sign of respect and gratitude in front of the boy. Not knowing how to respond to that emotion, Rei, embarrassed, gently moves his hands to raise the man''s head, not realizing his hasty action. Kazuki is surprised. Because only people in close relationships or family could touch others. Even though he hesitates, he doesn''t pull away from the young man. ¡ª You don''t need all that formality. I already told Mia, just by bringing me to the village and giving me some information, everything will be resolved. I''m glad to see your concern for her. In the short time we were alone, I realized she''s a very charismatic and intelligent girl¡­ I hope this incident doesn''t cause any trauma or anything related to it. Soon after saying this, Rei becomes sad, thinking about his family and how, despite all the problems he caused, he was still very loved. "I hope they''re okay¡­" Upon hearing those words, Kazuki smiles at the boy and then goes to where Mia is, putting her on his back. Then, he signals for Rei to follow him, so they can enter the village. After passing by the ghost-willow, the oldest tree near the village, which was nicknamed "old lady," they walk until they turn left, heading south toward the village. ? ? ? Upon reaching the village gates, one can notice a very simple and rustic design made of wood surrounding the walls and gates. Near the village gate, several people, who were nearby, seeing Kazuki''s arrival, rush toward him. As they get closer, they ask, concerned, where Mia had been all this time. Kazuki says little about the case, explaining that it was already late in the night and that in the morning, he would clarify the whole situation of Mia to the village. At the same time, he signals for Rei to follow him. The boy then greets all the people present and enters the village. ¡ª Since you don''t have a place to go, you can stay at my house for as long as you need, it''s the least I can do compared to what you''ve done for me¡­ ¡ª O-ok, thank you. ¡ª he thanks, admiring the houses around him as he follows. The design of the houses was clearly made of stones and bricks, giving the village a medieval style. Despite looking comfortable, the numerous houses nearby seemed fragile because of their structure, giving the impression they could collapse at any moment. Kazuki''s house was farther away from the other houses in the village. It was a large stone and brick house, surrounded by plants and various types of tree branches. Close to it were the local market and the cathedral. Upon entering the house, Kazuki asks Rei to sit on the sofa near the crystal chandeliers, while he orders someone from the house to bring some food. At this moment, Mia''s uncle picks her up and takes her to the upper floor, intending to make her sleep. ¡­ Soon after descending the stairs, Kazuki walks toward Rei and asks him a question. To be continued... Chapter 5 – Divine Painting! ? ? ? ¡ª Rei, I believe you''re hungry... ¡ª I asked the cook to prepare dinner. Why don''t we head to the living room? After hearing the man''s question, the boy simply nods in response. Shortly after, he suddenly stands up from the couch and starts walking behind Kazuki, who was heading toward a nearby room. As soon as the two arrive in the room, the boy notices the lighting and features of the place; crystal chandeliers that spread light throughout the surroundings, giving the environment a clear and organized feel. A large wooden table adorned with jade stones in its interior stood at the center of the room. Simple seats complemented the set around the table. Various foods were laid across its surface... Probably prepared earlier by the cook. As soon as he notices this, Rei, now hungry, rushes toward the table, sitting in one of the nearby chairs. He then grabs a slice of pie and places it on his wooden plate in front of him. ''''What... A perfect pie.'''' ¡ª he thinks, amazed, as he eats, ignoring the looks he''s getting. Kazuki then starts eating as well after observing the boy''s excitement. "I''m glad he''s enjoying the food." ¡ª he thinks with a satisfied expression. ¡ª By the way, what exactly are you? You have... ears on your head that look like a dog''s. ¡ª Kazuki asks, after finishing the pie. ¡ª I suppose you''ve never seen someone like me before... I''m part of the beastman race. We have animal features on our bodies. ¡ª Some can even fully transform into beasts, while others, like me, just have some animal traits. ¡ª he answers calmly and clearly, with a confident expression. "Then do races have these features? I wonder what demons and elves look like¡­" ¡ª Rei thinks, surprised after hearing him. After responding, Kazuki''s nervousness fades as he begins to notice things he hadn''t seen before; the boy wore different clothes and had a unique appearance. Intrigued, he asks: ¡ª Your clothes are very unique. Where are you from? Surprised by the question, the boy quickly makes up a story. He responds in a systematic way, fearing the consequences if he told the truth about his real situation. ¡ª I have no idea. When I woke up¡­ I was in a green forest and didn''t remember anything that happened... ¡ª I think I lost my memories. ¡ª he declares with a confused tone, making a disoriented expression on his face. ¡ª I see¡­ ¡ª So... You lost your memories, yet you saved my niece. I am eternally grateful. ¡ª Kazuki says, smiling faintly. ¡ª If you need anything, just let me know! I''ll do everything I can to help. Noticing the man''s goodwill, the boy takes advantage of the situation. ¡ª Could I... stay here for a while? I still don''t know much and need information to figure out what to do next. ¡ª he says, wiping his mouth after finishing the meal. ¡ª You can stay as long as you need. ¡ª Kazuki responds, looking at the boy with a pitiful expression¡­ It seemed to say, "Poor boy, lost his memories and is lost." ? ? ? After finishing the meal, a maid nearby, who had been in the hallway, presents herself before Rei. Her expression was stoic and respectful. The maid then asks the boy to follow her to the room where he would be staying. (...) Once they arrive on the second floor of the house, the maid shows the boy the room and then bids him farewell with a small courtesy gesture. Entering the room, Rei notices that although the space is small, it has many pieces of furniture and objects that stand out in the environment. The first thing he notices upon entering is the enormous bed that takes up almost a third of the room. Next to the bed, there are large windows that show the view of the nearby buildings and local markets. The full moon covers much of the night sky. Approaching the windows, what truly catches his attention is the bluish hue of the vast, starry sky, with the moonlight creating a magnificent contrast¡­ Like something from a movie. He opens the windows, leaning his elbows on the ledge, placing his hands on his face while observing the people passing by. Old buildings, a refreshing breeze, and people in strange clothes walking endlessly through the streets¡­ The view was like a true medieval city. It still felt like a dream to the boy, and he was still trying to process a reality he had never imagined. In his thoughts, all of it could just be a dream. Perhaps he was truly resting in a hospital ¡ª after all... Dreams could feel as vivid as reality. After looking around for a few minutes, he sits on the nearby bed, lost in his thoughts, reflexively placing his hands on his head. In his last hazy memories, he was clutching his shattered stomach, struggling to stay on his feet. And no matter how severe his condition was, it all seemed embarrassing... Dying from a car accident. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. "Shit, shit, shit." ¡ª he laments inwardly, realizing the reality. "What an insane day... I''ve never walked so much in my life, got lost, saved a kidnapped girl, met a handsome guy who, at first, is her uncle, and ended up here in his house." ¡ª he starts to think about all the events. "I feel like a Harry Potter wizard after using those Telekinesis and Black Orbs abilities. I didn''t expect those orbs to be so destructive... The way those creatures died was brutal." ¡­ "To be honest, I wouldn''t even know what those abilities would do if it weren''t for the synopsis..." Letting out a discouraged sigh, he ponders what to do next... When suddenly, he remembers a skill he saw in his system. "I''ve been thinking about this for a while... But that creation skill... It''s so lame, damn it." ''''Hehe...'''' ''''...Let''s try.'''' ¡ª he thinks, letting out a small laugh. He raises his hand, flexing his fingers and closing his eyes¡­ He continues to concentrate, and soon, a strange, warm sensation fills his chest and begins to spread throughout his body... It doesn''t take long for it to take control. At that moment, he opens his eyes and lets the energy flow over his arms and hands, saying: ¡ª ¡ñCreation¡ñ Upon speaking the skill, Rei focuses on thinking about all the characteristics of the object he wants, just as it was described in his synopsis. A few seconds later, a bright light forms in his hands, and as time passes, it begins to take shape, becoming more unique. ¡ïSystem¡ï ¡ã?¡ã ¡ïItem Created¡ï ¡ú Chocolate Bar ¡û ?Item created successfully? "It really worked!? I just created a fucking chocolate." ¡ª he begins to laugh intensely, excited, as he opens the packaging and starts eating the candy. "Where''s the balance in the skill system of this world?" ¡ª he thinks, laughing softly, while scratching the back of his head. ? ? ? Now lying down, he closes his eyes, leaving behind some unpleasant thoughts. In an instant, his consciousness becomes blurry, and darkness falls. ? ? ? Sleeping beneath a small tree with golden leaves covered in gold and blue petals. He sleepily gazes towards a distant region, a freer zone... A forest. Before he could look further, the tree begins to catch fire and suddenly launches him away. Injured and hurt, he tried to get up but couldn''t¡­ While his heart was filled with pure chaos, his anger began to spill into energy. Before this force could take physical form, a man approaches the boy and extends his hand. The boy then gladly takes the extended hand. The man, who until recently could only be seen from his feet... Kisses the boy once he lifts him. "Crimson red¡­" ? ? ? ? ? ? In the early morning, Kazuki, who was already awake, decides to visit the room where Rei was staying. With the intent of informing the boy about breakfast, which was ready. Knock, knock ~ ¡ª Reiji, if you''re awake and want to have breakfast... We''ll be downstairs. ¡ª he says deliberately, while taking a breath and lowering his voice. (...) The man, noticing the door was slightly ajar... Probably due to the breeze from the open windows, decides to close it. But he''s stopped when, through the gap, he sees the boy peacefully sleeping. The small rays of sunlight hitting his face highlight and illuminate his features. As a result of the sunlight and irritation caused by the light, the boy makes a conflicted expression, yet one that conveys deep tranquility. All the details around him seemed to fit, complementing the scene, which seemed more like a work of art. Surprised, the man decides to enter the room and approaches the student. Up close, he notices that his black hair fluttered in the wind, and his eyes, even closed, sparkled beneath long eyelashes... His beautiful face, full of harmonious traits, gave off a more pleasant than radiant atmosphere. "Divine painting..." ¡ª he thinks, holding his breath as he gets closer. Leaning forward instinctively, he begins to smell a light strawberry fragrance coming from Rei. Thousands of thoughts run through his mind, and before he can do anything, he snaps out of his trance. "What am I doing?" ¡ª he thinks, astonished, while leaving the room with his hands over his blushing face. (...) ? ? ? When Rei''s eyes opened... He involuntarily murmured something and, hesitantly, sat up abruptly, as if a reflex. Shivers ran through his entire body¡ªhe was so startled by the dream that he lost the rest of his concentration. ... Chapter 6 - Aroma ? ? ? The boy leaves the room and walks down the hallway, descending the stairs without much thought, still drowsy. As he steps down, the sound of his sneakers pressing against the wooden floor echoes throughout the first floor. ¡ª Reeiii, good morniiiing ¡ª says Mia, sitting at the table, watching the boy on the stairs. ¡ª Wuaaaa ¡ª yawn. ¡ª Good morning, Mia ¡ª he replies, now closer to the girl, taking a seat in one of the nearby chairs. At that moment, Mia''s friend appears outside the window, calling her to play in the garden of his house. Mia waves as a farewell to those present and quickly runs off, heading toward Takayo, who, in turn, starts running as well. ? ? ? Curious about the silence, Rei asked: ¡ª You haven''t said anything until now. Is everything alright? ¡ª M-me? I-I was just eating and thinking about some things¡­ S-sorry if I gave the wrong impression ¡ª he replied, stammering, his voice hesitant as he looked away in embarrassment. Finding his behavior suspicious, Rei simply ignored it and continued eating the pancakes on his plate. ¡­ ¡ª It might seem a bit rude and intrusive of me to ask this, but why do you live in this village? From what I can tell, you seem to be in a pretty good financial situation ¡ª he asked casually, still chewing his food. Hearing the question, the man flinched, looking at Rei with a blank expression. Right after that, the atmosphere turned mysteriously tense. ¡ª You don''t have to answer, it was just something that crossed my mind while I was walking down the hallway ¡ª Rei said nervously after noticing the shift in mood. Hesitant, Kazuki thought about it for a few seconds and decided it would be best to answer honestly; after all, the person in front of him was his niece''s savior and someone to whom he owed a great debt. ¡ª I know you mean no harm¡­ But, do you know my story? ¡ª he asked, locking eyes with the boy. ¡ª I guess you have the right to know¡­ I''ll try to explain briefly. ¡ª Before ending up in this village, I was from Zefry, the capital of the beastmen. At the time, I was considered the first prince and heir of the Arther royal family ¡ª he stated, placing his hands on the table and clasping them together. ¡ª The third prince, Katsi, murdered my best friend and also my brother, the second prince, Theo¡­ Mia''s father. ¡ª It was officially declared that Theo died from respiratory failure, but¡­ I later discovered that he had actually been poisoned. ¡ª Shortly after Theo''s death, his wife, overwhelmed by postnatal stress upon learning the news, also passed away. And so, Mia was born in that tragic moment. ¡ª Back then, I was only sixteen years old, and I had to flee in a hurry with the baby in my arms ¡ª he recounted, a melancholic expression crossing his face. ¡ª Mia had no protection from her parents since they were dead. And if she were to die, everything would be covered up by the third prince''s subordinates, who were also planning a rebellion to strip me of my title as heir. ¡ª My father, the king, was a skeptic who didn''t care about these small conflicts over the throne. ¡ª Even after learning the true cause of his son''s death, he didn''t take any action. ¡ª He said nothing¡­ He treated the matter as something trivial ¡ª he added, furrowing his brow and biting his lip in an attempt to contain his growing anger. ¡ª I didn''t want to be in that suffocating place anymore. ¡ª The moment I saw Mia being born, I was deeply moved. It was one of the few times in my life that I felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility. Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. ¡ª And in that moment, I knew I had to flee¡­ even if it was just instinct. ¡ª There were countless times I nearly died at the hands of Katsi''s subordinates. Knowing that I had abandoned and renounced my claim to the throne, he sent numerous assassins and mercenaries after me. ¡ª Fortunately, thanks to the help of a few people I met along the way, I managed to survive while carrying Mia in my arms¡­ From one place to another, I hid in countless locations until I finally arrived in this village ¡ª he said with a weary sigh. ¡ª I later learned that three years after I escaped from my brother¡­ Through a civil rebellion, he falsely incriminated the king and ultimately seized the throne for himself. ¡ª Even though I was considered one of the greatest swordsmen on the continent¡­ I couldn''t fight back or change anything¡­ I, I just¡­ managed to run away ¡ª he said in a somber tone, looking down at the floor. ¡ª When I found out that Mia had almost died yesterday, my mind went blank. If anything had happened to her¡­ I don''t know what would''ve become of me ¡ª he said with a trembling voice, gripping his hands tightly. After hearing his entire story, Rei, seeing how shaken Kazuki was, tried to comfort him. He offered a few motivational words, hoping to ease the man''s distress. ? ? ? After a few minutes, Kazuki, now calmer, said: ¡ª Thank you for listening to me until the end. I got a bit too emotional¡­ Sorry you had to see that ¡ª he said with a sorrowful expression. ¡ª Don''t put yourself under pressure. Like you said, you were only sixteen back then, and even so, you managed to escape with Mia in your arms. You''re an incredible man ¡ª Rei replied confidently, looking him in the eyes with a wide smile. Kazuki, who had kept his story to himself for so long, having never shared it with anyone, felt a weight lift off his shoulders at Rei''s comforting words. Sharing all of that was like shedding a burden he had carried for years. Looking at Rei smiling in front of him, he suddenly felt his face heat up. "It must have been hard keeping all of this to yourself for so many years¡­ I''m glad he trusts me enough to share it." Rei reflected after hearing the whole story. "I feel a bit guilty for lying before." (¡­) After thinking about the situation, the boy gathered his courage, stood up, and said: ¡ª You''re not going to be the only one sharing something today. ¡ª Actually¡­ I didn''t lose my memories. Rei then explained his true situation to Kazuki, admitting that he had been afraid of being called crazy if he said anything about reincarnation. He told him how he knew absolutely nothing about this world and had no idea what to do moving forward¡­ He recounted everything with a lost and confused expression. For some reason, it was difficult for Rei to talk about it. However, he kept trying to explain as much as possible, even though he wasn''t sure if he was expressing himself correctly. (¡­) ¡ª So¡­ You''re from another world? ¡ª Kazuki asked, still trying to process all the information. ¡­ ¡ª I believe you. ¡ª I have no reason to doubt you, even if your case is a bit extreme. ¡ª You can count on me! I''ll help you with whatever you need ¡ª he said with a small smile, looking at him. ¡ª You must have thought hard about whether or not to tell me¡­ I''m happy to know that I''m worthy of your trust. Rei smiled, deeply moved by Kazuki''s support and belief in his story. To be continued¡­ Chapter 7 - Unfinished Business ? ? ? The two continue their conversation at the table, discussing various topics. Seeing Kazuki''s willingness to talk, Rei takes advantage of the situation to ask about general knowledge. ¡ª Hey, Kazuki, do you know anything about this main gender system? I got some information when I arrived in this world¡­ But I still don''t fully understand how it works. ¡ª Well¡­ ¡ª I''ll try to explain it simply¡­ ¡ª ¡­It''s an extremely complicated topic, mainly because it''s the cause of most of the conflicts on this continent ¡ª Kazuki answers, taking a breath and lowering his voice. ¡ª Every person is born with their secondary gender, either male or female, and along with that, they also have a main gender, which can be alpha, beta, or omega. He lets out a weary sigh before continuing: ¡ª The problem isn''t exactly the main genders themselves, but rather the consequences they bring for alphas and omegas. ¡ª For example, because of the strength of alpha pheromones, their biological structure is modified, making them infertile. ¡ª However, in contrast, omegas have a biological structure that''s compatible with theirs, precisely due to their pheromones. That means alphas can only get omegas pregnant. ¡ª Everything would be fine if it was just that, but¡­ It''s extremely rare for someone to be born as an omega. ¡ª Out of 100 people, 80 are born as betas, while 17 are alphas¡­ The remaining three are considered omegas. ¡ª Because of this, omegas are seen as property by the kingdom and considered a treasure. The self-proclaimed king distributes them as rewards to alphas, who, in most cases, belong to wealthy and noble classes. "What the hell, man? Am I supposed to be happy knowing that if they find out about me, I could become the property of some kingdom I don''t even know?" ¡ª Rei thinks, frowning in disbelief. ¡ª Huh? You''ve got to be kidding me. What about people''s rights and freedoms? ¡ª he asks, his voice carrying clear indignation and anger. He clenches his fists, struggling to keep his emotions in check. "Wouldn''t it be easier to just adopt? Instead of following this insane system of handing out people like prizes?" "Oh, right¡­ This is basically a medieval world¡­ But even so, all this is happening just because they can''t have kids? What a bunch of bastards." "The human mindset never changes." ¡ª Unfortunately, this has been happening for centuries. The only kingdom that doesn''t follow this system is the elves'', from what I''ve heard in popular stories. ¡ª My goal was to abolish this system when I became king¡­ But as you can see, I''m here now. ¡ª Kazuki lets out a small laugh before his expression darkens, his gaze dropping to the table. (¡­) ¡ª My mother was a man, incredibly loving, and whenever something bad happened, she was always there to help me, along with my brother ¡ª he says with a soft smile, reminiscing about her. ¡ª She disappeared when we were very young, and shortly after that, the king just told us, completely indifferent, that she had run away to be with her family. ¡ª I couldn''t believe it back then, so I had to rely on my brother¡­ And in the end, he died too. ¡ª It was only here in the village, through rumors at the bar, that I learned the former king¡ªmy father¡ªhad sold her to another country. She had already served her purpose by giving birth, so she was useless to the kingdom¡­ That''s what they said. His face twists in frustration as he clenches his fists and slams them lightly against the table. ¡ª I''m sorry you had to find out like that¡­ But damn, your father is a major piece of shit. Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. Kazuki bursts into laughter at Rei''s blunt words, amused by how the boy deliberately tries to console him in his own way. (¡­) ¡ª Hm¡­ ¡ª By the way, is it possible for someone to tell if a person is an omega? ¡ª Rei asks, his expression thoughtful. ¡ª Well, when a person is between 9 and 12 years old, a test is conducted by the local church to determine their gender classification. ¡ª But usually, that''s not even necessary, since everyone has a system, and all they need to do is check their status screen. ¡ª Plus, the pheromones released by omegas and alphas are extremely noticeable¡­ So it''s almost impossible to hide. ¡ª But why are you asking? ¡ª Kazuki raises an eyebrow. ¡ª Humm¡­ ¡ª Can you smell anything on me? ¡ª Rei asks hesitantly, getting up from his seat and walking toward the man. As he stands near Kazuki, Rei leans in slightly, tilting his neck toward his face. His school uniform shirt is slightly unbuttoned¡ªprobably from the way he slept¡ªwithout him even noticing. Kazuki''s heart starts to race, adrenaline coursing through his veins as he sees Rei''s exposed neck right in front of him. His face heats up from the sudden proximity, and his dog tail begins to wag. He tries to lower his gaze, but then he notices Rei''s slightly open shirt. Revealing part of his chest. Rei looks up at Kazuki and flashes a dazzling, perfect white smile. Kazuki holds his breath for a few seconds. "He''s seriously too good-looking. No one should be this attractive¡­ I''m going to lose my mind if this keeps up." His heart pounds erratically in his chest, his tail subtly wagging without him realizing it. (? ¦Ø ?) "I can''t let him notice this." In a hurry, Kazuki leans in and sniffs Rei''s neck, catching a soft strawberry scent. He had assumed before that it was just the boy''s natural fragrance. ¡ª Wait¡­ You''re an omega?! ¡ª he asks, completely taken aback. ¡ª I didn''t even notice until now ¡ª he adds seriously, locking eyes with Rei and instinctively placing a hand on his waist. ¡ª As far as I know¡­ I guess so. It''s listed in my system. ¡ª So, uh¡­ Could you take your hands off my waist? ¡ª Rei asks, his expression flustered. ¡ª S-sorry, I was just surprised and ended up touching you without thinking. My bad. ¡ª N-no, it''s fine¡­ It happens ¡ª Rei mumbles, averting his gaze. (¡­) ? ? ? Back in his seat, Rei asks: ¡ª Now that you know, is there anything I should be worried about as an omega? ¡ª Obviously, don''t tell anyone ¡ª Kazuki chuckles lightly. ¡ª Your pheromones are subtle, so it''s pretty hard to notice. ¡ª O-okay. ¡ª Oh, I forgot to mention the heat cycle. ¡ª The heat happens when there''s an imbalance in pheromones, for both alphas and omegas. No one knows exactly why it occurs or when it might manifest. During this period, omegas and alphas are at their most fertile. ¡ª When it happens, try to avoid other people and suppress your emotions as much as possible. If you keep your emotions in check, your pheromones won''t spread, preventing those around you from being affected and acting on instinct. ¡ª If it ever happens to you, I''ll help by transferring some of my pheromones to your body. That should stabilize your condition until it fully settles. ¡ª Got it, Kazuki. Thanks! After finishing his explanation about the main genders, Kazuki bids Rei farewell. He then leaves the house, saying he''s going to explain the situation with Mia to the villagers. To be continued¡­ Chapter 8 - Objective X ? ? ? Lying on the living room rug, Rei remains still for a few minutes. He stares at the ceiling, lost in thought. "I''m just living on autopilot¡­ no goal in life¡­ To be honest, I haven''t even had time to think about it." "So much has happened in less than a day¡­ I wonder if all of this is even real." He lets out a weary sigh, contemplating what to do next. ... ¡ª Of course, it is! ¡ª he declares, lightly slapping his cheeks with the palms of his hands. "I want to feel that adrenaline again, that thrill of being alive¡­ I want to get back into fights and smash their faces in..." "The school brawls were the best¡­ Those gangs that bullied the weak? I loved punching them in the face, watching them bleed while they cried. That shit fueled me." "At first, I did it just to help others, but over time, it kept escalating¡­ and it became something I genuinely enjoyed. From that moment on, I stopped giving a damn about what people thought." "I still remember the way the teachers and the principal looked at me with contempt. They never did a damn thing about the injustices¡­ but they were great at judging me. What a bunch of hypocrites." His furious gaze burns upward. "Just like before, I bet this place is full of people like that. The kind I''d love to beat the crap out of." A chuckle escapes him. Rei starts to feel excited, restless. His desire had only grown after listening to Kazuki''s story. "I can''t just sit around here." With that, Rei gets up from the rug and walks toward the hallway, where he spots a maid standing ahead. She wears a black uniform with delicate white embroidery along the edges, giving it an elegant yet professional look. She is gently dusting some paintings in the hallway, moving a feather duster in slow, rhythmic motions. Rei approaches her quietly, and as he gets closer, he asks¡ªstill from a distance¡ªwhere the back area of the house is. At first, she flinches slightly, surprised by his unusual clothing¡­ but she quickly composes herself and hurriedly leads him to his requested destination, pointing out the various hallways and rooms along the way. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. (...) Upon arrival, the maid introduces the area to him and then takes her leave, offering a small gesture of courtesy. Once she''s gone, Rei opens his status window and walks toward some trees and rocks nearby. He immediately begins testing his abilities, determined to understand their functions, details, and limitations. (...) ? 4 hours later ? Exhausted and breathless after training for hours, Rei decides to return inside the house. He walks down the corridor for a few minutes until he reaches the living room. A maid, standing nearby, notices his exhausted state and promptly hurries off toward the kitchen. Too tired to care, Rei throws himself onto the couch near the wall, right beside the soft fabric rug. He closes his eyes for a moment, letting his thoughts drift, his head tilted slightly upward. At that exact moment, the maid returns, now holding a glass filled to the brim with water, placed neatly on a small iron tray. She steps closer and leans forward, offering him the glass. Rei thanks her, takes the glass, and immediately drinks. Just as he finishes, he hears the sound of a door opening. Turning his head, he spots Kazuki stepping inside. He had just returned¡­ Most likely from spending hours speaking with the villagers. Kazuki removes his shoes at the entrance, then looks ahead¡ªhis gaze landing on Rei, who is sitting on the couch, staring straight at him. Without hesitation, Kazuki walks toward him. (...) ¡ª Rei, do you want to take a tour around the village? ¡ª I was thinking about it this afternoon¡­ Would you like to check out some places and visit the local market? ¡ª Hell yeah ¡ª Rei replies enthusiastically, jumping up from the couch and stepping toward him. ¡ª Before that, could you wear these? ¡ª Kazuki hands him a set of silk garments. ¡ª Your clothes stand out way too much. If you go out like that, people will stare at you everywhere you go. ¡ª O-okay. Rei heads upstairs to his guest room and quickly changes. After putting on the white silk outfit¡ªwhich contrasts against his skin tone¡ªhe heads back downstairs and, alongside Kazuki, steps out of the house. To be continued¡­ Chapter 9 - Bloodstained ? ? ? ? 3 hours later ? Kazuki takes Rei to various places, tourist spots, and local convenience stores. After walking for several hours, the two decide to rest and check out the variety of products at a shopping center nearby, located near the Thinner square. During the walk, Kazuki notices that Rei is actually very handsome. Wherever they go, people always look at him with curiosity, affection, and attention. His eye color is rare and unique, and aside from his color, it''s a perfect shade, which, combined with his clothes, makes him stand out and draws attention to his features. (P.S: The passive skill "Beauty"helps improve how people view him, especially in terms of appearance.) ¡­ As they walk through the local marketplace, still talking about everything they see, Kazuki''s attention is drawn to a small booth. At this booth, a necklace is hanging among many others. The necklace has an amber color, which reminds Kazuki of someone close to him. He approaches the booth and buys the necklace for 1 silver coin and 28 bronze coins. ¡ª Here ¡ª he hands the necklace to Rei. ¡ª This necklace made me think of the color of your eyes. ¡ª You''re not going to refuse it, are you? ¡ª Kazuki asks with a sad expression, his ears drooping¡­ He really looks like a sulking dog. ¡ª N-no¡­ ¡ª Thanks for the... present? ¡ª Rei says hesitantly, blushing as he tries to avoid eye contact. "There''s no way I can refuse... How does he manage to make a face like that?" ¡ª Could you put it on me? I can''t reach the back. ¡ª A lie. Rei just wanted Kazuki to put the necklace on him. ¡ª Can I? ¡ª Kazuki asks, moving behind him and slowly putting the necklace on. Before he can fasten it, two people quickly snatch the necklace from Rei''s neck and run off, stealing from others in their path. Without thinking, Rei immediately turns toward the thieves and, using his legs for momentum, runs after them. He passes the market stalls, knocking into people on the way, but he doesn''t care. His focus is solely on the thieves. He keeps running, nearly catching up with them. After a few seconds of running... Close enough, Rei lands a single punch, knocking out one of the thieves on the side. The thief is thrown into a nearby wooden stall, knocking it over and destroying all its goods. Having lost momentum from the punch, Rei continues to chase the second thief, who is now out of his line of sight. Still, Rei keeps running. ¡­ It takes a few more seconds to catch up. Using the speed from his running, he uses both legs as weapons. He brings his feet together and jumps forward, propelled by his body weight. His feet, along with his weight, slam into the thief''s back. The thief is knocked out and crashes into a nearby supplement stall. Still conscious but lying on the ground, the thief sees Rei approaching and, not realizing Rei knows he''s still awake, pulls out a knife from his waist. This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. Desperately, the thief tries to attack the boy, who seems vulnerable. Rei easily dodges, grabs the thief''s arm, and breaks his hand that''s holding the knife¡ªjust by using his thumbs. The thief falls to the ground in agony, screaming in pain as his bones break. Rei then climbs on top of him and starts punching him hard... He pulls his hands back and strikes with one fist, followed by the other. He repeats this process over and over. "Who the hell do you think you are, trying to rob me? You ruined a perfect moment." Rei thinks, with an indifferent expression on his face, as he vents his anger into his punches. ¡­ "I miss... my fights from the past..." As the man is punched... like a punching bag, a lot of blood splatters and spills out. All that blood covers Rei''s clothes and face. People around them watch in surprise at the scene of a boy punching a man lying on the ground, but no one tries to stop him. On the contrary¡­ they just watch. ¡ª Haa¡­ ¡ª Rei lets out a sigh, pushing his hair back. As he stands up, the boy notices Kazuki among the crowd, staring intently at him. Then, Kazuki, squeezing past people, manages to slip through and approach the boy. He removes his shirt. As he takes it off, his biceps and muscles are visible, followed by his well-defined abdomen¡­ (? ¦Ø ?) Kazuki, now close to Rei, begins to wipe the blood off his face with the shirt. He rubs the cloth gently on his face, removing the excess blood. Kazuki hears Rei''s labored breathing as he stares directly into his eyes. ¡­ Taking advantage of the situation, Rei rests his head on the shirt in Kazuki''s hands and looks into his eyes after smiling. No one had ever affected him like this before, the way Rei did. And Kazuki can''t understand why. Is it his appearance? His attitude? His power? He can''t figure out his irrational reaction. Kazuki blushes, frozen in place, his tail wagging non-stop. In that moment, as the man stands petrified like a statue... The completely beaten thief, lying on the ground in a pool of blood from his wounds, is looted by Rei, who takes his necklace back and turns toward Kazuki''s house. ¡ª Yo, Kazuki, don''t just stand there, it was just a joke, let''s go ¡ª Rei says, laughing at the man as he regains consciousness after hearing his voice. Rei walks away from the scene with an indifferent expression, not caring how the people perceive him. Behind him, Kazuki follows the boy, who is bathed in the strong late sunlight. ... ? ? ? ? 5 days later ? Reiji stays at Kazuki''s place for a few days until, one early morning, he is awoken by screams and shouting. ¡ª REI, WE NEED TO ESCAPE ¡ª the beast-man yells at the boy lying down. Abruptly waking up, still groggy and confused, Rei asks sleepily: ¡ª What''s going on? To be continued¡­ Chapter 10 - The Invasion ? ? ? ? Early Morning ? Reiji stays at that residence for a few days until, one midnight, he is awakened by cries and screams. ¡ª REI, WE NEED TO RUN ¡ª the beastman shouts, rushing into the room. ¡­ Waking up abruptly, still confused about the situation, the boy, still sleepy, asks: ¡ª What''s going on? As he gradually regains some of his consciousness, rubbing his eyes and slowly getting up from bed, he feels the stifling and dense atmosphere. Turning his gaze to the side, he notices that Kazuki, with Mia in his arms, is staring fixedly through the open windows of the room. They both wear a dazed and confused expression. "Why are they like that?" He thinks, alarmed. He then turns his attention back to the windows¡­ But as soon as he looks outside, he notices something unexpected and surprising¡­ All the surrounding area and local shops are on fire, the cathedral is in ruins, and part of the wall visible from the room is completely damaged and shattered... Its rubble is scattered across the streets and paths below. The interior of the room is entirely bathed in red, probably from the flames being reflected. Not understanding what''s happening, Rei, who just woke up and is still drowsy, gets up quickly. And starts following Kazuki, who, in turn, walks quickly downstairs while explaining the current situation to the boy. ¡ª We don''t have much time, so I''ll explain as fast as I can... ¡ª he says between breaths, going down the stairs. ¡ª The Beastmen''s kingdom, being located near the coastal plains... is often attacked by the Demon Kingdom, and others, from the Artys continent ¡ª he reports, stepping out of the house. ¡ª Them coming... to this village, can only mean that the cities and towns before here were also targets of attack. At the door of the residence, following Kazuki, who begins to run down the street, the boy hears countless screams coming from nearby people. Soon, he notices that many of the people he meets on the way are running in the same direction as Kazuki. Looking around, he notices many houses and market stalls are partially destroyed... A rather odd scene. But¡­ Who did this, or what happened to make things this way? It''s the boy''s thought as he keeps running. Chills run through his entire body, and the cold midnight winds enter and fill his lungs as he follows the figure of the man in front of him. ¡ª I can''t believe this is happening, this wasn''t supposed to happen ¡ª the man says, his voice full of distress and nervousness. All this hesitation and confusion is reflected in Mia, who''s in the man''s arms, and as a result, she starts shaking and covers her face in his clothes, gripping them tightly. ¡ª This village... ¡ª If it weren''t for the mercenary guild, the village wouldn''t have had enough strength to defend itself, it would''ve been destroyed long ago. ¡­ ¡ª This attack won''t end like the others. ¡ª I never thought I''d say this... but the best thing to do is to run, or hide. While speaking, a loud noise is heard. When the people nearby, Rei, and Kazuki look back, in the direction where the noise came from, they see that part of the wall has collapsed. Everyone notices a huge dust cloud that covers the entire atmosphere, while the remaining debris of the wall begins to fall slowly. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. At that moment, the silhouettes of some things start to take shape through the dust. So that, as the dust begins to slowly dissipate, their figures become clearer... Something large begins to take form, quadrupedal beings with deformed shapes, and enormous twisted horns on their heads¡­ Demogorges. When the dust settles, they become clear to everyone, and soon they advance forward, emerging in large numbers, countless creatures from beyond the fissure, entering the city... A true chaos. The terrified citizens, realizing the presence of the creatures, start screaming louder and running in unison towards the city gate. They run without caring about the outcome, bumping into each other and ignoring those who fall nearby¡­ The survival instinct screams louder, and soon the true nature of humankind becomes evident. ¡ª What the hell are those things? Is it really possible for a monster like that to exist? ¡ª the boy says, astonished, staring at the creatures. The monsters, noticing the human frenzy and excitement, are drawn to the people''s positions. And in the blink of an eye, with great speed, they begin to run quickly, getting close to the villagers... And soon, the worst nightmares and most bitter dreams become reality. The creatures propel themselves with their claws and tear apart the bodies of nearby people, and then devour their corpses whole. "What the hell is this?" Thinks the student, freezing for a few seconds. The situation spirals out of control, and Kazuki, realizing the situation, desperately grabs Rei''s hand and pulls him to an isolated area to avoid the crowd... In his mind, if they stayed close to the people, they''d easily become targets. ¡­ They hide in a small stall nearby, and soon, the man, still trying to assess the present situation, turns to the boy and says quickly: ¡ª We''ll stay here. ¡ª I''m sorry for dragging you like this, I didn''t know what to do... If we stayed with those people, we''d probably be targets too. ¡ª O-ok ¡ª the boy responds. Even though Kazuki tries to speak confidently, the tone of his words conveys indecision and apprehension. Kazuki is clearly shaken by everything that has happened, trying to process the reality, and Mia... Is in a worse state. The girl, despite covering her face with the man''s clothes, hears the screams, growls, and noises from all around every passing minute... Affecting her constantly. In her memories, all she can think of is that fateful day she was kidnapped and had to run, fearing for her life. Of the three present, Rei is the one who remains emotionally stable and able to make a rational decision. Despite the chaos he''s witnessed, the boy has a strong mentality. But, before he could say anything about the situation, Mia, turning her head to the side, screams upon witnessing something... That makes everyone look in horror at the scene. To be continued... Chapter 11 – Mom… ? ? ? Before Rei could say anything about the situation, Mia tilted her head to the side and screamed as she saw something in front of her. This made everyone turn their eyes in the direction the girl was looking. Shifting their eyes to the side, they noticed the figure of a boy running... It''s Takayo, Mia''s boyfriend. He''s running frantically next to an older man and woman... His guardians. Behind the boy, four Demogorges are chasing him at full speed. ¡ª Uncle... P-please help Takayo. The monsters are after him ¡ª the girl pleads, her trembling voice filled with fear and anxiety. Outraged by the situation, Kazuki unsheathes the sword at his waist and rises from his hiding place, leaving the girl in Rei''s care. ¡ª Please, stay here. I have to save the Lincolns ¡ª he explains in a firm tone, his voice fading as he quickly walks away. The beastman, watching the people from a distance with his iron sword in his hand, suddenly breaks into a sprint and quickly closes the gap to the scene. Rei and Mia, watching from a distance, hide behind another market stall. This one is partially destroyed, but offers a bit more protection than the previous one, which looks like it could collapse at any moment. Noticing that the man is now far away, the boy begins to assess the situation. "I have to protect Mia... I''ve never seen Kazuki fight, but I remember him saying that he was one of the best swordsmen on the continent. He''ll be fine... I hope so", he thinks, deep in worry, trying to process everything that''s happening. ... As he gets closer to the monsters chasing the boy, Kazuki shifts into an offensive stance, putting all his weight into the edge of his weapon as he attacks, piercing the surface of their skin. ¡ª Takayo, run with your parents to the front of the market. Mia and Rei are there ¡ª the man yells as he fights the four creatures at once, trying to buy time for the boy to escape. Takayo realizes that the man is distracting the monsters and starts to run even faster. ... As he approaches the market stalls, the boy begins to feel relieved, thinking that he is finally safe after his endless sprint. But to his shock and that of his parents, who are just ahead of him, a Demogorgon ¡ª three times larger than normal ¡ª is lurking among the ruins of the houses. Sensing the movement and body heat of living creatures, it leaps out of a burning building and heads straight for them. The disproportionately massive creature creates a seismic shockwave when it lands, shaking the ground. As a result of the shaking, everyone around loses their balance and falls... like dominoes. Immediately after landing, the monster locks its gaze forward and advances, moving quickly toward the spot where the Lincolns are standing. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. And with a swift and stealthy movement, like a shadow, the creature reaches behind Mrs. Lincoln and grabs her with its massive, twisted and rough claws. The woman flails wildly, trying to free herself from the demogorgon''s grip, screaming desperately for her life... But it was too late. With a twisted, malevolent grin, the creature raises its other claw and begins to tear her apart. The woman feels her body ripped open at the abdomen. Her skin slowly splits, revealing her insides. As her blood gushes out, the excruciating pain causes her to lose some of her senses. At that moment, the creature rips her apart completely. Her entrails spill to the ground, accompanied by a massive flood of blood and chunks of flesh. All that can be seen is pieces of her organs and intestines scattered around, next to a large pool of blood covering the floor. The woman can only feel an unbearable burning sensation, an excruciating pain that completely engulfs her. Her agonized, desperate screams convey her suffering to all present. And slowly, her body begins to grow cold, her skin pale, ¡ª she begins to lose consciousness as the pain continues to torment her. And finally, the demogorgon throws her to the ground... The woman is practically dead. With half her body on the ground, in her last moments, she sees the eyes of her husband and son staring back at her. Their faces are frozen in horror, unable to accept reality. As her vision darkens, the creature''s evil laugh echoes in her ears. And in a split second, before she closes her eyes, she sees the Demogorgon next to her husband, who stares at her in shock, motionless. The sinister creature, looming over the man, opens its mouth, ¡ª wider than two doors ¡ª and devours him right before Takayo''s eyes. The monster then begins to chew the man''s body in front of the boy, who, unable to accept the reality, screams in utter despair: ¡ª N-nooo ¡ª collapses backwards, crying uncontrollably. His body trembles in fear at the sight in front of him. Kazuki, who has already defeated two Demogorges, hears Takayo''s piercing scream from afar and sees the Lincolns'' gruesome deaths. The horrifying scene shakes him to the core. Acting without thinking, the man turns toward the tragedy and starts running, desperately hoping he can help... A futile attempt, as he is too far away. Recklessly distracted, the remaining Demogorges he was fighting seize the opportunity. Sensing his lack of concentration, they launch a melee attack with their claws. One of the creatures'' claws pierces the man''s chest, causing him to stumble and fall to the ground. Blood immediately gushes out of the deep wound the monster has inflicted. Now wounded, Kazuki stabs his sword into the ground and uses it to support himself while he watches the creatures mocking his condition. To be continued... Chapter 12 - Retaliation ? ? ? From a distance, Mia and Rei watch the scene in horror, unable to believe what is happening. On one side lies the corpse of Takayo''s mother, drenched in blood and pieces of flesh. Next to it, a grotesquely large figure is devouring Mr. Lincoln''s body, its face contorted as it chews, crushes, and breaks his bones. In front of the monster, sobbing and gasping, is Takayo, paralyzed by fear and the overwhelming aura of the demonic creature. And from another perspective, Kazuki stands, mortally wounded in the chest. He rests his weight on an iron sword embedded in the ground and watches as the creatures before him mock his pathetic condition. ? ? ? Amidst the whirlwind of self-deprecating emotions, Mia begins to show signs of psychological trauma. As a result, the girl regresses into a state of shock, remembering the day she was kidnapped and nearly killed by monsters with similar appearances to the Demogorges. She shakes with fear and looks down. Rei, also terrified, his stomach churning to the point of vomiting from the vivid memories of the carnage he witnessed, tries to calm himself. During his pause, he notices that the girl next to him is in even worse shape. The boy had promised the Beastman that he would take care of Mia. Even in the extreme circumstances of panic and fear, the student closes his eyes for a few seconds and thinks about what he can do in the midst of all the chaos. When he opens his eyes after a few moments, he formulates a plan in his mind - one that, unlike before, now allows him to think logically. He turns to the girl beside him, puts his hands on her shoulders and says: ¡ª Mia, look at me. ¡ª Mia! ¡ª Upon hearing Rei''s voice, the girl regains consciousness and lifts her downcast eyes to meet his. ¡ª Concentrate on my face, okay? ¡ª Do you remember when I saved you before? Everything will be fine, trust me, okay? This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. "I have to do something... I can''t let that child be killed." "Why do I feel like this? Please, body, don''t fail me like before." Rei then crouches down and signals for the girl to climb on his back. The boy begins to run quickly while the girl wraps her arms around the student''s neck. ... Still a bit far away, but close enough to Takayo''s location, Rei casts a skill before the demogorgon can attack the boy lying on the ground. ¡ª Telekinesis As soon as the words are spoken, the creature slowly rises from the surface, gradually floating until it hovers in the air, about 3 to 4 meters above the ground. ¡ª Black Spheres Three magical spheres of pure chaos are created and launched at the creature affected by telekinesis. When they make contact with the creature''s skin, they pierce a portion of its layer and then explode. ? ? ? As the effects of the explosion gradually dissipate, Rei, now close to Takayo, notices that the creature remains intact, with no visible injuries or wounds on its body. Only a small scratch can be seen on its wings. (Demogorges are creatures with a high resistance to magic.) "The ability... didn''t affect it?" He thinks, scanning the entire body of the creature, which is still floating. He notices a small tear between its wings. "You''ve got to be kidding me... that''s all the damage it took?" "What do I do now? That''s my only offensive skill... Fuck." "I have the ¡ãCreation¡ã skill, but I won''t be able to focus enough to create anything useful right now..." "My only option is to use ¡ãBlack Orb¡ã as many times as possible until that bastard falls. I saw that it did some damage... So one way or another, this demon is going to die." Realizing his makeshift and sloppy plan, the boy points his hands toward the monster, channeling the ether from the atmosphere, and relentlessly casting his Black Spheres skill over and over again. ... Panting after casting the skill countless times, the demogorgon, still affected by telekinesis, falls to the ground... creating a deafening crash and a shockwave that shakes the surrounding area. Incredibly, it still appears to be alive... But after a few seconds, the creature dies. Its skin partially disintegrates, and a large amount of its black liquid spills onto the ground, soaking the feet of those nearby. ? ? ? +24,500 experience gained. Level: 5 --> 15 HP: 173 --> 273 Intelligence: 30 --> 60 Wisdom: 49 --> 79 Strength: 43 --> 73 Vitality: 44 --> 74 Defense: 30 --> 60 Luck: 94 --> 124 Magic affinity: 21012 --> 21042 Points to distribute --> 90 ? ? ? New Skills Angelic Barrier Hemomancy Wing Manifestation Black Spheres Lv.2 Imprisonment Freezing Ray ? ? ? "Ten levels just by killing a Demogorgon? How powerful was it to give that much XP? That''s insane." After finally killing the demogorgon, Mia, still on Rei''s back, gets down and goes to Takayo, who is lying on the ground, covered in some kind of black liquid that the monster expelled before it died. ¡ª Tak... Takayo ¡ª the girl calls and hugs him, not caring about the dirt. As soon as he feels Mia''s arms around him, her warmth, the boy comes back to reality. He cries with her. ... To be continued... Chapter 13 – Deleterious ? ? ? Amidst the vast amount of sticky, disgusting black liquid spreading across the floor, Rei lowers his head to hide the recurring sensation of discomfort and dysphoria. He furrows his brow, stares at the trembling palms of his hands, and unconsciously, a few words escape his lips before he can stop them. ¡ª Disgusting ¡ª he mumbles, exhausted from the adrenaline rush, staring at the exposed and mutilated corpse in front of him. In this moment of instability, the metallic sound of something becomes increasingly clear. The presence is immediately felt by the boy who, fearing another creature, abruptly turns around ¡ª only to see Kazuki standing in front of him. While Rei was busy fighting, the beastman managed to eliminate the remaining monsters through sheer perseverance. ¡ª Are you all okay? One of his hands is pressed against the wound on his chest. His clothes are partially torn... but mostly intact. Blood drips from his wound, leaving a trail behind him. In his left hand, he holds the iron sword, drenched in the same black liquid the demogorges spewed. The same weapon he used to slay the demons is now dragging on the ground, its metallic scraping echoing through the area. Noticing Kazuki''s terrible state - both physically and emotionally - Rei''s eyes widen briefly in surprise. He quickly approaches, grabs the sword from Kazuki''s hand and puts the man''s arms over his shoulders, trying to help him. ¡ª Are you okay? ¡ª the boy asks. ¡ª I''m sorry. ¡ª If I... if I had paid more attention to my surroundings, this... wouldn''t have happened ¡ª he explains, frustration showing in his face. He grits his teeth, conflicted, as he glances at the children on the ground. Before she answers, Rei thinks about how to deal with this depressing situation. Kazuki must be blaming himself, that much was obvious from the way he carried himself. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. ¡ª Stop it, Kazuki! The man is surprised by the sudden order but doesn''t show it. ¡ª How the hell were you supposed to know that a giant Demogorgon was hiding behind the rubble? ¡ª Rei says, cutting through Kazuki''s guilty thoughts. ¡ª You tried to save her. Don''t blame yourself for that... ¡ª he adds, trying to encourage him. Hearing the sharp remark followed by the reassurance, Kazuki looks lost for a moment but then answers confidently: ¡ª Yes. You''re right. The two are silent for a while. A relative silence, considering the raging fire, the violent explosions of collapsing buildings and the distant screams echoing through the village. ¡ª Now is not the time. We have to run. ¡ª There could be more Demogorges nearby. Let''s get out of here and talk later ¡ª Rei says with a frustrated sigh. ... ? ? ? The conversation ends with the two of them running, Kazuki leaning on Rei for support, accompanied by Mia and Takayo. Through the chaos, smoke, lingering flames, screaming people, shattered bodies scattered across the streets leading to the village gates. A path paved with ruins. At the entrance to the village gates, individuals clad in iron armor and others in tattered leather gear assist villagers and nearby victims. They''re likely mercenaries, ¡ª the only real force left in the area. Despite their tireless efforts, they''re visibly exhausted. Fear and anxiety are written all over their faces. Even in their desperation, they do their best to help as many people as possible. Even as parts of the stone structures collapse and some demogorgons come dangerously close to the area, the mercenaries rescue the wounded and those who are unable to move, escorting them to the exit of the village. A truly heroic act, saving as many villagers as possible in the midst of disaster and turmoil. ... ? ? ? As they finally make it through the massive village gates and out into the open, Rei realizes that while the situation outside is terrible, it''s at least more stable than it was before. Crowds of people have gathered nearby, following the road that connects the village to the capital. Some ignore the paved road entirely, dispersing into the Heir Forest. Others stick to the road, traveling in wooden carts pulled by horses. The sight before Rei is harsh and unforgiving: a road filled with wounded people, their faces bearing nothing but sorrow and despair. They walk endlessly, stumbling over their own feet from burns or deep cuts. Nearby, overcrowded carts creak under the weight of the injured. His heart is pounding. Mia and Takayo remain silent, their eyes closed as before. And next to him, Kazuki, who despite his self-confident demeanor is drowning in guilt and fear, leans on Rei for support. "War? This is more like a damn massacre." "This is a damn one-sided war." Rei thinks, alarmed. Unable to hold it in, he mutters words filled with disgust and contempt. ¡ª Seriously... this is supposed to be a war? Where only one side has power and slaughters those who have nothing? ¡ª What''s the point of attacking people who can barely defend themselves? ¡ª Seriously, man... ¡ª The boy lowers his eyes in disappointment. ¡ª All this for power or territory? What a load of shit ¡ª he says, his tone dripping with indignation and anger. Kazuki, hearing Rei''s frustration, simply nods in agreement. ... Rei, taking a step to the side, tilts her head slightly and discovers a covered wagon in the forest with two horses tied to it with halters (a rope or leather strap used to control a horse''s movements). Nearby, an elderly man is stacking wooden crates and goods on the side of the cart. He wears layered cloth over a brown linen tunic. From his clothing, it''s easy to tell that he''s a merchant. Seeing this, Rei quickly comes up with an improvised plan. He asks Kazuki to wait for a moment and then immediately runs towards the man. To be continued... Chapter 14 – Failure ? ? ? Rei stands close to the merchant who, unaware of his sudden approach, is busy packing his belongings and loading them onto the back of a four-axle wagon. ¡ª Sir? ¡ª Rei asks, appearing in front of him, startling the man and making him yelp. ¡ª O...Oh? ¡ª The merchant replies immediately, terrified, his heartbeat racing as he adjusts the cloth hat on his head. ¡ª Do you have room in your cart? My friend is injured and there are two children. One just lost his parents, and the other isn''t doing so well. The merchant watches him, sizing him up, then averts his gaze and turns away, clearly uninterested. Despite the reluctant expression on his face, his indifference is obvious, if not entirely convincing. His behavior, though insensitive, has a reason behind it. People as unfortunate as Rei come in droves. From a merchant''s point of view, there''s no advantage in helping such victims. That''s his recurring thought. A selfish and common mindset, indeed. But it''s how many merchants operate. Profit comes before morality. Rei stares at him, waiting for an answer, but gets none. As soon as he realizes that the man won''t help him, the boy furrows his brow, his eyes clouding with irritation and disbelief. "Well... If he won''t help me, I''ll just create some gold coins. If I base them on the atomic weight of gold from my world, I should be able to..." Focusing on all the properties and atomic weight of gold, Rei tries to recreate the object in his mind. [Creation] [Failed to Create Object] "What do you mean, failed? Fuck!" When he realizes that his ability to create doesn''t work, he understands that persuasion or physical coercion are his only options. What compels the merchant is when Rei turns to him, looks him straight in the eye, and speaks clearly, calmly, and confidently: You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. ¡ª You see, sir... I''m a mage. If a monster appears, I can easily take care of it. So can my friend, the swordsman. ¡ª His words immediately catch the man''s attention. To remove any doubts, Rei activates his skill as a precaution. [Persuade] Use your speech to convince the target. Your argumentation and oratory skills will increase dramatically. [Skill Activated] Seizing the opportunity, the boy steps closer, maintaining eye contact before declaring firmly and enthusiastically: ¡ª So... Are you really going to abandon me and my friends? ¡ª Do you even consider yourself human?! To refuse something so simple, to choose wealth over helping others? ¡ª N-No, you can ride in the back. There''s plenty of room, ¡ª the merchant answers, now showing relief and understanding. ¡ª Done, sir, - Rei adds, turning around and walking back to Kazuki, laughing at the situation. ... On the way, the pupil begins to feel intense dizziness and weakness that spreads through his entire body. For a few seconds, his pheromones destabilize and his Omega scent is released, but it dissipates quickly. "Maybe it was a mana overload. I have to be careful..." He thinks, concluding that the problem could be due to his inexperienced use of abilities over time. For the first time, his powers have a side effect. Back at the starting point, Rei sees Kazuki, Mia and Takayo looking dejected and shaken by the situation. The Beastman tries to comfort the two children, his words carrying a warm, reassuring tone. He holds them tightly, trying to ease the immense psychological pressure they are under. "It can''t be easy to see the people you''ve lived with for seven years lying dead in the streets and alleys, or even to watch your parents die right in front of you." "I can''t even imagine the pain they feel..." "Were my parents like this after my accident?" He thinks, depressed, lost in doubt. Then he looks ahead and raises his voice to the three present. ¡ª Are you okay? Well... I got us a ride out of this hellhole. Let''s go. ¡ª He announces loud and clear. ¡ª How? ¡ª Kazuki asks. ¡ª How did you convince the owner? Rei giggles slightly before she answers: ¡ª Well... Hehe, secret. Kazuki, not understanding the reason for his laughter, stands up and walks next to him, together with Mia and Takayo. While they climb onto the back of the wagon, the merchant urges the horses forward, so that they can continue on the road towards the capital. On the way, the moving wagon bumps into others, damaging their side structures. Given the chaotic situation, this is inevitable. As the transport moves, people on the road desperately beg for a place or help. Unfortunately, just like the road, the wagon is overcrowded. However, most of the space is taken up by the merchant''s belongings, as he prioritizes his goods over human lives. This isn''t right. In reality, nothing that happens is fair. And Rei just wants to throw all the boxes and junk from the car. He almost does, but Kazuki stops him and puts his hands on the boxes Rei wants to throw. The man looks at him with a pained expression, his look says silently: Don''t do this. It won''t help. Seeing Kazuki''s eyes, Rei hesitates, then reluctantly gives up the idea and puts the boxes back on their places. How would he even get the people off the street, considering that the wagon was moving? Where would he throw the merchant''s goods? All these and other details had slipped his mind. He could have used his ?Telekinesis? ability, although he didn''t know how to control it properly. But he rejected the idea of impulsive and reckless solutions. Finally, the boy sits down next to Kazuki on the surface of the wagon. Lost in thought, he furrows his eyebrows and looks down at his hands. All remain silent for a while. A relative silence, considering the pleas, screams and the sound of wood when the wagons scraped against each other. And in the distance they see the city burning. The two of them, side by side, their clothes darkened by soot, watch as everything goes up in flames. The sight is almost breathtaking... Considering the chaos, the collapsing structures, and the raging fire consuming everything in sight. For some reason, despite the tragedy, the sight is strangely magnificent. ... Chapter 15 – Repair Rei turns to his partner, ready to make a sarcastic remark, when he looks down and notices the huge wound on his chest. Even though part of his shirt covers the injury, it''s clear that the wound is deep, judging by the massive amount of dried blood that stains his chest and runs down to his legs. ¡ª Kazuki... Can you take off your shirt? I have to check something. ¡ª S-Sure ¡ª he answers hesitantly and takes it off. As soon as he takes off his clothes, a massive wound on his chest becomes visible. The Demogorgon''s claw had torn off a good part of his skin. The wound is already showing signs of infection. The boy shifts his gaze to the wound and then looks at Kazuki with pure frustration. ¡ª Dude, seriously... ¡ª Why the hell didn''t you say before that your wound was so bad? ¡ª Do you have any idea that you could fucking die if it stays like this for a few days? How long did you want to hide it if I hadn''t asked you to take off your shirt? ¡ª he asks irritated, staring directly into his eyes. A little embarrassed, Kazuki answers calmly, not fully aware of the tension that is creeping into his body. ¡ª Compared to what Takayo had to go through... I didn''t think it was necessary to worry you even more about me ¡ª he says, lowering his eyes. ¡ª ... ¡ª Anyway, let me have a look at this. Leaning to the side, he gently places both hands on Kazuki''s chest, handling him with careful and gentle touches. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. The moment his hand touches the man''s chest, a small jolt runs through him. When their skin touches, a strange, stimulating shiver runs down his spine. He quickly withdraws his hand, but puts it back a few seconds later. Must have been static, he thinks. Kazuki, who feels all the warm, soft touches and the boy''s accelerated breathing next to him, blushes. Completely serious and unaware of the situation, the student glides his hands over his muscles and toned abdomen, gently stroking the injured area. Instinctively, without thinking about it, his hands glide up to Kazuki''s nipples and he lightly pinches the pink bud. For a split second, a tiny part of his subconscious whispers: Do it again! What are you waiting for? No! He stops immediately. The thought is ridiculous and he pushes it out of his mind. He shakes his head, disturbed by the direction his mind has just taken. Realizing that he''s acting on impulse, he plucks up the courage to look at the man, intending to ask something about his condition and distract himself from what just happened. However, he notices that Kazuki is staring at him with an extremely embarrassed expression, completely confused. His blue eyes are shining with curiosity and annoyance. ¡ª Cough, cough. ¡ª I-I''m just checking, stop looking at me like that. I''m just trying to see how bad it is ¡ª he specifies, rolling his eyes away to hide the deepening blush on his face. His heart is pounding erratically. "I''m so embarrassed. Fucking hell, why am I so embarrassed? Fuck, he''s so handsome." Rei thinks. Still looking down, he quickly changes the subject and explains: ¡ª I have a healing ability. I''ve never used it before, but I''ll test it on you. Hearing this, the man blinks in surprise before asking: ¡ª You have a healing ability? How is that possible? ¡ª There''s only one person in the whole continent who can use healing abilities... The princess of the Taskar Kingdom ¡ª he answers his own question in astonishment. "Healing abilities aren''t normal in this world? What do you mean by that? Shouldn''t that be common?" Rei wonders and lets out a sigh. But it''s not one of frustration or shock. It''s one of relief and excitement. ¡ª Well, I didn''t know it was such a rare ability. This is my first time using it, so if anything goes wrong, don''t come crying to me... I warned you. [Super Healing] The moment Rei activates the ability, the wound on Kazuki''s chest is enveloped in a blinding glow and the injury disappears as if it was never there. His wound heals instantly. The boy, stunned by what just happened, lets out a small chuckle. ¡ª How is that possible? Unbelievable! How can there be such an overwhelming healing ability? ¡ª Kazuki asks, his eyes widening in shock. ¡ª I didn''t think it would be that effective... Hehe. Can I be called a saint with this? ¡ª he says smugly with a grin. The man looks at him with a reassuring expression and murmurs softly, so softly that the boy doesn''t hear it, still caught up in his own amusement. ¡ª You could see much more than that. Noticing that Rei is still lost in thought and wearing an expression of self-satisfaction, Kazuki seizes the moment and teases him. ¡ª You can take your hand off my breast now. Or do you still want to "analyze" something? Slightly irritated, the boy answers as seriously as he can: ¡ª You idiot. How can you joke at a time like this? ¡ª he asks, the growing blush covering his entire face. He notices the slight smile on Kazuki''s lips and the amused gleam in his eyes, as if he''s enjoying his private joke. Rei tries to hit him, but his attempt is easily dodged as Kazuki easily catches his hands. Just as the man slowly leans closer to him, a sudden explosion echoes from the street. Chapter 16 - Unpredictability ? ? ? Countless screams are heard, and the atmosphere, which already felt dense and suffocating, now becomes unbearable. Uneasiness and chaos reign once more. The sharp, high-pitched whinnying of horses echoes in the distance. The wooden carts and vehicles lining the road leave the paved road and enter the nearby forest. Kazuki and Rei exchange glances, look ahead, then exchange glances again, startled. They turn to the driver and lean their heads slightly out of the carriage. Both stare stunned. They''re taken aback by the sight: the street is in ruins, engulfed in flames, fragments of wagons scattered everywhere. People are running frantically, disoriented, screaming for their lives. Some try to escape from the street, wounded, crawling miserably. In the end, however, they die from inhaling the carbon dioxide and cyanide that fill the air. A horrible scene indeed. Several events unfold at that moment, making it impossible to process everything at once. While Rei and Kazuki are absorbed in observing the chaotic scene from a distance, their thoughts are abruptly interrupted by the shaking, cold voice of the coachman standing beside them. "F-for heaven''s sake... T-There''s a demon general on the road. What the hell is he doing in such an insignificant place like this?" he stammers, his eyes wide with horror as he points to the sky, his entire body shaking with fear, unable to believe what he''s seeing. Upon hearing his words, Kazuki and Rei immediately turn their gaze to the sky and notice the silhouette of a being hovering above them. It''s too far away to make out clearly, but the presence of two massive wings extending from its body is unmistakable. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. A red spark near the creature begins to grow larger by the second. These sparks take shape and turn into massive fireballs that rain down on the wagons and people in the street. Several fireballs are launched from the mysterious creature. It seems to indiscriminately destroy everything in its path. And unfortunately, many people begin to perish. In this moment of madness, Rei regains some of his senses and rolls his eyes in despair before noticing that the merchant is still frozen, not moving a single muscle as he stares fixedly at the sky. The boy shakes slightly, doing his best to suppress his nerves - the uncertainty is constantly tormenting him. Trying to shake off these negative feelings, the student turns sharply toward the merchant and suddenly yells at him. "Mister, wake up! If we don''t get out of here right now, we''re all going to die!" Hearing the boy''s urgent cry, the merchant comes out of his trance and quickly urges the horses forward, trying to steer the carriage off the road and into the forest like the other vehicles. But as fate loves to play tricks on men... A massive fireball of absurdly colossal size becomes clearer and more visible. It seems to be heading straight for them. "Shit..." Eyes wide with terror, the merchant stares as the fireball slowly approaches. "Fuck¡­ If that thing reaches us, we''re dead. Shit, shit. What should I do?" "Mia and Takayo are still in the back. We won''t make it out in time... Even if we did, we''d be caught in the impact... Fuck." The student quickly opens his status screen and scans all his abilities at a glance. "...Yeah, this should work." Just as they''re about to be hit, Rei activates a skill he acquired upon leveling up. [Angelic Barrier] A huge, divine, transparent barrier forms around the carriage and horses. When the fireball hits its surface, the flames gradually dissipate until there''s no trace left of the once deadly attack. At that moment, the boy shakes the still paralyzed merchant once more, who practically plays dead. Then they quickly leave the street and head for a safer area in the nearby forest. Feeling an unsettling sensation looming over them, the boy looks back and notices that the airborne creature is staring directly at them. A shiver runs down his spine. He expects the creature to attack again or come after them... But nothing happens. ''Is it not going to do anything?'' he wonders in bewilderment. The creature hovering in the sky examines the carriage heading into the forest and then turns away, uninterested. "Hmm..." "Interesting." "Someone managed to neutralize my ability..." "...I have no time to waste killing these insects," he mumbles as he flies through the air, heading towards the destroyed village. ... [Minutes Later] [Past Perspective] "??" places a hand over the fragmented remains of something grotesque on the ground, trying to analyze the last moments of its existence. "Interesting... So a human managed to destroy the Master''s creation..." "...I must report this to my king," he mumbles before jumping into the sky and taking flight. "All anomalies in the plan must be eliminated so that the Master''s will may unfold accordingly." His figure slowly fades into the distance as he flies south. To be continued... Chapter 17 – Gratitude ? ? ? [30 Minutes Later] Once they manage to get into the dense forest nearby, the merchant continues his relentless march, terrified at the mere thought of what might happen if he stopped halfway. As the wagon collides with dry branches, trees, rocks, and twisted vines that only serve to obstruct the path, it gradually falls apart until it is completely destroyed. The merchant only stops when he sees a massive waterfall directly in front of him. Judging by his nervous expression, it''s clear that everyone is in the same state, ¡ª shocked and disbelieving. In that moment of silence, the man rubs his eyes and suddenly says with a long sigh: ¡ª I-I think we''ve gone far enough. Kazuki and Rei, who are standing next to him, simply nod in agreement. The boy begins to examine the area from a distance while Kazuki turns to the children in the back of the carriage. ¡ª I think we can rest now, it''s been a long time... Let''s go ¡ª he points to a place near the waterfall. "What a crazy world, man..." He thinks to himself. Turning around, the boy notices that Mia and Takayo are still shaken. Lowering his voice, he speaks softly in their direction. ¡ª So... I''m really sorry about what happened. Do you need any help? Kazuki, who is hugging Mia and Takayo, looks at Rei with a faint shadow of a smile, although his eyes remain lifeless, and says: This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. ¡ª We''re fine, no need to worry... Even though it was a tough reality, there was nothing that could be done. Every time he tried to comfort people in miserable situations, his careless words only made things worse. In the end, maybe the most important thing in these situations is just ''''to be there''''. ... After getting out of the carriage, Kazuki holds Mia and Takayo and talks to them about something that Rei, who is standing a little further away, cannot hear. Taking advantage of the moment, the merchant approaches the boy, who seems to be analyzing the whole scenario, watching the reddish, cloudy sky getting darker by the minute. ¡ª T-Thank you, young man. If you hadn''t warned me back then, I wouldn''t have been able to react in time... Thank you. Rei glances at him briefly, then shifts his gaze back to the scenery, thinking to himself. ¡ª I didn''t do it for you... I did it for me and my friends ¡ª he replies in a sharp, fast tone. After these words, there is silence again, with only the sound of the nearby waterfall clearly audible. Realizing that the boy isn''t in the mood to talk, and his expression carries no trace of humor, the merchant turns back toward the carriage. ¡ª Damn war! All my merchandise is gone¡­ Shit. If I had known this would happen, I would''ve gone to the elf kingdom ¡ª he grumbles impatiently, kicking a nearby tree several times. Most of his goods had been destroyed by his frantic pace. Two wooden crates and a partially broken marble jar are all that remain of his inventory. ... After finishing his conversation with the children, Rei quietly approaches Kazuki. ¡ª Hey... How was it? Are you okay, man? Kazuki, noticing his presence, looks at him and gives a small smile before answering calmly, still unsure about everything that happened. ¡ª I still can''t process everything that happened, but... I can''t show any hesitation now ¡ª he says, looking at the boy whose expression is somber, his eyes clouded with worry. ¡ª The children need a parental figure right now. If I show weakness or fear, they''ll only feel more afraid... I have to play the role of protector at times like this ¡ª he adds. Keeping his voice low and apologetic, the man maintains his posture and finally questions the boy: ¡ª That ability you used earlier... what was it? I felt divine energy. "Well... No point in hiding it now." Rei thinks, having considered making up an excuse, but finally deciding to be honest, as always. ¡ª You remember that giant demogorgon from before? When I killed it, I gained a ton of experience, leveled up a few times and unlocked some abilities and stuff. ¡ª When that demon lord or whatever that thing was used that fire skill that almost hit us, I activated this ability right then and there, not knowing if it would work or not. ¡ª And hey, it worked... I bet everything on it, hahaha. Otherwise, we''d be dead now. I guess that thing wasn''t that strong after all ¡ª he ends with a small laugh. Realizing how foolish it was to laugh about something that killed so many people and destroyed the small town, the boy quickly adds: ¡ª My fault, I was kind of laughing at the situation. Kazuki doesn''t seem to mind. After spending so much time with Rei, he was already used to his behavior. ¡ª It''s all right, don''t worry about it... Anyway, I wanted to thank you for saving Takayo and for saving everyone with your ability ¡ª he says, his voice full of gratitude. ¡ª You''re always helping us. I don''t even know how to repay you ¡ª he adds, tilting his head slightly, a warm smile reaching his eyes. Overwhelmed with emotion, Rei awkwardly rubs the back of his head, unable to stop the happiness from filling her heart. ¡ª I-It was nothing. Chapter 18 - Qualia ? ? ? Still timidly rubbing the back of his head, the boy turns his attention to the man in front of him. Despite his hesitation, he asks: ¡ª Changing the subject, do you have any idea where to go now? The village was destroyed and it''s very likely that other towns along the way were destroyed as well. Kazuki''s expression is indifferent, ¡ªor at least that''s what he tries to show, ¡ªbut his thoughts¡­ It''s like they''re hammering completely different things inside his head. There were countless sudden events and up until this moment, Kazuki hadn''t been able to process all the information properly, let alone come up with a plan or strategy. And despite everything that had happened, the beastman still seemed slightly dazed, partially detached from reality. It was hard to witness all his acquaintances, friends, and the people he used to hang out with in bars and shops, dead, lying in the same streets where he once built good memories. It was disturbing to see the remaining villagers, desperately trying to survive, acting so impulsively in favor of their own lives while ignoring and stepping over others in the same situation. The remnants of humanity in these people had vanished, evaporated. They looked like wild animals, unrecognizable. The premise was a disappointment in others,¡ª a complete abandonment of society. All these factors had messed with a part of his psyche. And whether he liked it or not, it had been seven years of living together in harmony. The villagers were like a family; everyone in the village considered themselves part of a massive wolf pack. The conflict between the whirlwind of emotions ¡ª grief, guilt and responsibility, ¡ª had hit his weak spot. Just getting up felt exhausting, not because of physical fatigue, but because of the overwhelming weight of self-deprecating emotions. The burden of having to be a father figure while being tormented by recurring feelings of denial and regret weighed on him like an ever-increasing weight on his back. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡ª Rei, to be honest, I really don''t know what to do... Mia is still small and Takayo can''t even say a word ¡ª he answers. ¡ª If we go to the capital, I''m afraid the soldiers will recognize me. Not to mention that the roads are probably blocked. That wouldn''t just put us at risk, but it would also be a huge problem ¡ª he adds. ¡ª What we need now is time and space, especially for the children, ¡ª he finishes, looking at Mia and Takayo sitting on the ground. As soon as he finishes, the student replies sincerely. ¡ª Everything happened way too fast, you really shouldn''t think about that right now. Please take as much time as you need. ¡ª I''m also going to the forest to clear my head. I''ll also take the opportunity to get some food. As far as I''ve noticed, we''re completely out of supplies ¡ª he adds. Before Kazuki can react to what he just heard, the boy makes a hang loose sign. ¡ª No need to worry, just relax. I''ll just find something for us to eat. ¡ª He ends the discussion with a smile and a calm voice. For a second, Kazuki compares the boy''s warm voice to melted caramel drizzled over dark chocolate... or something like that. After finishing their conversation, Rei walks away from the man with her hands in her pockets and disappears into the dense forest nearby. ? ? ? [10 minutes later]. As he walks through the forest, occasionally tripping over twisted roots, vines, and branches, the boy notices that the vast, reddish, cloudy sky is beginning to darken, giving way to night. Wet earth, dense vegetation, and endless trees... The scene before him looked like a tropical rainforest. Back home, the student had heard that tropical rainforests were usually full of animals, insects, and plants that were dangerous to humans. But since he had no idea how things worked here, he just kept walking carefully. Until he decided to sit on a thick branch nearby and look around. In the distance, the last rays of light escape through the leaves, illuminating a small part of the forest; in the air, strange-looking birds fly around freely, and the ground is constantly shifting, as if something were crawling beneath it... There are many creatures and plants here that can''t be found in his world, along with countless insects and small creatures floating in the atmosphere. Despite the cold weather, every time a gust of wind blows, the bushes and leaves sway. Feeling the sensation, the boy relaxes his shoulders and takes a deep, cleansing breath, trying to free himself from all the tragedy he witnessed earlier. He takes in the breathtaking view, momentarily relieved by the sight. Wow. It''s just an ordinary forest, but to Rei, who spent most of his life in the big city, this place feels like a natural masterpiece... Just like the ones he used to see in museums, events, and schools. With his hands resting behind the thick trunk, the boy sinks into small thoughts. He regrets not being able to react in time and not being strong enough to help Kazuki and Takayo. Things could have turned out differently and if he had a time machine, he would definitely try to fix what happened. Even though he''s slightly shaken by the situation and has witnessed the death of people he interacted with in the village, the boy chooses to keep quiet about it. Compared to the suffering of Takayo, Kazuki, and Mia, saying something like, "I''m scared of someone else''s death," seems, in his view, insensitive. It''s not that someone else''s pain is greater than his to the point where he doesn''t need to vent, ¡ª everyone is going through a tough time. But it is best to keep it to yourself. To be continued... ? ? ? Final Notes Qualia = No matter how much someone thinks they know you, the infinity of your emotions goes beyond any understanding. There is no such thing as suffering that is presumed to be greater than your own. Comparing emotions and pain is meaningless. You are the only person who can truly be taken seriously. Chapter 19 - Slaughter ? ? ? Sitting on the thick branch of the tree, the boy''s thoughts of guilt and uncertainty are abruptly interrupted the moment he spots a creature in the distance, near a lightly illuminated area of the forest. A boar. The creature stands about one meter and eighty centimeters tall, covered in coarse black fur. Despite the darkness, its eyes flicker due to the reflection of the moonlight, giving them a greenish hue. The boar, distracted, seems to be devouring the remains of a deer carcass. He eats quickly, and the sound that echoes is undoubtedly disturbing, ¡ª very much like a malfunctioning washing machine. Though initially startled by the scene, the boy gets up and begins to move stealthily forward until he gets closer to the animal. Excellent... In Rei''s eyes, this is a golden opportunity. Even if there were some plants and fruit-bearing trees in the area, they wouldn''t be enough to feed Kazuki, Mia, Takayo and even the merchant. ? ? ? ... Never, in a million years, had the student imagined himself in a situation like this, sneaking with soft steps toward a wild creature. If this were his world, he would surely be considered crazy... Although he''d probably do it anyway, depending on the context. The closer he got to his goal, the more insecurity, fear and other factors began to assault him, but just like before, he continued to move forward. After all, the boy could rely on his abilities-there was no real risk or potential for death. "If I can kill a Demogorge, why not a creature like this...?" He thinks quickly, trying to suppress his insecurity about his powers. Sensing something, the boar suddenly turns and finds the boy only a few meters away. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. The student hesitates, as if surprised by the creature''s sudden reaction, but surprisingly, he doesn''t run away, instead staring at it. That was an extremely quick reaction... Maybe it was the sense of smell? Extrasensory perception? Or perhaps heat detection? In the worst-case scenario, maybe the creature was evolved or highly intelligent. However, at this point, none of that matters anymore. Rei moves forward until he is directly in front of it, and without much concern, he utters a new ability. [Imprisonment] Roots sprouted from the ground and wrapped around the boar, restraining its strength and completely paralyzing it, covering its entire body with vines. The creature, on the other hand, struggles to break free¡­ But in the end, its attempt fails miserably. "Huh... That easy?" "Well, what was I expecting, after all." The student rubs his chin with his index finger as he looks at the status screen that has just appeared. The question is: now what? How is he going to kill it? Using the Black Orb ability wouldn''t be effective. The poor creature would be disintegrated. The Root Ability? It doesn''t seem like an offensive skill, more like a support skill. Maybe Freezing Bolt? But the boar would freeze completely, turning into ice cream. ...Shit. The best and most plausible solution is to use Creation. Even though Rei considers Creation to be overpowered, the mental exhaustion from using it is extremely taxing. In the end, judging by these minor setbacks, the ability isn''t all that advantageous. "Damn... Looks like there''s no other way." [Creation] As soon as he utters the ability, the boy imagines the object with all its basic characteristics and details. [System] [Failure] [Insufficient skills to create object(s)]. "..." "Well, what was I expecting... Creating a weapon would be crazy." He thinks and accepts the result. "Looks like there''s no other choice. I''ll have to do it the conventional way." [Create] [Object successfully created!] [Iron Dagger] ... ? ? ? Reluctantly, knowing what to do next, the boy approaches the boar with an extremely hesitant expression. Rolling up the sleeves of his silk shirt, he grabs the dagger in his hand and positions it at the boar''s neck. Swallow. "No turning back now..." As the silence continues, cold sweat forms on his back, running down to his fists. And it''s especially strange when he realizes that he has to kill a living being with his own hands. Without looking away, Rei puts all his strength into his left hand and with a quick and precise cut, he feels the boar''s skin slice open like a piece of cake. The cut is quick and clean, sending blood spurting in all directions. The creature howls for a few moments, then stops struggling. Maybe the Strength attribute played a role, or maybe the dagger he created was just really sharp. It''s likely that a combination of the two influenced the final result. The boy''s intention was to make it as painless as possible, but his efforts were in vain. ¡ª Nothing personal, just a matter of survival. ¡ª Rest in peace. After a few words of reflection, the student runs his hand over his face, unable to believe that he had the courage to go through with it. With trembling hands, he stands up and tries to calm himself, unaware of the tension running through his entire body. "I did it. Shit, what did I just do?" The boy slaps his hands lightly against his face, trying to snap out of the trance. The sensation of wet flesh being cut repeatedly hammers into his mind. "Wake up." "It''s getting dark... I have to act quickly. Wake up, Rei." Even though his psyche was stable and he tried his best to appear strong, he was still human... Things like this would affect anyone who considered themselves rational and emotional. ... ? ? ? [5 minutes later] After a few minutes of collecting himself, the boy examines the body of the creature on the ground. "The boar is too big, I won''t be able to carry it..." "What was I thinking...?" Rei is momentarily disturbed by the thought that he might not be able to transport it, but after analyzing the situation with a clearer mind, he remembers that he has his telekinesis and his ability to animate objects. Chapter 20 - Animate Object ? ? ? With his hands still wet, the boy wipes the blood from his face with his shirt and mentally plans a new strategy. His psyche, despite the slight shock caused by the boar''s death, remains somewhat stable ¡ª at least for now. After all... how could it not be? The creature''s body still lies on the ground in front of him. "Alright, let''s do this." The student opens his status and, intending to test a new skill, speaks: [Animate Object] He crouches down and places both hands on a massive rock beside him. He follows the fundamental requirements for activating the skill, just as described in its side panel. After a few seconds, the rock becomes mobile. It begins to move as if it had taken on a life of its own, dragging itself towards the corpse. It moves according to the configurations set by the boy, like a remote-controlled electric car. [Telekinesis] The boar slowly levitates from its initial position, floating in the air under Rei''s control. The boy tries using his fingers as a form of control and, with them, begins moving the animal''s enormous body. With his index finger, he guides the creature''s body and drops it onto the rock. "Damn, this is insane! It actually worked." "Perfect... Hehe." Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. "Animating objects is quite a useful skill. Now that I think about it, I could have just used telekinesis to move the boar to where the others are..." "Well, no use thinking about it now! There are countless ways to use this skill... Hehe..." The corners of Rei''s mouth curled into a small grin. He had a general idea of how his Animate Object skill would work, but what actually happened was beyond his imagination. In the best-case scenario, he could animate and coordinate numerous objects to complete tasks, manufacture goods, or do anything of the sort. The student seems ecstatic and happy, ¡ª as if nothing unpleasant had happened to him. All his emotions about the boar''s death have become null. - ... "I better get going, the others are probably worried." Rei turns and walks in the direction he came from, where he had marked a few trees by their bark to avoid getting lost on his way back. Even though he had lived in the city all his life, he had still learned a few lessons from his mother. His mother, Mrs. Emi, was an extremely competent person, and through her work as a biologist, she had learned some survival and first aid skills. Later, she passed this knowledge on to Rei from a young age, although he never paid much attention to it. After all, what use would that be for a child living in a big city? Absolutely none. "Who would''ve thought that one day, this pile of ''useless knowledge'' would actually come in handy." ... ? ? ? As he makes his way along the path, past trees, rocks, and twisted vines that only serve to make passage more difficult, the boy takes the opportunity to collect some of the herbs, mushrooms, and fruit-bearing plants that grow in the area. He uses his Telekinesis skill, applying just enough force by gesturing movements with his index finger. Behind him, the animated rock is dragged along as he moves through the dense vegetation. Surely, if anyone were in the forest at this moment, their vision would be clouded by the sight of a boy levitating plants and herbs, accompanied by a rock carving a trail of dirt and destruction across the area. ? ? ? [25 minutes later] As soon as he emerges from the dense forest, the boy sees from a distance the figures of Kazuki, Mia, Takayo and the trader, all gathered near a campfire. "A fire?" Yeah, maybe they made one... After all, the weather was getting colder and night had already fallen. Though it''s a great source of warmth, a fire can also attract creatures and animals from the surrounding area... That''s very likely, especially considering their current situation. Another risk would be the Demon Kingdom''s army. What would be the point of running away if the slightest attention could be drawn to them? It''s a possibility. Lost in thought, these little dilemmas settle in the boy''s mind as he tries to come up with a plausible alternative. From a different perspective, Kazuki notices with a glance to the side that the boy is standing still near them, his index finger resting on his chin. An hour had passed since the boy had left. The following silence, the uncertainty and the whole depressing atmosphere had consumed everyone... The only one who had tried to start a conversation was the merchant, but he had failed miserably. Kazuki, who was sitting at the fire, gets up and marches towards Rei. ¡ª Hey, are you alright? ¡ª Yo, what''s up, man? Yeah, I''m good! Sorry for the delay, as you can see, I was busy with some things. Kazuki tilts his head to the side and examines what''s behind the boy. He is surprised to see the creature on top of the rock, but what truly shocks him is the trail on the ground, ¡ªas if the entire earth behind him had been torn apart. ¡ª Is that a Jacarix aphelix? Did you kill it? ¡ª What the hell is that? Isn''t it just a boar? When he heard the boy''s answer, Kazuki looked at him with a surprised expression before he let out a small chuckle. ¡ª No, Rei. They''re from the same family, but can you see this? ¡ª He points to the snout of the creature. ¡ª This part is red, a characteristic of the Jacarix species. Even though they look like boars, there are still some differences. ¡ª I understand, but are there any other differences besides the physical ones? For example, is it poisonous or something? No problem to eat it, right? ¡ª No, you don''t have to worry. No poison or anything like that. They''re good. To be honest... ¡ª Kazuki stops himself as soon as he notices the immense amount of dried blood and the torn shirt Rei is wearing.