Chapter 15: Ambushed
The next morning, Akira woke up to a notification appearing before his eyes:
[Your stats have increased: Strength +1, Speed +1, Endurance +1]
[Health increased to 23/30]
Alice was sitting by the window.
"From your expression, it looks like you gained some stats."
"Yeah. Strength, speed, and endurance increased. My health is recovering too."
"I told you before. One way to gain stats is by improving your body."
Akira stood up and began gathering his things.
"What are you doing?"
"Getting ready to go train."
"Don't tell me you've become a workout addict."
"It has nothing to do with that."
"At least eat something before going out."
"We'll grab something on the way."
He picked up his bag and left the room.
Three days later, Akira was growing frustrated. He hadn't gained any new stats that day.
"It's not guaranteed," Alice said. "The more your body improves, the fewer stats you gain."
When he asked how to speed things up, she answered simply,
"More training."
As a result, Akira started carrying a bag filled with rocks on his back.
"It's pretty heavy."
"That's the point."
He passed through the slums, heading toward his usual inn.
"I hope I get results tomorrow."
"Akira!"
"I know, I know. You told me not to get my hopes up—"
"No. We're surrounded."
"What? By who?"
"About fifteen people. They're blocking all exits."
"Is there a way out?"
"No. The only way is to force our way through."
Three men stepped out from an alley and approached Akira. When he turned back, three more blocked the entrance.
The man in the center, a large, heavily built figure, spoke:
"Be a good boy and hand over everything you have."
"Alice… what should we do?"
"Stay calm. Don't provoke them. If they only want money, give it to them. Surviving is what matters."
"...Alright."
Akira placed his heavy bag on the ground and slowly emptied his pockets.
"This is everything I have. Let me go."
Seeing his submission, the leader smiled wider.
"Look at that bag—completely full. Seems the rumors were true."
He stepped closer.
"Recently, there's been a rumor about a kid from the slums selling rare metals to merchants in the lower district."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't play dumb!"
"Our men have been watching the market. A clean-looking kid, always alone, visiting shops frequently—easy to track."
He glanced at the bag.
"You confirmed it today."
Leaning closer, he whispered,
"I should remind you of your place. In this world, power decides who speaks—and who gets crushed."
Akira's expression darkened.
Alice tried to reach him, but her voice couldn't break through his thoughts.
His eyes fell on the sword peeking from his bag.
Will you give up everything?
In a flash, he moved.
Akira drew the katana and plunged it into the leader's stomach.
Blood poured out as the man gasped.
The blade was pulled free, glowing crimson. Akira spun and cleaved another man in half.
Screams erupted. A mage began chanting, but Akira was faster.
"Void Spear."
A black void pierced the man's chest.
Gunfire rang out. Akira dodged, countered, and cut down the remaining attackers one by one.
Those who tried to flee were struck down without mercy.
The leader crawled away, bleeding, trembling.
"Please… I'll give you anything… money, influence… you can take my place…"
"I want nothing," Akira said quietly.
"Except your death."
A defensive barrier flared, but Akira shattered it and ended everything with a single strike.