Akira moved the moment Chloe steadied herself.
The map flared to life in his vision, a single marker pulsing faintly in the distance—too far, yet not unreachable.
Emma was alive.
That was all that mattered.
"She's moving," Akira said quietly. "They haven't stopped yet."
Chloe swayed beside him, forcing herself to remain upright. Her wounds had closed, but her mana still felt thin, fragile—like glass stretched too far.
Akira noticed immediately.
"We can't waste time," he said. "I'll carry you."
Chloe froze. "Carry… me?"
"You're still recovering," Akira replied, already reinforcing his legs with mana. "If we slow down, we lose her."
Her face flushed instantly. "I-I can still run—"
"Chloe," he interrupted, meeting her eyes. "Please."
For a moment, she hesitated—pride warring with fear. Then she nodded and climbed onto his back, arms wrapping tightly around his shoulders.
Akira exhaled once.
Then he ran.
The world became streaks of color and broken wind. Mana roared through Akira's body as he reinforced muscles, joints, bones—every movement precise, efficient, terrifyingly controlled.
Chloe clung to him, heart pounding.
"This much mana…" she whispered. "How are you not collapsing?"
Akira didn't answer.
He couldn't afford to.
They crossed hills, shattered terrain, dry ravines—until Akira skidded to a halt in an empty clearing.
"This is it."
Chloe slid down from his back, breathless. "But there's nothing here."
Akira frowned. The marker pulsed insistently.
"She's below us."
"Underground?" Chloe asked.
"Most likely."
They searched—rocks, trees, uneven ground—nothing.
Akira closed his eyes and activated a spell he had copied from the guild archives.
Search.
Mana rippled outward.
"There," he said, pointing beneath an old, twisted tree. "Hidden entrance."
They pried it open and descended into darkness.
⸻
The air inside was cold and stale.
Torches flickered along stone walls, illuminating crates, chains—and Emma.
Bound. Unconscious.
Rugen turned slowly, a grin spreading across his face.
"You really are persistent," he said lazily. "I'll give you that."
Akira didn't speak.
Rugen chuckled. "You arrived just in time. I was getting bored." He nudged Emma with his boot. "She fainted the moment I told her you were dead. And her sister too. Such fragile things."
Akira's fists clenched.
"Don't worry," Rugen continued. "I'll sell her for a fortune. As for you and the other one—well, accidents happen."
Akira finally spoke.
"Chloe. Take Emma."
Chloe moved instantly.
Rugen sneered and stepped forward. "You think I'll let—"
He stopped.
His body refused to obey.
"What…?" Panic flickered across his face. "What is this?!"
Akira took a single step forward.
The air thickened.
Rugen's breath came shallow. His heart pounded violently.
"No," he growled. "I'm not afraid. I'm a noble. You're nothing but a peasant—"
His legs buckled.
Cold dread flooded his eyes.
"What are you?" he whispered.
Akira didn't answer.
Chloe freed Emma and dragged her toward the exit.
The moment Emma was safe—
Akira's mana surged.
Rugen screamed. "Do you know who my brother is?! He'll—"
His voice vanished.
His mana froze.
The world felt like it had stopped breathing.
Rugen collapsed to his knees, hands clawing uselessly at the air.
Akira walked past him.
No hatred.
No satisfaction.
Just inevitability.
Rugen understood then.
This wasn't revenge.
It was judgment.
His body went still.
⸻
Akira was already moving.
"Chloe," he said. "They're coming."
Footsteps echoed above.
He activated a spell circle beneath their feet.
Gate.
Reality folded.
They reappeared inside the canyon cave.
Akira immediately fed Emma the last of his potions, watching color slowly return to her face.
Only then did his legs give out.
He sank against the wall, staring at his hands.
"I killed someone," he said quietly.
No excuse could erase it.
"And now his brother will come."
He checked his inventory and grimaced. "No medicinal herbs left."
Silence followed.
Then Chloe broke.
She collapsed beside him, sobbing. "I'm sorry. You crossed a line because of us. You didn't deserve this. We have nothing to give you."
Akira sighed.
Then laughed weakly.
"Well… a kiss would be a decent thank-you."
Chloe froze.
"What—?!"
He waved it off. "Just kidding. Don't—"
She kissed him.
Akira froze completely.
"…Why?" he asked, stunned.
"You asked," she muttered, face burning.
Emma's voice stirred. "You two look cute."
Chloe gasped and hugged her sister tightly, crying all over again.
Akira watched them, relief settling in his chest.
But far away—
The storm had already begun.
Rugen's death had reached his family.
And his brother—the kingdom's only SS-rank adventurer—was on his way.
Unaware of what awaited them, Akira closed his eyes.
Tomorrow, they would prepare.
Because mercy had ended.
To be Continued