The day was gray.
But in the forest east of the Joestar mansion, everything smelled like opportunity.
Leo had faked a cold to skip his horseback riding lessons. George, naive as always, accepted the excuse with a warm paternal smile. Dio, of course, glanced at him with contempt as he passed.
Perfect.
Now he was alone. Dressed in his training uniform with a wooden sword strapped to his back.
Not that the sword mattered anymore. Not since he had activated his first file with true intent.
[File: "Roronoa Zoro" – Activated (44%)]
[Style: Ittoryu — Single Sword. Basic stance mastered.]
[Muscular precision synced with Joestar structure. Execution error margin: 6%.]
The system had made it clear: to evolve… he had to impose his will.
And although Dio was the final target… Leo wasn't ready. Not yet.
That's why, that morning, he had staged a little incident in town.
He'd insulted a drunken mercenary—paid him to "settle the score" in the woods, far from prying eyes.
And now, he heard him coming.
"You rich little shit…! I'm gonna break your face, you spoiled brat!"
Leo stepped forward. The man was large. Taller. Carried an axe. He stank of wine and dried blood.
"How much did Dio pay you?" Leo asked, unfazed.
"…What?"
"Never mind. I just need to know if you can bleed."
The mercenary charged.
Leo didn't move.
He waited. Measured. Analyzed.
His body was no longer that of a simple child. His soul no longer belonged to a bitter office worker.
Pivoting on his heel, he dodged with surgical precision and struck with the flat of his wooden sword—straight to the throat.
The man collapsed. Gasped. Coughed up blood.
Leo didn't stop.
He struck again. And again.
[Effective violence. Narrative Dominance: +6%]
[Emotional control: 94%. Calculated aggression.]
"This… is for testing," he said, emotionless. "I don't like you. But I don't care about you either."
He drew a short knife he'd stolen from the kitchen.
Glanced at the system.
"Well?"
[New file available: "Nameless Bandit" — Comprehension: 100%]
[Power: Irrelevant. Absorb as trial sample?]
"Yes. I want to know what it feels like."
And then he killed him.
No glory. No hate. No redemption.
Back in his room, hands washed, clothes changed, Leo checked the system.
[File absorbed: First kill registered.]
[Unlocked ability: "Blood Resonance." Boosted absorption against weakened enemies.]
He smiled. But this time… he didn't feel bad.
Not because he lacked guilt.
But because that guilt held no narrative value anymore.
And as he gazed out the window…
Dio was training in the courtyard with brand-new gloves.
Unaware.
Proud.
Beautiful.
Leo watched him the way one watches a young emperor…
right before tearing down his throne.