After hunting down three more shadow lizards, my status was as follows.
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Name: Adel
Age: 16
Race: Human...?
Grade: 0
Core: Lizard Heart (10 → 15%)
Physical: 0.1 → 0.15
Mind: ???
Mana: 0.05
Vitality: 0.1 → 0.13
Skills: Shadow Veil(Lv 2), Predation
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I had noticed that the effects of Predation weakened the more I used the skill on the same type of monster. For example, of the last three I killed, two gave me extra stats, and each one increased my core by 2%. But when I took down the third, the increase was only 1%. That's where my theory came from.
I could absorb a small part of the difference in power between me and the creature I used Predation on. The bigger the difference, the greater the rewards. On the other hand, the smaller the gap, the fewer the benefits.
I would have liked to experiment a bit more, but Predation was on cooldown, and it would take twenty-four hours before I could use it again.
"I should get out of here. I have no idea how long I've spent here."
For all I knew, I might have spent days here, since I had no idea how long the ritual had knocked me out.
In any case, I had filled my cloak with some scales and claws, so I wouldn't look too suspicious once I was out.
With everything I needed done, I headed for the exit.
On the way, I didn't see many monsters, but they were all Grade 0 since I was in the outermost area. Still, with my non-existent luck, I did not doubt that something bad could happen.
Speaking of luck, the Golden Rule rune was deactivated. After all the attempts to kill me, it seemed the bad luck I'd gathered had finally drained off for a while… but I knew well it wouldn't last long.
When I finally reached the exit portal, I was greeted by the ocean breeze. A blessing after the stale air of the dungeon.
Waiting for me outside was one of the security guards. He gave me a look that said it all.
I opened my cloak on the table, showing the loot.
"…Not bad for a haul. Did you kill it yourself?"
Time to act.
I hunched my shoulders a bit, forced an embarrassed smile, and replied with a trembling voice:
"N-No, sir, I was just lucky enough to find the half-eaten corpse…"
"I see. And are you hiding something by chance?"
His deep stare was meant to intimidate me. I almost rolled my eyes, but stopped myself. It wasn't the time to act cocky yet.
"A-Absolutely not, sir! A-as you can see, I only have this cloak and this dagger, my uncle Bob gave me before he died in a storm while fishing. It 's-it's the last gift he left me…"
I added a quiver to my voice, as if I were about to cry. The guard cleared his throat and motioned for me to go.
"Alright, I get it, you're clean, go on."
"Thank you, sir."
As soon as I passed him, my expression returned to normal. I had to admit: I was pretty good at acting. And also, thank you, Uncle Bob… I don't know how many times I've used that story in my life.
Maybe I should build him a grave… as if.
I knew that little show would lower the guard's suspicion. Not all Explorers were scum, especially the lower-ranking ones like him. No, the real trash was hidden in the higher ranks. And not just among the Explorers — the same was true for every other faction.
On my way home, I had time to watch the people. Everyone worked hard under the scorching sun. At first glance, it looked like a community of workers, but if you looked closer, you'd notice details that changed your mind.
There were abandoned, crumbling, or even burnt-down houses. Bloodstains were scattered here and there. Propaganda posters everywhere and, above all, the look on people's faces: they all seemed to hold back anger buried under a thick layer of fear.
The people on this island weren't any different from slaves. If you didn't pay your tribute, you'd end up becoming one for real. I'd seen far too many souls sold to some rich pervert or used as human shields.
All of this was sad and depressing. But it wasn't my problem. My problem was three people:
Samantha, leader of the red-light district and a Grade 2. Anthony, head of the Pirates, also a Grade 2. And finally, Paul, leader of the Explorers, a Grade 3.
These three had to die. In the future, they would make a pact with the demons, becoming their contractors and opening a gate that would allow them to cross over. I wanted to eliminate them as soon as possible, but I couldn't — and that made my hands itch.
Right now, they were too strong for me. If I wanted to bring their end forward, I had to move carefully. I was starting to think of a plan… but there were still too many details to review and some points I wasn't sure about yet.
Only once I was sure everything was ready would I make my move.
I was about to go back home when I saw her.
There, in the middle of the dusty street, with her forehead beaded with sweat and a look full of relief, was my sister.
"Where did you go?! Do you have any idea how long I've been looking for you?!"
She ran into me, hugging me tightly, her shoulders shaking.
I didn't say anything and just let her vent.
I could imagine what she was feeling. The night before, she'd finally seen me wake up, looking like a rag; then, when she woke up, I had disappeared.
From the sweat on her forehead and the heat she gave off, I knew she'd been looking for me for hours, without stopping for a second.
It was a… strange feeling.
I was so used to being alone, to having no one care about me, that it felt almost weird to be welcomed so warmly after just a day away.
But it wasn't a bad feeling at all.
"Sorry for making you worry," I said, patting her back.
In my memories, I'd always seen her as this big presence, someone I could rely on. And yet, holding her in my arms, I realized just how small she was.
"The important thing is that you're okay… Wait… But how are you so fine?"
Only after letting out all her worry did she notice how much better I looked.
"It's all thanks to your soup."
"...Huh?"
My innocent answer was met with a look of total disbelief.
Okay, look, I couldn't exactly tell my poor sister that I'd snuck into a dungeon, risked my life hunting a monster, performed a dark ritual stabbing a dagger into my chest, and turned into… whatever my status said I was now.
If I'd told her a story like that, she'd think I was crazy. Or worse, she'd have a heart attack.
"I swear! After eating your soup, I was so full of energy I couldn't sit still."
"No, but… it was just vegetables…"
"Maybe magic vegetables!"
Gods, I wished the ground would swallow me right then.
"Even if it were…"
"Aren't you happy I got better?"
I lowered my gaze, pretending to be down, and she immediately fell for it.
"Don't even joke about that!"
She took my face in her hands, looking me straight in the eyes. Only then did I notice how similar we were.
Same black eyes and black hair. Even our features were alike, but if my face was stiff and expressionless, hers was soft and full of warmth.
"Like you said, the important thing is that you're healthy. Whether it's a blessing from the gods or not, I'm just happy to see my brother standing and full of energy again."
"Same goes for me."
Seeing her doing so well compared to the old timeline filled me with a happiness I could barely contain.
But if I wanted things to get better, I had to get stronger as fast as possible.
— Lena —
My life could hardly be called easy or happy, but I was still luckier than many others, especially when my brother, Adel, was born.
Back then, he was so small and soft… I never would have believed something could be so beautiful. When I held him in my arms, it was love at first sight.
I'd found a new reason to keep going, but it wasn't simple, especially when our mother died and Adel was just four years old.
From that day, everything changed again. Adel and I were alone, with no one to turn to.
We were just two kids in a world that had no mercy for the weak. But I couldn't afford to fall apart, not with Adel depending on me.
I learned to grit my teeth, to work harder than anyone else, to smile even when I wanted to cry. Every coin earned was one more meal and another day in our parents' house.
Despite everything, I managed to raise Adel, and I couldn't help but brag about what a wonderful little brother he was. He was polite and mature, always ready to help me just so I could rest a bit.
I believed our life would continue in that fragile peace, but then Adel fell ill and was in a coma for two months.
I don't think I've ever been so terrified in my entire life. The last good thing I had in this grey existence was dying slowly.
I was desperate.
I begged the doctors to check him again and again, I prayed to the gods every day to take me instead… until, one night, he woke up. And the next day, he seemed perfectly healthy! Even if I couldn't understand how it was possible.
But it didn't matter; the relief of seeing him alive and well was stronger than any doubt.
A week passed since then, and, well… Adel was a bit different.
He was still kind and polite, but he also seemed much more mature. He often patted my head like I was a child, and even if I insisted that he should rest, he went out every day and only came back at night. In the end, I came to only one conclusion…
He'd found a girl.
It was really adorable, especially when I told him I'd found out his secret — his expression in that moment was unforgettable.
Even if it was funny, I understood that Adel was growing up, and maybe one day our paths would part. But one thing would never change: he will always be my brother, and my love for him will never fade.