"I said—who were you trying to attack?"
Isaac tilted his head, eyes narrowing. "Hmm… cat got your tongue?"
A mocking smile crept across his face as he glanced at the chaos behind the shadowy figure.
Tsk… he got awakened too, he thought.
---
[System Alert]
Insanity Index: 93%
You are being greatly affected by the skill: ????????
Another notification echoed in his skull.
Tsk… won't they just shut up? he cursed inwardly.
---
The shadowy figure swung its arm, shadows curling into a blade. It came down toward Isaac—
—but before it could land, a roaring lion of flames crashed into it, hurling it backwards.
Claire appeared, panting heavily.
"...Could you stop holding random body parts?" she asked, pointing to the severed hand dangling from Isaac's grip.
He shrugged and tossed it aside.
---
"Brother, is that you?"
Maya's tear-filled voice came from the end of the hallway.
"Big brother! Liam—Liam tried to protect us!" Leo's voice cracked, already back to his crybaby self.
Isaac pulled two health potions from his storage ring and handed them to Claire. Without a word, she rushed to Liam and Arnold.
---
Isaac strode toward the shadowy figure, intending to finish it off—only to confirm his suspicion.
Not human.
A doll.
"Tsk… this is going to be troublesome."
He turned toward Kaine, who trembled in a corner. Isaac crouched, grabbing him by the hair and forcing his head up.
"So you did that," Isaac said, lazily pointing over his shoulder toward Liam.
"I—I'm sorry… I had no choice… it was the only way—"
Isaac cut him off. "No, no, no… don't get me wrong. I'm not mad that you did that." His tone was casual, almost bored. "I am annoyed that because of you, that guy awakened. But what I'm talking about…" His lips curled into a cold smile. "…is the burn mark on Maya's uniform."
---
Kaine's eyes widened. "Huh—"
CRACK
Isaac's fist smashed into his face, breaking his nose. Kaine tried to scream, but crimson mist flooded his mouth, swirling and condensing into a solid sphere, choking off any sound.
"Shhh. Everyone back there is busy with the injured. We wouldn't want them to see what I'm about to do… would we?"
The sphere dissolved into mist again, slipping into Kaine's body. His body spasmed in pain before collapsing into unconsciousness.
"Trash," Isaac muttered, letting the boy's head thud against the floor.
---
Maya threw herself at Isaac, sobbing. He patted her head, his expression softening slightly.
His gaze swept the group—Arnold was hurt, but not severely.
When did this asshole meet Maya? he thought, then turned to the twins. Liam lay on the floor, breathing heavily, but his wounds were already beginning to close.
"He'll live," Isaac said, making Leo's puppy-like eyes widen in relief.
His attention shifted to the knight. Not as strong as in his past life, but still impressive.
"Yours?" Isaac asked.
"I think so," Leo nodded.
---
"Isaac, can we talk?" Trish's voice cut in.
He paused, then glanced at Maya. "Go check on your friends. I'll be right here," he told her before walking toward Trish.
"So?" she asked.
"So… what?" Isaac tilted his head.
"What is going on here?" Her tone was edged with anger.
Isaac sighed. "Do you know about the System Believers?"
Trish tilted her head, then nodded. "It's those who believe the System is a god, right?"
"Yeah. More or less. That cult's been trying to recruit new Awakeners and cut down future threats. …But you must've noticed, right?"
Trish lowered her gaze. "…Yes. Those intruders are too weak for such an organization."
Isaac nodded, his eyes drifting toward Maya—now smiling and hugging Claire.
"This is just the beginning," he said quietly. "The real trouble is yet to come."