In the slums, bread was life—and life was the cheapest thing to lose.
In front of me was a frail-looking man, extending his hand as the bread hits the ground. But I was faster when it came to blood.
I threw a punch at his stomach—the punch sent him staggering backward, then grabbing the bread, I tried to run off into the exit of the alley.
Unknowingly, a hand gripped my clothes. To my astonishment, the grip carried a strength that sent me back to the man.
The man bit my shoulder and sank his teeth into it, he held me like a madman. Tears streaked down his face, his eyes wide with the wild desperation of a starving animal while staring at the bread in my hand.
While I clenched my teeth in pain, the man reached his hand out for the bread thinking of grabbing it forcefully. I twist my body and struck the man's neck with my elbow.
The blow loosened his grip on me, but before I can move, he quickly regained his strength and bit me again—this time much harder than before. The pain made me arch my back, but I made no sound of pain, only the gritting of the teeth.
Thinking swiftly, I let go of the bread. As it falls down, the man, likewise let go of me too, he aims for the bread intending to catch it. But before he could touch the bread, a fist struck down at the back of his neck.
The man fell and his eyes flickered while gazing at the bread. The man's eyes soon turned lifeless. Disregarding the state I am in, I quickly grab the bread and swiftly run off in the distance, trying not to get attention from the local gangs in the slum.
"huff, huff, huff."
I had memorized the roads of the slum like a back of my hand, I cautiously chose a direction to run to, hoping to not meet someone. Easily blending in the surroundings, I entered an alley with no people in sight.
Exhausted and breathing heavily, I let my body fall and leaned my back against the wall. The wall itself was filled with cracked and a chilling cold that pierced into my skin. It reeks of rot, and piss in every side—but I was used to it.
"huff, huff..."
As I feel my heartbeat slow down and my breathing steadily went back to normal, I gathered my thoughts.
"That was the first time I killed someone..."
Mumbling echoed from my mouth as my condition gradually returned to normal."
"A single life, for a single bread. It's so cheap."
"Why was he so desperate? Is the bread worth more than his life? What does he value to be that desperate?"
A moment of silence descended in the alley, with only the setting of the sun giving a hint of life.
"Life is so fragile..."
[Congratulations. Conditions have been met.]
[Initiating Bloodline Concept Integration.]
An intense headache appears instantly in my head as killing intent oozed out from my body.
"Argh!"
A roar with only pain contained came out of my mouth. Clutching my head with both hands, I help myself stand, but the moment I did, I instantly fell on my knees."
"Argh!"
[Integration Successful!]
['A heart in My Hand' Concept has been integrated.]