In this world, strength is the greatest measure of one's status — and for that reason alone, I was deeply grateful to have obtained the Sacred Body.
Sure, conquering every main heroine sounded great on paper.
But I wasn't naïve enough to believe I could survive in this world without power.
Here, there are countless paths one can take: knight, mage, swordsman, archer, spear master, and many more. Once you choose your path, you're locked into it — and that path can either become your strength… or your downfall.
And the truth is, you can never truly predict someone's power. Some choose the right path and rise to legendary status. Others disappear without a trace.
[DING!!]
[Formation of the Sacred Body has begun!!]
Suddenly, I felt something strange — as if countless hands were caressing my body. The sensation was indescribably pleasant… but it vanished as quickly as it came.
[DING!!!]
[The host is now bound by the conditions of Sacred Body formation.]
I had taken my first step toward the future.
Sighing, I lay on my bed, sketching out plans for the days ahead. My thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door — and a little girl walked in.
Her golden hair cascaded loosely over her shoulders, and she wore a pink nightgown, fidgeting nervously. The sight was almost ethereal.
Rena looked like a fairy — untouched by the mundane world, evoking a protective instinct in anyone who saw her.
"B-Big brother, d-don't stare so much… it's embarrassing."
"What else am I supposed to do when my little sister looks as cute as a fairy?"
My words made her face flush crimson as she pouted and lowered her gaze.
I walked over, scooped her into my arms in a princess carry, and gently brought her over to my bed. Her embarrassment only deepened as she clutched at my shirt and refused to look up.
I didn't have any sexual intentions — she was just an eight-year-old girl.
It was simply satisfying to tease her; her reactions were priceless.
Once we reached the bed, I laid her down gently. She still refused to let go of my shirt, but after a few minutes, she relaxed her grip.
I joked and chatted with her to lighten the mood, and soon enough she warmed up. We spent about two hours playing and talking before she started to feel sleepy.
I told her we should rest, and she nodded. We lay side by side. At first, she was awkward, unsure of what to do as she lay beside me.
I chuckled and pulled her into my embrace.
"Arnghh!"
Her surprised little cry was adorable. She was now lying on top of me, her head resting on my chest. Smiling, I gently kissed her forehead.
That probably stunned her — because the look on her face was one of pure confusion.
If this were an anime, I swear steam would be pouring from her head right now.
I patted her back softly to calm her down and whispered:
"Don't worry. Just sleep. Your big brother will always be here for you."
She nodded shyly and closed her eyes.
+500 Affection Points
Slowly, I lulled her to sleep with gentle pats on her back.
Midnight – Deep in the Forest
In the depths of the forest stood a crude wooden house. Even though it was well past midnight, the people inside were still awake and celebrating.
Barrels of ale and roasted bear meat filled the table. These men were professional bandits — they had raided and destroyed countless villages.
Tonight's celebration was for a particularly successful raid: they had plundered a wealthy merchant's caravan, massively boosting their earnings. Even worse, they had kidnapped seven young girls — who, once sold, would fetch a fortune.
It was, in their eyes, a night of triumph.
Many of these bandits were former knights, men who had turned to crime to escape execution or imprisonment. Because of their backgrounds, they were far from weak.
Meanwhile, craving freedom — and eager to hone my combat skills — I slipped out of the mansion under the cover of darkness.
Midnight was the perfect time to act.
Even though I was only ten years old physically, my mind was far older — and far sharper.
I had overheard the servants talking about bandits destroying nearby villages.
This was the perfect chance to test myself in real combat. Sure, I could have asked the family guards for a training match… but that would draw too much attention, and I wasn't ready to reveal my growth just yet.
I moved cautiously through a hidden passage only known to the Fernandez family. The tunnel was pitch black and reeked of filth — it doubled as an old sewage channel. It took me thirty minutes to reach an exit at the edge of the city.
From there, I sprinted into the dark, silent forest.
The distant howls of beasts echoed through the night. White mana gathered around my legs as I invoked a wind movement spell, letting me glide swiftly through the underbrush.
After about fifteen minutes, I spotted a small house with lights still burning. As I approached, drunken singing and raucous laughter spilled from within.
A faint smile crossed my lips.
Black mana wrapped around my body — a Chaos Spell designed to distort the senses of those nearby.
I had learned this spell while reading battle magic tomes in the mansion's library. It was one of many things I had been studying in my spare time.
I moved closer — silent, invisible, unnoticed. And once I confirmed who they were…
…I struck.
My blade moved with natural grace, simple yet deadly. I used no special sword techniques — just pure precision.
Two men drinking in the corner died before they even knew what happened. Their bodies slumped lifelessly, still unaware that death had claimed them.
The others nearby didn't notice a thing.
Four more were laughing and playing cards. In the blink of an eye, my blade sliced through them. They died mid-chuckle, still gripping their hands of cards.
Three men were singing loudly, grinning as they swayed to the rhythm.
They didn't finish their song — a single swift slash ended them.
The music still played from a nearby instrument, but the voices had vanished. That sudden silence made the bandit leader glance over his shoulder.
And when he saw the state of his men, he froze — then immediately drew his sword.
That's when his eyes locked on me:
A black-haired, crimson-eyed boy, barely ten years old, standing calmly amid the corpses.