Roma stared at the half-dead young man lying beneath the rubble, his chest rising so faintly that it was almost imperceptible, while the golden light of the setting sun stretched long shadows across his pale, dust-covered face.
For a moment, he hesitated.
"…This is trouble."
Helping meant risk.
Ignoring meant safety.
Under normal circumstances, Roma would not even think twice.
He would leave.
Immediately.
Without turning back.
But this time—
His eyes slowly shifted toward the faint blue panel only he could see.
"…Recruitment…"
The condition echoed in his mind.
Just one sentence.
That was all it took.
Roma exhaled slowly before muttering under his breath, "…Fine… I'll at least keep him alive first."
He reached into his pouch and pulled out a small water container, shaking it slightly before carefully lifting the injured man's head.
"Hey… don't die yet," he muttered, tilting the container so that a few drops of water slid into the man's cracked lips.
At first, there was no response.
Then—
A faint swallow.
"…Good."
Roma nodded slightly, as if he had just achieved something great.
Beside him, Kiran frowned.
"…You're actually helping him?"
Roma glanced at him.
"…You want him to die?"
Kiran scratched his head.
"…Not really… just saying… this is risky."
Roma didn't reply immediately, instead looking down at the injured man again before speaking calmly, "…Help me carry him."
Kiran blinked.
"…What?"
"…We take him to the boss."
Kiran stared at him like he had just said something insane.
"…Are you serious?"
Roma nodded.
"…Very."
After a brief silence, Kiran sighed.
"…You're troublesome."
Still, he stepped forward.
"…Fine, let's go."
Back to the Leader
They carried the injured man carefully across the ruins, stepping over broken beams and scattered debris until they reached the center where the bandit leader stood.
The man's presence was unmistakable.
Tall and broad-shouldered, with a calm yet oppressive aura, his sharp eyes swept across the surroundings as if missing nothing.
This was Dharan, the leader of the Black Wind Bandit Gang.
Around him, a few bandits had gathered, holding small items they had managed to find—old bronze vessels, worn ornaments, and faded paintings that might fetch some money in nearby towns.
One man stepped forward proudly.
"Boss! Found something good!"
He opened a basket.
Inside—
Several fruits glowed faintly with a soft, pure aura.
"…Spiritual fruits," someone muttered.
Even Roma's eyes flickered slightly.
Fruits containing pure chakra, easily absorbed without cultivation technique.
In this world—
That was real value.
Dharan nodded once.
"Good."
Then his gaze shifted.
Landing on Roma.
And the dying man he carried.
"…Explain."
His voice was calm.
But heavy.
Roma straightened slightly, though he could feel the pressure even from this distance.
"…We found him in the rubble," he said simply.
"…Still alive."
Dharan's expression didn't change.
"…Then leave him."
Roma paused.
"…Boss, he might know something."
A lie.
A very weak one.
Dharan stared at him.
"…You think others didn't check already?"
Roma: "…True."
Silence stretched.
The air grew slightly tense.
Kiran quietly stepped half a pace back.
"…I don't know this guy."
Roma internally cursed him.
"…Coward."
Still—
He didn't step back.
Instead, he spoke again, this time more carefully.
"…He's young… not strong… easy to manage."
"…If he survives, he can work."
Dharan's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…And who will take responsibility?"
Roma didn't hesitate this time.
"…I will."
The moment he said it—
Even he felt like slapping himself.
"…Why did I say that?"
A Short Silence
Dharan looked at him for a few seconds, his gaze sharp and unreadable, as if weighing something.
Then—
"…Fine."
Roma blinked.
"…That was fast?"
Dharan continued calmly, "…You take care of him. If he dies, your problem. If he causes trouble, your problem."
He paused.
"…Understand?"
Roma nodded immediately.
"…Yes."
"…Then don't waste time."
Just like that—
It was settled.
Return
Roma and Kiran carried the injured man back as the sun finally dipped lower, the golden light fading into a deeper orange.
"…You're insane," Kiran muttered.
oma sighed.
"…I know."
"…Then why do it?"
Roma glanced at the unconscious man.
"…Maybe I'm bored of dying."
Kiran didn't understand.
He didn't ask.
Back at Camp
Once they returned, Roma immediately found a quiet corner and laid the injured man down carefully.
He tore a piece of cloth and began cleaning the wounds as best as he could.
"…This is definitely not my job."
Still—
His hands didn't stop.
he man stirred slightly.
"…Wa…ter…"
Roma quickly supported his head again and gave him a little more water.
Then—
Some dry food.
Small pieces.
Slowly.
"…Don't choke."
The man weakly swallowed.
Then fell unconscious again.
Roma sat back.
"…Now we wait."
Three Days Later
Time passed slowly.
Roma checked on him regularly.
Gave water.
Gave food.
Made sure he didn't die.
"…I didn't sign up for this."
Yet—
He kept doing it.
On the third day—
The man's fingers twitched.
His breathing steadied.
Then—
His eyes slowly opened.
Roma, who had been sitting nearby, immediately noticed.
"…Oh."
"…You're alive."
The young man blinked weakly, his vision still unfocused as he looked around, clearly confused.
"…Where… am I…"
Roma replied casually, "…Alive. That's enough for now."
he man stared at him.
Then—
Tears suddenly welled up in his eyes.
Roma froze.
"…Wait."
"…Why are you crying?"
The young man tried to speak, but his voice broke.
"…I… I thought…"
"…I was going to die…"
And then—
He started crying.
Not loudly.
But uncontrollably.
Roma sat there awkwardly.
"…This is new."
He scratched his head.
"…Should I comfort him?"
After a moment, he simply said—
"…You're not dead."
The man nodded repeatedly, tears still falling.
"…Thank you…"
Roma looked at him quietly.
For the first time—
This wasn't about survival.
Or fear.
Or calculation.
It was just—
Two people.
One who survived.
And one who helped.
Roma exhaled slowly.
"…Don't thank me yet."
He glanced at the faint blue screen.
"…You still owe me one sentence."
Roma looked at the young man.
"…Rest first."
"…Then we talk."