Chapter 13: A Sudden Awakening"Shiro?"

  I blinked, snapping out of my thoughts. Right—I wasn’t alone anymore. Talking to myself must seem strange to her. But something was bothering me.

  "Iris, can you see this too? The status window?"

  She tilted her head. "Status window?"

  I guess not.

  "Try saying 'status window.'"

  She hesitated for a moment but complied. "Status window."

  "Well? Do you see it? The screen floating in front of you?"

  She furrowed her brows. "Screen?"

  So she really couldn’t see it.

  I let out a small sigh. "Uhh, never mind."

  Before I could dwell on it any further, the sound of hurried footsteps reached my ears. A voice followed, cutting through the silence of the early morning.

  "SEARCH FOR THEM! THEY COULDN’T HAVE GOTTEN FAR!!!"

  Another voice, filled with rage, echoed right after.

  "IF I CATCH THE ONE WHO KILLED ROBERT AND JOE, I’M GONNA—!!"

  I tensed.

  Two men.

  They were coming this way.

  Thank God for Insight.

  Robert and Joe… those were the names of the men I killed. The hostages I freed had said there were four of them in total. Two were dead. That left these two.

  This is bad.

  If they found us, there was no doubt they’d kill me and take Iris back. I had to think fast.

  My eyes darted to the ground, spotting the sword I had taken from the bandits earlier. Good. At least I have a weapon.

  "Iris, quickly! Climb the tree. I’ll give you a boost."

  She hesitated for only a second before nodding. With my help, she scrambled up, settling herself on a sturdy branch.

  "Don’t make a sound, okay? I’ll be right back."

  She bit her lip but nodded again.

  With that, I turned and moved toward the approaching men.

  —

  Morning light filtered through the trees, casting long shadows. Unlike st night, I didn’t have the cover of darkness to aid me. I had to py this carefully.

  Using the trees and bushes for cover, I circled around them. Thanks to Insight, I could pinpoint their exact location.

  Same strategy as before.

  A distraction.

  Then a strike when their backs were turned.

  I picked up a rock and threw it toward a nearby tree. It hit the bark with a sharp thud.

  The men flinched, turning toward the sound.

  I didn’t hesitate.

  I lunged, driving my bde into the closest man’s neck.

  The other turned.

  "Shit!"

  I ripped the sword free just as the first man colpsed, his body hitting the forest floor with a dull thud.

  —

  "FREDD!! SO IT WAS YOU!"

  I barely had time to react before the second man roared, his eyes burning with fury.

  "I’M GONNA KILL YOU!!"

  He charged at me, his sword swinging at full speed.

  I raised my weapon just in time to block.

  He’s aiming for my neck.

  Again and again, he struck. I parried each blow, but every time, he pushed me back.

  He’s stronger than me.

  I grit my teeth, trying to find an opening.

  But then—

  My foot slipped.

  I lost my bance.

  Before I could recover, a sharp pain exploded in my ribs as he kicked me to the ground.

  My sword—

  It flew from my grasp.

  I gasped, struggling to move as he pressed his boot against my chest. His sword hovered above me, its sharp edge glinting in the sunlight.

  "NOW I’M GONNA KILL YOU! SAY YOUR PRAYERS, KID!!"

  I froze.

  Is this it?

  After everything I had been through—

  Was I really about to die like this?

  —

  The cold steel of his bde touched my throat.

  But then—

  His sword—

  Fell.

  His body—

  Dropped to his knees.

  His face twisted in confusion, his eyes widening in terror.

  The status window suddenly appeared before me.

  But—

  These weren’t my stats.

  —Iris.

  —

  Iris’s passive skill has been unlocked.[Dominion’s Will] has been activated.

  —

  "Iris?"

  I didn’t have time to hesitate.

  I grabbed my fallen sword and swung.

  A clean strike.

  His head hit the ground with a sickening thud.

  Blood spttered onto the dirt, staining the leaves beneath us.

  Silence.

  For a moment, I just stood there, catching my breath.

  Then, from the corner of my eye, I saw her.

  Iris.

  Standing a few feet away.

  Tears clung to her shes, her hands trembling.

  I sheathed my sword and walked up to her.

  "I’m sorry," she whispered. "I thought—"

  I pced a hand on her head.

  "There’s nothing to be sorry about," I said softly. "If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be standing here right now."

  "But… I didn’t do anything."

  She looked so confused.

  It was kind of cute.

  I smiled. "I think it’s about time we leave this forest."