The Reward of Survival

“Young master….”

Abella carefully held out the ring to me.

The one I had thrown earlier to stop the mage.

I put the ring back on and spat on the corpse of the bandit leader.

‘Disgusting bastards.’

Just by looking at those fading eyes, I could tell exactly what they were thinking.

The flashbacks that appeared every time they died.

If you only saw those scenes, you might feel pity.

But once you know what they’ve done.

It’s nothing but hypocrisy.

‘Bastards who stole others’ happiness for their own… acting like victims….’

Selfishness like that isn’t surprising.

What makes it worse is.

They truly meant it.

Those sincere eyes at the moment of death.

Made me feel even worse.

‘Damn it.’

Feeling the same emotions I used to feel while playing the game.

But now in reality.

‘So this is why you hated humans, Raon.’

The line I said while tearing off the bandit leader’s head.

—This is getting tiring.

That wasn’t my line.

It was Raon’s.

‘All that’s left is cleanup.’

I met the Wanderer’s gaze.

‘…Impossible.’

The Wanderer had seen many places.

Many people.

Beautiful ones.

Powerful ones.

Survivors who could live through hell.

But.

‘A change like this…?’

He had never seen someone like Raon.

Using chains as weapons wasn’t skill.

It was art.

And the way he utilized every tool he had.

It was like watching a veteran who had fought for years.

‘His mentality too… not perfect, but exceptional.’

He didn’t waste words.

He was efficient in killing.

Not normal.

But for someone from the Rigbelto family.

Not strange either.

‘…What caused this change?’

He didn’t know Raon’s past well enough to be certain.

But the last words he spoke gave a clue.

‘He was kidnapped before.’

After that.

Raon changed.

Dropped out.

Defeated Philip.

Massacred bandits.

‘All because of that?’

But even then.

Handling chains like that?

Those weren’t just artifacts.

They were restraints for monsters.

‘…I need to investigate.’

Not demonic power.

But maybe something else.

Something beyond.

Because those eyes.

Did not belong to someone once called trash.

“Young masteeer….”

Abella walked through the corpses, holding onto his clothes while crying.

“What… what happened to you….”

Unlike the Wanderer.

She was just a normal maid.

Even if she had suffered.

She was still only sixteen.

This situation.

And Raon’s change.

Were overwhelming.

“….”

Raon looked at her with unreadable eyes.

The Wanderer tensed slightly.

‘Is he going to kill her too?’

But the chains didn’t move.

Raon turned away and walked to the carriage.

“I’m going back in.”

“…Yes, young master. You’ve worked hard.”

Abella followed, still holding his clothes, sniffling.

“S-sir… the young master’s injuries….”

“…Surprisingly, none. Don’t worry.”

Aside from minor bruises.

There were no wounds.

‘There’s much to report to the patriarch.’

The Wanderer rubbed his eyes.

This is why he hated being tied to a family.

“….”

“….”

Inside the carriage.

Silence.

Raon sat down casually.

Abella stopped crying, took out a handkerchief, dampened it, and approached him.

“I’ll clean you….”

She wiped the blood from his face.

Raon watched her quietly.

Then spoke.

“I killed them.”

“…Yes?”

“The ones who came after me.”

The Raon she knew didn’t open up easily.

But she understood.

‘He’s explaining why he changed….’

“I’m tired of people trying to kill me.”

He didn’t explain everything.

But he told her how he felt.

“If I have to die… I’d rather kill.”

“…!”

Her eyes widened.

Then filled with sorrow.

What had he gone through…?

“So stay out of it.”

“…Yes.”

She decided not to push further.

After cleaning him, she sat down quietly.

Pulling her knees close.

‘He changed this much….’

What happened in those three days…?

Clatter—

The carriage started moving again.

Cleanup must be done.

Raon checked his condition.

‘No major injuries. Mana is stable.’

Even in chaos.

With the right information.

He could handle multiple enemies.

‘Not just because of knowledge.’

More than that.

‘The chains moved perfectly.’

After absorbing his mana for so long.

They were practically part of him.

Like holy swords that gain will over time.

These chains were becoming the same.

Not fully sentient yet.

But close.

If they were.

The system would’ve updated.

But item descriptions in this game were incomplete.

Details had to be discovered manually.

And that meant.

They were powerful.

‘Then why hasn’t the event ended?’

“….”

Clunk!

The carriage stopped.

‘…What?’

Raon looked outside.

And understood.

‘Ah. That place.’

Knock.

“…Young master.”

The Wanderer’s voice trembled.

“May we stop here briefly?”

Raon stood.

“Do as you want. I’m coming too.”

“…Understood. But… it’s not a pleasant sight.”

“I—I’m coming too.”

“…Miss, you…”

The Wanderer hesitated.

But opened the door.

Raon and Abella stepped out.

Abella froze.

“…!”

Clothes.

Blood-soaked.

Piled between tents.

“…I’ll check inside.”

“Go ahead.”

Clink.

Raon followed.

Abella followed too.

Buzz—

Flies swarmed.

Inside the tents.

Blankets.

Tools.

Supplies.

The Wanderer’s face hardened.

He moved to another tent.

The flies scattered.

He opened it.

Flap—

“Ugh….”

“….”

Inside.

Bodies.

Men.

Women.

Even children.

“…Ugh….”

Marks of abuse everywhere.

Only skeletons remained in some.

“…The bandits did this.”

The Wanderer’s eyes glowed faintly.

“I see.”

“…I will pray.”

He knelt.

Ignoring the filth.

“For your souls to find peace.”

But Raon saw nothing.

No souls.

Ding.

[Emergency Event Cleared!]

[Penalty Removed.]

[Reward: Weapon Recall]

[You can summon your weapons anytime.]

[Available Weapons]

[1. Chain of Greed]

[2. Mana Absorption Ring (Low)]

The family flag had burned.

But no one stopped them.

Instead.

“Please board. A warp gate.”

They were even given a gate to return instantly.

“By order of the patriarch.”

“….”

“….”

I stepped onto it.

Abella and the Wanderer followed.

“Departing.”

Flash—

The world shifted.

A grand hall appeared.

Chandeliers.

A red carpet.

“…The main house?”

The Rigbelto main estate.

Only direct blood and elders could enter.

Ahead.

Four gazes.

His siblings.

Enemies.

‘In the game, you couldn’t even speak here.’

Fear would freeze Raon.

But.

Step.

I am not Raon.

But in his body.

I realized something.

‘I was wrong.’

I focused only on reducing mana.

Because that was the only survival method.

But.

‘If mana control can increase.’

Then instead of reducing it.

I can control it.

Use it.

Become a true mage.

A great mage.

The future Raon wanted.

‘I can do it.’

The road ahead is harsh.

But just like before.

When I perfected the route.

Reached the final boss.

I will do it again.

‘No.’

I won’t just try.

‘I will change this life completely.’

‘I will succeed.’