The sun was just beginning to rise when Zero opened his eyes.
His limbs were sore, but his breathing came steady. The battle with the Bloomfang Matriarch still echoed in his muscles—a dull ache in his shoulders, a tightness along his spine. But it wasn't the pain that bothered him.
It was the silence afterward.
He stood, brushing dirt and crushed petals from his clothes. The glade was still now—half-wilted flowers, vines retreating deep into the soil. The air no longer stank of rot. Just earth. And moss.
[Challenge Timer: 26 Days Remaining]
[Passive Cultivation Claimed: +3.1%]
[Astral Progress: 61%]
Zero stretched his arms slowly, rolling his shoulder until it cracked, then opened the system menu with a breath.
"Any other rewards coming in?"
[Processing Elite Kill Bonus…]
[Calculating Relative Performance…]
[Bonus Granted – New Chain Technique Unlocked: Threadsplit]
Technique: Threadsplit – A specialized chain maneuver. Allows temporary duplication of chain momentum and direction, creating illusionary arcs. Requires precision and energy control.
[System Credits: 5]
[Talent Points: 2]
A low whistle slipped out before he caught himself. "Huh… actually useful."
A faint chime responded, almost smug.
"You're finally starting to sound impressed."
"I'm just not used to this much progress without being whipped for it."
There was a pause.
"…Noted," the system replied softly. "Threadsplit will help with misdirection and feints. Especially in crowd control. Try combining it with your grapples."
"I will."
He stood still for a moment longer, letting the wind touch his face. The glade behind him felt like a closed book.
He turned toward the road.
The walk back to town was slow. His pace stayed even, but his mind moved faster—replaying the battle, sorting its rhythm, filing every mistake.
He might've drifted into thought too deep—until he saw it.
A thin column of smoke, rising ahead—just beyond the treeline at a bend in the road.
[Minor Disturbance Detected – Heat signatures, movement, metal.]
Zero crouched low in the grass and narrowed his eyes.
Through the foliage, he saw the outline of a merchant cart, tilted sideways in the dirt. The horse was gone. The driver—an older man—slumped weakly over the wheel.
Three men circled the cart, armed in rusted gear and scavenged blades. Bandits.
Zero didn't blink.
"System. Headcount?"
[Visual Confirmation: 3 Hostiles]
[All Human. No Astral Signatures Detected.]
[Threat Level: Low. Weapon Skill: Untrained to Basic.]
"Then I won't need much."
He stepped onto the road.
The first bandit didn't even notice—busy tearing a crate open.
Zero walked until the dirt crunched beneath his boots.
"Hey."
Three heads turned.
One of them laughed. "Look what wandered in."
Another unsheathed a jagged knife. "Back off, kid. Ain't your cart."
Zero said nothing.
The chain slid from his sleeve.
And uncoiled.
It hit with a snap. The first bandit didn't even register it before his wrist was caught mid-motion. The knife clattered to the ground. Zero pulled hard.
The man crashed into the dirt with a winded grunt.
"What the hell—?!" he coughed, trying to crawl back.
The second rushed forward with a yell, swinging his blade wide.
Zero sidestepped, pivoted low, and cracked the chain up into his forearm. A harsh snap echoed—bone, maybe. The bandit screamed, his weapon dropping as he cradled his arm.
"You'll pay for that, freak!" he spat.
Zero's eyes didn't move.
The last bandit was already backing away, pale. "Y-You're crazy…!"
The chain darted out. Wrapped his ankles. Yanked.
He slammed into the ground. Before he could scramble away, Zero kicked him hard in the ribs—clean, controlled, enough to make him curl inward and wheeze.
"Run," Zero said.
They didn't wait to be told again.
The first bandit dragged the other two to their feet, and they limped off, half-falling over one another. One of them screamed over his shoulder, "Don't follow us!"
They vanished around the bend, tripping over roots as they ran like animals.
Zero exhaled slowly. The chain coiled back around his arm with a soft hum.
[Threat neutralized.]
[Minimal energy expenditure. Tactical response: efficient.]
"Too easy," Zero muttered. "Felt like a warm-up."
[Threadsplit was adapting even during the fight. You're integrating it faster than projected.]
Zero gave the chain a small tap.
"I still don't trust anyone out here."
[That's fair. But you're learning. You don't always have to fight alone.]
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Maybe. You're still the only one I talk to."
[And I'll be here. Every step.]
He stood in silence for a moment, then turned toward the cart.
The old merchant was stirring, groaning quietly as he pushed himself upright.
Zero walked closer. "Hey. You alright?"
The man blinked up at him, confused—then nodded slowly. "I… think so. They didn't stab me, just knocked me down. Thank you, young man. That was… that was something else."
Zero helped steady him. "You're heading to Cragstead?"
The old man winced, rubbing his ribs. "Yes. That's where I live."
Zero gave a short nod. "Then I'll walk with you."
There was silence for most of the journey. Only the creak of the cart's wheels and the crunch of leaves broke the stillness.
Zero helped the old man gather the scattered crates, and flipped his cart back upright without so much as a single word.
After some time, the man spoke.
"Young man, if I may ask… why do you keep everyone at arm's length?"
The silence was broken, and by a question that made Zero's heart rate quicken.
"How—" Before Zero could finish his question, the old man once again spoke.
"I may not be strong, and I've never held a blade like you have… but what I do have, is wisdom. I've lived long enough to know when someone's carrying a heavy past."
"I have seen countless things in my years. And your eyes, they show that you've seen your fair share as well"
As the old man said that he turned to look at Zero, his gaze studying.
Zero's thoughts scattered for a moment, sharp with worry.
'System does he know about my slave mark? Is that possible?? '
Almost as if the old man knew what he was thinking, and before the system could chime.
"Don't worry. I won't pry."
"Just know, it's okay to not go through everything alone. As difficult as trust may be. Sometimes, you meet someone worth risking it for."
Silence returned. The wind carried all the words Zero couldn't say.
The system chimed
[This man is trustworthy, there is no malice, no ill intent]
Zero's guard lowered—just a little. His shoulders eased without thinking.
"The world can be cruel to kindest people, it breaks them, makes them feel inadequate, sometimes even worthless."
"And it builds those that are evil, power, fame, wealth, and everything they ask for"
"The kind ones that are broken down, if they ever manage to stand back up… they're always the last one to laugh."
Henzo's gaze stayed on him a moment longer, calm but firm. Then he turned back toward the path and started walking again.
"Come on now," he said, voice lighter. "Let's not be late."
Zero stood still for a second.
His hands curled at his sides. Something caught in his throat. He looked at the old man's back, the quiet sway of the cart.
"…Hey, old man."
Henzo slowed but didn't turn.
Zero's voice was low—almost unsure. "How do I… trust people?"
The old man gave a gentle smile—one that spoke louder than any lesson. "My name is Henzo."
Henzo's answer lingered in the air.
Zero stood there for a moment, uncertain of what to say. Just a quiet mark pressing down on his chest.
"...Zero" he said at last. His voice wasn't confident, it almost broke. But it was the first time he'd said it out loud with intention.
Henzo's smile grew even warmer, but he didn't make a big deal of it. "A good name. You chose it yourself?"
Zero gave a small nod.
"Well, Zero… when you're ready, you'll find your answers. Trust takes time. But you've already started that journey."
He turned back to the road, his voice light again. "Now come on. My back's not what it used to be, and I'd rather reach town before sundown."
The rest of the walk passed in a quiet rhythm. But something had shifted. Zero didn't feel like a shadow walking beside a stranger anymore. He walked a little closer now.
When Cragstead came into view, Henzo slowed the cart and brought it to a stop near the edge of town.
"This is me," he said. "Red lantern above the shop. Can't miss it." He paused, then added gently, "If you ever need a place to rest, or someone to talk to—you know where I'll be."
Zero didn't answer at first. But as the old man stepped away, he finally said, "Thanks."
Henzo gave a simple nod and walked off with a wave.
Zero stood still.
He looked toward the red lantern swaying gently in the breeze.
Then he turned away and walked back toward the guild.
The wind felt a little less cold.