Rion
Crow took his own life.
It was an unexpected outcome, but a faint sense of satisfaction flickered across my lips.
Who would have thought the aura created by Domain of the Absolute would trigger the effect of False Name Imprint.
The collision between my supernatural ability Domain of the Absolute and my special-grade trait False Name Imprint.
The collaboration of those two powers produced results that surpassed my expectations.
False Name Imprint imprints all my actions onto others as something special and profound.
When combined with the amplified aura from Domain of the Absolute, it became possible to infuse the aura with the 'meaning' and 'image' I desired and radiate it outward.
Just like what I'd done to Crow moments ago.
The instant he moved to kill Rion, in that urgent moment, I absorbed Rynel's aura with Domain of the Absolute, then released it infused with the image of 'an overwhelming weight that crushes and immobilizes the opponent.'
The result exceeded my imagination.
I'd only hoped for a brief hesitation, but Crow dropped to his knees on the spot, trembling as if crushed by some invisible colossal force.
Of course, it wasn't pure physical power.
Both Domain of the Absolute and False Name Imprint are illusion-based abilities that can't exert physical force.
My aura didn't physically press down on his body. Instead, combined with False Name Imprint, it exquisitely deceived Crow's 'brain.'
Like a woman who's never been pregnant experiencing real symptoms—morning sickness, abdominal swelling—from intense pregnancy cravings in a false pregnancy,
Crow's brain recognized and accepted the intent of the crushing aura as reality.
And when my killing intent layered on top, it culminated in suicide.
The thrill of discovering a fact unknown even to veteran players made me momentarily forget my original goal.
Ha... I really can't do anything wrong, can I?
"Th-thank you... for... sparing us..."
A faint whisper-like voice made me turn around. The three children stood there.
The boy Dante who'd guided me here, the girl Mari beside him, and the boy Rion I'd originally come to find.
Terror and awe mingled in their trembling eyes.
They couldn't comprehend the scene they'd just witnessed.
To them, raised in suffering in the slums since childhood, Crow had been absolute evil incarnate.
That's why they'd started Dust Rose.
A small spark of resistance formed by the weak, a fragile hope banded together to overcome the massive wall named Crow.
But what had they just seen?
The being they could never defeat even with all their might ending his own life with a single word.
And the one wielding such power was none other than the king of Cheongam Fortress, leader of Jin Gang Regiment.
The man who'd made Crow kneel in an instant was someone who could decide their lives with a word.
The world order they'd known shattered in a moment.
For the first time, they realized how insignificant their struggle had been.
Their small shoulders, not yet fifteen, trembled understandably.
No matter how they'd banded under the name Dust Rose, they were still just children finally facing the true terror of the world.
And regrettably, I had no intention of being their kind 'savior' or 'good person.'
I murmured inwardly.
Sorry, kids. But... this is all... for Rion.
Honestly, I didn't want to inflict extreme fear or threats on innocent children.
They were blameless.
But there was no choice.
⚔ MADNESS OF MURDEROUS INTENT ⚔Rank: Red
• Growth speed increases by 300% when a revenge target exists
• Converts mana to fighting spirit for use
• Growth completely halts without a revenge target
• Abilities gradually fade without a revenge target
The final penalty, 'abilities gradually fade without a revenge target,' wasn't simple ability loss.
It was like slowly draining blood, gnawing at the soul...
A curse-like torment continuing painfully until the ability user met death.
So Rion needed a new revenge target.
Ahem... Now I feel kinda bad.
In webnovels, protagonists get hooked on the thrill of revenge, and I created a vengeful ghost character from the ability draw of Madness of Murderous Intent.
Seeing Rion trembling with his head bowed made my chest ache.
I was forcing a tragic fate on a character I'd made.
Ha... Fine. I'm the sinner here. But... how the hell do I make myself his revenge target?
Honestly, I was stumped.
I'd just executed Crow and saved their lives; I couldn't suddenly say 'hate me.'
Then my gaze fell on Mari, hiding behind the boys.
Ah... This feels way too cruel.
But no other ideas came to mind right now.
"I... saved you?"
"Y-yes... Truly... thank you, great one..."
At Rion's trembling gratitude, I hardened my expression coldly.
"Ha... How absurd."
"P-pardon...?"
The children's confused eyes pricked at my conscience, but I forced a cruel smile instead.
"Have you slum rats ever felt that stupid urge to save a dying, worthless bug?"
Amid the terrified children, only Rion desperately tried to read the meaning in my words.
"Th-that means... we're bugs...?"
"Yes. To me, you slum dwellers are less than bugs crawling the streets."
"We're not bugs!"
Mari's small protest burst out, but she hid behind Rion the instant our eyes met.
"Does a person need some grand reason to kill a bug? They just remove it because it annoys their eyes. Even Crow, whom you feared so much, was nothing more to me."
I continued slowly approaching Rion.
"Just because other bugs survive from one bug's death..."
I met Rion's trembling gaze.
"...doesn't mean I 'saved' you. You're just bugs who happened to survive. Bugs incidentally spared while I dealt with a bigger one."
"Urk."
Rion wanted to retort in rage but bit his lip, mindful of my status.
"But now that I think about it, it's unpleasant. No matter how free delusion is... to see me as someone who saves bugs. Rynel."
I called to Rynel, who'd impassively watched it all.
"Yes, Lord Astra."
"Take that girl you see there."
In that instant, all color drained from Rion and Dante's faces.
"Eh?!"
"No...!"
The two boys instinctively blocked Mari, but they were like paper before the Crusher's massive hand.
Rynel shoved them aside without hesitation.
"Kyaaak!"
Mari's shrill scream echoed as Rynel gripped her. She wailed in terror, while Rion and Dante could only tremble helplessly.
I gazed at Rion, sunk in despair.
Terror, sorrow... and
fierce hatred toward me blossomed in his eyes.
"If you prove you're not bugs, I'll return her then."
Rion bit his lip until blood seeped, but his gaze burned fierce.
"How... what must we do...?"
"Simple."
I placed a hand on Rion's shoulder, feeling his body flinch.
"Black Claw's remnants are still in the slums, right? Kill every last one."
"That... will that be enough?"
"And unify the slums completely with your own power."
As I passed Rynel holding Mari, I left my final words.
"I'll come back when you've become the true king of the slums."
Behind me echoed the children's belated sobs and Rion's ragged breaths.
Sorry... But this is the only way you survive.
* * *
"Rion... why did you stop me!"
Betrayal boiled in Dante's eyes.
Moments ago, as Astra approached, Dante had instinctively moved to attack.
But Rion had grabbed his arm and stopped him.
"Those bastards... took Mari...! They took Mari!"
Dante's voice cracked.
His cry, laced with fear and rage, pierced the air.
"Our Mari...! We have to chase them right now...!"
"Get a grip, Dante...!"
Rion's low voice cut through Dante's wail.
"That man... is on another level from Crow, who just played king in the slums. He's the leader of Jin Gang Regiment."
The cold clarity in Rion's trembling voice froze the air around them.
"You know what the title of 'regiment leader' means in Haven."
"You're... scared of that right now...?!"
Dante grabbed Rion's collar.
Disappointment and betrayal filled his eyes.
"Selling out... selling out family...?!"
But the moment he saw Rion's eyes, Dante couldn't speak further.
Rion's pupils...
burned vivid crimson.
And bloody tears streamed from those crimson eyes.
"I'm frustrated too..."
Rion's voice shook, but steely resolve filled it.
"But you saw it. Powerless people just lose everything. Right now... we have no choice but to do as he says."
"Rion, you..."
Dante couldn't continue, stunned by this unfamiliar Rion.
"Don't worry, Dante. We can definitely kill Black Claw's remnants. And becoming king of the slums? He already showed us everything... we just follow that."
"..."
Dante felt he should stop this off-kilter Rion, but his desperate wish to save Mari sealed his lips.
And this moment of silence became a regret that would crush Dante for life.
He should have stopped Rion then.
The silence despite seeing the red madness blooming in his eyes—that was the start of all tragedy...
No one knew it yet.
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