Kai had meant it as a joke when he mentioned rescuing the two of them as a bandit. Ariella giggled softly in response, her laughter like the chiming of small bells. Meanwhile, the other student, Cia, seemed utterly confused, her brow furrowing slightly in puzzlement.
But there wasn't time to dwell at the moment. The flames were spreading rapidly through the mansion, and the oppressive heat was a constant reminder that they had precious little time to waste.
Without a word, Kai grabbed a piece of fabric from a nearby curtain, tore it, and wrapped it around Ariella's eyes. She let out a small sound of protest, wriggling slightly in his grip—a childish struggle, more out of defiance than fear. But there was trust there, a bond between them that she didn't question. She quickly settled, letting him tie the makeshift blindfold over her eyes like a little sister allowing an older brother to guide her. Her trust was absolute.
But why blindfold her?
Kai didn't want Ariella to see what lay outside. The courtyard was littered with bodies—bandits, prisoners, and other unfortunates who had perished in the chaos. The sight of so much death would be too much for her, or at least, that's what he believed. She was a goddess, but in her current form, she was fragile—too delicate for the horrors of this world.
As for the other girl, Cia, she was the second transmigrator Kai had encountered today. He knew there were many more scattered across this strange new world. After all, the ceremony that had brought them here had involved dozens, perhaps even hundreds, of participants. They were all in different places now, struggling to survive just like him.
Cia was one of the lucky ones to have survived so far, but even now, her fate was uncertain.
Kai was conflicted. He knew it was only natural to take her with them—after all, leaving her behind would be a death sentence—but the thought of adding another person to their group felt like an enormous burden. And this wasn't just any other person. She was blind.
Her name was Cia, a delicate young woman from Class A. Kai didn't need an introduction; he recognized her instantly. She had been something of a celebrity back in their academic days. Her name was always at the top of the exam rankings, constantly praised for winning spelling bees, math competitions, and science contests. Despite her blindness, she had achieved greater things than most of the other students. She was an inspiration to many, admired for her resilience and intelligence. Her future on Earth had seemed bright and full of promise.
But that was then. This is now.
In this wild, merciless world, Kai doubted Cia would last long. Without her personal attendants to help her navigate or compensate for her lack of vision, her chances of survival were slim. The world they had been thrown into wasn't like Earth—there were no laws to protect the vulnerable, no safety nets to catch them when they fell. Here, the strong devoured the weak, and wild beasts roamed the land, more deadly than anything Earth had ever produced.
Kai was painfully aware of his own limitations. He wasn't kind, not by nature. He was selfish, cynical, and unsociable, his sense of humor dark and often biting. The only reason he had taken on the responsibility of caring for Ariella was because the gods themselves had forced him into it. He hadn't wanted to. And while he had grown to appreciate her company over time, that didn't mean he was eager to add another helpless person to the mix.
But as he stood there, glancing between the two of them, he could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on him. He knew Ariella wouldn't leave Cia behind. She was already looking up at him with those large, imploring eyes, filled with innocent insistence. Kai knew that if he refused, she might start crying. And he wasn't strong enough to resist her tears.
Sighing heavily, Kai relented. "Fine, fine. We'll bring her along."
Ariella's face lit up, her joy unmistakable. Her trust in him was naively unwavering. Moreover, he doubt he'll ever had a peaceful sleep if he abandoned a blind person. His already terrible enough, he didn't want to be a monster. Furthermore, isn't he supposed to teach Ariella the value of mortals? Its comical to make someone like him do that. Because lately, he discovered a dark passion hidden within him. How battles made him feel alive, which isn't the brightest thing done by humans.
Still, the gods demanded it. So, he'll have to show the goodness of mortals even if it's halfhearted.
Cia, for her part, remained quiet. She seemed to sense the tension in the air, but she was too lost in her own thoughts to speak up. She had likely accepted her fate long ago, she's smart enough to figure her outcome. Whatever happened, she would go along with it.
Kai's thought as they made their way through the burning mansion, the heat growing unbearable. He couldn't help but wonder what kind of future lay ahead for them. He wasn't a hero. He didn't want the responsibility of protecting others, especially in a world as brutal as this. But at the same time, he couldn't walk away from it. The only thing driving him courage is that, he cannot die even if worse comes to shove.
Kai and the two girls made their way down to the first floor, where he paused to replace his tattered, blood-soaked uniform with something more presentable. The stench clung to him, and the fabric was torn in multiple places, revealing more skin than he was comfortable with, especially around Ariella and Cia. He needed to look somewhat decent, even if he didn't feel like it.
Ariella, as usual, seemed untouched by the chaos around her. Her white dress remained immaculate, never collecting dirt or showing signs of wear and tear. It was like magic—an attire truly fit for a goddess. Cia, on the other hand, was still dressed in her school uniform, clean and unscathed. The bandits had treated her carefully, almost as if she were a prized possession, a gift meant for their boss. Unfortunately for them, the boss hadn't lived long enough to even meet her, let alone enjoy his so-called "gift."
Kai didn't shy away from the opportunity to loot the mansion as they moved through the halls. Flames still licked the upper floors, but it would be a while before the fire reached the lower levels. There were supplies all around—things he would need for survival. It would be a waste to let them burn.
He raided the kitchen for spices, grabbed a few knives, extra clothes, a blanket, and a water container. But most importantly, he stumbled upon the bandits' treasury. The moment his eyes landed on the chest full of coins, greed flared inside him. There was a time when he wouldn't have been able to carry something so heavy, but thanks to the beastly strength Zara had passed on to him through their Sacred Bond, the golds felt surprisingly light. But he was greedy for more, therefore, he took as many as he could to the point it got heavy even for his current strength.
With a wide grin, Kai hoisted the heavy bag over his shoulder. He could already imagine the kind of life he could live with all this money—riches he had never even dreamed of back on Earth. His mind drifted to the luxuries it could bring: a proper home, fine food. With this much in hand, Kai won't have to worry about the challenges of human society - finding work and earnings enough to house and food. Money can almost do anything there.
As they exited the mansion, Kai took in the aftermath of Zara's handiwork. Bodies of bandits were scattered across the courtyard, lifeless and bloody. The sheer destruction she had wrought was a chilling reminder of her power. For a brief moment, Kai was grateful she had already left. The thought of encountering her again sent a cold shiver down his spine.
He shook off the feeling, pushing the thought of Zara to the back of his mind. With the mansion now behind them and the spoils of war on his back, he led Ariella and Cia through the chaos and into the forest beyond, his thoughts already drifting toward what was next.
'Please let this be the last time I ever see her.' Kai silently prayed as they disappeared into the shadows of the trees.
After traveling quite a distance away from the ravaged lair, he suddenly let out an infuriated curse.