After training together for the whole day, Roy and Kevin decided to rest for the night. Kevin offered Roy some clean clothes and earrings that had belonged to his father—black robes adorned with red and golden embroidery. The black and red colors complemented Roy's black hair and red eyes, making him look even more formidable. The earring were red as well. Roy gratefully accepted, now looking more presentable for their journey. The next morning, they set off for the city, with Roy eager to explore and learn more about the area. Normally, it would have taken Roy only ten minutes to reach, but since Kevin was not a cultivator, they walked at a relaxed pace, side by side.
Kevin's stomach let out a low growl, a reminder of how hungry he was.
Roy noticed and smiled slightly. "Wait a second," Roy said, his gaze shifting upwards towards a tree that bore ripe fruits hanging twenty meters in the air. He bent down slightly, his muscles coiling, and with a powerful leap, he launched himself skyward. The ground cracked beneath where he had stood, the force of his jump astonishing.
Kevin watched in shock. Although he knew Roy was powerful, witnessing a twenty-meter jump was awe-inspiring.
"Here you go," Roy said, landing gracefully and handing one of the fruits to Kevin. Kevin took it, his eyes wide, and gratefully began eating.
The journey led them through thick woods and along uneven paths until they finally reached the city gates. The city was nestled between two mountain ranges, its walls rising high, made of worn stone that had seen better days. It wasn't a bustling metropolis, nor the grand city Roy might have imagined, but it had its own rustic charm. A large wooden gate marked the entrance, guarded by two men in armor that looked like it had been passed down for generations—scratched, dented, and barely serving its purpose. As they approached the city gates, the guards eyed them suspiciously, their expressions a mixture of disdain and boredom. One of the guards nudged the other, whispering something that made both of them smirk. Kevin kept his eyes on the ground, trying not to react, but Roy could sense the slight tension in his posture.
"What's your business in the city?" one guard barked, his tone carrying an edge of arrogance. Before Kevin could respond, Roy stepped forward, his gaze icy. The guard hesitated, taken aback by the intensity of Roy's stare. Without a word, he waved them through, muttering something under his breath.
Once inside, Roy was able to take in the full view of the city. The streets were narrow, winding between uneven rows of mismatched buildings. Most structures were two to three stories tall, made of stone and wood, their roofs covered in mismatched shingles that created a patchwork appearance. Despite its modest size, the city was lively. Merchants called out from their stalls, selling everything from fresh produce to strange trinkets, and children ran between carts, their laughter echoing through the streets.
"This place may not be much, but it has its charm," Roy thought to himself as he observed the hustle and bustle. Kevin led the way, pointing out various landmarks—a blacksmith's shop with a large iron anvil painted on its sign, a small apothecary with herbs hanging by the entrance, and a bustling marketplace where townsfolk haggled loudly over prices.
The marketplace was crowded, filled with a mix of smells—freshly baked bread, the tang of herbs, and the unmistakable scent of livestock. Roy could see a butcher's stall nearby, where freshly cut meat hung on hooks, while across the way, a vendor was selling brightly colored fabrics, their vibrant hues standing out against the otherwise dull surroundings. There was an energy to the place, a sense of community, despite its worn and rugged appearance.
Roy's eyes were drawn to a group of children gathered around an old storyteller sitting on a wooden crate. The man was dressed in tattered robes, his face lined with age, but his eyes sparkled as he spoke. He gestured dramatically, describing a battle between powerful cultivators, his voice rising and falling to capture the children's imaginations. Roy couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia—he, too, had once listened to such tales with wide eyes, back when life was simpler.
Kevin, meanwhile, seemed focused on practical matters. "We need to get some supplies," he said, leading Roy to a small stall where a woman sold dried meats, bread, and water skins. Kevin greeted her politely, and they haggled briefly before purchasing enough to last them a few days. Roy watched, taking in how Kevin interacted with the townsfolk—a mix of politeness and wariness, as though he were used to being treated with suspicion.
As they moved deeper into the city, Roy noticed a change in the atmosphere. The streets grew narrower, the buildings more dilapidated. Here, the lively chatter of the marketplace was replaced by hushed conversations, the people eyeing strangers warily. Roy's instincts sharpened; this part of the city felt different—less welcoming, more dangerous. The alleyways seemed to twist and turn without any logical pattern, and shadows lingered despite the bright midday sun.
"This part of town…" Kevin started, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's where people go when they have nowhere else to turn. Be careful."
Roy nodded, his eyes scanning their surroundings. He could see a few figures huddled in corners, their clothes ragged, their eyes hollow. It reminded him of the slaves back in the sect—people who had been broken by the world, left to fend for themselves with nothing. He clenched his fists, a flicker of anger running through him. He knew what it felt like to be discarded.
"We should head back," Kevin suggested. Roy agreed, and they turned to leave the shadowed alleyways behind, making their way back toward the livelier part of the city. As they walked, Roy couldn't help but compare this small city to the grandeur of the sect where he had once been enslaved. That sect alone was a hundred times bigger and more prosperous than this settlement, and sects in this world often comprised multiple cities. Despite the humble charm of this place, it was nothing compared to the imposing scale of the powerful organization Roy had seen.
By the time they reached the main gate, the sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting an orange glow over the city. The streets were less crowded now, the merchants packing up their stalls, the children called home by their parents. Roy and kevin left for their home.
They walked through the forest, but Roy's senses were on high alert.
Suddenly, Roy stopped in his tracks, his head tilting slightly as he caught a faint sound. "Wait here," he said to Kevin before dashing off without any further explanation.
Roy moved through the darkness, his instincts guiding him to the source of the sound. He stopped behind a bush, peering through the leaves. He saw three men and three women gathered around a bonfire.
"Thanks, Brother Ron. If it weren't for you, we girls wouldn't have had this chance to complete the mission," one of the girls said, her tone appreciative as she looked at the man in the center who seemed to be the leader.
Ron, the leader, smiled, but there was a hint of something darker in his gaze, a flash of lust as he looked at the girls. "Don't worry, Aisha. We are members of the same sect, after all. We should help each other." His words sounded noble, but Roy could sense something off about the scene.
Seeing this, Roy felt uneasy. Something about the atmosphere wasn't right, but he couldn't quite pinpoint what it was. He decided to return to Kevin, who was still waiting for him.
"What happened?" Kevin asked as Roy approached.
"Nothing, just some people from a sect," Roy replied dismissively.
Kevin's eyes lit up. "A martial sect? Amazing! I've always wanted to join one!" he said with enthusiasm.
Roy's face darkened at Kevin's excitement. He turned to Kevin, his voice cold and firm. "Be careful what you wish for, Kevin. Not all sects are good. Some are filled with darkness and evil." The weight of Roy's warning hung heavily in the air.
Kevin sensed the seriousness in Roy's tone and chose not to push further. He nodded, his excitement dampened. "Okay. I'll be careful. Thanks, Roy."
They made their way back to the hut, the rest of the walk filled with silence. Roy didn't say anything else, and Kevin sensed that something was troubling his companion.
**
"AAAHHHHHHHHHHH! Please, someone, save me!" The piercing scream echoed through the forest, waking both Roy and Kevin. They jumped up, alert and disoriented.
Kevin, still trying to gather his bearings, looked at Roy, and his eyes widened. A dark aura seemed to be emanating from Roy, swirling around his body, almost alive. It was an aura of pure, unfiltered anger. Kevin had never seen Roy like this before; it was as if all warmth and cheerfulness had drained from his face, leaving nothing but fury.
"Hey, what's going..." Kevin started, but Roy cut him off.
"I'm going ahead," Roy said, his voice devoid of emotion. He grabbed the twin daggers and channeled power through his legs, muscles bulging. Without another word, he launched himself forward, leaving a large ditch in front of Kevin's hut as he sped into the darkness.
Kevin watched, stunned by the intensity he had just witnessed. He had always known there was more to Roy than met the eye, but this... this was a side he hadn't expected.
**
"Ron, what are you doing?! Why are you doing this?! Please, let me go!" Aisha's voice trembled as she begged, her fear evident. She looked around, tears streaming down her face as she saw her friends lying lifeless, their bodies being violated by Ron's friends. The horror of what was happening left her paralyzed.
Ron smiled, a twisted grin that showed no remorse. "Didn't I say that we should help each other? I've kept you for myself." He stepped closer, his intentions clear.
Suddenly, a loud boom echoed behind him. Ron spun around, startled.
Roy stood there, his eyes dark, devoid of any emotion but a burning fury. The black energy around him seemed to thicken, swirling like a living entity.
Ron, a tenth-level Muscle Forging cultivator and the son of an elder, could see what others couldn't. His eyes widened in shock. "That's... killing intent," Ron whispered, his voice cracking. Not everyone could release killing intent, and not everyone could sense it. But those who could knew what it meant—it was the mark of someone who had taken lives, someone who had faced death and emerged with blood on their hands. Ron's father's words echoed in his mind: if you ever meet someone who can manifest killing intent, run.
Roy's gaze shifted past Ron, towards the two men tying their pants after their vile act. The girls lay motionless, their lives extinguished by cruelty. Roy's expression didn't change—he was beyond rage, beyond words.
Roy drew his daggers, and Ron felt his body freeze, paralyzed by the sheer pressure of the killing intent. He wanted to run, but his legs wouldn't obey.
Roy took a step forward and vanished.
"Guhhh... gulp, gulp... guh." Ron turned at the grotesque sound, his eyes widening in terror. One of his friends was pinned to a tree, Roy's dagger lodged in his throat. Blood gushed as the man struggled, choking on his own lifeblood, while Roy remained impassive, his gaze cold.
Ron could only watch, trembling in fear. He knew he was no match. His body refused to move, every instinct screaming at him to run, but he couldn't.
Roy pulled the dagger out, and the man's lifeless body slumped to the ground. Roy then turned his gaze towards the other man, who had already wet himself in fear.
"Hey, man! Why are you doing this?! Please, let us go! We'll give you crystals and..."
Before the man could finish, Roy moved—disappearing from where he stood and reappearing in front of him. The daggers flashed in the moonlight.
Slash. Slash. Slash.
Roy struck repeatedly, his movements precise and brutal. He severed the man's arm, then continued to slice through flesh. Blood flowed like a river, painting the ground red, but Roy didn't flinch. He was relentless, his strikes driven by an emotionless purpose.
After a minute, the man fell to the ground, lifeless, his face twisted in agony. Roy's eyes then turned to Ron, his gaze colder than ever. Without hesitation, Roy jumped, one dagger sheathed while the other was gripped with both hands. He brought it down with all his strength, piercing Ron's skull, the sickening crack of bone echoing in the clearing. Ron's eyes widened for a split second, the shock evident before his body went limp. Blood sprayed as Roy twisted the dagger cruelly, ensuring there was no chance of survival. The killing intent dissipated slowly as Ron's lifeless body crumpled, leaving nothing but silence.
Roy exhaled deeply, the dark aura slowly fading away. He turned to Aisha, who looked at him with fear and uncertainty. He removed his outer garment and handed it to her, covering her trembling form.
"Don't worry. I won't hurt you," Roy said, his voice softer now, almost gentle, though the fury from moments before still lingered in his eyes.
Aisha took the garment, her hands shaking as she wrapped it around herself. She nodded, her eyes filled with a mix of fear, gratitude, and confusion. Roy turned away, his heart still pounding, the weight of his actions settling on his shoulders. He had done what he thought was right, but he knew the path he had chosen was dark, and it would only get darker from here.