Evan's breaths came heavy and ragged, as exhaustion weighed down his limbs.
His knuckles throbbed, skin torn and bloodied from the relentless punches he had thrown.
Whether it was the physical toll from the hits he had taken from Vin or the overwhelming reality of his actions, his mind blurred in a chaotic haze.
Yet amid the storm of pain and exhaustion, one thing cut through his thoughts, gaining his attention in a jiff- the golden glow of the system's notification, floating afront of him as it displayed the message-
[You have slain a human.]
[Reward: +1 point.]
His bloodshot eyes fixated on the message, disbelief flickering across his face.
'I actually did it... I killed him... and the system rewarded me?'
The realization crept into his mind like a dark shadow. The system rewarded him for defeating foes...which gave an explanation to his previous thoughts.
'That explains why I didn't get any reward after beating that Hayman guy to a pulp.' he thought bitterly.
But his thoughts stalled as his gaze drifted downward. His blood-covered fists trembled in front of him, raised like evidence of a crime he couldn't erase.
'Still... I never thought I'd ever be responsible for taking someone's life...'
He tried to rationalize it, his jaw clenching as defiant thoughts fought to silence the guilt gnawing at him.
'It's not exactly my fault. He had it coming. And besides, this was for a good reason.'
His eyes flickered toward the elf family huddled in the corner of the room.
The mother shielded her children's eyes, refusing to let them witness the gruesome scene. The father, however, met Evan's gaze with a bewildered, unreadable expression.
The tension shattered when a voice broke through the heavy silence.
"What have you done?"
Evan turned slowly to face Victor, whose expression simmered with rage and disbelief.
He returned his gaze to his bloodied fists.
"I did what had to be done." Evan said flatly.
"I put down an animal."
Victor's voice thundered through the room.
"He was one of us! And you killed him in cold blood!"
This would have been an idle time for Evan to beg for forgiveness, or maybe attempt to plea to Victor that what Vin stood for was just against his ideals.
But that wasn't Evan. No, instead, Evan met his gaze head-on, and spoke with an unwavering tone.
"Yes... yes, I did."
Victor's eyes widened as Evan continued.
"He was a monster who reveled in killing innocents. Even when we were being hunted, he couldn't control his bloodlust."
"And so you killed him?" Victor shot back.
"I told you I wouldn't let any more innocents die." Evan replied with a fierce tone of his own.
"He made his choice, and I did what I had to do."
Victor scoffed, dragging a hand down his face. Paranoia flickered across his features.
"You just screwed us up, Evan. We're a man down now—all because you couldn't keep your emotions in check!"
"My emotions are perfectly in check."
Victor's face twisted with frustration.
"Oh yeah? Then tell me, oh wise Evan—how do we get out of this mess being one man down?"
Evan, being in the heat of the moment, tried to counter Victor's reply as he always had, but then, he faltered.
He cast his gaze to the side, unable to meet Victor's searing glare.
Victor let out an angry scoff, pacing frantically around the room.
"Unbelievable." he muttered.
Evan clenched his fists, the weight of their predicament settling heavily on his shoulders. It might have been because of his actions were carried out due to rage, but he hadn't thought this far ahead.
What if the Lord's forces were already closing in on them? It was worthy to note this and for the next few moments, Evan was left as he was, lost in his thoughts.
'Damn it... if only we hadn't stumbled upon this elf family in the first place...'
His thoughts fractured when his eyes caught sight of the elf family once more. A realization dawned on him—a dangerous, desperate plan forming in his mind. And in that moment, it was formed!
He muttered aloud.
"I have a plan."
Victor stopped pacing, his gaze snapping toward Evan.
"What?"
"I have a plan...And it involves a better escape" Evan added.
***
Hours passed, and the oppressive darkness of night blanketed the landscape. The crescent moon cast faint silvery glows across the elven home, which had returned to a tense stillness.
Inside the now peaceful home, the elf mother sat at the dining table, cradling her two children protectively- the third child was no where to be seen. A soft, bittersweet smile graced her face as she admired them, as if savoring a fleeting moment of peace.
Seated by her side was the elf man, his face laced with obvious fright.
Then it came—a distant sound, faint but growing louder by the second.
Barking.
The hounds of Lord Hayman, which only meant he was not far behind.
The mother's smile faded instantly. Her ears perked up, dread seeping into her expression.
"Okay, my babies... it's time for bed," she whispered gently.
Her voice quivered as she lifted her children, carrying them upstairs toward the bedrooms.
The elf man remained seated, his face grim as he braced himself for what was to come.
The barking grew louder until it surrounded the house. Torchlight flickered outside as armored knights dismounted their horses, encircling the entrance.
Lord Hayman stepped down from his steed, his imposing presence radiating menace.
He strode toward the door and on reaching it, knocked firmly.
Inside, the elf man released a heavy sigh. Rising from his seat, he walked slowly to the door, each step weighted with resignation.
Then he opened it, his eyes widened in surprise.
"L-Lord Hayman? I almost didn't recognize you. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Lord Hayman's cold gaze swept over the interior, as though he was searching for something in particular, before he stepped inside uninvited, followed closely by two armed knights.
"I have no need for your questions, elf... you can keep them in your elf ears or however your kind operates." the Lord said icily.
"As you wish my Lord." The elf man replied.
"I'm here for one thing—and I think you know exactly what that is."
It was only for a fleeting moment, faster than the Lord's gaze could follow. The elf man's eyes flickered nervously to the wooden floorboards. A small crack revealed a glint of blue—a single eye peeking up from beneath the floor.
An eye that beautiful would belong to none other than Evan.
Still hiding within the house.
The elf man's heart raced, knowing that a single wrong word would doom them all.
"So, elf. In the presence of the gods and man, do you have anything you wish to let me know?"
Evan was particularly calm as he listened to their conversation. In truth, he knew that the elf man would side with him, following his plan and in order to do that the elf man had to follow certain orders given to him.
One of those orders was that he was to mislead the Lord.
And yet, when Lord Hayman demanded answers, the elf man forced a strained smile as his eyes darted down to the floor board- locking eyes with Evan's eyes which slowly became panicked.
"...Mmm... actually, I do have something for you."