Extra's Fate

The port was bustling with activity.

Sailors hauling cargo, merchants negotiating deals, and seagulls circling overhead - the noise was making my head spin.

『 Shadow Step 』

I didn't even hesitate to use my skill and appear on the quieter side streets, as far away as my ability could take me.

Looking around, I saw many workshops, restaurants and other facilities, but with no money in my pockets, I just ignored them.

First, I navigated through the port until I saw familiar landmarks, I recalled from the game.

Using them I quickly estimated in which direction I needed to head and began making my way towards it.

Soon, I reached the outskirts of the city, where the landscape became more desolate and less populated.

The slums.

The buildings here were nothing more than ramshackle huts and shacks, barely held together by a patchwork of scavenged materials.

From time to time, I could catch glimpses of malnourished and ragged figures between the buildings, but paid them no mind.

I wasn't here to help the unfortunate, neither did I have business with them.

"…"

Walking through the deserted alleyways, I felt gazes piercing me from all directions.

I was being observed.

However, I didn't worry.

There was no being here that could pose a threat to me.

"Hey!"

The shout echoed through the alley and a group of thugs emerged from the shadows, blocking my path.

"Look what we have here…."

One of them taunted, drawing a rusty blade.

Without a word, I also drew my sword, the steel flashing in the dim light.

The first thug lunged at me, but I sidestepped effortlessly, bringing my sword down in a swift arc.

Pluck…

His body crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

Two more attackers came at me simultaneously.

I parried their blows, then countered with lethal precision.

They fell just as quickly, their expressions frozen in surprise.

The remaining thugs hesitated, their confidence wavering. In a blur of motion, I dispatched them one by one, leaving only one alive.

He stumbled back, fear etched on his face as he realized his comrades were no match for me.

『 Shadow Step 』

Appearing right beside the last thug, I kneeled beside him and unraveled the sleeve of his tattered shirt.

There, on his forearm, was an insignia of a melting sword.

'Bingo!'

This was exactly what I was searching for. The Flaming Death gang.

"Lead me to your superior."

I demanded, pressing the tip of my blade to his throat.

But, instead of complying the scoundrel just smirked.

"You think I'll just lead you to him? You're out of your-"

Before he could finish, I swung my sword, severing his arm with a single, clean cut.

Pluck…

Blood sprayed, painting the ground in crimson as he screamed in agony, clutching the stump where his arm used to be.

"You, bastard, you damned bastard!"

He howled rolling on the ground.

He was obviously in a lot of pain... Not like I cared though.

Leaning closer I smiled, my voice calm and cold.

"You still have three limbs left..."

I said, pressing the tip of my blade against his chest.

"Each of them has five fingers. Think carefully about your next move."

For a moment, our eyes met and the thug's gaze shifted from defiant to fearful as he realized the gravity of his situation.

'He will torture before killing me…'

The scoundrel's face paled as he stared at two grey eyes peering into his own.

"Okay! Okay! I'll take you to him, just please don't kill me!"

He raised his remaining hand, pleading and I lowered my sword.

As he clutched the stump where his arm had been, his eyes were wide with terror. A chorus of muffled gasps caught my attention and I noticed several slum inhabitants, including some children, staring at the scene from a safe distance.

Their expressions were not of fear towards me but of a simmering hatred directed at the thug.

Well, that was to be expected.

From what I knew from the game, they were oppressors, constantly pillaging and stealing from the weak, making life in the slums a living hell.

It was no wonder these people hated them so much; their lives had been torn apart by these scoundrels.

"Lead the way."

I commanded, and the thug nodded frantically, scrambling to his feet.

He stumbled ahead, leading me through the maze of decrepit alleyways.

I followed closely behind, my senses on high alert. The slum dwellers watched us pass, but none of them dared to approach.

As we walked, I allowed myself a small smile and clenched my fist in satisfaction.

It wasn't because I was thrilled of causing harm or helping the people, no…

I could now fight without constantly relying on my『 Shadow Step 』spell.

The battles with the thugs had proven that my attributes had increased significantly since I obtained the Ring of Blood. I could parry strong blows and even engage multiple opponents without breaking a sweat.

But then my smile diminished slightly as I turned my gaze to multiple same notifications that were hovering in the corner of my vision for the last few minutes.

⌜Devourer⌝

❖ You've killed a Lv. 5 Gang member…

❖ Devouring unsuccessful [ Enemy is too weak ]

Apparently, these scoundrels were too weak for me to absorb their attributes.

It was a minor disappointment, but it didn't matter much. It just meant that I was getting stronger and killing small fry was no longer a viable option for gaining power.

The thug led me to a dilapidated building on the outskirts of the slums.

It was more substantial than the surrounding shacks, indicating it might serve as a base of operations for the gang.

He hesitated at the entrance, glancing back at me with a mix of fear and resignation.

"Go on."

I urged, pressing the tip of my sword against his back.

With a deep breath, he pushed open the door and stepped inside.

I followed, my grip tightening on my weapon.

'Here we go…'