Enri Emmot ran as fast as she could with her little sister Nemu in tow. They were trying to get away from the armored knight that were chasing after them with a frightening expression on their faces.

While she had higher physical capabilities compared to other women that lived in the cities, but at the end of the day she was still just a farm girl which doesn't compare to a trained soldier.

Enri's parent were probably already long dead at this point, killed by these soldiers without any reason. Why? What did they do to deserve this fate? Was this divine retribution of some kind?

"You can run but no matter what, we'll catch up little girl," One of the soldiers shouted with a bit of glee. She could hear it plainly just from the voice.

"Hell, the boys and me might get a chance to have a little fun before disposing of ya." Enri didn't turn around or reply to that remark, but she was sure that he was smirking and leering at her.

Enri ran as fast as she could from the opposing knights that wanted nothing more than to slaughter them. She weaved through trees and foliage in an attempt to confuse and trick them, anything that gives them a chance at surviving.

The village girl barely had any strength left while the knights while slightly winded were more than ready to keep pursuing.

Enri bit back a curse or cry of despair, the blonde could only imagine what Nemu was going through if she herself was this exhausted much less a girl that's not even ten.

Sweat soaked trough their clothing as if they just went to the lake and took a dip, it was disgusting feeling, but she could care less about that at the moment. No matter how much she ran, the distance between them had not changed, as expected of a trained warrior compared to a common village

Her lucky streak had come to an end when Nemu tripped on the root of a tree. Enri paused trying to get Nemu up but by the time she did, the knights were already behind them.

The sound of unsheathed metal shook them to the core. Enri shielded Nemu but her back was slashed violently as a result.

Fortunately, the wound missed the vitals and wasn't immediately lethal, but she had a feeling the next one will.

There… there was nothing more she could have done. All she could do was accept her fate but if that meant that she could buy extra time for Nemu than she'll even smile as she exits this world. That was all she could think of as her final thoughts.

The silver long sword fell with the intention of severing her head and neck from the rest of her body.

Then the sword paused as a whistling sound pierced his armor with a loud metallic clank sound. The projectile was enough to punch through the front and the back of the full plate armor and was lodged in causing the knight to choke on his own blood.

Enri opened her eyes in shock seeing the arrowpierce the vile man chest, with his blood splattered from his back, before falling down to the ground, dead.

Swiftly, she turned to face her savior.

What she saw was Shirou in his basic beginner starting set( A cotton cloth, cotton pants, leather boots, and dagger) while holding a bow in his hand, several dozens feet away.

While his distance makes it hard for Enri to see his face, she still could make out her savior red hair from this distance.

Seeing his comrade killed right in front of his eyes the other bandit screamed out in rage towards Shirou.

"Shit! Who the hell are you!?" He bellowed out, taking out his sword and charging to Shirou.

He didn't get far.

In a blink of an eye, another arrow was lodged on the bandits forehead, the man immediately fall down head first into the ground.

Watching the bandit fell, Shirou perish his bow and let out a breath in relief.

'Wow, this game is as they said, very realistic. I can even use my magecraft inside the game.' Shirou thought excitedly.

'Hell, even the NPC's felt so real.' He thought while remembering the reaction and expression of of NPC, it was so real he almost fall a habit of running to help, heck he even felt panic over it, Shirou calm himself before walking closer to the two NPCs.

His first quest, Shiro was wondering what he will get after this.

Ignoring the ping sound he heard.

It seems he forget he could level up.

The scene before his eyes when he arrived was clear.

Two terrified girls were in front of him.

The one who looked like the elder sister had a braid of straw-blonde hair that reached down to her breasts. Her skin, healthily tanned from working in the sun, was now deathly pale from fear, and her dark eyes were wet with tears.

The little sister — the younger girl — buried her face in her sister's waist, trembling in fright.

Shirou took a step forward.

The elder sister squeaked in confusion as Shirou walked in front her, probably in shocked at the knight's demise.

Shirou had clearly come to rescue her. However, the girl was seemingly confused by Shirou's sudden appearance and actions. What was she thinking?

After he had the NPC looked at, Shirou did not have to worry about them as they were still alive, it wouldn't do if he failed his first quest, Fuji - nee would laugh at him. After verifying the wounds on the elder sister's back through her tatty old clothes, Shirou kneeled on front of the the girls and speak.

"Are the both of you alright?"

The two girls shrank under Shirou gaze, and tried their best to make themselves as small as possible. That was well……As the one who had killed the knights before their very eyes, he could understand their fear.

"It's fine, it's fine, I'm not going to hurt you." Shirou said trying to calm them down.

"Here let me..." Whatever Shirou was going to say halted, when the girl suddenly stop him.

"M...my village...please help my village!!" The girl loudly asked him in despair.

Shirou on the other hand is surprised.

Enri Emmot's body trembled as she held her little sister, Nemu, close to her chest, feeling the rapid heartbeat of the only family she had left. The armored knights that had been chasing them were dead, slain by the young man who now stood before them. His red hair and simple clothing were a stark contrast to the brutality that had just unfolded, and despite her gratitude, fear still gripped her heart.

She looked at Shirou, the one who had saved them, but confusion and uncertainty swirled in her mind. He didn't look like a soldier or anyone of authority. In fact, he looked… plain, like someone from a completely different world. Yet, the ease with which he had dispatched the knights suggested otherwise.

Shirou, kneeling in front of them, tried to ease their panic. "Are the both of you alright?" His voice was soft, reassuring, but Enri couldn't help but flinch. She was terrified, her body shaking uncontrollably, and Nemu, the poor girl, wouldn't even lift her head from her sister's waist.

The blonde farm girl stared at Shirou, her thoughts jumbled. She didn't know if he was trustworthy or if this was another cruel trick. The shock of the past few minutes – her parents' deaths, the brutal chase, and her near-death experience – was too much for her to process.

"I'm not going to hurt you," Shirou continued gently, seeing their fear. "It's okay."

Enri blinked, trying to make sense of the situation. Her back throbbed from the wound she had sustained, and she was still panting heavily from running, but she pushed through the pain and her confusion. Shirou's presence, while unexpected, gave her a sliver of hope.

Then, suddenly, she remembered the village.

Her eyes widened in horror. The knights weren't just after her and Nemu—they had come for her entire village. The people she had known all her life, friends, neighbors… They were all in danger.

"M...my village..." she began, her voice hoarse, strained from the panic and exhaustion. "Please... help my village!!" she pleaded, clutching Nemu even tighter, as though holding onto her sister would somehow bring salvation.

Shirou's eyes widened slightly at her outburst. He hadn't expected this response. He had been so focused on completing his quest and observing the realism of this world that he had almost forgotten about the bigger picture. The NPC—no, Enri—was genuinely terrified, and her desperation was palpable.

He opened his interface briefly, the game ping reminding him of his quest completion, but it seemed so trivial compared to the urgency in her voice. The system and the mechanics faded from his mind as he focused on the trembling girl in front of him.

"Your village…" Shirou echoed, the gravity of the situation dawning on him. This wasn't just about him anymore. Even though this was just a game, the fear, the cries for help—it all felt too real to ignore.

"Okay," he said, determination flooding his voice as he stood up. "I'll help your village."

Carne Village, a quiet and isolated place nestled on the border between the Re-Estize Kingdom and the Baharuth Empire, was no stranger to the hardships of frontier life. The villagers, 120 souls strong, eked out a living from the surrounding forest and the fertile land. The lack of visitors, apart from the occasional doctor in search of herbs or the tax collector who came once a year, left the village in peaceful isolation. But that peace had come to an end.

Rumors had circulated about nearby villages being wiped out by bandits, but Carne Village hadn't received any warnings. Those rumors had died along with the villages themselves. And now, the bandits had arrived at their doorstep.

However, these weren't ordinary bandits. The men who attacked the village were equipped with polished swords, shields, and full body armor—gear far beyond what common bandits would use. It was as though they were more than just marauders, perhaps mercenaries or soldiers in disguise. Their ruthlessness and efficiency suggested this wasn't just a random attack for plunder. There was something more sinister at play.

The villagers, unprepared and unprotected, were easy prey. With no soldiers stationed at the village, there was no one to defend them. Families were torn apart, homes were burned, and the fields that had sustained them were trampled underfoot. It was chaos, and the people of Carne Village were on the verge of complete destruction.

Enri Emmot had seen the carnage firsthand as she fled with her little sister, Nemu. Their parents were most likely dead, killed without mercy by these mysterious knights-turned-bandits. And now, her village—her home—was falling.

As Shirou listened to Enri's plea to save the village, his heart hardened with resolve. There was no time to waste. He couldn't afford to think of this as just a game any longer. The lives of the villagers, whether they were NPCs or not, were in danger. He had the power to do something, and he had made his decision.

He took a deep breath, his grip tightening around his bow. "I'm going to help your village," he repeated, his voice steady. "But I'll need your help to guide me. Can you do that?"

Enri blinked through her tears, surprised that this stranger was willing to assist. She nodded, even though her body was exhausted. For the sake of her village, she would push through.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Shirou turned, his mind racing as he considered his next move. He would have to fight off the bandits and protect the remaining villagers. This would be no easy task, especially if the attackers were as well-equipped as they appeared. But he had his skills, his magecraft, and, most importantly, the will to make a difference.

"Let's go," Shirou said, setting off toward Carne Village.

When they arrived, what Shirou see was a massacre, the village had several houses on fire, and the scream of the survivor rang in terror, with many armored figure chasing after the villagers with a sword and laughing.

Seeing this Shirou turned to stop the pair of sister, and took them to the side.

Shirou knelt in front of Enri and Nemu, his gaze serious but gentle as he assessed the situation. He could see the fear and exhaustion in their eyes, especially in Enri, who was doing everything she could to protect her sister. They were in no condition to continue running, much less fight.

"Listen to me," Shirou said, his voice calm yet firm. "I want you both to stay hidden. Find somewhere safe and don't come out until it's over."

Enri's eyes widened in surprise. "But... the village—"

"I'll handle it," Shirou interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument. "I'll do everything I can to stop those bandits and protect the people. But right now, you need to stay safe. I can't fight properly if I'm worried about you two getting hurt."

Enri hesitated, glancing at Nemu, who was clinging tightly to her. Her instinct screamed to do something, to help, but deep down she knew Shirou was right. She was no warrior, and in her current state, she'd only be a hindrance.

"Stay hidden," Shirou repeated, standing up and readying his bow. "I'll come back for you when it's safe."

Enri swallowed, nodding as tears welled up in her eyes. She couldn't find the words to express her gratitude or her fear, but she knew she had no choice but to trust him. She tightened her grip on Nemu's hand and whispered, "Come on, Nemu. We need to hide."

As the two sisters scrambled into the underbrush to find shelter, Shirou took one last glance at them before turning toward the village. His eyes hardened with determination. This was no longer just a game to him.

Tracing a bow, he set off toward the village, ready to face the bandits and protect the innocent people within.

The leader of the bandits, a middle aged man with sneer on his face, barked orders at his men, frustration bubbling up.

"Get on with it! I don't have all day!" His voice was a growl of impatience as he watched the bandits casually tormenting the remaining villagers. They were slow, too slow for his liking.

"Quit your whining, boss!" one of the men sneered, wiping blood from his sword. "Why don't you join the fun, huh?"

The others laughed, their crude jokes filling the air. The leader scowled, tapping his fingers on the hilt of his sword. He didn't mind the slaughter, but he preferred to be back in his tent, enjoying the spoils of their raid rather than dealing with the bloodshed personally.

"Just finish it quickly," he muttered, turning his back slightly, as if disinterested. But then, out of nowhere, the laughter ceased.

Thwack!

A sharp whistle cut through the air, followed by a sickening thud. One of the bandits dropped to the ground, an arrow lodged in his eye, piercing straight through to the brain. The man was dead before he hit the dirt.

The leader's eyes widened for a moment before narrowing in irritation.

"Take cover!" he barked, his voice snapping with authority. The remaining bandits scrambled, diving behind overturned carts and barrels, anything to shield themselves from the unseen archer.

The leader stood still, eyes sweeping the surroundings, his sharp mind already analyzing the situation. Whoever had fired that arrow wasn't just some random villager with a bow. The shot had been precise, deadly. This newcomer knew what they were doing.

"Whoever you are," the leader growled under his breath, scanning the treeline, "you're going to regret sticking your nose where it doesn't belong."

He signaled to a few of his remaining men, pointing them toward the likely direction of the attack. "Flank 'em. Make sure this pest doesn't escape."

But even as his men moved cautiously to obey, the leader couldn't help but feel a flicker of unease. This wasn't like the usual encounters with peasants or mercenaries. This felt different—more dangerous.

Still a job is a job, if he were to stumble mad mess up due to some unknown person, his promotion in the sunlight scripture might never happen. "The rest of you, finish the job." He tell the other remains of his men.

The leader of the bandits kept his gaze fixed on the treeline, eyes sharp and calculating. He knew exactly what he was doing. Sacrificing half of his men to find the hidden attacker while the rest continued the slaughter was no mistake. It was a lure. He had seen enough would-be heroes try to rescue peasants before. Most of them acted on emotion, rushing into the open to save someone without thinking of the bigger picture.

This attacker, whoever they were, had to be the same.

"Now then, let's see what you'll do," the leader muttered to himself, a smirk forming on his face. His hand tightened on his sword as his men, unaware of the trap they were walking into, slowly advanced into the woods to flush out the archer.

"Finish the job, quickly!" he shouted to the rest of the bandits still in the village. The remaining villagers, those who hadn't been killed yet, screamed and huddled together as the bloodthirsty men advanced with their weapons drawn, sneering and laughing at the defenseless group. Their savior might still be out there, but it wouldn't matter if they died before he could save them.

The leader of the bandits took a step back, positioning himself between the fleeing villagers and the forest. If the archer wanted to help, they'd have to reveal themselves sooner or later. And when they did, he would be ready.

But even as he waited, a creeping sense of unease continued to gnaw at the back of his mind. This attacker had already taken out one of his men with a single shot—too clean, too efficient. Maybe they weren't just another fool trying to play the hero.

Shirou, watching from the cover of the trees, had already noticed the bandit leader's tactics. His sharp instincts told him that the man was trying to draw him out by attacking the villagers. The thought of letting those people die made his heart pound, but he couldn't afford to act to slow.

"Stay hidden...stay safe," Shirou muttered, repeating the words he had told Enri earlier. His bow was ready, and another arrow was notched. He needed a clean shot. Not just to save them, but to end this quickly.

In the quiet tension that followed, Shirou finally about to make his move.

Unfortunately, though, before he can male a move, bad thing happened.

!!

A scream tore through the air, the pair of sisters, enri and nemu had been found! And obviously in danger!

Shirou face was pale as he noticed his situation.

If he ignored the sister's and focused on the villagers, the sister's might lose their lives.

But, if he saves the sister's not only it would expose his hiding places, but it would be too late to save the villagers.

As of right now his position is in a forest fill with foliage, and the bandits had scattered around the forest to look for him.

Meaning he can't snipe them from where he is and to save the sisters he must dealt with them one by one close and personal.

But by then the village will...

Shirou's heart raced, his mind caught in the grip of an agonizing decision. The scream from Enri and Nemu echoed in his ears, cutting through him like a blade. Time slowed as the weight of the choice pressed down on him.

The village—innocent people, unarmed, with nowhere to run—was about to be massacred. But the sisters, so close and vulnerable, were moments away from being cut down if he didn't act now. He could feel the trembling of his hands, the pull of duty clashing with the pull of his heart.

For a second, his breath caught in his throat.

"No...!" Shirou clenched his teeth, his resolve hardening. He knew he couldn't save both. The pain of that truth was unbearable, but inaction would mean losing everything.

He swiftly assessed his surroundings, eyes darting to the scattered bandits searching the forest. His cover would be blown the moment he stepped out, but there was no other choice. He had to make a move now. And if he was fast—faster than he'd ever been before—maybe, just maybe, he could save them both.

Shirou inhaled deeply, calming his mind despite the chaos. The sisters first, he thought. Then the village.

With a sudden burst of speed, he dashed through the trees, moving like a shadow. His bow still drawn, he navigated the foliage with precision, keeping low to the ground as he neared the group of bandits advancing on Enri and Nemu.

The bandits had their backs to him, laughing cruelly as they closed in on the terrified sisters. Shirou's fingers tightened around the string, and in a split second, he let the arrow fly.

Thwack!

The arrow found its mark, striking the closest bandit in the back of his neck. The man collapsed, dead before he hit the ground.

The others whirled around, eyes wide in shock, but Shirou was already on the move. He sprinted forward, his dagger drawn, closing the distance before the remaining two bandits could react.

With swift, practiced motions, he cut down the next bandit, dodging the clumsy swing of his blade and driving the dagger into his side.

But the third bandit had recovered, raising his sword high, a furious roar escaping his lips as he charged at Shirou. There was no time to draw another arrow.

Instead, Shirou ducked under the wild swing, the sword barely grazing his shoulder. With a quick twist, he slammed the hilt of his dagger into the bandit's wrist, disarming him. Before the man could even scream, Shirou finished him with a clean strike to the chest.

It was over in seconds.

Shirou stood there, panting, the three bandits lying motionless at his feet. He turned to the sisters, his expression softening as he saw their tear-streaked faces.

"You're safe now," he said quietly, his voice steady despite the chaos around them. "But I need you to stay hidden. There's still more I have to do."

Enri, wide-eyed, nodded, clutching Nemu tightly to her side. They didn't say a word, too stunned by what had just happened, but the gratitude in their eyes was clear.

Shirou gave them one last look before turning back toward the village. The bandits in the forest might be closing in on his position, but he didn't care anymore.

He had made his decision.

The village still needed saving. And Shirou wasn't done yet.

Shirou run through the forest, killing bandits he encountered while running and attracting their attentions.

When he finally reached the end of a forest and arrive at the clearing in front of the village the leader of the bandits is standing in front of him.

Around him is about 10 to 12 bandits, all armored to the teeth.

Shirou's chest heaved ad his body drenched in sweat from the relentless sprint. The cold bite of the open air stung his skin, but that was the least of his worries. His eyes locked onto the bandit leader, who stood before him with a smug grin, surrounded by his heavily armored lackeys.

"So, you finally show yourself, eh?" the leader sneered, his smirk dripping with arrogance. His eyes were cold, but there was a glint of something malicious in them, something that only grew brighter as Shirou's pursuers emerged from the forest behind him.

Shirou glanced back quickly. More bandits, their faces twisted with anger and bloodlust, were closing in. He was surrounded.

The leader's laughter echoed in the clearing, sharp and cruel. "Wretch," he spat, as though disgusted by the sight of Shirou. "You thought you could just pick us off one by one, did you? Like some hunter in a game? Now look at you, cornered like a rat."

Shirou stood tall, his mind racing but his body still. His bow was drawn, his fingers steady on the string. He was outnumbered, surrounded, and these men were armed to the teeth.

But he didn't falter.

The leader's eyes narrowed as he raised his hand. "Kill him," he commanded with a low, dark tone.

In an instant, the bandits charged, their weapons gleaming in the sunlight as they descended upon Shirou. Time slowed, the world around him blurring as the first few steps toward the end of the battle were set in motion.

Shirou had no intention of being an easy kill.

With a quick movement, he released the arrow he had already drawn. It flew straight and true, piercing the throat of the closest bandit with a sickening thud. The man crumpled to the ground, clutching his neck in a futile attempt to stop the flow of blood.

But Shirou was already on the move. He dashed to the side, evading a sword swing that whistled past his head. His agility kept him a step ahead of the chaos, slipping between the gaps in the enemy's assault like a shadow. His next arrow was notched and fired in one fluid motion, dropping another bandit with a well-placed shot to the chest.

The leader watched, his smirk fading as more of his men fell. "What the hell is this guy?" he muttered, his eyes narrowing. But he wasn't worried yet. He still had the numbers.

"Sir!!" A sudden shout surprised the leader, looking back what he saw making him smirk.

As Shirou took down the last of the bandits surrounding him, his breathing heavy but controlled, a sharp shout rang out across the battlefield.

"Sir!!"

The leader's smirk returned as he glanced over his shoulder. His reinforcements had arrived—bandits just as heavily armored as the ones Shirou had faced. But behind them, something else caught Shirou's eye, making his heart sink.

The reinforcements were dragging bodies. The villagers.

Bloodied and motionless.

Shirou's blood ran cold. His efforts, the lives he'd fought so desperately to protect, were now reduced to corpses at the feet of the reinforcements. He had failed.

The leader grinned wider, clearly reveling in Shirou's horror. "Looks like you're too late, hero," he spat mockingly. "While you were busy playing with my men, they finished the job."

He gestured to the lifeless villagers being piled behind him. "They're all dead now. Every single one."

Shirou's fists clenched tightly around his weapons, anger and grief mixing into a storm inside him. His body trembled, but not from exhaustion—it was rage. Pure, unrelenting fury.

"And now," the leader continued, stepping forward as his reinforcements lined up behind him, "all that's left is you. The last one standing." He sneered. "But not for long."

Shirou's vision narrowed as he surveyed the situation. There were at least fifteen men now, all armored and well-equipped. The leader, unwounded, was still standing strong and eager for a fight.

The odds were stacked against him, but Shirou didn't care.

"I won't let you leave this place alive," Shirou growled through gritted teeth. His voice was low, but it carried a dangerous promise.

The leader raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Bold words from a man who's already lost." He gestured to his men. "Kill him."

The reinforcements surged forward, weapons raised, ready to finish what their comrades had failed to do.

But Shirou was already moving.

He dodged the first sword strike, parrying a second with his dagger and driving his blade into the gap between one bandit's armor plates. The man gasped, falling to the ground as Shirou ripped his dagger free and turned to face the next attacker.

Each step was calculated, each move precise. Despite the overwhelming odds, Shirou fought with a fury that seemed inhuman. Every bandit who came at him was met with cold, lethal efficiency—daggers slipping between armor plates, arrows fired with pinpoint accuracy into weak spots.

But the sheer number of enemies began to take its toll. Shirou was fast, but he couldn't keep this up forever. His muscles ached, still, he fought on. He had nothing left to lose.

The leader watched, arms crossed, his smirk slowly fading again as more of his men fell to Shirou's relentless assault. "Damn it..." he muttered, now genuinely frustrated. "How is he still standing?"

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Shirou found himself face to face with the leader once more. Bloodied, exhausted, but still standing.

The leader sneered, drawing his sword once again. "You're a stubborn one, aren't you?" he growled. "But it doesn't matter. This ends now."

Shirou raised his dagger, his body screaming in protest, but his resolve unshaken.

This fight wasn't over yet.

With a final battle cry, the leader charged.

And Shirou easily beheaded him.

So easy, in fact the other bandits were harder to kill than the leader, which confused Shirou.

What Shirou didn't know was, the leader is not a fighter but a fallen Noble leading rough men to massacre helpless people. Against someone like Shirou he was nothing sort of annoyance, the only reason he managed to threaten Shirou is because he had the number to overwhelm Shirou, and even then Shirou managed to kill every single one of them on his own, at level 1 and only a beginner gear.

The leader's body crumpled to the ground with a dull thud, his sword clattering beside him as his life slipped away. He had been no match for Shirou, who stood over him, breathing heavily. The former noble, reduced to leading bandits in a massacre, had relied on numbers and intimidation, but in the end, that wasn't enough to save him.

Shirou wiped the blood from his blade, looking around at the battlefield. Bodies of the bandits lay strewn across the clearing, evidence of his relentless determination. Despite being a mere beginner in the game, armed only with starter gear, he had wiped out every single one of them. His level might be low, but his skill, experience, and sheer will had carried him through.

"This... this wasn't supposed to happen," Shirou muttered to himself, glancing toward the bodies of the villagers. The sight hit him like a punch to the gut. He had saved Enri and Nemu, but at what cost?

The village had been wiped out.

The bandits, the leader, all of them were dead now—but that didn't change the fact that he had been too late to save the villagers. Shirou clenched his fists, frustration building inside him.

Was this what the game wanted him to experience? The realism, the choices that carried heavy consequences? It felt too real, too visceral, too much like the failures he had experienced before.

"Dammit..." he whispered, his gaze falling on the horizon.

But before he could let the weight of failure sink deeper, Shirou reminded himself of the two lives he had managed to save. Enri and Nemu were still alive, and because of him, they had a chance to survive. Perhaps it wasn't a perfect victory, but it was a victory nonetheless.

He turned away from the bodies, heading back toward the forest where the sisters were hiding. He would tell them the village was gone, that there was no one left. But he would also tell them that they were safe now—and as long as he was around, he wouldn't let anything like this happen to them again.

Shirou, lost in his thoughts and the aftermath of the battle, once again ignored the soft "ping" that echoed in his mind. The notification of his level up blinked briefly in the corner of his vision, but Shirou didn't pay attention to it. His focus remained on the two sisters and the tragedy of the village, unaware of his own growing power.

Shirou*

- *Human*

- *Level* 16

- *Class* None

The system, as realistic as it was, didn't seem to care about his emotional turmoil. It simply registered the experience he had gained from defeating the bandits and their leader, incrementally increasing his level. He had leaped from level 1 to 16 in just this single battle. But Shirou was too caught up in the weight of his actions to notice.

As he walked back through the clearing, the pings continued, unseen and unheard.

Had he checked, he might have realized that his stats had improved significantly, his strength and agility were now far beyond what they had been when he first entered the game. Even without a class, Shirou had become a formidable force. Yet, in his mind, he was still the same: someone who had barely managed to save a few lives at the cost of many others.

It wasn't the level-ups or game mechanics that weighed on him—it was the morality of his choices, the stark reality of the world he was now part of.