Chapter 2

In the night rankings, I placed 10th in the daily high fantasy category and 37th overall.

It seems many more people read it than I expected, and I am truly grateful. Thank you!

I will continue to do my best!

---

Standing at the classroom door, Xiaoming took a deep breath and firmly gripped the secret letter from his mother.

---

Amidst the cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

---

In the night rankings, I placed 10th in the daily high fantasy category and 37th overall.

It seems many more people read it than I expected, and I am truly grateful. Thank you!

I will continue to do my best!

---

Standing at the classroom door, Xiaoming took a deep breath and firmly gripped the secret letter from his mother.

---

Amidst the cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

---

At night, I ranked 10th in the daily high fantasy category and 37th overall.

It seems many more people read it than I expected, and I am truly grateful. Thank you!

I will continue to do my best!

---

I faced the remaining imperial soldiers.

"【Power Knuckle】!"

Once again, my fists were enveloped in glowing energy.

This time, the light was red.

"Shatter!"

With a yell, I punched the soldiers in front of me.

"Ugh... a..."

I shattered three soldiers, their steel armor and all, sending them flying.

One had his chest, another his abdomen, and the last one his face caved in, all of them dead instantly.

This skill was more powerful than the first one.

– I see, the first one was 'Damage: Small' and this one is 'Damage: Medium.'

"【Sonic Fist】!"

I activated the third skill.

Both of my fists were enveloped in green light, and my legs were also wrapped in the same color.

Thud!

I kicked off the ground and ran straight ahead.

I moved at a speed that surpassed sound, striking five soldiers with my fists.

"Ugh!?"

"Ugh!?"

I shattered their faces and chests, scattering bones and flesh, killing them all with a single blow.

This skill seemed to be a combination of moving at supersonic speed and attacking.

I was starting to understand it.

There were three left.

I used 【Power Knuckle】 again.

The sounds of their groans and screams echoed—

Twelve bodies of imperial soldiers lay around me.

---

'Victory over 12 imperial soldiers, gained 120 experience points.'

'Gained 120,000 experience points due to skill effect.'

'Total experience points increased from 36,000 to 156,000.'

'Level increased from 11 to 20.'

'Remaining experience points to next level: 21,100.'

---

It seems I gain experience points whether I win or lose in battle.

I quickly reached level 20.

I couldn't tell how much stronger I had become, but I started running.

At a jogging pace.

If I ran at full speed, I would be out of breath when I encountered imperial soldiers.

Even at a jog, my speed seemed to have increased since reaching level 20.

I ran through the village at a speed ten times faster than my usual full sprint.

"Aaaaaah..."

A faint scream came from the square.

I increased my speed and ran to the square.

A dozen village girls were lying on top of each other.

All of them were covered in blood, dead.

The soldiers who did this were chatting contentedly.

As if they were enjoying a hunt.

"You...!"

I approached the soldiers.

"What, old man?"

"Hey, there's still someone alive?"

"Tch, I could have had some fun with a woman... just an old, smelly man."

"Hey, we had our fun just now, aren't you satisfied yet?"

Their cheerful conversation made me feel sick.

These guys were just enjoying violence and plunder.

They didn't deserve to live.

"【Sonic Fist】!"

I activated the skill.

Moving at supersonic speed, I ran through their midst.

I punched their abdomens as I passed by.

"Ugh... gyaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!?"

"Aaaaaah, it, it hurts so much!"

The soldiers groaned in pain.

Their internal organs were probably ruptured.

"Die in agony."

That's your punishment for your sins.

They all writhed in pain for a few minutes before dying.

---

'Victory over 5 imperial soldiers, gained 50 experience points.'

'Gained 50,000 experience points due to skill effect.'

'Total experience points increased from 156,000 to 206,000.'

'Level increased from 20 to 22.'

'Remaining experience points to next level: 24,000.'

---

"– Next."

It looked like the entire village might have been wiped out.

Still, I started running again.

I wanted to save anyone who might have survived.

With that in mind.

Half a day later.

I was at a loss.

Looking up, the night sky was clear, with a faint moonlight shining.

In the end, no one in the village had survived.

They were all killed.

I avenged them by killing all the imperial soldiers—

There was a sense of relief and accomplishment, but no satisfaction.

There was no joy, no exhilaration, nothing.

"Empty..."

A strong sense of loss welled up inside me.

Killing all the imperial soldiers wouldn't bring back Mel, Alma, Treme, or the villagers.

"What should I do now..."

I suddenly lost my hometown.

Even living a peaceful life wasn't allowed.

Suddenly, anger welled up inside me.

It was unjust.

"What did we do...!"

Why so one-sidedly.

Violently.

Cruelly.

Cruelly.

Unjustly.

Everyone had to be killed.

I couldn't forgive it.

The anger and sadness that had temporarily subsided after killing the imperial soldiers flared up again.

Hatred and a desire for revenge overflowed.

"– That's right, there was one goal for the future."

I laughed.

For some reason, laughter welled up from deep within me.

I looked up at the sky and laughed for a long time.

These guys were probably just a part of the empire's forces.

There must be a main force somewhere.

"– I'll kill them all."

The aggressive impulse burning in my chest.

I'll kill them all.

I'll destroy them.

It's a memorial for everyone.

"With my current strength – I can do it."

With the power I've gained.

I can kill all the imperial soldiers.

I might even be able to defeat the empire's trump card – the 'Demon God' that I've heard about.

I buried Mel, Alma, Treme, and the rest of the villagers.

I couldn't make a proper grave by myself, but I was the only one who could mourn them.

Rest in peace.

I offered my prayers and changed my mindset.

"– Let's go."

I set off for the neighboring town.

To gather information on the imperial forces attacking this region.

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