The night had fallen completely, enveloping the village in a peaceful darkness that contrasted violently with the chaos of a few hours earlier.

  Villagers approached the group, their faces illuminated by trembling lanterns.

  "Thank you!" An elderly woman bowed deeply before Hiro. "Without you, we'd all be..."

  She didn't finish her sentence, her eyes filling with tears.

  "It was our duty," Hiro replied politely, smiling.

  "These saviors are incredible!" exclaimed a man. "Especially the blonde over there!"

  He pointed toward Cassian, who stood slightly apart from the group.

  She was lost in her thoughts, arms crossed, staring at the ground.

  During the village attack, she had had plenty of opportunities to kill bandits.

  But she hadn't done it.

  I should have expected it, she thought bitterly. This kind of moment was bound to happen. Moments where you're forced to take a human life.

  She hadn't had the courage. Because she felt that if she did it, she would fall forever into an abyss from which it would be impossible to climb back out.

  I'd forgotten that in this world, morality isn't like on Earth.

  She corrected herself mentally.

  No. Wait. On Earth too, it can happen. Wars. Attacks. Self-defense.

  I just thought I'd never... never be in such a situation. Faced with that kind of dilemma. Exposed to that.

  Hiro was chatting with villagers, nodding politely at each thank you.

  But his eyes were elsewhere. Or rather, on something only he could see.

  A floating window glowed in front of him.

  [LEVEL 150 REACHED]

  [Congratulations, Player]

  [Performance Calculation Complete]

  [You Must Choose a UNIQUE ABILITY Before You Can Continue Leveling Up]

  [30 Choices Available]

  Hiro felt his heart race.

  A unique ability.

  That was how the system progressed. First, he had chosen his class: Warrior. Simple. Direct.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Then, at a certain threshold, he had specialized: Swordsman.

  Now... now it was the choice of a unique ability. Something that would be his own. That would define his fighting style for the rest of his existence in this world.

  This isn't the right time, he decided. I'll choose later. When I have time to really think about it.

  He closed the window with a mental gesture.

  "Wait," a villager suddenly said, frowning as he looked at Hiro. "Is he the one who saved the village?"

  "Yeah," confirmed another villager. "Why?"

  "Well..." The first one hesitated. "He's a bit... ugly, isn't he?"

  Uncomfortable silence.

  "Now that you mention it..."

  "It's true he's not very... visually impressive."

  Hiro continued to smile politely, even though something twisted slightly inside him.

  "Where's the real savior?" a woman asked, looking around. "The one who really defended the village?"

  "It's him," insisted the little girl's father, pointing at Hiro. "I saw it with my own eyes."

  "Seriously?" The woman seemed surprised. "But... the girls over there seem more credible."

  She pointed at Lena and Lucia.

  "Yeah," approved a man. "Especially the blonde. She slaughtered a bunch of bandits!"

  "Really?" Another villager widened his eyes. "How many?"

  "Like... ten? Fifteen? I didn't count, but it was impressive!"

  Cassian, still off to the side, looked up.

  That's false. Completely false. I didn't kill anyone.

  But she didn't correct them. Too tired. Too lost in her own thoughts.

  "And he's a bit short, isn't he?" A villager eyed Hiro up and down.

  "Yeah. My big brother is taller than him," added a child innocently.

  Hiro smiled normally—that simple, friendly smile he always wore.

  "Did you see his smile?" a village girl murmured to her friend. "It's creepy. Like a pervert."

  "Totally," the other agreed, shuddering.

  A group of children watched Hiro from afar.

  "He scares me," one of them murmured.

  "Me too."

  The conversations continued, and a pattern emerged quickly.

  The villagers had far more positive opinions about Cassian—who stood back, silent and elegant—than about Hiro.

  In fact, the girls in general received more admiration. Cassian, Lucia, Lena.

  "How did he end up surrounded by beauties like that?" a young man murmured enviously.

  "No idea," his friend replied. "He almost looks out of place in the group."

  "He must have a secret."

  "Like what?"

  "I don't know. But I want to know."

  Hiro heard fragments of these conversations.

  He didn't react. Continued smiling. Thanking. Being polite.

  But something in his eyes dimmed slightly.

  The group spent the night in the little girl's house—the one whose brother they had saved from the spiders.

  The family had insisted. Prepared makeshift beds. Offered blankets and pillows.

  Cassian lay on a thin mattress in the main room, staring at the wooden ceiling.

  She now saw Lena, Lucia, and Hiro differently.

  They're dangerous.

  Of course, the group wasn't hostile toward her. They were her allies. Her companions.

  But something had changed.

  She felt a strange mix of danger and safety.

  Dangerous because they could kill without hesitation.

  Safe because they were on her side.

  For now.

  She clenched her fists.

  I was useless during the attack.

  Completely useless.

  She sat up silently, crossing her legs.

  Everyone was asleep. Their steady breathing filled the room.

  Cassian began training her mana.

  Lately, she had been trying something new. Making her body absorb mana automatically. Without conscious effort. Like breathing.

  But she faced a problem.

  It consumed more mana to maintain this magic than the benefit gained.

  She was consuming more than she was gaining.

  It's a good idea, she thought in frustration. But it's hard to put into practice.

  She focused her attention, trying to adjust the flow. Slow it down. Stabilize it.

  Then someone embraced her from behind.

  Slowly. Delicately.

  Cassian froze.

  She hadn't heard any footsteps. Despite her good ears. Despite her vigilance.

  She hadn't sensed any presence approaching.

  Arms wrapped around her waist. Warmth pressed against her back.

  "..."

  Hiro.

  Cassian was too stunned to move. To react.

  What's gotten into him? This is so sudden. Why... why is he doing this?

  They remained in silence. Ten seconds. Twenty. Thirty.

  Cassian's heart was beating so hard she was certain he could hear it.

  Then Hiro murmured, his voice barely audible:

  "I'll protect you."

  Cassian felt her brain short-circuit.

  What's happening?

  This isn't what she imagined, is it?

  Why is he saying that?

  She suddenly feared the worst possibility.

  He's fallen in love. With me?

  NO.

  She had decided to stay in the group to take advantage of Hiro's system. To get information. To survive.

  But if things took this turn...

  It changes everything.

  If Hiro starts loving me that way...

  She realized with horror.

  At the same time, I can't really blame him. This body is...

  She insulted Hiro inwardly with impressive creativity.

  You weak bastard when it comes to pretty girls. If only you were stronger. But no. You're pathetic.

  Then another thought.

  I'm an idiot. I should have considered this alternative. Of course he'd end up falling in love. He's an isekai harem protagonist. It's literally in his nature.

  Then the question that terrified her the most:

  Since when?

  Since when has Hiro thought of me this way?

  Hiro gently tightened his embrace.

  Not oppressively. Just... protectively.

  Cassian realized in despair.

  I'm now too tied to the group to run away.

  If I leave now, I lose access to Hiro's system. To the resources. To the protection.

  But if I stay...

  She screamed inwardly, cursing her situation.

  WHO'S HAVING FUN PUTTING ME IN MESSES LIKE THIS?!

  If it's a god. If it's the system.

  FUCK YOU ALL.