Part 2: Centum (4)

Flash!

Aiden’s figure disappeared like a bolt of lightning, only to reappear moments later.

He had used his ancient boots to activate Dimensional Walking.

The people seemed cautious of the murderer known as “Jack,” and sprinting around at dawn would have undoubtedly raised their suspicions.

As Aiden began walking again, the raven, Mugin, landed on his shoulder.

“Do you know this guy, Jack?”

“Why would I bother knowing someone like him?”

“They say he took out a Sword Expert mercenary like it was nothing. He might be a hidden master.”

“Highly unlikely.”

“This is the town where you’ll be staying for a while. How about dealing with him preemptively?”

“Not interested.”

Aiden shrugged his shoulders indifferently.

He was no hero of justice. His sole purpose had been to execute assassination orders without question.

Outside of his missions, Aiden only took lives when the other party posed a direct threat to him.

Like the mercenaries who had foolishly crossed him during his travels.

“Why don’t you just be honest for once?”

Aiden turned his head to look at Mugin.

“Honest about what?”

“You’re egging me on because you want to devour a Mana Heart, aren’t you?”

“Now that you know, why not just go along with it?”

“And why don’t you acknowledge that I’m currently on a retirement mission? If you’re so eager for a Mana Heart…”

“If I’m so eager?”

“Pray to the heavens that Jack attacks me.”

“Think I won’t? Watch me.”

Mugin clicked its beak in frustration before soaring into the sky.

*  *  *

Lucy sat cross-legged in her room.

Ssshhhhh.

As she inhaled deeply, she gathered mana into her body.

Hoooh.

With each exhale, she rotated the mana near her heart, applying pressure to keep it spinning.

While mastering her mana cultivation technique, Lucy became completely oblivious to the outside world.

Mana, mana circles, and her pulsating heart—these were all that existed in her universe.

She didn’t know how much time had passed.

Eventually, Lucy stood up, a smile gracing her lips. She spread her right palm wide, focusing her mind.

Fwoosh.

Flames began to dance in her hand.

Lucy had a natural talent for magic.

From a young age, she could feel the warm energy that lingered in the world. Yet, it wasn’t until much later that she realized it was mana.

Growing up in a remote countryside village…

She had never believed she could become a mage.

Even after discovering her talent late, Lucy couldn’t train properly.

She wanted to attend an academy, but her family’s financial situation made it impossible.

Instead, she frequented the library, teaching herself magic from books.

‘I wish I could perform more impressive spells. But with these library books… this is my limit…’

Lucy gazed at the flames dancing on her palm before clenching her fist.

The fire extinguished.

Her desire to become a great mage also dimmed.

Lucy left her room and headed down to the tavern’s first floor. Her parents stood by the counter, chatting quietly.

The fact that her father had returned still felt surreal.

“Good morning.”

“Ah, Lucy. Did you sleep well?”

“Yes, I did.”

“There’s not a single customer in sight.”

“Well, it is early.”

“Customers don’t seem to come at any time, though, morning or night.”

Lucy chuckled wryly.

The tavern, named after her father’s blade, struggled financially.

On a regular day, they barely broke even, and with the weather growing colder, even that was becoming difficult.

It wasn’t because of poor food quality…

Nor was it due to unclean rooms or bad service.

The location was simply terrible—too far removed from the bustling town center.

“What’s Aiden doing?”

“He’ll be down soon. Take him around the town today. Show him the sights.”

Her father motioned her over. When Lucy approached, he handed her an entire gold coin.

“This is way too much for pocket money.”

“Your dad’s been saving up plenty. Don’t worry about it.”

“Still, we shouldn’t spend recklessly, especially with the tavern struggling.”

“That’s not your concern, sweetheart. Your job is to take this and enjoy yourself.”

Her father smiled as he added, “Aiden is unlike any of your friends. Just keep that in mind.”

“I noticed that right away.”

Aiden was a handsome man.

Not just handsome—he was stunningly gorgeous.

Lucy had never seen anyone as attractive as Aiden in her entire life. Looking at him felt like rays of light radiated from his back.

Despite that, Lucy found it easy to treat him casually, thanks to her steadfast belief:

People are just people.

Even great heroes are still human.

Parents are people, too.

So is Mister Tom next door.

What this means is…

Everyone has their own scars, and everyone carries their own burdens.

“I’m not talking about his looks, Lucy.”

“Then what do you mean?”

“You’ll find out much faster by experiencing it for yourself. You’re my daughter—sharp as a tack when it comes to these things.”

Her father let out a hearty laugh.

At that moment, Aiden descended to the first floor.

His enchanting, almost otherworldly appearance and aura remained as striking as ever.

“Good morning.”

“Ah, good morning! Have breakfast, then explore the town with Lucy. There’s no better way to pass the time than sightseeing.”

“Understood.”

“Good morning,” Lucy greeted Aiden, who nodded in return.

Her parents had apparently already eaten breakfast.

Lucy prepared to eat with Aiden before heading out.

“Give me a moment to take care of something. Is that okay?”

“Do as you like.”

Lucy led Aiden to an alley beside the tavern.

In her left hand, she held a wooden bowl, and in her right, a leather pouch filled with milk.

“Cheese~ Cheese~”

She called out to the alleyway’s end.

Soon, a yellow-furred kitten appeared and approached them.

Lucy placed the wooden bowl on the ground and poured the milk into it.

The kitten, Cheese, began lapping up the milk.

“You’re taking care of a stray?”

“Yeah. It’s been hanging around here for a few days now. Its mother might’ve abandoned it… or worse, maybe she’s dead. It seemed pitiful, so I’ve been feeding it.”

“Is that really necessary?” Aiden asked, his tone indifferent.

“This kitten will die if we leave it alone. That would be too pitiful, wouldn’t it?”

“If it’s weak, it dies. If it’s strong, it survives. That’s how the world works.”

“You’re colder than I thought, aren’t you?”

Lucy crossed her arms and looked at Aiden.

Aiden was staring down at Cheese with eyes devoid of emotion, as if gazing at a mere rock.

He didn’t seem to recognize Cheese as a living creature.

“Feeding it might end up killing its wild instincts.”

“……”

“Eventually, it won’t be able to find food on its own and will rely solely on you.”

“So you’re saying I should just ignore it?”

Aiden didn’t reply.

But even that silence was enough of an answer.

It was then that Lucy understood her father’s words. She finally realized why Aiden was so different from ordinary people.

If Aiden had outright said he hated stray cats, she might have understood.

Because they dig through food waste.

Because they cry loudly during mating season.

But Aiden applied the law of survival of the fittest to stray cats. He had an attitude that if they were weak, they deserved to die.

What kind of life had Aiden lived?

Thanks to this, Lucy was certain of one thing:

According to her theory, Aiden was still ‘human.’

“Of course, you might be right,” Lucy said calmly, continuing her argument.

“But there are people and animals that need care. Sometimes, if they just get through a tough time, they can grow strong and live well.”

“……”

“Stray cats, for instance, help control the rat population in cities. They’re not entirely bad.”

“……”

“Most importantly, my dear Cheese will grow up healthy and independent. Right, Cheese?”

“Meow~!”

As if on cue, Cheese let out a robust cry.

After finishing its meal, Cheese frolicked at Lucy’s feet, flipping its body and rubbing its face against her ankles.

But Lucy couldn’t enjoy Cheese’s affection.

Aiden’s silence was unsettling.

Surely, he was preparing a rebuttal.

‘I may lose at everything else, but not in an argument. Bring it on.’

Lucy braced herself, only to feel her tension dissipate shortly after.

“You remind me of Mister Carl.”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“Mister Carl would’ve responded just like you.”

Aiden shrugged nonchalantly.

He had no particular desire to argue with Lucy.

Humans live according to their own values, and changing those values is rare.

Even Aiden himself was no different.

So debating seemed pointless.

Still, it was clear Lucy had taken after Carl.

If Aiden had spent years with someone like Carl, would he have adopted the same mindset?

The way Lucy had?

He wasn’t sure yet.

“Hmm… That doesn’t really sound like a compliment. Or is it just me?”

“It’s neither a compliment nor criticism. It’s just a fact. Let me ask you one thing.”

“Ask away, as long as it’s not about my weight.”

“What do you gain from taking care of this kitten?”

“Gain? Do I need to gain something from taking care of a stray cat?” Lucy asked, dumbfounded.

“Why bother doing something if there’s no benefit?”

“Wow, your way of thinking is as extraordinary as your looks.”

Aiden didn’t reply but waited for her answer.

From his perspective, he couldn’t find a single reason to care for a stray cat.

“What do I gain? Nothing. It’s simply because of feelings like compassion.”

“Compassion? Wouldn’t that be closer to a sense of superiority?”

“Huh? What a ridiculous thing to say!”

Lucy jumped in protest.

“Haha! It’s not like I’m helping Cheese to feel like, ‘I’m such a capable person, helping this poor thing.’ I’m sure others feel the same.”

“……”

“Humans are probably born with an innate desire to care for something in need. That’s compassion.”

“……”

Aiden remained silent.

In the assassination unit, the weak all died.

The reasons were always the same: mistakes, carelessness, or a lack of skill.

The instructors constantly drilled it into them: weakness was the ultimate cause of death.

But if Lucy’s interpretation was correct…

Those who had died weren’t weak—they simply hadn’t received compassion.

They had no one to rely on.

They were hungry but weren’t given milk.

The assassination squad provided no care.

They were only forced to survive.

Though he couldn’t fully understand Lucy’s view of compassion, Aiden felt something new stirring within him.

Whether this seed would sprout or wither away, he couldn’t tell.

“You’re not mad, are you? I wasn’t trying to teach or lecture you.”

“I haven’t gotten angry since I was seven.”

“Really? Well, that’s a problem in itself.”

“Enough chit-chat. Let’s move.”

“Alright. We should start exploring the town anyway.”

Their conversation ended as they stepped out of the alleyway.

Behind them, Cheese meowed as if to bid them farewell.

But as they emerged, an unusual sight unfolded.

In front of a tavern…

Dozens of people had gathered, murmuring amongst themselves.

“What’s going on?”

Lucy hurriedly asked a bystander, worried something had happened at the tavern.

Taverns were frequented by adventurers, mercenaries, and drifters, making them hotspots for disputes.

Whenever her father was away, Lucy and her mother had faced all sorts of trouble.

If her father, a former mercenary, had been there…

Wouldn’t he have confronted the issue head-on?

“Something going on? Of course there is. Do you think this many people would gather for no reason?”

“Then what’s the matter?”

“Look over there.”

Surprisingly, the man pointed not at the tavern, but at its roof.

When Lucy identified the source of the commotion, she gasped in shock.

“A… A raven?”
 

To be continued

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