Chapter Fifty-One: Calm After the Killing

This was not Han Shuo’s first time taking a life, but compared to killing those forest trolls, slaying Claude on the spot struck him far more deeply. The trolls were not of his race, notorious as outlaws and bandits, and Han Shuo had dispatched them as one would beasts, feeling justified. Claude, however, was nothing like them. Han Shuo killed him out of necessity, fully aware that if Claude remained alive, he would never find peace.

Staring at Claude’s limp body lying in a pool of blood, Han Shuo felt numb, a hollow emptiness settling in his heart. He had acted without hesitation, but now, with Claude dead before him, tension crept in. Claude was of noble birth, the youngest son of the commander of the Empire’s Gryphon Legion. If word of this ever got out, Han Shuo’s fate would be sealed.

Lost in thought before Claude’s corpse, Han Shuo’s anxious gaze gradually hardened, growing ever colder and resolute. At last, he straightened his clothes and rose, his face calm as he approached Claude’s side. He searched Claude’s garments, emptied his purse of several dozen gold coins, a crystal card, and some scattered healing salves.

After some deliberation, Han Shuo kept only the gold coins, placing the crystal card and other items that might expose the incident aside. With an incantation, the small skeleton wielding a bone dagger appeared before him. Han Shuo found a secluded clearing, and together, man and skeleton dug a deep pit in a matter of minutes.

He buried Claude in the pit, then meticulously cleaned all traces of blood, erasing even the marks left by his own struggle earlier. Circling the dense forest, Han Shuo found no clues left behind. Instead of retracing his steps, he detoured, dug another pit north of Doro Town, and buried Claude’s remaining belongings there before returning to the town via another street.

All this was done out of caution. No one had noticed Claude and Han Shuo heading into the forest together, thanks to Claude’s deliberate discretion. Now, Han Shuo had killed him and hidden the body with care; in theory, nothing should be discovered. Even if someone stumbled upon the corpse, with all belongings removed, it would seem a case of robbery and murder—a common occurrence in Doro Town, likely masking the true cause.

With this threat eliminated, Han Shuo spent the next two days lurking around the inn where Irene and the others stayed, silently observing the light magic students. Neither Irene nor Bechir or the others searched for Claude, apparently convinced that Claude, guilty, had simply left on his own.

Claude’s physical condition was known only to himself. No matter how he might have explained, few would have believed him. Han Shuo, judging by the time Claude found him and his knowledge of the effects of the hallucinogenic aphrodisiac, guessed that Claude, upon awakening, would have sought revenge first, not explanations.

After two days of observation, seeing Irene and Bechir making no effort to find Claude, instead busy spending money at weapon, armor, and apothecary shops, Han Shuo finally relaxed.

That evening, Han Shuo did not go out to watch Irene and Bechir. He stayed in his room, quietly cultivating his magical arts, expanding the breadth and flexibility of his meridians through repeated practice.

Han Shuo sat naked at the edge of the bed, sweat streaming down from his brow, soaking his body. His veins pulsed, writhing beneath his skin like worms, appearing far more sinister and frightening than the most evil tattoos.

In the midst of this, Han Shuo’s mind suddenly jolted, plunging him into a dazed, oblivious state. He forgot himself and all sense of time, becoming like a stone statue, lifeless, with only faint black radiance flowing across his skin’s surface.

A sharp pounding at the door startled Han Shuo awake. After a moment’s reflection, he realized he had once again unwittingly slipped into a state of demonic meditation.

The knocking continued, and Han Shuo, annoyed at the disturbance to his training, hastily wrapped himself in a bathrobe and called out impatiently, “Coming, coming.”

He opened the door and was immediately stunned, his irritation vanishing as a cheerful smile took its place. “Ah, it’s you! I’ve been waiting for your return for so long—you’re finally back.”

Outside stood Vanny and Lisa, both looking somewhat exhausted, hair and clothing disheveled, carrying bundles and wrapped packs on their backs, as if just returned from the dark forest to Doro Town.

“Well, Brian, so you made it back to Doro Town before us and had us worried for nothing. And you can afford such a pricey room now? If the innkeeper hadn’t confirmed it, I never would have believed this room belonged to you,” Vanny said, her bright eyes sweeping over Han Shuo with a hint of reproach.

“Brian, what happened after you left that day? You were gone for two whole days. I thought something might have happened to you,” Lisa said.

“I got lost after leaving the camp. Once I found my way back, I discovered you’d already left. Unable to find you, I returned to Doro Town to wait. Thankfully, everyone’s safe—what a relief,” Han Shuo replied with a slight smile, his tone calm.

Vanny eyed Han Shuo, then turned to Lisa. “Lisa, you and Professor Jean and the others get the rooms settled. Brian and I have some things to discuss.”

Lisa looked at Vanny doubtfully. “But, Vanny, that matter was so long ago, and Brian saved both our lives. Surely you’re not still holding a grudge?”

Vanny flushed with embarrassment at the mention of the previous incident. “No, I want to discuss something else. Go choose the room for me, and I’ll join you shortly.”

Though Lisa still seemed uneasy, she didn’t argue further, muttering as she turned to leave.

Once Lisa was gone, Vanny glanced at Han Shuo, then around the room she had once stayed in, her face growing rosier as memories surfaced. She snorted lightly. “Aren’t you going to invite me in?”

“Uh, please, Vanny,” Han Shuo stammered, hurriedly stepping aside. After Vanny entered, he peeked up and down the corridor, then quickly shut the door, looking rather guilty.

“What are you sneaking about for? Tell me, what happened after you left camp that day? How did you get the gold to stay in this room?” Vanny sat down and fixed Han Shuo with a scrutinizing gaze.

Even after killing Claude, Han Shuo still felt uneasy. Vanny’s question startled him, but after a moment’s thought, he smiled lightly and explained, “After leaving camp, I trained my necromancy nearby and happened upon a wounded Windblade Demon Wolf. I chased it for a while and, when it let its guard down, killed it. When I returned, you’d already gone, so I headed back to Doro Town. I sold the demon wolf’s magic core and pelt for gold coins, rented this room, and waited for your return. That’s all there is to it.”

When Han Shuo finished, Vanny did not speak immediately, instead gazing at him thoughtfully. After a long silence, she sighed. “Brian, you’re completely different from before!”

Han Shuo was taken aback, forcing a simple smile and scratching his head. “Am I? How so?”

“In many ways—appearance, build, height, even your personality and expressions. You’re nothing like the Brian I once knew. It seems the trial in the dark forest changed you more than anyone else. All the students have changed after facing constant life-and-death struggles, but I never expected your transformation to be the greatest. It’s truly astonishing!” Vanny stared at Han Shuo, her expression solemn.

Han Shuo understood well that his experiences in the dark forest, his increased strength and the dangers he faced, had altered his perspective without him realizing it. After the recent killing of Claude and deep self-reflection, he saw the world’s cruelty more clearly, and his heart had grown ever colder.

“Vanny, you left a note saying you encountered those two ogres. Did you end up in conflict with them?” Han Shuo smiled lightly, avoiding further explanation and instead asked about Vanny’s later experiences.

“Of course. The ogres kept following us, then teamed up with several forest trolls to attack. We managed to escape, but because we had to avoid them, our route veered off course, making us late returning to Doro Town,” Vanny replied.

Han Shuo nodded, about to speak when his brow suddenly furrowed. He rose abruptly, his face grave. “I fear we’re in trouble.”

“Everyone, be alert! Orc wolf cavalry have appeared south of Doro Town and are heading this way. Prepare for battle!”

From the street outside the inn came a deafening shout, warning all of the impending invasion by the orc wolf cavalry.