Crazy… Did he just sigh to attract the attention of a trained Knight?
Oh, come to think of it, 'that person' is also crazy.
Besides, the trap he set up looks convincing, even though the process was crude and disgusting.
Demonic Crow kept watching Evan, while continuing to observe what this madman was about to do.
***
Success!
Judging from his silhouette, that person leaned more toward being a Knight rather than a natural spy. I had never seen a spy wearing full light armor, not even in Earth's history.
Was it because I lacked historical literacy, or was this truly a unique occurrence that only existed in this world?
There was only one thing I had to pay attention to, the faint transparent mist enveloping almost the entirety of the Knight's body. I was sure that was what Demonic Crow referred to as 'Aura.'
Just from the knowledge of novels and comics I had accumulated, I could already guess its effects.
Of course, I could use this as an opportunity to exploit the arrogance clearly displayed through his posture, then kill him with minimal effort.
The soft rustling of his cloak became more audible as the Knight moved toward me.
Finally, from between the trees, a figure appears. Tall, clad in light armor that remained spotless despite being in the middle of the forest. His black cloak billowed, marking his status as a hunter or a spy of the night.
The Knight did not rush.
Evan knew why.
The Aura protecting him gave him confidence! Heh, this would be a little easy.
The Knight knew he was stronger than ordinary soldiers without Aura, so he charged at anything aggressively. Let's see if your arrogance can save you from the terror of Evan!
Alright, let's begin.
Evan shifted his body slightly, pressing the dry leaves around him with his knee, creating a subtle sound, just enough to give the illusion of someone hurriedly trying to hide.
It was enough to draw the Knight a few steps closer—
—and right above the pit.
Instantly, the ground beneath the Knight's feet collapsed.
The light armor he wore made him agile, and his reflexes as a Knight kicked in immediately.
Slip—
He quickly reached for the edge of the pit, but unfortunately, that spot had already been smeared with slippery mud by Evan.
In this critical moment, the Knight saw a large, sturdy root that could serve as his grip.
Crack—
But the moment he pulled on it, the root snapped easily.
Panicked, his hand managed to grab onto something bigger—a rock on the edge of the pit's wall.
However, that was the final mistake.
Thud!
The seemingly sturdy boulder wobbled, then fell downward, landing directly on his body.
The rock struck the Knight's stomach and chest. His armor absorbed part of the impact but not completely, considering he was wearing full light armor.
Outside, Evan, who was waiting, observed the Knight intently. He also focused his hearing.
From the faint cracking sound, Evan could guess that at least one or two ribs had broken.
"Kggh…"
The Knight groaned, trying to push the rock away using his Aura's strength. However, the slippery muddy ground beneath him made it difficult to gain enough leverage to shift the boulder.
Evan had no intention of wasting time.
'This is it,' he thought.
Never in his life had he imagined dirtying his hands with someone's blood. But what choice did he have? The world did not allow him to remain pure. Survival was his only option in this damn world!
Buckle up, my friend! This will be the beginning of a long journey in this wretched place!
Without hesitation, he leaped into the pit, landing on the Knight's back.
"Argh!"
Shocked, the Knight tried to turn his body to see who dared to climb onto him. Unfortunately, Evan was a step ahead.
The Knight's Aura flared stronger, making him struggle. But the earlier impact from the boulder had slowed his reaction.
"Y-you… What are you doing?! Urk—"
—Restrain him.
A small voice reverberated in Evan's mind.
Evan immediately wrapped his left arm under the Knight's chin, pressing the back of his head with his right hand.
Then, he applied a forearm choke.
At that moment, Evan was slightly surprised and afraid. Was he really about to kill someone right here?
Evan froze for a moment.
—Look into his eyes.
The voice was deep, heavy, and filled with hatred. It snapped Evan out of his daze, making him lock eyes with the Knight through his 'T'-shaped helmet.
This was no ordinary chokehold. Evan was targeting the carotid arteries, intending to cut off the blood supply to the brain.
—Witness it with open eyes—the first kill you will commit.
Without hesitation, there was only one thought in his mind at that moment—to kill.
—Let your prey know whose hands they die by.
Evan's blood surged.
Yet, for some reason, he followed the command.
He slowly loosened the choke, just enough to keep the Knight from immediately losing consciousness. Then, with cold precision, he twisted his opponent's head, forcing them to face each other.
The Knight's eyes widened.
Through the cracked helmet, his trembling pupils reflected despair—the inevitability of death drawing closer.
Evan did not blink, did not look away.
As if something had awakened, taking control in that moment.
The Knight writhed harder but could do nothing.
The light in his eyes flickered, desperately resisting the impending death looming over him.
He tried to free his hands, which were tightly restrained by Evan's legs, reaching for his sword, but unfortunately—
Stomp!
The Predator did not allow his Prey even a chance to fight back.
In despair, time slowed.
And in that silent gaze, the light in his eyes gradually faded.
Until, finally, he died.
—Good… you saw it, didn't you? Now you know… what it feels like to hunt.
The voice laughed deep within his mind.
Evan did not lose focus, maintaining his chokehold without releasing it immediately.
His hands trembled… not from exhaustion, but because something within him had just stirred. Something had just awakened.
"I… killed him."
He knew this was his first kill.
This feeling was completely different.
He had seen death happen. Observed it. Understood it.
Not as a spectator—but as the perpetrator. Not as someone pure, but as a human embracing his nature to kill his own kind.
And a part of him liked it.
Evan closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath.
Focus.
He reached for the Knight's belt, where various daggers and pouches were neatly attached. But they were not what he was looking for, what he look was a tool...