The adventurers blocking the path didn't seem to like the presence of Yami and his group.
One of them, a burly man with a scar across his face, crossed his arms and sneered. "You think you can just walk through here without paying the toll?"
Yami raised an eyebrow. "Toll?"
The man grinned, showing off a set of crooked teeth. "You heard me. This road is ours. If you want to pass, you have to pay."
Rachel stepped forward, holding her staff tight. "I'm not here for trouble."
The man snorted. "Then get lost, little girl."
Rachel's hands tightened around her staff, but before she could respond, Yami stepped up.
"Not so fast," he said, his voice dark. "You've made a mistake, my friend."
The man looked confused. "What's your problem?"
Yami's eyes narrowed, and for a split second, the air grew heavy around them.
Rei and Lina exchanged a glance but didn't intervene yet.
Yami's gaze shifted toward the scarred adventurer. "You don't know who you're messing with."
The burly man scoffed, taking a step forward. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Yami smirked. "It means you've made your final mistake."
Before the man could react, Yami closed the distance between them in an instant. With a swift motion, he grabbed the man by the throat and slammed him into the ground. The ground cracked beneath the impact.
Rachel gasped, stepping back in surprise, but Yami didn't stop.
He raised his scythe above his head, eyes glowing with deadly intent. "You won't threaten anyone ever again."
The adventurer struggled beneath Yami's grip, but the fear in his eyes was evident.
"Wait—wait!" the man shouted. "We'll leave, we'll leave! Just let me go!"
Yami's grip tightened for a moment, the darkness in his eyes flickering, then he released him.
The man scrambled to his feet, retreating with his comrades.
Rachel looked at Yami, still in shock. "You… you didn't have to go that far."
Yami wiped his hands, his expression cold. "People like that don't deserve mercy."
His voice dropped to a whisper. "Not after what happened."
Rei stepped forward, placing a hand on Yami's shoulder. "You okay?"
Yami didn't look at her. "I'm fine."
The group fell into an uneasy silence as the adventurers disappeared into the woods.
Rachel, still unsure of the situation, hesitated. "I… I'm sorry if I caused trouble. I'm new to all of this."
Yami glanced back at her. "It's not your fault. People like that think they can take advantage of others. But when you mess with the wrong people…"
Rachel lowered her gaze. "I understand."
Yami stared at the empty path ahead, his thoughts lingering on the past—the ones he couldn't save.
His sister.