Gerald exhaled slowly, staring at the ceiling. The warm glow of lantern light flickered across the lavish room, casting long shadows over the silk sheets tangled around him and Eve. The scent of perfume and sweat still lingered in the air, but his mind wasn't on the woman beside him.
Something felt wrong.
"Walter should have been back by now," he muttered.
How long does it take to kill a woman and a kid? They shouldn't even be able to touch him... he's a Novarion. He should have reported back already.
A whisper of doubt crept into his mind. No… it couldn't be. Walter wouldn't betray me.
Just as the thought formed, soft fingers traced lazy patterns across his chest. Eve's touch was slow, deliberate, her nails barely grazing his skin.
"You're worrying too much," she drawled.
Her voice carried that playful lilt, the same one she used when coaxing drunk men into spending more money downstairs. She shifted against him, her body warm under the silk sheets.
"Walter is probably just taking his time. Maybe he finished already and now he's drinking with one of the girls downstairs, enjoying himself. If you want, I can go check," she murmured.
Gerald eyed her. She was practically glowing, utterly at ease.
Look at her, all happy now that she finally got rid of Rena.
"No need," he said, forcing himself to relax.
She's right. I'm overthinking. Those two were nothing. Just regular people. Walter is the strongest man in this town. There's no way…
Eve's voice cut through his thoughts.
"But I'm really surprised," she said, tilting her head. "I thought you loved playing house with Rena and her little brat." She smirked. "Or was I wrong?"
Gerald reached for the ornate box on the nightstand, pulling out two cigarettes. He placed one between his lips, then leaned over to light Eve's. Smoke curled from his lips as he exhaled.
"Well," he started, "it's true I enjoyed toying with her. I even went to that shithole she called home, freezing my ass off during the winters just to be with her."
Eve hummed, unimpressed.
"Hmm. Is that so?"
Gerald took another slow drag before speaking again.
"I just wanted to break her."
His voice carried an edge now.
"She never knew her place. She looked pure and innocent, acting like she was better than the rest… even though she was just a whore like everyone else. Poor, yet never begged. Even when you tried to help her, she refused without hesitation."
His fingers tightened slightly around the cigarette.
"It pissed me off."
He exhaled a cloud of smoke.
"She was so obsessed with that kid… she even brought him to the brothel just so she wouldn't have to leave him alone. Disgusting."
His eyes flickered toward Eve.
"But you…"
he gestured with his cigarette.
"You were always friendly with her. You watched her kid when she had customers. Never seemed like you had any grudge against her."
Eve took a final drag from her cigarette before pressing the smoldering tip into the ashtray. The room was silent for a moment as she twisted it, watching the embers fade.
"Hmm… Maybe I just hated her."
Gerald smirked. He knew the truth. Eve's inferiority complex ate away at her every time Rena was praised.
"She was the most beautiful woman here,"
he admitted.
"Brought in the highest-paying customers. Men even traveled from neighboring villages just to see her."
He sighed.
"Honestly, she was like a goldmine. Always polite, always giving her best."
He flicked away some ash.
"Feels like a waste now that she's dead."
He gave Eve a sideways glance.
"If it weren't for you tipping us off that she was planning to run, I wouldn't have even considered it."
Eve grinned and slid on top of him, resting her hands on his chest.
"Aren't I the best?"
Gerald chuckled, his earlier unease fading. He ran his hands along her waist.
"Sure, sure,"
he said, amused.
"You're the best."
Outside, the cold winter wind rattled against the window. Though there were no signs of snow, tiny droplets of water hinted at an approaching rain. But Gerald didn't notice. His mind had finally started to ease, convinced that Walter would take care of everything.
…
…..
The wind howled through the empty streets.
Vani, with his clothes torn and tattered, felt the cold wind seep into his wounds. His breath came out in slow, misty puffs, each step forward aching, but he didn't stop. The Sunlight Brothel was close. Gerald and Eve were inside.
As he neared the brothel, a man approached from the opposite direction. Even in the dim light, Vani could tell the man was drunk from the way he staggered, muttering under his breath.
"Damn those whores… worked so hard just to drink my money dry and toss me out the moment I had nothing left… I'll make a long complaint to Gerald tomorrow."
Vani hid the knife beneath his ragged clothes, the cold blade pressing against his skin. As the man stumbled closer, his voice became clearer, and Vani recognized him… one of the thugs who had beaten him earlier over four bronze coins.
Worked hard?
Vani's jaw clenched.
All you bastards do is rob and beat people.
Anger bubbled up in his chest.
If it weren't for you, maybe I could've made it home earlier… Maybe…
A bitter taste filled his mouth.
Maybe Mom…
His thoughts shattered as the man bumped into him.
Vani took a slow breath, forcing himself to stay calm.
I don't have time for this drunk bastard.
But the man turned on him, voice slurred with irritation.
"Hey, brat, watch where you're going! Don't you see I'm passing through?" He scoffed. "Kids these days got no damn respect."
Vani's response was cold.
"If you want respect, maybe you shouldn't go around bumping into people."
The man blinked, caught off guard, then scowled. He took a closer look at Vani, and recognition flickered in his dull eyes.
"Ohh… it's you."
His lips curled into a smirk as he swayed slightly, steadying himself.
"Didn't get enough earlier?"
He stretched his neck with a crack, rolling his shoulders.
Then, after a moment of exaggerated thought, he let out a low chuckle.
"You know… now that I think about it, maybe I was too rough on you. Maybe I should make it up to your dear mother."
His grin widened, eyes gleaming with something vile.
"She must be worried sick. Alone. Helpless. Tsk… I bet she'd be more than happy to… entertain me in exchange for her precious son's safety."
Vani's grip tightened around the knife.
The thug took a step closer, chest puffed up, emboldened by Vani's silence.
"What? No snarky comeback now? Cat got your tongue, kid?"
He lifted his fist, aiming to drive it straight into Vani's face.
But Vani had already moved.
The punch was slow… pathetically so. His eyes saw every little shift in the man's stance, every muscle tightening before the swing. He sidestepped effortlessly, grabbed the man's wrist, and pulled him forward.
The knife buried itself deep into his chest.
The thug choked on his own breath, blood bubbling at his lips. His legs trembled, struggling to hold him upright as Vani leaned in, whispering coldly into his ear.
"What's wrong?"
His voice was steady, almost emotionless.
"You don't look so good. Maybe you should sit down."
Vani shoved him backward, twisting the blade free as the man collapsed onto the dirt.
He turned away without a second glance at the dead body, his grip on the knife steady as he resumed his path toward the brothel.
The Sunlight Brothel wasn't far.
Minutes later, he stood before its entrance. Laughter and drunken shouting spilled from within, muffled slightly by the heavy wooden doors. The scent of cheap perfume and ale drifted through the cracks, mixing with the distant chill of the night air.
Vani exhaled slowly, his fingers brushing over the hilt of his knife.
Gerald was inside.
Without hesitation, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The heavy wooden door creaked shut behind him. The warmth of the brothel hit him instantly… a stark contrast to the biting cold outside. A thick haze of smoke hung in the air, mingling with the scent of perfume, alcohol, and sweat.
The first floor was exactly as he remembered… loud, crowded, and reeking of cheap perfume and alcohol. Red couches lined the room, tables filled with drunken men and flirtatious women clinging onto them. Laughter and drunken shouting echoed through the air.
As he stepped inside, the women lounging around took notice of him.
"Oh? Who's this little cutie?" one teased, raising an eyebrow.
"Come have a drink with us, kid!" another cackled.
"Hah! Look at him, all ragged and serious. What's wrong, sweetheart? First heartbreak?"
Vani ignored them and kept walking.
But then, he heard it.
"Wait a minute..." one of them whispered.
"Isn't that Rena's kid?"
The chatter shifted. Some women murmured amongst themselves, stealing glances at him. Others squinted, trying to recall if they had seen him before. A few finally started to recognize him.
"Damn, it's been years, hasn't it? He never came back after Rena stopped bringing him around."
"Huh? Are you stupid? She caught him trying to drink alcohol, so she didn't let him come here anymore."
"Didn't that happen because an old man tried to give it to him?"
"He looks different... but yeah, that's definitely him."
Vani kept his head down and walked toward the stairs. He had no interest in their conversations.
But before he could reach the stairs, a firm voice called out.
"Hey, kid."
He stopped.
"You know Rena's not working tonight, right? So what are you doing here? And why do you look like you've been through hell?"
That voice. He knew it.
Vani turned his head and saw her… Sophia.
She stood near one of the tables, arms crossed, watching him with a sharp gaze. Her dark, wavy hair cascaded over her shoulders, the dim lighting casting shadows over her pale skin. Even dressed in revealing clothes that fit the brothel's setting, she held a certain air of dignity, like she was above the place she worked in.
For a moment, Vani just stared. He remembered her. When he was younger, Rena had sometimes left him under Sophia's care when no one else could watch him. But Sophia had never been warm. She never spoke much to him, never played with him like some of the other women did. She simply made sure he didn't cause trouble, watching over him from a distance.
And now, after all these years, she was the first to directly address him.
Vani met her gaze and replied, his voice calm yet firm.
"I'm not here for my mother."
She gave him a quick, indifferent reply.
"Then why are you here?"
Vani's expression remained calm as he answered.
"Why can't I be here? Am I not allowed?"
Sophia's reply was as cold as ever.
"Not really. Aren't you around fifteen?"
Vani shrugged slightly.
"Well, it doesn't look like rules mean that much these days."
Sophia raised an eyebrow.
"Looks like you've gotten better at talking back since the last time you were here."
She crossed her arms.
"Even so, I can't allow you to go to the second floor. If Rena finds out we let you up there, it'll be chaotic here for the next week. You know how protective she is when it comes to you."
Hearing those words, something inside Vani twisted. His firm expression wavered, his face darkened with sadness. His voice, which had been cold until now, dropped to a softer tone.
"Yeah… I know."
Sophia noticed the change immediately. The cold confidence he had just moments ago was gone, replaced by something much heavier. Just as she was about to ask if something happened, a voice interrupted them.
"Hey, Sophia! Is it true? This guy's Rena's son?"
The man sounded like he recognized Vani. Sophia shot him a glance and replied flatly,
"Yeah, it's true. Do you know him Brad?"
Brad looked a bit surprised.
"Yeah, I know him. Me and Joe roughed him up a few times for money."
Sophia's gaze turned sharp. "You beat him for money?"
Brad smirked, unfazed. "Heh, don't look at me like that. We didn't beat him so bad." He shrugged. "And I didn't know he was Rena's kid. Actually... I wonder if Joe knew. That bastard probably kept it a secret." He let out a short chuckle.
"I'll ask him tomorrow, since he got kicked out earlier. He's probably passed out on the street somewhere."
Before Sophia could respond, Vani cut in, his voice cold and composed.
"Sadly, you can't. He's dead."
Brad's smirk faded.
"Dead? He was definitely alive a few minutes ago before he got thrown out."
Sophia turned to Vani, her expression unreadable.
"Did you do it?"
Vani didn't answer. He just met her gaze, his eyes cold.
Brad, on the other hand, burst into laughter.
"Hah! You're joking, right?"
His amusement grew as he glanced between Sophia and Vani.
"Come on, look at the kid. You think he could've killed Joe? He looks like he got put through hell himself."
He kept laughing as he took a step closer to Vani.
Sophia's voice cut through the noise.
"Brad, don't do anything to him."
Brad waved a hand dismissively.
"Don't worry, don't worry. I just wanna ask him a few questions."
People were watching as Brad reached Vani, a sly grin spread across his face. He casually extended his hand, aiming to grab Vani's shoulder.
But before his fingers could make contact...
Schlick!
A blur of motion. A flash of steel.
Brad's hand was no longer attached to his wrist. It spun through the air before landing with a soft thud on the wooden floor. For a moment, there was silence. Brad just stood there, his mind struggling to register what had happened.
Then…
"AAAAAGHHH!"
A guttural scream ripped from his throat as he clutched the bleeding stump. He collapsed onto the ground, writhing, his body convulsing from the sheer agony.
"It hurts! IT HURTS!"
The brothel erupted into chaos. Gasps. Screams. The clatter of chairs scraping against the floor as people scrambled back. The lively, drunken laughter that had filled the room moments ago was now drowned in sheer panic. Women shrieked, some backing away in horror, others pressing their hands over their mouths, too stunned to move.
The air reeked of iron. The severed hand lay motionless on the ground, fingers slightly curled as if still grasping for something.
And in the center of it all stood Vani... calm, cold, and completely unfazed.
The room was stunned into silence. Gasps and murmurs spread like wildfire.
"Did that really just happen?" someone stammered.
"No way… A kid can't do something like that!" another whispered, disbelief laced in their voice.
"Are you blind? Look at that cut… it's too clean! No normal person can do that with just a knife," someone else argued.
"Then… does that mean he's an Awakened?" a woman questioned, eyes wide with fear.
"Hah? You serious? You trying to tell me that this brat is a… Novarion?"
"I mean, what else could it be?"
The murmurs grew louder, but Vani didn't care. The noise around him was just that... Noise. He took a slow step forward, closing the distance between him and Brad, his gaze as cold as ice.
"Still think I couldn't have done it?"
His voice was calm, almost indifferent, but the weight of his words sent shivers down Brad's spine.
Brad's breath came in ragged gasps, his entire body trembling. Blood poured from the stump where his hand once was, pooling beneath him as he writhed in agony.
Vani tilted his head slightly, studying the man's pitiful state.
"Ah, don't worry," his voice devoid of emotion.
"You can go visit him... Your friend I mean."
In one swift motion, his blade sliced across Brad's throat.
A wet gurgle escaped Brad's lips as his body spasmed, then fell limp. Blood sprayed onto the floor, mixing with the chaos and fear that now gripped the brothel.
The brothel descended into chaos. People screamed, pushing past each other in a frantic rush toward the exit. Some, however, stood frozen, their eyes locked on the blood-stained floor, on Brad's dead body, on the boy who had just killed him so effortlessly.
They couldn't believe it. Brad was dead. Just like that.
But amidst the panic, one person remained unfazed... Sophia. She stood still, her cold eyes fixed on Vani.
"Why did you kill him?" Her voice was calm, but there was something beneath it... something unreadable.
Vani met her gaze, unfazed.
"Was he your boyfriend?"
Sophia blinked.
"Huh? How did you even come to that conclusion?"
"Then why do you care?"
"I don't."
"Then I have no reason to tell you why I did it."
Sophia was speechless for a moment. In the silence, Vani turned away, stepping onto the staircase leading to the second floor.
Her voice followed him.
"When Gerald finds out what you did here, you're going to be in trouble. You know he has Walter. Even if you're a Novarion now, Walter has been one his entire life. And more importantly…"
She paused, her voice growing lower, sharper.
"Even if you survive, your mother won't."
Vani's grip on the knife tightened. His knuckles turned white, but he didn't stop. Focus. Don't let her get to you.
Sophia's voice grew colder.
"Do you think she'll be happy when she hears about this? Even if Brad beat you, you shouldn't have killed him. She raised you better than that."
Vani stopped. His shoulders tensed. She's wrong. He clenched his teeth, staring down at the bloodied blade in his hand. Then, slowly, he turned back. His expression was no longer cold but filled with something much heavier.
"My mother is dead."
The room fell silent.
The screaming. The running. The panicked whispers.
All of it stopped.
Sophia's eyes widened. She stared at him, frozen in place. "What…?" she breathed.
Even the people who had been trying to escape turned their heads in disbelief.
Sophia took a step forward, her voice shaking for the first time.
"Even for a joke, this is too much."
Vani lifted his head, locking eyes with her. His gaze was heavy, filled with something raw. Let her see. Let her know what I've been through.
"Do you think I would joke about something like that?"
Sophia didn't answer.
Vani exhaled, his breath unsteady.
"She was planning to run away, Gerald found out… No… Eve told him. So he sent Walter to kill us."
His voice wavered for a second, but he kept going.
"When I got home… my mother was already dead. Walter was standing right next to her."
Sophia's lips parted, but no words came out.
Vani's eyes darkened.
"And I wasn't even there because I was late."
His hands trembled slightly. It's not my fault. It's not my fault.
"I don't know if I was late because those two pieces of shit were beating me, but… maybe… if they hadn't held me back, if I had gotten home faster… Maybe I could have saved her."
Silence.
No one moved. No one breathed.
Then…
"If you're worried about me, don't be."
Vani's voice cut through the tension like a blade.
"I already killed Walter before coming here."
A gasp rippled through the crowd.
The silence that followed was suffocating. People exchanged looks of horror and disbelief.
Walter was dead?
Killed by this kid?
Vani didn't let the weight of their stares slow him down. He turned back toward the stairs.
"And about Gerald finding out…"
He took the first step up. Then another.
"Don't worry. He'll be keeping Walter company soon enough."
Sophia stood frozen, unable to say a word.
All she could do was watch as the boy disappeared up the stairs, his back turned to the chaos he had just left behind.