Dusk gazed at the corpse of the man who had just died, silently contemplating the absorption of his heart.
Black mist tinged with red rose from the man's body, slowly drifting toward Dusk.
'Dark energy, huh? I didn't expect to co into contact with it before even reaching Rank 1. Having a system really is convenient.'
A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips as the thought crossed his mind. For Heart Masters, dark energy was nothing rare—anyone who reached Rank 1 could perceive and utilize it.
It was considered the purest and most precious form of energy found in any living being. More importantly, it was the only type of energy that could be used to break through to the next level for a Heart Master.
Suddenly, a sharp pain stabbed through his chest. Dusk clutched at his ribs, grimacing.
He gritted his teeth as sweat poured down his forehead like a waterfall. Bloodshot veins crawled across his eyes, giving his face a fearso, almost demonic appearance.
After a while, his condition gradually stabilized, and he was finally able to exhale a shaky breath.
"Damn... I didn't expect absorbing it this fast would hurt so much—but it was worth it. At a normal pace, soone at my current mortal level would need a whole week to fully absorb a single heart."
He sighed in admiration as he glanced at the dead body.
Tapping the corpse's chest with his fingers, he noticed that the inside was now completely hollow.
'This system is very remarkable. Without ever touching them, it has the power to destroy soone's heart. Hold on, doesn't that imply that I would win every battle going forward?'
A bold idea flashed through his mind. If it worked, he could beco unstoppable.
"System, is there a way for to seize an enemy's heart during combat?"
Of course, life wasn't that easy. This world was bound by countless rules—and the system was no exception.
[Apologies, Master. I cannot do that. Unless it falls within the scope of an assigned mission, I am not authorized to assist beyond set paraters.]
Dusk couldn't help but feel disappointed. If his idea could've worked, immortality would have been within reach.
Just as he was about to search for his second target, Dusk suddenly ca to a halt. He had just finished analyzing the system's words and noticed a loophole—one that worked in his favor.
"System, what you said implies that... if I receive a mission that includes support for it, then it would be possible, correct?"
Though phrased as a question, his voice was firm. He trusted the system wouldn't make such a careless slip—its words were always precise.
[Correct. However, this matter is beyond my control... and yours as well.]
"Haha... that's more than enough. My luck's not so bad after all."
Although the response wasn't exactly ideal, it was good enough for Dusk. He grinned in satisfaction.
Now that his doubts had been answered, he resud his hunt.
Navigating through the ruins was incredibly difficult for a re mortal like him. One wrong move, and he'd get injured by the jagged debris strewn all over.
A long, bleeding cut appeared on his arm after a loose tal beam unexpectedly fell from a demolished building and grazed it.
'This body really is too fragile... I hope ten hearts are enough to get to Rank 1. Once I reach it, everything will beco so much easier.'
The pain didn't bother him much—it was nothing compared to what he had endured before. But it did serve as a stark reminder: this body was no longer the one he was used to.
If he wanted to keep moving forward, he'd need to be cautious—choose the path his body could endure.
After walking for a while, he spotted a young girl clutching her broken leg, her face twisted in pain and helplessness.
Dusk glanced around. No one else was nearby. A smirk crept across his lips—she t all the conditions of a perfect prey.
His face remained friendly and unthreatening as he walked casually toward her. He didn't want his quest ruined by her yelling.
Seeing a tall, friendly-looking young man drawing near, the girl's eyes lit up with hope.
"Can you help ? My leg... it's broken. I can't move. It hurts so much. Hu hu..." Tears stread down her cheeks as she pleaded.
A beautiful young girl was crying before him. Tell —what kind of man would not be moved by such a sight?
Dusk was exactly that kind of man—the one who wouldn't be moved.
He knelt on one knee, smiling gently as he glanced at her injured leg, then back at her tear-streaked face.
"I have a first aid kit. Let patch you up, and then I'll get you out of here," he said softly.
"I... I'm afraid it'll hurt," the girl replied, her voice trembling—not with relief, but fear.
"I'll rember that," Dusk smiled warmly.
Then, he turned around and rummaged through his backpack.
In an instant, he spun back around—swift and rciless. A large knife in his hand, his movent graceful like a reaper's scythe.
The next mont, the knife sliced clean through her neck.
Her eyes widened in shock. Her face froze in disbelief.
She wanted to say sothing—but her mouth could no longer form words.
As her life slipped away, Dusk suddenly felt the urge to share a final thought:
"When you eat at, fish, or vegetables, you should already be prepared for the day you might be eaten too. Today, you beca my prey. If you had ntally prepared yourself beforehand, your death would've been far more peaceful."
Her expression grew even more distorted. Even in her final monts, she couldn't believe she had to listen to such an absurd philosophy.
She lost consciousness from the blood loss and died shortly after.
The dark energy within her heart slowly drifted upward and into Dusk's body.
After the absorption was complete, he let out a satisfied breath.
"Not a bad feeling at all. So this is what it feels like to be a righteous hero—preaching to people before killing them. I never got to try that in my last life.
I should probably do this more often... maybe even build a faction around it."
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