Black String of Fate

"What? This territory's lord is dead?"

"Yes! We just got this information from our messengers."

In a warehouse filled with abandoned things, three muscular, grown men kneeled in front of a boy no older than 14. They did not dare raise their heads, because the consequences of doing so were deadly. They have already lost two in such a way.

"Hmm... That's interesting, but it'll not affect us street rats much, will it? So why did you try to meet up with the street rat on the other street?"

"T-That's-"

Cold sweat formed on the back of their necks, and they started shaking in fear. Just how did this devil in human skin even find out about it? Apart from having inhuman strength, this boy who came out of nowhere was evil to the core. He looked like any other street rat, but he could beat anyone up, regardless of their size.

Even their gang leader, who was a rank 2 Advanced Veteran, got beaten up like a child.

"Oh, shut it. I don't even wanna hear your pathetic sob story. I'm in a good mood today, so I'll let it slide."

"T-Thank you! This will never happen again!"

The three crooks shouted like they were pardoned from the guillotine.

"Okay then, I'll be going home. If anyone follows me, all three of you will be skinned alive, I won't even care if you were innocent." Leaving such a bone-chilling threat, the boy left, and the crooks did not dare raise their heads unless they were sure he was gone.

When he was gone, they sighed with relief, feeling as if they had cheated death itself. Such was the terror of the boy.

The boy, in question, was wondering about today's dinner.

'I wonder what Luke would cook today, he's been extremely passionate about cooking delicious meals from the ingredients I bring back daily.'

The boy, as you must've guessed by now, was Xavier. Two weeks had passed, and many things had happened.

First, he was no longer all skin and bones. He was still thin, but he had grown enough muscle to not look malnourished. He had lithe muscles hidden underneath his oversized rags, showing proof of the miraculous transformation that had taken place. In the world of magic, such transformations were nothing unbelievable. Monster meat helped a lot too.

Secondly, he and his siblings had moved to a new, comparatively better house. Xavier gave them the excuse that he found a mana core lying around which helped him initiate, and the power that came from that allowed him to 'afford' more food for the family.

With Ava also eating well, she was recovering her health, and she no longer looked like she would die the next day, though she was still very weak.

Finally, his exploits had drawn unwanted attention. One time, he let himself be captured and met the leader of the local gang. He was, as all gangs do, trying to extort Xavier of his new riches, but a terrible surprise awaited them.

The boy who looked scrawny, when he held a sword, or rather, anything resembling a sword, would become the worst demon known to mankind. He was cruel, brutal, bloody, and crazy. He had the ability to swiftly finish them, but no, the devil incarnate enjoyed slowly killing all those who raised arms against him.

He was sending the message to never mess with him, and that message was well-sent with the bonus of trauma and PTSD.

Now, as a result of all this, Xavier was recognized as the leader of the underworld of that town. There were Crafted Veterans, even Initiate Elites who were present in the nearby towns, but they did not dare to fight him needlessly. It wasn't like he was bothering them either.

His family, which consisted of only his younger brother and sister, were probably the most protected people in the slums. Once, one of the thugs of a defeated gang casually mentioned his siblings, and just minutes later, the bloodied heads of the whole gang were decorated at the entrance of their hideout.

Nowadays, if anyone even mentioned Xavier's siblings, they would be hunted down by their own gang in fear of his wrath.

'Man, I feel like I'm going back to my old ways. Well, I gotta be a bit cruel to survive in a place like this.' Xavier justified his actions by blaming them on the circumstances, but he knew on the inside that living like this was no good. He had already experienced it once, he did not wish to do it again.

While lost in his thoughts, he navigated the slums and reached his house. It was a proper brick and cement house with 2 rooms, washrooms, a kitchen, flowing water, and reasonably ample space. It was basically a luxurious house in terms of slum quality. Xavier entered through the door and announced his arrival.

"I'm home."

"Welcome back, big bro. I've made some grilled meat and vegetable stew, along with some mashed potatoes and bread." Luke arrived, greeting Xavier while wearing an apron and holding a ladle. Xavier smiled while looking at Luke enjoying his cooking hobby.

"Ava's probably sewing something upstairs, right?" Xavier said while keeping aside his boots and ragged clothes. He had also robbed the gangs whom he had defeated, so they had money enough to live like commoners. They were not the best of quality, but they got the job done.

"You know it, she loves doing this all day. I'm worried that she may get addicted at this point."

"Stop being such a worrywart, it's fine to do something you like. It's not like it's worsening her condition." Xavier said in a light tone as he walked off to his room. Luke also went back to finish cooking dinner.

Once inside his room, Xavier went to the desk he had patched together, on which a book and a quill, which he had stolen with extreme difficulty, were kept. He used that book as a diary, which he made sure to religiously fill out.

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'Day 14 of the Fateless Trial.

Today I investigated the remnants of the last gang I had wiped out. They were indeed trying to go behind my back and talk with neighboring town gangs. They were sufficiently threatened. Note to self: Go to the neighboring town to 'calm' the other gangs.

Apparently, the owner of this territory, who was a Count, was executed on the charges of treason, which was actually just embezzlement and extortion, but exaggerated by the royal family. When I heard who did it, it confirmed my theory regarding this trial. It was Princess Seraphina Souvell. Souvell...

I'm not good at history, but I'm sure that this empire existed extremely long ago, not sure exactly when. This explains the reason why everybody used ancient language as the common written language, and why the general power level of the world was so low.

I have been transported back in time, and to clear this trial and return, I have to change the world. I'm not sure how, but the immediate crisis of humane living has been solved. Despite it being a trial, I have, without a doubt, taken over the body of someone who had his loved ones, so it is my moral obligation to return this favor.

I'll investigate this Count dying more tomorrow, I have a gut instinct that it'll lead me to progress on the trial.

Signing off,

Xavier

P.S. Dinner smells amazing as always.

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