My Cheat Skill Lets Me Copy Powers....But only if i kill-Chapter 18: When Shadows Strike

Chapter 17: When Shadows Strike

It had been over a week since Renji collapsed, and the world outside seemed to move on without him.

Inside the dimly lit room above the inn, time stood still.

Elara sat at his bedside, gently pressing a cool cloth to his forehead. The fever that once raged had finally broken, leaving behind a subtle heat that no longer threatened his life—but his eyes remained closed, and his body weak.

His breathing, while steadier, was still shallow, and the strange silver aura that had appeared days ago flickered faintly, pulsing in rhythm with his heartbeat.

Lena, seated beside Elara, clutched Renji's hand, her thumb slowly tracing circles against his skin. Hope clung to them, fragile yet enduring.

"He's cooler today," Elara whispered, her voice soft and hopeful. "That's a good sign... isn't it?"

Lena nodded. "No convulsions last night. He's... getting better. Slowly."

Her voice was quiet, but behind it was relief.

Kiera stood at the doorway, leaning against the frame, arms crossed. She had barely spoken the past two days, watching over them in silence.

Now, her eyes narrowed.

"We're low on supplies," she said suddenly, pushing off the doorframe. "I'm going to the Guild. I'll take a quest, earn some silver, get what we need."

Elara looked up, concern in her eyes. "By yourself?"

Kiera's lips curled into a confident grin, but it lacked its usual spark. "I'll manage."

She walked over, kneeling beside Renji. For a moment, she hesitated, then reached out, gently brushing his hair from his forehead.

"Don't you dare die on me, idiot," she whispered. "You still owe me drinks."

With that, she stood, grabbed her daggers, and slipped out the door.

The Guild Hall was alive with activity as Kiera entered—a noisy chaos of laughter, clinking mugs, and bickering adventurers. The quest board was crowded, and the air carried the scent of roasted meat and smoke.

Selise spotted her instantly. "Kiera. It's been a while."

Kiera approached the counter, her expression grim. "Need a quest. Something quick."

Selise raised an eyebrow. "What's going on with Renji?"

Kiera hesitated, her gaze flicking to a nearby group of adventurers who had perked up at the mention of his name.

"He's... stable," she said finally. "Still out cold, but better."

A few adventurers leaned closer, whispering.

"Didn't think he'd drop like that."

"Guy's got luck—three girls watching over him."

"Or maybe he's cursed. Haven't seen him in days."

Kiera's eyes narrowed, voice sharp. "Keep his name out of your mouths."

Selise cleared her throat, redirecting attention. "Pick your quest."

Kiera scanned the board, pulling down a parchment.

[Quest Accepted: Bandit Patrol – Forest Route]

Reward: 15 Silver Coins

Objective: Eliminate local bandit group harassing supply caravans.

"I'll take this," she muttered.

Selise nodded, stamping the request. "Be careful."

Kiera didn't reply as she turned to leave, her thoughts already drifting back to Renji.

From a shadowed corner of the Guild, the jealous adventurer watched, a cold smile tugging at his lips.

"He's stable, huh?" he muttered.

He rose slowly, approaching a young, talkative adventurer near the door.

"Hey. You know that guy, Renji?"

The man blinked. "Yeah? Why?"

"Where's he staying?"

The man shrugged. "Not sure, but I've seen him head into that building by the merchant plaza a lot. Second floor, I think."

The jealous man's smile widened.

"Thanks."

He slipped into the streets, eyes gleaming.

The ancient forest beyond the city was quiet, thick with shadow and the earthy scent of moss and fallen leaves. Sunlight pierced through the canopy in scattered beams, illuminating patches of ground in golden light.

Kiera moved through it like a shadow, silent, swift, her daggers glinting faintly at her sides.

Her mind wasn't on the quest—not really. It was on Renji, lying helpless, on Elara and Lena, struggling to care for him, on the guilt gnawing at her for being unable to do more.

Then—movement ahead.

She crouched low, spotting a broken wagon and scattered crates. Blood stained the wheel spokes.

"Close," she muttered.

Following the trail, she reached a small clearing—five bandits around a fire, laughing and drinking, their weapons carelessly strewn nearby.

Kiera's eyes narrowed. Amateurs.

She crept closer, heart pounding—not from fear, but rage.

They were alive, laughing, while Renji struggled just to breathe.

Her grip tightened on her daggers.

"You picked the wrong day," she whispered.

She struck like a phantom, her first blade slicing a man's throat clean through. Blood sprayed the fire, sizzling on contact.

Before the next could scream, she drove both daggers into his chest, twisting hard.

"Get up!" another shouted, reaching for an axe—too late. Kiera was on him, slashing across his abdomen, sending him sprawling.

Two ran. She gave chase.

One fell to a thrown dagger, buried between his shoulders. The last tripped, scrambling to his knees.

"Please! I surrender—!"

Her eyes glinted with fury. "I don't."

Her blade sang through the air.

Later, Kiera returned to the city, claiming her reward without a word. She moved through the market, buying food, medicine, herbs—anything Renji might need.

As she hurried back toward the inn, a cold shiver ran down her spine.

Something felt wrong.

Meanwhile, in the room above the inn, Elara and Lena had just settled Renji under fresh blankets when a loud knock echoed through the room.

Knock. Knock.

They froze.

"Who is it?" Elara called, stepping toward the door.

Silence.

Then—BANG!

The door shook under a heavy hit.

Lena grabbed a dagger. "Elara..."

"Don't open it."

Another pause—then CRACK!

The door splintered as the jealous adventurer stepped inside, eyes wide with manic glee.

"Well, well... found you."

Elara blocked his path. "Get out!"

He laughed, drawing a rusted dagger. "Don't worry, I'm not here for you. Just him."

Lena lunged—he backhanded her, sending her crashing to the floor.

Elara attacked—he caught her wrist, slamming her into the wall.

He turned to Renji's still form. "So this is the great Renji. Weak. Helpless. Let's fix that."

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He raised the blade—

Glass shattered.

Kiera burst through the window, daggers drawn, rage in her eyes.

"Touch him again," she hissed, "and I'll tear you apart."