So, these are Beastmen? Kael mused to himself.

  "Whoever you are, please... help me. If I survive this, I am willing to do anything for you."

  As Kael was lost in thought, a voice as clear and ethereal as a hidden orchid rang in his ears. He snapped out of it and looked at the girl leaning against the wall.

  She had a beautiful, delicate face, enchanting slit pupils, and a petite yet perfectly proportioned figure. Even in her current battered state, she carried an air of elegance and purity. She was the kind of person who instantly stirred a sense of protectiveness in anyone.

  Anything...

  As that word echoed in his mind, Kael’s eyes suddenly lit up with a fiery intensity. "Truly? You’ll do anything?"

  Shier noticed the sudden change in his gaze, and her heart turned cold. She had heard stories from her sisters back in the tribe about the human world—how they were greedy, lustful, and wicked. When she first saw this clean-cut young man, a sliver of hope had blossomed in her heart, prompting her to beg for help in her moment of despair.

  But it seemed he was no different from the rest.

  Still, a life of servitude was better than being dragged back by them. Shier glanced at the two shadows in the dark, bit her lip, and said desperately, "Yes. I swear it upon the name of my ancestors."

  "Fantastic! Then consider this handled," Kael said. He knew that in this world, oaths weren't something to be taken lightly. An oath sworn upon one's ancestors was solemn and legally binding.

  Who knew taking out the trash in the middle of the night could net me a beautiful girl?

  "You there, human boy!" one of the towering figures barked. "I advise you not to meddle in things that don't concern you. Otherwise, I wouldn't mind hunting you down as well."

  The figure flicked his hand, and ten razor-sharp claws extended from his fingertips.

  "Sorry, can't do that," Kael said, pulling out a Thousand-Machinery Sphere and tossing it idly in his hand. "I gave my word, and I intend to keep it. Why don't you two do me a favor and leave right now? What do you say?"

  "If you won't listen to reason, then don't blame us for being merciless!" One of the Beastmen let out a guttural roar and pounced.

  He moved with the speed of a gale, bringing with him the scent of blood. The sheer force behind the leap suggested he was at least Class-rank.

  The innate talent of Beastmen was "Beastification." The stronger the Beastman, the more complete the transformation, and the more terrifying the attribute boost. Their physical strength naturally surpassed that of humans; even a human Berserker of the same level—one of the strongest classes—wouldn't dare meet a beastified warrior head-on.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  "The kid's paralyzed with fear. Forget it, he’s just a waste of time," the other shadow sneered, watching Kael stand there motionless.

  Shier’s heart sank as she watched Kael stare blankly at the incoming attacker. Kael’s aura lacked the heavy, oppressive weight of a Class-rank expert. The final thread of hope she had clung to snapped.

  "Fine... perhaps this is just my fate," she whispered, closing her eyes and leaning against the wall in resignation.

  [System: Hostility detected. Defensive System activated.] [System: Within the shop, the Manager's dignity shall not be violated!]

  Finally, Kael thought. Standing inside the shop, he knew the defense system would trigger. While he could have handled them outside with a bit of effort, he was a lazy man at heart—if the System could do the heavy lifting, he wasn't going to break a sweat.

  In an instant, a colossal, peerless aura erupted from Kael. Like a hurricane, it swept across the street, pinning all three people within its range.

  "Dammit! This aura... we've been tricked!" "Impossible! How can an expert of this caliber exist in a place like Cloud Mist City?!"

  The two Beastmen trembled, their faces pale with terror as they stared at Kael. The pressure was as vast as the ocean, locking them in place, unable to move a single muscle.

  Shier, who had already accepted her death, snapped her eyes open. She looked at Kael with a mix of shock and overwhelming joy.

  Hero-rank pressure!

  In this backwater city, there was actually a Hero-rank powerhouse. This aura was even more profound and dense than that of her own Clan Patriarch.

  "As I said, she is under my protection," Kael asked tonelessly. "Do you have an objection?"

  "N-no... no objection." "None at all! We apologize for disturbing your seclusion, Senior!" the two stammered, their teeth chattering under the weight of the pressure.

  Hearing Kael’s dismissive tone, Shier felt a surge of panic. She shouted, "No! You can't let them go!"

  "That wretched girl!" "The Wolf Hunter Clan completes its missions, even in death!"

  "Frozen Solid!" Kael muttered, tilting his head. He reached out, and a burst of mana erupted.

  Before the two Beastmen could even twitch a finger, they were encased in ice, becoming two lifelike frozen statues.

  "The Wolf Hunter Clan... whatever. If they want to cause me trouble, they can stay here forever."

  Kael didn't care to investigate further. Killing them was too messy, so freezing them was the cleaner option.

  "Alright, trouble’s gone. Come on in," Kael said, stepping aside to let the petite girl into the shop. As for the two wolf-men, they could stay outside. It wasn't the first time his shop had "ice sculptures" decorating the front; the Iron Wolf Gang had left a few when they tried to cause trouble.

  "Yes, sir," Shier said, feeling somewhat overwhelmed as she entered. This was the secluded home of a Hero-rank expert. If she could earn his favor, her dreams of avenging her slaughtered clan might actually come true.

  The shop’s interior was simple, lined with various weapons, armor, and small porcelain bottles. Shier observed her surroundings cautiously.

  "What's your name?" Kael asked casually.

  "Shier," she answered softly.

  "Nice name. Now, about what you said earlier... you'd do anything if I saved you, right?" Kael scratched his head and walked behind the counter.

  Shier bit her lower lip. Here it comes, she thought. Even a man this powerful couldn't escape the baser instincts. But if it meant gaining the power for revenge, her body was a small price to pay.

  Blushing slightly, she whispered, "Yes... please be gentle, Master. I only hope that... you won't discard Shier in the future."

  "What on earth are you talking about?" Kael looked at her, completely baffled. "My shop is short-staffed. You start working as my shop assistant tomorrow."

  He stared at her, thinking: Having such a cute and elegant girl as a clerk—this place is going to look so much better.