Chapter 4

A few days later, I was grinding monsters nonstop in the Public Exploration Zone. With the experience I had accumulated from my previous life and my enchanted cleaver in hand, I cleared everything by myself.

In the end, I slaughtered more than a dozen low-level creatures alone, earning a massive amount of points and valuable loot.

When I returned to the Safe Zone plaza carrying a bag full of spoils, I happened to see Julian surrounded by a crowd. He had apparently hit the jackpot today.

Inside an old, abandoned chest in the Public Exploration Zone, he had found a High-Tier Healing Scroll, a rare item capable of restoring severed limbs.

The surrounding players were drooling with envy, but I knew better—Julian could never keep something like that.

Just as I expected, a powerful female player walked over.

She had a face covered in scars, a massive greatsword strapped to her back, and a reputation as one of the Safe Zone's most notorious veteran bullies. Everyone called her Scarface.

"Well, well. Aren't you lucky, handsome?"

Scarface's gaze shamelessly swept over Julian's handsome face. "You can't protect something like this with your current strength. Why don't you give it to me instead? In return, you'll have my protection in future instances."

I stood outside the crowd, watching quietly.

In my previous life, Julian had also obtained this scroll. To win over Scarface, a powerful veteran player, he had voluntarily given it to her.

He even dressed it up as some noble gesture, saying, "A treasured blade belongs in the hands of a true heroine."

After returning to the Safe House, however, he sighed in front of Mom and Dad and claimed that Scarface had forcibly taken the scroll from him.

With Millie's severed arm still weighing on their minds, they pressured me to get it back.

I fought Scarface with my life on the line. I was nearly cleaved in half by her greatsword before I finally managed to reclaim the scroll.

In the end, Julian gave the scroll right back to her. He blamed me for being too violent and said I didn't know how to respect powerful women.

This time, I wanted to see how he would perform.

Facing Scarface's intimidation, Julian didn't even flinch. Instead, he wore a calm, charming smile.

"You've got quite a sense of humor, Scarface. This scroll would only go to waste in the hands of someone like me, who can't even fight. Since you want it, I'll gladly give it to you."

As he spoke, he gracefully handed the scroll over to her. His slender fingers deliberately brushed across the rough back of her hand. The look in his eyes practically screamed flirtation.

Scarface burst into laughter and gave him a heavy pat on the shoulder. "Now that's a smart kid! From now on, if anyone gives you trouble in the Safe Zone, just say my name!"

Julian proudly glanced around at the jealous male players around them. That smug expression of his, seemingly acting as if he could live off his looks, was absolutely nauseating.

I scoffed and quietly browsed the Shop. I spent ten points to purchase the surveillance recording of the Public Exploration Zone from earlier, then turned around and headed toward the Safe House, where my family was.

With one kick, I sent the broken door flying open. Inside, Mom and Dad were gathered around Millie, sighing helplessly.

The moment Mom saw me, her expression turned harsh. "You've got quite the nerve to show up here. How could you turn a blind eye when your sister lost an arm? You're nothing but an ungrateful bastard!"

I ignored her and grabbed a chair to sit down. A few minutes later, Julian walked in with a grim expression. "Uncle Sam, Aunt Elaine!"

To start his performance, he let out a heavy sigh with a look of immense guilt.

"I found a High-Tier Healing Scroll out there just now. I was going to bring it back to heal Millie's arm, but… A female bully called Scarface stole it!"

The moment Millie heard there was hope of saving her arm, her eyes lit up. "What? It could heal my arm?"

Dad shot to his feet, furious. "Is there zero sense of civility around here?"

He turned to me and immediately barked his orders, "What are you sitting there for? We can finally do something about Millie's arm! Grab your blade and get that scroll back. Now!"

Mom chimed in. "Exactly. Aren't you so good at fighting? Now is your chance to be useful. Hurry up!"