My Cheat Skill Lets Me Copy Powers....But only if i kill-Chapter 22: Death Of a Coward

Chapter 21 – Death Of a Coward

Renji stirred slowly, the morning light spilling through the window casting warm rays over his face. As his eyes blinked open, he felt... heavy. Not just physically, but as though something was pinning him in place.

He shifted slightly—only to realize he couldn't move.

His gaze dropped, and he sighed.

Elara and Lena were curled up beside him, one against his chest, the other with an arm draped over his waist. But it was Kiera, half sprawled across his upper body, arms wrapped tightly around his neck like a vice, her face buried against his collarbone, who was the real problem.

"...Great," he muttered, voice raspy from sleep.

He tried to gently move Kiera's arm. She grunted in her sleep and, with surprising strength, tightened her grip around his neck.

"I can't... breathe..." Renji wheezed, struggling for air.

In his panic, he tried to shake her gently awake, but Kiera only responded by squeezing harder, muttering something about "never letting go" in her sleep.

Renji's eye twitched. "She's fighting me in her sleep... Is she dreaming of a bear hug battle?"

After a few awkward minutes of struggling and mild suffocation, Kiera finally stirred, blinking groggily before realizing the position they were in. She quickly let go, flushed red, and mumbled something unintelligible before escaping the bed, avoiding eye contact.

Renji coughed and sat up, massaging his neck.

What a way to start the morning.

The inn's dining hall was warm and cozy, the scent of fresh bread and stew filling the air. The four of them sat around a wooden table, bowls of food in front of them, though Renji was still dazed, staring blankly at his untouched plate.

Kiera nudged him with her elbow. "You alive over there? You've been out of it since we woke up."

Renji glanced at her, still rubbing his neck. "Barely."

Elara and Lena giggled, clearly aware of what had happened.

Kiera smirked. "Serves you right for looking so comfortable."

He gave her a flat stare, but before he could respond, she asked, "So, how did your quest go yesterday? I'm guessing from the blood on your cloak it wasn't boring."

Renji leaned back, picking up his spoon. "Found the Dire Fang Boar, fought it solo. Took a few hits, but I won. absorbed its soul, converted it to mana. I ranked up."

Lena clapped lightly. "You ranked up? That's amazing!"

"Congrats!" Elara added with a bright smile.

Renji nodded. "I'm D-rank now."

Kiera raised an eyebrow. "Anything unusual happen out there?"

He hesitated, remembering the encounter.

"A demon tried to recruit me," he said quietly.

That got their attention.

Kiera frowned. "What kind of demon?"

"Red eyes. Hooded. Said the Demon Army is watching me. She disappeared after I refused."

They exchanged uneasy glances.

Renji sighed. "I'm not letting it distract me. For now, I need new gear."

Elara nodded. "Makes sense. Your clothes barely fit anymore."

Lena smiled. "We'll help!"

The market district was lively, full of vendors shouting prices, people bartering, and the clang of hammers from the smithy echoing through the streets. Renji walked alongside the three women, feeling slightly self-conscious as they examined him critically.

Elara pointed. "You need something sleek. Dark colors suit you."

Lena nodded. "Maybe with silver trim to match your eyes."

Kiera smirked. "Just make sure it doesn't slow you down."

They visited several tailors, testing fits and fabrics. Renji ended up with a new set of tailored black trousers and a fitted long coat reinforced with leather padding — light armor, easy to move in. A fresh pair of gloves and a dark tunic completed the look.

At the blacksmith's, Renji selected a custom-forged blade — silver-lined, perfectly balanced. The cost wasn't light, but it felt right in his hands.

As they finished shopping, Renji's ears caught something.

"...Gregor's still hiding near the old warehouses. Hasn't shown his face in days."

"He's lying low. After what happened, he's afraid of even stepping outside."

Renji's eyes narrowed.

Back at the inn, Renji placed his bags down and turned to the others.

"There's something I need to do. Alone."

Kiera frowned. "What is it?"

"Personal." His voice was low. "I'll meet you here later."

They hesitated, but nodded.

Renji moved quietly through the shadowed alleys near the old warehouse district, eyes scanning the ground. Faint footprints led him behind a collapsed building. He followed, cautious.

Then he stopped, hearing voices.

Peering around the corner, he saw them.

Gregor—filthy, beaten—was kneeling before the demon girl.

"You failed your mission," she said coldly. "Now you beg for forgiveness?"

Gregor's voice shook. "It's not my fault! He's a monster... What could I do?!"

Renji's blood ran cold.

The demon girl's eyes gleamed crimson. "Unforgivable."

Without hesitation, she plunged her sword through Gregor's chest.

He gasped, eyes wide — then she stabbed him again. And again. Blood sprayed across the stone as Gregor collapsed, twitching, gasping his last breath.

Flashback

The back alleys of Valkris were cold and quiet under the cover of night, lit only by the occasional flicker of a dying lantern. Gregor stood at the meeting spot — a crumbling ruin on the edge of the slums — his breath coming in short bursts, fists clenched at his sides.

He was angry.

Angry at the way people talked.

Angry at the newcomer.

Some no-name adventurer — a nobody — who had barely arrived in town, already stealing attention. People whispering about his quick rise, his strength, how "promising" he was.

Gregor ground his teeth. "Promising"? That should've been him.

Footsteps echoed, slow and deliberate.

From the darkness emerged a cloaked figure, her presence immediately unsettling. A chill swept through the air, unnatural. Her hood obscured her features, but two glowing red eyes pierced the night, locking onto him.

"You're Gregor," she said, voice low and smooth.

Gregor stiffened but nodded. "Yeah. You're the contact?"

Silence. Then a faint, amused smile tugged at her lips.

"You're the one with a problem," she continued. "Someone new... catching the guild's attention."

Gregor's jaw tightened. "He's just a fresh adventurer. Thinks he's special because he's ranked up quickly and has girls by his side."

Her gaze never left him. "And that bothers you."

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"Of course it does!" Gregor snapped. "I've been here for years. Earned my place. Now he shows up and suddenly I'm nothing? I won't let that happen."

The demon girl took a step closer, her voice silk-wrapped steel. "I can help you.

"But in exchange you will help me with something down the line,"

Gregory nods "I understand"

"he's ill"

"Too weak to move," she said. "He's surrounded by companions, but they can't watch him forever. There will be a moment."

Gregor's lips curled into a grin. "That's all I need. One moment."

The demon girl stepped even closer, her presence chilling. "Fail, and I'll finish the job myself. And you."

He stared into her crimson eyes, defiance bubbling under the surface — but also fear.

Gregor extended his hand.

"I won't fail."

She took it, her grip cold as ice.

"See that you don't."

Present

Renji clenched his fists, standing frozen. He'd come to end Gregor — for Elara, for Lena — but she had taken that from him.

His chance.

His justice.

And now... his anger simmered like a fire ready to explode.