In the morning, Iske woke up with a commotion.

There were angry voices—shouting, desperate screaming—and loud bangs that echoed through the entire building, followed by the restless chatter coming from the hall.

'What is it now?' Iske thought, dazed and feeling the lingering fog of sleep clinging to his mind.

Suddenly, a thunderous bang echoed through the hall, like a hammer striking the floor with immense force. The shock jolted Iske fully awake, his mind snapping to clarity.

'A hammer?' Iske thought confused, however that confusion lasted a single second before he realized what was happening.

Iske bolted from the bed, throwing open the door in one swift motion.

The hallway was already filled with a small crowd, their faces twisted in fear and confusion. They stood huddled together outside Felix's apartment, the source of desperate screams and frantic noises echoing from within.

Iske hurriedly pushed past the gathering crowd, his heart pounding as he stepped into the apartment. There he saw the horrifying scene.

Kyle was on the ground, holding onto the unconscious body of Felix, her eyes wide with panic and tears streaming down her face. Theo, the older son of Kyle, stood between his mother and a hefty man brandishing a hammer, his small frame tense with hatred and rage.

As Iske took in the chaotic scene, he didn't need to ask what was happening; it was painfully clear.

Without hesitation, he sprang into action, tapping his earring twice, a surge of mana invaded his body, allowing his inhuman strength.

He closed the distance between himself and the landlord in an instant. With a swift motion, he seized the man by the head and slammed him into the ground with crushing force.

Despite the rashness of his actions, Iske managed to keep his anger in check, carefully controlling his strength to ensure Mark didn't lose consciousness.

The landlord felt the crushing force of the impact as pain exploded from the wound on his head, the warmth of blood trickling down his face. His mind clouded, struggling to form coherent thoughts or words.

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His mouth gaped open, but only broken, slurred fragments of speech left out of it, his body shivering under the weight of Iske's grip.

After a tense moment, Iske exhaled deeply and tapped his earring twice more, dispelling the effects of the Artifact. The process was effortless this time, as the power had only lasted a few seconds. He then released his grip on the landlord's head, letting it fall back into place.

Mark didn't move an inch, swaying in place as dizziness overtook him. His vision blurred, and he teetered on the edge of consciousness, unable to even muster the strength to take a single step away.

Iske moved. As he passed by Theo, he gently placed a hand on the boy's shoulder and asked, “Are you okay?”

Theo nodded, his voice trembling as he spoke, "Felix... that bastard hit him with the hammer."

Theo's eyes gazed toward his brother, who lay unconscious in their mother's arms, and his body shook with a mix of fear and anger. Iske glanced toward them as well as he said:

"It will be okay"

Iske stepped closer, his usual cold demeanor softening slightly as he knelt beside Kyle. She was a mess, tears streaming down her face, her body trembling as she held Felix tightly. Her eyes, wide with fear and grief, met him for a brief moment before dropping back to Felix.

Iske pressed his fingers against Felix's neck, feeling for a pulse. His training in emergency procedures from the lessons taught by his family. It didn't take long before he found the boy's artery, the faint but steady rhythm under his fingertips offering a small measure of relief.

"He's still alive, just unconscious. Get him to the hospital," Iske commanded, his voice cold and steady, loud enough to snap Kyle out of her dazed state. "Fast!"

Kyle blinked, the urgency in his tone cutting through her panic. Without another word, she shifted Felix carefully in her arms, her trembling hands gripping him as she scrambled to her feet.

Iske turned his gaze to the hallway outside the apartment, where the crowd had dispersed, leaving just one man standing alone.

The man had dark hair and plain brown eyes that conveyed a sense of unease. His gray janitor uniform, worn and creased, hung loosely on his frame, paired with practical shoes that seemed to blend into the dull surroundings, concern etched across his features

Iske knew who he was, the janitor of the building, Grit, a cowardly man with a good heart.

Seeing the man standing there, Iske commanded in a deep, cold tone, "Get them to a hospital."

The man blinked in surprise but quickly sprang into action. He rushed over to Kyle, offering his help to carry Felix. Together, they hurried down the hallway, disappearing from view as they headed outside.

However, Iske noticed that Theo didn't follow his mother. He stood frozen in place, his gaze locked onto Mark, who remained on the ground.

"Go help your mother and brother," Iske instructed, assuming Theo was paralyzed by fear and anger.

To his surprise, Theo replied, "The hospital is expensive; we don't have the money." He gestured toward the unconscious man on the ground. "I can take it from him, right?"

Iske's eyes widened slightly at the cold logic behind Theo's words and expression. Without saying a word, Iske nodded in silent approval. He watched as the boy kicked the man to turn him over, then quickly searched through his pockets, pulling out a handful of cash.

Seeing that, Iske asked, "How much did you take?"

"Just what he got from my mother, but he has plenty more," Theo said, pocketing the cash before dashing past his mother.

Iske waited for Theo to leave before he approached Mark on the ground, lifting his head with one hand. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, Mark found enough clarity to rasp out:

"You bastard! You're going to pay! Do you have any idea who my boss is?" Mark spat.

Iske's smile widened. "I do, and I'd love to have a chat with him”

Mark's eyes widened at Iske's words and his devilish grin, realizing just how much trouble he was in. With a firm grip, Iske yanked Mark by his hair, dragging him toward the door.

“Let's pay that boss of yours a visit.”