***

Tristan, Sheyla, and Eclipse moved northeast through the Sylvaria Forest, following the trail left by Darian's captors. After a while, the tracks abruptly ended, with no signs of life nearby.

"This feels familiar," Tristan thought to himself. "There's likely a barrier here." He closed his eyes briefly, focusing his mana into his vision, and scanned the surroundings. A notification window appeared before him:

(Field Barrier Spell: This spell conceals a specific area, making it appear like its surroundings. Additional Info: No trap spells or warning spells detected within this barrier. You can manipulate this barrier.)

"Hmm," Tristan murmured, "So I can manipulate barriers if I've mastered the craft myself? This will come in handy." With a faint smile, he placed his hand against the invisible barrier, channeling mana into his palm.

"I'll adjust this barrier so no one can leave without my permission." His eyes gleamed with determination as he altered the spell. A second notification flashed before him:

(Advanced Field Barrier Spell: This spell conceals a specific area, making it appear like its surroundings. No entry or exit is possible without the barrier creator's approval. Additional Info: No trap spells are detected, but a warning spell is now in place to notify the creator of any intrusion or tampering.)

"Perfect," Tristan said, satisfied. "Now, let's see what's inside."

Tristan moved cautiously into the barrier, signaling Sheyla and Eclipse to stay behind. "Wait here," he whispered. Both nodded in silent agreement.

With his sword drawn, Tristan approached the cave's entrance. His instincts told him this was where Darian was being held. Kneeling, he placed his hand on the ground, channeling his mana to sense the surroundings. A faint energy pulse spread outward, mapping the cave's structure and revealing its inhabitants.

"I can sense two humans and ten monsters, likely ogres and orcs. Five of them are stationed at the entrance to a chamber, and the other five are surrounding the two humans." Tristan's eyes narrowed as he strategized. "I'll take out the guards first."

Focusing his mana into his legs, Tristan suppressed the sound of his footsteps, moving silently through the cave's shadows. As he neared the five monsters guarding the entrance, their hulking figures became visible in the dim light. Without hesitation, Tristan conjured five wind arrows, their sharp edges gleaming faintly with mana.

"Targets locked," he murmured, steadying his breathing. "Let's hope this finishes them in one strike."

With a swift motion, the wind arrows streaked through the air, piercing each monster's skull with deadly precision. A faint thud followed as the creatures collapsed lifelessly to the ground.

"Five down," Tristan muttered, stepping over the bodies as he approached the guarded chamber. His heart raced, not from fear, but from the anticipation of what he might find inside.

Pushing open the heavy door, he stepped into the room, and froze. His breath caught as his eyes widened in shock at the sight before him.

Tristan's vision blurred as tears welled up, streaming down his face as he took in the gruesome scene before him. The lifeless body of a child, dismembered and mutilated, lay crumpled on the blood-soaked floor. Nearby, a woman's broken form lay still, her body marred by unimaginable cruelty. Alya. Dheryl. The faces of his first friends, of the family who once welcomed him with open arms, were now frozen in lifeless agony.

Tristan fell to his knees, his heart wrenching with despair. But as the sorrow consumed him, it ignited something deeper, a smoldering fury that surged through every vein in his body.

From outside the room, Sheyla watched, confused and worried, as Tristan remained unmoving. Unable to bear the suspense, she stepped closer to the doorway. The moment she saw his trembling shoulders, she hesitated. Something was wrong.

Tristan clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms until they bled. The warmth of his memories with Alya and Dheryl turned into fuel for his rage. The cavern quaked as he released a surge of mana, the mana force that out from his body shattering the walls and sending tremors through the entire cave.

"ARRRGHHH!" His guttural roar echoed like a wrathful storm, silencing everything else.

Standing, Tristan turned sharply and strode out of the room, his eyes burning with determination and fury. He didn't need words to express what he felt. His entire being emanated a single purpose: vengeance.

"Tristan! What happened? What's going on?" Sheyla called after him as he passed her, her voice trembling with concern.

He didn't respond. His face, a mask of grief and unrelenting anger, told her everything she needed to know. As Sheyla turned her gaze to the doorway he had just exited, a sinking dread filled her chest. Hesitant yet compelled, she stepped inside.

The sight before her drained the strength from her legs. She collapsed to the ground, her knees hitting the stone floor with a hollow thud. Her breath hitched, and her hands trembled uncontrollably as she tried to process the horror. Then, her stomach twisted violently. Unable to hold it in, she vomited, her entire body convulsing with shock and revulsion.

Tears streaked Sheyla's pale face as she gripped the edge of the doorway for support. "How… could anyone… do this?" she whispered between sobs.

***

Baren, who was in the room at the end of the corridor, paused his actions and ordered the monsters to investigate the tremor he had just felt. "Hey, you stupid monsters, quickly check what caused that tremor!" Baren commanded the creatures.

The five monsters moved toward the exit but suddenly 'crack!' the door splintered into countless fragments, shattered into fine pieces. A figure entered the room, and the monsters trembled as an overwhelming wave of mana and bloodlust poured out from the boy standing there.

The five creatures instinctively backed away. Baren, who had been leisurely pulling out Darian's nails, turned his head and exclaimed, "What are you all waiting for...?" His words faltered when he saw Tristan standing at the doorway, staring directly at Darian.

"Tristan...? What are you doing here?" Baren asked, his voice mixed with confusion and dread.

"So, you're the one who did all this?" Tristan's voice was quiet, but the sheer weight of his emotions silenced the room.

Baren stepped back instinctively, his usual arrogance wavering. "Wait, why... why am I scared of this kid?" he thought.

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"Hey, you idiots! What are you waiting for? Kill him!" Baren ordered the monsters, his voice sharp with panic.

Hearing Baren's voice, Darian opened his eyes weakly. He noticed Tristan standing before him, and tears welled up in his eyes. "Tristan… Dheryl… and Alya…" Darian's voice cracked as he sobbed like a child seeking comfort from his father. "Tristan…"

"I know, Uncle," Tristan replied, his voice steady but filled with unrelenting grief. "I'll make that bastard pay a thousandfold for the pain Dheryl and Alya endured."

Tristan stepped closer, his expression softening momentarily as he turned his gaze to Darian. "You can rest now uncle."

Darian nodded faintly, his strength giving out as he fell unconscious.

Tristan then faced Baren, his eyes colder than death itself. He raised his sword, pointing it at Baren with steady resolve. "I won't let you die easily."

"Kill that boy!" Baren screamed, his composure shattered.

The five monsters charged at Tristan, but he swiftly conjured a blade of wind and sent it slicing through them with ease. The creatures fell, split cleanly by his attack.

Witnessing Tristan's overwhelming strength, Baren stumbled backward, his face pale with fear. "Stay back!" he yelled, frantically channeling dark magic into his hands. He launched the spell toward Tristan, but with a single, effortless swing of his mana-infused sword, Tristan deflected it as if it were nothing.

"How... how are you this strong? You're just a child!" Baren stammered, his voice trembling.

"You talk too much. Sleep now," Tristan said coldly, striking Baren's head with the pommel of his sword. Baren collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

At that moment, Sheyla entered the room, her eyes widening at the sight of Tristan standing amidst the carnage of slain monsters. Tristan turned to her, his expression grave. "Can you use healing magic?" he asked.

"I... I can, but only basic-level spells I learned at the academy," Sheyla replied hesitantly.

"Do your best to heal Uncle Darian," Tristan instructed.

"Understood. Where are you going?" Sheyla asked, concerned.

"There's something I need to deal with," Tristan said, his voice colder now as he glanced at Baren. Without another word, he grabbed Baren by the ankle and began dragging him out of the room.

As Tristan passed by, Eclipse let out a sorrowful sound, 'Kyuu,' its usual cheerfulness replaced by concern.

"It's alright, Ecy. Stay here and look after Sheyla for a while," Tristan said softly, forcing a smile that did little to hide the storm of grief and anger churning inside him. Eclipse remained silent, watching its companion, sensing the weight of the pain Tristan carried in his heart.

Tristan dragged Baren's body into the first room, carefully positioning him between the lifeless forms of Dheryl and Alya. He stepped back for a moment, his gaze unwavering as he surveyed the scene, then picked up a flask of water and poured it over Baren's face.

"Ugh... uaaahh!" Baren gasped awake, his eyes darting around in confusion. Turning his gaze to Tristan, Baren's face contorted with panic. "Tristan, wait... why are you doing this? We can talk about this—"

His plea was cut short by a sickening crack as Tristan shattered his ankle.

"You talk too much," Tristan said, his voice devoid of emotion. His icy stare bore into Baren as he added, "You enjoy tormenting others, don't you? Then surely you must love being tormented yourself."

Without hesitation, Tristan grabbed Baren's other leg and snapped the second ankle.

"AAARGHH!" Baren's scream echoed through the room.

"You're too noisy," Tristan muttered, clamping a hand over Baren's mouth. A faint glow emanated from Tristan's palm as he infused mana to silence him completely.

"Is this how the demon silenced Sheryl back then?" Tristan mused aloud, his voice cold and detached. He then struck Baren across the face with his fist, the impact sending Baren's head snapping to the side. Muffled groans of pain escaped Baren's sealed lips.

"Much better," Tristan said flatly, stepping back to observe his handiwork. "Alright, let's start with the pain Dheryl endured."

Tristan's gaze darkened further as he loomed over Baren. The raw intensity of his presence was enough to send Baren into unconsciousness from sheer terror.

Tristan frowned. He grabbed another flask, pouring another splash of cold water onto Baren's face.

"Who said you could pass out?" Tristan growled, his tone laced with menace. "We're not done yet. There's still so much for us to 'discuss.'"

"Oh, before we begin, I'll give you a small chance," Tristan said, his voice as cold as steel. "I'm going to ask you some questions, and you'd better answer. Who knows, your answers might just lighten your punishment. Alright, let's start by removing the spell on your mouth."

With a snap of his fingers, the mana seal vanished.

Baren immediately began laughing maniacally, his voice echoing through the room. "Hahaha! You won't get anything from me—"

"Is that so?" Tristan's tone didn't waver, though his eyes darkened. "If that's how you want to play, fine."

Without hesitation, Tristan placed the spell back over Baren's mouth, silencing him once more. Then, he methodically shattered Baren's legs, starting with his ankles and moving up to his knees. Each crack was met with muffled screams as Baren writhed in agony.

When Tristan moved to break Baren's arm, the man thrashed wildly, tears streaming down his face as he tried to scream past the mana binding his mouth.

"Hmm?" Tristan tilted his head. "Do you want to say something?"

Baren nodded frantically, his body trembling in pain and fear.

Tristan grabbed one of Baren's fingers and snapped it, then released the mana seal over his mouth.

"I'll tell you everything! Please! I'll answer all your questions!" Baren cried out, desperation dripping from every word.

Tristan stared at him for a moment, then said coldly, "I don't feel like listening anymore." He moved to cast the silencing spell again.

"No, no, wait! Please, give me another chance!" Baren begged, panic overwhelming him.

Tristan stopped, his piercing gaze cutting through Baren's soul. "Where is Cheryl?" he demanded.

"Sh-she's with Elza, the black mage" Baren stammered, his voice shaking.

Tristan wasn't satisfied with Baren's answers. He reached his hand toward Baren's mouth again, and Baren, panicking, blurted out, "Brighthold! Their base is in Brighthold!"

"What is the name of their organization?" Tristan asked coldly.

"I... I don't know. All I know is that they worship the Demon God," Baren stammered.

"Why did they take Cheryl?" Tristan demanded.

"Because Cheryl is a hero! She has the Hero occupation! At first, they planned to kill her, but then they changed their minds. I don't know why!" Baren confessed, his voice trembling with fear.

Tristan's icy gaze bore into Baren as he prepared to silence him again. But before he could act, a weak voice called out to him.

"Tristan..."

Turning, Tristan saw Darian, conscious but frail, being supported by Sheyla.

"Uncle? You're awake?" Tristan asked, surprise flickering in his otherwise emotionless face. "I'm sorry, Uncle. I came too late."

"No, Tristan. This happened because I was too weak. I couldn't even protect my own family," Darian replied, his voice filled with regret and self-loathing.

Tristan fell silent for a moment, then said firmly, "I'm leaving this trash to you, Uncle. You have the right to decide his fate. I've already sealed his mana flow, so he won't be able to fight back."

Darian looked at Tristan, tears streaming down his face. "Thank you, Tristan," he said, his voice quivering.

But as Darian turned his gaze to Baren, his expression shifted. The sorrow in his eyes was replaced with burning rage, the kind of fury born from unquenchable grief and an insatiable thirst for vengeance.

Tristan exited the room, he walked through the dimly lit corridors of the cave until he reached its entrance. Once there, he lowered himself to the ground, sitting at the mouth of the cave and looking at the sky.