Night had fallen.

  The moon cast a dim, ghostly glow over the filthy streets, barely illuminating the damp cobblestones. A cold wind howled through the alleys, sending a shiver down his spine.

  But that was nothing compared to the pain.

  Every breath felt heavier. Every step was a struggle. The curse was eating away at him.

  His muscles ached, his chest burned, and his vision swam. He staggered forward, forcing himself to move.

  But where?

  Where was he supposed to go?

  He had no money, no food, and his body was getting weaker by the hour.

  Then, a memory surfaced.

  A hospital. That was what he needed. A doctor, a healer—anything that could slow down whatever was happening to him.

  But he had no idea where to find one.

  And even if he did…

  Would they help him?

  ---

  His stomach growled, a painful reminder that he hadn’t eaten since arriving in this world. He rummaged through his bag, hoping for something—anything.

  His fingers closed around a wrapped sandwich.

  His breath hitched.

  It was from his old world.

  For a moment, he just stared at it.

  Then, his fingers brushed against something else.

  A phone charger. A spare shirt. A water bottle. His wallet.

  A choked ugh escaped him.

  "This… is my isekai survival kit, huh?"

  A bitter joke.

  But before he could dwell on it further, a figure caught his eye.

  ---

  A well-dressed adventurer walked past.

  The man’s cloak was lined with silver embroidery, his boots barely scuffed, and a sheathed sword rested at his side.

  He was alone.

  And he looked wealthy.

  The hero's mind raced.

  His own clothes stood out too much. If he kept walking around like this, he'd either get robbed, ensved, or worse.

  But what if…?

  His hand gripped something in his bag.

  A charging cable.

  A pn formed in his mind.

  Slowly, he followed the adventurer into the shadows.

  ---

  The man muttered to himself, fixing his hair in a broken mirror.

  "That damn woman… I wasted days trying to impress her, and for what?"

  He was distracted.

  This was his chance.

  The hero moved.

  ---

  With a swift motion, he wrapped the charging cable around the man’s throat.

  The adventurer gasped, thrashing wildly.

  His hands cwed at the cord, kicking his legs, trying to throw the hero off.

  But the hero held on, gritting his teeth.

  (Please… don’t break… Please… don’t break…!)

  The adventurer’s movements weakened.

  His struggles slowed.

  And then…

  He stopped.

  ---

  Silence.

  The hero slowly loosened his grip.

  The adventurer did not move.

  His heart pounded.

  He lifted his hands, staring at them.

  "I… just killed someone."

  ---

  For a long time, he just sat there, motionless.

  A distant bell rang, breaking him out of his trance.

  No. No time for this.

  He moved quickly, stripping the body of its armor, its clothes, its money.

  His heart was pounding, his hands shaking.

  He shoved his own clothes into his bag, put on the adventurer’s gear, and slung the stolen sword over his back.

  Then, with one st gnce at the body, he dragged it further into the alleyway.

  Away from sight.

  Away from the evidence.

  ---

  His breathing was ragged.

  His stomach churned.

  But he was alive.

  "Survival first."

  "Everything else comes ter."

  And with that, he disappeared into the night.