The Power of Matter Encoding, Kilman's Resolve

Not long after Kilman returned to the orphanage, two heroes from the Human Alliance came back with a terrified corporate lackey.

They announced that they would pay off the debt. The corporate lackey slunk away with the silent woman like a dog with its tail between its legs.

The younger children burst into cheers. Their parents embraced and wept with joy.

When the two Human Alliance heroes offered to donate thirty Void Abyss Coins, everyone dropped to their knees, crying as they thanked them for their help.

Winter and 108 gained another twenty reputation points.

108 sighed. "Just as I thought. Nothing builds reputation faster than handing out money."

Kilman stood among the crowd looking grateful too, but he knew the truth behind it all.

Mature beyond his years, he could tell right from wrong and good from evil.

He knew the Human Alliance heroes were good people, not actors playing along with the company.

Word had already spread that they had killed Rag and Scissors, and even Mad Dog.

But he could not say whether that corporate lackey was a bad person.

Perhaps he was a good person who had been forced down a bad path.

At that thought, the boy took a deep breath and made a decision.

He always repaid grudges and kindness alike.

He wanted to find that man and clear up the doubts in his heart.

"Kilman, what's wrong?" Molly, his sixteen-year-old sister whose entire left cheek was burned, noticed the pensive look in his eyes.

She was still weak and running a high fever from an infection, but she had noticed something was wrong with her brother.

Kilman smiled. "Nothing. I'm growing up too. What happened today made me realize something."

"I'm old enough to earn money now!"

"I'm going out to make money and become someone! I'll make sure Mom, Dad, and all my brothers and sisters can live happy lives!"

Molly smiled happily. "That's wonderful! You can do it, Kilman!"

After the Human Alliance heroes left, the whole orphanage took on a festive air.

The Karlbanyans held each other. Not only were they free of debt, they had received a donation of thirty Void Abyss Coins!

With those thirty Void Abyss Coins, they could get treatment for the burns on Molly's face.

They would no longer have to watch helplessly as a child's infected wounds killed her because they could not afford medicine.

The children held hands around their parents, then crowded in to embrace them, full of joy.

Just then, Kilman saw the silent woman from before return.

She beckoned to him.

Kilman hid his "knife" behind his back, walked over, and asked, "What is it?"

The woman said, "The injury on your sister's face will get much worse if it isn't treated soon."

"I know," Kilman said quietly.

"I know a doctor. I brought him here. He can heal your sister's face. Would you like to try?"

Kilman started. "Really?"

After a pause, he asked warily, "Do we have to go somewhere? How much will it cost?"

Nothing in this world came free.

The woman smiled. "We can do it right here. For free."

Kilman sneered. "Don't lie to me. Who'd be that kind?"

"He's Gifted," the woman said. "The god he follows requires him to help others."

"You can all watch the whole time. If anything feels wrong, you can stop him immediately."

Kilman thought for a moment. "Wait here."

Then he hurried back to discuss it with his family.

Soon he ran back. "All right, but we won't leave Molly alone with him."

The woman nodded and waved to someone in the distance.

Kilman saw a black-haired young man approach, dressed all in black and wearing a crude mask.

The mask covered the lower half of his face.

But Kilman recognized the scar near his eyebrow at a glance.

His heart jolted, but he said nothing and watched in silence.

The Karlbanyans and the other children knew nothing of this. When the man arrived, they thanked him first.

Then, under everyone's gaze, the man stepped up to Molly and placed his palm on her burned skin.

"Don't be afraid. It might itch a little."

His voice was deep but gentle.

Molly nodded obediently and closed her eyes.

Then, as everyone watched, an invisible force took hold.

The burned, pus-filled skin on Molly's face rapidly re-formed, becoming completely healthy.

There was no scar at all. It looked no different from the rest of her skin!

The Karlbanyans, Kilman, and the children gasped in astonishment.

Even Sefni was stunned.

This had not been part of the plan Su Yi had told her about. She had no idea he possessed such an ability.

Su Yi had decided to disguise himself and come back after seeing the girl's face.

Sefni had thought he would treat her with some broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory medication.

She had never expected him to wield such an extraordinary power!

To heal so easily, it had to be at least an A-Rank Skill granted to a follower of the Loving Father of Light or the Goddess of White Frost.

If he can do this, then Dora and Annie could also...

Dora was twenty-eight. Three years ago, a thug who had been pursuing her had disfigured her with concentrated acid.

With no money or means of healing herself, she had lived in shame ever since.

Annie had been bullied at school for being cute when she was in middle school.

The school bully had carved four deep scars into her face with a knife, nearly blinding her.

Despite possessing extraordinary powers, neither of them had dared use them.

The Ecstasy Witch's abilities were too conspicuous, and they lacked the strength to deal with the aftermath.

If they died, the Spiritual Cultivation Faction's legacy would end with them.

For years, they had been forced to swallow their anger and endure it.

"Gheros..." Sefni's heart surged with excitement.

While Sefni was lost in thought, a chorus of startled cries reached her.

She looked up. Amid the children's cheers, the festering burn on Molly's face had healed completely!

The Karlbanyans held Molly and gazed at her face, crying with joy as they bowed repeatedly in thanks.

Kilman was utterly stunned. He stared at the masked Su Yi.

Su Yi looked so tall and imposing, with sunlight streaming from behind his head.

Even the sun seemed to serve as his backdrop.

In that moment, Kilman saw his opportunity!

He would follow this man. Partly to repay his kindness, but also because he believed that following someone like him would help Kilman stay true to his original purpose!

Su Yi said nothing more after finishing the treatment and left alone.

Sefni took an entirely different route.

Seeing this, Kilman immediately said, "Mom, Dad, I'm going to thank him in person!"

With that, he dashed off.

In an alley.

Reunited, Su Yi and Sefni took off the clothes they had found for their disguises and put on their exoskeletons.

Sefni asked curiously, "Was doing all that really worth it?"

Until now, she had never imagined Su Yi had such a gentle side.

Su Yi smiled. "Who knows? No one can predict the future."

"But it's better to leave behind goodwill than bad blood, isn't it?"

Seeing how relaxed Su Yi was, Sefni nodded in agreement. "Where to next?"

"Eleven more to go," Su Yi said. "Winter and 108 have already gone on ahead."