Ignoring his own unhinged mind, he made his way to Floor One.

The moment he stepped in, he saw the divide. One set of people on the right and the other on the left.

As expected, he thought to himself.

He hadn’t even considered most of these people in his announcement. He knew many of them were comfortable now. They didn’t need to run outside. They had food and shelter. They didn’t have any worries.

He didn’t need people like these.

Of course, a few mundane workers aren’t a problem, but he needs those who are willing to put down their brooms and fight when Nightfall needs them.

He walked into the room, and all conversation stopped. People stood ramrod stiff as he entered. Some of the ordinary people in the room even had sweat beading on their foreheads.

Kain’s eyes scanned them, every one of them. He watched them tremble.

’Am I that scary?’

He didn’t realize he was exuding a murderous aura. He definitely didn’t know that one eye was red while the other was violet. The aura spread out and felt suffocating.

Even the Awakeners felt it. The reason they appeared immune was that Kain was only at level 4. Had he not been, when he walked into the room, people would be prostrating at his feet.

Amelia noticed. She knew it was because of Kain. She already understood that whatever they felt, it wasn’t directed at her and the children. She also understood that Kain didn’t know he was doing it.

He walked to the center of the room, ordered someone to bring a chair for the children and Amelia to sit.

’He doesn’t even notice how much more commanding he is. It’s like second nature to him.’

One word, that’s all it took for someone to scramble. That had never happened before.

"I’ll stand with you," Amelia said.

He nodded.

"You are willing to fight?" He turned to those on his left.

A collective ’yes’ rang out.

"Then why are you here?" He turned to those on his right. "If you are not willing, you do not need to be here. Go elsewhere."

One brave soul stepped forward, trembling, "Kain...Mr Nightfall," his voice broke, and he cleared his throat. "We were wondering...couldn’t we just stay inside? Since we don’t know if it’s coming this way. Wouldn’t it be better if we all stayed inside? We have food. We don’t need to put ourselves in harm’s way."

"Who has food? What food do you have?" Kain asked.

"The rations," the man said shakily.

"Oh." He turned to Jake on his left, "Jake, cut off all rations. Everyone fends for themselves."

The man who had spoken almost collapsed.

"Now you have no food. Do you still want to stay inside?"

Those on the right showed faces of absolute horror. They hadn’t expected their food supply to be cut off.

Inside his mind, Kain was having his own battle.

’Did you need to be so harsh? They’re trying to live.’

’We didn’t live, why should they? You have seen the world’s changes. Why do you persist in being so...kind.’

’It’s my nature.’

’No, it isn’t. We both know our nature has never been kind. We have seen the world fall. Both dead and alive, we have never seen kind people live long.’

’Tell that to New Hope.’

’They are...strange.’

Kain couldn’t argue with that one. The ones from New Hope really are weird. They are basically humanity’s saviours. They can never seem to go wrong.

While Kain was battling with himself in his mind, Kain’s outward appearance betrayed nothing.

"Why? Why would you do that?" a woman shouted. "We’ve followed everything you said, we cleaned, we cooked, we’ve taken care of everything in this place. Why do you want to cut our rations because we won’t fight? What about the children? Do they deserve to starve?"

Her voice was shrill.

Kain glanced at her from the corner of his eye and asked, "How is that my concern? Had I not let you in, you wouldn’t need to worry about food. You would have long been dead."

The words seem to have incensed her. "If we didn’t come, how would you have people to fight? You aren’t doing any great favours."

Kain nodded. He walked towards the woman. His hand closed around her throat as he lifted her and walked into the hall.

Her legs kicked as she struggled for him to release her.

Everyone followed behind, wondering what he was going to do. When they saw him walking towards the security gate and opening it, they couldn’t help but gasp.

The water from outside didn’t flow in at all. They had almost forgotten they were underwater. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

There were complicated looks directed at Kain.

"Who wants to save her?" he asked flatly.

’You don’t have to kill her.’

’I don’t. But I want to. So do you. Don’t forget, we are the same person.’

’I’m not you.’

’Yes, you are, you just don’t want to admit it.

Remember, establishing authority doesn’t have to be nice. You need to set boundaries, allow your actions to speak, and lead by example. You have been patient, and patience is fine. But the kind of people you get from patience aren’t the people we want or need.

I can’t understand why you won’t admit who you are.’

’Who I am? A crazy person? Willing to kill at the drop of a hat? I don’t want to be that person.’

’If you aren’t that person, your family will die. They’ll die just like in our former life.’

The conversation that took place in his mind only lasted for a few seconds. No one watching knew what happened in Kain’s mind.

But after that conversation ended. Kain blinked, and both eyes became violet. The murderous aura diminished. His hand dipped, allowing the woman to stand on her own two feet.

He didn’t release her neck. He clicked his tongue as he stared at the crowd.

Kain met Amelia’s eyes. He wasn’t sure what he expected to see. But the silent encouragement made his heart patter.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, he heard a voice.

’Damn, our woman is sexy. See, even she wants you to throw her in the water. Establish your authority.’

’My woman,’ Kain countered.

’We’re the same person, dumbass.’

Kain didn’t continue paying attention to him. He knew what he said wasn’t wrong. He might have been romanticising the past, and he needs to stop.

But that’s still a gradual change.

Still, "No one wants to save her?" he asked. He was calm. Though not as cold as the voice, it didn’t mean he was a saint. "Fine."

He plunged the woman into the water. He watched her struggle. Felt her hands clawing at his fingers.

He placed a hand on his own chest. His heartbeat was steady.

He didn’t let go until she stopped moving.

"The Eight who stood on my left, step forward."

Different from when he first appeared, his aura has diminished significantly. His voice no longer carried that cold edge, but it was still indifferent.

The eight stepped forward boldly. Marcus was among the eight.

"Are you still willing to fight?"

There was no hesitation. They all gave a resounding yes.