Author: Thank you for reading.

Also Tammy and Beth aren’t harem member’s. The only legit ones so far are Puerial and Shiro. Unlike other stories, not every female that appears is a potential harem member or are they not subject to the possibility later. Trust me you will know a member when they appear.

And not all females are victims in this story there will be some that needs to die, the reverse is also for men as well.

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The sun has already risen but the faint breaths of my party members are still calm under the darkness of this tunnel. As they slumber I continue to heal them. Beth and Tammy have all but recovered, but the scars across their bodies remind me that they are far from okay. I could very easily remove them with [Magic Hands]. However I refuse to touch them without permission.

A trauma can be tricky to understand. Some things can follow a person for a long time. Others things can make a person become twisted. The possibility of a sharp change in behavior is a possibility I won't ignore. Proper observation is needed before I can say they are fine. Even if I approach with good intentions, there is no guarantee that they will trust me as well.

Shiro finally showed signs of movement as I kept contemplating how to deal with Beth and Tammy. The girl and her mother are also a problem, but I can easily heal them up and drop them off in a suitable place with some money. No need to go overboard for people I barely know.

I gave Shiro some things to do in the meantime. Just hunt some food, and gather some wood. If there is a stream nearby then I’ll make a container with a log I guess. In the end the girls were too tired to wake up to change shifts so I remained on watch all night.

Shiro apologized for it but it's not the first time I’ve ever stood up. Puerial also finally awoke after the fire was started. Ventilation was good since we were next to the exit of the tunnel so the smoke was no issue. It didn't take long for the rest to awaken as I cooked up some meat sticks covered in some herbs. Not the best meal but there were no arguments.

A somber mood was in the air, Beth and Tammy ate in silence. They barely batted an eye at the fact their injuries were healed. I refrained from facing them however, they lost enough of their dignity for me to casually eye their naked bodies.

When everyone finished eating the silence was finally broken.

“Won't you heal their scars?” (Shiro)

“He can heal scars?” (Puerial)

“Yes he can, I had lots before.” (Shiro)

“It would require me to touch them, and I don't have permission.” (Kuro)

The two gave me a puzzled look before I continued.

“I refuse to touch people without permission. Given what they've been through makes it even more so. I would rather they allowed it on their own terms than be touched without consent. Thus I will ask when everything becomes a bit less unsettled, I feel that it's better not to rush.” (Kuro)

After I said these words Beth and Tammy just gazed over at me, trying to understand my intentions. I’m well aware of their past issues with the opposite sex, Beth especially quit being a guard captain due to all the harassment. With those incidents coupled with the torture inflicted upon them by Bolier...without a doubt, they may not trust people or maybe just men in general anymore.

“What does she mean?” (girl)

“Kuro has a magic skill that can change things...I don't really get it but he can use it to fix skin and stuff.” (Shiro)

I tried explaining the skill to Shiro before but she couldn’t really understand it. She also can't seem to use it even though I taught her how I do it. I feel the mana in her hands but it doesn’t do anything. My only guess is the [Growth Correction] passive skill. Since I’m the only one who has this skill, I may be the only one who will ever have [Magic Hands].

“*Sigh* I would rather such knowledge not be spread around, but yes I can fix them to a point where their scars no longer exist.” (Kuro)

Shiro seems to realize she said too much and gives an apologetic look. The young girl looks at her mother, but I can tell, just like the other two she is hesitant to trust me.

Since simply doing nothing will get us nowhere I decided to gather some materials. After a few hours of collecting skins and useful parts of monsters, including two cores, I headed back to camp. As I set everything down I notice Beth never stopped looking at me. I merely paid it no mind and got to work. I got enough animal skins to make a bunch of clothing. They were seriously crude since I didn't have proper equipment, but it was better than leaving those three naked. I also made sure to do the normal improvements since chafing is a serious problem in this world.

I gave the finished products for Shiro to distribute. There was also a few for my group since we needed to clean the blood stains off the clothes we already had. However I don't have much hope for using them again.

As I continued with the maintenance of the equipment Beth finally spoke.

“What is it you are really trying to do. There is no way you are simply helping us without wanting something in return.” (Beth)

Beth had a condescending smirk as if she had me figured out. To be honest, I was expecting something like this and it was a question I already had an answer to.

“Your right to think I want something, but it's not from you.” As I said this her eyes sharpened further. “Whether you chose to continue having a relationship with me is your own choice. What I want is death. Death to all who stand on top in this world. To the ones who eat in luxury using the misfortunes of others without batting an eye. Degenerates who do as they please as they break the hearts of the innocent. I want to be the one to claim the lives of everyone responsible for making this world fall so far. Should I suffer or die due to this decision is not your concern. There is no one to blame should I fail but me.” I gazed directly into Beth’s eyes as I said this, whatever she saw clearly shocked her. “I will not make anyone follow me down this road...but...those I meet along the way who aren't deemed my enemy, I will at least treat them fairly.” (Kuro)

I was a bit conflicted trying to explain my goal, but It's not something worth hiding, but its hard to explain clearly. However, there are many in this world who have similar goals who don't get far.

“I see...so like Shiro said, you're different.” (Beth)

Again I am being labeled as such.

“I thought 'crazy' would be a better word.” (Kuro)

“*Smirk* that to...now...is it true you can heal these scars.” (Beth)

“It...requires direct contact.” (Kuro)

“Ah, well if it's you…and you don't do anything more than what's needed...” (Beth)

With things becoming more and more awkward the conversation pretty much ended there. Tammy still hasn’t spoken but allowed treatment after listening to the conversation. The girl's mother also got treatment after building up the courage to ask. Puerial watched in amazement as their skin became smooth and their hair retained a more glossy luster. It would still take a bit of time but with one or two more treatments all of the scars will be gone or at the very least practically invisible. Hopefully some of their mental scars will heal a bit too.

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As we set out toward the next town I finally discovered what happened to Khan. When the three left Labrindel, they were ambushed by Bolier’s men when he took a fancy to them after trying to gather information on me and the other’s. Khan put up a good fight but the numbers were against them, especially when Tammy was used as a hostage. Khan was sold off as a slave and his location is unknown.

“If we are lucky we may find him but…” (Kuro)

The chances are low at this point. Tammy at this point broke down blaming herself, which I awarded her with a scolding. I berated her about not wasting away in regret and rather try and find him now that she is free. It's not like he was killed, the chances of it aren't high, but it's not like it's not like he can't be found. She seemed to put herself back together a bit after hearing this. I also promised to keep an eye out for him to.

It was already discussed that besides Shiro, Puerial, and me the others will make a living in the next town. I already gave them some gold and will help find them find some decent work before leaving. The young girl, named Illis, and her mother Shirley, both requested to live with them. Shirley was clearly afraid of practically everything. She even fainted when I was healing her. But Illis seems to be a good support for her so hopefully she will be fine. Beth and Tammy also didn’t mind them staying with them as long as they helped out, Illis of course would do chores since she was still not suited for proper work.

They all agreed that my group was welcome to stay with them while we were in town. The Lord was generous enough to give us a decent fortune so living expenses were not an issue for the moment.

As we approached the city known as Tarthus, we all felt a bit refreshed. That we were entering a new time of our lives and as our feet passed the gates it felt all the more true.

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A/N: This is the end of the first...Arc? I guess...well In two days I will release new chapters, there will be some time skips and such like in the growing up chapter. Look forward to it.

I will also finally post a character page for everyone later.