《Veil of the Twin Realm》


 Prologue - Hope

    The rays of the sun were high, and the sound of destruction and clashing of swords was spreading almost everywhere.


    The result of the nonstop war that had been going on for hundreds of years around the world could be seen in the destruction in almost any place.


    In the peaceful and mysterious forest areas, an ordinary home built of shattered wood could be seen. Outside, you could hear the cries and suffering of a struggling woman.


    The woman was giving birth to her child while holding a piece of white cloth in her left and right hands. Under her feet was her husband, who was helping her give birth to their first child.


    The man encouraged his wife to work harder and hold on a little longer for their child. The woman was crying because of unimaginable pain. The woman was an elf, and her husband was a normal human being.


    In the middle of war, the woman gave birth to a half-elf child. The loud cry of the child echoed around the forest, and instead of worrying that someone might hear the cry of the child, both of them were happy and looked at the child as a symbol of their love and passion.


    The man wrapped his child with one of the white clothes his wife was holding the whole time. The man looked at his child, smiling while a few tears fell on his cheeks. The man placed the boy beside his wife.


    The woman kissed her child on his head; she touched her child''s small hands while smiling. You could see on the woman''s face the difficulty of giving birth to the child, but for her, it was worth it.


    A minute had passed, and then the woman named her child. After naming him, she told her husband to lean forward to her. The man put his forehead on his wife''s, and both of them closed their eyes while holding their child''s hand in the middle of them. The wife spoke calmly and said that their son didn''t have the ears of an elf, and they both chuckled.


    The woman said that she needed to go first and that he must take care of their child. The woman felt that her final moment was near; the man also knew this, and tears flowed down his cheeks once again. The woman said her final wish to her son:


    "In the midst of all destruction and chaos, you were born. From this day on, you will be the sign of peace in this world. Please don''t be mad at me because you''ll grow up without me, but I know you will grow into a strong and independent man. Someday, if we meet again, I will surely hug you with all my heart, the tightest hug I can ever give. I will always protect and guide you, supporting every decision you make. For the first and last time, I LOVE YOU."


    The woman burst into tears while hugging her child beside her, giving all her energy to her final moment with him. The cry of a mother and wife in her final moments can make even the manliest man cry; her suffering, joy, and love were given in that last hug and cry so that her child wouldn''t forget how it feels to be hugged by his beloved mother.


    Little by little, the woman became calmer and calmer, the tears stopped falling, the grip of her hug on her child lessened, and even in her final moment, she still held her child''s hand.


    Ten years had passed since the death of his mother, and the boy and his father lived a peaceful life in the same place where the boy was born. One unexpected night came, and a group of people were wandering around the forest looking for a man who had escaped his execution.


    The man accidentally found the house where the boy and his father lived, and he rushed in, slamming his body against the door to open it. The boy and his father were shocked, and the father told the boy to hide somewhere and not to go outside without his permission. The man said that someone was trying to execute him and he needed a place to hide.


    The boy''s father hesitated and didn''t want to get involved. The father raised his right hand above his belly, and water came out above his palm. He was an expert in water element magic. The man was threatened, placing his right foot behind him, preparing to run while looking directly into the boy''s father''s eyes. The man was sweating and nervous at the same time.


    The group of people found the two men inside the small wooden house.


    "There he is!"


    With this, the man looked behind and saw the people who were chasing him. He didn''t know what to do and was confused about his situation. The people behind him showed their magic elements on their hands. One person from the group saw another man inside the house who was revealing his magic on his hand.


    The man told the others that someone else could use magic inside that house. The reason the guy who rushed inside the house didn''t fight back was that he was a fire element user, so it was useless to fight someone who used water. One of the group members said they needed to execute both of them because they might be troublesome to deal with if they continued to live.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Upon hearing this, the boy wanted to go outside, but his father stopped him, looking at him dead serious. One person from the group unleashed his earth magic, creating six stone figures that floated in front of him.


    He directly attacked the man. The man tried to avoid the attack and unleashed a strong fire magic from his hand to burn the stones, but the attack was so powerful that it penetrated the fire and struck the man''s left arm and chest.


    The man vomited blood while holding his chest with his right hand, but he was still standing, looking at them. Without even moving an inch, a small stone penetrated his head, and he died on the spot.


    The guy inside the house was nowhere to be seen because he had escaped when they attacked the man a moment ago. The father told the boy not to go outside and to wait for him to come back.


    The father ran as fast as he could, and the group of people tried to catch him. One of the members saw him and chased him for an hour. The father was cornered, and all the men surrounded him.


    A man unleashed his earth magic like before, but the father wrapped both of his hands with water, placing them in front of him, left hand below and right on top, creating a water-like shield that caught the stone.


    The man who used the earth magic was flabbergasted and told his other members to kill him. All of them attacked at the same time, but the father was good at avoiding their attacks. The father cast a spell:


    "Water bullets!"


    Creating a bunch of water drops floating around his body in the shape of bullets, he fired them at the group. Some of the men were shot in the head, and some were not.


    "Two people down, way more to go."


    One of the group members unleashed a summoning spell that would decide the tide of this battle. The boy didn''t know how long it had been since his father left; he hesitated to go outside but felt anxious. He went outside and saw the body of the man who had tried to enter their house.


    The boy wandered the forest for an hour. The sun was rising, and while looking at the sun, the boy noticed something on his left and turned his head slowly. As he turned his head, his heart beat fast, and he felt like time was moving slowly.


    When he finally looked to his left, he saw his father down on his knees, looking at the ground with a hopeless, no, dead, and full-of-regret look in his eyes. One of his arms was destroyed, and blood was dripping from it. His body was covered with blood, and the marks of the fierce battle he had fought were shown all over his body, while the bodies of his opponents were on the ground.


    The boy couldn''t scream, couldn''t move, couldn''t even move his feet to hide; the only thing he felt was his body trembling with fear. There was a man standing in front of his father, his left arm nowhere to be seen, and seconds later, the man fell on his back.


    The father''s eyes slowly looked up and he saw his son standing in the distance, trembling and scared. The man couldn''t talk, and even moving his own body was impossible. The boy walked slowly to his father, trembling with fear. He started to cry and kneeled with both hands on his lap, head down, crying.


    The boy looked at his father for the last time, and the father put all his strength into one last act: he smiled. The father''s smile slowly faded, and the boy''s emotions rose. The boy couldn''t take it anymore and cried with his head on the ground, holding his chest tightly with both arms.


    The boy cried and cried until he fell asleep in front of his dead father. The boy buried his father near his mother''s grave, praying for both of them and asking them to guide him on his journey. The boy decided to learn how to use magic like his father.


    Based on his father''s story, a person can learn different elements of magic, but it takes time and effort to master even one element. Even so, the boy continued his journey with only the piece of white cloth he was wrapped in as a baby.


    The boy''s journey was not easy: he ran, hid, almost died of hunger, studied, ran, hid, and so on. He did all this repeatedly for 50 years, but all his suffering and craving for knowledge were worth every effort he made to learn magic. Around 100 years had passed since he finished studying everything he needed to learn.


    Throughout his journey, he not only studied different elemental magic but also learned various spells he had never heard of before: necromancy, summoning, barriers, spirits, etc. There was nothing in terms of power and abilities that he didn''t know.


    One of the things he learned about was the existence of the Angel Ring, the ultimate weapon that would change the balance of power in this world. He himself had one and had reached its final potential... or so he thought.


    He found out that this was not the peak of its power; he knew it, craved it, and knew that one day he could achieve it. After learning everything he needed, he decided to end the war. The boy struck fear into those who brought fear and pain to others while giving peace to those who deserved it.


    All his studying was aimed at creating the peace that his mother and father wanted, not just creating peace but also creating a safe place for people to live in. Throughout his journey, he discovered something about the mysteries of this world.


    He knew that the more knowledge you gain, the more uncomfortable it becomes. He kept his mouth shut, instead creating a system himself: the Heaven''s Council. The system that will protect the world, creating rules, laws, and peace.


    He placed it in the middle of the world, above the clouds of the small town beneath it. But trying to look up wouldn''t allow you to see the Heaven''s Council because of how high it was from the ground; this planet''s size was crazier than a person could ever imagine.


    The boy started to take on his own disciples, teaching them some of his knowledge and appointing them as members of the Heaven''s Council.


    The boy, who hadn''t changed since the day he left the place where he was born, knew that many people were becoming aware of the Angel Ring''s abilities.


    It was only a matter of time before the new generations fully mastered this powerful ability and used it to its fullest potential, and he was waiting for someone who could disrupt the balance and peace of this world once again.

 Azrael

    After its formation, the Heavens Council swiftly became a beacon of justice, extinguishing evil forces that threatened the balance of the world. Under the leadership of the fourth council head, Blythe Sanseedrion, a new era of governance emerged.


    Blythe, unlike his predecessors, believed that peace could not be maintained through violence alone. He took cautious approaches to containing the spread of chaos, favoring strategy and diplomacy over brute force. Yet, in doing so, the council faced unusual challenges as dark organizations began to rise, determined to destroy the peace he planned.


    To counter this growing threat, Blythe Sanseedrion created the Four King System. These Four Kings, rulers of the most powerful kingdoms, would each bear responsibility for protecting one of the world''s major continents. Their combined might became a shield for the globe, standing strong against any entity that threatened its peace. Though each kingdom had its own strengths and unique cultures, together they formed a unified front, preserving order in a fragile world.


    [ Realm of the Arcane Masters: Azaroth Kingdom ]


    Azaroth Kingdom, located in the North Continent, is renowned as the heart of magical prowess. The kingdom is ruled by King Eldric Thalor, a master wizard whose power is respected across all lands.


    Azaroth Academy, a prestigious institution within the kingdom, draws the brightest minds from around the world, training them in the creative art of wizardry. The Ironheart family, led by Dyven Ironheart, holds a special place in this realm. Dyven, one of the Four Great Wizards, was a key figure in the battle against the Seven Deadly Sins, a notorious group that once tried to destroy the Heavens Council.


    The kingdom itself, placed among trees with vibrant, multicolored leaves and towering spires, is both beautiful and overwhelming. Its wealth is in part due to the rare purple dust, which is used to create strong mystical items such as the Elderstaves, which are made of Lumisyl wood, a rare material produced only within the Elarindor Kingdom.


    [ Stronghold of the Thunderclad: Thundrim Kingdom ]


    In the South Continent lies Thundrim Kingdom, ruled by the powerful King Borin Stoneforge. This realm is famous for its dwarves and its elite warriors, known as the Thunderclad. Thundrim, rich in rare magic metals, provides the world with the greatest weapons, which are cherished by blacksmiths and warriors everywhere. Its strong Vikings are as well-known as its beloved beer, which are crafted with the same loving attention as their solid weapons.


    Thundrim''s culture is one of strength, with people who value power above all else. Despite the noise of battle and the clang of metal, the kingdom remains an inspiration of stability, safeguarding the South''s safety.


    [ Land of the Elven People: Elarindor Kingdom ]


    The western lands are home to the enchanting Elarindor Kingdom, ruled by the graceful King Faelivrin Aelarion. Here, in this land of eternal beauty, stands the majestic Eldertree Lumisyl, whose sacred wood is admired across the world. Only the most trusted people are permitted to harvest from these ancient trees, and even they must first seek permission from the fairies who guard the forests.


    Elarindor is more than just a kingdom of trees and magic. It is a place where traditions are honored, where elves and fairies alike live in harmony to maintain the sacredness of the land. Visitors come from across the globe to look at its beauty, but they are always reminded to exercise caution carefully, for Elarindor''s rules are strict and its people fiercely protective.


    [ Stronghold of the Sharpened Edge: Bladewyn Kingdom ]


    To the east lies the formidable Bladewyn Kingdom, ruled by King Darius Hawkthorne. Known for its master swordsmiths and elite swordmasters, Bladewyn is where warriors from all corners of the world come to perfect their craft. The Shinzu family, although small in number, has left a lasting legacy in Bladewyn. Their tragic history has only made them more determined to uphold the kingdom''s traditions of honor and discipline.


    Bladewyn is also a land where legends linger. It was here that one of the members of the infamous Seven Deadly Sins was born, a dark reminder of the constant threat that lurks even within the most guarded kingdoms.


    Each of these four kingdoms looks after the protection of a continent.


    [ North Continent: Azaroth Kingdom


    South Continent: Thundrim Kingdom


    West Continent: Elarindor Kingdom


    East Continent: Bladewyn Kingdom ]


    In addition to the four major continents, the smaller continents are jointly protected by neighboring kingdoms. The Four King System ensures that no corner of the world is left at risk to the ever-present forces of darkness. With their military might and magical expertise, the four kingdoms stand as sentinels, guarding the realms from the evil that once roamed unchecked.


    [ Northwest: Azaroth/Elarindor Kingdom


    Northeast: Azaroth/Bladewyn Kingdom


    Southwest: Thundrim/Elarindor KingdomIf you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Southeast: Thundrim/Bladewyn Kingdom ]


    The four kingdoms may hold dominion over the world''s lands, but scattered across these kingdoms are the Eight Royal Families, ancient and powerful dynasties that have existed since the dawn of time. Each family holds influence over a specific domain, maintaining their traditions and power through generations.


    These families, though often divided by personal rivalries, are united in one cause: the protection of their realms. Whether through alliances with the Four Kings or by acting independently, the royal families serve as both protectors and enforcers, ensuring that the peace established by the Heavens Council is not broken.


    The Ironheart Family, led by Dyven Ironheart, boasts a lineage of powerful wizards in Azaroth.


    The Woods Family, residing in the Northwest Continent, is headed by the reluctant Simon Woods.


    The Tiffany Family, sharpshooting experts in the Northeast, are led by Johanna Tiffany.


    The Vandey Family, a quiet yet skilled family in the South, is led by Dred Vandey.


    The Kent Family, fierce and unyielding, resides in the Southeast, ruled by Arsenal Kent.


    The Orglack Family, a close ally of the Kents, lives in the Southwest under D¨¤mon Orglack''s rule.


    The Shinzu Family, few in number but unmatched in swordsmanship, come from the East.


    The Sayon Family, stalwart guardians of the West, are led by Christopher Sayon.


    Each family plays a crucial role in maintaining peace across their respective domains, and when the time comes, they unite to form the Supreme Defense System, the ultimate line of defense against the forces of darkness. It was Blythe Sanseedrion who formalized this system, ensuring that the world would always have a means of protection, even when the Heavens Council could not intervene directly.


    *


    The Vandey residence, located in the peaceful countryside of Denku Country, displayed a quiet warmth on this particular day. Surrounded by lush rice fields and tall forests, the house was a sanctuary of serenity. But within, excitement hummed in the air.


    Miya Vandey lay in labor, her voice strained as she endured the final moments of childbirth. Dred, her husband, stood by her side, offering encouragement with every push. Outside the room, Blud, the family patriarch, paced anxiously, joined by a handful of trusted servants. The usually calm estate was filled with anticipation.


    At long last, a newborn''s cry echoed through the halls. The midwife, Ms. Well, stepped out of the room, her face warm with a tired smile.


    "You may come in now," she said softly.


    Blud''s weathered face lit up, a grin spreading across his features. "Thank you, Ms. Well," he said, grasping her hand. "You''ve been with this family for so long. I remember when you helped bring Dred into the world, and now you''ve done the same for my grandchild."


    "It has been my honor, Blud," she replied with a gentle bow. "This family has always been dear to me. I''m glad I could be part of this special moment."


    As Ms. Well took her leave, the family gathered around the new mother and child. Miya, resting on the bed, held the infant in her arms, her face glowing with a blend of exhaustion and joy. Dred sat beside her, his hand resting gently on her shoulder as they both gazed at their newborn with child.


    "Hello, little one," Claire, one of the elder sisters, whispered as she approached. She extended a finger, which the baby instinctively grasped. "I''m Claire, your big sister. We''ll all take good care of you."


    The room was filled with soft murmurs of introductions from the rest of the family, each member eager to welcome the newest Vandey. Miya smiled, her heart swelling with pride. "You''ll be surrounded by love, little one. We''ll protect you and teach you everything you need to know."


    Dred, still caught in the moment, suddenly spoke. "I''ve been thinking about a name for him." He paused, glancing at Miya before continuing. "Azrael. Azrael Vandey."


    Miya tilted her head, a thoughtful look crossing her face. "Azrael... It''s strong. I like it." She kissed the baby''s forehead. "Welcome to the world, Azrael."


    As the family celebrated, the house''s usual peacefulness returned, though now with an added sense of joy. The sound of laughter echoed through the halls as preparations for dinner began. In the kitchen, Jun was busy chopping vegetables while Blud helped organize ingredients.


    "Isn''t this a bit much?" Blud asked, eyeing the assortment of meats, vegetables, and spices.


    "Not at all," Jun replied with a grin. "We have to celebrate the birth of the young master properly."


    Claire, having just left the new parents'' side, skipped into the kitchen. "I''ll help with dinner!" she announced cheerfully.


    Jun raised an eyebrow. "You? Cooking? I thought you''d be painting or doing something else."


    Claire shrugged. "I finished my painting for the day. Besides, it''s a special occasion."


    Jun sighed, already imagining the chaos she would bring. "Fine, just this once. But don''t complain if I ask you to clean up afterward."


    As dinner preparations continued, the Vandey house buzzed with activity. Though not all members were related by blood, each person in the family was bound by a strong sense of belonging. They had been brought together by Blud and Dred during their travels to other countries, and despite their different origins, they all shared a deep bond.


    Later that evening, the entire family gathered around a large circular table, the aroma of freshly cooked dishes filling the air. Miya, holding baby Azrael in one arm, sat beside Dred, who carefully cut her food for her. The atmosphere was filled with warmth and laughter as they enjoyed the meal together, celebrating the arrival of a new generation in the Vandey family.


    Once dinner was over, Jun and Claire found themselves back in the kitchen, cleaning up. Claire hummed softly as she dried the dishes, her joy from the day still evident.


    "You''re in a good mood," Jun observed.


    "Of course! The young master has arrived," Claire beamed. "When he''s older, I''ll teach him all the magic I know. He''s going to be amazing."


    Jun rolled his eyes. "Young master, huh? You''re really going all out with that title."


    "Of course! We need to show him the respect he deserves." She playfully nudged Jun. "You''ll see. He''s going to be someone great."


    Jun muttered something under his breath but couldn''t help the small smile tugging at his lips. Despite the teasing, he shared Claire''s excitement. Azrael''s arrival had filled the house with new energy, and they all felt it.

 Gifts

    Ten years had passed, and in that time, I have learned many things. Since I was seven years old, my entire family has been teaching me various skills.


    When it comes to swordsmanship, my dad and grandfather have been my instructors. As for magic, my four older sisters, Sheyn, Sen, Sunny, and Claire, have been my teachers.


    Secretly, Jun, Clark, and Craft have also been training me in different assassination techniques that I might use one day. It doesn''t bother me; in fact, I find it exciting to learn these skills.


    This year, I''m expected to enroll in a small school in Apple Village, located in Denku Country. Of course, I chose it myself. Who would want to attend a large, expensive school when they teach the same things? Besides, I''ve already learned a lot at home before even setting foot in a school.


    Right now, I''m sitting in the living room with my mother as she sews something I don''t quite understand. Sewing is her hobby, so I don''t disturb her. Instead, I spend the entire day watching her work.


    As I watch her, one by one, the members of our family start entering the room, all eager to approach me.


    "I was first! "


    "Move aside, Craft! "


    "Ladies first! Step aside! "


    "Ahhh, I''m getting squished! "


    "Huh?!"


    "Hehe, just kidding! "


    Their mixed reactions and words show how determined they are to get close to me. Then, my mother speaks up to calm everyone down.


    "Okay, how about this? Let''s base the order on who is the youngest to the oldest. What do you think? "


    They measure who is the oldest based on how long they''ve been in the family. Although Claire is the oldest in age, she was the last to join the family before me, making her the youngest.


    "Alright! I''m going first! "Claire shouts, thrilled as she eagerly hands me her gift.


    Claire hands me an Elderstaves, beautifully crafted. From what I''ve read, it''s a magic wand known in the Azaroth Kingdom. The materials used are valuable, like Lumisyl wood and purple dust from two well-known kingdoms ruled by two famous kings.


    "Wow! An Elderstaves! Thank you so much, Ate Claire! "


    "I''m glad you like it. I was worried it might not suit your taste," Claire says with a nervous smile as she talks to me.


    After Claire gives her gift, the other three sisters, Sheyn, Sen, and Sunny, follow suit.


    First to approach is Sheyn, the youngest among the three.


    "Hi, little one! Since you''re about to start school, you''ll need this. Tada! "Sheyn excitedly hands me a bag that looks quite expensive.


    Honestly, all their gifts seem pricey. It looks like their allowances are more generous than I expected.


    "Thank you so much, Ate Sheyn! This is beautiful! "


    "I''m happy you like it."


    After Sheyn gives me the bag, Sen comes up with a huge box.


    "Ate Sen, what is this? "


    "Hehe, open it."


    I open the box, surprised to find a tiny, cute guardian egg inside. Honestly, I wonder why she put such a small thing in such a large box. Still, I thank Sen because I know this guardian will be useful to me once it grows.


    "A guardian egg! Thank you, Ate Sen. By the way, what kind of guardian is this?"


    "To be honest, I don''t know either. I just asked Clark to get it for me when he visited the Twin Realm to see his guardian."


    After Sen hands over the guardian egg, Sunny quickly approaches and gives me a purple magic orb.


    "A magic orb! This is rare, Ate Sunny. Are you sure you want to give this to me? "


    "Of course! I want to give you the best gift. Plus, I''m sure you''ll need that magic orb, so take good care of it for me."


    "Yes, I will."


    I say, grinning widely. The magic orb is a rare artifact, small in size, that can be attached to the Elderstaves to enhance its power.


    It amplifies magic spells and eternal energy attacks that the Elderstaves can release, and it can also store a large amount of mana and eternal energy for the user to access in emergencies.


    After Sunny, Craft comes up next, handing me various school supplies. Honestly, I was expecting some assassin weapons or any cool gear that could be used in assassination attempts.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    I know I''m still too young for this, but I''ve grown fascinated with different types of weapons since I was raised around them. I still thanked Craft, and then his younger brother Clark approached, giving me a necklace. It''s not related to my school studies, but it''s a symbol of the Vandey family.


    Dad and Grandpa have this same necklace, and I''ve been wondering what it means, so I asked Clark.


    "Kuya, I''ve noticed that both Dad and Grandpa wear this kind of necklace, but they''re the only ones who have it, and now I do too. Does this mean something? "


    "You carry the blood of an Original Vandey, which is why you have one. And besides, you''ll be the head of this family one day."


    "Oh I see. Thank you, Clark! "


    Clark smiled and nodded slightly, as expected of him¡ªhe''s always so respectful, even though I''m younger than him.


    Finally, Jun steps up to me, handing over a dagger. Jun is a dagger specialist, trained by Grandpa when he first joined the family, and he''s also Grandpa''s right hand.


    "Wow! A dagger! I''ve been waiting for someone to give me this! "


    "Huh? A dagger?! You wanted a dagger?! But young master, I gave you a magic orb," Sunny says, shocked that I preferred a dagger over the magic orb. Sunny can''t stand losing when it comes to gifts.


    "Ate Sunny, I didn''t say I didn''t like your magic orb gift. I just really wanted to receive a dagger too."


    "Is that so?"


    Sunny replied, looking a bit down as she sat beside her two sisters. It''s amusing how competitive she gets about gifts.


    After a bit of conversation, I thanked Jun for the dagger. Mom also reminded me not to use it until I''m at least sixteen years old.


    Well, Mom''s right¡ªI''m still young. No sensible parent would let their 10-year-old child handle such a sharp dagger.


    After that, Mom told us that we were all going to a nearby restaurant in town. Unfortunately, Dad and Grandpa couldn''t join us since they had work.


    Dad is a member of the SDS, or Supreme Defense System, an organization created by the Heavens Council as a''secret'' anti-evil group to protect people without the need for the kings to intervene. Its members are from the eight royal families.


    Meanwhile, Grandpa works at a vegetable and fruit farm near the school I''ll be attending. The farm is beautiful, filled with colorful trees and plants, which is why I chose that school¡ªto be closer to it.


    As night fell, our whole family arrived at a large restaurant adorned with beautiful chandeliers.


    A staff member approached and asked how many of us would be dining. After counting, they led us to a large table with enough chairs for everyone.


    We were handed the menu, and I started looking through it, but there were so many choices that I couldn''t decide.


    I leaned towards Jun, who was sitting next to me, and asked him what would be good to eat.


    "I think you should go with the steak. You mentioned before that it''s your favorite."


    Really? Did I say that before? Well, if that''s the case, then I''ll order it. I told the others what I wanted, and they started placing their orders as well.


    In just a few minutes, our food arrived. There was so much of it that I didn''t know where to start, but since I ordered the steak, I dug into that first.


    It was so delicious¡ªso tender and flavorful. There must be some secret ingredients in it because it was so good that I couldn''t help but close my eyes as I savored it.


    "Haha, are you okay, son? You look like you''ve gone to heaven with that bite."


    "It''s just so delicious, Mom!"


    "Haha! I''m glad you like it. Did you know that this is where your dad and I first met?"


    "Really? Is that true?"


    "Yes. I was just eating here, and he was at the table next to mine. After he came back from the restroom, he tripped and fell right in front of me. He was so embarrassed that he quickly stood up and sat across from me, trying to charm me with flowery words, thinking it would work on me. Haha!"


    The entire time we were eating, Mom told us the story of how she first met Dad. I had no idea Dad was so corny with his jokes and attempts to impress girls.


    She said that after their first encounter, dad started eating at this restaurant at the same time every night until Dad finally started talking to her. Before long, he began courting her, and Mom had no idea he was a member of a royal family.


    Eventually, Dad introduced Mom to Grandpa and Grandma, and they immediately liked her. After that, they moved in together but often went on trips to enjoy their youth.


    A few years later, Grandpa suddenly brought home a child no one knew¡ªand that was Jun, the first member of our family.


    Honestly, their love story is so sweet¡ªtwo people who met and got to know each other because of a small, unexpected accident.


    It makes me wonder if someday I''ll meet a girl like Mom¡ªsomeone who will listen to my corny jokes and accept me for who I am, not for what I have.


    After we finished eating, we took a walk around town. Unlike the big cities in other countries, this town has its own unique charm.


    A peaceful life, happy people, a quiet night¡ªwho wouldn''t wish for a simple life like this?


    When I grow up, I''ll protect this country and its people. I''ll do everything I can to ensure they live the life they want.


    Mom came up to me, took my hand, and smiled as we walked. She looked so beautiful, like an angel.


    "Sweetheart, do you want some sweets?"


    "Yes, Mom!"


    We went to a small store that sold all sorts of sweet treats. There were so many to choose from that I couldn''t decide, so Mom picked some for me.


    We bought a lot, enough to share with everyone. The sweets were delicious. I really enjoyed this night, and of course, I ended up completely full.


    When we got home, Dad was already there.


    "Welcome back! Did you all have a good time?"


    I ran to Dad and hugged him tightly.


    "Yes, Dad! Mom even bought us sweets, and we got some for you and Grandpa too."


    "Ohh! These look delicious. I''ll save some for later."


    "Can I have a taste?" I asked.


    "Of course, haha!"


    Dad and I talked happily about what he did all day at the council. Despite everything, he didn''t look tired at all.


    After a while, Claire took me to my room to sleep.


    *


    "Miya, I received an invitation from a friend of mine who lives in Bondea City."


    "Hm? What kind of invitation?"


    "A birthday party. Ken wants the three of us to attend his child''s birthday party."


    "Oh! Ken¡ªisn''t he your childhood friend you always tell me about, the one you and Mr. Gary used to hang out with?"


    "Yes, that''s him."


    "So, you''re still in touch with him. Let''s go! It''ll be Azrael''s first time attending a huge birthday party."


    "Alright, I''ll let him know we''ll be there."

 Departure

    When I woke up in the morning, I immediately heard the news¡ªwe were going to a grand birthday party, the likes of which I had never attended before.


    I''ve celebrated my own birthdays several times, but I''ve always preferred a simple gathering with my entire family. So this would be my first time attending such an extravagant event.


    We were leaving today, as the party was happening that evening. After waking up, I headed straight to the kitchen, where Jun was preparing breakfast.


    "Good morning, Azrael. What would you like to eat?" Jun greeted me.


    "Whatever you think is best, Kuya Jun."


    I replied.


    "Alright, sounds good. By the way, you''re going to a birthday party later, right? Have you decided what you''ll wear?"


    "Not yet; I think Mom will choose something for me."


    "Ah, I see. Well, whatever you wear, it''ll suit you just fine," he said with a smile.


    After our brief conversation, Jun placed the food in front of me, excused himself, and left me to enjoy my meal.


    Since everyone was busy with their own tasks around the house, I decided to go out and train my magic skills by the nearby rice fields.


    I brought along the Elderstaves that Claire had given me. It turns out that transferring mana from my body into the Elderstaves is more challenging than I expected.


    To do this, you need to channel your mana from your body to your hand, where you hold the Elderstaves. The Elderstaves then absorb the mana and store it, allowing you to release various magic spells.


    The Lumisyl wood, which the Elderstaves are made of, has the capacity to store large amounts of mana. According to a book I read, fairies protect the Lumisyl eldertrees to prevent them from absorbing too much mana, as an overload could cause a massive explosion.


    The purple dust, on the other hand, is what enables the Elderstaves to absorb the user''s mana. Some people even mix purple dust into their weapons, making them powerful tools in combat. However, purple dust is incredibly expensive, so not everyone can afford it.


    As I focused intensely, I could hear the chirping of birds and smell the fragrance of the wind-blown rice stalks.


    Holding the Elderstaves with both hands in front of me, I watched as the tip began to glow. I wondered if it had absorbed enough mana for me to release a magic spell. Of course, I decided to give it a try.


    "Water Splash Bullets!"


    The tip of the Elderstaves glowed again, and a small amount of water trickled out.


    "Huh?"


    I was stunned. I had no idea why only a little water came out. I tried focusing again, but nothing seemed to happen. This was a lot harder than I had imagined. Just as I was struggling, Claire arrived.


    "Using the Elderstaves is no different from releasing a magic spell without it. The only difference is that the Elderstaves allow for faster spell casting and increase the spell''s power."


    Claire explained, though I still didn''t quite understand what she meant. I had used the same amount of mana to release ''Water Splash Bullets,'' but it was as if the Elderstaves had only produced a blooper.


    "Since the Elderstaves increase the spell''s power, they require more mana than usual," Claire continued.


    She extended her hand towards me, indicating that she wanted to take the Elderstaves. I handed it to her, and she held it in her left hand.


    Raising it close to her face, the tip of the Elderstaves suddenly lit up.


    "Water Splash Bullets!"


    Countless water bullets shot out from the Elderstaves. The speed and force were so intense that the wind whipped around us.


    Claire made sure not to aim directly at the rice stalks to avoid damaging them. She stood there, holding the Elderstaves with her hand extended, her hair and clothes billowing in the wind. She looked like a high-class wizard. I wanted to be as skilled as her when I grew up.


    Claire then approached me, kneeled down, and smiled as she patted my head.


    "That''s all you need to do, but remember, the more powerful the spell, the more mana you''ll need to put in, and the stronger the kickback will be. It could even knock you off your feet. So, make sure to practice from the beginning. Got it?"


    She was so cool, I couldn''t even explain how cool she was.


    "Yes, Ate Claire!" I replied enthusiastically as she handed the Elderstaves back to me.


    "Alright then, I''ll leave you to it. I need to head to the nearby town. Make sure you practice hard."


    "Yes, Ate Claire. Take care!" I called after her.


    Claire smiled and walked away. I refocused on channeling my mana into the Elderstaves.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    I practiced for hours until I was so exhausted that I collapsed on the ground.


    "Wow, this is tiring. It''s way harder than I thought. But I can feel a difference in the mana I''m channeling."


    I stared at the Elderstaves, determination in my eyes. I was sure I could master this within a few days.


    After a few more hours of training, I headed back home for lunch. I saw Clark and Craft training together.


    "Kuya Clark! Kuya Craft! Can I train with you?"


    "Oh, Master Azrael, where have you been?"


    "Ah, hehe! I was training with the Elderstaves that Ate Claire gave me."


    "Is that so? Do you want to try out the new dagger that Jun gave you?"


    "Of course!"


    I quickly ran inside the house and grabbed the dagger from my room that Jun had given me. My opponent was Craft, who was skilled in using kodachi and katana.


    "Are you ready, young master?"


    "I''m ready, Kuya Craft!"


    "I won''t be holding back, young master."


    With those words, I tightened my grip on my weapon. In the blink of an eye, Craft vanished.


    My eyes widened as he suddenly appeared at my side. I managed to block his attack, but the force of it sent me flying.


    I regained my balance after being thrown back, but Craft was already by my side again, attacking. I blocked it this time and wasn''t knocked back.


    I quickly retreated, vanishing from Craft''s sight, but unlike me, he could keep up with my speed.


    We exchanged attacks, but Craft was so fast that I struggled to keep up. So, I decided to use wind magic.


    I channeled wind magic into my feet to help me move more freely and become more agile.


    But I ended up in a disadvantageous position, with both my hands on the ground and my feet in the air.


    Craft was about to strike me, and the only solution I could think of was to attack him with wind magic from my feet. Caught off guard, Craft was blown back.


    Before he could regain his balance, I rushed at him, moving at incredible speed, thanks to the wind magic I had applied to my feet.


    But just when I thought I had won, I was wrong. A chunk of rock suddenly appeared in front of me, blocking my dagger. I lost my balance, and Craft disappeared from his previous position.


    In an instant, he grabbed my hand and disarmed me. I fell backward, and Craft pointed his weapon at me.


    "You''re defeated, young master," he declared.


    Clark suddenly spoke up.


    "Alright, that''s enough. Craft wins again."


    Sigh. I lost to him again. This keeps happening. I was so close to winning, but the outcome never changes.


    Craft extended his hand to me, and I took it.


    "That was impressive. I didn''t know wind magic could be used like that. Where did you learn that?"


    "Haha! It just came to me in the middle of the fight," I said, grinning.


    "You''re quite clever in battle, young master."


    "Is that so, Kuya Clark? Haha! That''s good to hear," I said, feeling pleased.


    After a bit more conversation, I excused myself and headed inside the house to change.


    When I entered the house, I saw Mom looking at me with a serious expression. I could feel a powerful aura coming from her.


    "Uh... Hey, Mom! Haha, hello! "


    "Where have you been? "


    "Uh¡­ outside? "


    "You''re drenched in sweat! Just look at yourself; you''re dirty."


    "Hehe... sorry, Mom. I was training with the Elderstaves that Ate Claire gave me, and I had a sparring match with Kuya Craft."


    Sigh. "Alright, go rest for a while. Wipe off that sweat, and after you''ve rested, take a bath. We''ll be eating soon."


    "Yes, Mom! "


    I quickly ran upstairs to my room and shut the door behind me.


    "Whew. Mom is really scary when she''s angry, but at least I got away this time."


    I took off my dirty clothes and tossed them into the laundry basket, then grabbed a towel to wipe myself down.


    As I dried off, I sat near the window, watching the birds flying outside. Standing by the window, I admired the view from my room.


    This place is beautiful¡ªso peaceful, with a lush variety of plants and flowers. I took a few moments to soak in the scenery before heading down to take a bath.


    After freshening up, I found the table already set for lunch. Craft and Clark were seated, while Jun was still setting out some of the dishes. Dad was home too, since we were leaving after lunch, and Ate Claire had just arrived from town.


    I quickly ran back upstairs to change and then hurried down to sit beside Dad.


    "Are you excited, Azrael? "Dad asked.


    "Yes, Dad."


    After lunch, Jun and the others started clearing the table. Mom and Dad went to their room to get ready, while I helped clean up.


    When I finished helping, I went back to my room to change. As I opened the door, I saw the clothes I was supposed to wear neatly laid out on my bed.


    I quickly put them on. They were simple but clearly made from expensive fabric, highlighting their high quality.


    I stood in front of the mirror examining myself. For the first time, I realized... I''m actually quite handsome, hehe.


    I struck a few poses in front of the mirror, imagining all the girls I might meet tonight. After a while, I finally headed downstairs, where Mom and Dad were already waiting.


    "So, are we ready to go? "Mom asked.


    "Yes! "I answered, my excitement evident.


    Dad summoned his guardian¡ªa large, fluffy cat named Neko, with thick fur and a gold-plated carriage attached to its back. I sometimes forget I''m a royalty, so I''m still surprised by the luxurious things we have.


    Neko was so cute and fluffy that I couldn''t resist hugging it. Its fur was softer than my pillow.


    Neko belongs to the legendary guardians bloodline. Despite its cute and gentle appearance, it''s fearsome in battle. That''s what Dad said, though I''ve never seen it angry.


    "Alright, that''s enough, son. Get inside the carriage," Mom said with a smile.


    I waved goodbye to Neko and climbed into the carriage. Once inside, I waved to the rest of the family.


    "Bye! I''ll bring back some cake for you all, and other delicious treats too!"


    They waved back at me with smiles.


    "Young master, I''d love some cake. Don''t forget about me! "Craft called out.


    "Of course, Kuya Craft! "I replied.


    "And I want a bottle of fine wine," Ate Sen added.


    "Uh¡­ Haha, sure, Ate Sen! "I said, though I worried about where I''d find the expensive wine she wanted.


    After some final farewells, we set off. I kept waving until I could no longer see them.

 Arrival

    Bondea City isn''t too far from us; it should only take a few hours to get there.


    As of now, I''m gazing outside the window of our carriage, enjoying the fragrance of flowers and the refreshing breeze.


    The scenery in this land is breathtaking. While we travel, Mom brings out some sweets we bought yesterday and hands them to me.


    After a few hours of traveling, we finally arrive in Bondea City, a stunning place with tall houses adorned with countless lights wherever you look.


    There are cute baby guardians roaming around with their owners, shopping and strolling. There are also a lot of high-end coffee shops lining the streets, and many cake shops too, so I''m sure I won''t get bored here. Our carriage goes straight to Dad''s friend''s house.


    In just a few minutes, we arrive at their home, and to be honest, it''s massive. It''s even bigger than our house. If you think about it, it looks more like a royal palace than our own home.


    It''s like a palace where a king resides; this family is incredibly wealthy. I wonder if they might be royalty too.


    As we step down from the carriage, we''re immediately greeted by two of their servants.


    "Good evening, Sir Vandey. We are honored by your visit tonight. We''ll take care of your luggage."


    "Thank you very much."


    After a brief conversation, we enter the grand door, which is so polished I can see my reflection in its knob.


    As we step inside, soft, soothing music fills the air. It''s not sleep-inducing but rather pleasant to listen to.


    I walk behind Mom and Dad, and suddenly, I notice a girl about my age staring at me. Naturally, I glance at her and manage a small smile, though it comes out a bit awkward, so I quickly quickened my walk.


    While looking ahead, I see Mom and Dad stop in front of me. Peeking past them, I spot a beautiful woman standing behind a tall man, who is almost as tall as Dad.


    The tall man is Mr. Ken Smith, the owner of this enormous house, and the woman beside him is probably his wife. If he''s the father and she''s the mother, then the person behind them must be their child.


    "Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Vandey. I''m so glad you could make it."


    "We are honored to attend your daughter''s 10th birthday, Ken."


    10th birthday? So this girl is about my age, and it''s her birthday. I assumed their child was a boy. I was so surprised to see that their child is a beautiful girl.


    "Oh, Mrs. Vandey, it''s the first time we''ve met. So you''re the beautiful wife of my childhood friend."


    "Ah, haha! Mr. Smith, you''re quite the flatterer. I see where Dred gets his charm from."


    They all laugh at Mom''s comment, though I didn''t find it particularly funny. But it''s true that Dad can be a smooth talker at times.


    "Oh, by the way, this is my wife, Patricia. Patricia, this is my childhood friend, Dred, and his wife, Miya, and of course, their only son, Azrael."


    "Hello, it''s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Vandey."


    "The pleasure is ours," Miya responds.


    "Oh! So this is Azrael. He''s quite handsome. If I''m not mistaken, he''s around Ashley''s age."


    Ashley? So that''s the name of this lovely young lady.


    "Ah, yes, but Azrael is a year older than her. He''ll be turning 11 this year," Mom says, placing her hand on my shoulder as I stand in front of them.


    It seems Mr. and Mrs. Smith''s daughter is a bit shy.


    "Now that you''ve met each other, follow us; we have a table for six."


    "Ah! Come on, Ken, stop being so formal!"


    "What''s wrong with you, Dred? We''re not kids anymore."


    "Tsk! You''ve always been like this, Ken, ever since we were kids, haha!"


    "Sigh. What can I do?"


    Dad cheerfully puts his arm around Mr. Smith''s shoulder as we head to our table, while Mom and Mrs. Smith walk together.


    Now I''m left¡ªoh, wait, Ashley and I are left behind. This is so awkward because she''s not saying anything. I''m beginning to wonder if she''s mute.


    "Ahm! Hello! I''m Azrael. Can you hear me?"


    "..."


    "Oh, so you must be deaf then?"


    "What?! Who''s deaf?!"This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    "Oh, there you go; you finally spoke, haha! You''ve been so quiet."


    "You can walk without talking, so why do you have to open your mouth?"


    "You''re so snappy, Ashley, right? Happy birthday! Here, I have a gift for you."


    A small ring of smoke appears in front of me, and I reach my hand inside. When I pull it out, I''m holding a box, which I hand to her.


    "Oh, here, my gift to you. I hope you like it."


    "Thank you."


    "That''s it? No reaction? Sigh. You''re hard to please."


    "..."


    After our brief conversation, we reach our table and sit down. Dad sits next to Mr. Smith, Mom next to Mrs. Smith, and of course, I''m still seated beside Miss Grumpy.


    There are so many people here, and other boys around my age are approaching Ashley, giving her their gifts.


    Once they hand her their presents, Ashley gives them to her butler, while my gift remains on the table in front of her.


    Eh? I feel kind of special, haha. After a few minutes, the event starts. Mr. Smith stands up and gently taps his glass with a spoon to get everyone''s attention.


    "Good evening, everyone. I want to thank you all for coming tonight. I hope you enjoy yourselves and that your children who are here also have a great time. I only wish for my daughter to enjoy herself tonight and to grow up right and well. I will give her everything she wants and all the attention she needs to be called a good father. Thank you for coming into our lives, Ashley. We love you so much. Happy 10th birthday."


    Everyone applauds after Mr. Smith''s speech, and Ashley gives a small smile. I don''t know if it''s just me, but her smile seems forced. Is she really happy, or just pretending?


    After Mr. Smith''s speech, the background music starts playing, signaling that it''s time to dance with the birthday girl. One by one, the young boys approach Ashley, offering her their hands.


    Ashley takes their hands and goes to the front to dance. A small smile plays on her lips as she dances, but she doesn''t seem to be enjoying it.


    After she finishes dancing with one boy, another steps forward to dance with her, until Dad nudges me.


    "Don''t you want to dance with such a beautiful girl tonight, son?"


    "Ahm, hehe! I''m not sure if I want to."


    "Huh? Don''t you find her attractive? She''s beautiful, and she seems nice. Go on, ask her to dance."


    I hesitate, but since Dad insists, I stand up and wait for her to finish dancing.


    Once she''s done, I slowly approach, bow, and offer her my hand. She takes it, and we start to dance.


    I notice she''s trembling; it feels like she''s not used to dancing, or maybe this is her first time. So, I tighten my grip on her and take the lead.


    She follows my movements, and she''s so light it feels like I''m dancing with a feather. Maybe it''s because I''ve been training a lot, but she seems so light to me.


    People seem impressed as we dance. Even Mr. Smith can''t hide his excitement, and Dad has a proud look on his face.


    I end the dance by spinning her around and catching her, with her in a dipped position and me standing over her. It''s a very romantic moment.


    We lock eyes for a full five seconds before I help her stand. After our performance, we both bow before the crowd.


    Everyone watching claps, and Mr. Smith even looks like he''s about to cry from what he''s seen. It''s a bit of an overreaction, but I''ll take it as a good sign that I did well.


    After the dance, everyone starts eating. Dad and Mr. Smith talk about work, while Mom and Mrs. Smith discuss how to raise a child properly.


    Meanwhile, the girl next to me is just focused on her food, not saying a single word.


    "Ahm, are you okay? You don''t seem happy."


    "..."


    "I mean, it''s your birthday. You should be happy. My birthdays are simple, nothing like this big event, and there aren''t this many people, but guess what? I''m still happy."


    "Are you really royalty? I''ve never heard of a royal who doesn''t throw extravagant birthday parties."


    "Party? It''s just a simple gathering. As long as I''m with my whole family on my birthday, I''m happy."


    "...."


    "Look at yourself; you have so many gifts and so many guests, but you''re still sad. Your house is even bigger than ours."


    "Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."


    Is she really going to the restroom? She looks like she''s going somewhere else. Of course, I get up from my seat and excuse myself to use the restroom too.


    I follow her and find her standing on the balcony on the second floor, gazing at the moon as a gentle breeze brushes through her hair. She''s so beautiful.


    "Oh, the restroom isn''t¨C "


    "Are you seriously following me?"


    "Following? I just needed to use the restroom. I got lost."


    "Tsk! What a lame excuse."


    "Why are you so grumpy? Did something happen to you?"


    "That''s none of your business."


    "You know, earlier, I might have held you a bit too tightly during the dance. Sorry about that."


    "It''s fine. You didn''t hurt me."


    "Good, at least I don''t have to worry about hurting you."


    "Hey... do you want to know... why I''m like this?"


    "H-huh? Are you really okay with telling me? I mean, I didn''t say I didn''t want to hear it; I just meant... are you sure you''re comfortable sharing something so personal with me?"


    "I don''t have much choice; you''re quite persistent."


    "Huh?"


    "And besides, I feel at ease with you, unlike with the others."


    Well, that''s good to hear though.


    "You''re lucky. Since you were little, you''ve had your parents'' attention. Did you know my parents only come home once a week because of their work? Today, they''re here only because it''s my birthday. Tomorrow, they''ll leave again. They work abroad, so they can''t come home every day."


    "No wonder you''re not close to them."


    "So you noticed too."


    "Yeah, it''s pretty obvious."


    "Jed, my butler, the man who''s been by my side since we sat at the table, he''s the only one who really understands me. He''s the one who teaches me everything I need to know, from schoolwork to using magic. I''m not good at making friends because I''m too shy to start a conversation."


    Now I understand why she''s so quiet. It''s not that she''s mean¡ªshe just doesn''t know how to talk to people. She probably doesn''t have any friends at school.


    Who would want to talk to her when the first word out of her mouth is "tsk!" Even I wouldn''t want to be friends with someone like that.


    But I''m glad I pushed through and talked to her anyway. At least now I know her side of the story. Well, it''s not too bad. But I just wish she wouldn''t be so grumpy when people try to approach her.

 Uninvited guest

    A brief silence fell between us again, making the situation awkward. I needed to say something.


    "So, why did you suddenly open up to me? Aside from feeling comfortable with me, that is."


    "Well... um... you''re the first boy who talked to me, even after I was rude to you so many times."


    "Sounds like you don''t have any friends at school."


    She fell silent, a shy expression crossing her face. It seemed I hit the mark, she had no friends besides her butler, Jed.


    "Well, from tonight onward, I''ll be your first friend."


    "H-huh?! You really don''t mind?"


    "What kind of question is that?"


    "Well, I mean... you''re okay being friends with someone like me who''s... rude?"


    "Is that it? Haha! That''s no problem at all. You just worry too much about the little things. Just be yourself, and one day, you''ll see yourself differently too."


    She didn''t say anything, but I could see the shyness and happiness in her face as she avoided eye contact. She''s... cute. Well, I mean, she''s really shy.


    As we continued talking, a loud explosion echoed from inside the mansion.


    "H-huh?! What was that?!"


    "It sounds like trouble inside. Stay here, Ashley; it might be dangerous."


    "But¡ª"


    "Stay here! Can you defend yourself if something happen? Can you fight?"


    Her silence told me she didn''t, so it was better if I went in alone. Just before I could leave, her butler Jed arrived.


    "Miss Ashley, I''m glad I found you."


    "Jed, what''s happening inside?"


    "Unknown individuals have forced their way in and are causing chaos. It''s better if you stay here for now."


    "But what about Mom and Dad?"


    "Miss Ashley, they can handle themselves. You''re not yet skilled in magic, and if they have to protect you too, it will only make things harder for them."


    "He''s right, Ashley. I''ll take care of this. I''ll make sure your parents are safe."


    I left quickly after saying that, even though I wasn''t sure how much I could do if the intruders were really strong. But I trusted myself not to be a burden. Just as I was heading inside, I encountered someone.


    "Oh? Lost, kid?"


    I surveyed the scene¡ªthere was damage everywhere, people running in panic, and I couldn''t see my parents or Mr. and Mrs. Smith.


    "What do you want?!"


    "Hey, if I were you, I''d leave before someone gets hurt."


    "You must think you''re really something just because you''re older."


    "Hey! I''m giving you a chance because you''re a kid. If you don''t leave, I won''t have any choice but to take you down."


    A ring of smoke floated beside me as I summoned my Elderstaves from the ''Empty Space,'' a technique that allows me to store weapons made of mana, accessible anytime without the need to carry them. Though I''m not yet a master of using the Elderstaves, I had to try.


    "Oh! Elderstaves? Haha! Looks like I hit the jackpot!"


    I focused, just like in my training, but I needed to be quick before he attacked.


    "Water Splash Bullets!"


    I was startled when water bullets shot out, but they weren''t as powerful as the normal magic spells I usually use.


    Still, my training paid off, at least a little. The man drew his sword and easily deflected my attack.


    I wasn''t surprised¡ªI knew it wouldn''t be enough to hit him directly. So, I returned my Elderstaves to the Empty Space and retrieved the dagger Jun had given me.


    Once I had the dagger, I attacked swiftly, but he blocked it. I wondered if he was as fast as Craft or just slightly slower.


    Regardless, I followed up with another attack to the left side of his head, but he blocked that too. He tried to punch me, and I blocked it with one hand.


    As I held his arm, I released wind magic from my feet, spinning in the air. I aimed a kick at him with wind magic, sending him flying, but he wasn''t seriously hurt. He just grinned and vanished from my sight.


    I focused quickly, and in a flash, he reappeared right in front of me, attacking. He struck at me from various angles, and while I managed to keep up, each blow from his sword was twice as heavy as the last.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    My body couldn''t keep up with the force of his attacks. Even though I blocked them, the impact was overwhelming, to the point where my body felt like it might give out.


    "Hey! Looks like you''re no pushover if you can keep up with my attacks!"


    "Shut up!"


    Even though I could keep pace, I was struggling. I couldn''t keep up with using weapons, so I put the dagger inside the empty space and retreated using wind magic.


    "Palm Wind Scyther!"


    He tried to dodge the barrage of wind attacks, but there were too many, and some of them hit him, though he blocked others.


    "Hahaha! You''re not bad, kid!"


    I kept up the assault with wind magic, launching attacks from both my hands and feet. Even though I couldn''t stop him from getting closer, I did everything I could to move in the air, dodging his strikes and countering with wind magic.


    ''If this keeps up, I''ll run out of mana and be at a huge disadvantage.''


    I thought to myself. With no other options, I decided to run. If it came down to speed, he was faster, but with wind magic, I was more agile.


    I crouched slightly, channeling as much mana as I could into my legs to unleash powerful wind magic.


    Just as he was about to strike, I used wind magic to escape, but before I could get far, he grabbed my leg.


    "Wha-"


    "Hahaha! Where do you think you''re going, kid?"


    "Shit!"


    He slammed me into the ground, shattering it. The impact was so strong I nearly lost consciousness.


    ''I can''t pass out here, I can''t!''


    I told myself. But before I could do anything, he wasn''t finished. He pulled me up again and slammed me into the ground once more.


    "Shit! no!!"


    "Hahaha! Did you really think I''d go easy on you just because you''re a kid? I told you to get out of my way."


    I lay on the ground, slowly losing consciousness. I could barely understand what he was saying anymore. My vision blurred until I finally passed out.


    *


    I woke up suddenly, unsure how much time had passed. I tried to stand, but my body was in agony.


    "Ah! It hurts! Hah! I... I still have some mana left, I can use it to heal myself."


    I tried to heal myself without draining all my mana. It wasn''t enough to completely ease the pain, but it allowed me to stand.


    I carefully got up and looked around to see what was happening. Bodies were scattered everywhere, lifeless.


    The sight shocked me so much I nearly threw up. I forced myself to stay calm and find a way to stand.


    I slowly walked down the stairs. The sound of fighting still echoed from the lower floors. As I reached the bottom, I saw Dad fighting off five men outside the house.


    I couldn''t see Mom or Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and I had no idea where Ashley was with Mr. Jed.


    I wanted to help Dad, but I didn''t have the strength left to fight. It wasn''t that Dad couldn''t handle his opponents¡ªthe problem was that their numbers were increasing. There were already ten of them.


    As I was about to head outside, more enemies appeared, both heading for Dad and toward me. I quickly moved to leave my spot and slipped out through an open door nearby.


    Once outside, I spotted an old carriage and hurried inside to hide. I lay down in the dark, struggling to stay conscious as blood continued to drain from my body. My vision and hearing started to fade.


    I heard people approaching the carriage, and two men began talking nearby. I couldn''t understand what they were saying anymore until I finally passed out.


    "Hey! Why is there a kid here?"


    "Beats me! Is he guarding this carriage?"


    "Hey! I''m the one asking you, why are you asking me back?"


    "But look, he''s injured. Should we help him?"


    "Hey, how do you know he''s not an enemy?"


    "What''s wrong with you two!? Can''t you see he''s bleeding out? Kyle! You drive the carriage. I''ll help the boy."


    "H-hey! Mika, what are you doing? You don''t even know who he is. He might be dangerous; just look what happened to him."


    "Are you crazy!? Can''t you see he''s in critical condition? I can''t just leave him like this."


    "Sigh. What choice do I have? Kyle, let''s get moving. Jarred, get in."


    The carriage carrying Azrael drove away, and a woman inside began using healing magic to close his wounds.


    "Come on, kid, you can''t die on us."


    "A-ahm, Mika, do you think he''ll make it?"


    "Do you think he''ll survive if you just stand there watching? Use your healing magic too, come on!"


    "A-ahh, o-okay, sure!"


    The two other men quickly joined in, using their healing magic to help close the wounds on Azrael''s body.


    ''Tsk, some of his bones are broken. He took a really bad hit. If we don''t keep using healing magic until we reach our destination, he''s going to die,'' Mika thought to herself.


    After several hours of using healing magic, Mika and Carl took a break, leaving Jarred as the only one still casting healing spell.


    "This is better than all of us using healing magic at once. We''ll take turns every three hours to rest and rotate."


    "That''s a good plan, Mika, but... why are you so determined to save this kid?"


    "I don''t really know, okay? It''s just... I just feel like I have to. I can''t just let him die, and besides, he hasn''t done anything wrong to us."


    "But are you sure he''s a good kid? What if he got all those injuries because he''s a thief, just like us?"


    "What''s wrong with you, Jarred? He''s too young to be a thief. And look at what he''s wearing."


    "Yeah, his clothes look expensive. Do you think he''s from a rich family?"


    "Who knows? But maybe we can use that to our advantage when he wakes up. We could return him to his family and ask for a reward."


    "That''s right! You''re really smart, Mika!"


    "Anyway, do you want something to eat?"


    Mika handed a whole loaf of bread to Carl.


    "Thanks, Mika. How about you, Jarred?"


    "I''m good."


    "Kyle, do you want any?"


    "Nah, I''m fine."


    "Alright then, I''ll keep it all to myself."


    As morning broke, they took turns healing Azrael with their magic. Carl was the first to wake up, stretching his arms as he stood.


    "Good Mornin¡ªOh? You haven''t slept yet, Mika? Do you want me to take over?"


    "No, I''m fine. Why don''t you replace Kyle and take charge of the carriage for now?"


    "Ah, okay. Sure. Kyle, I''ll take it from here."


    "Oh, good morning, Carl. Thanks."


    As the sun began to rise, so did the day for this group of travelers, continuing their journey with Azrael with them.

 Sixteen

    The sky was dark, and a soft rain fell. A cold breeze brushed against my skin as I slowly opened my eyes.


    "H-huh? Where am I?"


    I looked around, trying to take in my surroundings. A broken ceiling, old tables, lamps, and chairs filled the room.


    As I continued to examine the area, I heard footsteps approaching. The sound grew louder as a voice hummed a tune, getting closer to the door.


    "Good morni¡ªoh! Y-you''re awake!"


    The man who had entered the room stood there, stunned. His hands trembled, and the glass he was holding slipped from his grasp, shattering on the floor. A woman rushed in.


    "Hey! Why did you drop that glass?"


    The man pointed at me, still in shock. The woman''s eyes widened when she saw me, as if she''d seen a ghost.


    "K-Kyle! Jarred! Come here, quick!"


    She yelled, and two more men hurried into the room.


    "What''s wrong? What happened?" one of them asked.


    "He''s awake," the woman replied.


    "Huh? Who''s awak¡ª"


    He turned to me mid-sentence, and his expression shifted to disbelief.


    "You''re awake¡­ You''re actually awake! Is this some kind of miracle?"


    The four of them stared at me, their faces showing a mix of shock and relief.


    "Um, good morning?" I managed, unsure how to respond.


    "How are you? Do you feel any pain, dizziness, thirst, or hunger?"


    "Uh¡­ I''m actually a bit hungry," I admitted.


    As soon as I said that, one of the men rushed out of the room without a word. Unsure of who these people were or what had happened, I began to ask questions.


    "Can you tell me where I am?"


    "You''re in Conju Village, in the northern continent," the woman replied.


    "N-north continent?!" I exclaimed and rose up from the bed in shock. Pain shot through my body, and I groaned.


    The woman quickly moved closer, concern etched on her face.


    "Don''t push yourself too hard. You''ve been unconscious for a long time. Your body is weak, and even the slightest movement will cause pain."


    She was right. I clutched my stomach, breathing heavily. Just then, the man who had left returned with some food and water.


    "Here, eat this. It''ll help you regain your strength. Sorry, but it''s all we have," he said, handing me a plate.


    I took the plate slowly and began to eat. The food was simple, but it tasted like the best meal I''d had in a long time.


    "Oh, by the way, we haven''t introduced ourselves," the woman continued.


    "I''m Mika. This is Carl, Jarred, and Kyle. The four of us grew up together. And you are?"


    "Azrael¡­ Azrael Vandey," I replied, my mouth still full of food.


    Their eyes widened, and they all froze, beads of sweat forming on their foreheads.


    "V-Vandey? Wait, are you serious?" Mika asked, her voice trembling.


    "Uh, yes? Do I look like I''m joking?" I said, confused.


    "Does that mean¡­ you''re a¡­ r-royalty?" she stuttered.


    "Oh, your majesty!" Carl exclaimed, bowing awkwardly.


    "Hey, he''s just royalty, not a prince or a king!" Kyle corrected.


    "Oh, right," Carl muttered.


    I couldn''t help but smile at their reactions.


    "Sorry about that," Mika said, still a bit flustered. "It''s just that they''ve never met anyone from the nobility before."


    I chuckled. "No problem, it''s understandable."


    "So¡­ can we ask how you ended up in that carriage we were going to¡­ borrow?" Mika asked hesitantly.


    "Borrow? I thought it was yours," I replied, raising an eyebrow.


    "Ah, well, not exactly," she admitted, laughing nervously.


    "I got into a fight¡­ and lost," I said, feeling embarrassed.


    Mika nodded. "That explains the state you were in. You really pushed your body to the limit."


    "Yeah, I guess so," I replied, scratching the back of my head with a sheepish grin.


    The atmosphere grew serious as Mika spoke again.


    "Your injuries were severe. We had to use healing magic on you for two hours straight before we could continue one at a time, every hour."If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "I see¡­ I''m sorry for being such a burden. You helped me even though you didn''t know me. Thank you," I said, bowing my head in gratitude.


    Mika sighed. "To be honest, we didn''t save you out of the goodness of our hearts. Our original plan was to return you to your family and collect a reward. We''re not wealthy, as you can see from this place. This isn''t even our permanent home. We''re just staying here temporarily and will be leaving in a few days."


    I stayed silent, understanding their situation.


    "But honestly, we never expected it would take this long for you to wake up. Over the years, we took you to different places, hoping you''d wake up."


    "Years? What do you mean?" I asked, my heart racing.


    "Azrael¡­ you''ve been unconscious for five years."


    "W-what?! How is that possible?"


    Mika continued, "We tried everything to heal you. We even sought help from the best healer we knew, but no one could say when you might wake up."


    I stared at my plate, struggling to process her words. "But¡­ it feels like it just happened moments ago. I remember running from my attackers, hiding in a dark carriage¡ª"


    "Stop," Mika interrupted. "It didn''t just happen. You''ve been asleep for years. You need to accept this reality and learn to live in the present."


    I fell silent, unable to find the right words. What could I say to them after everything they had done for me?


    "We didn''t know who you were, so we couldn''t return you to your family," Mika explained. "If you hadn''t woken up by the end of this year, we were planning to leave you in the last town we visit."


    "...I wouldn''t blame you for that," I said quietly. "I would have done the same. I''ve been too much of a burden."


    I bowed my head again, apologizing and thanking them for everything they had done.


    "I promise you this," I continued, "if I manage to return home, I will ensure you receive the reward you truly deserve. Each of you will get a sum far greater than you''ve ever seen before. I give you my word."


    Mika sighed again. "I suppose we do deserve some kind of reward after all these years."


    "Thank you for understanding. By the way, do you have any means I could use to get back to the South Continent?"


    "Are you out of your mind?" Mika laughed.


    "W-what?"


    "Do you think you''re in any condition to travel on your own? Look at yourself! You were healthier when we found you, and now you''re nothing but skin and bones."


    "Ah¡­ right," I muttered.


    "Don''t give me that grin," Mika said, rolling her eyes. "We''ll take you back ourselves."


    "But, you''ve already done so much for me."


    "What choice do we have? If you don''t make it back safely, all our efforts would be for nothing. It''d be a waste if you died on the way," Mika reasoned.


    "Thank you, truly," I said, bowing once more, a smile on my face.


    "Finish your meal," she replied. "We''ll leave for the South Continent in a few days."


    I nodded gratefully, watching as she walked away, shaking her head.


    *


    The days that followed were filled with rest and recovery. At first, I could barely stand. I had tried to get up the day before but had collapsed immediately, needing their help to get back into bed.


    For five years, they had used healing magic on me twice daily to keep me alive without food. But without proper nourishment, my body had withered away.


    They did everything they could to keep me alive, and I realized my birthday had passed. I was now sixteen and realized that there''s only one month left before the end of the year.


    After a few days, I could finally walk again. I gazed out the window, looking at the beautiful snow outside.


    "Wow, it''s been so long since I''ve seen snow."


    While exploring the room, I found a mirror. I noticed that my body had regained some strength. I was still thin, but not as skinny as when I first woke up.


    I also realized I had grown taller and that my appearance had changed so much that I barely recognized my own face.


    As I gazed out the window, Mika entered the room.


    "It looks like you''re walking better now," she said. "We''re leaving in two days. Can you come to the living room so we can discuss the route we''ll take?"


    "Sure, I''ll be right there."


    Mika left the room first. I lingered by the window for a few more seconds, watching the snow before finally stepping out.


    Slowly, I walked down the hall, using the wall for support. When I reached the living room, I saw them seated around a table with a map spread out on top. I took the empty seat beside Jarred and Kyle.


    "Are you feeling any better, Azrael?" Kyle asked.


    "I can walk now, so I guess I''m getting there," I replied.


    "That''s good to hear," Carl added.


    "Now that everyone''s here, let''s go over our plan to reach the South Continent," Mika began.


    The three of them became serious, though I could sense Carl struggling to hide his usual smile. It seemed there was never a moment when he wasn''t joking or grinning.


    "We''re currently in Conju Village, which is in the central part of the North Continent," Mika continued. "If we travel through Caroline Mountain, we can reach Tancki Valley faster."


    "Caroline Mountain?" Kyle asked. "Can a carriage even pass through there?"


    "There''s a hidden path between the two mountains, but we have to pass through a forest first to get there," Mika explained. "Not everyone knows about the passage, so it''s a bit of a shortcut to Tancki Valley and Aoyu Village."


    "Oh, I see," Kyle murmured.


    "To leave Garuga Country, we''ll have to cross the sea once we reach Tancki Valley," Mika said.


    "So Conju Village, Tancki Valley, and Aoyu Village is all part of Garuga Country. I see." I replied.


    "Right," Carl nodded. "As far as I know, there are ships that transport people to other countries, like Kura Country. But it could take us a few days, and that might be expensive."


    "Don''t worry, money won''t be a problem," Kyle assured him.


    I let out a deep sigh, sensing they might resort to stealing to pay for the journey.


    But what could I do? I couldn''t stop them¡ªthey were the ones helping me, after all. I decided to let them handle things their way, as long as they didn''t harm any innocent people.


    "Once we reach Kura Country, it will be much harder to get to any neighboring nation. Sigh. We need to think of an alternative route," Mika said.


    "There''s no easier route," Jarred replied. "If we go through other countries, it could take us up to two years just to get to the next one and finally leave the North Continent."


    "Um, may I ask why you''re so against going through Kura Country? It''s the closest nation to the border of the North Continent," I inquired.


    "How should I put this¡­ well, we''re kind of wanted in that country, so it''s not exactly easy for us to get in and out," Carl explained.


    "W-what?! Wanted?! What did you do to become wanted in an entire country?!" I shouted in surprise.


    "Uh, we¡­ stole something valuable from the country''s president," Carl answered, his voice growing quieter with each word.


    I held my head in my hands, shaking it at their reckless actions. I couldn''t believe they had stolen something so important from a president. What were they thinking? Sigh.


    "But like Jarred said, there''s no easier route. I suppose we''ll just have to find a way to deal with it once we''re there," Kyle said.


    "Alright then, it''s decided. We''re going to Kura Country, and no matter what happens, we stick together. Agreed?" Mika declared.


    "I''m in," Jarred nodded.


    "Me too," Kyle added.


    "Absolutely, count me in," Carl grinned.


    "Um, wherever you guys go, I''ll go too," I agreed with a nervous chuckle.

 Journey begins

    Mika and Jarred began preparing the supplies, while Kyle prepared the carriage.


    Meanwhile, Carl and I set off to buy food. As we walked, we stumbled upon an old shop.


    Carl went inside to select some ingredients, while I stayed outside, noticing the place was strangely deserted. Curious, I looked around for the shopkeeper but couldn''t find anyone.


    I wandered further, eventually reaching a narrow alleyway. At the end of it, I saw an old woman smoking.


    ¡°Excuse me, are you the owner of the shop? ¡±I asked.


    ¡°Hm? Oh, just take whatever you want,¡± she replied casually.


    ¡°Uh, don''t I need to pay? ¡±I hesitated.


    She chuckled. ¡°Payment is not in money, child, but in deeds... the kind that aren''t so good, you know? ¡±


    ¡°Huh? But you just said I could take whatever I wanted? ¡±


    ¡°Yes. It looks like your friend has already taken what he wanted. Enjoy.¡± She smiled, a cigarette perched between her fingers.


    Her words sent a chill down my spine. I hurried back to the shop, where I found Carl leaving with an armful of food.


    ¡°Carl? What are you doing? Why aren''t you paying? ¡±I asked, catching up to him.


    He turned and grinned. ¡°Did you see the old lady at the end of the alley? ¡±


    I nodded silently.


    ¡°She told me before that everything¡¯s free in her shop. Everyone here takes what they need without paying,¡± he explained.


    ¡°But she said... payment isn¡¯t in money if you take anything from her shop.¡±


    Carl laughed. ¡°Yeah, she said the price is life itself or something like that. Do you actually believe her? ¡±


    ¡°Well...¡±


    ¡°Come on, who¡¯d say no to free food? ¡±He chuckled, walking ahead while I remained, feeling uneasy and unsettled.


    When we returned, Mika and the others had finished preparing for our trip. Mika had even started cooking a meal before we left.


    I decided to take a quick shower and change. By the time I returned, Mika had finished cooking, and we all sat down to eat.


    "Oh! This tastes amazing!" I exclaimed.


    Mika laughed. ¡°Glad you like it.¡±


    ¡°Mmm! It¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve had something this delicious,¡± I continued.


    ¡°Sigh, enough with the flattery, just eat,¡± Mika said with a playful roll of her eyes.


    Once we finished eating, we started loading all our gear onto the carriage, preparing for our journey to Caroline Mountain.


    After a few minutes of final checks, we were ready to go. Kyle took the reins, while the rest of us settled inside the carriage.


    ¡°How long will it take to reach Caroline Mountain? ¡±I asked.


    ¡°It should take us about two hours,¡± Mika replied.


    ¡°Got it,¡± I said, leaning back, already feeling a bit bored from the ride.


    To pass the time, I decided to check the items in my ¡®Empty Space.¡¯


    ¡°Oh, they¡¯re all still here,¡± I muttered.


    ¡°Empty Space? ¡±Jarred asked, rubbing his chin with a curious look.


    ¡°Yeah, I have some things stored here,¡± I explained and began pulling out my possessions one by one.


    The first thing I retrieved was my Elderstaves.


    ¡°Whoa! Are those Elderstaves? ¡±Carl exclaimed.


    ¡°Looks like it. I¡¯ve never seen one in my life! ¡± Jarred added.


    ¡°Can I see it? ¡±Kyle asked from the front, his curiosity evident in his voice.


    ¡°Sure, Kyle. I¡¯ll show you later,¡± I replied.


    ¡°Hehe, thanks, Azrael,¡± Kyle beamed.


    Next, I pulled out a purple magic orb that Sunny had given me some time ago.


    ¡°A-a magic orb?! ¡±Carl gasped.


    ¡°Hey, calm down, Carl,¡± I chuckled.


    ¡°Oh, come on, Carl, you¡¯re acting like a kid,¡± Mika teased with her arms crossed.


    The next item I pulled out was a dagger that Jun had gifted me.


    ¡°Oh! That¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s a Curse Grade weapon! ¡±Jarred exclaimed.


    ¡°Curse Grade? ¡±I asked.


    ¡°Jarred knows a lot about weapons, so he can tell what grade a weapon is,¡± Mika explained.


    ¡°Oh, I see,¡± I replied, excitement bubbling in my voice.


    ¡°Can I hold it? ¡±Jarred asked, his eyes filled with eagerness.


    ¡°Sure, here,¡± I said, handing the dagger to him carefully.


    He examined it closely, from the hilt to the blade.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    Curious, I asked, ¡°How can you tell what grade a weapon is? ¡±


    Jarred began explaining, ¡°It¡¯s pretty simple. The difference between a Unique Grade and a Curse Grade weapon lies in the aura they emit.


    A Unique Grade weapon releases a thin aura, barely visible when mana is channeled into it. A Curse Grade weapon, on the other hand, absorbs the user''s mana before it releases a thin dark aura.


    The danger with a Curse Grade is that if the user can''t control it, the weapon can drain their mana completely, leaving them helpless in battle.¡±


    ¡°But I never felt my mana being drained when I used it before,¡± I noted.


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t notice it right away. If you can¡¯t control it and use it for too long, it will deplete your mana quickly,¡± Jarred warned.


    I nodded thoughtfully.


    ¡°There are various grades of weapons,¡± Jarred continued. ¡°For example, Normal Grade weapons don¡¯t absorb any mana; they¡¯re just regular weapons. However, you can coat them with mana or eternal energy to strengthen and empower them.


    Next, there¡¯s the Elite Grade. These weapons can absorb mana from the user. If exposed to a powerful enough source of mana or eternal energy of the user, they may evolve into a legendary or even mythical-grade weapon.


    Curse and unique grades come with what we call ''Blessings,'' similar to legendary and mythical grades. These are ''Unique Blessings'' and ''Curse Blessings.''


    Unique blessings have abilities focused on destruction and controlling the surrounding environment, while curse blessings involve poisons, paralysis, and other non-destructive powers that can incapacitate an enemy in seconds."


    I listened intently, realizing there was so much more to these weapons than I had ever imagined.


    "So, it¡¯s that simple to distinguish between unique and curse-grade weapons. I noticed that this dagger was draining your mana earlier, so I immediately knew it was curse-grade," Jarred explained.


    "Doesn¡¯t that dagger drain your mana while you hold it?"I asked.


    "Of course it does. But the way to minimize the mana it drains is to willingly give it some of your mana. That way, it doesn¡¯t draw too much from you," he replied.


    "Give it willingly? "


    "Yup, simple as that."


    "Is that so? Then, how are curse-grade weapons made, and why are they used? "I asked, curious.


    "Cursed-grade weapons are created when the forging process fails. Originally, curse-grade is an imperfect result of a unique-grade weapon.


    When the creation of a unique-grade weapon fails, it becomes curse-grade. I¡¯m not entirely sure why the process fails, but that¡¯s how curse-grade weapons come to be.


    They¡¯re used by some because they¡¯re effective for assassination missions due to their abilities, which are suited for that kind of work."


    "I see, now I understand," I said.


    Jarred just smiled while continuing to observe the dagger. I then took out the necklace Clark had given me, which I didn¡¯t remember placing in the empty space. I examined it briefly before putting it on.


    Next, I took out the guardian egg Sen had given me.


    "Oh, a guardian egg," Carl said with curiosity.


    "It has a crack. Do you think it might be about to hatch? "Mika asked.


    "I¡¯m not sure. It¡¯s been here for five years, and it still hasn¡¯t hatched," I answered.


    "A guardian egg needs to be exposed to mana from the Twin Realm. It struggles to survive in our world while still in the egg," Jarred explained.


    "I see, that¡¯s probably why it hasn¡¯t hatched yet."


    "But... This one is different. The crack suggests it might be close to hatching," Jarred continued.


    "But it isn¡¯t in the Twin Realm to absorb enough mana to hatch," Carl said.


    "That¡¯s true, but this one is unusual. There¡¯s a species of guardian known as ''legendary bloodline'' that can survive without a proper exposure to mana from the Twin Realm," Jarred added.


    "Do you think this might be one of those species? "Mika asked.


    "I¡¯m not sure, but we¡¯ll find out once the egg hatches," Jarred said.


    After the discussion, I continued to stare at the guardian egg, holding it with both hands.


    An hour later, Carl had replaced Kyle at the carriage''s reins. Kyle was fascinated by the Elderstaves, having never seen or handled one before.


    After a few hours of travel, we arrived at the forest where we would pass through to reach Caroline Mountain. We all got out and walked a bit to inspect the area.


    As we walked, we saw a warning sign that read, "Do not enter; there are inhabitants in the forest that should not be disturbed."


    "Residents in the forest? I¡¯ve never heard of anyone living here," Mika said.


    "Do you think they might be man-eating monsters? "Kyle asked.


    "Or perhaps people who eat humans," Jarred suggested.


    As soon as Jarred said this, Carl began to tremble with fear, biting his nails.


    "Man-eating... people? "Carl asked, still shaking.


    "Come on, Carl, do you still believe in that? You¡¯re too old to be scared of such things," Mika said.


    "So, what should we do now? Should we continue? "I asked.


    "Of course. This is the fastest route to Tancki Valley," Mika answered.


    We then returned to the carriage and began to enter the forest. Just minutes into the forest, the atmosphere felt different.


    "Guys... Can someone switch with me... here? "Carl said, nervously driving ahead.


    Kyle went to the front to accompany Carl.


    "I''m glad you came to help me; thanks, Kyle," Carl said, sighing with relief.


    "What else could I do? It¡¯s better to be here and see what¡¯s in this place," Kyle replied.


    After a few minutes, Kyle and Carl switched places, and Carl fell asleep beside Kyle.


    "How will I know when we reach our destination? "Kyle asked.


    "Just keep going straight until you reach a bridge. At the end of the bridge, there¡¯s another forest, and if we go straight through that, we¡¯ll come out in the middle of Caroline Mountain," Mika instructed.


    "Got it."


    After a few minutes of travel, we could see the bridge ahead, but before we could get close, we noticed some people nearby.


    "Uh, guys. I think there¡¯s a problem," Kyle said.


    Carl suddenly woke up.


    "Ah! Those are the people I was talking about¡ªcannibals! This is the end for us! "Carl exclaimed in fear.


    "Calm down, Carl. You''re not helping," Mika said.


    We got out of our carriage and tried to talk to them.


    "We''re not enemies; we have no ill intentions. We just want to pass through," Mika said.


    "That one looks quite tasty," one of the men in front of us said ominously.


    "Ah! I told you so! "Carl cried out.


    "Will you be quiet for a moment? "Jarred retorted.


    "No one passes through here. We¡¯ve been stopping people from crossing for a long time. If you insist on pushing through, we¡¯ll have no choice but to use force," the man in front of us warned.


    "We can resolve this peacefully without anyone getting hurt. We¡¯ll give you whatever you want as long as it¡¯s possible," I said.


    "We need one of you. It¡¯s been a while since anyone has come to this place," the stranger replied.


    "Tch! Carl''s right¡ªCannibals!" Mika muttered.


    "I told you, they really do eat people," Carl said.


    At this point, my companions prepared to fight, drawing their weapons to defend themselves. The strangers in front of us also drew their weapons.


    "Wait, can¡¯t we talk this over? "I asked.


    "This isn¡¯t up for discussion, Azrael. As far as I know, no one lived in this forest before, which means they¡¯re recent arrivals. They stopped people from crossing by killing and eating them to hide evidence," Mika said.


    "If that¡¯s the case, you prefer violence over peace," the stranger said.


    "It¡¯s not like that, but we have no choice but to fight. We won¡¯t give up any of our companions," Mika replied.


    The man smiled, and suddenly, people emerged from different parts of the forest. At this point, we were surrounded and had nowhere to run.

 Cannibal

    ''We''re surrounded. If they all attack at once, we have a much higher chance of losing. Besides, I''m not even sure if I''m in any shape to fight. It''s been a while,'' I thought to myself.


    "Kill them and bring me the head of that man," the leader commanded.


    "Wh-why me?!" Clark bubbling, fear evident in his voice.


    "Tch! Let''s do this. Don''t leave any openings for them," Mika ordered.


    "Roger!"


    "Copy that."


    "I-I got it!"


    The enemies charged at the five of us all at once. Mika was the first to rush forward, meeting the oncoming attackers head-on.


    With her two normal-grade weapons in hand, she attacked with incredible speed. She moved so swiftly that her enemies couldn''t react in time.


    Mika took down two of them without breaking a sweat. The other attackers quickly followed, rushing at her one by one. She matched their swordplay, but there were too many of them.


    She couldn''t defend every part of her body. Mika was struck on her side and arm by the enemy''s weapons. She swiftly retreated, trying to avoid the next wave of attacks.


    ''Damn it! I got hit! '' she thought, grinning.


    At this point, Mika decided to use her magic. As a fire element user, she unleashed a series of fiery blasts from her arm, hurling them at the attackers.


    The enemies dodged her fire spells and launched a rapid counterattack. They were so quick that Mika was caught off guard and couldn''t react in time.


    I caught the blow with my curse-grade dagger, surprising the enemy with the speed at which I moved to where the fight was unfolding.


    "You brat!" one of the enemies shouted as they charged at me.


    Before the attack could land, Mika stop it, parrying the strike and swiftly slicing through the attacker. Another enemy down.


    Meanwhile, Carl was struggling against a horde of cannibals.


    "Ah! Get away from me!" Carl yelled.


    He summoned two guardians to aid him in the battle.


    "Hear my call and help me fight!" Carl shouted.


    Seconds later, two magic circles appeared in front of him, and the guardians emerged. With their arrival, we gained more allies on the battlefield.


    After summoning, Carl started using wind magic to create distance between himself and his enemies.


    "Cyclone!" he shouted.


    A powerful whirlwind formed in front of Carl, tearing through the enemies paths. Those caught in the cyclone were carried away while the others quickly dodged.


    The remaining enemies who avoided the cyclone charged straight for Carl''s position.


    "Ah! Time out!" Carl yelled in panic.


    Before they could reach him, the two guardians Carl had summoned stepped in. One of the guardians threw a powerful punch that the enemy narrowly dodged, causing the ground to shatter upon impact.


    While the enemies were off-balance, the second guardian struck, sending one flying. The two guardians wreaked havoc, attacking any enemies they encountered while Carl provided support from behind.


    Meanwhile, Jarred and Kyle were fighting side by side. Jarred, a skilled swordsman, directly engaged the enemies with his elite-grade double-edged sword.


    It was clear how adept Jarred was with his weapon. In the blink of an eye, he vanished from the enemies'' sight and reappeared behind them, slashing at their legs to make them lose balance.


    As soon as the enemies fell to their knees, Kyle, the group''s marksman, shot them in the head.


    Kyle didn''t use magic spells. Instead, he wielded guns, coating his bullets with mana and eternal energy to make them stronger and capable of penetrating even the toughest armor.


    Fortunately for us, the enemies weren''t wearing any armor, making it easier for Kyle to target different parts of their bodies.


    Kyle''s attacks began to frustrate the enemies, who decided to target him first, knowing he was weaker in close combat. But before they could reach him, Jarred stepped in to block their path.


    Jarred gave no openings, using his swift movements and heavy strikes to take down the enemies one by one, ensuring none of them got close to Kyle.


    But it wasn''t easy for Jarred when the leader of the cannibals suddenly joined the fight. The speed of his attacks was overwhelming, and Jarred struggled to keep up.


    "Argh! What... What kind of strength is this?" Jarred grunted.


    The enemy relentlessly unleashed a barrage of attacks, leaving Jarred with no opportunity to strike back. Meanwhile, the other enemies took this chance to charge at Kyle.


    Five cannibals rushed toward Kyle simultaneously, their faces filled with excitement, believing that a marksman like him would be weak in close combat. However, they were mistaken.


    With a single wave of Kyle''s hand, countless sharp stones rose from the ground and pierced the advancing enemies.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    In an instant, Kyle wiped out all the attackers without breaking a sweat. Everyone who saw this, including their Cannibal leader, was left in shock.


    Jarred simply smiled, confident that Kyle could take care of himself. As an expert in earth magic, Kyle could create various defenses and offensive strategies in close combat situations.


    Holding his rifle in one hand, Kyle raised his other hand, summoning large, jagged rocks. He aimed them at the remaining enemies and released them. Many were struck, while others managed to evade the attack.


    Seeing this, Jarred refocused on battling the cannibal leader. However, no matter what he did, the enemy''s attacks were overwhelmingly powerful.


    I saw an opportunity and positioned myself behind the cannibal leader, launching an attack. However, the cannibal managed to catch my arm and slammed me into the ground, shattering it beneath me.


    Using this brief distraction, Jarred launched an attack, but the enemy successfully parried his blow. As soon as the leader blocked Jarred''s strike, I stood up and launched another strike.


    I leapt high into the air and unleashed a powerful burst of wind magic. The force struck the cannibal leader directly, pushing him back slightly, but he quickly regained his balance.


    "It looks like we need to attack him together," I said.


    "Good idea," Jarred agreed.


    With just a few words exchanged, Jarred and I launched a coordinated assault, targeting every possible opening. I struck from above while Jarred attacked from below, and then we switched positions, with me going low and him going high.


    We executed our attacks with speed and precision, leaving no opportunity for a counterattack. The leader began to struggle, unable to defend against our combined strikes.


    Frustrated, he unleashed a powerful aura that sent both of us flying backward. As we regained our footing, he suddenly appeared in front of me and kicked me hard, slamming me into the ground with such force that I was buried deep in the dirt.


    Jarred, caught off guard, watched in shock as the leader appeared before him in an instant. The enemy grabbed Jarred''s face and forcefully slammed him into the ground as well.


    At that moment, Mika rushed in and tried to strike the leader''s hand, but her normal-grade weapon wasn''t strong enough to inflict a significant wound.


    "Nice try, little lady," the leader taunted with a smirk.


    "Tch! I am not a little lady!" Mika exclaimed.


    After finishing off her own enemies, Mika had come to assist us, but all she could do now was buy time for us to recover.


    The force of the blows made it difficult for us to stand. The damage we took was evident in our battered appearance. Jarred''s face was bloodied from the attack.


    I raised my hand to release some wind magic to help Mika, while Jarred began healing himself with his magic.


    "Ugh! That hit was too strong!" Jarred muttered.


    "Wind Scyther!"


    I unleashed a flurry of wind magic to distract the leader, giving Mika a chance to find an opening. I remained on the ground, clutching my side, supporting Mika with every gust of wind I could muster.


    In just a few seconds, a white halo suddenly appeared above the enemy''s head.


    "Huh? What''s on his head? "I asked, startled.


    "Angel Ring. It''s dangerous! "Mika replied.


    ''Angel Ring? What is that? I have a bad feeling about this,'' I thought to myself.


    Moments later, various parts of the enemy''s body developed holes and started emitting smoke.


    "How long do you think you''ll last in this smoke?"The leader of the cannibals taunted.


    Without hesitation, Mika charged at the enemy and plunged into the smoke created by the opponent.


    At this point, Mika was inhaling the smoke and trying to keep up with the enemy''s attacks, using various fire magic spells to counter them.


    Meanwhile, Jarred''s condition had improved, and he managed to stand. He came over to me to use healing magic.


    "What do you think this smoke is? "I asked.


    "I don''t know either, but he seems confident fighting in it. This is bad; I have a strange feeling about this smoke," Jarred replied.


    "I feel the same way," I agreed.


    At this moment, Kyle and Carl were still fighting other cannibals, so only the three of us were left to face their leader.


    After a few minutes, I was feeling better and managed to stand as well. But I could sense my mana running low, so I put away my dagger.


    I decided to bring out my Elderstaves, though I wasn''t sure if I could use them properly. I tried to concentrate as I used to.


    We saw Mika slowing down, and the enemy seized the opportunity, kicking her with tremendous force. She was sent flying far away, crashing through the trees.


    "Mika!! "Jarred shouted.


    Jarred rushed in recklessly, entering the smoke to confront the cannibal leader.


    "Come on, fight me here, and you''ll find what you''re looking for! "The enemy taunted.


    "Jarred, wait! "I called out.


    Jarred matched the enemy''s speed, and it was remarkable that despite all our previous battles, he still didn''t seem to tire.


    I focused again on my Elderstaves, and when the ends lit up, I unleashed a wind magic spell.


    "Beast Wind Cyclone! "


    A whirlwind of bamboo leaves shot from the ends of my elderstaves toward the enemy. Jarred noticed it and quickly dodged. The enemy, caught off guard, hastily created a barrier with one hand to block the attack.


    Though he managed to catch the attack, the force was so great that he struggled to defend himself. The bamboo leaves and wind were destroying the ground where they struck.


    Despite the power of the attack, he managed to defend against it, but he merely smiled, indicating that while my attack was impressive, it wasn''t enough to defeat him.


    In the brief moment of opportunity, Jarred charged in to deal damage.


    "Ha! Get ready! "Jarred shouted.


    He landed a direct hit on the enemy''s body, and with its pure force, he created a massive wound.


    "Urgh! Ah! Not too bad," the enemy grunted, blood pouring from his mouth.


    The enemy then released more smoke, obscuring him once again.


    "Now I''ll finish all of you!"The enemy declared.


    The enemy appeared in front of Jarred and kicked him into a large rock, burying him inside it. The enemy reappeared in front of him and delivered a powerful punch to his face, smashing the rock.


    Without hesitation, I listened for the sound of the enemy''s attack and unleashed strong wind magic.


    "Gust Execution! "


    Sharp gusts of wind cut through the thick smoke, hitting the enemy and sending him flying. Despite this, he quickly restored the smoke from the holes in his body.


    "Urgh! I''ll finish you off, kid! "The enemy roared.


    The enemy rushed toward me, and I prepared to defend against his attack and counter. But before he could get close, two guardians punched him, trapping him in the middle and spinning him rapidly in the air.


    While in mid-air, a powerful wind magic hit him and sent him crashing down.


    "Ha! Direct hit! "Carl shouted from the air.


    After a few seconds, I felt myself growing weak. I realized I had been inhaling the smoke from the enemy''s body since earlier.


    ''Wait a minute, I know now. This smoke weakens anyone who breathes it in. It also slows down breathing¡ªit''s dangerous,'' I thought to myself.


    "Carl! Cover your nose and don''t breathe in the smoke¡ªcough! Cough! It weakens and slows you down! "I shouted to Carl.


    Hearing this, Carl quickly covered his nose and went down to the ground.

 Last man standing

    The enemy stood up again within seconds, a grin on his face.


    "Hahaha! This is great! It''s been a while since I felt this excitement! "He shouted, looking directly at Carl.


    At that moment, Carl stared back at the enemy, his hand covering his nose. It was the first time I had seen Carl show no fear in the face of an opponent; his eyes burned with determination to defeat him.


    "Carl! I''ll give you some support. My mana is almost draining, and I''ve already taken a lot of damage from him. This is all I can do to help! "I called out.


    "You''ve done enough, Azrael. Leave the rest to me until Kyle finishes off his opponents," Carl replied.


    "Double Edge Gale Wind! "


    A powerful gust of wind swirled between Carl''s palms and hurled toward the enemy, destroying everything in its path. The enemy caught it head-on, activating a barrier.


    ''Level two barrier, tsk! ''Carl thought to himself.


    The wind attack vanished after a few seconds. The two guardians charged forward, and the enemy rushed to meet them. They exchanged fierce blows, each punch breaking the ground beneath them.


    The enemy, from the beginning, had only been using his fists, coating his arms with mana to harden them enough to withstand swords and enhance the damage of his punches with eternal energy.


    He attacked both guardians simultaneously while defending himself from their strikes. This was my time to step in. I started casting wind magic spells to aid the two guardians, and Carl did the same.


    We both supported them as they traded blows with the enemy until one of the guardians was hit with a powerful punch, sending him flying. This gave the enemy an advantage in defeating the remaining guardian. Before that could happen, I cast another wind magic spell.


    "Beast Wind Cyclone! "


    The enemy dodged it, and while he was off balance, the guardian seized the opportunity to attack. The guardian struck the enemy directly in the stomach, sending him crashing into the ground, causing it to crumble.


    But our attack didn''t end there. Carl flew up using wind magic and unleashed another spell.


    "Gale Storm! "


    A dark wind slammed directly into the enemy, destroying the surrounding area.


    "Nice one, Carl! "I shouted in excitement.


    "Yeah! We did it! "Carl exclaimed, catching his breath.


    But just when we thought we had won, the smoke from the explosion cleared, and we saw the enemy standing again, emerging from a massive crater in the ground.


    "Hah... Hah! Not bad," the enemy muttered, breathing heavily.


    "Tsk! This one''s too persistent! "Carl cursed.


    I could feel myself losing consciousness; I had just enough energy left for one final spell that could finish him off.


    "Carl¡­ Cough! Cough! ... Help me get closer to him," I said.


    "Are you sure you''re okay? If you can''t make it, I''ll handle this," Carl replied.


    "One more strike, just one more, and he''ll be done¡ªI''m sure of it," I insisted.


    "But can your body handle it? "Carl asked.


    "Yes... I can manage," I replied.


    "All right. Let''s do it." Carl called on his two guardians to charge at the enemy.


    The enemy smirked and disappeared in a blink of an eye. The guardians were caught off-guard as the enemy reappeared right in front of them, kicking both of them in the face and sending them crashing into the ground.


    Within seconds, Carl had already cast another wind spell. The enemy activated his barrier again, but this time he was thrown back by Carl''s attack.


    It was my chance to strike. Pouring all my strength into this final blow, I rushed to his side while he was distracted, aimed my palm at his abdomen, and unleashed a powerful attack.


    "Zephyr!! "


    A black wind hit the enemy, and its force and magnitude were so immense that his entire body seemed to vanish, consumed by the dark wind. All that remained was the one who had cast the spell.


    The power of my attack sent me flying, and I felt my arm break, but I was sure it was worth it.


    But after the explosion''s smoke cleared, I could see the silhouette of a man standing through the thick haze. His arms hung low, and his body bent backward.


    My eyes widened in shock as the smoke disappeared, revealing the enemy still standing; his barrier is broken.


    "How... is... this possible? "I muttered before losing consciousness.


    "This can''t be happening. Azrae¡ª"


    Before Carl could finish his sentence, he saw Azrael unconscious far from him. He wasted no time rushing to his side, instead focusing on the enemy before him.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ''Tsk! This can''t be. How did he survive that? He must have manipulated the mana flow in his body to create a level two barrier that covered his entire body. He''s smarter than I thought,'' Carl thought.


    "Whew! Cough! That was close," the enemy said.


    At this point, Jarred and Mika were also unconscious, and so was Azrael. Fear spread into Carl''s heart as he realized his situation; both his guardians were down, and he was the only one left standing.


    The enemy looked directly at him and started running, slow at first, then faster and faster. As the enemy approached, Carl''s anxiety grew.


    "A-ah! Stay back! "Carl screamed in fear.


    He launched several wind magic attacks, but the enemy dodged them all. Then suddenly one attack hit the enemy''s thigh, causing him to lose balance and fall.


    "Are you okay, Carl? "Kyle asked.


    "K-Kyle! I''m so glad you''re here! "Carl answered, relief taking over him at the sight of Kyle.


    "Another insect has arrived," the enemy grinned.


    He stood up as if nothing had happened and began sprinting toward Kyle and Carl''s position, moving even faster than before.


    Unexpectedly, the enemy''s Angel Ring, which had been white, suddenly turned green. Both Kyle and Carl were shocked and panicked.


    "Green?!" Carl and Kyle thought simultaneously.


    As he charged, a long, jagged sword appeared in his palm. Carl unleashed a series of wind magic to distract the enemy, but he was now quicker than before, dodging Carl''s attacks effortlessly.


    The enemy closed in, preparing to slash Carl, but a sharp rock shot up from the ground, intercepting the strike¡ªKyle''s doing.


    Carl leapt back, and Kyle stepped in to face the enemy head-on. The enemy tried to slash at Kyle, but he skillfully parried each attack using his earth magic.


    "Thorn Gravel!"


    Sharp rocks erupted from the ground, deflecting the enemy''s blows. Kyle matched the enemy''s speed, but he knew he couldn''t keep up forever; the enemy was only getting faster with every second.


    Drool dripped from the enemy''s mouth, his eyes wild with madness. He glanced at Carl, and in an instant, he disappeared from Kyle''s sight.


    The enemy reappeared near Carl, stabbing him not once but five times. Carl collapsed, and the enemy bit savagely into his arm and neck, tearing away chunks of flesh.


    Before the enemy could bite again, a sharp rock pierced his right eye from the ground. Kyle quickly pulled Carl away, who was clutching his neck and trying to use healing magic, his body covered in blood.


    "Carl, just hang on!" Kyle shouted, panic in his voice.


    Carl held his neck, staring blankly into the distance, his eyes empty, almost lifeless. Breathing heavily, Kyle placed Carl against a tree a short distance from the battle. Even now, Carl''s gaze remained fixed in the distance, and he did not speak.


    "I''ll come back and save all of you," Kyle promised.


    With that, he turned back to face their enemy. When he returned, he saw the enemy preparing to devour Jarred. Kyle quickly cast another spell.


    "Thorn Gravel!"


    Within seconds, countless rocks pierced the enemy''s body, immobilizing him. Kyle cautiously approached, but the enemy suddenly released a thick smoke from his body, and Kyle quickly covered his nose.


    The smoke enveloped the entire area, and Kyle lost sight of the enemy.


    ''Damn it! He''s completely vanished from sight. Did he eat Jarred? Is he behind me? Did he run away?! ''Kyle thought desperately.


    His mind began to spiral as his thoughts raced uncontrollably, clouded by fear and uncertainty. As the smoke thickened, his anxiety deepened.


    He tried to run toward where Jarred had been, but he could no longer tell where he was due to the dense smoke. Then he felt two swords pierce through his chest.


    Shocked, he coughed up blood. As the blades pinned him in place, the enemy bit down on Kyle''s shoulder.


    "ah! Dammit! "Kyle screamed in agony.


    "This is the end for you, boy. If you had just given me what I wanted earlier, we wouldn''t have ended up in this situation," the enemy said.


    "Ah!... Ha! ... You''re... the only one left... of your kind... You''ve already taken too much damage... You''re going to die... and I''ll take you with me," Kyle muttered through labored breaths.


    Suddenly, a sharp rock shot out from behind the enemy, piercing through his chest. In desperation, the enemy tried to remove the swords from Kyle''s body by slicing them while they were still embedded in him.


    "Shit!!" Kyle screamed.


    To stop the enemy''s moves, sharp stones from the ground pinned his arms, preventing the enemy from moving. Kyle attempted to escape himself from his horrible situation by pulling his body out.


    Kyle was able to remove himself from the sword embedded in his body, holding his chest while using healing magic.


    "Ugh! Damn it! I can''t die here! "Kyle muttered as he coughed up blood.


    While gasping for breath, Kyle saw that the enemy had escaped from the rocks that had pinned him down. Kyle tried to cast another magic spell, but a sharp stone suddenly struck him.


    That''s when Kyle realized the enemy had copied one of his spells. The cannibal leader was actually an earth magic expert. This was the first time the enemy had used his magic in the fight, so Kyle had no idea which element the enemy controlled.


    Kyle grasped the rock embedded in his side, and his eyes showed he was on the verge of giving up. The enemy slowly walked toward Kyle, a wicked grin on his face.


    "Hahaha! I never thought I''d be pushed this far. You really tested my limits. But in a way, I''m grateful because this fight awakened my Angel Ring to green," the enemy said.


    "Hah... Hah... Is that so? Well... This will be the last time you''ll use that Angel Ring... So, make the most of it," Kyle muttered, his strength fading.


    Suddenly, they both heard a shout from a distance.


    "Gale... Storm!! "


    A powerful black wind magic slammed directly into the enemy with incredible force. The impact sent him flying, tearing apart everything in his path until his body landed weakly at the edge of the bridge.


    "Ugh! Cough! Is... Is this it? Is this the end... for me? "The enemy whispered to himself.


    As he questioned his fate, his eyes slowly closed, sensing his time was running out. Within seconds... he lost consciousness.


    While he lay there near the edge of the bridge, someone slowly walked toward him. It was Carl, standing with one hand on his waist, gazing down at the enemy''s lifeless body.


    "Sorry, but I''m persistent. I guess it''s not my time yet," Carl said.


    After uttering these words, Carl slowly kicked the enemy''s body, sending it tumbling over the edge of the cliff. The body fell into the rocks below, disappearing from sight.


    Carl then approached Kyle, who was unconscious. He dragged Kyle back to the carriage they had used earlier. The carriage was quite far from their current location since it had fled with the horses to a distant spot during the battle.


    Carl slowly went around, retrieving the bodies of his comrades one by one and pulling them back to the carriage. Though it was hard, heavy, and exhausting, he did everything he could to get his companions back to safety.


    He did this while still weak and taking care of the wounds he had suffered in the fight. After pulling everyone back to the carriage, Carl began to drive it across the bridge, determined to get them to safety.

 Twin Castle

    After an intense battle and hours of travelling through a dense forest, Carl finally emerged into the open. Before him stretched a massive lake connected to a majestic waterfall.


    As he drove his carriage along the path, he couldn''t help but stare at the breathtaking scenery. Towering mountains surrounded the area, casting long shadows over the tranquil water.


    To the left of the lake stood an enormous castle, its spires reaching high into the sky, while to the right lay a massive rock formation, resembling a fortress carved by time. Carl briefly glanced at the imposing structure on the right but directed his focus toward the castle on the left.


    As the carriage approached the grand gates of the castle, Carl stepped down to inspect them. The gates were far too large and heavy for him to push open alone. With a deep breath, he summoned two guardians to assist.


    The towering figures moved effortlessly, opening the gates wide enough for the carriage to pass through. Once inside, Carl led the carriage into the castle courtyard, his eyes wandering over the vast, elegant exterior.


    "How long would it take to explore this place?" he wondered, amazement flickering in his mind as he observed the size of the structure.


    Entering the main hall, Carl found it in disarray. Dust-coated furniture lay scattered, and many items were damaged or broken. After some searching, he located a light switch. Flicking it on, only a few faint bulbs came to life, casting a dim glow.


    "Better than nothing," he muttered, watching his guardians carry his four unconscious companions into the hall. "Follow me. We''ll find rooms for them upstairs."


    Carl led the way up the creaking staircase, the guardians following closely. They eventually found suitable rooms on the third floor, where each companion was placed in a separate chamber.


    Carl took his time tending to them, cleaning their wounds, stopping the bleeding, and changing their blood-soaked clothes. Hours passed as he worked, ensuring his friends were as comfortable and safe as possible.


    With his companions settled, Carl turned his attention to himself. He instructed the guardians to remain at the castle''s inner entrance and stand guard. "No one must see us," he said firmly. The castle''s dim lighting worked in their favor, making it less likely to attract unwanted attention from passersby.


    Exhausted, Carl took a quick shower in one of the castle''s old but functional bathrooms. The cold water was refreshing against his skin, washing away the grime and blood from earlier. Once he was clean, he set out in search of food.


    The dining hall and kitchen, located on the second floor, were vast but barren. Cabinets and shelves were empty, their contents long gone. Even exploring higher levels yielded no supplies. Defeated, Carl returned to the carriage, hoping to find something. His search turned up a few pieces of bread hidden in their supply chest.


    Grateful for even the smallest discovery, he took the bread back inside. Before entering, he glanced at his guardians stationed at the doorway. They remained motionless, their presence reassuring. These otherworldly beings didn''t require food or rest while in the Human Realm, which allowed Carl to focus on his companions'' recovery without added concern.


    *


    Several days had passed since the group arrived at the castle. The four companions remained unconscious, while Carl busied himself searching for food. Thick fog covered the area as he ventured out to hunt.


    By midday, he returned, riding the carriage filled with animals he had caught. The guardians opened the gate for him without a word, their massive forms standing watch as he entered.


    Hours passed as Carl skinned the animals and preserved the meat for the days ahead. Once finished, he climbed the stairs to check on Azrael. To his surprise, he found Azrael sitting by the window, gazing thoughtfully into the distance.


    "Well, it''s about time you woke up," Carl said with a playful smirk. "I thought you were going to sleep for another five years."


    Azrael let out a quiet chuckle. "Honestly, I wasn''t sure I''d ever wake up again. Lucky me, I guess." Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    Carl smiled warmly at the response. "Come on, I''m cooking something for us. You must be starving after everything you''ve been through."


    The two made their way to the second floor, where Azrael took a seat at the dining table, watching Carl prepare the meal.


    "What about the others?" Azrael asked. "Are they still unconscious?"


    Carl nodded as he chopped vegetables. "It might take a few more days before they wake up, especially Kyle. His wounds were the worst."


    Azrael frowned, his gaze dropping to the table. "I see..."


    "Don''t lose hope," Carl said with a reassuring grin. "They''ll wake up, I''m sure of it."


    Azrael managed a faint smile before his eyes wandered around the room. "Where are we, anyway? This place looks massive."


    "We''re in Caroline Mountain, inside this enormous castle," Carl replied without looking up from his work.


    "Oh, so this is what the inside of a castle looks like," Azrael mused, his tone filled with curiosity.


    Carl glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "Wait, is this your first time seeing one in person?"


    "Pretty much."


    "That''s hard to believe. Are you sure you''re royalty? I thought living in a castle was part of the package."


    Azrael laughed lightly. "You''re confusing royalty with kings."


    "Maybe. But in all the years we''ve travelled across the North and South Continents, we''ve seen plenty of royal families living in the castles." Carl said thoughtfully. "Take the Woods family, for example. Their home isn''t as big as this, but it''s definitely a castle, but I didn''t see any of them, though, just the castle. Don''t tell me you''ve never lived in a mansion, at least?"


    "Not really," Azrael admitted, scratching the back of his head. "I mean, our house is big because there are so many of us, but it''s not a mansion. I prefer living in a small house than this."


    Carl stared at him for a moment before shaking his head with a laugh. "You''re a different kind of royalty, that''s for sure."


    Azrael smiled faintly. "I think so too. Can you imagine it?"


    The two continued talking, sharing personal stories and jokes, as Carl finished preparing the meal.


    *


    Two days had passed since Azrael awakened at the castle, and Azrael was in the courtyard, training with his cursed dagger. His opponent was one of Carl''s guardians, a towering, formidable figure. Carl watched from the sidelines, arms crossed, as he observed Azrael''s progress.


    "Don''t overwork yourself," Carl called out.


    Azrael responded with a powerful kick, sending the guardian stumbling back. However, the guardian countered by blocking the attack with its massive arm. It quickly responded, launching a heavy punch aimed directly at Azrael. With a swift motion, Azrael raised his hand, summoning a barrier to deflect the strike.


    The guardian paused, momentarily stunned by Azrael''s quick defense. Seizing the opportunity, Azrael used wind magic to unbalance the guardian by targeting its legs. As the towering figure stumbled, Azrael lunged forward and landed a forceful blow with his dagger.


    "Alright, that''s enough!" Carl''s voice rang out, breaking the intensity of the match.


    Azrael offered his hand to the fallen guardian, who accepted it and gave an approving nod.


    Carl approached, clapping slowly. "Impressive. In just a few days, you''ve grown stronger and learned to control your mana better."


    Azrael''s determination appeared through as he replied, "I''m starting to understand this weapon. I can feel it¡ªI''m close to unlocking the curse blessing within."


    After their training session, the two headed back inside. Azrael waved at the guardians as they passed, receiving a casual wave in return.


    As they walked through the castle halls, Azrael turned to Carl. "Do you think mastering mana control will make me better at using elderstaves?"


    Carl shrugged. "I can''t say for sure since I don''t use elderstaves, but controlling mana for a cursed weapon and wielding an elderstave are two different things. Cursed weapons require more focus to avoid draining too much mana from you."


    "Hmm, you''re right," Azrael mused.


    "You''re still young, Az," Carl said, slinging an arm around his shoulder. "You''ve got more potential than anyone I know, so don''t rush it. Let things come naturally. Come on, let''s eat!"


    Azrael smiled at the reassurance. "Alright, but before we eat, why don''t we check on the others first?"


    "Good idea."


    The two climbed the stairs and made their way to the rooms. They visited Kyle first, who remained unconscious, then Jarred, who was in the same state. Finally, they entered Mika''s room, where they found her awake, her eyes open and alert.


    "M-Mika! You''re awake!" Carl exclaimed, his voice filled with joy.


    Mika turned her head slowly toward them and gave a small smile. "What''s this? Were you worried about me?"


    Carl and Azrael couldn''t help but grin at her familiar teasing tone. For the first time in days, there was a glimmer of hope.

 The books of knowledge

    After Mika woke up, Azrael and Carl helped her downstairs to the second floor, seating her comfortably while Carl prepared their meal.


    "How are you feeling, Mika?" Azrael asked, concern evident in his tone.


    "Much better now," she replied, though her gaze shifted to the herbs wrapped around her arms and legs. "Where did you get these herbs?"


    Carl glanced over his shoulder as he worked in the kitchen. "Caroline Mountain is full of medicinal plants. Some of these herbs are rare, ones I thought didn''t exist anymore. I was surprised to find them growing here."


    Mika raised an eyebrow. "I didn''t know you were skilled with herbal medicine."


    Carl smirked. "Not just herbs. I''m pretty good at anything related to healing."


    Her skeptical look made him chuckle, clearly enjoying the moment. It wasn''t every day Mika seemed surprised by anything he did.


    Soon, Carl placed steaming plates of food in front of them. "Alright, dig in!"


    Mika decided to let the topic go and focused on the meal. She hadn''t eaten properly in days, and the aroma alone was enough to make her mouth water.


    As they ate, the group began discussing their next move now that they were halfway through Caroline Mountain.


    Carl leaned back in his chair, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Should we head straight to Tancki Valley, or stop by Aoyu Village first to stock up on supplies?"


    "We''ve already spent days here recovering," Mika pointed out. "I think it''s better to head directly to Tancki Valley and avoid wasting more time."


    "She''s got a point," Azrael agreed. "But do we really need to rush? What matters most is that we return safely to the South Continent."


    Carl nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Safety first. That said, stopping by Aoyu Village could be beneficial. We might find things we need there, like I suggested."


    Azrael furrowed his brow, catching an odd tone in Carl''s words. "Wait. When you say ''get supplies,'' you mean¡­buy them, right?"


    The two exchanged guilty glances, avoiding Azrael''s gaze.


    "Ah¡­ well¡­ depends," Carl muttered, scratching the back of his head and giving him a weird smile.


    "Depends?!" Azrael exclaimed, pinching the bridge of his nose as realization dawned. "You''re not planning to steal them, are you?"


    Neither Carl nor Mika could meet his eyes, their ashamed expressions confirming his suspicion.


    Azrael sighed deeply, muttering to himself, "What am I even doing with you two?"


    *


    Another day passed, and Mika and Carl decided they would head to Aoyu Village to gather supplies while the rest of the group recovered. Azrael disagreed with the plan but had no choice but to let them go.


    The two left early the next morning, leaving Azrael behind with Carl''s two guardians in the vast castle. Bored and restless, he decided to explore the upper floors.


    On the fourth floor, he discovered the castle''s library. Wandering between towering bookshelves, he stumbled upon a large wooden box tucked in a corner.


    Curiosity ignited, he got it open and found it filled with old books. Intrigued, he lugged the heavy box down to the first floor, where a cozy sitting area with sofas and a glass coffee table awaited.


    Azrael placed the box beside the table and carefully pulled out five books. Two of them were traditional books: ''The Way of Ancient Swordsmanship'' and ''Secrets of the Angel Ring''. The other three were journals titled ''Seven Deadly Sins'', ''Mana Flow'', and ''Spells of Fungee''.


    "Secrets of the Angel Ring?" Azrael murmured, running his fingers over the embossed title.


    The name reminded him of the battle with the cannibals, where their leader had possessed an Angel Ring. His curiosity grew, but with so many books, he couldn''t decide where to start. This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    He sought the help of the two guardians, asking them to eliminate two books from the selection. They chose The Way of Ancient Swordsmanship and Seven Deadly Sins.


    When he asked them to narrow it down further, they removed Spells of Fungee and Secrets of the Angel Ring.


    Left with ''Mana Flow'', Azrael took it as a sign and thanked the guardians before returning to the sitting area. Settling on the sofa, he cracked open the journal and began reading.


    The journal detailed methods for controlling mana with precision, offering techniques that allowed a wizard to conserve mana without sacrificing power.


    It explained how wizards who used Elderstaves often expended large amounts of mana to create stronger attacks.


    However, the journal revealed a secret method to minimize mana usage while achieving equal or even greater attack potency.


    Azrael''s eyes widened as he absorbed the information, his heart racing with excitement.


    He closed the book abruptly, glancing around the room as if expecting someone to appear and snatch it away. After ensuring he was alone, he reopened it, his hands trembling slightly.


    Sweat trickled down his forehead despite the chilly air. ''This can''t be real. Is this knowledge even possible?'' he thought.


    The secrets in the journal seemed too good to be true, yet he couldn''t ignore their potential. Even if it was risky, he decided it was worth believing.


    *


    After several minutes of reading, Azrael finished the journal. Fascinated by its teachings, he decided to put its methods to the test. According to the journal, one needed an Elderstaves and a Magic Orb to attempt the technique.


    The process began by focusing on channeling mana throughout the body.


    The journal explained that mana flowed through a person''s veins from the heart, enabling the release of magical spells from various body parts¡ªeyes, mouth, hands, or even fingertips.


    To enhance this process, one had to draw all the mana in their body and concentrate it in their heart.


    This technique required exceptional focus. The heart, overwhelmed by the condensed mana, would react by beating faster. The sudden rush of mana could simulate an explosion, causing temporary pain and shock.


    Many who attempted the technique often mistook it for a literal heartburst, but it was merely the mana dispersing evenly throughout the body.


    Once successful, the caster would gain a higher mana pool, no longer limited to storing mana in the heart or circulating it through veins. Instead, the mana would flow through their entire being, allowing for more powerful spells and greater endurance.


    The journal claimed this was a closely guarded secret taught only to wizards born in the North Continent.


    Azrael decided to try. He closed his eyes, relaxed his body, and focused on controlling the flow of his mana. His first attempts failed, his concentration faltered, and the mana slipped from his control.


    Frustration crept in, but he refused to give up. Time passed unnoticed as he devoted himself to the practice, determination burning in his heart.


    Finally, after hours of effort, he succeeded. He felt all his mana gather in his heart, only to be followed by a sharp, sudden pain. It was as if his heart had exploded, the agony so intense that he doubled over, clutching his chest. Sweat drenched his face as he gasped for air.


    "I think...hah!...I did it," he muttered, his breath labored.


    Recovering, he moved on to the next step, placing the Magic Orb into his Elderstaves.


    He examined the stave, spotting a small hollow near the base. Carefully, he inserted the orb, which fit perfectly. As it settled into place, glowing purple lines spread across the stave, pulsing with energy.


    The journal''s final instruction was to store mana within the Magic Orb in advance. While many believed the orb was only for emergencies providing backup mana when a caster was ran out of mana, the journal revealed a hidden use.


    The Magic Orb could work in tandem with the caster''s mana. By using a small amount of personal mana alongside the orb''s stored reserves, the caster could unleash spells with increased power.


    The combination allowed for stronger attacks even while using a low amount of mana because the Elderstaves and the magic Orb can also increase the power of the attack.


    Moreover, if the user pushed their mana output further and drew more from the orb, the spell''s potency could increase exponentially.


    Azrael amazed at the possibilities. Holding the Elderstaves, he felt its newfound power coursing through his hands. This was more than just a tool, it was a key to unlocking strength he hadn''t known was possible.


    *


    After successfully implementing the techniques outlined in the journal about mana flow, Azrael let out a deep sigh of relief, a clear sign of victory. The process had been difficult, but the results were worth every ounce of effort.


    Satisfied, he carefully stored the journal into his empty space, a magical dimension where he could access items at will. It was a precaution in case he needed to revisit the information or share it with someone in the future.


    By the time he looked outside, the sky had already turned dark. He realized how much time had passed and decided to check on his companions.


    Climbing the staircase to the upper floors, he peeked into the rooms where Jarred and Kyle rested. They were still unconscious, their bodies yet to recover from the past incident.


    With a soft sigh, Azrael made his way back downstairs to the second floor. His stomach reminded him of how long it had been since his last meal. He busied himself in the kitchen, preparing something simple to eat.


    As he ate, he pulled out another book from the collection he''d discovered earlier. The soft glow of the nearby lantern illuminated the pages as he turned them.


    His mind, now refreshed, eagerly absorbed the knowledge, his curiosity driving him forward despite the late hour.

 Angel Ring

    Azrael woke early, determined to put into practice everything he had learned. The previous night, after finishing his meal, he read through the journal titled Secrets of the Angel Ring. The text described an extraordinary power, difficult to acquire and accessible only through a complicated process.


    According to the journal, every individual seeking to awaken the Angel Ring must choose one of three paths: Impurity, Purity, or Inner Peace. Each path shaped the user¡¯s emotional and moral journey, influencing how quickly they could progress and the unique abilities they would unlock.


    Awakening the Angel Ring through the Path of Purity was no simple feat. It demanded more than just discipline or skill¡ªit required a life rooted in selflessness, love, hope, and a genuine desire to protect others. From the moment of birth to the final awakening, one¡¯s actions and intentions had to remain pure.


    The journal explained that for Purity, eternal energy must be cleansed of selfish desires. The user needed to let go of greed, pride, and personal ambition, focusing instead on the well-being of others. This made the path incredibly challenging and rare, but it also produced the most radiant Angel Rings, glowing with unmatched brilliance.


    In contrast, the Path of Impurity was reserved for those who embraced darkness. Some were born into evil, while others chose it along the way. The journal described these individuals as consumed by hatred, vengeance, greed, or despair.


    The energy they channeled came from their darkest emotions, fueling their power but tainting their aura. Their Angel Rings, though powerful, radiated a sinister and malevolent energy.


    The final option, Inner Peace, struck a balance between light and darkness. This path required the user to confront and accept both their virtues and flaws. It demanded deep introspection and an honest understanding of oneself. Those who succeeded often radiated an aura of calm, their Angel Rings glowing with a serene yet formidable energy.


    Azrael pondered over these choices. Purity aligned most with his principles, but he understood the weight of the responsibility it carried. The purity of his heart and intentions would be tested at every step, and failure was not an option.


    With a deep breath, he made his decision... Purity would be his path.


    Once the Angel Ring is awakened, it begins as a white ring and evolves through six stages, each represented by a distinct color. The progression reflects the user¡¯s mastery of their aura and their alignment with their chosen path.


    Azrael decided on the Path of Purity, confident it aligned best with his inner values. To follow this path, he needed to complete three stages, collectively called the Awakening Path.


    The Angel Ring''s awakening is not for the faint-hearted; it demands a harmony of mind, body, and soul. The journey begins with cultivating Eternal Energy, the essence of life itself, drawn from moments of pure devotion or emotional intensity.


    This energy then transforms into an Aura¡ªa luminous manifestation of one''s spirit, shaped by their victories and struggles.


    Finally, through discipline and self-discovery, the Angel Ring takes form, floating above like a crown of light, embodying the user''s resolve and mastery. Each step is a testament to the wielder¡¯s strength, both inner and outer¡ªa journey of growth that transcends the ordinary.


    ¡°Hmm, this doesn¡¯t seem like it¡¯ll be too hard,¡± Azrael muttered to himself, gazing out at the snow-covered courtyard.


    Snow had been falling steadily since last night, blanketing the entire area in white. Despite the biting cold, Azrael chose to meditate outside in the courtyard. The two guardians stood by the doors, silently watching him with curiosity.


    Azrael sat cross-legged in the snow, his eyes closed in deep concentration. The freezing air didn¡¯t seem to bother him as he focused on his breathing, steady and deliberate. According to the journal he read, achieving the first stage of the awakening path required unwavering discipline, intense meditation, and a razor-sharp focus¡ªqualities he was determined to embody.


    Hours passed, but Azrael remained motionless. Morning turned to afternoon, and still, he didn¡¯t stir. By the time the sun began to set, the guardians exchanged glances, unsure if they should intervene. Finally, as darkness descended, Azrael¡¯s eyes fluttered open. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ¡°Ah! It¡¯s freezing!¡± he yelped, quickly leaping to his feet and rushing back inside. Shaking off the chill, he muttered to himself, ¡°I didn¡¯t even realize it was night already. I¡¯m starving¡ªI¡¯d better eat something before I collapse.¡±


    The following day came and went, and while Azrael remained focused on his training, Kyle and Jarred were still unconscious. A faint sense of worry flickered in his mind, but he pushed it aside, resolving to keep progressing in his own path for now.


    *


    The next morning, Azrael resumed his meditation in the snow-covered courtyard. Midway through his practice, he felt the door creak open behind him. Slowly, he opened his eyes and turned around, surprised by what he saw.


    "A-Azrael?"


    ¡°Jarred! You¡¯re awake!¡± Azrael exclaimed with relief, rushing toward him. ¡°Don¡¯t step outside yet¡ªit¡¯s too cold, and you¡¯re still recovering.¡±


    He guided Jarred back inside and up to the second floor, where he prepared a warm meal for him.


    As Jarred sipped on the steaming soup, his expression grew somber. ¡°Where are the others? Are they¡­ are they gone?¡± he asked, his voice trembling.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, everyone¡¯s alive,¡± Azrael reassured him with a smile. ¡°Carl and Mika left to gather supplies from Aoyu Village.¡±


    A faint smile pulled at Jarred¡¯s lips, but tears began streaming down his face. ¡°That¡¯s a relief,¡± he murmured.


    Azrael placed a comforting hand on Jarred¡¯s shoulder. The gesture broke whatever composure Jarred had left, and he buried his face in his hands, sobbing.


    ¡°I¡¯m so glad everyone¡¯s safe¡­ I-I don¡¯t know what I¡¯d do if any of you¡­¡± His voice cracked. ¡°If only I hadn¡¯t been so reckless that day, none of this would¡¯ve happened. And now¡­ Kyle¡­¡±


    ¡°Hey, enough of that,¡± Azrael interrupted gently. ¡°What matters is that we¡¯re still here. Don¡¯t blame yourself, Jarred. And as for Kyle¡ªhe¡¯s not gone. As long as someone¡¯s still breathing, there¡¯s always hope. He¡¯ll wake up, and when he does, we¡¯ll all be stronger together.¡±


    Jarred slowly lift his face and nodded, wiping his tears as he clung to Azrael¡¯s words.


    *


    After eating, Azrael returned to the courtyard to meditate, while Jarred sat by the castle door, watching him in silence. His gaze eventually wandered to the horizon, his mind racing with thoughts of how he could become stronger to protect his friends.


    Determined, he wandered into the castle¡¯s living room and noticed a stack of books and journals on the table. One title caught his eye: ''The Way of Ancient Swordsmanship.'' Intrigued, he opened the book and began reading. The more he read, the more absorbed he became, and he lost track of time.


    By the time Azrael finished his meditation and came back inside, he found Jarred deeply engrossed in the book.


    ¡°Oh, so you¡¯re into that, huh? Makes sense¡ªyou do use a sword,¡± Azrael remarked, grinning as he approached.


    Jarred jumped, startled. ¡°You scared me! When did you get back?¡±


    ¡°Well, maybe you wouldn¡¯t be so startled if you weren¡¯t burying your face in that book,¡± Azrael teased, sitting beside him. ¡°So, are you planning to try it out?¡±


    Jarred hesitated, closing the book slightly. ¡°It¡¯s... fascinating. Where did you find this?¡±


    ¡°In the castle library,¡± Azrael replied. ¡°It was tucked away in a corner. Guess it caught my eye, just like it did yours.¡±


    ¡°Interesting,¡± Jarred mused.


    ¡°So, wanna give it a shot tomorrow?¡± Azrael offered.


    ¡°H-huh? I mean, it¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to, but¡­ do you really think this stuff works?¡±


    Azrael grabbed the book from him and flipped through the pages. ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t it? It¡¯s just sword techniques, right? You already know how to handle a sword, so¡ªhuh?¡±


    His words faltered as he scanned the text more closely.


    ¡°Wait a second. Are you telling me swordsmen can unleash sword slashes like this?!¡±


    Jarred facepalmed. ¡°What kind of nonsense is that?¡±


    ¡°How was I supposed to know? I thought sword fights were just clashing blades and that¡¯s it!¡± Azrael exclaimed.


    Shaking his head, Jarred muttered, ¡°I thought you were amazed because the techniques in this book are ancient¡ªlost for thousands of years.¡±


    ¡°Oh! That¡¯s what you meant,¡± Azrael said, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.


    Frustrated, Jarred gave him a light smack on the head. ¡°Idiot! Why would I be impressed by something as basic as sword slashes? Even beginners can do that these days.¡±


    Azrael groaned, rubbing his head as he rolled on the floor in exaggerated pain. Meanwhile, Jarred crossed his arms, his tone growing serious. ¡°This book teaches the ancient double-edged sword technique. It was said to be created by the first-ever user of a double-edged sword in this world.¡±


    Still clutching his head, Azrael asked, ¡°But how do you know that person even existed? It¡¯s been thousands of years.¡±


    Jarred adjusted his glasses, a hint of pride in his voice. ¡°Because knowledge like this has been passed down for generations. And more importantly, this technique is linked to one of the Seven Deadly Sins.¡±


    Azrael froze, curiosity replacing his playful demeanor. ¡°The Seven Deadly Sins, huh? Now you¡¯ve got my attention.¡±

 Last two books

    ¡°Seven Deadly Sins, huh?¡± Azrael¡¯s curiosity grew as he repeated the name.


    Jarred adjusted his glasses before continuing. ¡°Yes. A notorious group of criminals who once tried to destroy the Heavens Council long ago. Each member wielded a unique weapon, and one of them was "Pride" the user of the Double-edged sword.¡±


    ¡°Pride... huh,¡± Azrael echoed, the name lingering on his tongue.


    *


    The following morning, Jarred began his training. He trained shirtless, exposing himself to the cold air to toughen his body against different climates during combat. Meanwhile, Azrael resumed his meditation, as he had been doing for several days.


    By midday, hunger interrupted Jarred¡¯s focus. He approached Azrael and placed a hand on his shoulder. ¡°Can we eat now? I¡¯m starving.¡±


    Azrael slowly opened his eyes, visibly annoyed. ¡°Fine,¡± he replied, standing up.


    While Azrael prepared their meal, Jarred returned from checking on Kyle on the third floor. He sank into a chair, letting out a heavy sigh. ¡°He¡¯s still unconscious. I¡¯m starting to worry about him.¡±


    Azrael stirred the pot, not looking up. ¡°We¡¯re all worried, especially Miya and Carl. They don¡¯t even know you two are awake yet. But we just have to be patient and trust that he¡¯ll pull through.¡±


    Jarred offered a faint smile at Azrael¡¯s words, grateful for the encouragement. ¡°By the way,¡± he began, changing the subject, ¡°do you have any interest in learning swordsmanship?¡±


    Azrael glanced over. ¡°Not really. My family has its own sword style passed down from our ancestors. I¡¯ve learned enough of it to defend myself.¡±


    ¡°Your family¡¯s sword style?¡± Jarred asked, intrigued. ¡°What¡¯s it called?¡±


    ¡°Solar Ascendance,¡± Azrael replied casually.


    Jarred froze, nearly choking on his drink. ¡°S-Solar Ascendance?!¡± His voice trembled. ¡°Wait... your father, could he be... a member of the Seven Deadly Sins?¡±


    ¡°What? No.¡± Azrael said, his brows furrowing in confusion.


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°My father was already part of the SDS when the Seven Deadly Sins attacked,¡± Azrael interrupted. ¡°He told me about it when I was a kid. That¡¯s the only reason I even remember that group now.¡±


    Jarred adjusted his glasses, clearly unsettled. ¡°If I remember correctly, one of the Seven Deadly Sins used a style called Solar Ascendance.¡±


    Azrael shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s possible someone stole the technique, but it¡¯s not a big deal. My father always said Solar Ascendance can counter itself. He even tried to teach me, but my mom wouldn¡¯t let me use real swords. She insisted I practice with wooden ones, which would just burn up if I attempted any of the techniques.¡±


    ¡°Interesting,¡± Jarred muttered, the mystery still swirling in his mind.


    After lunch, they returned to their respective training routines.


    *


    By evening, they settled in the living room, exhaustion finally catching up with them. Azrael grabbed one of the remaining books from the table, flipping through its pages.


    ¡°Speaking of the Seven Deadly Sins,¡± he said, holding up a journal titled ''Seven Deadly Sins''.


    Jarred leaned forward, his interest captivated. ¡°A journal about one of the most infamous criminal groups? This might reveal some secrets about them¡ªor even their identities.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m hoping,¡± Azrael replied with a smirk, already engrossed in the first page.


    On the first page of the journal, the bold title Seven Deadly Sins stood out, but as they turned to the next page, they found¡­ nothing.


    ¡°H-huh? There¡¯s nothing written here!¡± Azrael exclaimed.


    ¡°Wait, check the next page,¡± Jarred urged.


    ¡°I already did! There¡¯s nothing there, either.¡± Azrael flipped through several pages in frustration. ¡°It¡¯s completely blank.¡± Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Both let out a heavy sigh, their hopes dashed.


    ¡°What a waste. I really wanted to learn more about that group,¡± Azrael muttered.


    ¡°Me too. I thought this might finally give me insight into their members,¡± Jarred added, slumping back into the sofa.


    For a moment, silence filled the room. Then, Azrael¡¯s eyes drifted toward the last remaining journal on the table. Its title read ''Spells of Fungee.''


    ¡°Hmm, let¡¯s see what this one¡¯s about,¡± he said, reaching for it.


    Jarred tilted his head thoughtfully. ¡°Spells of Fungee? Who¡¯s Fungee? Sounds... interesting.¡±


    ¡°Only one way to find out,¡± Azrael replied as he opened the first page and began reading.


    *


    A long time ago, two realms existed in harmony: the realm of humans and the realm of the guardians, known as the Twin Realm.


    The bond between the two worlds was forged through a sacred ritual called the Blood Ceremony, allowing humans to summon guardians using mana. If a summon succeeded, a young guardian¡ªunbonded and full of potential would appear, choosing its human partner to form a lifelong contract.


    Over time, guardians developed powerful bloodlines, categorized as the Legendary and Ancient bloodlines, considered the strongest and most revered beings in the Twin Realm.


    But peace was shattered when a being from another universe, Fungee, entered the Twin Realm with a sinister goal: to control the guardians and claim their power. Fungee wielded a unique and forbidden magic, unlike anything the realms had seen. Using this spell, he enslaved both Legendary and Ancient guardians, building an unstoppable army.


    When Fungee discovered another world within the same universe, he unleashed his controlled guardians upon it. However, what he didn¡¯t anticipate was the presence of a young protector¡ªa half-human, half-elf determined to defend the realm.


    The boy had already brought peace to his world after a brutal war but was now forced to face a new threat. Refusing to surrender, he stood against Fungee¡¯s chaos, even though the enemy¡¯s magic was overwhelming.


    In the midst of battle, the boy unveiled his ultimate power: the Angel Ring. Unlike any conventional magic, the Angel Ring radiated divine energy. It appeared as a massive, golden halo floating behind him, its intricate design shimmering like sunlight.


    Witnesses described the sight as nothing short of divine¡ªa God descending from the heavens to protect the helpless. The boy¡¯s incredible abilities turned the tide of battle.


    The clash between the two raged for two days, leaving a significant portion of the continent in ruins. In the end, the young protector emerged victorious, subduing Fungee.


    Though immortal, Fungee couldn¡¯t be killed, so the boy stripped him of his powers to ensure he could never threaten another world. As Fungee begged for mercy, he made a solemn promise: if allowed to retain the ability to travel between worlds, he would never return.


    Moved by compassion, the boy agreed. Fungee left their world, never to return. The boy then restored the guardians to the Twin Realm, bringing peace once more. From that day forward, he was known as Altharion Velis, the Savior of the Twin Realm.


    *


    Azrael closed the journal, his mind swirling with questions. ¡°Altharion Velis¡­ The Angel Ring¡­¡±


    Jarred leaned forward, equally intrigued. ¡°Sounds like a legend... but the details feel too real to be just a story.¡±


    ¡°Agreed,¡± Azrael said quietly, his gaze lingering on the faint, golden halo in his imagination.


    *


    The next morning, as usual, Azrael meditated in the middle of the snow. Nearby, Jarred practiced his sword techniques.


    At first, Azrael disliked having Jarred train so close to him, but over time, he realized it was good practice. The distraction helped him learn to concentrate better, even in the middle of chaos or noise.


    It had been days since Carl and Mika left, and there was still no sign of their return. Azrael and Jarred no longer worried about them much. If anything had gone wrong, the two guardians guarding the door would have vanished instantly.


    As Jarred trained, a mischievous grin crept across his face. He turned toward Azrael.


    ¡°Hey,¡± he called out, breaking the silence.


    Azrael opened one eye, irritation flashing across his face. ¡°What do you want this time?¡±


    ¡°I was just thinking¡­ how about a quick sparring match?¡±


    ¡°Huh? What for?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve learned a new technique, and I want to test it out.¡± Jarred scratched the back of his head, looking embarrassed.


    Azrael sighed. ¡°Fine. You¡¯re persistent.¡±


    With a flick of his hand, he summoned the cursed dagger from his empty space, its dark energy humming faintly as he prepared to fight.


    ¡°Sorry for dragging you into this,¡± Jarred said, glancing nervously at the blade. ¡°And¡­ sorry if that dagger ends up draining your mana.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about my mana. While you were out cold, I trained every single day. I¡¯m stronger than you now.¡±


    ¡°Oh? Someone¡¯s gotten cocky.¡±


    ¡°Cocky?!¡± Azrael¡¯s brows furrowed.


    Jarred smirked. ¡°What? I¡¯m just saying the truth. Prove me wrong if you¡¯re so mad about it.¡± He laughed teasingly.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got a death wish,¡± Azrael muttered, a dangerous grin spreading across his face. ¡°You better be ready for the consequences.¡±


    In a flash, they vanished from their spots. Snow scattered in all directions as they collided in the center, their weapons clashing with an intense burst of energy.


    They exchanged rapid blows, neither holding back. Each attack was faster and sharper than the last. Jarred took a quick step back, then unleashed two sword slashes from his sword.


    Azrael¡¯s eyes widened in surprise, but he dodged the attacks with extremely-fast movements. He didn¡¯t recognize the technique, but he didn¡¯t hesitate. Using his speed, he closed the distance between them in an instant.

 Training and information

    Azrael moved swiftly, launching a powerful attack. Jarred barely managed to block, the weight behind Azrael¡¯s strikes catching him off guard.


    ''How is he this strong?'' Jarred thought, gritting his teeth as he defended himself. ''This¡­ this is beyond what he was capable of before. He¡¯s gotten stronger in such a short time. No, this isn¡¯t normal. Azrael really is a genius in combat¡ªhis ability to adapt is unbelievable.''


    As the duel dragged on, Azrael¡¯s strikes grew heavier and faster, pushing Jarred further back. In a desperate move, Jarred created distance and released a flurry of sword slashes, but before he could react, Azrael vanished.


    ¡°Wha¡ª?!¡± Jarred¡¯s eyes darted around, panic creeping in.


    In an instant, Azrael appeared before him, shrouded in an ominous, jet-black aura. The intensity of his presence sent chills down Jarred¡¯s spine, and for a moment, he froze.


    The pressure broke his focus entirely, leaving him defenseless. Just as Azrael¡¯s blade was about to strike, he stopped.


    ¡°Jarred?¡± Azrael asked, his voice mixed with concern. ¡°You okay?¡±


    Jarred¡¯s chest heaved as he struggled to catch his breath. ¡°Ha¡­ ha¡­ yeah¡­ I¡¯m fine.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Azrael pressed, his worried gaze fixed on his sparring partner.


    ¡°I said I¡¯m fine,¡± Jarred replied, forcing a nervous smile.


    Azrael frowned but eventually shrugged it off. ¡°If you say so. Let¡¯s head inside and eat.¡±


    ¡°Good idea,¡± Jarred agreed, still slightly shaken.


    *


    As Azrael prepared food in the kitchen, Jarred suddenly rushed down the stairs from the third floor, excitement in his voice.


    ¡°Az! He¡¯s awake!¡±


    Without hesitation, the two ran to the third floor, bursting into Kyle¡¯s room. The door flew open with a loud bang, startling Kyle, who looked at them with a mix of irritation and confusion.


    ¡°Could you not be so loud?¡± Kyle grumbled, his tone sharp.


    ¡°Kyle! You¡¯re finally awake!¡± Azrael let out a sigh of relief.


    ¡°How are you feeling?¡± Jarred asked, leaning closer.


    Kyle flexed his fingers, examining them thoughtfully. ¡°I think I¡¯m okay.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure? Any lingering pain or weird sensations?¡± Azrael pressed.


    Kyle¡¯s stomach growled loudly in response. He looked up, his expression deadpan. ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m hungry.¡±


    Azrael chuckled. ¡°Fair enough. Come on, let¡¯s get you something to eat.¡±


    They led Kyle downstairs to the second floor, where Azrael resumed cooking. Seated at the table, Kyle took in his surroundings, his curiosity aroused.


    ¡°This¡­ is this seriously a castle?¡± he asked, his eyes scanning every detail. ¡°It¡¯s huge.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I had the same reaction when I first got here,¡± Azrael replied, focused on his cooking.


    ¡°But aren¡¯t you royalty?¡± Kyle asked, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be used to living in places like this?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s got a point,¡± Jarred chimed in. ¡°Don¡¯t you live in some massive mansion or something?¡±


    Azrael paused, thinking. ¡°Well, our house is big, sure, but not this big. And no, we don¡¯t live in a castle.¡±


    ¡°Huh?! You¡¯re probably the only royal I know who doesn¡¯t live in a castle,¡± Kyle said, unimpressed.


    ¡°Not all royals live in castles,¡± Azrael shot back, a hint of annoyance in his tone.


    ¡°Actually,¡± Jarred said, rubbing his chin, ¡°every royal estate I¡¯ve visited so far is either a castle or something close to it.¡± Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    Azrael let out an exasperated sigh. ¡°You sound just like Carl.¡±


    At the mention of Carl, Kyle¡¯s expression shifted. ¡°Speaking of Carl, I didn¡¯t see him downstairs. Mika too. Don¡¯t tell me¡ª¡±


    ¡°Relax,¡± Jarred interrupted, waving dismissively. ¡°They just went to Aoyu Village to pick up supplies.¡±


    Kyle released a sigh of relief, placing a hand on his chest. ¡°Oh, good. For a second, I thought something bad happened.¡±


    Azrael turned around with a grin, holding two steaming plates. ¡°Alright, food¡¯s ready! Dig in!¡±


    The three of them ate together, sharing laughter and stories as if they had known each other for years. Despite their short time together, Azrael felt a growing bond with Jarred and Kyle.


    After the meal, Azrael and Jarred returned to their training outside, while Kyle sat by the castle door, observing them with a curious expression.


    "Hmm, I don¡¯t know what happened while I was unconscious," Kyle began, his eyes narrowing as he watched the two, "but here you are, Azrael, meditating in the middle of the snow, and Jarred, training shirtless out here in this freezing weather. Are you two alright in the head?"


    Jarred, mid-swing with his sword, smirked. "We¡¯re just preparing. Better to be ready for whatever dangers lie ahead in the next place we go."


    Kyle shrugged. "Fair enough."


    Jarred added, "Besides, if it weren¡¯t for the book Azrael found, I wouldn¡¯t be this motivated to train."


    Kyle tilted his head. "A book?"


    "It¡¯s on the table in the living room. Go check it out."


    Intrigued, Kyle wandered back inside. He found the book, sat on the sofa, and flipped through its pages. "Spells of Fungee, huh... interesting."


    He immersed himself in reading, occasionally glancing toward the window to check on the two still outside. By the time the sun began to set, Kyle had finished most of the books he¡¯d picked up.


    As Azrael and Jarred came back inside, both dripping with sweat after sparring, Jarred eyed Kyle curiously. "Find anything interesting in those books?"


    Kyle leaned back with a shrug. "I won¡¯t lie, they¡¯re fascinating, but I¡¯m not planning to use any of it."


    Azrael, drying his hands with a towel, asked, "Not even the part about mana flow?"


    Kyle chuckled. "I don¡¯t use mana that much, so there¡¯s no point. The bullets for my gun don¡¯t rely on mana."


    "Then what do you use?"


    Jarred cut in before Kyle could answer. "Eternal Energy. It¡¯s what makes him a Celestial."


    "A Celestial?" Azrael¡¯s curiosity was sparked.


    Kyle smirked, leaning forward. "That¡¯s what they call Angel Ring users." A glowing white halo appeared above his head as he spoke. "Though I¡¯m still a novice at this whole thing."


    Azrael stared in amazement at the radiant ring.


    Kyle continued, crossing his legs. "From what I saw earlier, you¡¯re meditating to start the first step of the Awakening Path. That¡¯s called Eternal Energy Cultivation."


    Azrael blinked in surprise. "You know about that?!"


    Kyle held up the book he¡¯d been reading, smirking. "Yeah, I just read about it. See?"


    Azrael glared at him. "The hell is wrong with you? I¡¯m being serious!"


    Kyle burst out laughing, holding his stomach. "Alright, alright, don¡¯t get mad! Relax." Once he calmed down, he added, "I know because I¡¯m a Celestial too, remember?"


    Azrael sighed, his annoyance fading into curiosity. "So, how did you awaken your Angel Ring?"


    Kyle tilted his head, thinking. "It wasn¡¯t through meditation. The book says you can awaken Eternal Energy through acts of devotion, intense emotions, or moments of profound clarity. Mine¡­ just kind of appeared out of nowhere, maybe because of what happened on my past."


    "Past huh... hmm, how long did it take you to awaken it fully?"


    Kyle shrugged. "I don¡¯t remember much. I was pretty young when it happened, so the details are hazy."


    "I see," Azrael murmured, deep in thought.


    Kyle gave him a serious look. "But according to the book, meditation is a valid path. So don¡¯t lose hope. You¡¯re young, Azrael. You¡¯ve got plenty of time. Don¡¯t rush things. Power like this isn¡¯t easy to control."


    The weight of Kyle¡¯s words made Azrael swallow hard.


    Then Kyle grinned mischievously. "But hey, keep at it. Who knows? Maybe by the time you return to your family, you¡¯ll be so strong they won¡¯t even recognize you. Heck, you might even end up fighting them."


    The three of them burst out laughing at the thought, the tension melting away.


    Azrael clenched his fists, determination shining in his eyes. "You¡¯re right. I¡¯ll train harder. One day, I¡¯ll surpass my parents."


    As they settled back into their conversation, Azrael suddenly recalled something. "Oh, wait! I just remembered."


    "Hmm?" Kyle glanced at him, curious.


    "I''m curious about how you make those bullets for your gun," Azrael said, leaning forward. "Do you manipulate Eternal Energy to create them?"


    Kyle smirked. "Ah, about that. The ability to create bullets is my power. It¡¯s called Bullet Chain."


    "Bullet Chain, huh?" Azrael echoed, intrigued.


    "Yup," Kyle replied with a proud grin. "It¡¯s a skill that lets me generate an endless supply of bullets capable of piercing thick armor. The only downside is that it¡¯s not too powerful yet¡ªsimple barriers can still block it."


    "That¡¯s incredible!" Azrael exclaimed, his excitement genuine.


    Kyle chuckled, clearly enjoying the praise. "Cool, right?"


    Their conversation carried on into the night, the warmth of their laughter filling the castle. It felt like the rest of the world had faded away, leaving only the connection they were building. For that brief moment, they were simply three friends sharing stories, dreams, and a flicker of hope against the cold backdrop of the world outside.

 Eternal Parade

    Two days had passed since Kyle woke up. During that time, Azrael sparred with Kyle and Jarred, honing his skills. Kyle also guided Azrael through the first steps of the awakening path.


    It was noon, and the three of them sat together on the castle¡¯s second floor, sharing a meal. They were debating who would spar next when the sound of the castle door creaking open interrupted them. All three froze, their attention fixed on the entrance below.


    As the door slowly opened, a familiar sight greeted them¡ªa carriage. Carl and Mika had returned from their trip to Aoyu Village.


    ¡°They¡¯re here!¡± Azrael exclaimed, grinning as he stood to leave, but Kyle held him back with a mischievous look.


    ¡°Wait. I¡¯ve got an idea.¡±


    Azrael and Jarred exchanged curious glances but stayed silent.


    Downstairs, the castle door opened fully, and Carl stepped inside.


    ¡°Hello? Anyone here?¡± Carl called out, his voice echoing through the hall.


    Mika followed close behind, concern evident on her face. ¡°Do you think something happened to them?¡± she asked softly.


    As they scanned the room, they spotted Azrael descending the stairs. Relief washed over their faces, and Carl broke into a wide grin.


    ¡°Az! Thank goodness you¡¯re okay. We were starting to worry something happened to you!¡± Carl said, his voice filled with joy.


    Azrael smiled warmly. ¡°Carl! Mika! Welcome back. I¡¯m glad to see you both safe.¡±


    ¡°How have you been?¡± Mika asked, her eyes scanning him. ¡°And where are Kyle and Jarred?¡±


    Azrael¡¯s expression shifted from joy to sorrow, his gaze falling to the floor. The change didn¡¯t go unnoticed. Carl and Mika¡¯s smiles faded, replaced with worry.


    ¡°Az?¡± Mika stepped closer, her tone anxious. ¡°What happened? Tell me!¡±


    Azrael hesitated, his hand gripping his arm. ¡°It¡¯s... it¡¯s Kyle and Jarred...¡±


    ¡°What about them?!¡± Mika demanded, gripping his shoulders.


    ¡°They¡¯re... gone.¡± Azrael¡¯s voice cracked as he lowered his head.


    Mika staggered, her legs giving out as she collapsed in front of him. Tears streamed down her face. ¡°N-no... How?! Why?!¡±


    Her cries filled the room until a strange sound broke through¡ªlaughter. It came from the staircase above.


    ¡°huh?¡± Mika muttered, her face still buried in her hands.


    Carl¡¯s eyes narrowed as he looked toward the stairs, annoyance flashing across his face. ¡°Are you serious?¡± he muttered.


    Kyle¡¯s laughter grew louder as he descended, followed by Jarred, both grinning ear to ear.


    ¡°Got you!¡± Kyle announced triumphantly.


    Mika looked up, confused. ¡°What...?¡±


    Kyle pointed at Mika, struggling to contain his laughter. ¡°Jarred, did you see her face? I¡¯ve never seen her cry like that!¡± He clutched his stomach, laughing harder.


    Jarred glanced at Mika and froze. ¡°Uh... Kyle?¡±


    Unfazed, Kyle clapped a hand on Jarred¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Come on, wasn¡¯t that hilarious? She really thought we were dead!¡±


    ¡°Kyle...¡± Jarred¡¯s voice was low, his eyes fixed on Mika.


    Mika, now strangely quiet, lowered her head. Her fists clenched tightly at her sides.


    Kyle finally noticed the shift in her demeanor. ¡°Uh... Mika?¡± He tried to smile but faltered under her intense glare. ¡°It was just a joke, right, Jarred? Azrael?¡±


    Azrael stood silently, arms crossed, clearly uninterested in bailing him out.


    Kyle swallowed hard, his voice cracking. ¡°M-Mika, come on. It was just a prank!¡±


    Mika cracked her knuckles, each pop echoing ominously in the room as she slowly approached him.


    ¡°W-wait! Mika! Let¡¯s talk about this!¡± Kyle stammered, backing away. ¡°Mika!¡±


    *


    ¡°It makes sense now why you¡¯ve bulked up a little since the last time I saw you,¡± Mika remarked to Azrael. ¡°Do you train every day?¡± Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    ¡°Pretty much,¡± Azrael replied with a chuckle. ¡°Even I was surprised to see myself getting stronger not just mentally, but also physically. Oh, by the way, did you manage to get everything we need for the journey to Tancki Valley?¡±


    Carl, already eating, nodded. ¡°Yeah, most of what we brought is food, a few first-aid kits in case something happens, and, of course, some intel on routes where we won¡¯t risk getting caught.¡±


    Azrael raised an eyebrow. ¡°Caught?¡±


    ¡°You know we¡¯re wanted by the law, right?¡± Mika interjected. ¡°We¡¯ll need to avoid the knights in Tancki Valley.¡±


    Carl added, ¡°According to the intel we gathered, some of the Kent Family¡¯s agents are in Tancki Valley too.¡±


    Jarred looked up, puzzled. ¡°Isn¡¯t the Kent Family based in the Southeast Continent? What are they doing in the North?¡±


    ¡°Business,¡± Carl explained. ¡°My sources say they¡¯re running some kind of operation here.¡±


    ¡°What kind of operation?¡± Kyle asked, his face still marked with bruises because of what Mika did earlier. ¡°Legal or illegal?¡±


    ¡°That part we don¡¯t know yet,¡± Carl admitted. ¡°But we¡¯ve heard they¡¯re recruiting. I thought maybe we could use that to get in.¡±


    Azrael frowned. ¡°Isn¡¯t that risky?¡±


    ¡°It is,¡± Jarred agreed. ¡°The Kent Family likely has connections with Tancki¡¯s mayor. If we¡¯re caught, we¡¯re done for.¡±


    Carl shrugged. ¡°The thing is, they don¡¯t know we¡¯re criminals. They don¡¯t even know what we look like, so we have a shot at infiltrating them.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s still dangerous,¡± Kyle pointed out. ¡°If we rush into this without a solid plan, we¡¯re just asking for trouble.¡±


    ¡°But this could be our chance to leave the North Continent,¡± Mika leaned forward, her tone more urgent. ¡°We¡¯ve learned that their operations involve travel. One of their routes leads to the South Continent. If we join them, we could get there faster.¡±


    Azrael stood abruptly, his excitement evident. ¡°That¡¯s great news!¡±


    ¡°Calm down, Azrael,¡± Kyle said, gesturing for him to sit. ¡°We don¡¯t know all the details about their work yet.¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± Carl agreed. ¡°Even if this sounds promising, we can¡¯t jump in blind.¡±


    Azrael shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t see why you¡¯re all hesitating. Whether it¡¯s legal or illegal, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll go for it anyway.¡±


    Mika sighed deeply. ¡°Az, we¡¯re thinking about everyone¡¯s safety here,¡± she said, crossing her arms. ¡°You¡¯re not wrong; we¡¯ll likely take the job. But we don¡¯t know how dangerous it¡¯ll be. I¡¯m not putting this group¡¯s lives on the line without considering every angle.¡±


    Carl muttered under his breath, ¡°Like you didn¡¯t almost get us killed crossing Caroline Mountain...¡±


    Mika¡¯s eye twitched as she snapped, ¡°I know that! You don¡¯t have to remind me!¡± She slammed her hands on the table. ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m being extra careful this time. I don¡¯t want us walking into another disaster.¡±


    Jarred chimed in calmly, ¡°We¡¯ll make this a group decision. That way, if something goes wrong, no one can point fingers.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m with Jarred on this,¡± Azrael agreed.


    ¡°Fine,¡± Mika relented. ¡°Raise your hand if you want to take the job with the Kent Family.¡±


    One by one, hands went up¡ªCarl, Kyle, Jarred, and Azrael. Mika remained still, her head dropping into her hands.


    She looked up after a moment, exhaling sharply. ¡°Alright. But remember, this is a group decision. Don¡¯t blame me if things go south.¡±


    Everyone nodded in agreement.


    Carl, rubbing his chin, suddenly asked, ¡°By the way, wouldn¡¯t it be better if we had a leader? Someone to call the shots?¡±


    ¡°Is that really necessary?¡± Azrael asked, tilting his head.


    ¡°Not absolutely,¡± Kyle said thoughtfully. ¡°But it¡¯s a good idea, especially since we¡¯re a bigger group now.¡±


    Jarred added, ¡°If we¡¯re doing this, we need someone who¡¯s good with money to manage our budget. Someone who can keep everyone in line.¡±


    Azrael shrugged again. ¡°I¡¯m easy. Whoever it is, I¡¯ll follow.¡±


    The four men paused, their eyes slowly shifting toward Mika. She noticed their stares and scowled.


    ¡°Hey! Don¡¯t even think about it!¡± she yelled, slamming the table. ¡°I am not babysitting you idiots!¡±


    The men exchanged awkward glances, trying and failing to suppress their grins. Mika¡¯s glare intensified, disgust flashing across her face.


    ¡°Enough!¡± She stood, pointing at them. ¡°I¡¯m not leading this group. Period!¡±


    ¡°M-Mika!¡± Kyle stammered.


    She clamped her hands over her ears and stomped off, shouting, ¡°La-la-la! I can¡¯t hear you! La-la-la!¡±


    ¡°Mika!¡± they all called after her in unison, laughing despite themselves.


    *


    "Alright! We¡¯ve got ourselves a leader!" Carl shouted triumphantly, one foot on the table and the other on his chair.


    "Yes!" the group echoed in unison.


    Meanwhile, Mika sat in the corner, head in her hands, groaning.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t happening. Why me? I don¡¯t want to babysit these lunatics!¡± she cried, her voice covered with frustration. ¡°I just got back from a long journey, and this is what I get? My head¡¯s about to explode!¡±


    Carl, unfazed by Mika¡¯s protests, grinned and asked, ¡°So, what do we call our group?¡±


    ¡°A name?¡± Azrael repeated, raising a brow.


    At that, everyone began rubbing their chins, deep in thought.


    ¡°How about... Eternal Parade?¡± Carl suggested with a dramatic flourish.


    ¡°What the actual hell is that supposed to mean?!¡± Kyle blurted out, his face broke in disbelief.


    ¡°Got a better idea, genius?!¡± Carl snapped back.


    Jarred tilted his head. ¡°Why Eternal Parade?¡±


    Carl straightened and held up a finger as if delivering a profound revelation. ¡°Because it symbolizes a group that¡¯s timeless, enduring, and always moving forward. It conveys strength, persistence, and longevity¡ªlike we¡¯re an unstoppable force on a never-ending journey.¡±


    The room fell silent as the others stared at him, their jaws practically hitting the floor.


    ¡°Well... that actually sounds pretty good,¡± Azrael admitted after a moment.


    ¡°I think so too,¡± Jarred agreed, nodding.


    Kyle sighed, reluctantly putting his hand out. ¡°Alright, fine. Eternal Parade it is.¡±


    One by one, the others stacked their hands over Kyle¡¯s, sealing the decision.


    ¡°To longer and happier journeys ahead!¡± Kyle shouted with a grin.


    ¡°Eternal Parade!¡± they all exclaimed together, their voices filled with determination and a hint of excitement.

 The Vast Forest

    A few days passed, and the group was busy preparing to leave for Tancki Valley. Mika and Carl handled the supplies, ensuring they had enough food, clothing, and medical items for the journey.


    Meanwhile, in the castle courtyard, Azrael and Jarred were sparring, their movements precise and focused. Kyle sat by the doorway, cleaning his weapon as he watched them intently.


    His gun, named Sovereign of Dawn, was a unique-grade firearm. Like swords, guns, shields, and armor also had different grades, each granting blessings to their wielders.


    Despite using it for a long time, Kyle had yet to awaken the unique blessing of Sovereign of Dawn. He could feel, however, that he was close to unlocking its true potential.


    As he meticulously wiped the barrel, Mika stepped out of the castle, arms crossed and smiling as she observed Azrael.


    ¡°I still can¡¯t believe how quickly Azrael has improved,¡± she said with a hint of admiration.


    Kyle nodded, his gaze fixed on the young warrior. ¡°Yeah. He¡¯s come a long way. I remember the first time I saw him fight. He couldn¡¯t use the Curse Dagger for more than a few minutes. Now, he can wield it for an entire day without breaking a sweat.¡±


    Mika smirked, her tone teasing. ¡°Well, I¡¯m not about to let him surpass me. It¡¯d be embarrassing to rely on someone younger for protection.¡±


    Kyle raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. ¡°Really? Even that¡¯s something you need to worry about? You¡¯re not a kid anymore. Leave the competition to him.¡±


    ¡°Hey! I¡¯m not competing with him,¡± Mika shot back, annoyed. ¡°I just don¡¯t like the idea of needing protection from someone younger.¡±


    Kyle shrugged. ¡°Fair enough. But let¡¯s face it, he¡¯s bound to surpass you eventually. Look at him, he¡¯s already mastered using a cursed weapon without exhausting his mana. Not to mention, he¡¯s figured out how to expand his mana pool from that book he read. Something even you couldn¡¯t manage.¡±


    Mika glared at him but stayed quiet as Kyle continued.


    ¡°Honestly, even I couldn¡¯t do it. Expanding your mana pool sounds easy in theory, but it¡¯s a lot harder than it seems.¡± He tightened his grip on Sovereign of Dawn. ¡°And don¡¯t forget, he comes from the Vandey family, assassins led by Dred Vandey, the fastest member of the SDS.¡±


    Mika let out a deep sigh, conceding. ¡°Fine, you win. Still, I¡¯m glad he¡¯s with us. It¡¯s not every day you get to travel with a royal. Might as well make the most of it.¡±


    ¡°Mika,¡± Kyle called, stopping her as she turned to leave. His tone was more serious now. ¡°What¡¯s the plan once we manage to send him back to the South Continent? We¡¯ve got money now. We don¡¯t need to steal anymore. So¡­ what happens next?¡±


    She paused, smirking as she glanced over her shoulder. ¡°We¡¯ll figure it out when the time comes.¡± Then she disappeared inside, leaving Kyle to his thoughts.


    *


    The following morning, the group prepared to leave the castle. After weeks of snowfall, the weather finally cleared, replaced by warm sunlight and the vibrant bloom of plants.


    Carl stood near the carriage, gently stroking the horse''s muzzle. His attention shifted as he noticed the others stepping out, Mika led the way, followed by Kyle and Jarred, while Azrael lagged behind, busy packing his essentials into his empty space, including the books he¡¯d been reading.


    Carl called out, "Az! Let¡¯s go!"


    Azrael looked up, quickly walking to catch up. "Coming!"


    *


    As usual, Kyle took the reins, driving the carriage, while the rest settled inside.


    "Hmm," Azrael mused, gazing out at the passing scenery. "It only took a few weeks for the snow to disappear."


    Carl responded, "That¡¯s the North Continent for you. The climate here is unpredictable. No one can ever say what kind of weather we¡¯ll face next."


    Azrael raised a brow, intrigued.


    Carl continued, "Visitors from other continents often fall ill because of the rapid shifts in climate. But those who live here permanently have adapted to it."


    Azrael leaned back thoughtfully. "Doesn''t sound like the best place to live, if you ask me."


    Carl shrugged. "I wouldn¡¯t want to live here either. If I could choose, I¡¯d settle in the Southeast Continent."


    Azrael rubbed his chin. "If I remember correctly, the Southeast Continent is known for its rich farmlands. They thrive on agriculture there, with fertile soil perfect for growing fruits and vegetables."


    "Not to mention, it¡¯s the most peaceful continent," Carl added.


    Their conversation faded into silence as the carriage rolled into a sprawling forest, far larger than the one near Caroline Mountain.


    Kyle glanced at Mika, who was poring over a map beside him. "So, do I just keep going straight?" This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    Mika nodded. "Yes, but this forest is bigger than the last one. It might take us until late afternoon or even evening if we stop to rest."


    Carl leaned back. "We¡¯ll have to let the horses rest anyway. No avoiding that."


    Jarred chimed in, "Exactly. No need to rush. If we reach Tancki Valley by nightfall, that¡¯s perfect timing for a good rest."


    Mika sighed, defeated. "Why does no one ever take my side?"


    Carl and Jarred chuckled, while Kyle and Azrael exchanged amused smiles.


    *


    Hours passed as they traveled deeper into the forest. Carl and Jarred lounged inside, taking a nap, while Mika sat up front, her eyes darting around.


    Kyle noticed her tension. "Relax, Mika."


    "It¡¯s better to stay alert than to be caught off guard," she replied, scanning their surroundings.


    "Suit yourself," he muttered, shrugging.


    After a moment, she spoke up again. "The horses will need water soon. Let me check the map for any nearby streams."


    Kyle tilted his head, listening to the gentle rustle of leaves and birdsong. "The quiet here... it feels peaceful."


    Mika glanced at him briefly. "Yeah, it does," she said, then pointed to the map. "Oh! There¡¯s a river not far from here."


    "Alright, let¡¯s head there," Kyle said, guiding the carriage toward the marked spot.


    *


    The group stopped by the riverbank. Mika led the horses to drink while Kyle sat on the soft grass nearby. Azrael hopped out of the carriage, catching Kyle¡¯s attention.


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re awake? Thought you were sleeping,¡± Kyle remarked.


    ¡°Not sleeping, just reading,¡± Azrael replied, stretching his arms.


    "One of the journals?"


    ¡°Nope. I grabbed some interesting books from the castle library. Figured they¡¯d make good reading material for the trip.¡±


    Kyle smirked but said nothing.


    Azrael¡¯s attention shifted to the clear river water. ¡°Wow, you can see the fish so clearly here. We could catch some for dinner.¡±


    Kyle stood, intrigued. "I¡¯ll handle it with earth magic, I''ll shoot them with rocks."


    ¡°Hold on,¡± Azrael interrupted. ¡°If you use earth magic to shoot them, you¡¯ll end up piercing the fish, and there won¡¯t be much left to eat.¡±


    Kyle frowned. ¡°I could make smaller rocks¡­¡±


    ¡°Not necessary,¡± Azrael said, closing his eyes to focus. ¡°I¡¯ve got this.¡±


    Kyle raised a brow. "You? With water magic?"


    Azrael nodded. "Yep. Wizards don¡¯t just summon water; we can control it too. It¡¯s harder, but..." He closed his eyes, focusing, then opened them with determination. "Watch this."


    With a wave of his hand, a sphere of water rose from the river, a fish wriggling inside it.


    Kyle¡¯s eyes widened. "Whoa! You did it!"


    "Ha! Told you I could!" Azrael grinned.


    Mika approached with a container. "That¡¯s impressive," she said, smiling as Azrael repeated the process, catching more fish.


    The commotion stirred Carl from his nap. Rubbing his eyes, he sat up and looked around. ¡°Why did we stop?¡± He blinked at the scene before him. ¡°Wait, are those fish?¡±


    Azrael beamed, holding up a fish. "Look at this one, Carl!"


    Kyle, not to be outdone, used his earth magic to create a small stone trap in the shallows after learning from Azrael that he can manipulate rocks, catching a large fish.


    "Got one!" he exclaimed, triumphant.


    "That¡¯s a big one!" Carl pointed out, laughing.


    Jarred, now awake, joined Mika on the sidelines. They watched the group¡¯s antics with amusement, content to sit back and enjoy the moment.


    The air was filled with laughter and chatter as they continued their impromptu fishing session, their earlier tension momentarily forgotten in the simple joy of the moment.


    *


    After catching fish, the group continued their journey through the forest. However, their fishing efforts had taken longer than expected, and nightfall crept in before they could leave the woods. They decided to camp for the night and resume their travels in the morning.


    Mika sighed, her frustration evident. "I thought we¡¯d be sleeping in Tancki Valley by now."


    Jarred shrugged. "Not my fault we spent so much time fishing."


    Carl crossed his arms defensively. "Hey! If it weren¡¯t for us, we wouldn¡¯t have fresh fish to eat tonight."


    Mika raised a skeptical brow. "We already have plenty of food in the carriage, don¡¯t we?"


    "Y-yeah," Carl stammered, "but none of it¡¯s fresh fish. It¡¯s better to have variety, right?"


    Mika pinched the bridge of her nose, muttering something under her breath.


    Kyle, who had been scanning their surroundings, suddenly froze. "Wait," he said, his voice low. "I think I heard something."


    The group immediately went silent, their eyes darting around the darkened forest.


    Carl glanced around and frowned. "Wait... where¡¯s Az?"


    Before anyone could respond, Azrael emerged from the shadows, carrying a squirming child draped in tattered clothes.


    "Put me down!" the kid yelled, thrashing against Azrael¡¯s grip. "You don¡¯t know what I¡¯m capable of! You¡¯ll regret this!"


    The group stared, baffled, tilting their heads in unison as they took in the sight of the defiant child.


    "Uh..." Kyle broke the silence, glancing between Azrael and the kid. "What exactly is going on here?"


    Azrael shifted the child in his arms, keeping a firm grip. "Found this little one snooping near the carriage."


    The kid, clearly unimpressed by the situation, tried to land a punch on Azrael but failed miserably. "I mean it! Let me go, or you¡¯ll be sorry!"


    Jarred crossed his arms and smirked. "Feisty, isn¡¯t he?"


    Mika, meanwhile, crouched to meet the child¡¯s eyes. "What are you doing out here all alone?" she asked gently, her tone softening.


    The kid¡¯s struggles slowed, his gaze shifting between them warily. "None of your business," he muttered, though his voice held a hint of fear.


    Azrael sighed, lowering the child carefully to the ground but keeping an eye on him. "Look, we¡¯re not here to hurt you. Just tell us why you¡¯re sneaking around."


    For a moment, the child hesitated, his small frame tense as though weighing whether to bolt or speak. The group exchanged glances, silently agreeing to wait for his response.


    The night around them remained quiet, save for the soft rustle of leaves and the distant chirp of crickets. The stillness was almost comforting, though the tension in the air was evident as they awaited the boy¡¯s reply.

 Dark Side of Tancki Valley

    The kid sat silently, his eyes darting between the group.


    Kyle sighed, breaking the tense silence. "Are you hungry?"


    The question caught the child off guard. His lips parted, but he couldn¡¯t seem to find the words. Before he could respond, a loud growl from his stomach gave him away.


    "I¡¯ll take that as a yes," Kyle said with a faint smile.


    Azrael guided the child to sit on the grass near the campfire, joining the group. Jarred, who was closest, handed over a freshly roasted fish skewered on a stick.


    "Careful. It¡¯s still hot," Jarred warned.


    The child hesitated before taking the skewer. Slowly, he began eating, savoring each bite.


    Azrael leaned back and shook his head. "Caught him trying to eat raw meat from the carriage earlier. Good thing I stopped him."


    Mika raised a brow and looked at the boy. "Eating raw meat? You could¡¯ve gotten sick, you know."


    The child shot her a glare. "What¡¯s it to you?"


    Mika¡¯s eyes narrowed, and she started to rise. "Oh, this kid is really testing my patience!" she snapped, only for Azrael to gently hold her back. "We give you food, and you¡¯ve got the nerve to be rude? I¡¯ll teach you a lesson!"


    The child ignored her, continuing to eat without saying a word.


    Jarred spoke up, his voice calm as he stared into the fire. "Let him be. If he doesn¡¯t want to talk, we shouldn¡¯t force him."


    After a long pause, the boy finally spoke, his voice quiet but clear. "I¡¯m being chased by men."


    Mika froze, her irritation giving way to curiosity. "Chased? By who?"


    "Men," the boy repeated.


    Kyle leaned forward, his brows furrowed. "Can you tell us what happened?"


    Carl raised a hand to stop him. "Let him finish eating first. We can ask questions after."


    *


    Once the child finished his meal, he stared into the fire, his expression dark. "They¡¯re after us. Strange men wearing masks."


    The group exchanged uneasy glances.


    "Us?" Mika asked gently. "You mean there are more of you?"


    The boy nodded. "Yes. There were others with me."


    Carl rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Tancki Valley is crawling with syndicates. This sounds like their work."


    Jarred looked at the boy. "What do they do to the people they take?"


    The boy¡¯s voice wavered as he answered, "I think... they use them for organ harvesting."


    A heavy silence fell over the group, the weight of his words sinking in.


    Kyle gasped, horrified. "Organ harvesting? Are you serious?"


    Carl clenched his fists. "So the rumors are true. There¡¯s an illegal slave trade happening in Tancki Valley."


    Jarred turned back to the boy, his tone urgent. "Do you know where they took the others?"


    Carl frowned. "Hold on, Jarred. You¡¯re not seriously thinking about getting involved, are you?"


    "But¡ª"


    "No buts," Kyle interjected. "We don¡¯t know who we¡¯d be up against if we try to interfere."


    Azrael¡¯s voice cut through the tension, firm and resolute. "We can¡¯t just abandon those kids."


    Mika tilted her head, considering the situation. "Do you think the Kent family is involved in this? They¡¯ve been all over Tancki Valley lately."


    Azrael shook his head. "We can¡¯t jump to conclusions without evidence. Besides, they¡¯re royalty. Why would they risk their reputation with something as vile as an illegal slave trade?"


    Mika''s gaze didn¡¯t waver. "Think about it. The rumors only started after the Kent family showed up in Tancki Valley for their so-called ''business ventures.'' Coincidence?" This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    The group fell silent, the implications weighing heavily on their minds. The fire crackled softly, its warm glow unable to dispel the growing unease that surrounded them.


    "I mean¡­ isn¡¯t it possible this is just a coincidence?" Azrael said, his tone uncertain.


    Mika sighed heavily, leaning back against a tree. "Believe whatever you want. I¡¯m just pointing out the possibility that they¡¯re involved."


    Carl hesitated. "I don¡¯t want to accuse royalty either, but Mika might be right. There¡¯s a chance the Kent family is behind this."


    Kyle crossed his arms. "Even if they are, it¡¯s best we don¡¯t meddle. We¡¯d be going up against a powerful family. That¡¯s not something we can take lightly."


    The boy¡¯s face fell at Kyle¡¯s words. Despite knowing the risks, he¡¯d placed his hope in this group, thinking they might help him.


    Azrael noticed the boy¡¯s disappointment and spoke up. "Didn¡¯t we plan to apply for work with the Kent family? Why not use that as an opportunity to find out if they¡¯re really involved?"


    "That¡¯s a good idea, Az," Mika said, her gaze sharp. "But... what do you plan to do if you find out they are responsible?"


    "Uh¡­" Azrael trailed off, unsure how to respond.


    Mika straightened her posture, her tone firm. "Let me remind you all, I was chosen to lead this group. That means I have the right to reject any plan I believe will put us in unnecessary danger."


    Her words struck Azrael hard. He looked down, feeling a surge of disappointment. Deep down, he knew Mika was right. As their leader, she bore the responsibility of protecting them, even if it meant making tough calls.


    "Wait," Carl interrupted, raising a hand. "If we manage to secure jobs with the Kent family, why not try to save the others while we¡¯re there? Are we really going to turn a blind eye if something happens right in front of us?"


    The group fell silent, Carl¡¯s words cutting through their doubts.


    "I¡¯m sure that if any of you were there, you wouldn¡¯t be able to ignore what¡¯s happening," Carl added. He turned to Mika with a knowing look. "Especially you, Mika. Remember when you saved Azrael, even though he was a stranger at the time? That wasn¡¯t something you could just ignore."


    Mika¡¯s lips parted as if to respond, but no words came out. Carl¡¯s reminder hit a nerve.


    She stared into the fire, the memories of past mistakes weighing heavily on her. She had suggested taking a shortcut to Tancki Valley, a decision that had nearly cost them everything. She still blamed herself for what had happened.


    And now, they were about to walk into another potential disaster, one that could endanger the group yet again. The decision rested on her shoulders. Everyone watched her in silence, waiting for her response. Whatever choice she made, they would follow her lead.


    The crackling of the fire filled the stillness, a reminder of the burden she carried as their leader.


    "I''m going to sleep. Let¡¯s continue this tomorrow," Mika said, standing up and walking away from the group.


    Kyle let out a heavy sigh, rubbing his temples. "I don¡¯t know what to do anymore. I¡¯m sure she¡¯s struggling to make a decision about all this."


    "Maybe we just need some rest," Carl suggested, lying back on the grass.


    Jarred stretched and stood up. "Yeah, I¡¯ll turn in early, too."


    Azrael glanced at the boy, who was quietly sitting by the fire, and handed him another stick of grilled fish. "Here, eat more."


    The boy hesitated before taking it, mumbling a soft, "Thank you."


    Kyle leaned closer to Azrael. "What will you do if Mika decides against helping?"


    Azrael shrugged. "Then I¡¯ll follow her decision. I chose her as the leader of this group. It¡¯d be pointless to defy her now."


    Carl, already settling near the bonfire, added, "We should all get some sleep. It¡¯s a cold night, so staying close to the fire will help."


    "He¡¯s right," Kyle agreed, pulling his blanket closer. "We can talk more in the morning."


    The boy, now visibly upset, muttered, "I¡¯m sorry."


    "You¡¯ve done nothing wrong," Azrael said, sitting beside him. He gently placed a hand on the boy¡¯s bowed head. "I¡¯ll find a way to help your friends. I promise."


    "But¡­ what if they don¡¯t agree to help?" the boy asked, his voice trembling.


    Azrael gave a small smile. "I didn¡¯t say I¡¯d ask for their help if Mika refuses. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll make sure no one else gets involved in whatever decision I make."


    The boy looked at him, tears glistening in his eyes. "I don¡¯t know why you¡¯d want to help me¡­ but thank you."


    Azrael¡¯s smile widened. "What¡¯s your name by the way?"


    "Hafa."


    "Nice to meet you, Hafa. I¡¯m Azrael."


    Hafa tilted his head. "That¡¯s an unusual name."


    Azrael chuckled. "Yours isn¡¯t exactly common, either."


    The two laughed quietly, their shared moment breaking the tension in the air. As the others rested, Azrael and Hafa continued talking.


    Azrael asked Hafa about his life, what he liked to do, and how he ended up in the forest.


    Hafa explained that the children who had been taken were his friends. They were orphans, like him, with no homes or families. The seven of them had roamed the streets of Tancki Valley, scavenging to survive.


    "We noticed someone was following us days before it happened," Hafa said, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I ignored it. I thought we were just being paranoid. Then, one day, these men came after us. They¡­ they tried to take all of us."


    Azrael¡¯s expression darkened. "So that''s what happened."


    Hafa clenched his fists, his voice shaking. "One of my friends¡­ he¡­ he sacrificed himself so I could escape. He held them off while I ran. I didn¡¯t even look back."


    Azrael¡¯s heart sank. "You¡¯ve been running ever since?"


    Hafa nodded. "For a week. I¡¯ve been wandering this forest with nothing to eat. I only found your carriage by chance. I¡­ I didn¡¯t know if you were good or bad, so I waited until nightfall to sneak some food."


    Azrael placed a comforting hand on Hafa¡¯s shoulder. "You don¡¯t have to run anymore. We¡¯ll figure this out, I promise."


    Hafa stared at the fire, his eyes brimming with tears. For the first time in days, he allowed himself to feel a glimmer of hope.

 Welcome to Tancki Valley

    Morning arrived, and the group prepared to continue their journey to Tancki Valley. After gathering their things, they sat down for a quick meal before setting off.


    "So, what¡¯s the plan now?" Carl asked, breaking the silence.


    Mika closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh. "We¡¯re going."


    "Hmm? You mean... we¡¯re helping the kids?" Jarred asked, watching her closely.


    "Not exactly," she replied, meeting his gaze. "We¡¯ll take the job at the Kent Family¡¯s estate first¡ªif... we can¡¯t secure a ticket. If we find proof that they¡¯re behind the kidnappings, then we act. But we can¡¯t just accuse them without solid evidence. Not yet."


    Azrael and Hafa¡¯s faces lit up.


    "That¡¯s good to hear!" Azrael grinned, turning to Hafa. "We¡¯ll finally find out if they¡¯re really the ones who took your friends."


    The boy gave a small, hopeful nod.


    "Don¡¯t get ahead of yourselves," Mika warned. "We don¡¯t know how dangerous this could be."


    "She¡¯s right," Kyle added. "But still, I agree with Az, it¡¯s good that you¡¯ve decided to do something about it."


    Mika sighed, stretching her arms. "Not like we have much of a choice."


    *


    After hours of traveling through the dense forest, they finally reached the other side. Open land stretched before them, the sky vast and clear.


    "Finally! We¡¯re out!" Carl shouted, throwing his hands up.


    Jarred looked around, a grin on his face. "Wow, it¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve seen an open area like this. No trees everywhere, just open sky."


    Carl, standing beside Kyle, raised his arms dramatically. "Tancki Valley, here we come!"


    Kyle, sitting beside him, groaned. "Can you get down already?"


    Carl blinked, then laughed awkwardly. "Oh, right. My bad." He climbed off, scratching the back of his head.


    Azrael chuckled and patted Kyle¡¯s shoulder. "Come on, don¡¯t be such a killjoy. Let him have his fun."


    Kyle sighed. "Yeah, yeah. Just don¡¯t let him get carried away."


    As they continued forward, the distant sight of Tancki Valley grew clearer. The real challenge was about to begin.


    *


    After hours of travel, the sight of Tancki Valley finally came into view.


    "At last! Tancki Valley!" Carl shouted, arms raised in excitement.


    The town was alive with noise and movement, a bustling place where people struggled to make a living. Pickpockets and scammers lurked everywhere, making it a place where one had to stay alert at all times.


    The poverty in the area was evident. Most of the people wore simple, worn-out clothes, and many of the goods sold in the market were stolen from other towns or even different countries.


    However, there were still honest merchants, farmers selling fresh fruits and vegetables, taking advantage of the valley¡¯s fertile land.  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    At the farthest end of Tancki Valley, the climate was colder, with occasional snowfall due to the freezing winds blowing in from Kura Country.


    The Tancki Valley, along with Conju Village, served as the only gateway between Garuga and Kura Country. However, instead of traveling by ship from Conju Village, the group had chosen to take the more faster route through Caroline Mountain.


    The reason was simple. If they took a ship from Conju Village it will only lead them to Kura Country, and they would end up in New Blake City, a wealthy town that was the exact opposite of Tancki Valley.


    It was also one of the places Mika¡¯s group had stolen from in the past, making it dangerous for them to pass through.


    Villagers from Conju had a very deep past among the people from Tancki, that''s why they don''t allow travelling to that place.


    Even if they managed to slip through the new blake city unnoticed, they would still have to cross the White Illusion Forest, a cursed place that forced people to face their deepest regrets and weaknesses, trapping those who couldn¡¯t overcome them.


    If they survived that, they would then have to pass through Dragul Kingdom, home to the president of Kura Country.


    Unlike a monarchy, this country was ruled by a president, a man Mika¡¯s group had also stolen from before. If they were caught there, it would mean certain death.


    But if they made it through all those obstacles, they would finally reach Maka Village, the only place where the president allowed ships to travel to the Northeast and to the other parts of the North Continent legally. Any other form of transportation would be considered illegal smuggling.


    *


    Mika gathered the group¡¯s attention. "Alright, here¡¯s the plan," she began. "First, we need a place to stay for the night. Carl, Az, you¡¯re in charge of finding us a room. Make sure you don¡¯t get scammed, and don¡¯t pick anything too expensive. Understood?"


    "Yes, ma¡¯am!" Carl saluted playfully.


    "Got it," Azrael nodded.


    She continued. "The rest of us will head to the pier and try to secure tickets for the next ship. It just returned last month, so it¡¯ll be a while before it leaves again, but we¡¯ll see what we can do."


    Azrael raised an eyebrow. "Wait, there¡¯s only one ship in Tancki Valley?"


    "That¡¯s right," Carl answered before Mika could. "And that¡¯s our only chance to leave. The problem is, thieves like us aren¡¯t exactly welcome here, so getting a ticket won¡¯t be easy. If Mika and the others manage to buy one, we¡¯re lucky, it means we won¡¯t have to rely on the Kent Family''s ''business'' to escape this place."


    Azrael exhaled, processing the situation. "I see. Well then¡­ goodluck securing those tickets."


    Their carriage came to a stop in the middle of the marketplace.


    "This is where we drop you off," Kyle said from the front.


    "Alright!" Carl jumped down eagerly. "Let¡¯s go, Az!"


    "Coming!" Azrael turned to Hafa and gestured for him to follow.


    Just as he was about to leave, Mika spoke up. "Az."


    He turned back to see her watching him seriously. "If we get those tickets¡­ we might never find out if the Kent Family really took those kids."


    Azrael glanced at Hafa, then back at Mika. A small smile formed on his lips. "I know¡­ but if I find proof that the Kent Family is involved, I¡¯m saving those kids. Whether you agree or not."


    With that, he waved them off and walked away as the carriage rolled forward.


    *


    As they made their way through the marketplace, Carl nudged him. "Wow, I didn¡¯t think you were actually that serious about rescuing those kids."


    Azrael simply nodded. "Yeah."


    "Well then, first things first, let¡¯s find a place to stay!" Carl said, already scanning the area for inns.


    As they wandered, a fruit vendor caught Carl¡¯s attention. An elderly woman stood behind the stall, holding out an apple.


    "You there! Buy this apple!" she called. "It¡¯s delicious, and it¡¯ll make you live longer!"


    Carl crossed his arms, inspecting the fruit with a skeptical look. "Hmm¡­ looks like a normal apple to me."


    "Oh, but it¡¯s not!" the old woman insisted. "It may look ordinary, but it has the power to extend your life!"


    Carl rolled his eyes. "Yeah, right."


    Azrael, however, placed a hand on his shoulder. "Wait¡­ what if it¡¯s true?"


    Carl stared at him. "Are you serious?"


    Hafa, walking beside them, raised an eyebrow, his expression practically screaming: ''Are these two idiots for real? Why did I end up stuck with them?''

 Fortune teller

    As they chatted, Carl¡¯s attention was drawn to a large tent with a sign that read "Fortune Teller."


    ¡°Yo, Az.¡± He nudged Azrael. ¡°Look at that.¡±


    Azrael glanced at him before following his gaze.


    ¡°For¡­ tune¡­ teller?¡± he read aloud, slightly puzzled.


    ¡°Want to try?¡± Carl asked, his excitement obvious.


    Leaving behind the elderly woman selling apples, the three headed toward the tent.


    ¡°A-Aren¡¯t you buying apples?¡± the woman called out, sighing as they walked away.


    Stepping inside, they were met with dim lighting and the soft clinking of seashells hanging from the ceiling. Other trinkets and decorations dangled around them, casting eerie shadows on the tent¡¯s dark fabric.


    ¡°Whoa¡­¡± Carl murmured, clearly impressed.


    Even Hafa found himself admiring the intricate decor. As he turned his head, his gaze landed on a lone figure seated at the far end of the tent.


    Draped entirely in black, from head to toe, the person¡¯s features were completely hidden.


    ¡°Welcome,¡± a voice greeted them.


    ¡°Oh?¡± Carl and Azrael reacted in unison, having been too distracted by the decorations to notice the figure before.


    ¡°Oh! Good day! I¡¯m¡ª¡±


    Before he could finish, the fortune teller interrupted.


    ¡°Carl, Azrael, and Hafa¡­ is that right?¡±


    All three froze. Not once had they mentioned their names since stepping inside. The only possibility was if this person had overheard their conversation outside¡­ but that had only been about apples extending one¡¯s life.


    The voice sounded distinctly feminine, leading them to assume she was a woman. Yet, her fully concealed appearance made it difficult to tell for sure.


    ¡°H-How do you know our¡ª¡±


    Once again, she cut Carl off.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious? I¡¯m a fortune teller. I knew you were coming.¡±


    Their shock quickly turned into fascination. As they tried to process everything, she wasted no time in beginning her reading.


    ¡°Hafa.¡± Her covered face tilted slightly toward him. ¡°You have a very bright future ahead.¡±


    A spark of hope lit up his eyes. If she could truly see the future, then maybe¡­ just maybe, she could tell him what happened to his missing friends.


    ¡°Um¡­ Miss Fortune Teller.¡± His voice wavered, but determination burned in his eyes.


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    ¡°C-Can you tell me what happened to my friends?¡±


    She hummed in thought, then placed a hand over the crystal ball before her. The trio leaned in, eyes fixed on the glass sphere, expecting¡­ something.


    Nothing happened.


    Not a single flicker of light, not even the faintest swirl of energy. After a few seconds, they turned their attention back to her.


    ¡°Hm¡­ I can¡¯t say,¡± she finally admitted.


    ¡°What?!¡± Carl burst out. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    ¡°And I can¡¯t tell you why, either.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s even worse!¡± He threw up his hands in frustration.


    ¡°Calm down,¡± Azrael interjected. ¡°She must have a reason.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    A single motion silenced them all. She lifted a hand and gestured... two fingers.


    Carl blinked. ¡°Oh, money?¡±


    The woman remained still, her meaning clear.


    ¡°Two silvers¡­¡± He reached for his wallet and handed over the coins. ¡°There. Now talk.¡±


    The moment she took them, she leaned closer.


    ¡°This¡­ is strange.¡±


    Carl tensed. ¡°Strange how?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t see anything.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± He practically exploded. ¡°I gave you two silver coins, and you¡¯re telling me you saw nothing?! You¡¯re a scammer, aren¡¯t you?!¡±


    Hafa and Azrael quickly grabbed his arms, forcing awkward smiles as they tried to de-escalate the situation.


    ¡°C-Carl, calm down.¡±


    ¡°How am I supposed to calm down when she didn¡¯t tell me anything useful?! I want my money back!¡±


    "Oh?" The fortune teller''s tone shifted, her expression unreadable as she stared at Carl. "Carl."


    Hearing his name, the three turned to her, feeling an unspoken tension settle in the air.


    She locked eyes with him, dead serious. Even though they can''t see her expression.


    His brows furrowed. "What now?!"


    "You¡¯re¡­ going to die."


    Silence.


    "Huh?" The three spoke in unison.


    She had said it so casually, without even flinching. They couldn¡¯t tell if she was joking or if she truly believed her own words.


    Carl let out a dry laugh. "Okay, now you¡¯re just messing with me."


    Azrael, however, slammed his hands on the table. "What the hell are you talking about?!"


    Carl placed a hand on his shoulder, stopping him. "Relax, Az. Let¡¯s hear her out first."


    The fortune teller remained eerily calm. "I¡¯m sorry, but that¡¯s all I saw."


    Carl scoffed. "Saw what? There wasn¡¯t even anything in that crystal ball!"


    She sighed, closing her eyes for a moment before replying. "It¡¯s up to you whether you believe me or not."


    Carl shook his head in frustration. "Come on, Az. Let¡¯s get out of here. This is a waste of time."


    Without waiting for a response, he turned and headed for the exit, Hafa following close behind.


    Azrael was about to do the same when the fortune teller¡¯s voice stopped him cold.


    "You."


    The way she said it sent a chill down his spine. He turned back, meeting her gaze.


    "Be careful of what you see," she warned. "Don¡¯t let your eyes deceive you."


    A knot formed in his stomach. "What do you mean?"


    She didn¡¯t hesitate. "You will change¡­ the moment you leave the North Continent."


    His expression darkened. "I don¡¯t get it."


    The fortune teller said nothing more. The only sound that followed was Carl¡¯s impatient voice calling him from outside.


    "Az, hurry up! We¡¯ll be out here all night if we keep wasting time!"


    Still unsettled, he glanced one last time at the fortune teller before stepping out of the tent. Carl stood a few steps ahead, scanning the area for their next destination.


    Noticing Azrael coming out, he gave a nod. "Come on, let¡¯s find a place to stay before it gets dark."


    As they walked through the bustling streets, Azrael¡¯s mind lingered on what he had just heard.


    ''Change the moment I leave the North Continent¡­?''


    Lost in thought, he finally spoke. "Carl¡­"


    Carl turned to him. "Hmm?"


    "What do you think she meant by her predictions?"


    Carl groaned, rubbing his temples. "Oh, come on. You¡¯re not actually believing that nonsense, are you? She was obviously just scamming us for money."


    Azrael hesitated before muttering, "She said I¡¯d change once I leave the North Continent."


    Carl raised a brow. "She really said that?" He crossed his arms, pretending to think. "Hmm¡­ yeah, she¡¯s definitely crazy."


    Hafa, who had been silent the entire time, finally spoke. "I don¡¯t know¡­ but I think what she told me was true."


    Carl scoffed. "Of course, you¡¯d believe her. She told you something good. Meanwhile, she tells me I¡¯m gonna die. What kind of fortune-telling is that?"


    Hafa scratched the back of his head, smiling awkwardly.


    Carl let out a dramatic sigh. "Seriously, saying I¡¯m gonna die? Ha! I¡¯m immortal, you kno¡ª" He stopped mid-sentence, eyes widening slightly as if realizing he had just blurted out something strange.


    Hafa, however, just laughed. "You¡¯re really funny, Kuya Carl."


    Carl forced a laugh, rubbing the back of his head. "Y-Yeah¡­ funny."


    Azrael, however, wasn¡¯t laughing. The fortune teller¡¯s words kept echoing in his mind, leaving a lingering unease he couldn¡¯t quite shake.

 A place for the night

    As they walked through the dimly lit streets, Hafa¡¯s gaze landed on a three-story house. Clothes hung from the balconies on the second and third floors, swaying slightly in the evening breeze.


    He tugged at Azrael¡¯s sleeve. "Az¡­"


    Azrael glanced down at him. "Hmm? What is it?"


    Hafa pointed at the house.


    Azrael followed his gaze, then turned to Carl. "Hey, look at that."


    Carl¡¯s eyes lit up. "Oh! Let¡¯s check if they have a room for us." Without hesitation, he strode ahead, eager to secure a place for the night.


    *


    "Ten silver per night?!" Carl¡¯s voice rang through the small reception area.


    "Hey, kid! Lower your voice. You''re hurting my ears," the old woman behind the counter scolded. She looked to be in her fifties, her wrinkled face unimpressed by Carl¡¯s outburst.


    Carl groaned. "Ten silver coins is way too expensive, granny. Can¡¯t you give us a discount?"


    The old woman crossed her arms. "You said there are six of you staying here. And you think ten silver is expensive?" She spat on the ground before adding, "Nothing¡¯s free in times like these, boy. And cheap lodging? That doesn¡¯t exist anymore."


    Carl let out a frustrated sigh. "Fine! Ten silvers!" He slapped the coins onto the counter.


    A slow, almost mischievous smile spread across the old woman¡¯s face. "Hehe¡­ good boy."


    Carl¡¯s eye twitched. "What the¡ª!"


    Before he could complain further, Azrael patted his shoulder and stepped forward. "Thank you for letting us stay here. If not for you, we might not have found a place¡­ or worse, we could¡¯ve been scammed by someone else."


    The old woman¡¯s stern expression softened. "Oh?" She studied him for a moment, then suddenly smiled. "You¡¯re a good kid." Reaching into a small pouch, she pulled out two silver coins and placed them in his hand. "Since you have manners, I¡¯ll lower the price to eight silvers per night. Here take this two silvers."


    Carl gawked. "What?! Why did he get a discount just like that, but when I asked, you didn¡¯t even consider it?!"


    The old woman smirked. "Because you¡¯re loud."


    With that, she turned and walked toward the hallway. "Come on, I¡¯ll show you around."


    Carl let out a defeated groan as the others followed her upstairs.


    *


    At the end of the hallway, their host gestured to a door. "This is your room."


    Azrael offered a polite smile. "Thank you."


    She handed him the key. "Hope you enjoy your stay."


    Once she left, he unlocked the door and pushed it open.


    The group stepped inside and froze. The room was surprisingly spacious, with three beds neatly arranged against the walls. Other than that, it was sparsely furnished, a worn-out sofa, a small table with a potted plant, and two rocking chairs.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    Carl let out a whistle. "Wow, I didn¡¯t expect it to be this nice."


    Azrael smirked. "Expensive, huh?"


    Carl rolled his eyes. "Whatever."


    Azrael chuckled and shut the door behind them.


    As they settled in, Azrael turned to Carl. "So¡­ what¡¯s the plan? How will they know where to find us?"


    Carl waved a hand dismissively. "Don¡¯t worry about it."


    As he spoke, two glowing magic circles appeared behind him. Moments later, two ethereal figures emerged from the portals, his guardians.


    "They¡¯ll find them for us."


    With a simple command, the summoned beings vanished into the night, tasked with tracking down Mika and the others.


    Hours passed.


    Azrael and Carl sat on the edge of their beds, discussing their next move when a sudden knock interrupted them.


    Carl got up and opened the door.


    Mika stood there, looking exhausted. "Finally¡­ I thought we¡¯d never find you."


    Without waiting for an invitation, she walked inside and collapsed onto the nearest bed. "Ahh! This is heaven. I haven¡¯t slept on a real bed in so long."


    Carl raised a brow. "That¡¯s my bed."


    She cracked one eye open. "What?" Sitting up, she glanced around. "Wait¡­ there are only three beds? How are we all supposed to fit?"


    Carl lazily pointed to the next room. "The other one next to this is yours. We¡¯re staying here."


    Kyle groaned as he sat down. "Can we at least rest for a bit before moving again?"


    Carl sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine. Do what you want."


    As he made his way back to his bed, Jarred leaned in and whispered, "What¡¯s his problem?"


    Azrael just shook his head with a small smile. "Just let him be. He got scammed."


    Mika stared at Azrael, her brows furrowing. ¡°What do you mean, scammed?¡±


    He scratched the back of his head, flashing an awkward smile. ¡°Long story.¡±


    She crossed her arms, leaning against the wall. ¡°I¡¯ve got time.¡±


    *


    ¡°What?!¡± Mika¡¯s voice rang through the room. ¡°Are you seriously telling me you got scammed by a fortune teller?!¡±


    Carl waved a hand dismissively. ¡°Tch. It was just two silver coins. No big deal.¡±


    She shot him a glare. ¡°No big deal?!¡± A heavy sigh escaped her lips. ¡°You better pay back the money you used. My money.¡±


    Carl stiffened. ¡°Oh¡­ right. That was yours.¡± He laughed nervously.


    Before she could press the issue further, Kyle spoke up. ¡°Enough about that. We need to focus on finding the Kent Family.¡±


    Azrael turned his attention to him. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    Jarred, lying on the bed with his hands behind his head, sighed. ¡°We couldn¡¯t secure the tickets.¡±


    Azrael¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°What happened?¡±


    Mika crossed her arms. ¡°Well¡­ here¡¯s how it went.¡±


    *


    ¡°This is a good spot to leave the carriage,¡± Mika said as they came to a stop.


    The three climbed down, and Jarred ran a hand over the horse¡¯s neck. ¡°I¡¯ll keep watch. Just don¡¯t take too long. Be careful there.¡±


    Kyle smirked. ¡°Not just us¡ªyou¡¯re on the wanted list too, you know.¡±


    Jarred chuckled. ¡°Yeah, which is why I¡¯ll be careful as well.¡±


    After a brief exchange, Mika and Kyle pulled up their hoods and set off toward the ticket booth, their faces partially covered by cloth masks.


    The line moved steadily, and soon it was their turn. Mika stepped forward and placed a few bronze coins on the counter. ¡°Six tickets, please.¡±


    The ticket seller, an older woman with sharp eyes, studied them for a moment. ¡°Where are you two from? Your clothes don¡¯t look familiar.¡±


    ¡°South Continent,¡± Mika answered smoothly. ¡°Just visiting.¡±


    The woman¡¯s gaze lingered before she gestured toward the wall behind her. ¡°Can you take off your masks?¡±


    Mika¡¯s pulse quickened. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s been a surge of criminals in Tancki Valley,¡± the woman said, tapping a wanted poster behind her. ¡°Better to be sure.¡±

 Another Discovery

    Kyle and Mika exchanged glances before slowly pulling down their hoods, revealing their faces.


    The woman behind the counter studied them carefully, then glanced at the wanted posters nearby. There was no match. Just as she was about to hand over the tickets, a large, rough hand slammed down in front of them.


    A towering man with a thick beard and a commanding presence grabbed the tickets meant for Mika. The ticket seller gasped in shock.


    "Hey! Who do you think you are, taking tickets that aren¡¯t yours? Give those back!"


    The man cast a cold glare at her before smirking. "Everything at this pier belongs to me. Besides, we need to get to Kansas Village for supplies."


    The old woman¡¯s voice rose in defiance. "That doesn''t give you the right to steal from others!"


    Irritation flashed across his face. Without warning, he swung his fist and smashed the wooden ticket booth. The impact sent splinters flying, forcing the seller to step back in fear. Mika and the others instinctively moved away as well.


    With the booth now broken, the brute stepped forward, grabbing the woman by the collar.


    "You don¡¯t get to question someone stronger than you," he said, his tone dripping with amusement and menace.


    Despite his grip, the old woman held onto his thick arm and spat out, "If you want to cross the border, pay like everyone else!"


    His fist clenched, ready to strike, but before he could, something stopped him.


    A firm grip on his wrist.


    He turned, startled, to find a woman with wavy hair and piercing green eyes holding him back.


    "Let her go," Mika demanded, meeting his gaze head-on.


    *


    Back at the hotel¡­


    "What?! So you didn¡¯t get the tickets because you caused a scene?" Carl shouted, his frustration boiling over. "Unbelievable! You weren¡¯t even the ones who started it! You helped, and somehow you''re the ones who lost out?" He ran a hand through his hair in exasperation.


    Mika exhaled sharply, disappointment etched across her face. "There¡¯s nothing we can do. Maybe that''s just how things work around here."


    "That¡¯s not an excuse!" Carl snapped.


    Azrael placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Enough, Carl. What¡¯s done is done."


    With a huff, Carl crossed his arms and looked away, muttering under his breath.


    Azrael¡¯s gaze swept over the group. "So... what now?"


    From his seat on the rocking chair, Jarred spoke up. "There''s only one option left. We have to find the Kent Family and apply for work."


    Azrael blinked, caught off guard. "Oh?"  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Mika, lying back on the bed, turned her head toward him. "Why do you look so surprised? We already agreed¡ªif we couldn¡¯t get tickets, we¡¯d have no choice but to work for the Kent Family."


    He hesitated before nodding slowly. "Th-then... should we go through with it?"


    Mika closed her eyes. "Yes... and if the Kent Family really is behind this, we¡¯ll save those kids."


    Azrael and Hafa exchanged a look, identical grins spreading across their faces.


    *


    The next day, the group set out to find the Kent Family''s workplace. Tancki Valley was vast, making it inefficient for everyone to search together.


    "We need to split up," Mika said, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Each of us will head in a different direction."


    They exchanged uncertain glances, but she continued. "We''ll search the entire day to cover more ground. Once the sun sets, we''ll regroup here at the hotel and share whatever information we¡¯ve gathered."


    Everyone agreed and soon went their separate ways. Since Azrael was unfamiliar with the area, he decided to stick with Hafa, who had been born and raised in Tancki Valley.


    *


    Azrael and Hafa walked through a quieter marketplace, far from the bustling one where they''d previously been scammed by a fortune teller. Unlike that chaotic scene, this place had fewer people, creating a stark contrast.


    The silence stretched between them until Hafa finally spoke. "So... where exactly are we supposed to go?"


    Azrael let out a small sigh, offering an awkward smile. "Honestly? I have no idea."


    Hafa paused, considering something before his expression brightened. "Why don¡¯t we check in with some people I know at the black market?"


    Azrael raised an eyebrow, surprised. He hadn¡¯t expected the boy to have connections in such a place. While uncertain if those contacts would be useful, doing nothing wasn¡¯t an option. Without overthinking, he nodded and followed Hafa¡¯s lead.


    Navigating through narrow streets, they eventually arrived at a secluded area. A makeshift house, pieced together from rusted metal sheets, stood in front of them. Hafa knocked three times.


    A small viewing slot slid open, revealing a pair of wary eyes.


    "Hey, it''s me," Hafa said with a grin.


    The slot closed, and after a brief moment, the door creaked open. A burly man in a black shirt stood in the doorway, arms crossed. "Hafa, long time no see. Where have you been?"


    Hafa scratched the back of his head, forcing a smile. "It¡¯s a long story."


    The man grunted before his gaze shifted to Azrael. "And who¡¯s this?"


    "Oh, him? He¡¯s with me," Hafa replied casually.


    The man gave a brief nod before stepping aside. "Alright, get in."


    Once inside, Azrael realized the cramped metal shack was just a front. A hidden trapdoor led downward, revealing a staircase. The burly man pulled it open, gesturing for them to descend.


    Hafa went first, and Azrael followed, their footsteps echoing down the narrow steps. At the bottom, they continued along a dimly lit passage lined with torches. The further they went, the more Azrael marveled at the place.


    "Wow. An underground market," he muttered, taking in the surroundings.


    Hafa smirked. "Something like that."


    After a minute of walking, they emerged into a massive open space. Unlike the quiet marketplace from earlier, this one was alive with activity. Merchants called out deals, people haggled over goods, and the air buzzed with conversation.


    "This place is huge..." Azrael breathed, taking it all in.


    "Come on, follow me," Hafa instructed, weaving through the crowd with practiced ease.


    Azrael trailed behind, trusting the boy¡¯s sense of direction. Every turn and corridor seemed familiar to him. Eventually, they reached a large brown tent, big enough to fit several people inside.


    Without a word, Hafa stepped in, and Azrael followed. The dim interior revealed an old man standing at the front. His long white hair cascaded down his back, and his beard reached his chest.


    Though his frame was thin, his presence was imposing. He wore no shirt, only a pair of worn gray shorts. Malnutrition was evident in his sunken cheeks and bony limbs.


    Azrael observed him silently until the old man finally spoke.


    "Welcome to the black market, Mr. Azrael... Vandey."

 New allies from black market

    "Welcome to the black market, Mr. Azrael Vandey."


    Azrael stiffened at the old man''s words.


    "H-How do you know my name?" he asked hesitantly.


    The old man walked over to his chair, clasping his hands behind his back. As he sat down, he leaned back slightly, studying Azrael with an unreadable expression.


    "This is the black market, Mr. Vandey. You can buy anything here¡­ even information."


    Azrael tensed, but before he could respond, Hafa stepped in.


    "Relax, kuya Az. He¡¯s not a bad guy. He¡¯s the one who raised me."


    The old man gestured to the chair across from him. "Why don¡¯t you sit?"


    Azrael hesitated but took a seat, with Hafa settling beside him. The boy looked almost excited, a grin playing on his lips.


    Folding his hands together, the old man introduced himself. "My name is Qedue. A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Vandey. It¡¯s not every day I get a client of royal blood."


    Azrael¡¯s mind raced. Just how much did this man know? He forced himself to remain calm. If Hafa trusted him, maybe he should too.


    "The pleasure is mine, Mr. Qedue," Azrael said, then met his gaze seriously. "Since you¡¯ve already made it clear that information can be bought here, I¡¯ll get straight to the point. I need to know about the Kent Family."


    Qedue¡¯s expression shifted slightly, a glint of curiosity in his eyes. "That¡¯s quite the request, Mr. Vandey. I¡¯m afraid that kind of information doesn¡¯t come cheap."


    Azrael clenched his fists in his lap, lowering his gaze. "I¡­ I don¡¯t have anything to offer," he admitted, frustration evident in his voice. Then, looking up, he added in a quiet but desperate tone, "But please¡­ help us."


    Hafa, seeing the distress in Azrael¡¯s eyes, turned to Qedue and pressed his hands together in a pleading gesture.


    "Sir Qedue, please! Azrael and his friends saved my life. If it weren¡¯t for them, I would¡¯ve died of hunger in the forest."


    Qedue rubbed his chin, tilting his head slightly. "Hmm. Information is valuable¡­ and he knows that." He closed his eyes briefly before opening them again. "I can¡¯t give it away for free, but¡­" He let out a slow breath. "Hafa¡¯s life is worth more than money."


    Both Azrael and Hafa perked up.


    "You¡¯re really going to help me?" Azrael asked, hope flickering in his voice.


    Qedue smirked. "Ask what you need to know before I change my mind."


    *


    "Oh? So you''re wondering if the Kent family has anything to do with Hafa¡¯s missing friends?" Qedue mused, leaning back in his chair. "To be honest, I don¡¯t have any information on that." He shrugged. "You see, I don¡¯t have people working for Kent, nor do I know anyone on the inside. If you really want answers, you¡¯ll have to infiltrate their group yourselves."


    "Group?" Azrael asked, intrigued.


    "The organization that runs the Kent family¡¯s business in the North Continent is called ''White Knight.'' They own the only ship in Tancki Valley." Qedue rubbed his temple, deep in thought. "Hmm, if I¡¯m not mistaken, the one in charge of White Knight is Dabric Kent."


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    "Dabric... huh." Azrael repeated the name, committing it to memory. "Where can we find him?"


    "You¡¯ll need to go to ''The Lost House.'' It¡¯s near the plaza. You can¡¯t miss it, it¡¯s a massive place, easy to recognize."


    "The plaza? Where exactly is that?"


    "Hafa knows the way. He can lead you there," Qedue said, nodding toward the boy.


    Azrael smiled in relief. "Thank you. This information helps a lot."


    Qedue¡¯s expression turned serious as he looked Azrael straight in the eye. "Listen, kid. This mission is dangerous. If you can help it... don¡¯t drag Hafa into this mess. If you really want to save his friends, do it without putting him at risk."


    Azrael glanced at Hafa, then met Qedue¡¯s gaze again. "Don¡¯t worry¡­ I won¡¯t let anything happen to him." His voice was steady, his smile reassuring.


    Qedue sighed and closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them, a small smirk appeared on his face. "I have an idea."


    Azrael raised a brow in curiosity.


    The old man reached for a small cabinet in his desk and started rummaging through it. Azrael and Hafa exchanged glances, unsure of what he was looking for.


    "Aha! Here it is." Qedue pulled out a small white card with a name and tiny numbers written on it. He handed it to Azrael. "Take this."


    Azrael examined the card. "Uh¡­ what is this?"


    Qedue smirked. "A card, obviously."


    Azrael chuckled awkwardly. "R-right, I know that. What I meant is¡­ what am I supposed to do with it?"


    "Go to the place written on it." Qedue leaned back. "The owner is a friend of mine. They¡¯ll help you get into The Lost House. Just tell them I sent you, and you won¡¯t have any problems."


    Azrael read the name on the card. "Sharn? I hope this guy can actually help us."


    Hafa suddenly burst into laughter. "Guy? Oh, you¡¯re in for a surprise."


    Azrael gave him a confused look but didn¡¯t press further.


    *


    The black market was bustling with activity as Azrael and Hafa made their way through the crowded streets. Stalls lined both sides, selling all sorts of rare and unusual items.


    Magical scrolls containing spells and abilities were displayed behind glass cases. Weapons of different grades gleamed under the dim lantern lights, ready to be sold to the highest bidder. Herbs and strange artifacts were stacked in neat piles, their purposes unknown to the average person.


    After several minutes of navigating through the chaotic market, the two finally arrived in front of a wooden house. It looked simple, almost as if someone had drawn it on paper, hastily colored it in, and somehow brought it to life.


    ¡®Who in the world built this place? It looks like it¡¯s about to collapse.¡¯ Azrael thought to himself, unimpressed.


    Hafa knocked on the door. For a moment, there was silence. Then, with a loud bang, the door swung open, nearly blasting them with a gust of wind.


    "Welcome! To the house of the mighty Fern!" A cheerful voice rang out.


    Azrael¡¯s eyes widened at the person standing before them. A short woman with doll-like features, curly hair, pale skin, and striking pink eyes beamed at them in a fancy dress.


    Azrael blinked twice. ¡®Wait¡­ this guy is not a guy?¡¯ His mind struggled to process the contradiction. ¡®Then why the hell is her name Fern?! That sounds like a man¡¯s name!¡¯


    "Hi, Fern!" Hafa greeted her with a wave.


    "Oh! Hafa!" She squealed, rushing forward to scoop him up. "You¡¯ve grown soooo much!"


    The two laughed before Fern¡¯s gaze landed on Azrael. Her eyes sparkled with interest. "Oh? Is this cute guy your friend?"


    She set Hafa down before he could answer.


    "Yes! He¡¯s helping me with something important," Hafa replied.


    "Oh? Is that so?" Fern eyed Azrael playfully. "You have pretty good taste in choosing friends."


    Azrael felt a bit overwhelmed by her energy but managed a polite smile. "Hi, my name¡¯s Azrael. Nice to meet you, Ms. Fern."


    "Oh, enough with the formalities! Just call me Fern." She grinned.


    Before Azrael could respond, Hafa snickered. "By the way, he totally thought you were a guy earlier."


    A visible vein popped on Fern¡¯s forehead. Her smile turned sharp. "Wh-what did you just say?"


    Hafa immediately raised his hands in surrender. "H-he didn¡¯t mean anything bad! He just saw your name and assumed... th-that¡¯s all!"


    Fern slowly turned her gaze to Azrael, who was now bowing his head repeatedly, mumbling apologies under his breath. She crossed her arms, watching him with an unreadable expression.

 We need Mika’s approval

    Fern sat with Azrael in front of her, while Hafa was between them. The three of them talked over coffee, which Fern had prepared. From the moment they stepped inside, Azrael couldn''t believe what he was seeing.


    The house''s exterior looked plain, as if little thought had been put into its design. But inside, it was a completely different story. Elegant chandeliers, finely crafted lamps, crystal glasses, and other expensive furnishings filled the space. Everything was spotless, as if cleaned meticulously several times a week.


    Silence hung between them as they sat around a square table. Fern had her arms crossed, eyes shut in thought. Azrael sat quietly, hands resting in his lap, staring at the floor.


    Fern was the first to break the silence. ¡°So, what do you need?¡±


    Azrael hesitated before sliding a small card across the table. ¡°Here.¡±


    She picked it up, her brows rising in surprise. ¡°Qedue sent you? For what?¡±


    Before he could answer, Hafa jumped in. ¡°Sir, Qedue wants you to help us get inside the Lost House.¡±


    Fern raised an eyebrow. ¡°Us? You¡¯re going in with this kid?¡± she said, looking at Azrael.


    ¡°Oh! No, I mean Azrael and his friends.¡±


    Her gaze shifted back. ¡°And what exactly do you want from the Lost House?¡±


    Azrael pause. Then, finally, ¡°We want to apply for work with the Kent family.¡±


    She stared at him, surprised. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re trying to leave the North.¡± His voice held firm determination.


    Fern exhaled, leaning back in her chair. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you and your friends did to the point that you¡¯re using the Kents¡¯... ¡®business¡¯ just to get out of here. There are other ways, like taking a ship to another country... unless...¡±


    Her sharp eyes bore into him. ¡°You¡¯re running from something, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    This time, he didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter what we did. What matters is if you can get us inside.¡±


    A smirk played on her lips. ¡°You lot are criminals, huh?¡± Her gaze turned fierce. ¡°Listen, kid¡ª¡±


    ¡®Kid?¡¯ he thought, raising an eyebrow. ¡®We¡¯re practically the same age.¡¯


    ¡°I can get you inside that damn house, but this is the black market we¡¯re talking about.¡± She shrugged as if it were obvious.


    Azrael let out a sigh, forcing a small smile. ¡®I thought this would go as smoothly as it did with mr. Qedue.¡¯


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    ¡°What¡¯s with that creepy smile?¡± Fern narrowed her eyes.


    He quickly waved his hands in surrender. ¡°Ah... no, I just thought we could talk this through.¡±


    ¡°We can,¡± she said casually. ¡°For the right price.¡±


    His confidence wavered. ¡°Ahm¡­ about that¡­¡±


    Her eyes narrowed. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you have nothing.¡±


    He avoided her gaze, looking anywhere but at her.


    She pinched the bridge of her nose. ¡°Kid, I run a business. I don¡¯t work for free.¡± Her voice was sharp with irritation.


    ¡°Fern, please, calm down,¡± Hafa said, trying to ease the tension.


    She exhaled deeply, crossing her arms. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll give you until tomorrow. I¡¯ll be here, come back when you have something to offer.¡±


    His eyes widened. ¡°Really? Th-thank you. I¡¯ll talk to my group and figure something out.¡± He gave a small bow of gratitude.


    *


    Azrael and Hafa walked through the bustling marketplace near their hotel, the air filled with the chatter of merchants and the scent of street food. Despite the lively surroundings, Azrael felt a sense of defeat weighing on him. He had failed to convince Fern to help them for free.


    Hafa noticed his frustration and gave him a reassuring smile. "Don¡¯t stress over it. She¡¯s actually nice. Maybe we can talk things through. Besides, nothing comes free these days."


    Azrael let out a deep sigh before slapping both hands against his cheeks. "Alright! No giving up!"


    Hafa chuckled. "I¡¯m sure Mika will lend us some money."


    Azrael frowned. "I wouldn¡¯t be too sure about that¡­"


    *


    "Nope. Not happening," Mika said flatly.


    "What?! Why not?" Azrael groaned, sitting on the bed with his arms crossed.


    Mika didn¡¯t even look up from the book she was reading. "That woman¡¯s from the black market. How do you know she won¡¯t just scam you?"


    The room fell silent. No one wanted to argue with Mika, not just because she was in charge of their finances, but also because every single coin they had was from her own pocket.


    Carl, sitting beside Azrael, remained quiet. He had already been scammed once and had no desire to put himself on Mika¡¯s radar again. He shot Azrael a look that practically screamed, ''You¡¯re on your own.''


    Azrael hesitated before mumbling, "Well¡­ she¡¯s Hafa¡¯s friend?"


    At that, Mika finally looked up, her sharp gaze landing directly on Hafa.


    Hafa, who had been quietly minding his own business, suddenly felt like a knife had been driven through his chest. His shoulders tensed under Mika¡¯s intense stare.


    "Is that true?" she asked, her voice cold.


    Hafa swallowed hard. "Uh¡­ y-yeah."


    "Are you certain she can help us?"


    He shifted uncomfortably. "She¡­ she knows someone inside the Lost House."


    Mika didn¡¯t blink. "And if she betrays us? Sells us out? Are you ready to take responsibility for that?"


    Hafa straightened his back, forcing himself to meet her gaze. "Y-yes!"


    A slow smile spread across Mika¡¯s lips. "Oh? You sound pretty confident about her," Mika said, raising an eyebrow.


    Hafa met her gaze with unwavering determination. "Of course I am! I¡¯ve known her for a long time. She wouldn¡¯t betray us."


    Azrael quickly jumped in. "S-see? We can trust her! I know we can. So please..." He pressed his palms together and gave a small bow. "If this goes wrong, Hafa and I will take full responsibility."


    Hafa blinked in surprise. He was ready to shoulder the blame if things went south, but hearing Azrael openly stand by him gave him more confidence. Maybe, just maybe, they could convince Mika after all.

 The deal

    Mika closed her eyes and crossed her arms. After a moment, she slowly opened them and spoke. ¡°Alright, tomorrow... We¡¯ll talk to her tomorrow.¡±


    Azrael and Hafa felt a sense of relief upon hearing Mika¡¯s words. Carl, despite not being able to do anything at that moment, silently prayed that Mika would agree and give the person they met at the black market a chance.


    After a few minutes, Azrael shifted the conversation. Since their meeting began, the only thing they had discussed was the information that Azrael and Hafa had gathered.


    ¡°How¡¯s the information search going?¡± Azrael asked, looking at Mika and the others.


    Mika lowered the book she was reading, closed her eyes, and slowly opened them again. With a deep sigh, she replied, ¡°I haven¡¯t found a single lead. All I know is that the Kent family owns the ship, just like you said.¡±


    Jarred answered and shrugged, ¡°I didn¡¯t find anything either. I just learned about the ship''s ownership today because of you guys.¡±


    Azrael looked at Kyle, but Kyle simply shook his head, signaling that he hadn¡¯t found anything either. Then Azrael turned his gaze to Carl, who just shrugged in response.


    Azrael muttered under his breath, ¡°So I¡¯m the only one who found something useful. If it weren¡¯t for Hafa, we probably wouldn¡¯t have any information at all.¡±


    Carl shrugged again. ¡°Yeah, I guess so. It¡¯s good to have someone who grew up around here.¡± He smiled and patted Hafa¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Good job, Hafa!¡±


    Hafa smiled, a little shy.


    *


    The next day, the group headed to Fern¡¯s place. Just like the first time Azrael visited, it felt like a storm hit the door, and with a loud crash, it flung open, sending a strong gust of wind and dust flying everywhere.


    As the group shielded their faces from the wind and flying debris, a short woman with doll-like features, curly hair, pale skin, and striking pink eyes, dressed in a fancy gown, stepped outside.


    She shouted, ¡°Welcome! To the house of mighty Fern!¡± Upon seeing Azrael, she froze, her eyes twitching. ¡°You again?¡±


    Azrael scratched the back of his head and chuckled awkwardly.


    Fern¡¯s gaze shifted to the others with Azrael. ¡°Hmm? Who are they? Your friends?¡±


    Azrael¡¯s face brightened. ¡°Ah! Yes! They¡¯re the ones I told you about yesterday.¡± He pointed at Mika. ¡°This is Mika, the one I mentioned.¡±


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    Fern raised an eyebrow, scanning Mika from head to toe. Then, she asked curiously, ¡°Is she... your girl?¡±


    Everyone froze in unison, including Hafa, who was just as surprised by Fern¡¯s blunt question.


    Fern rolled her eyes. ¡°Oh, come on! What¡¯s with the reaction? I¡¯m just asking.¡±


    Azrael quickly spoke up, ¡°W-what made you think that?! Mika¡¯s practically like my mom at this point¡ª¡±


    Before he could finish his sentence, the group stared at him in utter shock, more surprised by his words than Fern¡¯s question.


    Fern¡¯s eyes widened, and she covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. Azrael noticed that Mika stood still, her gaze lowered.


    He waved his hands frantically, conceding defeat. ¡°W-wait, Mika! That¡¯s not what I meant!¡±


    Mika lifted her head, locking eyes with Fern and smiling, her smile wasn¡¯t exactly friendly. ¡°Can we start talking business before I kill someone?¡±


    Fern, wiping tears from laughing so hard, just waved her hand. ¡°Alright, alright. Come on in.¡± She turned her back to them and walked inside.


    *


    Fern, Mika, Azrael, and Kyle were seated around a table, the only ones occupying the four chairs. Meanwhile, Carl, Hafa, and Jarred roamed the house, curiously observing anything that caught their attention.


    Fern glanced at the three of them, raising an eyebrow. "Hey, you three! Mind sitting still for a moment?"


    Startled, the trio immediately sat down on the floor. There weren¡¯t any extra chairs available, but the carpet was plush and soft, made from the fur of a creature with thick, luxurious hair. They didn¡¯t bother to question what kind of beast the fur had come from.


    Mika spoke up first. "Let me introduce myself properly."


    Hearing this, Fern turned her gaze toward her.


    "I''m Mika, the current leader of this group," she said casually, as she always did.


    Fern smiled and nodded. "Nice to meet you, Mika. I¡¯m Fern."


    Mika gestured to the others. "Beside me is Kyle. You already know Azrael, right? And that guy with the glasses is Jarred. The one sitting next to him and Hafa is Carl."


    Fern smiled at each of them in turn. "Hmm, it looks like your group has grown quite a bit."


    Mika grinned. "Yeah, we were a team of four before we met Azrael."


    "I see," Fern replied, then shifted the topic. "Alright then, let''s talk about the job you wanted me to help with."


    "Oh, right," Mika said. "Hafa mentioned that you know someone working in the Lost House. We''re hoping to get in there and apply for work."


    Fern paused for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, Azrael told me about your plan. And to answer your question... yes, I do know someone inside the Lost House."


    Mika smiled. "Then, I believe that you can help us?"


    Fern¡¯s lips curled into a smirk. "I¡¯m sure Azrael mentioned the conditions I require, right?"


    Mika closed her eyes and took out a small coin purse. She pulled out five silver coins and a gold one, setting them on the table. Fern took the purse, inspecting its contents.


    "This is too much," she said, taking the gold coin and sliding it back toward Mika. "I don¡¯t need this much for such a simple deal. Honestly, it¡¯s not that difficult to apply for the job."


    Mika blinked in surprise, then gratefully accepted the gold coin. "Oh? Alright. Thank you."


    Fern set the coin purse aside, her tone turning businesslike. "Alright then, shall we begin?"

 Valuable information

    The conversation started when Fern spoke up. "So, what¡¯s the first question you¡¯d like me to answer?"


    Mika was caught off guard but managed to hide her surprise. She expected Fern to help them get inside The Lost House, but she didn¡¯t expect her to answer any questions they will asked, and even volunteer for them to ask her a question.


    Mika seized the opportunity and asked, letting out a deep sigh. "Can you tell us about the person you knew inside The Lost House? Who were they? What was their role there?"


    Fern answered without hesitation, despite the number of questions. "She¡¯s my childhood friend. Her name is Karla. She¡¯s a recruiter and leads a small team of five people." She shrugged casually. "I don¡¯t really know who the other four members are."


    The group listened intently, not interrupting.


    Fern continued, "The Kent Family needs many trustworthy members, so they have recruiters like Karla." She rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "If I¡¯m not mistaken, the four other recruiters are all former members of the White Knight."


    Azrael suddenly remembered that Qedue had mentioned the White Knight and its leader. It was something he had forgotten to tell the group. With their constant pressure for Mika to trust Fern, he had let it slip from his mind.


    Azrael stayed silent, pretending this was the first time he had heard about the White Knight.


    Mika, still processing what Fern said and asked, "White Knight?"


    "Yeah," Fern replied. "The Kent Family has four divisions of the White Knight, with each division being led by Arsenal Kent¡¯s children." She paused, counting on her fingers before continuing, "If I¡¯m right, Arsenal Kent has four children. One of them is Dabric Kent, the leader of the White Knight division in Tancki Valley."


    Kyle''s hands twitched as they rested on the table. Azrael noticed the change in his demeanor but decided not to ask about it. He also noticed that Kyle¡¯s mood shifted the moment Dabric Kent¡¯s name came up, which piqued his curiosity.


    Before Azrael could think further, Mika spoke up again. "Do you know the other three children of Arsenal Kent?"


    Fern shook her head. "Sadly, I don¡¯t. My information doesn¡¯t go that deep into the Kent family¡¯s family tree. Sorry about that."


    Mika shook her head in response. "No, you¡¯ve given us a lot of information. Thank you."


    Fern smiled brightly, her tone cheerful. "I¡¯m glad to hear that." After a brief pause, she added, "Want to know more?"


    Azrael spoke up this time. "What do they do besides owning the only ship here in Tancki Valley?"


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    Fern replied, "The ship is massive, so they have various businesses on board, all owned by the Kent Family. From casinos, bars, to other entertainment. They also own fifty percent of the shops here in Tancki Valley. Of course, their employees run the stores."


    Azrael pressed on. "Can we know how your friend became a recruiter? How important are the recruiters? If they¡¯re that important, how did your friend get involved?"


    Fern chuckled lightly at the barrage of questions. "Sorry, I just laughed at how many questions you have."


    Azrael gave her a surprised look before awkwardly chuckling himself.


    Fern continued, "Well, her family has been serving the Kent Family since she was a child. So, when the White Knight was assigned to Tancki Valley, Arsenal Kent brought her here to serve young Dabric Kent. She was his first assistant before she was eventually replaced by Creselya, when Dabric assigned her as a recruiter."


    Once Azrael processed what Fern had said, she continued, "The position of a recruiter is much higher than a regular member or guard in the Kent Family. That''s why they selected some of the strongest members of the White Knight for this role. And to answer your question before you ask it... yes, Karla is strong. Three times stronger than me."


    *


    Kyle had been silent this entire time, but Azrael could feel the tension building in the air. He almost asked if Kyle was okay, but he thought better of it. He didn¡¯t want to disrupt the flow of the conversation or risk making Fern lose interest in answering their questions.


    Fern smiled and asked, "So, are those all your questions?"


    Mika asked the most important one. "Why?"


    Fern tilted her head slightly. "What do you mean, why?"


    Mika pressed on, "Why did you let us ask so many questions when all we originally talked about was you helping us get into The Lost House?"


    Fern¡¯s smile softened as she answered, "It¡¯s all part of the deal."


    The group was taken aback by her response.


    She tilted her head again and continued, "Information like this in the black market isn''t cheap, you know. You can get a lot for the right price." She smiled again, adding, "And the information you wanted isn''t that valuable. Maybe because you don''t know much about the Kent Family, you think it¡¯s more important than it actually is."


    Mika and Azrael exchanged glances, both nodding. Mika spoke up cautiously, "Then... can you tell us something about the other businesses of the Kent Family?"


    Fern raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by their sudden shift in questions. It seemed like they had some idea about the Kent Family¡¯s other operations.


    She smiled. "You mean... that business?"


    The group exchanged wary looks. They all had a strong feeling that Fern was referring to the Kent Family''s involvement in the illegal slave trade that was happening in Tancki Valley. There was a chance they were wrong, but there was also a chance they were right.


    Mika and Azrael exchanged uneasy glances once more.


    Mika hesitated before asking, "What do you mean by ''that'' business? Are they involved in something illegal?"


    Fern smiled, her tone almost playful. "This information... is something else. So maybe... your payment isn''t enough for this one."


    Mika sighed deeply and placed three silver coins on the table. Fern hesitated for a moment, as if considering whether the payment was enough. After a few seconds, she took the coins.


    She let out a sigh and said, "Alright, I¡¯ll give you a discount because you¡¯re friends with Hafa."

 Did she sell us out?

    The room fell silent as Fern carefully placed three silver coins into the coin purse Mika had given her earlier. Everyone waited for her to speak. She clasped her hands together, fingers interlocked, and brought them near her face, her expression casual.


    ¡°I think you all have an idea of what I¡¯m about to say,¡± she said, eyeing the group. ¡°Judging by your expressions.¡±


    Azrael swallowed hard, his body tense as he waited for her to continue. He could already feel it in his gut, he knew what she was about to reveal. Beads of sweat started to form on his forehead.


    Fern didn''t waste time. ¡°You¡¯ve probably heard the rumors about the illegal slave trade in Tancki Valley, right?¡±


    Azrael¡¯s hands clenched into fists in his lap, trying to suppress the anger building inside him. Even though Fern hadn''t said everything yet, deep down, he already knew where this conversation was heading. Sweat trickled down his neck.


    Mika nodded, her eyes locked on Fern, answering without speaking.


    Fern¡¯s next words sent a chill down their spines. ¡°The Kent Family is behind all of it.¡±


    Azrael''s heart raced. ''I knew it'', he thought.


    His grip tightening until his knuckles turned white. The anger in his face was starting to show, and Mika noticed, glancing over at him. But she remained calm, listening intently to Fern.


    Fern''s tone didn¡¯t change. ¡°That¡¯s why the price for this information is so high. The Kent Family¡¯s reputation is solid, especially since they¡¯re part of the SDS. No one suspects they could be involved in something like this.¡±


    Azrael gritted his teeth, unable to hold back. ¡°Is... is the Kent Family the only one doing this?¡±


    Fern gave him a confused look but answered anyway. ¡°I don¡¯t know anything about other families¡¯ businesses, so sorry, but this is all I can share.¡±


    Azrael exhaled slowly, letting the anger subside just enough to speak. ¡°It¡¯s okay... Thank you,¡± he muttered, not meeting her eyes.


    Fern shifted gears, her voice light and easy. ¡°So, no more questions?¡±


    The group exchanged glances, but Azrael kept his head down. Mika finally spoke up. ¡°That¡¯s all.¡±


    With a smile, Fern stood up. ¡°Alright then! It¡¯s settled. I¡¯ll see you at the Lost House.¡±


    She went to a drawer behind her and pulled out something, placing it on the table. As she opened it, a map of Tancki Valley unfolded before them. She pointed at a spot on the map. ¡°This is the plaza¡­ and this here is the Lost House.¡±


    Mika leaned in, examining the map. ¡°What are we supposed to do once we get there?¡±


    Fern¡¯s smile grew wider. ¡°You¡¯ll wait for me, of course. Stay at the plaza, and I¡¯ll meet you there.¡± She slid the map over to Mika. ¡°Here, take it. I¡¯m not sure if you have one already, but it¡¯s best to know the way to the plaza.¡±


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    Hafa spoke up, looking a bit uncertain. ¡°I know where the plaza is¡­ I could show them the way.¡±


    Fern shook her head firmly. ¡°No. You¡¯re not going to the plaza. You¡¯ll stay at Mr. Qedue¡¯s house. It¡¯s safer that way.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°No buts,¡± Fern insisted, cutting his off.


    Hafa lowered his gaze, defeated, while Carl gently rubbed his back in support.


    Mika took the map from the table, her voice soft. ¡°Thank you for everything.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t mention it,¡± Fern replied, sitting back down. She added with a cheerful grin, ¡°It¡¯s settled then. See you tomorrow at the plaza, eight in the morning.¡±


    *


    The morning arrived, and the group was ready to leave to meet Fern at the plaza. But before they could head out, something unexpected happened.


    ¡°What do you mean you''re not coming?¡± Jarred raised an eyebrow.


    Kyle sat on the rocking chair, engrossed in a book. Without looking up, he answered, ¡°I¡¯ll just wait here for you guys. Or, if something happens, I¡¯ll come find you.¡±


    Carl scratched his head in frustration. ¡°What¡¯s your problem? We talked about this last night, didn¡¯t we? Why the sudden change of heart?¡±


    Mika sighed, shaking her head. ¡°Let him be. It¡¯s probably better to have someone stay behind to keep an eye on our stuff.¡±


    Carl opened his mouth to argue but paused. After a few seconds, he closed it and sighed. ¡°Alright, if you say so.¡±


    Azrael glanced at Kyle, concern in his eyes, but he didn¡¯t press the issue. They all had their reasons for what they did.


    *


    By the time they arrived at the plaza, they waited a few more minutes for Fern. The group sat by the side of a large fountain in the centre of the plaza, ordering bread and coffee in a nearby restaurant to start their day.


    After a short wait, Fern finally appeared, waving at them with a wide smile on her face. But it wasn¡¯t just Fern who caught their attention. Behind her stood a tall woman with long, orange hair, striking red lips, and sharp eyes that seemed to pierce through anyone who met her gaze.


    ¡°Sorry I kept you waiting!¡± Fern called out as she approached, her grin ever-present.


    Mika responded nonchalantly, ¡°No worries. We were just having breakfast. Feel free to join us.¡± She pointed to a nearby chair. ¡°Take a seat.¡±


    Fern sat down, and so did her companion. The group noticed the woman but stayed silent, waiting for Fern to introduce her.


    With a smile, Fern gestured to the woman beside her. ¡°This is Karla. The person I told you about.¡±


    Karla smiled politely. ¡°Nice to meet you all. Fern told me about your plans. You¡¯re hoping to work at The Lost House, correct?¡±


    Mika nodded with a polite smile. ¡°That¡¯s right. Is there anything we need to do, like interviews or forms?¡±


    Karla shook her head. ¡°No interviews, no forms. I only need one answer from all of you.¡±


    The group exchanged uncertain glances, not sure what question she was about to ask.


    Karla paused before speaking again, her tone calm but with an edge of something unreadable. ¡°I heard from Fern that all of you are criminals.¡±


    The words hung in the air, sharp and heavy, as if they¡¯d just unleashed something toxic that coiled around their hearts. The four of them couldn¡¯t speak, but their eyes were locked on Karla, stunned by her directness.


    In that moment, the realization hit them: this woman wasn¡¯t just anyone. She was a member of the Kent family, one of the most feared branches of the royal family. The mere mention of their name sent shivers down the spine of any criminal organization, and even the most powerful groups were cautious of them.


    The tension in the air thickened, and none of them knew what to expect. Were they being recruited by the Kent Family, or were they about to be arrested for their past sins?


    Mika¡¯s gaze shifted to Fern, her expression tense. A flood of thoughts raced through her mind. ''Did she set us up?'' She didn¡¯t have an answer but kept her eyes locked on Fern, ready for anything.

 Welcome to Dabrics world

    Fern noticed that Mika was staring at her, then gave a polite smile. Mika turned her gaze back to Karla and said in her usual voice, "Yes... we¡¯re not good people... and?"


    Karla smiled and said, "Good. It means you''re used to this kind of work."


    All of them looked at her with the same thought... She¡¯s not an enemy.


    Karla closed her eyes for a moment, then spoke. "Fern told me that you specifically want to join ''that'' business."


    Mika raised an eyebrow. "That? You call your business ''that''?"


    Karla smirked and said, "Genius, right? I thought of that."


    Azrael¡¯s eye twitched. ''So, this woman has a sense of humor. But the it doesn''t change the fact that her choice of words are lame,'' he thought.


    Mika didn¡¯t find it funny at all. Instead, she asked bluntly, "What kind of business is ''that,'' exactly?"


    Before Karla could answer, a waiter came in to ask what they wanted to order. Karla and Fern smiled and ordered. Azrael noticed something about the two of them... they were both cunning. They looked alike in the way they carried themselves, able to hide all their emotions perfectly.


    They could change their expressions within a couple of seconds as if they weren¡¯t human at all. It felt like they had mastered this kind of behavior at a young age, a type of individual you wouldn¡¯t want to mess with.


    After ordering, Karla turned her gaze to Mika and said, "Fern already told you about what ''that'' business is, am I right?"


    Mika nodded.


    After a short pause, Karla continued, "Then... I hope all of you are ready to meet that bastard assistant of his?"


    ''Bastard? What does she mean?'' Mika thought to herself, then remembered something. ''Is she talking about Creselya? The one who replaced her as Dabric Kent''s personal assistant?''


    From this moment on, Mika became very cautious about everything they were about to do. Talking too much would only lead to their downfall. One of the worst scenarios of being a talkative person is revealing your plans to the enemy.


    At this point, they didn¡¯t see Karla as an enemy. But there¡¯s such a thing as betrayal. While she might not be their enemy now, who¡¯s to say she won¡¯t be in the future? It was better to keep their mouths shut until they could fully trust her.


    Mika asked, this time with full curiosity, ¡°Are you not on good terms with her personal assistant?¡±


    Karla shook her head. ¡°Kind of... but it¡¯s not that I¡¯m mad at her for taking my original position. What makes me mad is her attitude.¡±


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    Mika tilted her head slightly. ¡°Attitude? What¡¯s wrong with her attitude?¡±


    Karla thought for a second and said, ¡°Hmm... let¡¯s see.¡± After a short pause, she added, ¡°She¡¯s kind of full of herself. Because of how powerful she is, she always looks down on others. Well, in terms of ability, she¡¯s comparable to Sir Dabric. But in terms of raw strength... I can take her down with one punch.¡±


    Their eyes widened. The information Karla shared gave them insight into how powerful their future enemy was. Not just that, she also revealed that, in terms of ability, Creselya was an outstanding fighter. No, perhaps a Wizard. Based on Karla¡¯s statement, Creselya could be defeated with a single punch.


    But how strong was Karla¡¯s punch to destroy someone like Creselya in one attempt? The fact that they were talking about raw strength meant Karla was an incredibly powerful person. And yet, she didn¡¯t seem to care about revealing something so critical.


    What if Karla was leading them in the wrong direction? What if she was giving them false information about Creselya, or even about her own abilities? Overthinking wouldn¡¯t help either, though.


    It was better to listen carefully, ask more questions, and use all the information gathered for their plans. If it turned out to be false, they¡¯d have to come up with countermeasures to avoid failing their mission.


    Fern crossed her arms and said, ¡°Nah, I think you¡¯re the one who¡¯s so full of yourself. She¡¯s not the type of opponent an ordinary person can take. She might be weak against faster enemies, but it¡¯s nearly impossible to penetrate her defense or counter her abilities.¡±


    Karla burst into laughter and patted Fern¡¯s back aggressively. ¡°Maybe for you. But not for me.¡±


    Fern let out a sigh of defeat as Karla kept patting her back. Azrael gave an awkward smile while watching them. Mika sighed softly, closed her eyes, and then opened them slowly. In a low voice, she asked, ¡°When will we start?¡±


    Karla turned her gaze to Mika and said cheerfully, ¡°Today!¡± She grabbed the coffee she had ordered and stood up. ¡°Let¡¯s go. Follow me.¡± She looked at Fern and said, ¡°We¡¯re going. Take care of yourself.¡±


    Fern smiled faintly and, without looking at her, said, ¡°Don¡¯t hurt them, okay?¡±


    Karla laughed. ¡°I won¡¯t, silly!¡±


    *


    The group walked for a few minutes toward The Lost House. Since it wasn¡¯t far from their previous location, they arrived quickly. Karla led the way, with the others following closely behind her.


    As they approached the glass door, Karla opened it and held it until everyone had entered. Once inside, she spoke. ¡°Welcome to The Lost House.¡±


    The place wasn¡¯t exactly grand, but it was spacious. A large chandelier hung in the center of the entrance. A wide staircase leading upward was immediately visible upon entering through the glass door. On either side of the staircase, there were pathways that led to the building''s cafeteria.


    The receptionist could be seen on the right-hand side of the area. People dressed in elegant suits wandered around the space. Karla walked straight ahead, ascending the wide staircase, with the group following closely behind.


    After a few minutes, they reached a door with the label ¡°President.¡± Karla knocked and entered without waiting for permission. She simply walked in.


    As she entered, she cheerfully said, ¡°Good morning, Sir Dabric!¡±


    A man with bluish hair that reached down to his lips sat inside. His piercing eyes gave off an eerie intensity, as though he could see straight into your soul if he looked at you. He wore a black suit with matching black gloves. His ten fingers were crossed near his face.


    Dabric finally opened his mouth. In a cold voice, he said, ¡°It¡¯s been a long time... Karl.¡±

 Mysterious tunnel

    Karla let out a frustrated sigh. "Seriously! I told you not to call me by that name. People might think I¡¯m a guy."


    Dabric gave her a gentle smile. "It¡¯s just out of habit. My apologies."


    His attention shifted when he noticed Karla¡¯s companions. Catching his gaze, Karla stepped forward to introduce them, raising a hand to gesture towards the group. "These are Mika, Azrael, Carl, and Jarred. They¡¯re here to apply for... well, you know."


    Dabric leaned back slightly, his tone measured. "And you¡¯re sure they¡¯re trustworthy?"


    Karla shrugged with confidence. "Of course they are." She moved closer to his desk and added, "They were recommended to me by someone I trust. I believe they¡¯ll do just fine."


    "You seem to put a lot of faith in Fern," Dabric remarked, his voice carrying a hint of suspicion.


    The group tensed at the mention of Fern. How did Dabric know about their connection to him? The tension in the room thickened as unease settled over the four. Dabric was far from ordinary, exuding an intimidating, almost noticeable aura that seemed to pull the air from the room.


    Azrael, who had studied the phenomenon of Angel Rings, immediately recognized what this meant. Dabric was a Celestial, an individual capable of wielding extraordinary powers.


    Even without seeing the glowing Angel Ring above his head, Azrael could tell by the oppressive black aura surrounding him. And this aura... it wasn¡¯t just any kind of dark. It was a void-like energy, a sign that Dabric had walked the path of Impurity.


    Realization hit Azrael like a lightning bolt. This man was dangerous... terrifyingly so. ''One wrong move, and we''re done for,'' he thought, his body tense with fear.


    As his thoughts raced, Azrael caught Dabric¡¯s piercing gaze landing directly on him. A shiver ran down his spine, and he clenched his fists tightly, trying to steady himself.


    ''Breathe. Just breathe... breath,'' he repeated silently, forcing himself to inhale and exhale slowly.


    Mika noticed Azrael¡¯s struggle and gave him a subtle look of encouragement. Though she was also unnerved, she seemed to manage her fear better.


    Azrael, on the other hand, was paralyzed, not only by the unfamiliar darkness of the aura but by the sheer magnitude of it. This was far beyond anything he had encountered before, even more horrifying than the cannibal leader they had fought in the past.


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    Still shaken, Azrael fought to regain his focus, knowing full well that their survival depended on staying composed.


    Karla noticed the sudden shift in the eerie aura emanating from Dabric. Frustrated, she slammed both hands on his desk. "Hey! Can you stop that? It¡¯s making me uncomfortable!" she demanded.


    Dabric sighed deeply, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. My apologies. I was just testing them out."


    Karla climbed onto the desk and sat down, crossing her arms while letting out an exasperated sigh. With her eyes closed, she muttered, "Tch. You haven¡¯t changed one bit. Is your new assistant not taking care of you?"


    Dabric chuckled lightly. "Come on, don¡¯t say that about Creselya. She¡¯s doing her job just fine."


    Karla shot him a sharp glare. "That kid needs to learn from me! You¡¯re spoiling her too much." She sighed again and waved her hand dismissively. "Let¡¯s just drop the topic and get to work."


    "Oh, right," Dabric said, as if suddenly recalling something important. Standing up, he made his way to the door. As he grasped the doorknob, he called over his shoulder, "Follow me."


    The group exited the office, following him to an elevator hidden behind a wooden door marked with the warning, "No Entry."


    Dabric unlocked it with a personal key, one they presumed only he possessed. Despite the building being merely three stories high, essentially a large house surrounded by shops, homes, and trees, the presence of an elevator seemed unnecessary, unless... it led not up but down.


    Once unlocked, they stepped inside. Outside, a man waited patiently, ensuring they were all inside before closing the wooden door. Simultaneously, the elevator doors slid shut.


    Dabric pressed the button labeled "G," indicating "ground." The display showed a downward arrow, signaling their descent. After a few minutes, the elevator stopped, and the doors opened.


    They stepped out into a vast underground space. Though not as expansive as a black market, it was large enough to accommodate over a thousand people, with tunnels branching out in various directions. The area buzzed with activity as people moved in and out of the tunnels.


    Unlike the dusty terrain of a black market, this place was constructed entirely from concrete, giving it a more refined appearance. Air vents dotted the area, and a large balcony loomed high above, nestled beneath one of the tunnels. From any vantage point, it was hard to miss.


    Five main tunnels sprawled across the area. One dominated the center, with a staircase carved into stone leading up to the balcony above its entrance. To the left and right, two pairs of tunnels stood close together, with five large, heavily-covered carriages parked in the gaps between them.


    As they walked, Azrael¡¯s eyes wandered to the tunnels. He noticed a man pushing a cart loaded with trays of food, flanked by another carrying glasses on a similar contraption.


    His curiosity grew as they approached the central balcony, allowing him a clearer view of the tunnels. The faint light of torches illuminated parts of the cavernous passages, hinting at their incredible length.


    Straining to get a better look, Azrael leaned slightly closer to one of the tunnels and froze. His heart sank at the sight he desperately wished he hadn¡¯t seen. Bars. Endless rows of metal bars.

 Clashing of Aura

    Azrael stood on the balcony, gazing into the dark tunnel below. The air was heavy with silence, broken only by the faint echoes from the depths. Suddenly, a voice spoke behind him, startling him.


    "What do you think?" Dabric asked, a faint smile playing on his lips.


    Azrael jumped slightly, his heart racing. He turned to face Dabric, his nervous chuckle betraying his unease. "W-what do you mean?"


    Dabric stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the tunnel below. "Do you think you¡¯re capable of completing the task I¡¯m about to give you?" he asked, his tone calm but examining.


    Azrael hesitated, his eyes darting away from Dabric¡¯s piercing stare. "I... I don¡¯t know," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I¡¯ll do everything I can."


    Dabric¡¯s smile widened slightly, a flicker of approval in his expression.


    Without another word, he walked past Azrael and approached a small table where a bottle of liquor and a glass sat waiting.


    Around the glass table, Mika, Carl, Jarred, and Karla were seated on a plush brown sofa, their postures relaxed but their eyes watchful.


    Dabric poured himself a small amount of liquor, swirling it in the glass before bringing it to his nose.


    He took a slow sip, savoring the taste, then sat down beside Karla, crossing his legs with an air of ease.


    Azrael, still shaken, made his way over and took a seat on the sofa, his movements stiff and uncertain.


    Moments later, the door creaked open, and a young girl stepped inside.


    Her short crimson hair framed a face that was both youthful and sharp, her piercing red eyes displaying an air of authority.


    She couldn¡¯t have been more than a year or two younger than Azrael, but her presence was commanding.


    Her outfit, a blend of black, red, and white, added to her striking appearance.


    Karla stood up immediately, her smile warm and welcoming as she gave the girl a small bow.


    "It¡¯s been a while, Creselya," she said, her tone polite but tinged with familiarity.


    Creselya didn¡¯t respond. Her cold, unreadable expression remained unchanged as she stepped further into the room.


    Then, without warning, a powerful black-red aura erupted around her, filling the space with an oppressive energy. The air grew heavy, and everyone felt the weight of her presence.


    Karla¡¯s smile widened, and she released her own aura in response, the two forces clashing violently in the room.


    The sheer intensity of their power sent a shockwave through the air, causing Mika and the others to recoil in their seats.


    The group exchanged uneasy glances, the realization of their situation dawning on them. They had walked into a situation far beyond their control.


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    Mika felt a chill run down her spine, her throat tightening as she swallowed hard. The gap in strength between them and these two women was undeniable.


    It was as if they had entered the lair of monsters with no way out.


    Before the tension could escalate further, Dabric raised his hand, his calm demeanor unshaken. "Enough," he said firmly.


    Both Creselya and Karla froze, their auras dissipating instantly.


    Creselya crossed her arms, her expression still cold, while Karla¡¯s smile remained, though it had taken on a sharper edge.


    Dabric gestured toward the seat beside him. "Creselya, calm down. Take a seat."


    Karla chuckled softly, her tone laced with mockery. "Dabric, you should keep your pet on a leash. Her fangs are getting sharper, and it looks like she¡¯s itching to bite."


    Creselya¡¯s eyes flared with anger. "What did you just say, you moron?!" she snapped, her voice cutting through the room like a blade.


    Dabric raised his hand again, this time closer to Creselya. "Stop it," he said, his voice steady but commanding.


    As he lowered his hand, he added, "Karla¡¯s right. You need to keep your head cool."


    Creselya huffed, crossing her legs and turning away with a scowl. "Tch! I¡¯m always cool-headed," she muttered. "It¡¯s just that this old rag keeps showing up here like she owns the place!" She shot a glare at Karla, her voice rising. "Can¡¯t you recruit someone without barging in here?!"


    Karla leaned back with a sly smile, her tone dripping with mockery. "What¡¯s the matter, Creselya? Jealous that I can talk to Dabric whenever I want and steal his attention from you?" She chuckled softly, her words cutting. "What are you, a child? Oh, wait... you are still a child."


    Creselya¡¯s fists clenched, her crimson eyes narrowing as she prepared to stand. But before she could act, Dabric¡¯s calm voice cut through the tension.


    "Alright, you two. That¡¯s enough," he said firmly.


    Creselya froze, her jaw tightening as she turned her head away aggressively, refusing to meet Karla¡¯s gaze.


    Karla, however, wasn¡¯t done. Her smile widened as she added one last jab. "That¡¯s right. Don¡¯t talk to us adults like that."


    Dabric shifted his gaze to Karla, his expression calm but commanding. "Come on, Karla. Stop it already."


    Karla raised her hands in mock surrender, letting out a dramatic sigh. "Alright, alright. I¡¯ll behave."


    Turning his attention to Mika¡¯s group, Dabric offered an apologetic smile. "Sorry about that. They don¡¯t exactly get along well."


    The room fell silent, the tension lingering in the air. Mika, ever composed, kept her cool as she always did.


    She offered a small, polite smile and replied, "That¡¯s fine."


    Dabric nodded, his demeanor softening as he turned to Creselya. "Creselya, let me introduce Mika and her group," he said, gesturing toward them.


    After the introductions, he continued in a calm, authoritative tone. "Take them to your office and assign them to their areas. Explain how much they¡¯ll earn and any other important details. Understood?"


    Creselya stood, her movements sharp and deliberate. She bowed slightly in front of Dabric, her voice steady and resolute. "I¡¯ll do everything you¡¯ve asked, without fail."


    As she straightened, her gaze shifted to Karla, her eyes burning with determination. It was clear she intended to prove herself, especially in front of Dabric.


    Turning her back to the room, she glanced over her shoulder at Mika¡¯s group. "Come on. Follow me."


    Karla watched them with a wide, almost mischievous smile. "You¡¯ve got this, guys! Do your best!" she said enthusiastically, her tone oddly cheerful.


    Mika stood, her expression neutral as she motioned for the group to follow Creselya.


    As they walked, Mika couldn¡¯t help but wonder why Karla had been so enthusiastic in wishing them luck. Her tone had been almost too cheerful, as if she knew something they didn¡¯t.


    The truth was far from comforting. Mika and her group were about to face something far beyond their experience, something gruesome and unthinkable.


    While they had been criminals before Azrael joined them, their crimes had been limited to theft.


    They were thieves, not killers. But the work awaiting them was darker, more brutal than anything they had ever imagined.

 Contract

    The five descended from the balcony and headed into the first tunnel on the left side of the area.


    As they entered the vast passageway, they were greeted by rows of empty cells on either side.


    At least, that¡¯s what they assumed, as the oppressive darkness concealed the farthest corners of the cells.


    The only illumination came from torches fixed near the cell doors, but their flickering flames offered little relief, barely piercing the thick shadows.


    Azrael swallowed hard, his throat tight as he trailed behind the group. An uneasy feeling coiled in his stomach, an ominous sensation he couldn¡¯t shake.


    What troubled him the most was the absence of any smell, nothing at all. It was as if his sense of smell had been snuffed out entirely.


    ''I can do this,'' he thought, his fists clenched despite his queasy stomach. ''I¡¯ll escape this hell, and I¡¯ll save everyone here.''


    After what felt like an eternity of trudging through the murky passage, they finally reached its end. A simple gray door stood before them, stark against the gloom.


    Without hesitation, Creselya stepped forward and unlocked it, using a key tied to her wrist and hidden beneath her long sleeves. The group hadn¡¯t even noticed it was there.


    Creselya entered first, holding the door open. The room beyond was stark and orderly, painted entirely in shades of gray. A bronze nameplate above a desk read, "Sec. Creselya."


    To the left, there was a brown sofa accompanied by a small table, a modest green plant perched neatly on top.


    The walls were cluttered with various papers and documents, some pinned up, others taped in a chaotic fashion. Among them were photographs of unfamiliar faces, some marked with bold red X¡¯s.


    Creselya spread her arms in a welcoming gesture, her lips curving into a faint smile. ¡°Welcome to my office,¡± she said, her tone smooth but commanding. ¡°This will be the place where you¡¯ll always report.¡±


    With measured steps, she made her way to the desk and settled in the chair behind it, motioning to the two wooden chairs facing her.


    ¡°Take a seat,¡± she invited, her voice even.


    Mika and Jarred exchanged uneasy glances before obeying, pulling the chairs closer. Carl and Azrae decided for the sofa, its cushions stiff beneath them.


    A moment later, Creselya pulled out several sheets of paper, placing them deliberately on the desk. The faint rustle of parchment filled the silence.


    ¡°This,¡± she began, gesturing to the stack, ¡°is a contract.¡±


    Mika hesitated before picking up one of the papers. Her brows knitted as she skimmed through the text, a vague sense of discomfort brewing within her. Creselya watched her closely, her eyes sharp yet composed.


    ¡°I think you already have an idea of what this is about,¡± Creselya said, her voice edged with expectation.


    Mika lowered the paper and met her gaze, nodding hesitantly.


    ¡°Good,¡± Creselya continued smoothly. ¡°Now, complete what needs to be filled out. It¡¯s only one page, and the questions are straightforward. It shouldn¡¯t take you long.¡±


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    As Mika and Jarred bent over their papers, Creselya¡¯s gaze shifted to Carl and Azrael, who were distractedly studying the pinned documents on the walls. Their curiosity hadn¡¯t gone unnoticed.


    ¡°Come here,¡± Creselya murmured, her tone soft but unmistakably firm.


    Startled, the two exchanged looks before rising in unison and approaching her desk.


    Azrael stood behind Mika, and Carl behind Jarred, as if instinctively taking positions of silent support.


    Creselya explained the contract to them once more, her voice unwavering. Both nodded in understanding, their expressions a mixture of resignation and resolve.


    With that, the four of them focused on their contracts, answering its simple yet unnervingly official questions.


    Name, age, sex, signature, it all felt routine, but the mention of salary and the duration of their work hinted at something far more binding.


    After the group finished filling out the contracts, Creselya offered a faint smile. She carefully collected the papers, stacking them one by one before securing them inside the drawer of her desk.


    The silence hung heavy in the room until Creselya broke it. ¡°Alright,¡± she began, her voice crisp. ¡°I¡¯ll now assign each of you a position for your work.¡±


    Before she could continue, Carl, with a playful smirk, blurted out, ¡°I hope I don¡¯t get stuck with a boring job like filing papers or handling documents.¡±


    Creselya raised an eyebrow, her expression caught between amusement and surprise. ¡°Wow,¡± she said dryly, leaning back in her chair. ¡°I¡¯m impressed. You guessed the exact job I had in mind for you.¡±


    Carl¡¯s mouth fell open, disbelief plastered across his face. Meanwhile, Creselya¡¯s smile widened, and out of the corner of his eye, Carl noticed Mika¡¯s lips twitch into the faintest, almost imperceptible smile.


    ¡°W-wait, what?¡± Carl stammered, his voice rising in protest. ¡°Why? Why would you give me something as dull as taking care of papers and documents? I can do way more than that, why saddle me with a boring job?¡±


    Creselya calmly closed her eyes for a moment, as if gathering her thoughts. ¡°Well,¡± she said after a pause, her tone deliberate, ¡°I have a feeling that this is the kind of work you¡¯d excel at.¡±


    Carl flailed his hands in an exaggerated gesture of defense. ¡°No, no, no! You¡¯ve got it all wrong. That¡¯s the opposite of what I¡¯m good at. Come on, give me something challenging, something that lets me move my whole body!¡±


    Shrugging, Creselya replied with an air of indifference, ¡°You¡¯ll still be moving around, delivering documents from the ground floor to my office. It¡¯s an important job, you know.¡±


    Carl opened his mouth to argue further, but Mika cut him off sharply. ¡°Enough, Carl,¡± she said, her voice firm and calm. ¡°We need this job. Complaining about what position we¡¯re assigned isn¡¯t the right way to start. We should be grateful they even hired us.¡±


    Creselya tilted her head slightly, an amused smile gracing her lips as she observed Mika¡¯s maturity. Meanwhile, Carl huffed in frustration, crossing his arms as he stomped over to the sofa.


    He flopped down with a heavy sigh, muttering under his breath, ¡°Tch. I could do better than any of them anyway.¡±


    Azrael shot him an awkward, apologetic smile, unsure of how to defuse the tension.


    After a brief pause, Creselya¡¯s authoritative voice filled the room again. ¡°As for the rest of you, your work will be here, down below.¡±


    Mika¡¯s head tilted slightly, her expression puzzled. ¡°Down here?¡± she repeated, her tone questioning.


    Creselya¡¯s smile remained steady as she nodded. ¡°Yes. As you can see, all of you are well-suited to handle the responsibilities down here.¡±


    Mika frowned, crossing her arms as her curiosity deepened. ¡°How? How do you even know we¡¯re qualified for this? Aside from Carl, of course,¡± she added with a pointed glance.


    Creselya chuckled softly and leaned forward on her desk. ¡°I have a rather peculiar ability,¡± she explained, her tone almost playful. ¡°Whenever I meet someone, I can sense if they¡¯re a good person toward children, the elderly, animals, you name it. It¡¯s not exactly useful in combat, but occasionally, it comes in handy.¡±


    Though Creselya¡¯s words didn¡¯t ring false, something about her unsettled Mika.


    That uncanny smile, coupled with those crimson eyes, felt like a veil concealing something sinister, something beyond their comprehension.


    Mika¡¯s instincts, normally razor-sharp when it came to people, were eerily quiet around this woman.


    She couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that there was more beneath Creselya¡¯s polished exterior, a hidden horror, waiting to emerge.

 Unknown future

    In a calm voice, Mika asked, ¡°What does being a good person have to do with the work we¡¯ll be doing down here?¡±


    Creselya smiled, her expression cryptic. ¡°You¡¯ll see tomorrow.¡±


    After finishing the contract signing and a few minutes of idle conversation, the group began to make their way out of the tunnel.


    Creselya led the way toward the elevator, her footsteps echoing faintly in the silence.


    High above them on the balcony, Dabric stood quietly, observing as they stepped into the elevator.


    Once outside the Lost House, Creselya turned to face the group, her calm voice cutting through the approaching night. ¡°I¡¯ll see you all tomorrow,¡± she said with certainty.


    Mika glanced at her and asked, ¡°Who are we supposed to find to start our day tomorrow?¡±


    Creselya gave a reassuring smile. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be waiting for all of you here.¡±


    With that, they parted ways, leaving the eerie confines of the Lost House intact, at least for now.


    *


    A short while later, the group arrived back at their temporary residence. As they stepped inside, Mika immediately spotted Kyle, still sitting on the same chair they had left him in.


    A book rested in his hands, though his surroundings were markedly different. Beside him sat remnants of food and a mess of discarded wrappers scattered across the room.


    Mika raised an eyebrow, her voice tinged with irritation. ¡°What the hell is this?¡±


    Kyle looked up, puzzled. ¡°What do you mean? I was hungry, so I ate.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant!¡± Mika shot back, gesturing sharply at the chaos. ¡°I¡¯m talking about all this trash you¡¯ve left everywhere!¡±


    Carl peeked around Mika with a playful grin, chiming in, ¡°Yeah, she¡¯s got a point. We were gone for a few hours, and look at this! You¡¯re like a one-man tornado.¡± He sighed theatrically before adding, ¡°Not exactly the picture of good manners, huh?¡±


    Kyle¡¯s brow twitched in annoyance. ¡°What?!¡±


    Before the exchange could escalate, Jarred appeared behind Mika, gently nudging her aside. ¡°Alright, Kyle,¡± he said with a resigned tone, ¡°help me clean this up.¡±


    Kyle rolled his eyes but reluctantly stood up to help. Together, he and Jarred began tidying the room, clearing the trash bit by bit.


    Once the mess was under control, the group finally settled down, exhaustion evident on their faces as they sank into their respective beds.


    Carl sprawled on the bed closest to the balcony, letting out a groan of relief. Beside him, Azrael perched on the edge, his eyes flicking to Carl now and then, waiting for the conversation to begin.


    Kyle, now on the middle bed, sat with a distant look while Jarred reclined comfortably beside him. Mika, seated at the edge of the third bed, surveyed the group with a focused expression.


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    Breaking the silence, Mika finally spoke. ¡°Alright, based on what we saw, there¡¯s nothing particularly alarming about the place... except for the underground workplace, the tunnels, and the cells.¡±


    Kyle, furrowing his brows, glanced at her. ¡°Cells? What¡¯s inside them?¡±


    Mika shrugged casually. ¡°We don¡¯t know yet. It¡¯s too dark to see anything. The torches barely light up the ends of the cells.¡±


    Kyle paused, thinking it over. ¡°What if they keep slaves in there?¡±


    Jarred interjected, his tone measured. ¡°Maybe. Maybe not. There¡¯s no proof yet, so it¡¯s too early to jump to conclusions.¡±


    Kyle nodded slowly. ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right... but still, if you find something, what¡¯s your plan? What are you going to do then?¡±


    Mika hesitated, shaking her head. ¡°To be honest, I don¡¯t know. And if we did see something like slaves in those cells¡­¡± Her voice trailed off, heavy with uncertainty. ¡°I don¡¯t even know what we¡¯re supposed to do about it.¡±


    Breaking the tension, Carl grumbled from across the room. ¡°Why don¡¯t you go check it out yourself, Kyle? It¡¯s not like I can. I¡¯m stuck with paperwork, thanks to my ¡®amazing¡¯ assignment.¡± He let out a dramatic sigh.


    Kyle cracked a small, awkward smile. ¡°Unlucky, huh? Well, enjoy your thrilling paperwork job.¡±


    The room lapsed into silence, but Kyle¡¯s smile faded. His gaze dropped to the floor as he scratched the back of his head, looking uncomfortable.


    After a brief pause, he muttered quietly, ¡°About going down there... I¡¯m just not in the mood, alright?¡±


    Carl shrugged nonchalantly, lifting a finger as if to emphasize his point. ¡°Alright, it¡¯s up to you. But¡­¡± he paused, a smirk tugging at his lips, ¡°please clean the room while we¡¯re gone.¡±


    Kyle responded with an easy nod and a smile, showing no objections.


    *


    Night had fallen, and the group was preparing for dinner. Mika worked diligently in the kitchen, crafting a hearty soup with sliced pork.


    Finding ingredients wasn¡¯t much of a challenge in their area, markets were close by, and the nearby Tancki Valley teemed with farms, offering an abundance of produce and livestock.


    Mika had made it a point to purchase extra, a whole pig, a cow, and even some edible beasts. Stockpiling ingredients meant fewer trips to the market, saving them valuable time.


    Of course, the funds for these purchases came from Mika¡¯s savings. Unlike the others, she had built up her finances long before turning to thievery.


    Now, with stealing as her primary source of income, her savings had grown substantially.


    Occasionally, the group would steal money to help increase Mika¡¯s budget. However, this was a secret they kept tightly guarded, especially from Azrael.


    They knew full well he¡¯d disapprove of their actions and complain endlessly about their methods. So, they kept their mouths shut, leaving him oblivious to their less-than-honest strategies.


    Tonight, Mika had arranged to use the kitchen of the apartment¡¯s elderly owner on the first floor.


    Azrael had taken on the task of speaking with the owner, successfully convincing her to let them cook there free of charge.


    Once Mika finished preparing the soup, Carl arrived to carry the heavy pot up to their room. Inside, the group gathered around a small wooden table borrowed from the apartment owner.


    Positioned near the three beds, the table was a focal point in their modest room, which had just enough space to accommodate their meal.


    Carl placed the steaming pot in the center of the table with a satisfying thud, the aroma of the soup floating through the air.


    Jarred, Kyle, and Azrael leaned in, eyes wide with anticipation, their hunger evident as they gazed at the bubbling pot.


    When Mika finally sat down, the group wasted no time. They filled their bowls eagerly, steam curling upward as they began to savor their meal.


    Laughter and chatter filled the room, a rare moment of peace amidst the uncertainty of their lives.


    Little did they know what awaited them, not just tomorrow, but in the days to come.

 Punishment Tunnel

    The day had finally arrived. The group was preparing to head to the Lost House, carrying only the essentials, some spare clothes, snacks, and a few items they might need for work.


    There was no need to overpack, and they all placed it inside Azrael¡¯s empty space. They left early in the morning, just as the sun began to peek over the horizon, painting the sky in soft hues of gold and pink.


    With breakfast already out of the way, they started their journey. None of them were entirely sure what time they were expected to arrive, but they had a backup plan. If Creselya wasn¡¯t there yet, they would wait it out at a nearby restaurant.


    To their surprise, as they neared the Lost House, a lone figure stood out front. Even from a distance, it was unmistakably Creselya. She stood tall and poised against the backdrop of the imposing building.


    Carl leaned toward Azrael with a mischievous smirk. ¡°Damn, she woke up early just to greet us,¡± he teased, chuckling softly.


    Mika¡¯s eyes narrowed, her tone sharp. ¡°Can you take this seriously for once?¡±


    Carl placed his hands behind his head in a carefree manner and shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m only handling papers, Mika. Not exactly life-or-death stuff. No need to get so worked up.¡±


    Azrael offered Carl a supportive smile, while Jarred sighed, covering his face with one hand in exasperation. Mika, on the other hand, didn¡¯t bother replying.


    She simply shook her head and continued walking, as though the brief exchange hadn¡¯t even happened.


    As they approached Creselya, she greeted them with a slight bow, her crimson eyes gleaming in the morning light. ¡°Greetings,¡± she said smoothly, her voice warm yet commanding. ¡°I¡¯m glad to see all of you here again.¡± She gestured toward the entrance. ¡°Come inside. I¡¯ll show you to your work areas.¡±


    The group followed her without hesitation. Creselya led them through the house, stopping first to assign Carl to his position. It was no surprise to anyone, his workspace was on the upper floor.


    Ascending the grand staircase, Creselya directed them to a door on the right. Beyond it lay a vast room bustling with activity.


    Rows of small workstations stretched across the space, each separated by just enough room for two people to pass side by side.


    The air was filled with the quiet hum of concentration, as countless individuals bent over their paperwork in their own designated spaces. Each workstation bore a small number for easy identification.


    Creselya handed Carl a slip of paper with a number written on it.


    With a calm smile, she gestured for him to head toward his assigned spot. ¡°This is your workspace. Follow me. The rest of you will wait here.¡±


    Carl let out a resigned sigh, dragging his feet as he followed Creselya. He glanced back at the group every few seconds, his expression comically pitiful.


    Mika wrinkled her nose in disdain. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with him?¡± she muttered. ¡°There are plenty of people here doing paperwork. It can¡¯t be that hard.¡±


    Jarred shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. ¡°Maybe he¡¯s upset about working alone?¡±


    Azrael nodded in agreement. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s probably it.¡±


    Mika paused, considering their words before letting out a sigh. ¡°Maybe you¡¯re right. Maybe I was a bit too harsh earlier... Was I?¡±


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    After a few minutes, Creselya approached the group, her footsteps echoing softly. With a playful grin, she remarked, ¡°I think your friend is enjoying his little workspace.¡±


    Mika raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    Creselya casually walked past them, her confidence unwavering. ¡°You¡¯ll see later,¡± she said cryptically before gesturing for them to follow. ¡°Come on.¡±


    Without another word, the group fell in line behind her, letting curiosity guide their steps. They stopped in front of a sturdy wooden door, where a man stationed beside it pulled out a key and unlocked the entrance.


    Jarred¡¯s eyes lingered on the man¡¯s hand, noticing the key, a realization dawned on him. This wasn¡¯t the only door Dabric had access to.


    Others, including this man and possibly Creselya herself, held keys to these hidden passageways.


    As the elevator doors opened, the group entered and descended deep underground. The mechanical hum of the elevator was the only sound accompanying their descent.


    When they stepped out, Creselya took the lead, guiding them to one of the tunnels on the left.


    Like the others, it was lined with rows of ominous, empty cells stretching into the shadows.


    At the far end of the tunnel stood a reinforced metal door, its surface cold and unyielding.


    Creselya pushed the door open, revealing a spacious room bathed in muted light. Wooden cabinets lined the area, each spaced apart like sentinels.


    Between them were long wooden benches, inviting but useful. Covered inside each cabinet was pristine white clothing, stark against the dim surroundings.


    Creselya stepped up to three adjacent cabinets, her expression calm but authoritative. ¡°These cabinets are yours. I arranged them close together so it¡¯ll be easier for the three of you.¡±


    She gestured toward two doors at the far end of the room. Above each door hung a sign: Men and Women.


    ¡°That¡¯s the restroom,¡± Creselya explained. ¡°It¡¯s a large space, so feel free to explore. There¡¯s also a dressing room inside.¡±


    Mika eyed the white garments hanging in their cabinets and asked, ¡°What¡¯s this cloth for?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s your uniform,¡± Creselya responded matter-of-factly. She held out her hand, revealing several small keys. ¡°Here, take these. They¡¯re for the cell doors in the tunnels.¡±


    The group hesitated briefly, exchanging wary looks. But after a pause, they each took a key, the cold metal pressing against their palms.


    Creselya smiled again, her tone light but tinged with amusement. ¡°Your work is simple, really. There are five tunnels in total. The middle one is where the carriage passes through, it leads to the far edge of Tancki Valley, near the coast.¡±


    The group listened closely, the weight of her words sinking in. No one interrupted, their focus unwavering as Creselya continued.


    ¡°The tunnel next to it is my office,¡± she said, her grin widening. ¡°You¡¯re already familiar with that one. We call it the ¡®Document Section Tunnel.¡¯ I¡¯m sure you can guess why.¡±


    The group nodded collectively. Of course, they already understood. Creselya¡¯s office had walls covered in papers and documents, and Carl¡¯s work was directly tied to that tunnel.


    Satisfied with their response, Creselya moved on. ¡°The next tunnel is the ¡®Food Storage Tunnel.¡¯ Its name is pretty self-explanatory, everything you need is stored there.¡±


    Mika tilted her head, her voice calm but examining. ¡°What¡¯s the food for?¡±


    Though Mika suspected the answer, she asked anyway, hoping to gather more information while pretending ignorance.


    ¡°You¡¯ll find out soon enough,¡± Creselya replied enigmatically. Mika didn¡¯t press further, simply nodding in acknowledgment.


    Creselya continued, ¡°Then there¡¯s this tunnel. We call it the ¡®Clothing section Tunnel.¡¯ The names are deliberately straightforward, so workers can easily memorize them.¡±


    Her logic was sound, practicality over complexity. The names served their purpose well.


    Finally, Creselya¡¯s expression shifted slightly as she spoke her last words. ¡°The other tunnel, next to this one, is called the ¡®Punishment Tunnel.¡¯¡±


    The name sent a chill down their spines. Unease settled over the group like a heavy fog. The word ¡°punishment¡± carried an ominous weight, unlike the functional names of the other tunnels.


    If its purpose followed the same naming logic, then did this tunnel truly serve as a place for punishment? The thought was chilling, unsettling, and left the group with more questions than answers.

 Cloud thoughts

    Mika raised an eyebrow, her curiosity tinged with unease. ¡°What do you mean by Punishment Tunnel?¡±


    Creselya turned to her, her expression briefly puzzled. ¡°Oh, perhaps I didn¡¯t explain it clearly,¡± she said, her voice calm yet vaguely mysterious.


    She gestured toward the restroom and added politely, ¡°Change into your uniforms, and I¡¯ll explain everything.¡±


    The group exchanged glances, but followed her instructions without question. After changing into their uniforms, they joined Creselya and left the Clothing Tunnel behind.


    Emerging from the dark, eerie passageway, Creselya caught the eye of one of the workers stationed nearby and nodded.


    The worker, standing near the Punishment Tunnel, reached for a small hatch set into the wall. He opened it, revealing a lever inside


    With a firm pull, the entire area was suddenly illuminated, flooding all the tunnels with bright light.


    The group blinked in surprise, their eyes darting around to take in the sight. The brightness revealed the full expanse of the tunnels, their dim corners now exposed.


    Mika quickened her steps, catching up to Creselya, who was leading the way. ¡°So, you had all these lights here all along?¡± she asked, her tone edged with skepticism.


    Without looking back, Creselya responded coolly. ¡°Of course. We turn them off at night so the children can sleep peacefully. We don¡¯t want to disturb them.¡±


    Mika froze at the mention of ¡°children.¡± Her brows furrowed, her mind racing. ''Children?'' she thought. ''Why would kids be sleeping in dark, gloomy cells?''


    A wave of discomfort washed over her, but she held her tongue, waiting for Creselya¡¯s explanation.


    Creselya continued as though nothing was wrong. ¡°Normally, these children wake up around ten in the morning. You didn¡¯t see them yesterday, nor did we turn the lights on, because you spent the entire day in my office.¡±


    Mika frowned slightly, the details tugging at her thoughts. ''Did we really spend the whole day in her office?'' She replayed the events in her mind, searching for any gaps. It wasn¡¯t strange on the surface, yet something about it felt¡­ off.


    Yesterday¡¯s meeting had stretched until sunset, but the timeline didn¡¯t quite add up.


    Her unease deepened as she failed to recall anything unusual. Shaking off her thoughts, she refocused on their path forward.


    After several minutes of walking, they arrived at the entrance of the Punishment Tunnel. Two workers stood inside, extinguishing the torches one by one with magic.


    Mika watched as they absorbed the flames with a spell, leaving the passage in pure light coming from the light bulbs placed in the middle of the tunnel.


    As the group stepped inside the tunnel, their eyes began to adjust to the dim light. What they saw next sent chills down their spines.


    It was far from anything they had expected, and entirely the opposite of their assumptions.


    Within each cell were children, their appearances varied. Elves, dwarves, humans, and unfamiliar races, they were all there, filling the cells in peaceful silence.


    Mika froze, her breath hitching as she stared at the surreal sight. Jarred and Azrael were equally stunned, their expressions betraying their shock.


    Creselya turned to face them, confusion flickering across her features. ¡°Is there a problem?¡± she asked, her voice cutting through their disbelief.


    Mika swallowed hard, forcing herself to regroup. ''Focus. Don¡¯t let her suspect anything.'' Placing on a strained smile, she replied, ¡°S-sorry about that¡­ This is the first time we¡¯ve seen races other than humans. It just caught us off guard.¡±


    Jarred and Azrael exchanged uneasy glances and quickly adjusted their postures, masking their reactions as best they could. They knew better than to let Creselya catch on to their unease.


    Instead of slaves, they saw healthy children waking from sleep. Each cell housed large, luxurious beds, big enough to fit two or three adults, yet occupied by tiny, peaceful children.


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    The furnishings were extravagant, almost regal: polished tables, elegant chairs, ornate cabinets, and even miniature playgrounds. The atmosphere inside each cell was anything but bleak.


    To their astonishment, the cells themselves were massive, spacious enough to accommodate a family of ten or fifteen.


    Despite the lavish furniture filling each cell, there was still plenty of room left.


    Even the bars enclosing the cells were different, they gleamed with polished metal, a far cry from the rusty, jagged bars they had imagined.


    The material reminded Mika of the metals used in castles, refined and impossibly expensive.


    The elegance of it all clashed violently with the grim name of the tunnel, leaving the group more bewildered than ever.


    Mika¡¯s thoughts swirled as she tried to make sense of what she had seen earlier, the rusty bars that had now transformed into gleaming metal.


    Had they been rusty at all? Maybe the dim lighting from the torches had distorted her perception, making the bars seem old and decayed when, in reality, they had always been polished and expensive-looking.


    Now, under the bright lights flooding the tunnel, the true elegance of each cell was revealed.


    The beauty of the cells was undeniable, but it only deepened the mystery of this place.


    Mika¡¯s mind felt clouded, like she was chasing shadows. Was there a problem here, or had she misjudged everything from the start?


    Lost in thought, Mika didn¡¯t notice someone approach until a gentle hand rested on her shoulder.


    Startled, she turned to find Jarred standing beside her, his expression filled with concern.


    ¡°W-what?¡± Mika stammered, blinking back her wandering thoughts.


    Jarred frowned slightly. ¡°Are you okay? You look worried... unsettled.¡±


    Before Mika could respond, Creselya glanced over, her crimson eyes studying her intently. ¡°He¡¯s right,¡± Creselya said with a calm voice. ¡°You¡¯ve gone pale. Are you feeling alright?¡±


    Mika inhaled deeply, trying to steady herself, and then sighed. ¡°Y-yeah, I¡¯m fine.¡±


    Creselya smiled faintly, her expression unreadable. ¡°Good. Follow me,¡± she said, gesturing ahead. ¡°We¡¯re heading to the far end of this tunnel. There, I¡¯ll explain why it¡¯s called the Punishment Tunnel.¡±


    Jarred remained close, offering subtle support as the group followed Creselya.


    After a few minutes they have reached a sturdy wooden door, which she opened with deliberate ease, guiding them inside.


    What greeted them was a wide comparison to the dim, eerie tunnels they had walked through. The open space was vibrant and alive, draped with vines and leaves.


    A lush, grassy floor stretched beneath their feet, soft yet firm, like a perfectly tended mound of green.


    The air smelled fresh and earthy, an oasis hidden within the shadows of the Punishment Tunnel.


    Scattered throughout the area were round wooden tables surrounded by log chairs, their rustic charm inviting.


    Near each corner of the room, small piles of ingredients like salt, pepper, and other seasonings sat neatly arranged.


    Wooden benches lined the room, adding to the natural, almost enchanting ambiance.


    Creselya held the door open, motioning for the group to enter.


    Once inside, she quietly shut the door behind them. ¡°You can sit,¡± she said, her tone steady but commanding.


    The three of them chose a nearby bench, sitting down as their eyes roamed the unusual space. It felt like a world apart, nothing like the grim tunnels outside.


    Jarred broke the silence, his voice tinged with amazement. ¡°This place is beautiful... so different from everything else.¡±


    Creselya raised an eyebrow and asked, ¡°Different? What do you mean?¡±


    Jarred hesitated, glancing at Azrael and Mika before replying uncertainly, ¡°I... don¡¯t really know.¡±


    Creselya chuckled lightly and shrugged. ¡°Maybe you¡¯re overthinking. Let¡¯s focus on the topic at hand.¡±


    Her tone sharpened slightly as she began her explanation. ¡°This is where we discipline the children who don¡¯t follow the rules. Look over there, at the salt, pepper, and the other items.¡±


    She pointed to a corner of the room, and the group¡¯s eyes followed her gesture.


    After a brief pause, Creselya continued. ¡°When a child breaks the rules, we make them kneel on salt or pepper. If they refuse to learn, we use sticks to strike their hands as a form of correction.¡±


    Mika¡¯s stomach turned, her unease growing as Creselya spoke. ¡°With these measures, the children obey us without question, and they grow to be more disciplined,¡± Creselya concluded, her tone almost matter-of-fact.


    Summoning her courage, Mika asked, ¡°What is this place, exactly?¡±


    Creselya turned to her with a calm smile. ¡°An orphanage.¡±


    The realization hit like a wave. This wasn¡¯t the place they had expected to find, not even close.


    But what had they been expecting? Mika¡¯s thoughts grew hazy, tangled in conflicting emotions.


    Before she could process further, Creselya gestured again. ¡°Follow me,¡± she said, her voice firm.


    The group rose to their feet, waiting as she approached the door.


    She turned back briefly, her crimson eyes gleaming. ¡°I hope you¡¯ve found the answers you were seeking. Now, I trust you¡¯ll enjoy your work here.¡±


    With that, Creselya opened the door, and the group stepped outside. To their surprise, the floor beneath their feet had changed, it was... grass.

 Totally different world

    Mika froze, her mind clouded with confusion. ''Was there always grass in this tunnel?'' she wondered.


    She couldn''t be sure. Everything felt off, as if reality itself was shifting around her.


    Her thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice. ¡°Mika? Are you alright?¡± Jarred asked, his tone tinged with worry.


    Startled, she turned to face him. His eyes searched her face, clearly concerned. At first, she didn¡¯t respond, her thoughts still tangled.


    Then, after a long pause, she muttered, ¡°I... I guess?¡±


    Before Jarred could reply, Creselya approached, her crimson eyes calm but seeking. ¡°Would you like to take a break before we continue?¡± she asked, her voice polite yet firm.


    Mika forced a weak smile and shook her head lightly. ¡°I¡¯m fine... it¡¯s just... my head.¡±


    Azrael stepped closer, his face etched with concern. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with your head? Does it hurt?¡±


    Straightening her posture, Mika quickly dismissed his worry. ¡°No... no, it¡¯s fine. Let¡¯s just keep going.¡±


    Creselya studied her for a moment before nodding. ¡°As you wish.¡±


    The group resumed their walk, leaving the Punishment Tunnel behind.


    Mika trailed behind slightly, her thoughts refusing to settle. ''What¡¯s happening to me? Am I forgetting something? Or is my own mind playing tricks on me?''


    The questions grasped at her, but she couldn¡¯t find any answers.


    The tunnel itself felt strange, unsettling, even. Thick roots clung to the walls and ceiling, intertwining like veins of some ancient, slumbering entity.


    They ranged in size, from massive, twisting roots to delicate, thread-like strands.


    The floor beneath them was covered in lush, green grass, soft, vibrant, and identical to the greenery in the previous room.


    Small flowers bloomed sporadically along the tangled vines, adding splashes of color to the otherwise monochromatic greens.


    Even the light bulbs overhead were partially wrapped in tiny leaves, their glow diffused but still bright enough to illuminate the tunnel.


    The cell bars, too, were adorned with vines and thin roots, giving them an almost enchanted appearance.


    Despite the organic growth covering them, the bars retained their polished and ornate design, enhancing the tunnel¡¯s surreal beauty.


    It was like stepping into a dungeon from a fairy tale, both elegant and otherworldly.


    After several minutes of walking, they finally emerged from the tunnel. Mika¡¯s breath hitched as the scene before her came into view.


    The space was vast and breathtaking. It mirrored the tunnel¡¯s transformation but on an even grander scale.


    Vines snaked along the walls, their leaves cascading like emerald waterfalls.


    The ground was covered in soft grass that stretched endlessly, dotted with vibrant flowers in full bloom.


    An earthy, fresh scent filled the air, calming and invigorating all at once.


    Mika¡¯s eyes widened as she took in the ethereal landscape. ''This doesn¡¯t feel real...'' she thought.


    The entire place seemed like a world separate from anything she had ever known, a hidden paradise concealed within the confines of the Punishment Tunnel.


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    Mika hesitated, the words escaping her lips almost unconsciously. ¡°W-wow... this... is so beautiful.¡±


    The group froze, their gazes sweeping across the breathtaking surroundings.


    Even Mika, who moments ago had been consumed by doubt, now believed in the reality of what she saw.


    The sheer beauty of the place was undeniable, captivating every member of the group.


    As the group took in the wonder around them, Creselya suddenly stopped, a confident smile spreading across her face. ¡°Alright!¡± she declared brightly. ¡°Let¡¯s get started with work!¡±


    *


    The group worked tirelessly throughout the day, each assigned to their own unique tasks by Creselya.


    Mika joined the team called the "feeders," responsible for feeding the children at designated times: ten in the morning, two in the afternoon, and six in the evening.


    Jarred, on the other hand, was assigned to the "cleaners," tasked with tidying up the children''s beds each morning as they woke from sleep.


    Azrael''s role was that of an "organizer." His responsibilities included preparing the children¡¯s dining area, a massive space in the center of the grounds large enough to accommodate every child.


    He also had the joyful task of playing with the kids, keeping them entertained and happy.


    The workers were divided into three groups for each role, feeders, cleaners, and organizers, with each group consisting of twenty members.


    Azrael joined the second group as the twenty-first organizer, while Mika and Jarred ended up in the first group, although assigned to different roles.


    Despite the initial uncertainty, none of them found the work challenging.


    Their colleagues were kind and cooperative, making the tasks smooth and manageable.


    In fact, Azrael befriended someone on his very first day, a girl around his age named Eba.


    Eba shared her story with Azrael, revealing that she was an orphan taken in by the Kent Family.


    They had cared for her since the moment she arrived in Tancki Valley, helping her find a place in this secretive orphanage.


    Her calm demeanor and resilience intrigued Azrael, sparking a quick bond between them.


    Creselya had her reasons for choosing workers with good hearts. She wanted to ensure the children were cared for by people with genuine warmth and kindness.


    Anyone with a bad temper or malicious intentions wouldn¡¯t be welcome.


    Azrael, in particular, was proving to be an excellent addition, effortlessly connecting with the kids and taking care of them with compassion.


    *


    On the balcony, Dabric stood silently, his gaze fixed on the scene below. It was mid-afternoon, around two o¡¯clock, and the children were preparing to eat.


    He watched as Azrael, Mika, and Jarred performed their respective tasks, each absorbed in their work.


    Nearby, a petite girl with striking crimson eyes and hair reclined on a sofa.


    She held a wine glass delicately in her left hand, bringing it close to her nose to savor the aroma before taking a small sip. Her movements were graceful, almost regal.


    Dabric approached her and settled beside her, pouring himself a glass of wine. With a calm tone, he asked, ¡°How¡¯s everything going?¡±


    Creselya¡¯s mouth twitched slightly, a sign of irritation. ¡°Tch! This is frustrating,¡± she muttered.


    Dabric looked at her curiously. ¡°Why?¡± he asked, his brow furrowing.


    She set her wine glass down and crossed her legs, her voice tinged with annoyance. ¡°That woman. She¡¯s different from the other two. She¡¯s interfering with my work.¡±


    Dabric sighed, a carefree smile playing on his lips. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± he said confidently. ¡°From what I¡¯ve seen, there¡¯s no issue with her. She¡¯s doing her tasks just fine.¡±


    Creselya closed her eyes briefly, exhaling as if attempting to calm herself.


    When she opened them, her irritation was still evident. ¡°That woman keeps asking so many questions. She¡¯s overly observant, like she doesn¡¯t trust what¡¯s happening around her.¡±


    Dabric¡¯s expression softened as he replied, ¡°We¡¯ve already got her here. There¡¯s no need to worry about her now.¡± He paused, his thoughts wandering before he asked, ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, there were four of them. Where¡¯s the other one?¡±


    Creselya glanced at him, her irritation giving way to mild exasperation. ¡°He¡¯s on the first floor. I assigned him some paperwork. That one¡¯s... strange. More strange than you,¡± she added, her tone slightly teasing.


    Dabric raised an eyebrow, intrigued. ¡°strange? What do you mean? Is he strong or something?¡±


    Creselya hesitated, her crimson eyes flickering with uncertainty. ¡°I... I don¡¯t know either,¡± she admitted, trembling slightly. ¡°There¡¯s just something strange about him.¡±


    Dabric shrugged, his casual demeanor unchanged. ¡°I think it¡¯d be wise to keep him away from here as much as possible. Just to be safe.¡±


    Creselya leaned forward slightly, her tone sharp. ¡°What if he asks his friends about what happened here today? And what if their answers don¡¯t match?¡±


    Dabric¡¯s smile faded, replaced by a thoughtful expression. ¡°As long as he doesn¡¯t come down here, there won¡¯t be any problems,¡± he said firmly.