[Arceid]


    The moment I arrived at the association, I was summoned by Larrisa for an unexpected meeting.


    I entered the room and was surprised to see Junia already there. Something serious, then? I felt a twinge of concern.


    Larrisa sighed as she greeted me. “Arc… welcome. Your brother has made a request, and I need your permission to grant it.”


    Azrael, huh? That guy just can''t sit still, can he? He was literally resurrected not too long ago, and now he''s causing trouble again.


    I folded my arms. “What’s he demanding this time? Something serious, or is this just another one of his jokes?”


    Larrisa exhaled sharply, rubbing her temples. “If only it was a joke. Right now, I really want to strangle that idiot. That’s why Junia will explain what he wants.”


    I turned to Junia. “Just tell me. I hate suspense.”


    Junia clapped her hands together, grinning. “To put it simply, he wants to travel across the planet since breaches are rare. He says he needs real life-or-death experiences to get stronger.”


    I frowned. Bullshit. Azrael hates traveling. He’s too damn lazy to care about training. There had to be another reason.


    Junia smirked. “Oh, and Kaltain and Vesna—the newbies—they want to join him.”


    Partners in crime, huh? Just a few days ago, Azrael reunited with our parents. And now, all of a sudden, he wants to leave?


    Of course.


    He’s looking for her. Our sister.


    This whole “getting stronger” thing was just a front.


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Junia continued, clearly enjoying the chaos. “Oh, and by the way, he outwitted Larrisa during their argument. That’s why she’s extra pissed.”


    I raised a brow. “He outwitted Larrisa? How?”


    Before Junia could respond, Larrisa slammed her hand on the desk—shattering it into splinters.


    “How about we ignore that,” she said through gritted teeth. “Just tell me—do I grant him permission or not?”


    I narrowed my eyes. “If I say yes, will you actually approve it that easily?”


    Larrisa took a deep breath, then admitted, “Truthfully? I want people to travel and take out those creatures. We need stronger fighters to protect our home. If the new generation stays trapped in their academies, they won’t grow—at least, not enough to challenge the real monstrosities.”


    I frowned. “So you’re basically sending them straight into a death trap.”


    She stepped closer, placing her hands on my face. “The ones who survive will become the pillars of humanity.”


    Click.


    For the love of—Junia!


    I turned to see her holding up her camera, flashing a grin.


    Larrisa flicked her ear. “You gremlin. How many times do I have to tell you to stop doing that?”


    Junia dodged away, laughing. “You can never stop me from admiring beauty—even if you tear my limbs off!”


    She twirled dramatically, striking exaggerated poses.


    Larrisa cracked her knuckles. “Arc, we’ll talk later. First, I need to discipline this idiot.”


    I left them to their nonsense and made my way toward Azrael and the newbies.


    ……


    I arrived to find the three of them sitting cross-legged in front of a spatial portal, their cosmic energy flaring with an intense glow.


    I scowled.


    These bastards were about to summon something absurd.


    Without hesitation, I condensed cosmic energy around my body, a dark hue rippling across my form. Stepping forward, I channeled my power and kicked the three of them—using only 10% of my full strength.


    They were launched straight out of the castle.


    Outside, the three of them groaned as they got back on their feet. Their legs were shaky, their bodies bruised.


    Azrael huffed, glaring at me. “What the hell was that for?”


    I flashed him an evil grin. “I heard you wanted a real life-or-death experience. As your caring boss, I thought I should grant your wish.”


    Kaltain wiped the blood from his lip and grinned. “This is going to be fun—facing the strongest.”


    Vesna, ever the calm one, simply analyzed the situation. “Let’s flank him. Don’t give him time to retaliate. He won’t hit us vitally—at least.”


    The energy around me darkened, a violet glow pulsing through the air. I surged forward, targeting Vesna first.


    She barely dodged my fist.


    Cosmic energy flared around her as she waved her hand—time slowed.


    The gravitational pressure around me increased, the ground beneath me rupturing.


    Then, a storm of tiny rubble fragments—moving at near-light speed—rained down on me.


    They’re not holding back.


    Should I return the favor?


    No. They’re kids, Arc. Control yourself.


    I exhaled, my body glowing dark violet. In an instant, I severed my connection to the affected space—removing myself from the attack entirely.


    Their astonished faces were a delight.


    “See?” I smirked. “This is the kind of difference you’ll face outside your precious safe zones.”


    The three of them lined up, Azrael stepping into the center.


    He cracked his knuckles. “Let’s not waste any time—fight!”


    His voice echoed across Sector 2.


    I sighed. At least this sector is empty. No civilians would have to hear their upcoming screams.


    I vanished.


    Reappearing in front of Kaltain, I grabbed his head and slammed it into the ground—over and over.


    The earth shook. A crater formed beneath us.


    Kaltain’s face was wrecked—blood dripping, teeth shattered, his nose dislocated. His entire face was caved in.


    And we were just getting started.