Ren, his mind flooded with questions, scanned the gloomy warehouse where he found himself. The wooden walls were covered in dust and cobwebs, the stacked boxes in the corners emitted a stale smell of dampness, and the dim light from an oil lamp barely managed to disperse the shadows. Despite everything, the place didn’t feel hostile. It was the first time since arriving in this world that he didn’t sense immediate danger.


    It reminded him of his old apartment—small, disorganized, a place where no one bothered him. He was surprised to find himself missing it.


    While he sank into nostalgic thoughts, a soft voice interrupted his reverie:


    —Hey…


    Emerging from the darkness was a young girl, likely around his age or even younger. Her worn hood barely concealed her vibrant scarlet red hair, which caught the lamp’s light in a fleeting glow. Ren observed her closely; if she were in his world, he’d have assumed she was a model or a cosplayer with a penchant for mysterious aesthetics.


    After a brief exchange of glances, Ren broke the silence:


    —Who are you? Where am I?


    The young girl offered a slight smile, tilting her head ever so slightly.


    —My name is Lira. I’m sorry for dragging you here, but those guards weren’t going to let you escape that easily.


    —Here?


    —An abandoned warehouse in the lower part of the city.


    Her tone suggested that she was well acquainted with the place, but Ren was too exhausted to question her. His entire body screamed fatigue. The tension, fear, and the chase had drained all his energy.


    Suddenly, his vision blurred and his legs gave way. He collapsed onto the wooden floor, barely managing to twist so as not to fall completely.


    Lira fell silent, watching him. Then, without another word, she tossed him a worn blanket from one of the nearby boxes and stepped back, giving him space.


    Hours Later…


    Ren awoke after what felt like an eternity. He ran a hand over his forehead, feeling the slight headache that remained after an overly deep sleep.


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    In front of him, Lira was slowly sharpening a dagger, seated on a box. She barely noticed his awakening and spoke without looking at him:


    —You slept like a log. And you made a strange noise while breathing…


    Ren slowly sat up.


    —If I’m that annoying, you could have left… I could have managed on my own.


    Lira glanced at him sideways. After a brief silence, she replied in a slightly softer tone:


    —I didn’t mean that. Sorry, I just found it curious.


    Ren looked away, unsure of how to respond. Lira seemed genuine, and in some way, that made him feel even worse.


    —Oh… I see. Sorry, I guess I’m just never good at anything.


    Lira frowned; she didn’t like that defeated tone.


    —Well… If you were truly useless, they wouldn’t have put a "WANTED" poster up all over the city, she said simply, someone like you—an invoked—doesn’t come around every day.


    Ren tensed at hearing that last word.


    —How do you know? Is it because of my clothes?


    Lira shook her head.


    —No. It’s because of your Flux.


    Ren blinked.


    —Flux? The purifier?


    Lira crossed her arms.


    —The Flux is the primordial energy that flows through all living things. It has no will, but it connects everything that exists: what is born, what grows, and what dies. It’s the invisible thread that binds this world together.


    Ren frowned.


    —… I don’t understand.


    Lira sighed and placed a hand on her chest.


    —Think of it like... the air. You can’t see it, but you feel it, you need it. It’s what keeps life in balance. Those born here have a natural flow, but you… your presence is an anomaly. Like a crack in a crystal.


    Ren swallowed hard.


    —And you can sense it?


    —Feel it. The disturbance was clear from afar. Something so different from the natural balance… it’s impossible not to notice.


    Ren ran a hand through his hair.


    —Alright… But how did you know I was cornered? And why did you help me?


    Lira shrugged.


    —I saw strange things in the city. Barely visible tracks, an energy I had never felt before. Then I saw the agitated guards—their shouts, their desperation. And then I saw the poster with your face. It was easy to deduce.


    Ren looked at her cautiously.


    —That doesn’t explain why you chose to intervene.


    There was a pause.


    Lira glanced at the dagger in her hand, lost in thought. Finally, she spoke without looking at him:


    —Because I understand what it’s like to be pursued. To be alone.


    Ren didn’t know what to say. In that moment, he realized that Lira hadn’t saved him merely out of curiosity. There was something more—something she wasn’t telling him.


    Just as he was about to ask, Lira tensed suddenly. Her sharp eyes shifted toward the wooden door.


    Then... a soft creak echoed from the other side of the door.


    Ren felt his skin prickle.


    —Lira?


    In a chilling whisper, she added:


    —There’s someone here…


    Ren felt adrenaline surge through his body once again. The silence of the warehouse, which had once seemed safe, now felt oppressive.


    Outside the warehouse, another creak of wood confirmed the worst.


    Someone had found them.


    And it was too late to run.


    <hr>


    END OF CHAPTER 3