《The path of the iso》 Chapter 1: The glimpse of fol Shivam, an orphan, sat in his crowded room, watching the other children play. Laughter echoed around him as they chased each other, their minds filled with dreams of being adopted by a loving family. In a world where Iso¡ªthose who could harness Fol¡ªwere highly valued, many of the orphans had tried to awaken basic elemental abilities, hoping to attract potential families. Some succeeded, earning admiration and chances at adoption. Others failed and were ignored. Shivam, however, never tried. He didn¡¯t want to be chosen just for an ability¡ªhe wanted a family that truly cared about him. But as he watched prospective parents come and go, their eyes scanning the orphans with interest, none ever stopped for him. At sixteen, he was the oldest child in the orphanage, and most people wanted younger children, especially those with Fol abilities. He didn¡¯t ask for much. He didn¡¯t wish for riches or power¡ªjust a simple, loving family. But as days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and months into years, that wish remained unfulfilled. Now, at seventeen, his eighteenth birthday was just a day away. And with it came the orphanage¡¯s rule: once a child turned eighteen, they had to leave. When that day finally arrived, Shivam stepped out of the orphanage with nothing but the clothes on his back. No one stopped him. No one cared. Why would they? He wasn¡¯t special. He couldn¡¯t control Fol. Outside, the town bustled with life. Streets were lined with stalls selling food, medicine, weapons, and trinkets. Merchants called out to passing buyers, the air thick with the scent of spices and sizzling meat. Shivam walked through the crowd, taking in the unfamiliar world. On the street corners, beggars sat with outstretched hands, pleading for alms. Some were missing limbs, others looked sickly and weak. But then there were those who appeared perfectly fine. Shivam frowned. Why were they begging? Couldn¡¯t they work? He didn¡¯t understand. As the sun set, the streets emptied, and the stars emerged, casting a soft glow over the buildings. Wandering deeper into town, Shivam noticed a shift in his surroundings. The streets became rougher, the people around him sharper, their eyes scanning him with caution¡ªor something else entirely. He quickened his pace, eventually finding himself in a small park. A single bench stood under a dim streetlight. Exhausted, he sat down, stretching his sore legs. His stomach growled in protest. He hadn¡¯t eaten all day. Hugging his empty stomach, he sighed. He had nothing to sell, no money to buy food. Tomorrow, he would find work. Anything to earn enough to feed himself. Later As Shivam sleeps soundly on the bench, his soft snores blending with the quiet of the night, a mysterious figure emerged from the shadows. Silent and deliberate, the figure approached him and placed a hand on his neck. A faint, almost invisible light flickered, and something was passed into him. The figure lingered for only a moment before vanishing into the darkness. The next morning, Shivam woke up feeling strange. There was a dull pain at the back of his neck, and his body felt oddly light, yet unsettled¡ªlike something inside him had shifted. He stretched his arms and legs, shaking off the stiffness from sleeping outside, but the feeling remained. Something was different. Not physically, but deep within. Pushing the thought aside, he set out into the town, determined to find work. He approached every busy area, offering to do anything in exchange for money. But no one paid him any attention. He went to a construction site, only to realize that workers were usually hired through official contracts. He asked the butchers at the meat stalls, but they turned him away. Some rejected him kindly, explaining that they couldn¡¯t hire just anyone, while others dismissed him coldly, not bothering to give a reason. At first, he was confused. Then frustrated. Why was everyone like this? Why wouldn¡¯t they give him a chance? Defeated, he made his way back to the park where he had slept the night before. As he sat down on the bench, his stomach growled in protest. He clutched it, grimacing. He needed food. A strong, rich aroma drifted through the air, making his mouth water. His gaze followed the scent to a nearby restaurant. As he approached, he saw the chefs and staff tossing leftover food into a garbage bin. Shivam hesitated. The food still looked edible. His pride screamed at him not to do it, but hunger clawed at his insides. He couldn¡¯t afford to be prideful. Swallowing his shame, he reached into the bin and grabbed some of the discarded food, eating it quickly. It was cold and stale, but as his stomach filled, he felt a sense of relief. He didn¡¯t notice the staff approaching until one of them barked at him. ¡°Hey, kid! Get away from there!¡± Shivam turned, startled, as another staff member scowled at him. ¡°Don¡¯t eat that crap, and don¡¯t loiter around here. You¡¯ll ruin our restaurant¡¯s reputation!¡± They waved him off, shooing him away like a stray animal. Shivam backed away, his throat tight with unspoken words. They were throwing the food away anyway¡­ so why did it matter? Why couldn¡¯t they just give it to him? As he walked, his legs screamed at him to stop. He hadn¡¯t realized how long he¡¯d been wandering¡ªhours, maybe more. His feet ached, but he kept moving until he reached the front of a small store. Just then, a shout broke through the noise of the street. A woman cried out, ¡°Thief! Stop them!¡± Shivam turned just in time to see two figures sprint past him, one clutching a stolen purse. He had two options¡ªchase them or do nothing. He chose the second. The thieves barely glanced at him as they ran past, but just before disappearing into the crowd, one of them tossed a few silver coins his way, a silent ¡®thank you¡¯ for not interfering. The woman, however, didn¡¯t thank him. She ran after them, still shouting for help. Shivam looked at the coins in his palm. A real meal. For the first time today, he smiled. Without wasting time, he made his way to a food stall, eager to buy something proper to eat. But as he approached, the stall owner gave him a disgusted look. ¡°Kid, don¡¯t come near my stall. You¡¯ll dirty it.¡± Shivam frowned, confused¡ªuntil he looked down at himself. His clothes were filthy, stained from sleeping outside and eating from the garbage. He opened his mouth to explain, but before he could, someone bumped into him hard, shoving him aside. The sudden force nearly made him fall. For a second, he was too stunned to react. Then, his fingers instinctively curled around his coins¡ªonly to feel nothing. His heart sank. The coins were gone. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. His gaze shot to the person who had pushed him, and realization hit. A pickpocket. Anger flared inside him as he rushed after the thief, pushing through the crowded street. But no matter how hard he tried, the sea of people swallowed them up, and within moments, they were gone. Defeated once again, Shivam dragged himself back to the park. This time, when he approached the bench, he wasn¡¯t alone. A girl around his age sat there, her shoulders shaking as quiet sobs escaped her lips. Shivam hesitated. He wasn¡¯t good at comforting people. Maybe it was better to leave her alone. Just as he turned to walk away, her voice stopped him. ¡°Sir, will you marry me?¡± He froze. What? Slowly, he turned to face her. Why would she ask something like that? But the moment he did¡ªshe was gone. His breath hitched. What¡­? A chill ran down his spine as he looked around. There was no sign of her. Had he imagined it? Heart still pounding, he sat down on the bench, rubbing his arms to shake off the uneasy feeling. That¡¯s when he noticed it. A strange, tingling sensation in the air. He lowered his head, hugging his knees to his chest, trying to ignore the creeping feeling that someone was watching him. But then, he felt something else. Fol. His head shot up. He could feel Fol around him. For the first time in his life. Staring ahead in shock, his vision adjusted¡ªand suddenly, he saw it. Fol wasn¡¯t just an invisible force anymore. It was there, swirling faintly in the air, moving between people like unseen currents. A slow grin spread across his face. Not because he could now call himself an Iso. Not because people would finally see him differently. But because now, if someone tried to take something from him again¡ªhe could fight back. As Shivam focused on the Fol around him, he raised his right arm. For the first time, he felt the energy respond to him, gathering in his palm. A strange warmth surged through his fingers as if the very air around him was bending to his will. He barely had time to process it before the energy shot forward. The blast struck a pigeon mid-flight. To an ordinary person, it looked like the bird had simply dropped dead out of nowhere. But to those who could see Fol, the truth was clear¡ªShivam had unleashed a raw burst of energy that had killed it instantly. His heart pounded. He hadn¡¯t meant to do that. Rushing forward, he picked up the lifeless pigeon, gripping it tightly. I can cook this. The thought was both practical and unsettling. He had no food, no money¡ªthis was his best chance to eat. He knew the park had a water source, and if he searched carefully, he might find a container to store some. But how do I light a fire? How do I even skin it? As he stood there, deep in thought, an idea formed. I can borrow a knife from a butcher. With the dead pigeon in hand, Shivam made his way to a nearby butcher shop. The rich scent of raw meat filled the air as he stepped forward. ¡°Excuse me,¡± he said hesitantly. ¡°Can I borrow a knife?¡± The butcher looked down at him, then sneered. ¡°Why would I lend you my knife, kid?¡± His voice dripped with mockery. ¡°Don¡¯t you have any coins to buy one yourself?¡± The butcher let out a loud laugh, and soon, the people around him joined in. The sound felt heavier than before, pressing down on Shivam like an invisible weight. His fingers clenched around the pigeon. Why do people always look down on me? Rage bubbled inside him. Without realizing it, he instinctively commanded the surrounding Fol to gather in his fist. The energy swirled violently, eager to be released. A single thought crossed his mind¡ªI could blast him right now. It would take just one shot. One burst of Fol, and this man would regret ever mocking him. But before he could act, a firm hand rested on his shoulder. ¡°Why are you making fun of a kid?¡± The voice was calm, yet it carried weight. ¡°Are you so insecure that you need to mock a child just to feel better about yourself?¡± The laughter around them immediately died down. The butcher stiffened, his face darkening with a mix of offense and fear. He glared at the person standing behind Shivam but didn¡¯t say a word. Shivam looked up, expecting to see some kind of hero. Instead, he saw a well-dressed man standing beside him, a soft but knowing smile on his lips. That smile¡­ for some reason, it calmed him. His anger faded. The swirling Fol in his hand dispersed into the air. The butcher finally spoke, though his voice was strained. ¡°I suppose¡­ lending the kid a knife wouldn¡¯t be such a big deal after all.¡± His hands trembled slightly as he reached for a blade. But before he could hand it over, Shivam shook his head. ¡°I can¡¯t accept something if you don¡¯t really want to give it,¡± he said simply. ¡°Sorry for causing trouble.¡± Then, without another word, he turned and walked away. The man followed. Shivam noticed but didn¡¯t stop. He had no interest in talking. But the man wasn¡¯t done. ¡°Kid.¡± Shivam ignored him. ¡°You¡¯re an Iso, aren¡¯t you?¡± Shivam froze mid-step. The man continued, his voice amused. ¡°I saw what you did back there. That was an unusual amount of Fol gathering in your fist. If I hadn¡¯t stepped in, you might¡¯ve shot that butcher in the face.¡± Slowly, Shivam turned to face him. The realization hit him hard. This man could see Fol. That meant only one thing. He was an Iso, too. Shivam watched the man carefully, his body tense with wariness. The man took a step closer, smiling. ¡°I haven¡¯t introduced myself yet, right?¡± he said casually. ¡°Name¡¯s Len Suru. I¡¯m an elemental specialist, which means I work with Elemental Fol. Like this¡ª¡± He raised his palm. The air around it shimmered, Fol gathering in an instant. Then, in the blink of an eye, the energy transformed into a small flame that flickered above his hand. Shivam¡¯s eyes widened. Fire. He made fire out of thin air. If I could do that, Shivam thought, I wouldn¡¯t have to search for wood or flint to start a fire. I could cook my meals anytime. Excitement replaced his fear. He hesitated for a moment, then looked up at Len with hopeful eyes. ¡°S-Sir Len,¡± he stammered, ¡°could you¡­ teach me how to do that?¡± Len chuckled. ¡°Sure thing, kid. But¡ª¡± he tapped Shivam¡¯s forehead lightly with a finger ¡°¡ªyou haven¡¯t introduced yourself either.¡± Shivam hesitated again. Should I tell him my name? He had spent years being ignored. Most people only saw him as "that useless orphan." No one ever asked for his name¡ªbecause no one cared. But Len wasn¡¯t like the others. After a moment, Shivam answered. ¡°My name is Shivam, Sir Len.¡± Len smiled. ¡°You don¡¯t have to call me ¡®Sir.¡¯ Just Len is fine, okay?¡± Something inside Shivam stirred. The way Len said his name¡­ it wasn¡¯t mocking or cold. It was just¡ªnormal. Respectful. It was something he wasn¡¯t used to. Len motioned for him to follow, leading him down a narrow alleyway. They passed through a few turns before stepping into an open field. It was vast and empty, a barren wasteland. The land had potential¡ªit could be a farm, a settlement, or even a training ground¡ªbut no one had touched it. Len turned to face him. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s test how familiar you are with Fol. Try to command it to gather around your whole arm.¡± Shivam nodded. He raised his arm and focused, mentally commanding the surrounding Fol to come to him. The energy responded, swirling toward his arm¡ªbut it only covered half of it. Len watched and nodded. ¡°You can control it, but not fully.¡± Then, Len raised his own arm. Shivam felt it immediately. The Fol surrounding his arm vanished¡ªdrifting toward Len instead. What?! Shivam stared as his energy left him and gathered around Len¡¯s arm. ¡°See this?¡± Len said, flexing his fingers. ¡°This is what we Iso call ¡®Recode.¡¯¡± Shivam swallowed. ¡°Recode?¡± Len nodded. ¡°It happens because I¡¯m more familiar with Fol than you are. When two Iso are near each other, Fol will naturally flow toward the one with more experience. Since I have stronger control, the Fol you gathered instinctively left you and came to me.¡± Shivam clenched his fists. That means weaker Iso can have their energy stolen. Len smiled. ¡°But here¡¯s something interesting¡ª¡± He raised his other hand, summoning another flame. The fire didn¡¯t move toward him like raw Fol did. It stayed perfectly in place. ¡°Once Fol is converted into an element, it changes its fundamental nature,¡± Len explained. ¡°That¡¯s why I could take your raw Fol, but I can¡¯t take back my own fire.¡± Shivam¡¯s mind raced. Raw Fol is unstable¡ªit can be stolen. But Elemental Fol is different. Len grinned. ¡°That means if you ever fight someone, remember this¡ª you can steal their raw Fol, but you can¡¯t disrupt Elemental Fol once it¡¯s been formed.¡± Shivam nodded and asked, Shivam: ¡°L-Len, how can I use fire like you?¡± Len chuckled and replied, Len: ¡°Shivam, you¡¯re not even familiar with Fol yet. If I teach you elemental Fol now, you¡¯ll probably burn your own hand instead of creating a flame. So, let¡¯s start with the basics first, alright?¡± Shivam felt a little disappointed that he couldn¡¯t learn how to create fire like Len, but at the same time, he was grateful that Len was willing to teach him at all. Len cleared his throat and continued, Len: ¡°If you want to control the Fol around you and make it respond to you naturally, you need to first meditate. Let the Fol come to you slowly, get used to your presence, and become familiar with you. You have to be patient.¡± Shivam nodded, then sat down on the ground and closed his eyes. He tried to meditate, focusing on letting the surrounding Fol approach him. Len watched him for a moment before creating a stone seat with his Fol and sitting down. Unlike the Iso Len had met before, Shivam wasn¡¯t arrogant or impatient. Most people who discovered they were Iso acted superior, refusing to listen properly. But Shivam¡­ he seemed different¡ªobedient and willing to learn. As time passed, Shivam began to feel hunger gnawing at him, but he suppressed it and remained focused on meditating. Len glanced at him occasionally. After three hours, the Fol around Shivam started to stir, slowly gathering around him. It clung to him like an invisible mist, wrapping around his lower half by the fifth hour. Len smiled to himself¡ªShivam was a fast learner. His ability to attract Fol this quickly was impressive. Two more hours passed, and Fol had completely surrounded Shivam¡¯s body. Seeing this, Len leaned forward and whispered in his ear, Len: ¡°That¡¯s enough. Good job, Shivam.¡± Hearing this, Shivam quickly snapped out of his meditative state¡ªbut to his surprise, the Fol around him didn¡¯t disappear. It remained attached to his body, flowing naturally as if it had truly accepted him. Excited, Shivam stood up and ran a little, curious to see if the Fol would fall away or scatter. But no matter how much he moved, it stayed with him. Finally, he stopped running and flopped onto the ground, exhausted. Just then, his stomach let out a loud growl. Shivam instantly felt embarrassed¡ªhis stomach had just betrayed him in front of Len, someone he was starting to respect deeply. Hesitantly, he glanced up at Len, only to see him chuckling. Len: ¡°Looks like someone¡¯s hungry after training.¡± Shivam blinked in confusion. Training? When did he train? He had just been sitting there meditating¡ªhe hadn¡¯t done anything physically exhausting. As Shivam stood up, stretching his sore limbs, Len turned to him with a casual smile. Len: ¡°Do you want to have dinner with me? I¡¯ll probably eat at a stall. No need to worry about money¡ªI¡¯ll cover it.¡± Shivam hesitated for a moment, his pride telling him to refuse, but his empty stomach made the decision for him. He was grateful, though a little embarrassed that Len was paying. He simply nodded, and Len motioned for him to follow. The two walked through the bustling streets, the market glowing with lanterns as the evening set in. The air was filled with the rich aroma of grilled meat, sizzling vegetables, and fresh bread. Stalls lined the street, each boasting different meals¡ªsome sold steaming bowls of soup, others skewers of seasoned meat. Shivam¡¯s eyes darted around, taking in the overwhelming variety. But as they passed by the crowded stalls, Len led him to a smaller, quieter one. Unlike the others, this stall had empty seats, and it was clear that it hadn¡¯t been attracting many customers. The stall beside it, however, was packed, with people happily slurping down bowls of noodles. Shivam glanced at Len curiously. Why here? Before he could ask, Len grinned and called out, Len: ¡°Vallis! You up to serving me and my friend some food?¡± A moment later, the stall¡¯s owner stepped out from behind the counter. She was a striking woman, likely in her late twenties, with sharp eyes and an air of confidence. She crossed her arms, smirking as she recognized Len. Vallis: ¡°Long time no see, Captain Suru.¡± Shivam stiffened at the word. Captain? He turned to Len, who simply smiled as if nothing was unusual. Chapter 2: First clash As Len called out, the stall owner stepped forward¡ªa beautiful woman who looked to be in her late twenties, her dark hair tied back loosely. She glanced at Len with a raised brow before smirking. Vallis: ¡°You¡¯re back after a while, Captain Suru.¡± Shivam¡¯s eyes flickered toward Len, confused. Captain? He studied Len¡¯s expression, expecting surprise or irritation, but Len remained casual, as if being called a captain was nothing unusual. Len walked up to the stall, taking a seat and motioning for Shivam to sit beside him. As Vallis handed them a menu, Len skimmed it briefly before saying, Len: ¡°I¡¯ll have the usual. Shivam, what about you?¡± Shivam hesitated. He wasn¡¯t used to choosing meals¡ªusually, he just ate whatever he could get his hands on. Not wanting to trouble Len, he answered, Shivam: ¡°I¡¯ll have what you¡¯re having.¡± Len nodded. A few minutes later, Vallis served them both steaming bowls of soup, filled with fragrant rice, soft-boiled vegetables, and tender roasted chicken. A few boiled eggs sat on the side, a free addition that Vallis always gave to regulars. Len clasped his hands together in a quiet prayer before picking up his spoon. Meanwhile, Shivam wasted no time digging in. The warmth of the broth spread through his body, and the rich flavors made his stomach tighten with hunger. He ate fast¡ªtoo fast¡ªuntil suddenly, a chunk of food got stuck in his throat. Shivam coughed violently, his face turning red. Before he could panic, Vallis swiftly filled a glass with water and handed it to him. He grabbed it, gulping the water down in one go, finally forcing the food down. Len, watching with mild amusement and concern, smirked. Len: ¡°Shivam, slow down. No one¡¯s going to steal your food.¡± Before Shivam could respond, Len reached over and gave him a light pat on the head. The unexpected gesture made Shivam freeze. His cheeks warmed with embarrassment, and he lowered his gaze, suddenly self-conscious. Feeling Vallis¡¯ eyes on them, he glanced up and saw her chuckling softly. She rested her chin on her hand, looking at Len with curiosity. Vallis: ¡°Captain, who is this kid anyway? At first, I thought he was one of your recruits, but he doesn¡¯t seem like one. So why are you so fond of him? You were never this kind to anyo¡ª¡± Before she could finish, Len cut in with a sharp but calm voice. Len: ¡°His name is Shivam, and he¡¯s an Iso. You can tell just by looking at him, right, Vallis? And don¡¯t bring up the past¡ªit¡¯s not relevant. Let me enjoy my meal.¡± Vallis pursed her lips and pouted slightly. Dodging the question again, huh? She didn¡¯t push further, sensing that now wasn¡¯t the time. Instead, she turned her attention back to Shivam, who had finished eating but seemed hesitant about something. Shivam¡¯s empty bowl sat in front of him, and Vallis noticed the way his fingers fidgeted slightly. His eyes darted toward Len¡¯s bowl as Vallis refilled it with a second serving, but he remained silent. It was clear¡ªhe wanted more but didn¡¯t dare to ask. Shivam argued with himself. Should I ask? No, I shouldn¡¯t. I¡¯ve already eaten enough. Len already paid for me. Asking for seconds would be greedy. His stomach, however, had other thoughts, growling softly in protest. Len, noticing the way Shivam clenched his fists, sighed. Without saying anything, he grabbed Shivam¡¯s empty bowl and held it out to Vallis. Len: ¡°Can you refill this too?¡± Shivam¡¯s head snapped up. Shivam: ¡°Wait, I¡ª¡± Len: ¡°No complaining. Just eat.¡± Len handed him the refilled bowl, unfazed by Shivam¡¯s protests. Shivam wanted to refuse, his pride screaming at him to reject the food, but in the end, the scent of the warm broth won. He picked up his spoon again, his voice small. Shivam: ¡°¡­Thanks.¡± Len just smiled and continued eating. Vallis chuckled, watching the interaction with amusement. Vallis: This kid¡­ he¡¯s different from the others. After finishing his second serving, Shivam leaned back in his seat, feeling full for the first time in days. A deep warmth spread through his body, making him sluggish. His eyelids grew heavy, his exhaustion catching up to him. Meanwhile, Len paid Vallis and leaned against the stall, talking to her in a low voice. Len: ¡°Vallis, did you find the culprit behind the forced Fol awakenings?¡± Vallis crossed her arms, shaking her head. Vallis: ¡°Not yet, Captain, but my team and I managed to track down some of the victims. Some suffered serious injuries¡ªtheir bodies couldn¡¯t handle the sudden Fol infusion. Others¡­ weren¡¯t so lucky. They died in the process. A few, though, were able to adapt and control their Fol without issue.¡± Len¡¯s jaw tightened, his fingers tapping against the wooden counter. Innocent people had died because of this. Someone out there was playing god, forcing awakenings without caring about the consequences. His anger simmered beneath the surface. As they spoke, Shivam, too full and too tired to fight off his drowsiness, slowly drifted off. His head bobbed forward before slumping onto the stall¡¯s counter. He had barely caught any of their conversation¡ªhis body was too exhausted to keep up. Len glanced at him, noting how quickly he had fallen asleep. A small chuckle escaped him before he turned back to Vallis. Len: ¡°I¡¯ll be looking into this myself. If you hear anything new, let me know.¡± He adjusted his coat, preparing to leave, when suddenly, a loud voice rang out from across the street. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. ???: ¡°Suru?! Oh-ho! So it¡¯s true¡ªyou¡¯re back in town!¡± Len turned his head casually, his gaze landing on the approaching figure. ???: ¡°Suru, Captain of the Seven Demons! I challenge you! A duel¡ªto prove who¡¯s truly fit to lead the Seven Demons!¡± Len¡¯s expression remained relaxed, almost lazy, as he recognized the man. A smirk tugged at his lips. Len: ¡°Oh? If it isn¡¯t the ¡®Fourth Warrior of Beasts.¡¯ The Beast of Creation, Warrior Ace.¡± Ace smirked as he strode forward, his presence commanding attention. The air between them grew thick with tension, but just as Ace was about to step closer, Len lifted a hand, gesturing toward the stall. Len: ¡°See that?¡± Ace followed his gaze and frowned. Shivam was slumped over, completely out cold, breathing softly. Len: ¡°He¡¯s sleeping.¡± Len stretched his arms lazily. ¡°So, I¡¯ll fight you tomorrow morning. Duel grounds.¡± Ace¡¯s smirk wavered. Ace: ¡°Hah? When did the Captain I knew become such a softie? Come on, let¡¯s settle it now.¡± Len¡¯s relaxed posture didn¡¯t change, but his voice dropped¡ªcalm, yet firm. Len: ¡°I said no. So don¡¯t push it.¡± Something in his tone made Ace instinctively step back. A chill ran down his spine. Ace scoffed but folded his arms, nodding slightly. Ace: ¡°Tch. Seems like your way of showing authority hasn¡¯t dulled.¡± His smirk returned. ¡°Good.¡± With that, Ace turned on his heel, leaving the challenge set for tomorrow. Len glanced once more at Shivam, still fast asleep, and sighed. Len: Kid must¡¯ve been more exhausted than I thought. Len then carried Shivam¡¯s sleeping body through the quiet streets, his steps steady as he made his way to the small inn he had rented. The boy was light, his breathing slow and even. Too exhausted to wake up, too vulnerable to protect himself. Reaching his room, Len carefully laid Shivam onto the bed. The boy''s clothes were filthy, the grime of the streets still clinging to him. With practiced hands, Len undressed him, peeling away the dirty fabric before replacing it with clean clothes. As he buttoned up the fresh shirt, his fingers suddenly froze. A presence. A dark, lingering energy. It clung to Shivam¡¯s neck, a subtle pulse of Dark Fol that Len hadn''t noticed before. His brows furrowed. Why didn¡¯t I sense this earlier? Was his sensing ability nullified by something? Or had he simply not paid enough attention to Shivam before? His mind raced as he carefully brushed his fingers over the dark mark. The moment his touch met the Fol, it reacted¡ªshifting like a living entity, resisting him. But Len wasn¡¯t one to hesitate. His own Fol instinctively flared, and without even needing to conjure anything, the energy surrounding him gathered into a pure force¡ªa sudden burst of power that immediately dispersed the Dark Fol into nothingness. His eyes darkened as he took a closer look. Shivam¡¯s body showed the same markings and disruptions as the other victims¡ªthe ones who had been forcefully awakened. Yet unlike them, Shivam¡¯s body had adapted. He wasn¡¯t writhing in pain, nor did he seem unstable. Was that why I didn¡¯t notice it before? Len had assumed Shivam was a natural Iso¡ªnot someone who had their Fol forcibly awakened. Had that assumption lowered his guard? As he pondered the implications, a sudden shift in the air made his instincts snap into place. Someone was watching. Before Len could think, his Fol surged outward on its own, a violent, unrestrained burst of energy¡ªit shot toward the darkened corner of the room like a wild beast unleashed. The energy collided midair¡ªthen vanished. A figure absorbed it. A voice followed. ???: ¡°Captain Suru, it''s me. Not an enemy.¡± The figure stepped forward, emerging from the shadows as if peeling away from the darkness itself. Len narrowed his eyes. Len: ¡°Kai. The Shadow Demon. Rank Five.¡± Kai gave a small nod, his form flickering like a mirage. Len: ¡°Don¡¯t appear without warning. Understood?¡± Kai stiffened before nodding quickly. Kai: ¡°Understood, Captain. I have intel on how the culprit is forcefully awakening people¡¯s Fol.¡± Len¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change, but his eyes sharpened. He gestured for Kai to continue. Kai: ¡°The method they¡¯re using¡ªit¡¯s Dark Fol.¡± A heavy silence settled between them. Len raised an eyebrow but remained silent, waiting for more. Kai: ¡°Dark Fol, as you know, originates from the Dark Continent in the Eastern Region. The culprit seems to have somehow gained the ability to use it. Every victim we¡¯ve found carries the same signature of Dark Fol lingering on their bodies.¡± Len¡¯s fingers tapped against the wooden bed frame. Kai: ¡°We can remove it, but it¡¯s risky. If an inexperienced Iso tries to nullify Dark Fol, they could easily kill the person instead of saving them.¡± Len let out a slow breath. That complicated things. Len: ¡°Good work, Shadow Demon. I¡¯ll leave the rest to you and the others.¡± Kai didn¡¯t linger. His form shimmered, his body becoming intangible before phasing through the floor, vanishing into the void. Now alone, Len sat beside Shivam, looking at his peaceful, unaware face. Someone had forced his Fol awake. Someone had experimented on him. His grip on the bedsheets tightened. Too many thoughts ran through his mind, but for now, he needed rest. Len laid down beside Shivam, staring at the ceiling, his mind still turning over the pieces. For now, he would sleep. But tomorrow, he would start hunt but also go to have a duel with Ace as well. At three in the morning, the air was crisp and silent. Len arrived at the duel ground, his breath visible in the cold air. Ace was already there, stretching his arms and rolling his shoulders. The moment he spotted Len, he didn''t hesitate¡ªa sharp spike of ice materialized in his palm, and with a flick of his wrist, he launched it forward. Len¡¯s eyes narrowed. With a single stomp, the earth responded instantly, a thick rock wall rising in front of him. The ice shattered against it, but Ace was already on the move. He charged, his body crackling as lightning arced around him, ice creeping up his limbs in a swirling aura. His speed surged, the ground freezing beneath his steps. Len backstepped immediately, his stance shifting into defense. Ace¡¯s speed was no joke. A sudden blast of lightning shot toward him¡ªfast, precise. Len twisted his body, dodging¡ªbut the real attack followed. The moment he avoided the lightning, a sharp icicle speared into his left leg, freezing over his limb and rooting him to the ground. Ace smirked. Ace: ¡°Got you.¡± Len didn¡¯t panic. Without hesitation, fire erupted around his leg, melting the ice in mere seconds. His freed foot slammed into the ground, sending a ripple of Fol through the earth. Ace jumped back, recognizing the shift in stance. He grinned, but his Fol flared dangerously high. Ace: ¡°Time for¡ª A massive surge of elemental energy burst from his body. The air around them crackled as heat and cold clashed violently, unstable but powerful. Ace: Meteor Shower and Lava Eruption!" The moment those words left his mouth, Len moved. No time to let Ace fully conjure it. A blur¡ªLen dashed forward at terrifying speed. Before Ace could react, Len was already in his space¡ªhis fingers at Ace¡¯s neck, right at a vital point. His muscles tensed, shifting subtly. His normally short nails extended, sharpening into claws¡ªlong, razor-like weapons. Ace froze. The energy around him faltered, breaking apart into harmless wisps of Fol. A long silence. Then, Ace let out a breath and raised his hands in surrender. Ace: ¡°Damn. You¡¯re still holding back. I thought you were an Elemental Fol Specialist.¡± Len withdrew his hand, his muscles relaxing, and his nails retracted back to normal. Len: ¡°I didn¡¯t want to destroy this place. Or let other Iso sense me.¡± Ace smirked, rubbing his neck, but he didn¡¯t argue. Later, Len goes back to the inn. As Len walked into the room, his boots clicking softly against the wooden floor. The dim candlelight flickered, casting eerie shadows on the walls. On the ground, Kai knelt, his hand gripping the shoulder of a man drenched in sweat, his breath ragged. But what caught Len¡¯s attention was the dark Fol swirling around the captive¡¯s body. His gaze flickered to the bed¡ªShivam was still asleep, undisturbed. Without a word, Len tilted his head toward Kai. Len: Take him. Kai nodded. He grabbed the captive, and with a blur of shadows, both of them sank into the floor, vanishing. --- Len descended into the inn¡¯s underground chamber¡ªa place few knew existed. The walls were lined with torture devices, some rusted with age, others freshly polished. Kai stood beside the captive, his grip firm, the victim''s arms bound with Fol-infused chains. Len stepped forward, his expression blank. Len: ¡°State your name. Now.¡± The man remained silent. Len exhaled. Without warning, he placed his palm against the man¡¯s chest¡ªand in an instant, a sharp wave of ice surged through his body. The captive convulsed violently, coughing up blood as his organs partially froze. Len: ¡°I won¡¯t ask again.¡± Silence. Len pressed his fingers deeper¡ªanother pulse of ice shot through the man¡¯s body. His insides began to freeze at a slow, agonizing pace. The captive gasped, blood trickling from his lips. For two hours, Len repeated the process, his face unmoved, indifferent. Eventually, the captive slumped forward, unconscious. Kai tilted his head. Kai: ¡°Captain, should I take over?¡± Len simply nodded and walked away. As the door shut behind him, Kai grinned, his sharp teeth glinting in the candlelight. He crouched beside the captive, his fingers phasing through the man¡¯s chest until they wrapped around his still-beating heart. The man woke up with a gasp, eyes bulging in terror. Kai (whispering): ¡°If you don¡¯t talk¡­¡± He tightened his grip. ¡°¡­I¡¯ll crush your heart.¡± Still, the captive remained silent. Kai chuckled. But instead of crushing the heart, his hand moved lower, slipping into the man''s large intestine. The captive let out a choked scream. Blood dripped from his mouth as his body convulsed in agony. And yet, he still refused to speak. Kai¡¯s grin widened. Kai: ¡°Shame.¡± Without hesitation, he closed his fist. The man¡¯s body jerked violently¡ªthen went completely still. Kai withdrew his hand, letting the corpse slump forward. With a sigh, he muttered to himself: Kai: ¡°I was hoping he¡¯d last longer.¡± Then, without a sound, he vanished into the darkness. Meanwhile, Len went to the room where Shivam was still sleeping. He washed his hands in the bathroom and looked at himself in the mirror. For a brief moment, he saw something¡ªhis younger self, around 16 years old, with cold, emotionless eyes. It was a stark contrast to the caring look he now had toward Shivam. Shaking off the thought, Len left to pick up breakfast for himself and Shivam. --- As Len walked downstairs, Shivam slowly woke up. His eyes fluttered open, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. Suddenly, he jerked upright, scanning the room. "Where am I? How did I end up here?" A flicker of panic ran through his mind. "Did someone kidnap me?" His thoughts were interrupted as the door creaked open. Len stepped inside, carrying breakfast and smiling calmly. Len: "Took you long enough to wake up. It¡¯s already 8 AM." Shivam stared at him for a moment, then his memories came rushing back. "Right¡­ I was with Len yesterday¡­ We were at a stall together¡­" Everything clicked into place, and he finally relaxed.