《Gate To Valhalla》


 Chapter 1: Valhalla

    Valhalla. Many adventurers dream of finding it, unaware of what lies beyond its gates. But this story begins in the small country of Hvitt, a land where snow falls ceaselessly, day in and day out. It is here that we meet a young man leaving his home.


    "I''ll be back soon!" the young man called out, excitement lacing his voice.


    His name was Adrian Frihet¡ªa fourteen-year-old boy with white hair, olive-toned skin, and striking blue eyes. He rushed into the forest, following his daily routine. Every day, he ventured into the snow-laden woods to hunt and gather firewood. He was more than capable of handling the beasts that lurked within, yet one creature had recently unsettled the locals. Rumors spoke of a Snow Lion the size of a polar bear, a beast that had been devouring most of the local wildlife but had never once attacked a human. It was almost as if it were mocking them.


    Determined, Adrian set out to find the creature. As he trekked through the dense forest, he stumbled upon a cavern that burrowed deep into the mountainside. Suspecting this to be the beast¡¯s lair, he drew the dagger from his boot and steeled himself for the hunt.


    But why risk his life for a creature that had never harmed a single human?


    The answer was simple: the Snow Lion consumed too much, leaving little behind for the other animals to repopulate. If nothing was done, the scarcity of food would soon become a dire problem.


    Adrian stepped into the dark, damp cave. Most would struggle in such pitch-black surroundings, but his eyes, sharp and keen, adjusted with ease. Moving cautiously, dagger in hand, he pressed forward.


    At the cave¡¯s deepest recess, he found¡ªnothing. A wave of relief washed over him. Perhaps the beast had already moved on. He turned to leave.


    A shadow loomed behind him.


    Silent as falling snow, the Snow Lion stood there, its massive form blocking the exit.


    Adrian tightened his grip on the dagger, fear clawing at his resolve. Yet despite his trepidation, his determination remained steadfast. The beast did not roar or charge¡ªit simply stood there, as if waiting for something¡­ or someone.


    Clip. Clap.


    Footsteps echoed through the cavern.


    Adrian¡¯s heart pounded. Who else could be here?


    A figure emerged from the darkness, walking past the Snow Lion without a hint of fear. The man stopped before Adrian and regarded him with curiosity.


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    "Who are you?" he asked.


    Adrian was stunned. How could this man stand so calmly beside such a fearsome beast?


    "My name is Adrian Frihet. Are you not afraid of the creature beside you?" he asked, his voice laced with disbelief.


    "Afraid of what, exactly?" The man scratched his head, his expression unreadable.


    "The giant beast behind you!" Adrian exclaimed.


    The man chuckled. "Tusk is no beast¡ªhe¡¯s my pet and a trusted companion." He spoke with pride, affectionately stroking the Snow Lion¡¯s thick fur.


    Adrian questioned the man¡¯s sanity. Dogs, cats¡ªthose were pets. But a Snow Lion? How peculiar.


    "My name is August Magnus," the man introduced himself with a grin.


    It was clear that he was not from Hvitt. While the people of this land all bore white hair and pale skin, August had dark brown hair, warm brown eyes, and sun-kissed skin. He wore a short coat, shorts, and sandals¡ªclothing entirely unsuited for Hvitt¡¯s harsh climate. Just looking at him made Adrian shiver.


    "Where are you from? You don¡¯t look like a local," Adrian asked.


    "Me? I got shipwrecked here about a month ago," August replied.


    A month ago.


    Adrian¡¯s mind raced. That was when the Snow Lion¡¯s feeding habits had changed, consuming far more than necessary. Could it be that the beast wasn¡¯t eating for itself¡ªbut providing food for August?


    "I¡¯ve been searching for a way off this island," August continued, casually tossing firewood onto a small pile and lighting a flame. "But I haven¡¯t found one yet."


    "The Eagle Federation sends supply ships here at the end of each month," Adrian informed him. "You could probably catch a ride with them."


    August¡¯s face lit up. "That¡¯s perfect! Hey, kid, have you ever been on an adventure?"


    Adrian shook his head. "Not really. I¡¯ve lived on this island my whole life. But that hasn¡¯t stopped me from exploring it."


    As he spoke, his eyes sparkled with excitement, like a child receiving a long-awaited gift. He eagerly shared tales of his adventures¡ªof hidden caves, treacherous mountain paths, and even an abandoned mineshaft too vast and deep to explore alone.


    August listened intently, nodding with appreciation. Then, as he stoked the fire, he asked, "Have you ever heard of Valhalla?"


    "No. What is it?" Adrian asked, intrigued.


    "They say the journey to find it is the greatest adventure of all. And beyond its gates¡­ something incredible awaits."


    Adrian leaned forward. "What¡¯s behind the gate?"


    August¡¯s expression grew serious. He locked eyes with Adrian.


    "To be honest¡­ I have no idea." Then, with a laugh, he added, "But isn¡¯t that the best part?"


    Adrian once again questioned August¡¯s mental fortitude.


    "So you''re searching for something you don¡¯t even understand?" Adrian asked, puzzled.


    August smirked. "Why not? As an adventurer, the answer should be obvious¡ªthe thrill of the unknown! Isn''t that reason enough?"


    Adrian¡¯s eyes widened. "You¡¯re right!" he exclaimed, his excitement infectious.


    August grinned. "Now you understand. Would you like to come with me?"


    Adrian hesitated. "I want to, but¡­ my mother wouldn¡¯t approve." His voice carried a hint of sadness.


    August sighed dramatically. "That¡¯s unfortunate. But is there no other way off this island?"


    "There¡¯s a ship arriving in two days, delivering goods to the country," Adrian said.


    August clapped his hands together. "Perfect! I¡¯ll give you two days to make a decision. Sound fair?"


    Adrian smiled¡ªa grin as wide as a crescent moon. "Yeah."


    And so, with that fateful meeting, their journeys became intertwined. Neither knew what lay ahead, but one thing was certain¡ªan adventure awaited.

 Chapter 2: Nydelig Frihet

    Adrian sat with August for a while, their conversation flowing naturally. Eventually, August insisted that Adrian sit next to Tusk. Though hesitant at first, Adrian reluctantly gave in after August gently nudged him forward. He settled beside the beast, hesitantly resting against its thick fur.


    "It''s really soft," Adrian murmured, surprised by its warmth.


    August chuckled. "I''ve been meaning to ask¡ªwhat brought you out here, anyway?"


    Adrian hesitated. "I actually came to¡­ kill the bea¡ª" He stopped mid-sentence, a wave of guilt crashing over him. "I mean¡­ Tusk."


    August¡¯s expression darkened, his voice laced with anger. "But why?"


    "It was devouring all the animals. I feared it would deplete the island¡¯s resources," Adrian admitted, his words laced with regret.


    August¡¯s gaze softened slightly. "Oh¡­ I see. He was hunting¡ªfor me. When I first arrived, he was aggressive, but only because he was injured. I helped him heal, and now¡­" He reached out, wrapping his arms around Tusk¡¯s thick neck. "Now, he¡¯s my closest friend."


    Adrian exhaled, nodding. "I guess I understand."


    August¡¯s tone lightened. "Hey, kid, you hungry? I¡¯ve got plenty of food."


    "You should really share some of it with my people," Adrian suggested.


    August tilted his head. "Are you actually a resident of Hvitt?"


    "I am. But my father¡­ wasn¡¯t," Adrian replied, his expression shifting to one of sorrow.


    "I don¡¯t mean to pry, but¡ªwho was your father?"


    "I don¡¯t know. My mother refuses to talk about him, no matter how much I ask. But the villagers tell me he was a great adventurer." A small smile tugged at Adrian¡¯s lips. "They say he was fearless, always seeking out the unknown."


    August smirked. "Just a moment ago, you looked sad. Now, you¡¯re practically glowing."


    Adrian sighed. "I am sad. I never got to meet him. But he¡¯s my greatest inspiration¡ªthe reason I want to explore the world."


    Though Adrian knew nothing of his father, he idolized him nonetheless.


    His gaze drifted downward, catching the glint of something gold hanging from a chain at August¡¯s waist¡ªa small pendant, intricately designed with the symbol of a Pegasus. It captivated him instantly.


    "What¡¯s that?" he asked, pointing.


    August¡¯s fingers brushed against the pendant. "This? Just a trinket," he said dismissively. "Nothing important."


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    Adrian wasn¡¯t convinced. "If you still carry it, it must mean something to you."


    August exhaled. "I used to wear it when I was part of my old squad," he admitted.


    The conversation lingered in the air as the sun began its slow descent. Taking it as his cue, Adrian stood. "I should get home," he said.


    But his greatest challenge lay ahead¡ªthe conversation with his mother.


    As he walked through the village, familiar faces greeted him warmly: the mayor who cared for the youth, the kindly baker who gifted him bread each day, the coal miner who always sold to him and his mother at a generous discount.


    He reached the cottage, pausing at the door before stepping inside. The moment he entered, he felt it¡ªthe weight of his mother¡¯s presence.


    She sat in the dimly lit room, her silhouette carved out by the shadows, exuding an almost ominous aura¡ªlike a villain from a storybook.


    "I hope you''re prepared for your punishment, Adrian," she said, her voice calm yet firm, her face hidden in the darkness.


    Adrian swallowed hard. "I¡ªI¡¯m sorry, Mother. I didn¡¯t realize how late it had gotten." His voice wavered, betraying his fear.


    With deliberate slowness, she reached for the lamp beside her, flicking it on. The warm glow illuminated her striking features¡ªlong white hair cascading over her shoulders, porcelain skin, deep brown eyes that held both warmth and steel. She was a woman of breathtaking beauty, a presence that could captivate any man she met. Yet her heart had belonged to only one: Adrian¡¯s father.


    Without warning, she flicked him on the forehead, a reprimand for his recklessness. But the sting of it barely settled before she ruffled his hair, a silent reassurance that she was simply relieved he was home.


    "Don¡¯t ever pull that stunt again!" she scolded.


    Adrian winced. "I won¡¯t, I promise."


    "Good. Now, go rinse off¡ªit¡¯s time to eat." A soft smile tugged at her lips as she turned toward the dining table, where a feast awaited him.


    But before he could sit, Adrian took a deep breath. "Mom¡­ before anything, I need to talk to you." He straightened his back, determination burning in his eyes. "I want to leave the country. I want to go on an adventure."


    She didn¡¯t respond. She simply continued setting the table, her hands steady, her expression unreadable.


    "Mother. I want to see the world," he repeated, more firmly this time.


    Still, she remained silent. But beneath her breath, she whispered, "I knew this day would come¡­ You are his son, after all."


    "Mom?" Adrian¡¯s voice wavered. "Did you hear me?"


    Finally, she set the last plate down and met his gaze. "You¡¯re just like him¡ªyour father. He had that same look in his eyes whenever he spoke of adventure. The only other times I ever saw that spark were when he proposed to me¡­ and when he found out you were going to be born."


    "You never talk about Dad," Adrian said softly. "I thought you hated him."


    She let out a quiet breath. "I never hated your father. But when he left¡­" She paused, her voice laced with something fragile. "It left me with a wound I could never quite heal. A part of me still fears losing you, too."


    Adrian stepped closer. "I know this isn''t easy for you, Mom. But I need this¡ªnot just to grow as a person, but as your son. I need to see what¡¯s beyond this place."


    A long silence stretched between them. Finally, she exhaled, shaking her head. "You have a way of persuading people, don¡¯t you?" A small, bittersweet smile formed on her lips. "Fine. You can go¡ªbut under one condition."


    Adrian¡¯s heart pounded. "What is it?"


    She looked him straight in the eye, her voice filled with quiet strength. "No matter where you go or what you do, always choose what¡¯s right. Promise me that."


    Without hesitation, he nodded. "I promise."


    A proud yet wistful expression crossed her face. "Then go, Adrian. See the world."


    And with that, everything was set.


    For fourteen years, Adrian had lived within the confines of his village, a life sheltered and familiar. But now¡ªnow, his real journey was about to begin.

 Chapter 3: The Journey Begins

    Three days had passed since Adrian¡¯s conversation with his mother. Now, the day had finally come for him to leave his homeland. Many of those who cherished him gathered at the shore, eager to bid farewell to the young boy.


    "You will find greatness in whatever you pursue," the mayor said, placing a firm hand on Adrian¡¯s shoulder.


    "Take this¡ªeat it on the boat!" the baker woman added, handing him several loaves of fresh bread.


    The moment of departure had arrived, yet the person meant to accompany Adrian was nowhere to be found. His mother, unaware of August¡¯s existence, believed Adrian was setting out on this journey alone.


    The ship¡¯s captain called for all remaining passengers to board, warning that they would be departing shortly. Adrian stood at a crossroads¡ªshould he wait, or should he seize this rare opportunity? Another ship wouldn''t set sail for at least a month.


    With a determined breath, Adrian stepped onto the gangplank, joining the other passengers. As the ship began its slow departure, he moved to the side rail, waving goodbye to those he was leaving behind.


    Among the crowd, his mother stood with a reassuring smile, waving gently, as if silently telling him she would be fine without him.


    "You have good people who care about you," a familiar voice said from behind.


    Adrian turned. "I know," he replied.


    There was something recognizable about the voice, and when he looked, he was met with a familiar grin.


    "August! I thought you didn¡¯t make it onto the boat!"


    August laughed, his usual cheerful demeanor intact. "I got here earlier so I could check where we were headed."


    As they descended toward the lower deck, August continued filling Adrian in.


    "We''re going to the land where pink blossoms bloom¡ªthe prosperous country of Prosperum."


    "Yeah, I knew that," Adrian huffed. "You could¡¯ve just asked me instead of snooping around the ship."


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    August¡¯s expression shifted from serious to playfully disappointed. "You know a lot for a kid who¡¯s never left his home before."


    Adrian smirked. "My mom made me read a lot of books."


    "Then you probably know about the different races¡ªDwarves, Demi-humans, Beastmen, Fairies, Demons, and Elves. Each group occupies different regions, and they don¡¯t exactly get along," August said.


    Adrian nodded. He had read about the ongoing tensions between the races¡ªhow, fifty years ago, those tensions had escalated into a catastrophic war. The conflict had claimed countless lives and left all sides crippled, forcing them into an uneasy truce.


    "I didn¡¯t know about the war," Adrian admitted.


    By now, they had reached their cabin¡ªa modest room with two beds, one on either side. Adrian sat on the bed to his right, kicking off his boots, while August took the opposite one, cracking open the small window.


    "Once we reach Prosperum, there¡¯s someone we need to meet," August said.


    "Who?"


    "A master craftsman¡ªthe man who forged my Trinket."


    "You still haven¡¯t explained what a Trinket is," Adrian pointed out.


    August leaned back. "A Trinket is a specialized weapon given to adventurers and soldiers of the World Federation. Only the most skilled earn the right to have one custom-made."


    Adrian''s eyes widened. "Wait¡ªso I¡¯m getting one?"


    "That¡¯s the plan," August said with a grin. "But first, we have to make it to Prosperum."


    Their voyage would take a day or so, but unbeknownst to them, another ship¡ªsimilar to their own¡ªwas also en route to Prosperum. Aboard it were two young soldiers of the World Federation, assigned to transport a highly classified package.


    Their quarters were significantly larger than Adrian and August¡¯s. One of the soldiers, a teenage boy, turned to his superior and spoke.


    "We¡¯ll be arriving soon¡­ King Elfaria."


    "Understood," King replied.


    King Elfaria was no ordinary soldier. At just thirteen, he had been granted the rank of Grand Intermediate¡ªan achievement unheard of in the Federation¡¯s history. Now, at fifteen, he had already ascended to Knight Master.


    His appearance was as striking as his reputation¡ªlong, flowing blue hair that shimmered under the moonlight, as if it were woven from the night sky itself. Women often found themselves entranced by his beauty, only to be met with polite rejection. Over time, his colleagues had given him the nickname Heartbreaker.


    His partner, Gil Hunter, was seventeen and had been handpicked to serve alongside King. The reason for his selection remained a mystery to him, one that frequently occupied his thoughts. Unlike King, Gil was outspoken, never hesitating to voice his opinions.


    As King gazed out the window, the vast night sky stretched endlessly before him, a sea of stars illuminating its dark expanse.


    "I will find them," he whispered to himself.


    Gil¡¯s ears twitched. "Still searching for New Pegasus?"


    King blinked. "You heard me?"


    Gil smirked. "You forget I have very sensitive ears."


    King chuckled. "Haha¡­ sorry about that."


    "It¡¯s fine. But listen¡ªyou can trust me. We¡¯re partners. Your goals are my goals too."


    A rare, genuine smile crossed King¡¯s face. "Thank you."


    Little did either group know that their destinies were about to collide in Prosperum¡ªan encounter that would alter the very fabric of the world¡¯s power structure.

 Chapter 4: Prosperum

    Prosperum was an island renowned as the world¡¯s leading producer of goods, a title it had earned through centuries of trade and craftsmanship. Yet, its reputation extended beyond mere commerce. The island was famous for its breathtaking pink cherry blossom trees, which flourished across its expanse, painting the streets in shades of delicate pink. At the island¡¯s farthest edge loomed Mount Prosperum, a towering mountain that bore one of the rarest and most essential elements in the creation of Trinkets.


    As Adrian and August¡¯s boat docked at the island¡¯s shore, the scent of salt and fresh blossoms filled the air. Just as they prepared to disembark, Adrian noticed August reaching for a tablecloth from one of the dining tables on the ship. Without explanation, August tied the cloth around his face, leaving only his eyes visible.


    Adrian¡¯s brow furrowed in suspicion. "Why are you covering your face?"


    "I''m cold," August replied nonchalantly. "Needed to cover up."


    Adrian found that hard to believe. The same person who had effortlessly endured the freezing temperatures of Hvitt in shorts was now complaining about the mild island breeze? Something wasn¡¯t right.


    Stepping off the boat, Adrian took a deep breath, letting the warmth of Prosperum wash over him. Compared to the frigid lands of Hvitt, this place felt like an entirely different world. His eyes wandered, taking in the vibrant scenery¡ªthe bustling streets, the colorful banners hanging between buildings, and the tourists being immediately swarmed by eager merchants and tour guides.


    "Hey, kid! I sell the finest goods on the island. You looking to buy?" a merchant called out, displaying an array of jewelry and clothing.


    Among the merchant¡¯s wares, one item caught Adrian¡¯s eye¡ªa simple yet elegant white sweater, adorned with a black star at its center. It was a stark contrast to the oversized winter garments he had grown up wearing in Hvitt.


    "How much for that sweater?" Adrian asked, pointing at it.


    "One thousand Ty," the merchant replied.


    Ty was the universal currency used across the world, and at that moment, Adrian didn¡¯t have nearly enough. His expression fell, disappointment clear in his eyes.


    August, noticing Adrian¡¯s interest in the sweater, stepped forward. Clearing his throat, he adopted a deeper, more composed tone¡ªone unlike his usual playful self.


    "I¡¯ll take the sweater," he stated.


    Adrian turned to him, surprised. "Are you sure?"


    "If you want it, I¡¯ll get it for you," August replied, his tone unusually mature.


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    Adrian watched as August handed over the money, his demeanor momentarily shifting from his usual carefree nature to something more composed¡ªalmost reliable. The change was subtle, but Adrian couldn¡¯t ignore it.


    After receiving the sweater, Adrian immediately switched out his old one. As soon as he put it on, he was surprised by the sensation. Rather than feeling overly warm, as he had expected, the fabric was cool against his skin, counteracting the island''s heat.


    "Thank you!" Adrian said, bowing deeply in gratitude.


    August, startled by the sudden outburst, chuckled. "Don¡¯t worry about it," he said with a grin.


    With that, the two wandered into the heart of the city. Prosperum¡¯s streets were lined with cherry blossom trees, their petals occasionally drifting through the air like soft pink snow. The roads were paved with polished stone, and at the end of each street stood various inns and storefronts, bustling with activity.


    Yet, amidst all this beauty, the most imposing sight was Mount Prosperum¡ªa colossal mountain that dominated nearly half the island. Despite its somewhat unoriginal name, the mountain¡¯s significance could not be understated. It was said to hold rare minerals found nowhere else in the world, vital in the creation of Trinkets.


    As they continued through the city, Adrian couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that August was looking for something. Before long, their path led them into a narrow, dimly lit alleyway. The air here felt different¡ªthicker, quieter. At the alley¡¯s end was nothing but a solid brick wall.


    "We''re here," August announced.


    Before Adrian could ask what he meant, August suddenly sprinted toward the wall at full speed.


    "Wait¡ªwhat are you doing?!" Adrian shouted.


    To Adrian¡¯s shock, instead of colliding with the wall, August passed through it, vanishing as if the bricks had never been there.


    ''How did he do that?'' Adrian thought, hesitating for only a moment before steeling himself.


    Taking a deep breath, he mimicked August¡¯s actions, running straight at the wall. As he braced for impact, he instinctively shut his eyes¡ªonly to find himself still running. The ground beneath him remained firm, but when he finally opened his eyes, his stomach dropped.


    He was running straight toward the edge of a cliff.


    Before he could react, gravity took hold. The world tilted, and he felt himself falling¡ªuntil a firm hand caught the back of his sweater.


    August, gripping Adrian¡¯s collar, pulled him back onto solid ground.


    "Careful," August said, peering over the edge. "The drop¡¯s massive."


    Adrian steadied himself, his breath still unsteady. Then, as he finally looked down, his eyes widened in awe.


    Below them lay an entire city¡ªa hidden world bathed in a warm glow from the countless lanterns and neon signs dotting its landscape. The underground city stretched as far as the eye could see, an intricate maze of buildings and alleyways, bustling with life despite its concealed location.


    "This is The Underground City," August declared, a hint of pride in his voice.


    "It looks amazing!" Adrian gasped.


    "I know, right?" August grinned.


    To their right, a long, spiraling staircase led down into the depths of the city. As they began their descent, August spoke again.


    "There¡¯s someone we need to find," he said.


    "The Master Craftsman?" Adrian guessed.


    "Yeah. He¡¯s the one who¡¯ll make your Trinket. But first, we have to track him down, and this is where our search begins."


    The anticipation in Adrian''s chest swelled.


    "I¡¯m actually getting a Trinket," he murmured in excitement.


    "You have to," August said with a smirk. "Especially if we¡¯re going on an adventure."


    "Amazing!"


    With renewed determination, the two pressed forward into the depths of the Underground City, embarking on the next step of their journey¡ªthe search for the Master Craftsman who would forge Adrian¡¯s future weapon.

 Chapter 5: I Believe In Him

    Upon reaching the lowest level of The Underground City, Adrian immediately noticed how different the products sold here were compared to those on the surface. The architecture, too, was peculiar¡ªbuildings leaned at odd angles, some resembling the sinuous curves of a serpent in motion.


    As they stepped forward, two scantily clad women approached them, wearing nothing but bras and underwear. One had scruffy blonde hair, while the other¡¯s was impeccably maintained.


    "Hello, boys. First time here?" the scruffy-haired woman purred, her fingers trailing inappropriately along August¡¯s arm.


    "Sorry, ladies, but we don¡¯t have time," August replied curtly.


    "Ahh, come on," the well-groomed woman cooed. "Stay for a little fun."


    Adrian, mesmerized by their beauty, stood frozen. This was his first encounter with women from outside his homeland. Sensing his distraction, August pulled him aside and whispered,


    "Don''t fall for their charms. They''re succubi. They¡¯ll drain you dry."


    Adrian blinked in confusion. "What are succubi?"


    "They¡¯re demons," August explained. "They feed on your energy while pleasuring you. People get addicted to them¡ªalways coming back for more, until there¡¯s nothing left of them."


    Adrian¡¯s eyes widened. "I see¡­ but what do we do? It doesn¡¯t seem like they¡¯ll just let us leave."


    "Don''t worry. I¡¯ve got this," August assured him with a confident thumbs-up.


    Returning to the women, August¡¯s demeanor shifted. "Alright," he said smoothly. "We¡¯ll go with you."


    Adrian¡¯s expression contorted in disbelief. What?!


    ¡®Why would he agree after everything he just said about them?¡¯ Adrian wondered.


    The two followed the women to a Pleasure Hall, a lavish establishment where succubi worked. Inside, numerous men were being led away into private rooms. As they walked, August leaned toward Adrian and whispered,


    "Hey, I need you to distract them."


    "Wait¡­ what? How am I supposed to do that?!" Adrian hissed.


    Before he could protest further, August vanished, slipping away unnoticed.


    "Where¡¯s the older man?" Scruffy Hair asked suspiciously.


    "Him? Uh¡­ he went to the bathroom! Yeah, that¡¯s it!" Adrian stammered, flustered.


    The well-groomed woman smirked. "Fine, I suppose we¡¯ll just have to have fun with you instead."


    Her sultry tone sent a shiver down Adrian¡¯s spine as she guided him toward one of the rooms. Meanwhile, August maneuvered through the corridors, avoiding any women who crossed his path. Weaving in and out of shadows, he made his way to the farthest end of the hall, where an enormous black door loomed before him. Towering nearly thirty feet tall, it was adorned with white roses painted across its surface.


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    With a firm push, August opened the door and stepped inside.


    Seated before him was a colossal woman. The upper half of her body appeared human, but her lower half bore the form of a spider¡¯s abdomen. Her long, jet-black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her chest¡ªimmense as an elephant¡ªrose and fell with each breath. Reclining on a massive pillow, she exhaled a thick plume of smoke from her ornate pipe, her expression one of sheer boredom.


    "I thought I smelled something," she muttered.


    "It¡¯s been a while, Erica," August said.


    At the mention of her name, the woman¡¯s golden eyes flickered with irritation. "You have some nerve showing up after thirteen years," she scoffed, releasing another cloud of smoke.


    August bowed his head slightly. "I imagine my disappearance must have concerned you. I apologize."


    "Concerned?" She scoffed. "I was not concerned!" she snapped, turning away to conceal whatever emotion flickered across her face.


    "Of course not," August replied, amused. "But I¡¯m not here for a reunion."


    "I should have known," she sighed, taking another long pull from her pipe. "What do you want?"


    "Do you know where Bernard is?"


    At the name, Erica¡¯s relaxed demeanor shifted. "Bernard?" she repeated. "That fool hasn¡¯t visited me in over a month. I don¡¯t know where he is¡ªbut if he¡¯s avoiding me, I will kill him."


    August chuckled. "We both know you wouldn¡¯t do that."


    Yet beneath his amusement, a flicker of concern crept into his features. Bernard Sylvester¡ªthe Master Craftsman of The Underground¡ªwas notorious for constantly changing locations, never staying in one place for too long. He trusted very few people, and Erica Web was one of them. For him to have gone silent for over a month¡­ something wasn¡¯t right.


    "You seriously don¡¯t know where he is?" August pressed.


    "I already told you¡ªno."


    "Alright. I understand."


    Suddenly, a frantic voice echoed through the hall.


    "August! HELP!"


    August turned just in time to see Adrian sprinting down the corridor, a horde of furious succubi chasing after him.


    "You brought a child with you?" Erica asked, raising an eyebrow.


    "Yeah. He¡¯s my new squadmate," August replied proudly.


    Erica threw her head back and laughed. "That boy? Your squadmate?"


    "That¡¯s right. And I¡¯d appreciate it if you called off your hounds before they sink their fangs into him," August said, nodding toward the approaching succubi.


    Adrian, breathless and panicked, darted behind August for cover.


    Erica sighed and waved a hand dismissively. "Enough. Go find yourselves other men¡ªthis boy is my guest!" she commanded.


    The women groaned in disappointment but obeyed.


    "He was so cute," one of them muttered as she walked away.


    As Adrian finally caught his breath, he turned to thank his savior¡ªonly to freeze in shock. His eyes traveled up, taking in Erica¡¯s sheer size. She occupied nearly half the room, her beauty mesmerizing despite her intimidating form.


    "You¡¯re huge!" he blurted out.


    Erica¡¯s eye twitched. "That¡¯s rude."


    Realizing his mistake, Adrian immediately bowed his head. "I¡¯m sorry! I should have known better. My mother always told me a woman''s weight is a sensitive subject. Please forgive me!"


    For a moment, Erica simply stared at him. Then, she smirked. "It¡¯s fine. But tell me, boy¡ªwhy are you with August?"


    "I don¡¯t understand the question," Adrian replied.


    "August is the most annoying person on this planet," she said dryly. "No one follows him around without a reason."


    "I do have a reason," Adrian said with conviction.


    "And what is that?"


    "I want to go on an adventure¡ªand help August reach Valhalla."


    Erica¡¯s laughter rang through the hall. "Valhalla? That¡¯s a folktale. Do you really believe a place like that exists?"


    "It doesn¡¯t matter if I believe in it," Adrian said. "August does. So I do too."


    His words caught August off guard, nearly bringing a tear to his eye.


    Erica studied Adrian for a long moment before exhaling deeply. "I see¡­ August, I don¡¯t know where Bernard is. But his assistant might. If you find her, she¡¯ll tell you what you need to know. Her name is Emily Vester."


    August nodded. "Thanks, Erica."


    As he and Adrian turned to leave, a faint smile graced Erica¡¯s lips.


    ¡®He¡¯s just like you, August¡­ A boy who longs for adventure. I hope you both find what you seek.¡¯

 Chapter 6: Private P.I

    As the two left the Pleasure Hall, the women stood on their balconies, waving goodbye. Adrian waved back with a smile, despite nearly being overwhelmed by them.


    Walking along the streets of the Underground, Adrian and August discussed Bernard and the Trinket.


    "Bernard Sylvester is the master craftsman who not only created my Trinket but also forged Trinkets for my entire squad," August explained.


    "I think I''d be more interested if I actually knew what a Trinket does," Adrian retorted.


    "I haven¡¯t told you? My apologies." August chuckled.


    Adrian suddenly sensed a surge of energy radiating from August as he grasped his pendant. The energy pulsed from his body into the pendant, which then began to shift and transform¡ªmorphing into the shape of an axe.


    "How did you do that?" Adrian asked, eyes wide with curiosity.


    "It¡¯s a long explanation, and I¡¯m not sure we have the time."


    "Please, just tell me." Adrian insisted, eager for an answer.


    August sighed but relented. "Alright, I suppose we have a moment." With that, he returned his axe to its original pendant form.


    The two soon found a small caf¨¦ nearby. It wasn¡¯t particularly grand, but it offered both indoor and outdoor seating and served a diverse array of dishes from various cultures¡ªsomething that greatly fascinated August. They took a seat at a small two-person table, and August called over a waitress, ordering food while insisting that Adrian try the octopus ink rice, a dish as peculiar as its name. Adrian hesitated but eventually agreed.


    "So, can you explain now?" Adrian asked.


    "Alright. Every human on this planet is born with a Soul Core. The Soul Core grants people the ability to channel their inner power and imbue a fragment of their soul into something called Purple Ore. Once the process is complete, the Purple Ore takes shape, becoming a Trinket¡ªan artifact unique to its wielder, possessing special abilities."


    "I think I understand. So humans have something called a Soul Core that allows them to bestow a fragment of their soul to something called a Soul Core?"


    "Exactly!" August beamed, clearly impressed.


    "Why do you look so excited?" Adrian asked, leaning back slightly, startled by August¡¯s enthusiasm.


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    "Sorry, but it took me a long time to understand all of that, and you grasped it in an instant. You¡¯re gifted." August grinned.


    Just then, their food arrived. Adrian scrutinized his plate, eyeing the dark-hued rice warily before glancing at August, who was watching him with an expectant smile. Hesitantly, he took a bite¡ªand to his surprise, the flavors burst on his tongue in a delightful explosion.


    "It¡¯s actually good," Adrian admitted, mouth still full.


    "Told you!" August laughed.


    As they ate, they pondered their next move.


    "This Emily Vester¡­ I don¡¯t really know what she looks like or where to find her. We¡¯ve hit a dead end," August muttered, rubbing his chin in thought.


    "Couldn¡¯t we ask around?"


    "I doubt that would help. Bernard is a secretive man. I don¡¯t think many people know anything about him, and since his shop is constantly moving, pinpointing its location is nearly impossible."


    Both of them sighed in unison, scratching their heads in frustration. How were they supposed to track down a man with no fixed location?


    Just then, a stranger approached their table¡ªa tall man clad in a sharp black suit, a crisp white shirt, polished black shoes, and a black top hat. His demeanor was composed, his presence exuding an air of secrecy.


    "Who are you?" Adrian asked warily.


    "Richard Frederick¡­ Private P.I.," the man replied.


    "That¡¯s dumb. P.I. already means Private Investigator. So does that make you a Private Private Investigator?" August said, raising an eyebrow.


    "Precisely," Richard responded, cutting him off.


    "What do you want?" Adrian pressed.


    "You¡¯re searching for someone. I can help you find them."


    "That¡¯s great! So you can¡ª" Adrian started, his excitement rising.


    But before he could finish, August interrupted, mirroring Richard¡¯s earlier rudeness. He was skeptical, his expression dark with distrust.


    "I don¡¯t know whether to trust you or not, so if you don¡¯t mind, I¡¯d like to ask you a few questions first."


    "I suppose that¡¯s fair. I have no ulterior motives," Richard said, his tone unwavering.


    "Adrian, could you stand up for a moment?" August asked.


    "Sure," Adrian complied, confusion written across his face. With his plate in hand, he observed as August locked eyes with Richard, the tension between them palpable.


    "Is the name you gave us your real name?" August asked.


    "Yes, it is."


    August showed no reaction, continuing with his interrogation. He was waiting for something¡ªsomething unspoken.


    "Are you actually a P.I.?"


    "No¡­ I¡¯m a Private P.I.," Richard answered.


    Still no reaction.


    "What¡¯s your real reason for helping us?" August pressed.


    "I simply wish to assist."


    August¡¯s eyes narrowed. "Your energy shifted. You¡¯re lying."


    August gripped his pendant, preparing for a confrontation.


    "Wait! Wait!" Richard exclaimed, raising his hands in surrender.


    "Make it quick. I¡¯m running out of patience," August warned.


    Adrian watched, surprised. This was a different side of August¡ªone far removed from the childish, carefree man he had come to know. In this moment, August radiated maturity and authority.


    "My true reason for helping you also benefits me. By aiding you, I am also aiding myself," Richard admitted, his breathing uneven.


    August closed his eyes, contemplating the revelation. Silence stretched between them for what felt like an eternity. Then, at last, he spoke.


    "Alright. We¡¯ll trust you." August extended his hand.


    "I¡¯m glad we could come to an agreement." Richard took his hand, sealing their alliance with a firm handshake.


    And so, their short-term partnership began.

 Chapter 7: Infuse, Enhance and Read

    August had informed Richard of the person they were searching for. Richard, confident in his abilities, assured them he could find her, though it might take three days or so. August accepted these terms, and with that, Richard went on his way.


    Adrian, however, couldn''t shake the feeling that August was hiding something. Why was he so guarded? Why had he been willing to kill Richard if he had been lying? These questions lingered in Adrian¡¯s mind, though he chose not to voice them.


    ¡°How were you able to tell he was lying?¡± Adrian finally asked.


    ¡°I told you about Soul Cores, right?¡± August replied.


    ¡°Yeah, I remember.¡± Adrian settled back into his seat, eager to listen.


    ¡°Soul Cores release an energy called Source Energy,¡± August explained. ¡°Once a fragment of your soul is infused into a Trinket, you activate it by channeling Source Energy. That¡¯s the first application. But there are two others: Read and Enhance."


    August leaned forward. "Let¡¯s start with Read. Source Energy is focused into the eyes, and by doing this you can perceive the energy flow within others.¡±


    ¡°So, did you use Read to see Richard¡¯s Source Energy?¡± Adrian asked, growing more intrigued.


    ¡°Yes. If someone¡¯s energy fluctuates or spikes unexpectedly, it usually means one of two things: they¡¯re either preparing to attack or they¡¯re lying.¡±


    Adrian nodded. ¡°I think I get it. But what about Enhance?¡±


    ¡°Enhance allows you to channel Source Energy throughout your body. By infusing your muscles with it, you can perform feats far beyond human limits.¡± August grinned. ¡°Pretty neat, right?¡±


    ¡°Super neat! So¡­ when are you going to teach me?¡±


    August chuckled. ¡°I¡¯ll have to train you if you want to use your Trinket properly. But first, we need a place to train¡ªand a place to sleep.¡± He let out a nervous laugh.


    ¡°Why? There are plenty of inns on the island. We could stay in one,¡± Adrian suggested.


    ¡°That would be a great idea¡ªif we had any money left,¡± August admitted, scratching his head.


    Their funds were nearly depleted. Between travel expenses, food, and other necessities, August had spent almost everything he had set aside.


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    Adrian¡¯s expression darkened with guilt. If he hadn¡¯t asked for food or that sweater, maybe they¡¯d still have enough money.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he murmured.


    ¡°Hey, kid, don¡¯t beat yourself up over it.¡± August placed a reassuring hand on Adrian¡¯s head. ¡°You¡¯re just a kid, and this is your first time in a foreign country. Wanting things is natural.¡±


    Then, an idea struck him.


    ¡°Remember that mountain we saw earlier when we arrived?¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a cavern inside. It¡¯s home to plenty of beasts, but we can use it as both a resting place and a training ground.¡±


    Adrian hesitated. ¡°I¡¯m not sure I¡¯m ready to fight beasts on that level.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll be fine. I¡¯ll be there to help,¡± August reassured him.


    ¡°Fine,¡± Adrian sighed. ¡°Let¡¯s go to the cavern.¡±


    ¡°Now that¡¯s the spirit!¡± August grinned.


    Adrian, on the other hand, didn¡¯t share his enthusiasm.


    Before heading to the cavern, they stopped at a rundown weapons and armor shop near the underground entrance. The store looked as though it could collapse at any moment, but it was all they could afford with what little money they had left.


    Inside, five rows of display cases held various pieces of armor, while helmets and weapons lined the walls.


    The shopkeeper, an irritable man, eyed them with disinterest. ¡°What do you want?¡± he asked, his voice laced with impatience.


    ¡°I¡¯d like a basic Trinket,¡± August replied.


    ¡°What kind?¡±


    August turned to Adrian. ¡°You choose. I¡¯ll find you some armor.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Adrian thought carefully. He wanted something lightweight¡ªsomething easy to maneuver with. But as he deliberated, the shopkeeper grew increasingly irritated.


    ¡°Hey! I¡¯ve got better things to do than wait for you to make up your mind!¡± he snapped.


    Adrian ignored him and focused. A short sword¡ªsomething fast and adaptable¡ªwould be perfect.


    ¡°Do you have a short sword?¡± he finally asked.


    ¡°I see. I¡¯ll bring one out.¡±


    The shopkeeper disappeared into the back and returned with a short sword. It had a wooden hilt and a katana-style blade¡ªsimple, unadorned, but elegant in its own way.


    Adrian took a long look at it. It felt right.


    ¡°Yes. This is what I want.¡±


    "Good,¡± the shopkeeper muttered, crossing his arms as he studied Adrian.


    Just then, August returned, carrying a silver chest plate and a helmet. The helmet, oddly enough, resembled a straw hat.


    ¡°I see you picked a weapon. A short sword suits you,¡± August remarked.


    Adrian tilted his head. ¡°Why does this helmet look like a straw hat?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. It just reminds me of a show I watched as a kid.¡± August shrugged.


    ¡°Okay¡­ I guess.¡±


    August handed over the last of their money to the shopkeeper, but it still wasn¡¯t enough.


    ¡°That¡¯s not gonna cut it,¡± the shopkeeper said gruffly.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have any more,¡± August admitted.


    ¡°Then no deal.¡±


    ¡°There has to be something else you want,¡± Adrian interjected.


    The shopkeeper hesitated, then smirked. ¡°Now that you mention it¡­ the monsters in the cavern have hefty bounties on their heads. Bring me some, and we¡¯ll call it even.¡±


    August grinned. ¡°Done. We¡¯ll bring you the heads of the beasts inside the cavern.¡±


    Before leaving, they signed a contract ensuring neither party could break their agreement.


    As they stepped out, the shopkeeper narrowed his eyes, a lingering thought creeping into his mind.


    That man¡­ I¡¯ve seen him somewhere before

 Chapter 8: Into The Cavern

    The two entered the cavern, venturing deeper and deeper. If not for the soft glow of light blue crystals scattered across the walls, the darkness would have been absolute. Their eerie luminescence bathed the cave in an ethereal light, casting long shadows as they walked.


    After some time, August halted in a spacious clearing. ¡°This will do.¡±


    Adrian glanced around. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to teach you how to use Source Energy.¡±


    Adrian¡¯s face lit up with excitement. Ever since he first heard about Source Energy, he had been eager to learn it for himself.


    ¡°Okay! What do I have to do?¡± He could barely contain his enthusiasm, a wide grin stretching across his face.


    Without warning, August extended his right arm, placing his hand on Adrian¡¯s chest¡ªjust above his heart. Then, he clenched his fist and delivered a solid punch to the same spot.


    The impact sent Adrian staggering. He immediately dropped to his knees, gasping as the force of the blow knocked the wind out of him. Coughing, he glared up at August in disbelief.


    ¡°What the hell was that for?¡± he demanded, anger flaring in his eyes.


    August remained unfazed. ¡°Do you feel it? The flow of Source Energy?¡±


    At first, Adrian was too focused on the pain to notice anything. But as he took a deep breath and allowed himself to relax, he felt it¡ªa sudden shift within him. His body had grown stronger, as though some hidden potential had been unlocked.


    ¡°Adrian, do you remember the three forms of Source Energy I told you about?¡±


    ¡°Infuse, Enhance, and Read,¡± Adrian recited.


    ¡°Exactly. But there are classifications that further divide them. InEn are those who can Infuse energy into Trinkets and Enhance their physical abilities. InRe are those who can Infuse and Read the flow of Source Energy. And finally, EnRe are those capable of using Enhance and Read. Everyone falls into one of these categories.¡±


    ¡°So most people can only use two types of Source Energy? What about you? What classification do you fall under?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m an InRe. I can Infuse Trinkets and Read the flow of Source Energy in others.¡±


    Adrian studied August carefully. ¡°How did you learn all of this? You¡¯re not just some ordinary person, are you?¡±


    August hesitated for a moment. ¡°What you¡¯re saying is true, but I promise I¡¯m not¡ª¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not a bad person. I know that much.¡± Adrian interrupted, his expression sincere. ¡°Anyone who smiles the way you do could never be evil.¡±


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    For a moment, August was silent. Then, instead of delivering another punch, he tapped Adrian¡¯s chest lightly with his fist and smiled.


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    Adrian grinned and adjusted his straw-hat-shaped helmet. August then reached into his pocket and pulled out several leaves, handing one to Adrian.


    ¡°What¡¯s this for?¡± Adrian asked.


    ¡°This will help determine your secondary attribute.¡±


    ¡°Secondary?¡± Adrian tilted his head slightly.


    ¡°Your first attribute is Infuse¡ªI can tell just by observing the flow of Source Energy within your body.¡±


    ¡°How is a leaf supposed to reveal my other attribute?¡±


    Instead of answering, August demonstrated. He placed a leaf in the palm of his right hand, then pressed it down with his left. After five seconds, he lifted his right hand and revealed the leaf to Adrian. A zigzag pattern had torn through its center.


    ¡°This shape signifies someone who can Read and Infuse,¡± August explained. ¡°By focusing your energy on the leaf, you¡¯ll find out which attributes you have.¡±


    ¡°I think I get the gist of it.¡± Adrian nodded, mimicking August¡¯s actions.


    He closed his eyes, calming his mind and steadying his breath. Though he had only seen the technique once, he replicated it flawlessly¡ªsomething that did not go unnoticed by August.


    ''He¡¯s unnatural¡­ The way he grasps these concepts so quickly is remarkable,'' August thought to himself.


    Adrian visualized his energy, imagining it as a river flowing from his body to the leaf. He concentrated, directing his Source Energy in a single, controlled stream. When he lifted his hand, the leaf had been torn to shreds.


    A wave of concern washed over him. ¡°Is¡­ is this bad?¡±


    August shook his head. ¡°Not at all. It means you¡¯re an InEn. The way the leaf tore signifies your battle potential and strength.¡±


    ¡°So I can Enhance, too? I can¡¯t wait to get started!¡±


    August nodded approvingly. ¡°Now, I want you to visualize your Soul Core.¡±


    Adrian did as instructed, closing his eyes once more. Minutes passed, and frustration began to creep in. He clenched his teeth, exhaling sharply before rubbing his temples in irritation.


    ¡°I can¡¯t do it!¡± he groaned, using both hands to scratch his head in frustration.


    ¡°Relax, Adrian,¡± August said patiently. ¡°Calm your mind. Good things come to those who wait.¡±


    Adrian raised an eyebrow. ¡°Did you come up with that yourself?¡±


    ¡°Nah.¡± August laughed.


    With a sigh, Adrian attempted again. This time, he focused on his breathing, silencing his thoughts. Slowly, something took shape in his mind¡ªa small orb of light near his heart. It shined brightly, its silver hue pulsing with energy.


    ¡°I see it!¡± he exclaimed.


    ¡°Good. Now, visualize it as a mountain stream. Imagine the energy flowing from the core, branching out to every part of your body.¡±


    To master Enhance, one had to understand the nature of a river¡ªhow a single source could split into multiple streams. Adrian struggled at first, but after persistent effort, he successfully directed a single branch of energy to his right arm. As the energy coursed through him, his arm felt stronger than ever.


    August pointed to a nearby wall. ¡°Try punching that.¡±


    Adrian approached the wall, took a combative stance, and clenched his fist. With all his might, he struck. The moment his fist made contact, the wall crumbled instantly.


    August smirked. ¡°See? That¡¯s your strength. I may not be an Enhancer myself, but I know a thing or two.¡±


    ¡°How do I Infuse?¡±


    ¡°The same way you channeled energy into your arm, extend it to your Trinket. That will activate your ability.¡±


    Adrian nodded. ¡°I think I understand.¡±


    ¡°Good, because now we move on.¡± August¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°As we continue through the cavern, we¡¯ll encounter several beasts. You¡¯ll use them to hone your skills.¡±


    ¡°Got it!¡±


    Adrian had taken his first real steps in mastering Source Energy. He had grown stronger¡ªbut was it enough? Deeper within the cavern, an opponent awaited, one unlike any he had faced before.

 Chapter 9: Confrontation

    3 hours before Adrian and August entered the caverns¡­


    On the western dock of Prosperum, King and Gil arrived to retrieve a batch of Purple Ore. As they stepped off the ship, they were met by the leader of Prosperum, Sir Gallant, flanked by two of his guards.


    Sir Gallant was a man adored by women for his striking looks, a fact that inflated his ego to unbearable heights. He saw most people as beneath him¡ªbut today, he was forced to show deference. The men before him were not ordinary. They were members of the World Federation.


    ¡°Welcome to Prosperum, gentlemen,¡± he said, flashing a hollow smile.


    King, unimpressed, cut straight to the point. ¡°Sir Gallant, there¡¯s no need to pretend. Just give us what we came for, and we¡¯ll be on our way.¡±


    Gallant forced an awkward laugh, his lips curling into a strained smirk.


    ¡®Damn these World Federation punks¡­ always thinking they¡¯re better than me,¡¯ he seethed internally, masking his irritation behind his polished demeanor.


    ¡°Now, now, King,¡± Gil interjected smoothly. ¡°Let¡¯s not disrespect Sir Gallant.¡±


    King scoffed, turning his head slightly to the right, clearly irritated.


    Gil turned back to Gallant. ¡°Where is the Purple Ore?¡±


    ¡°There are ten crates, each containing fifty pieces of Purple Ore,¡± Gallant replied, motioning to the stacked crates.


    Gil nodded. ¡°Have your servants load them onto our ship.¡±


    Gallant reluctantly complied, giving the order for his men to begin loading the shipment.


    As the servants worked, King¡¯s attention was drawn away¡ªnot by the ore, but by something far more delicate. Pink blossoms, carried by the wind, drifted gracefully through the air. Almost as if fate itself were guiding them, the petals flowed in the direction of the mountain.


    Gil noticed King¡¯s fixation. ¡°Hey, what¡¯s up?¡±


    King¡¯s gaze remained fixed on the mountain¡¯s peak. ¡°Nothing¡­ I just feel drawn to that place for some reason.¡±


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    ¡°Mount Prosperum?¡± Gil asked.


    ¡°There¡¯s a cavern inside, right?¡± King¡¯s voice was unusually contemplative.


    Gallant nodded. ¡°Yes, but I haven¡¯t allowed anyone inside recently. The number of monsters has increased.¡±


    King remained silent for a moment, then made up his mind.


    ¡°I¡¯m going.¡±


    Gil frowned. ¡°Wait, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s not safe!¡± Gallant interrupted, his voice shrill with concern.


    Gil, however, only chuckled. ¡°He¡¯ll be fine.¡± He turned back to the ship, keeping an eye on the shipment.


    King strode toward the cavern entrance, where two guards stood watch, placed there by Sir Gallant to keep people out. He attempted to pass without a word, but the guard on the right stepped in front of him, blocking his path.


    Their armor, silver and dulled with dust, bore a resemblance to the knights of Arthurian legend. The guard placed a firm hand on King¡¯s chest.


    A mistake.


    In one swift motion, King flipped the guard onto his back. The movement was so quick, so precise, that the guard hadn¡¯t even seen it happen.


    The second guard, enraged by the sudden attack, activated his Trinket¡ªa spear. The polished tip gleamed as he thrust it forward, stopping just inches from King¡¯s face.


    ¡°You¡¯ve committed an act of treason!¡± the guard barked. ¡°Who do you think you are?!¡±


    King¡¯s expression remained unreadable as he slowly reached into his cloak, pulling out his insignia.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t want to end up like him,¡± he said coolly, ¡°you¡¯d better stop pointing that stick at me.¡±


    The insignia bore the crest of the World Federation¡ªan eagle, a symbol of dominance and freedom. Within the Federation, there were three ranks: Intermediate Rank, denoted by bronze insignias; Knights, who bore silver; and the highest rank, Magnus Magister, marked by gold.


    The moment the guard saw the silver insignia, his face paled.


    ¡°I¡ªI¡¯m sorry, sir! I should have never put my hands on you,¡± he stammered.


    King sighed. ¡°I¡¯m sorry too.¡±


    The two guards stepped aside without another word. But as King passed, they couldn¡¯t suppress the unease creeping up their spines.


    ¡°He¡¯s so young¡­ yet he already has a silver insignia.¡±


    ¡°And those movements¡­ that¡¯s not something an ordinary soldier can do.¡±


    King entered the cavern, his footsteps echoing against the rocky walls. The deeper he went, the stronger the feeling became¡ªsomething was calling him here.


    Then, voices.


    ¡°That¡¯s how it¡¯s done!¡±


    ¡°We really didn¡¯t need to fight. We could have avoided it.¡±


    King had no intention of getting involved¡ªuntil he heard a name.


    August.


    His blood ran cold.


    August Magnus!


    His grip tightened on his sword, rage flaring in his chest. Without hesitation, he rushed forward.


    August turned sharply at the sound of his name.


    He barely had time to react before a blade came hurtling toward his throat.


    His instincts kicked in. In a split second, he activated his Trinket, deflecting the attack just before the edge could slice into his neck. The force of the clash sent sparks flying, the ringing of steel echoing through the cavern.


    Adrian, caught off guard by the sudden attack, stumbled backward and fell to the ground.


    August, his axe still locked against his attacker¡¯s blade, narrowed his eyes. ¡°Straight for the neck¡­ you¡¯re aiming to kill. Have we met before?¡±


    With pure hatred in his eyes and venom in his voice, the young swordsman shouted:


    ¡°You''re the man who killed my people!¡±

 Chapter 10: The Man Who Made Me Dream

    Fourteen years ago the elves¡ªrenowned for their strength yet unwillingness to fight¡ªwere slaughtered. Their once-thriving civilization was reduced to ashes, their bodies scattered like fallen leaves. The perpetrators? A group that August Magnus had once called his own.


    Steel clashed as August and King met in battle, their weapons colliding with explosive force. Sparks erupted, casting fleeting glimmers of light across the cavern walls.


    August pushed King back, creating a momentary gap between them. "Talk to me. Explain yourself," he demanded, his voice firm.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to explain, August Magnus¡ªHuman Dwarf of New Pegasus!¡± King bellowed.


    ¡°Who is this guy, August? And what¡¯s a Human Dwarf?¡± Adrian asked, watching from a safe distance.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± August admitted, his grip on his axe tightening. ¡°But he¡¯s a problem.¡±


    King moved like a lion circling its prey, his longsword glinting under the dim cavern light. Then¡ªhe struck.


    With blinding speed, King lunged, his blade slicing through the air, aiming for August¡¯s head.


    August barely ducked in time, the attack so close that a lock of his hair was severed and sent drifting to the ground. Wasting no time, he retaliated with a swift, brutal kick to King¡¯s stomach.


    King staggered back, clutching his abdomen. Yet, despite the pain, he advanced again, his fury unwavering. Strike after strike, he tried to pierce August¡¯s defenses, but the warrior deflected every attack with precise movements of his axe.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know who told you that nonsense, but we didn¡¯t kill your clan,¡± August said between parries. ¡°The elves were our allies.¡±


    King snarled. He didn¡¯t care.


    He planted his right foot forward, using his trailing left to propel himself toward August with blistering speed.


    Adrian, standing at a distance, watched in growing unease.


    Why does this man hate August so much?


    Then another thought struck him¡ªhe hardly knew anything about August. That realization unsettled him more than the battle itself.


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    King suddenly shifted tactics. With a powerful strike, he locked August¡¯s axe down, driving it into the ground.


    August¡¯s eyes widened.


    Seizing the moment, King thrust his sword forward, aiming for August¡¯s heart.


    ¡°Unfortunately for you,¡± August muttered, ¡°it won¡¯t be that easy.¡±


    The ground beneath them trembled.


    The sudden quake threw King off balance. His strike missed its mark, slicing into August¡¯s right abdomen instead.


    ¡°Well¡­ that didn¡¯t go to plan,¡± August murmured, glancing down at the wound.


    His legs gave out. He collapsed to the ground, King¡¯s sword still embedded in his flesh.


    King refused to let up. He pressed down, forcing the blade deeper.


    ¡°You dare hold back against me?!¡± King roared, his voice thick with rage.


    August coughed, blood dripping from his lips. ¡°What kind of adult fights a child at full strength?¡± he muttered, a weak grin forming despite the pain.


    King''s fury boiled over. He pushed the blade in further.


    Adrian watched, paralyzed by fear. His heart pounded.


    I can¡¯t beat him. I should run.


    ¡°Hey, Adrian!¡± August¡¯s voice, though strained, cut through his doubt. ¡°I told you¡ªwe¡¯re going on an adventure, and we will.¡±


    Adrian clenched his fists.


    He struck his own legs to force them into action. Terror gripped him, but he refused to stand by any longer.


    King finally acknowledged his presence, turning toward him.


    ¡°And who are you?¡±


    Adrian inhaled deeply, then shouted, ¡°I am Adrian Frihet! And I am¡­ his friend!¡±


    King scoffed. ¡°Then you¡¯re a criminal, just like him.¡±


    Adrian tightened his grip on his sword.


    Power surged through his body as he activated his ability, enhancing his physical strength beyond human limits.


    King made one mistake.


    For just a moment¡ªhe blinked.


    And in that moment, Adrian was already upon him.


    What speed! King barely had time to react.


    Adrian swung his blade with immense force. King raised his sword just in time to block, but the sheer power of the strike sent him skidding backward.


    "August! Use whatever strength you have left¡ªcollapse the cave!" Adrian shouted.


    August, barely conscious, reached for his axe. His vision blurred, but he gritted his teeth and tightened his grip.


    With a final surge of strength, he struck the cavern walls.


    A deafening rumble filled the air.


    Rocks and debris cascaded from above, creating an impassable barrier between them and King.


    ¡°You won¡¯t escape me, August Magnus!¡± King roared from the other side. ¡°Now that I know you¡¯re here, I will find you! You will pay for your crimes!¡±


    King clenched his fists, his frustration palpable. Destroying the rockfall could collapse the entire cavern¡ªhe needed another plan.


    Meanwhile, on the other side, Adrian struggled to carry August, but the older warrior''s blood flowed freely.


    ¡°Damn it,¡± Adrian muttered, lowering him gently. He tore the sleeve of his sweater and wrapped it tightly around the wound, but it wasn¡¯t enough.


    Tears welled in his eyes.


    ¡°What am I supposed to do?¡± he whispered.


    Then¡ªfootsteps echoed behind him.


    His breath hitched.


    Is it him again?


    Sweat trickled down his forehead as he slowly turned¡ª


    And saw a girl in a red cloak.

 Chapter 11: A Desperate Escape

    August lay on the cold cavern floor, his breathing shallow, his body drenched in blood. His once-imposing presence was reduced to a fragile, wounded shell.


    Adrian knelt beside him, hands shaking as he tried to stop the bleeding with a torn piece of his sweater. His mind raced¡ªhe had to do something, but the wound was too deep. He wasn¡¯t a healer. He wasn¡¯t even a fighter.


    Then he felt it¡ªsomeone behind him.


    A girl.


    She wore a crimson cloak, the hood casting a shadow over her face. A satchel rested on her back, its contents unknown. She eyed August¡¯s condition, and without hesitation, she rushed to his side.


    "What happened?" she asked urgently.


    "We, uh¡­ we were attacked," Adrian stammered, still trying to keep pressure on August¡¯s wound.


    The girl knelt down, quickly rummaging through her bag. Moments later, she pulled out a set of bandages.


    "These will slow the bleeding, but it¡¯s not enough. We need to get him to a healer."


    Adrian exhaled sharply. "I know a place."


    With a grunt, he lifted August onto his back. The older warrior was heavy, his limp weight making it a struggle, but Adrian refused to let go.


    Step by step, he carried August out of the cavern, the girl following close behind.


    Their destination¡ªthe Pleasure Hall.


    The moment they arrived, the women inside rushed to them, their eyes widening in alarm at August¡¯s condition. Within seconds, they had taken him from Adrian¡¯s arms, carrying him inside.


    Adrian stood frozen, his breath ragged.


    Then came the words that shattered him.


    "His injuries are severe. He might not make it."


    His legs nearly gave out beneath him.


    Adrian stumbled outside, collapsing onto a bench. He buried his face in his hands, his mind spiraling.


    ''If only I were stronger. If only I were faster. I couldn¡¯t even protect him¡­ No wonder he left. I¡¯m useless.''


    Beside him, the girl in the red cloak sat down.


    "He¡¯s important to you, isn¡¯t he?" she asked softly.


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    Adrian exhaled a shaky breath. "I guess."


    Meanwhile¡­ far from the Pleasure Hall, King emerged from the cavern, his blade still stained with August¡¯s blood.


    Gil waited for him outside, arms crossed. "Well?"


    King didn¡¯t waste time. "August Magnus is on the island."


    Gil¡¯s expression darkened. "August Magnus. Another relic from New Pegasus¡­ but what¡¯s he doing here in Prosperum?"


    "I don¡¯t know, and I don¡¯t care," King said coldly. "He¡¯s not leaving. Signal for reinforcements."


    Gil placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "Relax. Even if we call for backup, they won¡¯t arrive in time. Our best bet is to inform Sir Gallant and work with him to capture August Magnus."


    King exhaled sharply but nodded. "Fine. But August wasn¡¯t alone¡ªthere was a kid with him."


    Gil raised an eyebrow. "A kid?"


    "He called August Magnus his friend."


    Gil let out a laugh. "A friend? Does he even know who he¡¯s dealing with? But he¡¯s just a kid¡ªwhy are you so concerned?"


    King¡¯s jaw tightened. "Because that kid moved so fast¡­ I couldn¡¯t track him."


    Gil¡¯s amusement faded.


    King¡ªone of the fastest in his class¡ªhad been outpaced. That was no small feat.


    "A prodigy?" Gil mused.


    King¡¯s eyes narrowed. "Maybe. But from the look of it, he doesn¡¯t have a custom Trinket. He¡¯s just starting."


    Gil smirked. "No matter. With me by your side, we¡¯ll take down both August Magnus and that kid."


    King remained silent, his usual stoic expression returning.


    Two hours later the heavy wooden door of the Pleasure Hall creaked open.


    One of the succubi approached Adrian, her expression softer than before. "He¡¯s out of danger."


    Relief crashed over Adrian like a tidal wave.


    Erica Web, the mistress of the Pleasure Hall, invited Adrian and the girl in the red cloak into her chambers.


    The room was filled with luxurious pillows, thick incense curling in the air as Erica took a slow drag from her ornate pipe. The scent of exotic herbs lingered.


    Smoke billowed above them as she exhaled, her sharp gaze locking onto Adrian.


    "I¡¯ll be blunt, kid. I don¡¯t buy your story. No cavern beast could hurt August Magnus. So tell me¡ªwhat really happened?"


    Adrian hesitated before answering. "He fought someone in the caverns. I don¡¯t know who he was, but he had a grudge against August."


    Erica clicked her tongue. "A soldier from the World Federation, then. He must¡¯ve been strong to injure August like that."


    Adrian shook his head. "Not exactly. August made the ground shake, and that threw the guy off balance. But in the process, the guy still managed to stab him."


    Erica sighed, rubbing her temple. "That showoff¡­ No matter. You two need to leave. If that guy was with the World Federation, they¡¯ll be hunting both of you."


    Adrian¡¯s hands curled into fists. His breath quickened.


    "You¡¯re afraid of the World Federation?" Erica asked.


    Adrian swallowed hard. "No. Something worse¡­ My mother."


    Erica arched a brow. "Well, I have a boat you can¡ª"


    "We can¡¯t leave." Adrian¡¯s voice was firm. "We came here to find the man who can make my Trinket. And I know August won¡¯t leave without it."


    Erica studied him for a long moment. His determination¡­ it reminded her of someone. Someone equally stubborn.


    She sighed. "Fine. Then why don¡¯t you tell us where Bernard is?"


    She turned her gaze toward the girl.


    Adrian blinked. "Her? Why her?"


    Erica smirked. "Why don¡¯t you take off that cloak, Emily Vester?"


    The girl hesitated, then slowly pulled back her hood.


    Adrian¡¯s breath caught in his throat.


    Her brown hair cascaded over her shoulders, her amber eyes glimmering under the dim candlelight. Her petite frame and beautifully tanned complexion only added to her striking presence.


    He could only manage a stunned whisper. "She¡¯s Emily Vester?"


    Emily clasped her hands together, looking down. "I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t reveal myself sooner¡­ It¡¯s just¡ªI¡¯m finding it difficult to trust people right now."


    Adrian furrowed his brows. "Why?"


    Emily¡¯s expression darkened.


    "Because Bernard was taken¡­ by the monarch of Prosperum¡ªSir Gallant."

 Chapter 12: A Prison Of Chains

    Far beneath the grand mansion of Prosperum¡¯s ruler lay a damp, shadowed dungeon. The air was thick with rot, and the stone walls dripped with condensation.


    Sir Gallant descended the narrow steps, his boots echoing in the silence. He walked with purpose, approaching a lone cell at the end of the corridor.


    Gripping the cold iron bars, he peered inside.


    A man sat chained to the wall¡ªhis once-powerful frame reduced to frail bones and pale skin. His scruffy hair and unkempt beard showed months of neglect. This was Bernard Sylvester, the world¡¯s greatest Trinket Blacksmith.


    Gallant¡¯s voice sliced through the stillness.


    ¡°So, you still refuse to comply, Bernard Sylvester?¡±


    Bernard slowly lifted his head, his hollow eyes meeting Gallant¡¯s.


    ¡°Comply? Comply with what, exactly?¡±


    Gallant¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°You know damn well what. You will forge me a weapon strong enough to topple the heavens!¡±


    His voice thundered through the chamber as he slammed his fist against the bars.


    Bernard let out a dry, rasping laugh. ¡°Topple the heavens, he says. You fool. No weapon in existence can do that.¡±


    Gallant¡¯s eyes burned with fury. ¡°That¡¯s a lie! The four weapons you crafted before¡ªthe ones wielded by the great warriors of New Pegasus¡ªcould rival the gods themselves!¡±


    Bernard smirked, a shadow of his former arrogance glinting through his exhaustion. ¡°A weapon¡¯s power comes from its wielder. You are not strong enough to command such a thing.¡±


    Gallant¡¯s patience snapped. Grabbing a nearby cup of week-old water, he flung it into Bernard¡¯s face.


    Without another word, he turned and stormed out of the dungeon, his temper barely restrained. As he ascended the steps, a soldier approached him.


    ¡°Sir, the representatives from the World Federation want to see you.¡±


    Gallant¡¯s frown deepened. What could they possibly want?


    Gallant strode through the lavish halls of his mansion. Every few steps, he passed a grand portrait of himself, framed in pure gold. His vanity was unmatched¡ªno one was greater than him.


    No one except¡­


    ¡°Sir Gallant, there¡¯s something you need to know.¡±


    Gil¡¯s voice pulled him from his thoughts.


    No one except the World Federation.


    Gallant turned to face Gil and King, the two World Federation agents standing before him.


    ¡°King recently encountered August Magnus of New Pegasus.¡±


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    The color drained from Gallant¡¯s face. ¡°August Magnus is here?¡± His voice wavered.


    Gil nodded. ¡°We don¡¯t know why, but we¡¯d like your assistance in subduing him.¡±


    Gallant swallowed hard. He did know why August was here, but revealing that information to the Federation would only bring trouble.


    King¡¯s sharp gaze studied him. ¡°You¡¯re hiding something.¡±


    Gallant scoffed. ¡°Hiding? Why would I hide anything from you?¡±


    Gil crossed his arms. ¡°Where were you before we arrived?¡±


    ¡°In my room.¡±


    King remained silent for a moment before shrugging. ¡°Alright then. What¡¯s the plan?¡±


    Gallant forced himself to regain his composure. ¡°If August Magnus is here, he¡¯s likely in the Underground section of Prosperum. If he had been spotted anywhere else, I would have been informed immediately. I¡¯ll lend you a portion of my army to assist in raiding the Underground.¡±


    Gil hesitated. ¡°Won¡¯t your people be furious?¡±


    Gallant let out a dry chuckle. ¡°Those rats aren¡¯t my people. They refuse to pay taxes, and I can¡¯t do anything about it because of their strength.¡±


    King smirked. ¡°Then your army is useless. If they can¡¯t handle a few troublemakers, what good are they to us?¡±


    Gallant clenched his fists but kept his expression calm. ¡°They may not be the strongest, but they can help you search the area.¡±


    King exhaled. ¡°Fine. We¡¯ll take what we can get.¡±


    As the two Federation agents turned away, Gallant¡¯s expression darkened. One day, the World Federation will bow before me. Mark my words.


    In the Pleasure Hall, Erica reclined on a plush cushion, exhaling a plume of smoke from her ornate pipe. Across from her, Adrian and Emily Vester¡ªthe assistant to Bernard Sylvester¡ªsat in tense conversation.


    Emily had finally removed her cloak, revealing her delicate features, amber eyes, and tanned skin.


    Erica¡¯s voice was sharp. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you come to me when Bernard was taken?¡±


    Emily¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°To be honest, I never liked your relationship with my master.¡±


    Erica smirked. ¡°Damn brat.¡±


    Emily ignored her, turning to Adrian. ¡°I don¡¯t trust her, but I trust you. My master always spoke fondly of August. It¡¯s unfortunate he¡¯s in that state.¡±


    Adrian met her gaze with unwavering determination. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll save him.¡±


    Erica let out a loud laugh, nearly choking on her smoke. She set her pipe down, wiping tears from her eyes.


    ¡°Ha! You? Save Bernard? Kid, do you even know what you¡¯re up against? The World Federation, Gallant¡¯s forces¡­ You think you¡¯re ready for that?¡±


    Adrian¡¯s voice was steady. ¡°With Emily¡¯s help, I am.¡±


    Emily blinked. ¡°Me? How am I supposed to help?¡±


    ¡°You know how to make Trinkets, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Well, yeah, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°Perfect. You¡¯ll help me create mine. With that Trinket, I¡¯ll save Bernard.¡±


    Erica smirked. ¡°Not a bad plan, kid.¡±


    Emily, however, looked uncertain. ¡°But¡­ I¡¯m not as good as my master.¡±


    Adrian placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. ¡°You¡¯ve got this.¡±


    His confidence startled her. Something about his conviction made her hesitate¡ªthen, finally, she nodded.


    ¡°Fine. But we¡¯ll need to go to the Workshop.¡±


    ¡°The Workshop?¡±


    ¡°What do you think? It¡¯s Bernard¡¯s personal forge.¡±


    Adrian turned to Erica. ¡°Take care of August for me. I¡¯ll be back soon.¡±


    Erica waved him off. ¡°Go, kid. Try not to die.¡±


    The deepest parts of the Underground were home to the worst criminals in Prosperum. It was here that Emily led Adrian, weaving through dark alleyways until they reached two massive, rundown buildings.


    Between them stood an unassuming storehouse.


    Adrian frowned. ¡°This is it?¡±


    Emily pushed open the door, and the inside took his breath away.


    The space was massive, far larger than the exterior suggested. The oakwood floors gleamed under the dim lantern light, and the walls¡ªmade of sturdy brick¡ªwere lined with weapons.


    On the right wall, axes.


    On the left, swords.


    And in the center, behind a massive worktable, various pieces of armor glistened in the light.


    Emily walked toward the table, motioning for Adrian to follow.


    ¡°Well? You coming?¡±


    Adrian stepped inside, still in awe.


    Emily dumped the contents of her bag onto the worktable. Dozens of shimmering purple ores tumbled out, catching the dim light.


    Adrian raised an eyebrow. ¡°What¡¯s with the weird purple rocks?¡±


    Emily rolled her eyes. ¡°They¡¯re not¡ª¡± She paused, then sighed. ¡°You know what? Fine. They¡¯re rocks. But with these ¡®rocks,¡¯ I¡¯m going to make you a Trinket.¡±


    She held up a piece of ore, her amber eyes glinting with determination.

 Chapter 13: The Birth Of Trinket

    Emily donned her protective gear before presenting a slab of Purple Ore to Adrian. Holding it up, she began her explanation.


    ¡°This is Purple Ore, also known as a Soul Shard. It¡¯s one of the two essential elements needed to forge a Trinket. By infusing a fragment of your soul into the shard, it will take on a form that reflects your very essence.¡±


    She gestured toward the ore. ¡°Place your hands on it and channel energy from your Soul Core.¡±


    Adrian nodded. ¡°So, I just have to infuse it with Source Energy, right?¡±


    He stretched out his hands and pressed them firmly against the slab. Almost instantly, the ore began to shimmer, its deep purple hue shifting and transforming until it turned pure white.


    Emily¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°White¡­ I¡¯ve never seen that color before.¡± She was mesmerized by its radiance.


    Adrian hesitated. ¡°Does that mean I¡¯m¡­ strange?¡±


    Emily shook her head. ¡°No. In many cultures, white symbolizes purity. This just means you have a pure soul.¡±


    Purity. Innocence. These words described Adrian perfectly. Unlike so many in their world, his soul had yet to be tainted by its cruelty.


    Without another word, Emily took the Soul Shard and placed it into the roaring flames of her furnace. As the heat engulfed it, the ore began to shift¡ªfirst forming into a dagger, then a pendant. Finally, Emily pulled the pendant from the fire and placed it onto a bed of ice atop a nearby workbench.


    Adrian instinctively reached for it.


    ¡°Don¡¯t!¡± Emily snapped. ¡°It¡¯s still too hot. You¡¯ll have to wait before touching it.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Exhausted, Emily slumped onto a bench in the corner of the workshop. She grabbed a cloth from the edge of the table, wiping the sweat from her brow, before motioning for Adrian to join her.


    For all her beauty, she wasn¡¯t the refined type. But Adrian didn¡¯t care about such things. He simply smiled and took a seat beside her.


    Emily broke the silence. ¡°Who is August Magnus to you?¡±


    Adrian leaned back, gazing up at the wooden ceiling. ¡°To be honest, I¡¯m not entirely sure. But what I do know is¡­ I look up to him.¡± A soft smile formed on his lips.


    Emily found herself admiring his honesty. His words, so simple yet sincere, reminded her of her own master. The thought made her chest tighten, and before she knew it, tears began to roll down her cheeks.


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    Adrian noticed immediately. ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    Emily quickly wiped her face. ¡°Sorry¡­ I was just thinking about my master.¡±


    Adrian shook his head. ¡°Don¡¯t apologize for crying. It¡¯s not a weakness¡ªit¡¯s proof that you care.¡±


    His words left her momentarily speechless. For someone so young, he spoke with the wisdom of an adult.


    Emily wiped the last of her tears away. Meanwhile, Adrian found himself reflecting on his own emotions. The mere thought of losing August terrified him, and seeing Emily in pain only deepened his understanding of what the man meant to him.


    She broke the silence once more. ¡°How old are you?¡±


    ¡°Fourteen.¡±


    Emily blinked. ¡°So, you¡¯re two years younger than me?¡±


    Adrian¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You¡¯re sixteen?! I thought you were older!¡±


    She laughed. ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s cool.¡±


    Their conversation was suddenly interrupted by a loud banging on the workshop door.


    Adrian¡¯s instincts flared. He immediately assumed it was one of the World Federation soldiers who had attacked him and August. He turned to Emily. ¡°Don¡¯t open it.¡±


    Ignoring him, Emily peered through the small round glass embedded in the door. Instead of a soldier, she saw a man in a suit.


    Curious, Adrian stepped forward for a closer look. The moment his eyes settled on the figure outside, recognition struck him. Without hesitation, he threw the door open and spoke the name¡ª


    "It¡¯s you¡­ Richard Frederick."


    The man outside turned on his heel, seemingly ready to leave. But the moment he heard Adrian call his name, he stopped and looked back.


    ¡°Adrian? You¡¯re here? How?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a long story. Why are you here?¡±


    Richard exhaled. ¡°I was tracking Emily Vester¡¯s whereabouts. My plan was to confirm her location and then report back to you and August. But I guess you beat me to it.¡±


    Adrian grinned. ¡°Yeah. We found her.¡±


    A sudden idea flashed in Adrian¡¯s mind, almost like a lightbulb flickering to life.


    ¡°Richard, I still need your help. Since you seem to know a lot, I¡¯m assuming you¡¯re familiar with the layout of Sir Gallant¡¯s mansion?¡±


    Emily frowned, stepping forward to grab Adrian¡¯s shoulder. She pulled him back slightly and whispered in his ear. ¡°Are you sure we can trust him?¡±


    Adrian¡¯s voice was firm. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter whether we trust him. We need him.¡±


    Richard smirked. He had anticipated the request. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I have the full layout of Gallant¡¯s mansion with me.¡± His expression darkened slightly. ¡°Don¡¯t ask me why¡ªI won¡¯t answer.¡±


    Without further delay, he began to explain.


    ¡°Sir Gallant¡¯s mansion has two known floors: the ground level and the second floor, which consists of various corridors and rooms. However, there¡¯s also a hidden underground level¡ªa dungeon that only a handful of people are aware of. It¡¯s where Gallant tortures and imprisons those who defy him. And because no one ever leaves that place alive, the secret remains well kept.¡±


    Emily bit her lip, deep in thought. Breaking into the mansion of the Monarch of Prosperum wouldn¡¯t be easy. It was heavily guarded, and their chances of success were slim.


    Adrian, however, didn¡¯t hesitate. He turned toward the workbench, where his Trinket had been resting on ice. Now that the ice had melted, he reached for it.


    As soon as his fingers wrapped around the pendant, he poured Source Energy into it. The Trinket responded immediately, shifting and reshaping itself.


    A confident grin spread across Adrian¡¯s face.


    ¡°Then it¡¯s simple. We¡¯ll raid the mansion¡­ and go in guns blazing.¡±


    At his words, the Trinket finally settled into its true form¡ª


    A Pugio.


    The dagger gleamed under the workshop¡¯s light, its design breathtaking. The scabbard was white, the sheath crafted from brass, and the blade itself bore the intricate engraving of a mighty wolf. Its elegance was undeniable.


    The battle was coming. And Adrian was ready.

 Chapter 14: The Plan

    After receiving his Trinket, Adrian, Emily, and Richard returned to the Pleasure Hall to meet with Erica. Once inside her room, they began discussing their plan. However, before they could delve into the details, Erica delivered unsettling news.


    ¡°The two World Federation soldiers and Sir Gallant¡¯s guards have started raiding different parts of the Underground to find August.¡±


    The room fell silent as the weight of her words sank in. But instead of panic, Adrian¡¯s expression remained calm¡ªalmost thoughtful.


    ¡°This might actually work in our favor,¡± he said.


    The others turned to him in disbelief, as if he had gone mad.


    ¡°What are you saying? If they come here, they¡¯ll find August,¡± Richard objected.


    Erica, however, understood Adrian¡¯s line of thinking. She took a slow drag from her pipe before explaining.


    ¡°It¡¯s a risk, but one worth taking.¡±


    Emily frowned. ¡°What are you two talking about?¡±


    ¡°With most of Gallant¡¯s forces concentrated in the Underground, his mansion will be left vulnerable. There won¡¯t be as much security there,¡± Erica clarified.


    Emily¡¯s eyes widened in realization. ¡°So we can use this to our advantage and raid the mansion!¡±


    Despite the opportunity, Adrian couldn¡¯t shake his concern for August. The man was in no condition to fight, let alone escape if something went wrong. He struggled to think of a way to keep him safe without alarming him, but no solution came to mind. Erica, sensing his unease, exhaled another plume of smoke before offering an answer.


    ¡°My girls will take August to a boat at the shore. Once you rescue Bernard, you¡¯ll meet them there and escape.¡±


    Adrian nodded. ¡°So that¡¯s the plan.¡± He then turned to Richard. ¡°What about you? What are you going to do?¡±


    Richard let out a weary sigh, rubbing the bridge of his nose.


    ¡°I¡¯ve given you all the information you need. I think I¡¯ll take my leave¡ªI don¡¯t want to get involved any further.¡±


    Adrian studied him for a moment before extending his hand. Richard hesitated, then clasped it in a firm handshake. No words were needed; the gesture spoke for itself.


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    As he turned to leave, Richard gave one last parting remark.


    ¡°I hope your destiny is filled with triumph.¡±


    Adrian watched him go before attempting to leave the room himself, intent on speaking with August. But before he could, Erica stepped in his way.


    ¡°Do you want August to worry?¡± she asked.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°He sees you as a son, Adrian. If he finds out you¡¯re marching straight into enemy territory, he¡¯ll force himself out of bed and try to stop you. Just go. Talk to him after you¡¯ve saved Bernard.¡±


    Adrian clenched his fists but eventually sighed. ¡°I understand.¡± His voice carried a tinge of disappointment.


    Without another word, he and Emily set off toward the mansion, located at the far right of the island. The path ahead was lined with pink blossom trees, their petals drifting softly in the breeze.


    Meanwhile, Erica, now in her human-sized form, made her way to August¡¯s room. The moment she stepped inside, anger flared in her chest. Seeing him in such a weakened state¡ªpale, frail, barely able to sit up¡ªfilled her with frustration.


    ¡°Hey, Erica. What¡¯s up?¡± August greeted her with his usual carefree smile.


    Her jaw tightened. ¡°Don¡¯t ¡®what¡¯s up¡¯ me.¡± She marched over and grabbed him by the collar, her voice trembling. ¡°When were you planning to tell him?¡±


    August blinked, taken aback. ¡°Tell him what?¡±


    Her grip tightened. ¡°That you¡¯re dying.¡±


    Instead of denying it, August let out a soft sigh¡ªone of relief rather than fear.


    ¡°So¡­ you know.¡± His voice was calm. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to worry anyone.¡±


    Erica¡¯s throat tightened. ¡°How long do you have left?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± August admitted. ¡°But every time I use Source Energy, it gets worse.¡±


    Erica¡¯s hands trembled as she slowly released him. ¡°Then why? Why keep pushing yourself? Why continue adventuring when you know it¡¯s killing you?¡±


    August¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°Because I need to know.¡±


    ¡°Know what?¡±


    He hesitated for a moment, as if weighing whether to tell her the truth. Finally, he spoke.


    ¡°What we saw thirteen years ago¡­ when we reached the gate.¡±


    Erica¡¯s breath caught. She took a step back, her eyes widening. ¡°You mean¡­ it exists?¡±


    August nodded. ¡°Yes. The Gate to Valhalla exists.¡±


    A shiver ran down Erica¡¯s spine. She had always dismissed it as legend, nothing more than a story passed down through generations. But now, she was standing before someone who had seen it with his own eyes.


    ¡°Then why don¡¯t you remember how you got there?¡± she asked.


    August¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°That¡¯s the thing. I don¡¯t remember. We opened the gate¡­ and everything after that is a blur.¡±


    The silence between them was heavy. Erica expected him to be frustrated or desperate to regain his lost memories. But instead, August remained¡­ calm.


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you freaking out?¡± she finally asked.


    August chuckled. ¡°Would it help?¡±


    She narrowed her eyes. ¡°And Adrian? What do you see in him?¡±


    His smile softened. ¡°A kid like me. Someone who was once trapped¡­ and then freed by a person who thirsted for adventure.¡±


    Erica wiped the lingering tears from her face and turned toward the door. There was no point dwelling on her emotions¡ªthere was still work to do.


    Just as she reached for the handle, August called out.


    ¡°Erica!¡±


    She glanced back.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry¡ªI¡¯ll be fine.¡± His grin widened. ¡°Oh, and can you bring me some fruit?¡±


    Erica scoffed, rolling her eyes. ¡°You¡¯re still annoying.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ is that a no on the fruit?¡±


    She didn¡¯t answer. Instead, she stepped outside, closing the door behind her.


    The moment she was alone, the tears returned.


    She wanted nothing more than to stay by his side.


    But right now, she had to make sure he lived long enough to have a future.

 Chapter 15: The Trap Is Set

    Adrian and Emily sprinted toward the mansion, the dense forest around them a blur. Trees loomed in their path, but they dodged and weaved through the obstacles with ease, their focus unshaken.


    Meanwhile, in the Underground, King, Gil, and Sir Gallant¡¯s men raided several hideouts, their frustration mounting with each dead end.


    King¡¯s patience wore thin. ¡°This is pointless. We¡¯re no closer to finding August Magnus.¡±


    Gil placed a steadying hand on his shoulder. ¡°Stay calm. We¡¯ve reached Erica Web¡¯s Pleasure Hall. If anyone knows something, it¡¯s her.¡±


    As if summoned, Erica emerged from the entrance, her human form as alluring as ever. She greeted them with a slow, knowing smile.


    ¡°Hello, gentlemen. How can I help you?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re looking for a criminal,¡± King stated. ¡°August Magnus.¡±


    At the mention of the name, Erica¡¯s eyes flickered ever so slightly. ¡°August Magnus, you said? Sorry, I don¡¯t know anyone by that name.¡±


    Gil caught the slight change in her expression and glanced at King. He already knew¡ªErica was lying. But before Gil could act, King¡¯s patience snapped.


    Without hesitation, he activated his Trinket. His long sword gleamed as he lunged forward, aiming straight for Erica¡¯s heart.


    And then¡ªhe stopped.


    His body refused to move. No matter how hard he tried, he was frozen in place.


    Erica chuckled, holding up a nearly invisible thread. ¡°Thin, aren¡¯t they?¡±


    King¡¯s jaw clenched. ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    ¡°These,¡± she said, tugging lightly, ¡°are my webs. And you, my dear, are caught in them. Frustrating, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    King exhaled sharply. ¡°Very. But you will not stop me from capturing August Magnus.¡±


    His sword shimmered, shifting its form.


    ¡°Elfin King¡ªForm Three.¡±


    Before their eyes, the blade fractured into ten floating daggers, hovering like silent assassins. In a single motion, they sliced through the threads, severing his restraints.


    Erica¡¯s confident smirk faltered. This wasn¡¯t ordinary Trinket Metamorphosis. Only one Trinket bore the name Elfin.


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    ¡°¡­Are you the king of the elves?¡± she asked cautiously.


    King¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°I am no king. A king has subjects to rule. I have no such luxury.¡±


    A sinking feeling settled in Erica¡¯s stomach. This is worse than I thought.


    With the daggers poised behind him, King seized the advantage. They shot forward with terrifying speed. Thinking quickly, Erica spun a wall of webbing to slow them down. But as she focused on defense, she lost sight of King.


    Using her own web as cover, he darted behind her, his sword reforming in an instant. The blade cut through the air, aiming for her back. At the last moment, Erica swung her arm into its path, enlarging it in an attempt to absorb the impact.


    The blade sliced through effortlessly.


    Her severed limb hit the ground with a sickening thud, shrinking back to its human form.


    King regarded her coolly. ¡°So¡­ you have to prepare that thread inside your body before releasing it. Meaning¡ªthis isn¡¯t a Trinket ability.¡±


    Erica clenched her teeth. Damn this kid¡­ I just have to hope they got August out in time.


    A voice rang out from the doorway.


    ¡°Yo, what¡¯s going on here?¡±


    Erica¡¯s heart stopped.


    August Magnus stood at the entrance, his customary, cheerful grin firmly plastered on his face.


    ¡°You idiot!¡± Erica snapped. ¡°Why are you still here?¡±


    August scratched his head. ¡°I dunno. Your women were trying to move me somewhere, but¡ªam I interrupting something?¡±


    King¡¯s body tensed. His eyes locked onto August, his fury igniting all over again. His sword dissolved back into daggers, which launched toward August at deadly speed.


    August¡¯s grin faded. His hand shot forward, activating his Trinket as he slammed his axe into the ground. The earth beneath them trembled, rising to form a thick stone wall that blocked the attack. The daggers clashed against it, falling uselessly to the ground.


    The barrier crumbled as August lowered his hand. His gaze flickered to Erica, then to her severed arm. His expression shifted¡ªfrom confusion to realization.


    His attention snapped back to King.


    ¡°You did this?¡± His voice, usually lighthearted, was now laced with fury.


    King smirked. ¡°And if I did?¡±


    The air grew thick with tension.


    August¡¯s grip tightened around his axe. With a single, powerful swing, he struck the ground. Spikes of stone erupted, surging toward King.


    King barely reacted. ¡°Elfin King¡ªForm Two. Sun Shield.¡±


    His daggers reformed into a radiant circular shield, a golden sun emblazoned on its surface. The stone spikes crashed into it, shattering on impact.


    August whistled. ¡°Neat trick.¡±


    King smirked. ¡°It absorbs momentum and nullifies force. If you want to hurt me, August Magnus, you¡¯ll have to do better.¡±


    As their battle escalated, Erica turned her gaze to Gil. Something was wrong.


    He hadn¡¯t moved.


    Suspicious, she cast her web around him, ensnaring him with ease. But he didn¡¯t resist.


    ¡°¡­Why aren¡¯t you fighting back?¡± she demanded.


    Gil chuckled. ¡°Because clones like me don¡¯t fight.¡±


    Erica¡¯s stomach dropped. ¡°¡­What?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t fight,¡± he said with a smirk.


    Realization struck her like a thunderbolt.


    They had been deceived.


    Gil had created a clone to accompany King in the Underground while the real Gil remained at the mansion, waiting.


    Which meant¡ª


    Adrian and Emily were walking straight into a trap.


    Adrian and Emily strode through the dense woods, the mansion just ahead.


    Suddenly, chains lashed out from the shadows, wrapping around the trees and sealing them inside.


    Adrian¡¯s instincts flared. Something¡¯s wrong.


    He stepped protectively in front of Emily, drawing his Pugio dagger and assuming a defensive stance.


    From behind a tree, a figure emerged.


    ¡°It¡¯s a good thing I trusted King¡¯s hunch,¡± he mused, twirling his weapon¡ªa long chain, its end adorned with a wickedly sharp scythe.


    Adrian¡¯s grip tightened around his dagger. ¡°Who are you?¡±


    The man grinned.


    ¡°Gil Hunter. World Federation soldier.¡±

 Chapter 16: Similarities

    One hour and thirty minutes ago, inside Sir Gallant¡¯s mansion, King¡¯s sharp instincts told him something was off. Gallant had lied about his whereabouts before speaking to them. Instead of confronting him immediately, King and Gil feigned their departure and hid, waiting for Gallant to return to wherever he had been.


    Their patience was rewarded. It didn¡¯t take long before Gallant made his way back to his hidden torture chamber. Moving silently, King and Gil followed.


    Inside, they found Bernard Sylvester¡ªrestrained, beaten, and barely conscious.


    Gil smirked. ¡°I guess following you was the right decision after all.¡±


    Gallant¡¯s face paled. ¡°Wha¡ªWhat are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious?¡± Gil replied. ¡°We never trusted you.¡± He gestured toward Bernard. ¡°And now everything makes sense. No wonder August Magnus is here.¡±


    The mention of August¡¯s name made Bernard lift his head, his eyes filled with sudden urgency.


    ¡°August is here?¡±


    King stepped forward, his voice devoid of emotion. ¡°Yes. But unfortunately for you, he won¡¯t be alive long enough to save you.¡±


    It was then that they devised a strategy¡ªone designed to turn any potential rescue attempt into a trap. They were certain someone would come for Bernard, but who exactly remained uncertain.


    To execute their plan, Gil used his ability to create a perfect clone of himself. While the clone would accompany King to the Underground, the real Gil would stay behind, hidden within the mansion, waiting for the rescuers to arrive.


    Their gamble paid off. Adrian and Emily had walked straight into their trap.


    Before parting ways, King gave his partner a final warning.


    ¡°Gil, don¡¯t underestimate that kid. Even now, I can feel him getting stronger.¡±


    Gil grinned. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t lose. Besides, I have to be around to help you achieve your goal.¡±


    And with that, their plan was set in motion.


    Adrian and Emily moved cautiously through the dense forest, the tension thick in the air. Then, without warning, a metallic clank echoed around them. In an instant, a massive chain wrapped around the forest, sealing them inside.


    Adrian¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t good,¡± he murmured.


    Emily¡¯s hand twitched as she tapped into her ability, analyzing the energy surrounding them.


    ¡°His Trinket is controlling this chain,¡± she whispered. ¡°If we want to escape, we have to defeat him.¡±


    A shadow moved from the trees, stepping into view.


    Gil Hunter.


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    "It¡¯s a good thing I trusted King¡¯s hunch," he said, lazily swinging his enormous chain. ¡°Otherwise, we never would have figured out that Bernard Sylvester was here.¡±


    Adrian¡¯s grip on his weapon tightened. ¡°Who are you?¡±


    ¡°Gil Hunter,¡± he answered. ¡°World Federation soldier.¡±


    Gil smirked and took a step forward. ¡°Even though I¡¯m ranked lower than King, don¡¯t make the mistake of underestimating me.¡±


    Without hesitation, he lashed his chain toward them. The massive blade at the end cut through the air, seconds away from decapitating them both.


    Adrian reacted instantly.


    Activating his Trinket, he enhanced his physical capabilities and brought up his dagger, using the flat of the blade to block the strike. Sparks flew as metal clashed against metal. Gritting his teeth, Adrian pushed back with immense force, sending the chain recoiling.


    Gil whistled, impressed. ¡°Not bad. King told me you were using a borrowed Trinket before. But now¡­ you have a real one.¡±


    He spun the chain effortlessly, its movements fluid and deadly.


    ¡°Tell me,¡± he said, ¡°why are you fighting for a criminal like August Magnus?¡±


    Adrian exhaled, his expression calm and unwavering.


    ¡°Because he made me dream.¡± His voice carried no hesitation. ¡°By sharing his goals and ambitions, he gave me purpose. He trusted me. And through this journey with him, I¡¯ve achieved my dream¡ªto travel the world on an adventure.¡±


    A slow smile spread across Adrian¡¯s face¡ªthe same carefree, confident grin August always wore.


    Something about his words struck a chord in Gil. A memory surfaced¡ªone from three years ago.


    At the World Federation headquarters, Gil Hunter had just graduated from the academy at the top of his class. His performance had earned him an assignment with an elite partner¡ªsomeone who had graduated years ahead of him despite being younger.


    Gil had expected a disciplined, commanding officer. Instead, when he entered the meeting room, he found a boy lounging on a couch, eyes shut, completely unbothered.


    Gil¡¯s first thought was simple.


    This guy gives off smug energy.


    Suppressing his irritation, he stepped forward.


    ¡°Hello there. I¡¯m Gil Hunter, your new partner.¡±


    No response.


    Gil¡¯s eye twitched. This little brat.


    Irritated, he swung a punch, aiming straight for King¡¯s face.


    But before the attack could land, King casually raised his hand and caught Gil¡¯s fist mid-air, stopping it effortlessly.


    ¡°That¡¯s a rude way to wake someone up,¡± King said, finally opening his eyes.


    ¡°Wait¡ªyou were sleeping?!¡± Gil demanded.


    King tilted his head. ¡°When did you get here?¡±


    "...Are you seriously telling me you didn¡¯t even notice me walk in?"


    "Yeah, I was asleep."


    Gil sighed, withdrawing his fist. "Fine. I¡¯ll introduce myself again. I¡¯m Gil Hunter, your new partner."


    King leaned back. "Cool. But forget what they told you about following my orders. We¡¯re partners. Equals."


    Gil blinked, caught off guard. Most high-ranking soldiers would¡¯ve seized the opportunity to assert dominance. But King wasn¡¯t like most soldiers.


    Over time, their partnership grew.


    One night, sitting around a campfire, they shared stories of their pasts.


    Gil spoke of his family¡ªhis mother, his brother, and the friends he had left behind to become a warrior strong enough to protect them.


    King listened. Then, after a moment, he spoke.


    "That¡¯s amazing. Unfortunately, I don¡¯t have a life outside the World Federation. My people were killed."


    Gil frowned. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to apologize,¡± King replied, his voice calm. ¡°The ones who should apologize are those responsible.¡±


    ¡°Who?¡±


    ¡°New Pegasus.¡±


    Gil¡¯s entire body tensed. ¡°Them?! They¡¯re criminals only the highest ranks in the Federation can combat. How the hell do you plan to take them down?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care what it takes,¡± King said, clenching his fist. ¡°I will take them down.¡±


    Gil almost laughed. It was impossible. New Pegasus was feared across the world. But King didn¡¯t waver. His conviction was absolute.


    Then, King extended his hand.


    "Alone, I might not be able to defeat them. But with you¡ªmy partner¡ªmy chances are much higher. Please, join me."


    That moment changed everything for Gil.


    He had joined the Federation to protect his loved ones, and taking down the world¡¯s greatest criminals would be a huge step toward that goal. More than that¡ªhis friend was asking for his help.


    How could he say no?


    With a grin, he shook King¡¯s hand.


    "Alright. Let¡¯s take those bastards down."


    Snapping back to the present, Gil looked at Adrian, his grip tightening on his chain.


    He couldn¡¯t deny it¡ªAdrian reminded him of himself.


    A dreamer. Just like King.

 Chapter 17: Doubt and Conviction

    For a fleeting moment, doubt crept into Gil¡¯s mind. Seeing Adrian¡ªso innocent, so unwavering in his trust¡ªfight for August Magnus made him hesitate.


    Could I have been wrong about him?


    But hesitation was a weakness he couldn¡¯t afford.


    Burying his uncertainty, Gil drove his scythe into the ground. A shadow split from him, forming a clone. Then another. And another. Soon, a small army of identical figures surged forward, separating Adrian from Emily.


    Adrian tensed, his gaze flicking between the copies.


    Gil¡¯s voice echoed through them.


    ¡°Relax. They don¡¯t fight. They can¡¯t fight.¡±


    Adrian¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Where did you take Emily?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s safe. I don¡¯t hurt girls.¡±


    Adrian gritted his teeth. ¡°So what now? Are you actually going to fight me, or are you going to keep hiding behind your clones?¡±


    The copies surrounded him, a perfect circle of motionless figures. Then, without a word, the ones between him and Gil vanished, dissolving like mist.


    Gil stepped forward, slow and deliberate.


    ¡°To be honest¡­ I don¡¯t want to fight you.¡±


    Adrian scoffed. ¡°Then you shouldn¡¯t have attacked us.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t let me finish.¡± Gil sighed. ¡°I don¡¯t want to fight you. But I have to¡ªbecause of your connection to August Magnus.¡±


    Adrian¡¯s grip on his sword tightened. ¡°Enough talk.¡± He crouched, ready to strike. ¡°I don¡¯t have time for this. I have to win.¡±


    With that, he lunged.


    Adrian moved like a bullet, his pugio flashing as he struck with relentless speed. Gil, unfazed, met every attack with precision, deflecting each blow with his chain. Sparks flew as metal clashed against metal, the battlefield ringing with the sound of their struggle.


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    Then, with a sudden flick of his wrist, Gil swung his chain in a rapid, circular motion, forcing Adrian to retreat.


    Before Adrian could reset his stance, Gil lashed out.


    The chain cracked like a whip, slicing through the air. Adrian enhanced his body, narrowly blocking the first strike¡ªbut the second and third slammed into him. Pain exploded through his ribs. Blood trickled from a fresh gash on his forehead, blurring his vision as it dripped down his face.


    He staggered, his breathing heavy.


    Gil watched him carefully. ¡°You¡¯re outmatched. You know that. I know that. And yet¡­ you¡¯re still standing.¡±


    Adrian wiped the blood from his eyes. He was exhausted, but something inside him refused to break.


    Then¡ªsomething changed.


    His vision sharpened.


    At first, he thought it was adrenaline. But then, he saw it. The chain wasn¡¯t just a weapon anymore¡ªit pulsed with energy, a rhythmic flow of Source Energy moving through it. And within that energy, he spotted something strange. A single, glowing point.


    A weakness.


    Gil attacked again. This time, Adrian knew where the chain would strike before it even moved. He ducked at the last possible second, then lunged forward, driving his blade into the glowing point.


    The chain trembled¡ªthen shattered.


    Gil¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Wha¡ªwhat?! My Source Energy is disconnected?! That¡¯s impossible!¡±


    Most Trinket wielders took years to awaken their abilities. Adrian had done it in mere days.


    He was special.


    With his newfound ability, Adrian honed in on Emily¡¯s location. His blade flickered through the air, cutting down Gil¡¯s remaining clones with ease.


    He found her moments later.


    ¡°You okay?¡± he asked, standing between her and any incoming threats.


    Emily nodded. ¡°Yeah¡­ but how did you¡ª?¡±


    ¡°No time.¡± He glanced around. ¡°We need to get to the mansion. Can you sense where it is?¡±


    Emily took a deep breath, focusing.


    ¡°To the left,¡± she said. ¡°But the chains are still blocking the way.¡±


    Adrian grinned. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that.¡±


    Something about his confidence made her trust him.


    She turned and ran.


    Gil snarled, swinging his chain low, ripping through the trees in its path. The ground trembled as massive trunks toppled, aiming to cut Adrian off¡ª


    ¡ªbut Adrian leapt, flipping through the air like a gymnast, narrowly avoiding the destruction.


    The collapsing trees kicked up a thick cloud of dust, masking their movements.


    This was their chance.


    Side by side, Adrian and Emily sprinted through the haze.


    Then, as if guided by instinct, Adrian saw it¡ªanother glowing point. The weak link in the chain barrier.


    Raising his blade high, he brought it down with all his strength.


    The chain shattered.


    Emily burst through the opening. She turned back just as she reached safety, her eyes meeting Adrian¡¯s.


    She smiled. She didn¡¯t need to say anything¡ªher expression said it all.


    Thank you.


    For a brief moment, Adrian¡¯s heart pounded¡ªnot from battle, but from something unfamiliar.


    He touched his chest.


    He didn¡¯t understand this feeling.


    But he liked it.


    The chain barrier retracted, leaving the battlefield open once more.


    Adrian turned back to Gil.


    Gil took a slow breath, rolling his remaining chain around his arm.


    Despite everything, he wasn¡¯t angry.


    He was excited.


    ¡°You surprised me,¡± he admitted.


    Then he took a step forward, his stance shifting.


    ¡°But now¡ªthis fight ends.¡±

 Chapter 18: Memory Of The Fallen

    Emily stepped into the grand mansion, her breath hitching as her eyes swept over its vast interior. She had never been inside a place so immense, its sheer size momentarily disorienting. However, she clung to Richard¡¯s words¡ªher goal lay beneath the mansion. That was where she needed to go.


    As she moved forward, a long corridor stretched before her, flanked by two staircases spiraling toward the upper floors. To her left, paintings of Sir Gallant adorned the walls, chronicling his life and achievements. To her right, a single portrait caught her attention¡ªa depiction of Gallant standing beside a woman.


    Emily halted, drawn to the image.


    The woman¡¯s golden hair shimmered, even within the confines of the painting. Her pale skin was luminous, almost otherworldly, and her emerald-green eyes seemed to hold untold depths. But what struck Emily most was not the woman herself¡ªit was Gallant.


    His smile in the portrait was different from any other depiction of him. It was genuine, unburdened by the weight of time and sorrow. His arms wrapped around the woman in every picture, holding her with undeniable love.


    Was she his wife?


    Beneath the mansion, in the dimly lit basement, Sir Gallant sat in silence, chewing his nails as fear gnawed at him. His usually composed demeanor had fractured, leaving him raw and vulnerable.


    Bernard, shackled nearby, studied him with quiet curiosity.


    "You once said you wanted to topple the heavens," he murmured. "Why? What could drive a man to such madness?"


    Gallant stilled, his nails slipping from his teeth. His gaze darkened, and for a long moment, he said nothing.


    "What does it matter now?" he muttered. "With August Magnus here, we¡¯re all finished."


    Bernard smirked. "Who knows? Maybe if your reason is good enough, I¡¯ll help you."


    Gallant exhaled sharply, his voice heavy with grief.


    "My wife was a frail woman," he admitted. "As she neared forty, her health deteriorated. She became bedridden, her body failing her piece by piece. She coughed blood constantly. Her legs stopped working. Her vision blurred. And then¡­" His throat tightened. "Then she was gone."


    Silence thickened between them.


    "I¡¯m sorry," Bernard said softly.


    Gallant clenched his fists. "After her passing, a man in a black cloak approached me. He told me I could bring her back¡ªif I killed the gods who rule the heavens."


    Bernard inhaled sharply. He knew exactly what Gallant meant.


    In this world, five gods reigned supreme, and the World Federation served them.


    "But no one can kill them," Bernard whispered.


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    Gallant¡¯s gaze was unwavering. "There are three who can."


    Bernard¡¯s expression hardened. "You speak of The Gods Amongst Men?"


    Gallant nodded. "And one of them already possesses one of your Trinkets."


    Bernard¡¯s grip on his restraints tightened. "Even if that¡¯s true¡­ do you really believe your wife would want this? Think back to your last moments with her. Would she want you to become a murderer just to bring her back?"


    Gallant¡¯s breath hitched.


    Memories flooded his mind¡ªhis wife, weak but smiling. Her fading voice, struggling to speak.


    And her final words.


    "I¡¯m glad I met you."


    A choked sob tore from Gallant¡¯s throat as he fell to his knees. Tears streamed down his face, splattering against the cold stone floor.


    "Synthia!"


    Her name echoed in the chamber, raw with grief, longing, and unbearable regret.


    Emily finally found the underground chamber. As she stepped in, she froze at the sight before her¡ªGallant, broken and weeping.


    "Emily?!" Bernard''s voice broke through the moment. "Why are you here?"


    She crossed her arms, glaring at him. "I came to save you, obviously! And that¡¯s not how you greet your rescuer!"


    Bernard chuckled despite himself. "Sorry¡­ and thank you."


    Emily¡¯s scowl softened into a small smile. Seeing her master alive filled her with relief.


    Gallant wiped his eyes and reached into his pocket. Emily tensed, instinctively preparing for an attack, but Bernard shook his head, signaling her to stand down.


    From his pocket, Gallant pulled out a key.


    He stepped forward, unlocking the cell door with a quiet click. Pushing it open, he undid Bernard¡¯s cuffs and gestured for him to leave.


    Bernard struggled to walk, his body weak from captivity. Emily rushed to his side, wrapping an arm around him for support. As they moved, Bernard glanced back.


    "Your wife would be proud," he said.


    Emily frowned, confused, but chose not to question it.


    "We need to move," she said. "August is here."


    Bernard sighed. "I figured. Where are we headed?"


    "The harbor. But first, we need to find Adrian."


    Bernard smirked. "Adrian? Is that your boyfriend?"


    Emily didn¡¯t even flinch. "He¡¯s a good friend," she replied. "And a better person."


    Bernard raised a brow. Normally, she would¡¯ve yelled or hit him for teasing her. But this time¡­ she didn¡¯t.


    "Can¡¯t wait to meet him."


    When they arrived, they found Adrian locked in a fierce battle with Gil. However, it was clear Adrian was at his limit. His breaths were ragged, his stance unsteady.


    I can¡¯t keep this up¡­ Adrian thought, his body screaming in protest. But if I fall, I¡¯ll make sure he falls with me.


    Gil, wrapping the remaining length of his chain around his arms, surged forward. He unleashed a flurry of punches¡ªswift, brutal, unrelenting.


    Adrian barely reacted in time, raising his dagger to block a devastating right hook. The impact sent him stumbling sideways, his balance lost. Before he could recover, Gil''s leg swung forward, slamming into his ribs.


    Pain exploded through Adrian¡¯s body. He hit the ground hard, clutching his stomach. He wasn¡¯t sure if it was the attack or the strain of using his newfound ability that hurt more.


    Gil exhaled, standing over him. "Stay down. You¡¯ve lost."


    Adrian¡­ laughed.


    "Lost? Me?" He grinned, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. "I¡¯m not even close to my breaking point."


    Slowly, painfully, he pushed himself up.


    But his body betrayed him¡ªhis legs buckled, and he dropped to one knee.


    Bernard¡¯s expression darkened. "If he keeps going, he¡¯ll die."


    Emily cupped her hands around her mouth. "Adrian, stop! We can escape now!"


    But Adrian didn¡¯t hear her. His world had narrowed to a single focus¡ªthe opponent before him.


    Gil sighed. He could see it now.


    No matter how many times he knocked Adrian down¡­


    He would never stay down.


    And for the first time¡ªGil felt pity.


    "I give up," Gil said, raising both his arms in surrender.


    "Why?" Adrian asked, his brow furrowing.


    "No matter how many times I knock you down, you refuse to stay down. So what''s the point?"


    Adrian was taken aback by Gil¡¯s unexpected surrender, but he did not question it further. There was no time to waste¡ªhe needed to reach the ship before anything else delayed them.


    Without another word, they left.


    Adrian limped toward the dock, his body aching with every step. Beside him, Emily matched his slow pace, burdened by the weight of supporting Bernard.

 Chapter 19: The Weight Of A King鈥檚 Wrath

    King stood alone in the abyss of darkness, a single beam of light illuminating his figure. His golden eyes, void of emotion, rose to meet the man sitting high upon a pedestal.


    The man''s voice was soft, yet it carried an undeniable menace.


    "King, you deserve to know the truth," he murmured. "You are the prince who never became king¡ªyour birthright stolen by the hands of New Pegasus. I was the closest to your family, yet I was too late to save them. I still remember how they lay dying, their bodies broken¡­ but even in their final moments, they shielded you¡ªa mere child of three¡ªin their arms."


    The memory hung in the air, heavy and unshakable.


    "If New Pegasus ever resurfaces," the man continued, "you will be ready."


    King''s response was devoid of warmth, his voice flat and unwavering.


    "Yes, sir."


    That day, he had been given one of the two legendary Elfin treasures¡ªthe Elfin King Insignia. A relic passed down through generations of Elfin rulers, its existence was a secret to most, but to those who knew of its might, it signified one thing: the bearer was of royal Elfin blood.


    Now, standing before August Magnus, King knew one thing with absolute certainty¡ªif he fought at full strength, he would win.


    His partner was unharmed. August was wounded. The advantage was his.


    With a flick of his wrist, King shifted the Elfin King Insignia back into its longsword form. The shield that once protected him dissolved, replaced by a blade gleaming with deadly intent. He needed to be close¡ªhe could not allow August to manipulate the battlefield with his ability.


    Their weapons clashed, steel against steel, raw strength against raw strength. It was a mirror image of their battle within the cavern. Blow for blow, neither yielded.


    Then, King changed the tide.


    Elfin King¡ªForm 3.


    The air trembled as the small floating blades orbiting King began to spin, their edges whirring like saws thirsting for blood. With a flick of his fingers, he sent them hurtling toward August, the deadly discs slashing through the air.


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    But he did not rely on them alone.


    Darting forward with lethal precision, he struck alongside his projectiles, his fingers curling into a claw as he aimed directly for August¡¯s wounded abdomen.


    His voice, colder than ice, rang through the battlefield.


    "Even if I have to kill you¡ªI will."


    His palm ignited with a surge of power.


    "Elfin Combat Art¡ªDragon Palm!"


    The impact was devastating.


    August staggered as the attack found its mark. The stitches barely holding his wound together unraveled, and a fresh wave of crimson spilled forth. He choked as blood dripped from his lips, his vision blurring.


    "August!"


    Erica''s voice was sharp with panic as she unleashed her webs, latching onto King and yanking him backward. He slammed against a nearby wall, momentarily immobilized. Without hesitation, she rushed to August¡¯s side, her hands trembling as she tried to steady him.


    King exhaled through his nose, a smirk creeping onto his lips.


    "There''s no saving him," he murmured. "Even the great August Magnus cannot survive that much blood loss."


    Meanwhile, at the docks of Prosperum, Adrian, Emily, and Bernard boarded the ship. The cold sea breeze filled Adrian¡¯s lungs, yet an unshakable feeling gnawed at him.


    Something was wrong.


    As he stepped onto the top deck, he hesitated. His gaze drifted back toward the city, toward the underground battlefield he had left behind. His instincts screamed at him¡ªAugust was in danger.


    Bernard watched him closely.


    "You''re just like him," he said suddenly.


    Adrian turned, frowning. "What?"


    "August," Bernard clarified. "He¡¯s the type to fight until someone drags him away. And in that way¡­ you two are the same."


    The words struck Adrian deep, stirring two emotions within him.


    One was fear¡ªfear of what August would do if he didn¡¯t stop himself.


    The other was pride¡ªpride in being compared to a man he deeply respected.


    And Bernard was right.


    Because back in the underground, even with blood pooling beneath his feet, August refused to fall.


    "You¡¯re going to have to do a lot more than that to kill me," he muttered, flashing a bloodstained smirk.


    King''s golden eyes widened in disbelief.


    August should be on the ground, unconscious. He should be dying.


    Yet, somehow, the man still stood.


    Teeth gritted, King activated Elfin King¡ªForm 3 once more, the spinning blades cutting through the webs binding him. As they shredded apart, he landed on his feet, his body still upright despite the force of his fall.


    But he did not attack immediately.


    Instead, he bowed his head, silent.


    August narrowed his eyes, wary. He readied himself, knowing full well that King could strike at any moment.


    Then, King spoke.


    His voice started as a whisper, barely audible.


    "Die."


    Then it grew louder.


    "Die. Die. Die, die, die. Die! Die! DIE!"


    A roar of pure rage erupted from his throat as he launched himself forward like a beast unleashed. His movements were wild yet precise, his intent murderous.


    August sighed¡ªa deep, weary breath.


    It was time to end this.


    Lifting his axe toward the sky, he whispered the words that would change everything.


    "Trinket Metamorphosis."

 Chapter 20: Trinket Metamorphosis

    Trinket Metamorphosis is an ability acquired when one''s soul becomes fully intertwined with the essence of their Trinket. For some, this metamorphosis amplifies the Trinket''s initial technique; for others, it bestows a new ability closely related to their existing one.


    Raising his axe to the heavens, August intoned, "Trinket Metamorphosis." As the words left his lips, his Trinket began to transform. The axe morphed into a formidable hammer reminiscent of those wielded by Norse warriors, its head gleaming white and its handle a deep black. "All concepts of this world bend to my will. World-Controlling Hammer," he declared.


    Trinket Metamorphosis can manifest in two ways: either by enhancing an existing ability or by granting a new, closely related one. For August, it was the latter. Originally, he could manipulate subterranean rock; post-metamorphosis, he gained dominion over all worldly concepts¡ªfrom the earth''s rotation to time itself.


    Undeterred by the transformation, King charged at August. With a swift motion, August swung his hammer, sending a powerful gust of wind toward King. Momentarily blinded, King hesitated, trying to comprehend the situation. Before he could react, the air around him vanished, leaving him gasping for breath.


    "Confused?" August mused. "No need to understand my Trinket''s abilities; this will all be over soon."


    King clawed at his throat, desperate for air. His thoughts raced: ''I can''t breathe, but I must. Breathe. Breathe.'' Eventually, he collapsed from asphyxiation. The exertion proved too much for August as well, and he too lost consciousness.


    "August!" Erica screamed, rushing to her fallen comrade. She checked his pulse; though faint, his heart still beat. Quickly, she spun a web barrier to hold off the advancing Prosperum soldiers and instructed her succubi to carry August to the boat. Casting a final glance toward King, she wondered why an elf would attack August.


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    In a nearby forest, Gil watched in disbelief as King fell. Covering his mouth, he muttered, "Damn, so King really lost. I''d better go get him," his expression somber.


    Erica and her succubi reached the ship, directing half to prepare for departure and the rest to tend to August below deck. Seeing August''s condition, Adrian was speechless. Questions swirled in his mind: How? Why? Bernard voiced the concern Adrian feared to express: "Is he going to be fine?"


    "His heartbeat is very soft, and his wounds have reopened, so it''s fifty-fifty."


    They carried August to the lower deck, with Erica following closely. As they set sail, hours passed without news of August''s condition. Adrian, abandoned by his father, now faced the potential loss of another paternal figure. He sat in contemplation, realizing there was nothing he could do. No matter his strength, he couldn''t erase the memory of nearly losing someone dear.


    Bernard approached the despondent Adrian, placing a firm yet compassionate hand on his shoulder. "Remember this feeling¡ªthe sense of weakness. Acknowledging your frailty is better than ignoring it. Grow stronger so that nothing like this happens again."


    Though guilt lingered, Adrian resolved not only to embark on adventures with August but also to stand beside him in battle, ready to protect.


    Finally, Erica emerged from the lower deck to update them on August''s condition. As she approached, she removed a glove, heightening the tension. Adrian''s breath quickened, fearing the worst. The moment she began to speak felt like an eternity.


    "He''s going to be fine."


    Relief washed over Adrian as he exhaled deeply. "He''s fine, but I''m not sure when he''ll wake up," Erica continued.


    "What do you mean?" Adrian inquired.


    "August expended a lot of Source Energy during the fight, so it will take time for him to recover. But other than that, he''s okay."


    While relieved, Adrian knew that to prevent August from risking his life again, he needed to grow stronger¡ªnot just physically, but mentally. This became his ultimate goal: to develop in ways that would benefit both him and his friends.

 Chapter 21: Time On The Sea

    Night had fallen, and the crew had long since retired to their quarters. Who could blame them, after such an eventful day? Yet, one person remained awake.


    Adrian sat by August¡¯s bedside, watching over his unconscious form. His voice was soft, almost hesitant, as he spoke.


    "I know we haven''t known each other for long, but you''ve made an impact on my life. I thank you for that."


    Unbeknownst to Adrian, Bernard stood just outside the room, silently observing. A small smile played on his lips as he watched the scene unfold. With a quiet chuckle, he turned and walked away, the smile never leaving his face.


    Hours later, the sun rose, casting its golden light upon the ship. Adrian lay sprawled across his bed, experiencing the most restful sleep he''d had since leaving his homeland. But his dreams were anything but peaceful.


    In the depths of his slumber, a vision unfolded before him¡ªEmily, held close by a mysterious figure with long white hair streaked with deep blue. There was a protectiveness in the way the figure embraced her, a silent promise of safety. Adrian jolted awake, his heart pounding. Was it a mere dream, or something more¡ªa premonition, perhaps?


    Shaking off the unease, he decided to step onto the upper deck for a breath of fresh air and a glimpse of the morning sun. But instead of serenity, he was met with danger.


    Two Succubi stood before him, their bows drawn, arrows aimed directly at him. Before he could react, they loosed their arrows. He managed to evade one, but the second struck his left leg. A sharp pain shot through him, and he let out a cry of agony.


    "You''re still too slow," Bernard remarked casually, reaching into a bag of chips as if nothing of consequence had happened.


    Adrian clenched his teeth. "Why?"


    Bernard plucked a chip from the bag, studying it for a moment before responding. His nonchalance only fueled Adrian¡¯s frustration.


    "Why did they shoot me?!" Adrian demanded.


    "I told them to," Bernard answered, taking a bite. "To be honest, you''re still too weak. If you can''t even react to an arrow, how do you expect to fight alongside August?"


    Adrian had no response. He knew Bernard was right¡ªhis lack of skill was undeniable. The battle against Gil had made that painfully clear. His movements had been sluggish, his stamina drained far too quickly.


    "You don''t have to worry," Bernard continued. "While August recovers, I''ll train you in the fundamentals of combat."


    "Combat?"


    Adrian knew how to fight, but he was far from a skilled warrior. His previous battle had been a mess, an uncoordinated clash of raw power with no precision.


    "Enhancing and infusing your strikes is useful, but if you don''t know how to apply it properly, what''s the point?" Bernard said. "I''ll teach you a technique to improve your concentration, manage your stamina, and even close minor wounds."


    Adrian''s eyes widened. This was exactly what he needed. Mastering his Source Energy would give him control over his power, making him more efficient in battle. He nodded in silent acceptance of Bernard¡¯s training.


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    Erica, who had been standing nearby, immediately set to work stitching Adrian''s wound. Despite her efforts, the pain remained.


    Moments later, Emily emerged from the lower deck. Her gaze fell upon Adrian¡¯s injured leg, then darted to the Succubi holding their bows. Finally, her eyes settled on the bloodied arrow beside him.


    A storm of emotions crossed her face¡ªanger, concern, disbelief.


    "Don¡¯t worry, he¡¯s fine," Bernard said between bites.


    Emily turned her attention to him, her jaw tightening. The casual way he spoke made her blood boil.


    "What did you do?" she demanded, her voice laced with fury.


    "Nothing," Bernard replied, licking the salt from his fingers. "Just needed to teach him something."


    "His leg is injured! What are you saying?!"


    Before Emily could berate Bernard further, Adrian forced a reassuring smile. "I''m fine," he said, though his voice lacked conviction.


    She saw through his attempt to placate her but said nothing. Instead, she turned on her heel and made her way toward the lower decks.


    "For someone you just met, you care a lot about him," Bernard called after her.


    Emily didn¡¯t respond. She simply stormed down the steps, her anger evident in every movement.


    Meanwhile, Adrian was puzzled by the lack of pain and turned to Erica.


    "Why doesn¡¯t it hurt?" he asked.


    "I mixed a special medicine into my webs. You won¡¯t feel pain¡ªat least, not yet," she replied.


    His brows furrowed. "What do you mean, ''not yet''?"


    "You¡¯ll see," she said cryptically before retreating below deck.


    Adrian¡¯s body felt light, his movements fluid. But Erica¡¯s words lingered in his mind. Just how bad would the pain be once the medicine wore off?


    Bernard¡¯s voice snapped him out of his thoughts.


    "Come with me," he instructed, leading Adrian to the ship''s railing.


    Adrian followed, looking out over the vast ocean. The endless blue stretched in every direction, waves gently rocking the ship.


    "Look at the sea," Bernard said. "It''s a vast, open expanse."


    "Yeah, it is," Adrian replied. "But what does that have to do with training?"


    Bernard smirked, his expression turning downright sinister.


    "You''re going to swim in that vast, open expanse."


    Adrian barely had time to react before Bernard shoved him overboard.


    The impact with the water sent a cold shock through his body, but he didn¡¯t panic. He had experience swimming¡ªcountless hours spent fishing with his mother had made sure of that.


    He resurfaced, spitting out seawater. "What the hell is this about?!"


    "We¡¯re starting light," Bernard called down. "Five hours. No rest."


    "Huh?! I can¡¯t swim for that long!"


    "Then I guess you¡¯re going to die."


    A chill ran down Adrian¡¯s spine¡ªnot from the water, but from the sheer indifference in Bernard¡¯s voice. He could feel sweat trickling down his face, but as the salty ocean waves lapped against his skin, he realized it wasn¡¯t sweat at all.


    The ship continued sailing forward, leaving him behind.


    "Better start swimming, or we¡¯ll lose you."


    Adrian clenched his jaw. I know I shouldn¡¯t say this out loud, so I¡¯ll just think it... Fuck you, you piece of shit.


    Below Deck, in the dimly lit lower deck, Erica knocked on the door to Emily¡¯s room. There was no response.


    After a moment of silence, she knocked again, this time more forcefully.


    Emily opened the door, her expression anything but welcoming. "What do you want?"


    "Let¡¯s talk."


    With a reluctant sigh, Emily stepped aside, allowing Erica to enter before shutting the door behind her.


    "What do you want to talk about?"


    "I want to know why you¡¯re so angry," Erica said bluntly. "Is it because Adrian is hurt, or because you haven¡¯t had enough time with your master since his return?"


    Emily clicked her tongue and looked away, refusing to meet Erica¡¯s gaze. Her reaction alone was enough to confirm the truth.


    "So, which is it?" Erica pressed.


    "Both, I guess," Emily admitted after a long pause. "I haven¡¯t seen my master in so long, and now that he¡¯s back, he¡¯s spending all his time with Adrian. And it makes me angry... How easily he hurt the person who saved him."


    "I get it," Erica said. "But you should know that everything he does is for Adrian and August¡¯s sake. He¡¯ll have time for you¡ªyou just have to be patient."


    Emily exhaled slowly. "I suppose you¡¯re right."


    Thirty minutes had passed. Bernard remained on deck, watching Adrian struggle against the relentless waves.


    Fatigue had set in. Every stroke felt heavier than the last, his limbs growing sluggish. Yet, he pushed forward, knowing that stopping meant sinking.


    An hour passed. His body was nearing its limit.


    Then, it happened¡ªhis strength failed him, and he began to sink.


    Bernard didn¡¯t move.


    Deeper and deeper Adrian went, his vision darkening.


    And then, a memory surfaced¡ªa tale his mother once told him.


    The Guardian Spirit of Hvitt Fenrir.

 Chapter 22: Guardian Spirit Beast

    This story takes place seven years before the events of today. A seven-year-old Adrian lay in bed, weak and feverish. His mother gently touched his forehead, checking his temperature.


    "It''s just a cold, but why is it this bad?" she murmured, her face etched with worry and fear.


    It was a difficult time for Adrian and his mother¡ªthey couldn¡¯t afford medicine. With no other options, she dropped to her knees and prayed to the Guardian Spirit of Hvitt Fenrir, desperation lacing her voice.


    "Please, help my son! I beg you! You saved him once before, please do it again!"


    Her prayer did not go unanswered. Within a day, Adrian¡¯s health miraculously improved. Once he had fully recovered, his mother sat him down and told him the legend of Fenrir.


    The story was well known, especially in the country of Hvitt. Long ago, when the first settlers arrived on the island, they encountered a fierce wolf. It watched them in silence, showing no hostility, yet when wild beasts threatened the settlers, it protected them. Why the wolf did this remained a mystery. Some believed it was merely saving them for later; others were convinced it was a guardian spirit. Out of reverence, the people devoted themselves to the beast and named it the Guardian Spirit of Hvitt Fenrir.


    Adrian¡¯s mother reminded him that, no matter the situation, Fenrir would always be there to help him.


    And she was right.


    Bernard stood at the ship¡¯s railing, watching Adrian sink beneath the waves. He had been monitoring him, but now, seeing his motionless body descending, he sighed and shook his head.


    "I guess he''s dead," he muttered, disappointed.


    But then¡ªtwo bright lights flared from the ocean¡¯s depths. Bernard narrowed his eyes, wondering what they could be. Suddenly, Adrian shot up from the water, gasping for air. Though he was breathing heavily, he showed no signs of exhaustion.


    Bernard smirked. "Well done, kid. Just three and a half hours left to go. You can do it."


    ''I almost died, and he''s still forcing me to swim?'' Adrian thought. But strangely, he no longer felt fatigued. Instead, his body was brimming with energy. ''Could it be Fenrir¡¯s protection?''


    With renewed determination, Adrian swam after the ship, pushing himself for the remainder of the time. Once he climbed aboard, Bernard tossed him a towel and gestured for him to sit.


    "Now that you¡¯re back, let me explain why I threw you overboard," Bernard said.


    Adrian dried his hair as he listened. "Yeah, I¡¯d like to know that."


    "Have you ever heard of something called the Breath of Life?"


    Adrian frowned. "Breath of Life? No, what is it?"


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    "It¡¯s an ancient breathing technique that slows blood loss from injuries, enhances resistance to poisons, and improves concentration during combat," Bernard explained.


    Adrian blinked. "And that¡¯s why you threw me into the ocean?"


    Bernard chuckled before nodding. "Building stamina is essential for mastering the Breath of Life. With this technique, you¡¯ll last longer in fights and use your Trinket more efficiently."


    Adrian considered his words. He knew his weaknesses¡ªeven after just one fight. He had never monitored his breathing, which meant he never realized how quickly he was burning through his energy. But if he learned the Breath of Life, he could regulate his stamina and extend his combat abilities.


    As the sun dipped below the horizon, Bernard stretched and yawned. "Get some rest. We¡¯ll continue tomorrow."


    "Got it."


    Bernard left, but Adrian remained on deck. Having spent so much time struggling in the sea, he hadn¡¯t been able to appreciate its beauty. Now, he had the chance. He gazed at the ocean, mesmerized by the way the stars reflected on its surface, creating a shimmering, endless expanse.


    Emily stepped onto the deck, searching for Adrian. She found him leaning against the railing, staring into the distance with an unusual smile on his face.


    "Are you busy?" she asked.


    Adrian blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. "Huh? Oh, it¡¯s you¡­ No, not really."


    Emily moved to stand beside him, following his gaze toward the ocean. "Before I got here, you were smiling. Why?"


    "The ocean¡­ It¡¯s beautiful," Adrian murmured. "In Hvitt, it snows all the time, and the water freezes over. I never get to see it like this."


    Hearing his words made Emily smile as well. In that moment, she realized¡ªAdrian was still just a child, experiencing the world for the first time.


    "So, after you and August find Valhalla, what will you do next?" she asked.


    Adrian ran a hand through his hair, resting a finger against his chin. "I don¡¯t know. We¡¯ll see when we get there."


    Emily chuckled. "You really are simple-minded, aren¡¯t you?"


    "I guess I am," Adrian said, laughing softly.


    They stood in comfortable silence after that, stealing occasional glances at one another.


    Adrian swallowed. ''I''ve never been alone with a girl before. What do I do?''


    Before he could say anything, Emily¡¯s expression shifted as she noticed something.


    "Your clothes¡­ They¡¯re still wet," she said, her face clouded with concern.


    "Huh? I¡ªI don¡¯t think it¡¯s appropriate for me to¡ª"


    "What are you talking about?" she interrupted. "You¡¯ll catch a cold. Take them off before you get sick."


    "Oh¡­ That¡¯s what you meant," Adrian muttered, his face flushing.


    She led him to her room, where she rummaged through her belongings and handed him a set of spare clothes. Taking his wet ones, she stepped outside to hang them up to dry. As she did, she examined the tattered sweater Adrian had given her. It was more than just soaked¡ªit was torn and missing a sleeve.


    Inside, Adrian finished changing and stepped toward the door. "Thanks for the clothes. I¡¯ll be going now."


    Emily nodded. "Okay."


    As Adrian left for his own room, Emily remained behind, holding his worn-out sweater in her hands.


    The next three days were grueling. Bernard put Adrian through a series of physically exhausting exercises, pushing his body to its limits. By the end of it, Adrian was noticeably stronger, faster, and more resilient.


    To test his progress, Bernard fired arrows at him again. This time, Adrian blocked both with his bare hands. A surge of confidence filled him¡ªbut it was short-lived.


    Two more arrows struck him in the back.


    "Expect the unexpected in battle," Bernard said with a smirk.


    ''Damn this guy,'' Adrian thought bitterly.


    Bernard crossed his arms. "Still, you¡¯ve improved significantly." He reached into his pocket and tossed something to Adrian. "Here. You can have this back."


    Adrian caught it and recognized it instantly¡ªhis Trinket. He frowned, wondering when Bernard had taken it, but decided not to ask.


    "That¡¯s it for today," Bernard said. "We¡¯ll continue tomorrow."


    On the third day, during the fourth night, everyone aboard the ship drifted into a deep sleep.


    Unbeknownst to them, the ship had strayed toward a strange island¡ªan island that concealed a weapon of immense power, unknown even to the World Federation.

 Chapter 23: A World Unknown

    In a dimly lit office, a man sat silently, sifting through a stack of documents. His fingers traced the edges of each page, his sight long stolen from him, yet his presence remained commanding. The room exuded an air of refinement¡ªtwo opposing couches rested before his grand wooden desk, separated by a thick bear fur rug. Behind him, an enormous window stretched toward the ceiling, revealing the night sky adorned with the constellation of Sagittarius.


    As the man immersed himself in his papers, a knock echoed through the chamber. He paused, lifting his head slightly toward the door.


    "You may enter," he commanded, his voice smooth yet authoritative.


    The door creaked open, revealing two figures stepping inside¡ªKing and Gil, returning from their mission.


    "We have returned, sir," Gil announced.


    "I can see that," the man replied coolly.


    "We came to report¡ª" Gil began, only to be silenced as the man raised a single, commanding index finger.


    "Though I am blind, I need no eyes to perceive the state you''re in," he said, his voice laced with quiet menace. "Both of you were injured. I expect a brief but thorough explanation. Understood?"


    A suffocating aura filled the room, pressing against their chests. Beads of sweat trickled down their already dirt-streaked faces.


    "Yes, sir," they answered in unison.


    "Address me properly," he ordered.


    "Yes, Sagittarius L¨¹ge Wirklichkeit."


    L¨¹ge Wirklichkeit¡ªone of the Twelve Zodiacs. His golden locks were impeccably groomed, his beard well-maintained, exuding both wisdom and regality. Though he lacked sight, his awareness surpassed that of most men; he could sense the slightest shift, the most minute presence. The Twelve Zodiacs were the pinnacle of the World Federation¡¯s power, the unwavering guardians who had shaped history, their influence instrumental in ending the war five decades prior.


    As Gil began recounting their mission in Prosperum, L¨¹ge¡¯s expression darkened with every word. His disappointment seeped into the air like a slow-moving storm, his features twisted in growing irritation.


    "You have both failed me," he said coldly. "Gil, I assigned you as King¡¯s partner because your fighting styles were meant to complement one another. And yet, I hear you allowed King to face August Magnus alone?"


    Gil swallowed hard. "Sir, there were two of them, so¡ª"


    "So what?" L¨¹ge interrupted, his voice like the crack of a whip. "You struggled against a mere child¡ªone who had only just acquired a Trinket. Do you not find that shameful?"


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    "Yes, sir," Gil murmured.


    L¨¹ge¡¯s piercing focus shifted to King.


    "Why do you remain silent?" he demanded. "Does Gil speak for you now? You always swear vengeance for your fallen people, yet when the moment presents itself, you falter."


    King lowered his head. "I apologize, sir."


    L¨¹ge exhaled sharply, as though releasing the weight of his disappointment.


    "You may leave, King. I will speak with Gil alone."


    "Yes, sir."


    With stiff movements, King turned and exited, leaving the two men alone. L¨¹ge rose from his chair, his golden mane illuminated by the starlight spilling through the window.


    "I wish to meet this boy," he declared.


    Meanwhile, in the dead of night, Adrian¡¯s slumber was shattered by the sudden crash of their ship. He shot upright, heart pounding. Scrambling to his feet, he rushed toward the upper deck.


    Stepping outside, he peered over the ship¡¯s edge, his breath hitching at the eerie landscape before him. A vast beach of black sand stretched outward, leading into a dense forest of crimson-red trees. Above them, the sky churned with ominous dark clouds.


    Creepy, Adrian thought.


    Determined to get a better vantage point, he climbed to the ship¡¯s highest mast and scanned the horizon. But there was nothing¡ªno movement, no sign of life.


    "Adrian! What¡¯s going on?" Emily¡¯s voice called from below.


    He turned to see her standing on the deck.


    "Not sure!" he yelled back before leaping down, landing with a forceful thud that made the ship sway slightly.


    "What did you see?" she asked.


    "Just those weird red trees. Couldn¡¯t make out anything else," he said, brushing the dust off his clothes. "Where¡¯s everyone?"


    "I tried waking them up, but¡­ they won¡¯t wake," Emily admitted, concern lacing her voice.


    A chill ran down Adrian¡¯s spine. His face paled.


    "Are they¡­ dead?"


    "No, they''re still breathing. Just¡­ unconscious."


    Relief washed over Adrian, and he exhaled deeply. "Thank the gods."


    "But why are we awake?" Emily questioned. "If this island is responsible¡­ then what is this place? The black sand, the red trees, the clouds¡ªit all feels unnatural."


    "You¡¯re right," Adrian said. "Let¡¯s check it out."


    Before he could take a step, Emily grabbed his wrist, stopping him. She scanned him from head to toe, her expression unimpressed.


    "You¡¯re going out in that?"


    Adrian glanced down at his ragged clothes. "What¡¯s wrong with it?"


    "I fixed your outfit. It¡¯s in your room," she said.


    His eyes lit up. "Seriously?! Thanks, Emily!"


    Without thinking, he pulled her into a tight hug. She stiffened, her heartbeat hammering in her chest. A faint floral scent clung to her¡ªsoft, fresh, like a flower just beginning to bloom.


    Adrian, oblivious to her flustered expression, released her and hurried off to change. Emily, left standing there, pressed a hand to her racing heart.


    Why am I so nervous? she wondered.


    Inside his room, Adrian marveled at his newly restored outfit. The familiar sweater was now refined¡ªits missing sleeve replaced, adorned with additional stars on the front. The tattered collar had been modified into a button-up style, fastened with polished white buttons. His pants were swapped for sleek black leather shorts, and he had new black sneakers with white accents that perfectly completed the look.


    Slipping into his refreshed attire, he studied himself in the mirror, a newfound confidence settling over him.


    Stepping onto the deck once more, he carried himself with a new air of certainty. Emily watched him ascend from below, her gaze lingering on him. From his silver-white hair to the polished new shoes, he looked almost like someone else entirely.


    "Let¡¯s go check this place out!" Adrian grinned.


    Emily exhaled, shaking her head with an amused smile.


    "You¡¯re way too excited."

 Chapter 24: Deadly Shot

    Adrian and Emily placed the plank down and stepped off the ship, their feet pressing into the black sand. But something was off. The ground beneath them didn¡¯t have the soft, grainy texture of ordinary sand¡ªit was solid, almost like concrete.


    "That''s strange," Adrian muttered, crouching down to examine it.


    Emily raised an eyebrow, puzzled by his sudden interest.


    ¡°The black sand¡­ when it¡¯s loose, it feels like regular sand, but when packed together, it hardens like stone,¡± Adrian observed, running his fingers through the strange material.


    "This island is bizarre. I can''t even tell if it¡¯s night or day," Emily said, glancing up at the sky, shrouded in dark, unmoving clouds.


    "Yeah, I get what you mean," Adrian agreed.


    Their trek continued until they reached the dense forest of crimson trees. Even at a glance, Adrian could tell they weren¡¯t normal. Their trunks weren¡¯t made of wood¡ªinstead, they gleamed like polished gemstone, as if red emeralds had completely encased them.


    "I haven¡¯t seen many forests, but I¡¯m pretty sure trees aren¡¯t supposed to be made of crystal," Adrian murmured.


    "Whatever happened to these trees¡­ it¡¯s not natural," Emily said, stepping closer to inspect one.


    Then¡ª


    Bang!


    A sharp crack split the air.


    Gunfire.


    Adrian''s instincts screamed at him. His eyes darted toward the source, but before he could react, a bullet tore through the air, heading straight for Emily.


    Time slowed.


    With no time to think, Adrian lunged, his hand snapping out. He caught the bullet mid-flight, the impact stinging his palm, but it was better than letting it find its mark.


    Emily stumbled back, inches from death. Her breath was unsteady as she looked at Adrian, realization sinking in.


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    "Thanks," she breathed.


    "Don''t worry about it. Just get up. We don¡¯t know where they are, but they¡¯ll fire again."


    The two held their ground, their eyes scanning the dense landscape. They controlled their breathing, trying to pick up any movement, any trace of their attacker.


    Another shot rang out.


    This time, Adrian was ready. He activated his Trinket, his energy flaring to life as he deflected the bullet with his dagger, sending it hurtling back in the direction it came from. His Trinket allowed him to see the trail of Source Energy left by the bullet¡ªa glowing thread leading straight to its origin.


    Found you.


    Adrian propelled himself upward, landing atop one of the crystallized trees. From this vantage point, he traced the bullet¡¯s trajectory, eyes narrowing as he scanned the distance. He needed to be fast, but not so fast that he lost track of his target.


    He moved.


    Leaping from tree to tree, he pursued the trail at a speed that rivaled the bullet itself¡ªno, faster than the bullet. The world blurred around him as he covered kilometers in mere seconds, his focus razor-sharp.


    Then, he saw them.


    Perched on a high branch, a hooded figure clutched a sniper rifle, their presence blending into the eerie crimson forest. But they weren¡¯t unprepared¡ªthey immediately spotted Adrian.


    Can he reload in time?


    Adrian got his answer within seconds.


    The shooter moved with practiced precision, chambering another round, aiming, and firing in one seamless motion.


    Adrian deflected it mid-air and lunged.


    His dagger sliced through the air toward the shooter¡¯s chest, but in a flash, the sniper rifle swung up, its barrel blocking his strike. The force of the clash sent vibrations through the air as sparks flew.


    They tumbled from the treetop, locked in combat even as they fell.


    Adrian pressed his assault, his attacks relentless. His training showed¡ªevery movement was controlled, every strike precise. The Breath of Life technique steadied his nerves, allowing him to fight through pain, to focus entirely on the battle. It was the only reason he could keep going despite the wound in his hand from earlier.


    But the hooded figure wasn¡¯t a novice.


    In a swift counter, they kicked Adrian¡¯s dagger from his grasp, sending it spinning into the darkness.


    Adrian didn¡¯t hesitate.


    His fist clenched. He twisted his body mid-air, coiling his strength, and then¡ª


    Boom.


    His punch landed squarely in the shooter''s chest with the force of a charging beast, sending them hurtling into the ground below. The impact left a crater in the hardened black sand.


    Adrian landed beside them, breathing heavily.


    "I guess I win," he said, standing over his opponent.


    "You guessed wrong."


    Before he could react, another gunshot rang out.


    Too close.


    Acting on instinct alone, Adrian caught the bullet mere inches from his face.


    But the brief distraction was enough.


    The hooded figure swept his legs out from under him, sending him crashing down. Adrian attempted to rise, but before he could, a heavy boot pressed against his torso. Cold metal kissed his forehead¡ªa sniper rifle aimed directly between his eyes.

 Chapter 25: Fredrick Newborn

    Adrian lay on his back, a heavy boot pressing against his torso, the cold barrel of a gun aimed directly at his head. The cloaked figure standing over him radiated a menacing aura, a silent promise that death could come at any moment. Adrian knew better than to make any sudden movements.


    With deliberate slowness, the figure pulled back his hood, revealing the face of a man with strikingly distinct features¡ªa pale complexion, disheveled purple hair, and a lazy right eye. But what drew Adrian¡¯s gaze the most was the black eyepatch covering his left eye.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± the man asked, his voice as sharp as a dagger.


    Adrian clenched his jaw. ¡°I should be the one asking that question. You attacked us out of nowhere!¡±


    The man responded by pressing the gun harder against Adrian¡¯s skull. The pressure sent a chill down his spine, and he exhaled sharply, relenting.


    ¡°My name is Adrian Frihet.¡±


    ¡°Why are you here?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know! We just woke up here!¡± Adrian snapped, frustration flaring in his voice.


    For a moment, silence stretched between them. Then, without warning, the man withdrew his gun, lifted his foot from Adrian¡¯s chest, and turned away, walking toward a nearby tree.


    Seizing the opportunity, Adrian attempted to slip away. But before he could move, a sudden, jarring sound rang through the air.


    Bang. Bang. Bang.


    Adrian turned sharply, searching for the source. His breath caught in his throat as he saw the man repeatedly slamming his forehead against the crystallized red tree. The force of each impact sent small shards of the strange material falling to the ground.


    ¡°Hey, man¡­ are you okay?¡±


    The figure stilled, pressing his fingers against his now-bleeding forehead before slowly turning back to Adrian. A grin stretched across his face¡ªfar too wide, far too sudden.


    ¡°No need to worry. I¡¯m fine,¡± he said, his tone completely different now¡ªcasual, almost playful.


    Adrian hesitated. This man, who moments ago exuded a terrifying presence, had suddenly become¡­ bizarrely lighthearted. Had he knocked something loose in his own head?


    ¡°My name is Fredrick Newborn,¡± the man continued. ¡°Sorry about earlier¡ªit¡¯s just been a rough couple of days.¡±


    ¡°I can imagine,¡± Adrian muttered, his wariness unshaken.


    Though Fredrick¡¯s demeanor had shifted, Adrian couldn''t ignore the unsettling unpredictability in his eyes. But his curiosity outweighed his caution.


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    ¡°You said you¡¯ve been here for two days. What happened?¡±


    Fredrick¡¯s expression darkened. His smile faded, replaced by a haunted look. His fingers twitched at his side.


    ¡°I woke up here. No idea how I got to this damned island¡­ but the moment I arrived, I felt it.¡± His voice lowered. ¡°Something¡ªsomeone¡ªwas watching me.¡±


    A cold shiver ran down Adrian¡¯s spine.


    ¡°I tried to escape. Over and over, I set sail¡­ but no matter how far I went, I always ended up back where I started.¡±


    Black sand. Crimson trees. A force that prevented escape. And now, a silent watcher in the shadows. The island felt less like a place and more like a prison.


    Then came the scream.


    A bloodcurdling cry of sheer terror shattered the uneasy silence.


    Emily.


    Adrian¡¯s heart pounded as he recognized the voice. Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, he grabbed his Trinket and sprinted toward her. He was fast, but even at full speed, it would take at least seven seconds to reach her. Seven seconds too long.


    ¡°I¡¯ll cover you,¡± Fredrick called, raising his sniper rifle with practiced ease.


    In a single fluid motion, he steadied his hand, loaded two bullets, and fired.


    Bang!


    The gunshot thundered through the forest like an explosion.


    Fredrick¡¯s shot flew past Adrian, aimed straight for the unseen assailant. The bullet found its mark¡ªstriking something massive in the face. But instead of piercing flesh, the round merely dropped upon impact.


    Adrian¡¯s stomach twisted as he arrived at the scene.


    Emily lay sprawled on the ground, her face frozen in horror. And standing over her was¡­ a monster.


    A grotesque colossus, towering at nearly eight feet tall. Four massive arms, each as thick as tree trunks. Two heads¡ªone stitched at the mouth, the other stretching its lips into a sinister, unnatural grin. Its blood-red eyes gleamed with malevolent hunger. Claws, long and jagged, glistened like sharpened obsidian.


    And its skin¡ª


    Adrian¡¯s gaze flickered to Fredrick¡¯s bullet, lying uselessly at the creature¡¯s feet.


    It was bulletproof.


    Adrian positioned himself between Emily and the beast, every muscle in his body tensed like a coiled spring. He could feel the creature''s gaze burrowing into him. He knew¡ªone wrong move, and it would strike.


    Then¡ª


    ¡°Hey, guys! You okay?!¡±


    Fredrick¡¯s voice cut through the tension like a blade.


    Adrian barely had time to turn before the beast lunged, its four monstrous arms swiping at Fredrick with lethal precision.


    Adrian moved instinctively, his dagger flashing in the dim light. He barely managed to block one of the beast¡¯s claws¡ªbut the second?


    Too fast.


    Fredrick had no time to react. The monstrous fist collided with his chest, sending him hurtling through the air like a broken doll.


    He crashed into a tree. Hard.


    His body crumpled to the ground. Motionless.


    Emily stifled a scream, her trembling hands covering her mouth. Adrian¡¯s breath hitched as he looked at Fredrick¡¯s unmoving form.


    Then¡ªpain.


    A searing, white-hot pain tore across Adrian¡¯s torso as the beast¡¯s claws raked through his flesh, leaving behind a deep, jagged wound. Blood soaked his sweater, dripping onto the black sand below.


    His vision blurred. His knees wobbled. The beast loomed over him.


    Was this it?


    All that training, all those battles, all the pain¡ªfor what?


    A cruel, bitter thought crept into his mind.


    ¡°I¡¯m useless.¡±


    Time seemed to slow. The beast raised a claw, ready to deliver the final blow.


    Then¡ª


    ¡°That¡¯s a lie! You¡¯re not useless!¡±


    Emily¡¯s voice rang out, trembling yet defiant.


    Adrian¡¯s eyes flickered toward her.


    She was shaking. But despite the fear gripping her body, she stood her ground.


    ¡°If it weren¡¯t for you, I never would have saved my master! If it weren¡¯t for you, August would have died in that cavern! So don¡¯t ever say you¡¯re useless again!¡±


    The beast turned its gaze toward her, drawn to her sudden outburst.


    But what it failed to notice¡ª


    Was Adrian rising.


    The doubt in his mind shattered. The weight in his chest lifted.


    His deep blue eyes ignited with fierce determination¡ªand within them, stars began to shine.

 Chapter 26: Resurgence

    A radiant blue light pierced through the suffocating darkness, shining with a brilliance that rivaled the very sun. It was a light so mesmerizing, so awe-inspiring, that all who beheld it could do nothing but stand in astonishment.


    That light was Adrian.


    The words of his friend had pulled him from the abyss of despair, igniting a resurgence deep within him. No longer shackled by doubt, he rose, his body surging with newfound strength.


    The beast was already charging toward Emily. There was no time to hesitate.


    Adrian inhaled deeply, tightening his grip around his dagger. With a forceful exhale, he let out a thunderous war cry, his voice slicing through the chaos like a blade. The beast halted its advance, snapping both of its grotesque heads toward him.


    And then, it moved.


    With a single step, the monstrous entity redirected its charge, its massive frame barreling toward Adrian.


    Adrian did the same.


    His Trinket thrummed in his grasp as he unleashed its full potential.


    By using Enhance, his strength, speed, and durability surged beyond their natural limits.


    By using Infuse, he poured every ounce of Source Energy into his Trinket, pushing its power to the absolute brink.


    By using Read, he saw¡ªnot just the beast¡¯s body, but the intricate web of Source Energy coursing through it.


    Yet, something was wrong.


    Source Energy should flow through a body like blood through veins¡ªstructured, rhythmic, natural. But within the beast, it was chaotic. The vessels crisscrossed wildly, tangled like threads in a hastily woven tapestry, with a dense, pulsing knot at the center. It was unstable.


    Still, Adrian pressed forward.


    His eyes flicked to the beast¡¯s upper right arm, where a surge of Source Energy flickered erratically. That was its next attack.


    And just as predicted, the beast struck¡ªpulling back its clawed hand before swiping with deadly precision.


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    The very same attack that had wounded him before.


    But this time, Adrian was ready.


    At the last moment, he drove his dagger into the beast¡¯s palm, embedding the blade deep into its flesh seconds before impact.


    ¡°Same trick twice? Not very creative,¡± Adrian sneered, smirking as he twisted the blade.


    A guttural, furious roar erupted from the creature¡¯s stitched mouth. At first, Adrian assumed it was from pain. But as he looked closer, he recognized something unsettling on one of its faces¡ªannoyance.


    It was the same look his mother used to give him when he disobeyed her.


    The beast wasn¡¯t just a mindless monster.


    It could feel. It could be offended. And it wanted revenge.


    The creature¡¯s massive arms lashed out, all four hands closing around Adrian in a crushing grip. With every second, the pressure increased, squeezing the air from his lungs. And then, from its grinning face, a low, chilling cackle echoed through the night.


    ¡®This thing isn¡¯t just a beast¡­ it has human-like emotions. It feels pain. It desires retribution.¡¯


    Adrian¡¯s mind raced back to Fredrick¡¯s death.


    ¡®This creature sensed the Source Energy radiating from his bullet¡­ and from that alone, it recognized him. Though it is blind, it can Read the very flow of Source Energy itself.¡¯


    Adrian''s thoughts raced as the realization settled in.


    The beast¡¯s grip tightened, its intent clear. But Adrian was unshaken.


    He had already sensed it¡ªa familiar presence lingering just beyond the tree


    A slow smile spread across his face.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how you¡¯re still alive,¡± he muttered under his breath, ¡°but I¡¯m glad you are.¡±


    Three gunshots rang out.


    Bullets ripped through the night, striking the stitched mouth of the beast¡¯s left head.


    ¡°Sorry, I took so long,¡± a familiar voice called out.


    Adrian turned his head slightly, a grin tugging at his lips. He knew that voice¡ªsharp, confident, deadly.


    Fredrick Newborn.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it,¡± Adrian called back. ¡°I¡¯ve got it from here.¡±


    With the beast momentarily stunned, Adrian acted.


    Summoning every ounce of strength, he pried apart the creature¡¯s massive hands, breaking free from its grip. He clenched his Pugio, his knuckles white with determination, and drove the blade straight into the beast¡¯s left shoulder.


    A piercing, almost childlike wail burst from the monster¡¯s throats¡ªa cry of agony, raw and unrestrained.


    It thrashed wildly, its hulking frame convulsing as it attempted to shake Adrian loose. But he refused to be thrown.


    Instead, he pushed the dagger deeper.


    The beast flailed, its remaining arms desperately reaching for him¡ªbut every time, Fredrick¡¯s bullets found their mark, stopping the attacks before they could land.


    Adrian didn¡¯t stop.


    With a brutal downward slash, he tore through muscle and sinew, shredding the connective tissue that held the beast¡¯s top left arm to its body.


    The monster howled in agony, its movements growing more erratic, more desperate.


    And then, finally¡ª


    It collapsed.


    Like a great oak felled by an axe, the towering beast tumbled.


    Adrian deactivated his Trinket and leapt away just before it crashed into the earth with a thunderous impact. The ground trembled beneath its weight, dust and debris swirling into the air.


    For a moment, silence hung heavy in the aftermath.


    Then, Adrian exhaled.


    He had done it.


    He had conquered the beast.