Inside the horse-drawn carriage, the members of Venganza sat in relative silence, the rhythmic clatter of wheels against the dirt road filling the air.
Our destination? A kingdom I had visited before.
And the reason for my return?
To recruit someone.
"By the way, Arthur... what's up with that armor?" Zack suddenly asked, breaking the silence.
Arthur, clad in a full suit of armor—including a helmet that completely covered his head—truly looked like a textbook knight.
"You do have that permanent scar from the cut... are you embarrassed about it?" Lycaon inquired with a smirk.
"Ah, no, it's just that I feel cool wearing this," Arthur replied casually.
"...That's it?" Chronia raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed.
"He's an idiot. Just ignore him," I muttered, shaking my head.
"Oh?" Arthur scoffed, crossing his arms. "Says the so-called 'Arche the Foolish Hero'?"
Laughter echoed inside the carriage, but Zack soon turned to the driver.
"Are we almost there yet, sir?"
"We'll be there soon," the driver replied. Then, with a sly grin, he added, "By the way, you haven't paid yet."
I let out a sigh, reaching for my gun as I stood up. Arthur, sitting beside me, immediately turned his face away.
"Hm? What's wro—" Bang!
Before he could finish his sentence, a bullet pierced his skull. His body slumped forward, lifeless.
"Sorry, but we're on a budget," I said casually as the carriage rolled to a stop.
Without wasting time, we dumped the driver's body by the roadside.
The others remained unfazed, as if this was just another routine job. I climbed into the front seat, taking the reins.
"Hey, Arche, can you even drive a horse-drawn carriage?" Zack asked, raising an eyebrow.
"More or less," I replied with a shrug.
I glanced back at Arthur, who was still wearing his helmet. "So, that's why you put that thing on? To avoid witnessing our 'cruelty'?"
Arthur let out a long sigh. "Yeah… and what's your excuse for growing your hair out?"
My hair had gotten noticeably longer. Not that I had any deep reason for it.
"Just wanted something new," I said, flicking a stray strand out of my face.
The carriage resumed its journey, and we continued chatting—until a sight ahead stole our attention.
A kingdom loomed in the distance.
But something was wrong.
The once-thriving city now looked bleak, its walls battered, its atmosphere heavy with tension.
"We're too late, huh…" I muttered.
As we approached the gates, a line of soldiers stood waiting. Heavily armed. Alert.
This wasn't going to be a simple visit. I pulled my hood over my head as our carriage rolled to a stop.
"Hold it! What are you carrying?" one of the soldiers barked, stepping forward with suspicion in his eyes.
I exhaled slowly, keeping my voice calm. "I'm from Lunar Ascendance. I brought the supplies you ordered."
The soldier narrowed his gaze. "Lunar Ascendance, huh? Prove it."
Tch. Bastard… I never thought I'd have to say this.
With a straight face, I recited the words, loud and clear.
"I am loyal to Lord Valtherion—to aid His Majesty DEATH in creating a new world."
The soldier stiffened. "O-Oh? So you're one of Lord Valtherion's men…" He hesitated, then turned to his squad. "What do you guys think?"
Silence.
Confused, the soldier glanced back—only to find his comrades already dead.
The others had slipped out of the carriage and eliminated them in an instant, their bodies collapsing soundlessly to the ground.
"You bastards—!" The remaining soldier panicked, reaching for his flare to sound the alarm.
Shing!
His head flew before he could even raise his arm, my blade slicing clean through his neck.
I flicked the blood off my weapon. "Let's move." As we advanced, I noticed Arthur's sword was already stained red.
So, he took down one too, huh?
Good. At least he dared to kill them.
The moment we stepped inside, a sea of weapons pointed straight at us.
Soldiers surrounded us from all sides, their eyes filled with suspicion and hostility.
"WHO ARE YOU?!" one of them shouted.
Zack smirked, his hand subtly reaching for his knife. "You guys really wanna know?"
Bang!
A bullet whizzed past him, narrowly missing his head. "Hands up! All of you!" another soldier barked.
I let out a sigh and raised both hands. Seeing me comply, the others followed suit.
Lycaon chuckled. "So you ask who we are?"
The soldier hesitated, gripping his weapon tighter. "Y-Yeah… Who are you?!"
I grinned. "We are Venganza!"
At that moment, Chronia snapped her fingers.
Everything stopped.
Weapons froze mid-air. Soldiers stood locked in place, their expressions still twisted in panic.
"Time stop, huh?" Arthur muttered, impressed. "Amazing."
We wasted no time.
Blades flashed. Blood splattered.
The moment Chronia's ability wore off, bodies collapsed one by one, their severed heads rolling across the floor.
Zack scoffed, wiping his blade. "Hah. They suck."
I sheathed my weapon and turned to the group. "We're splitting up. The faster we move, the sooner we figure out what the hell is really happening here."
"Understood, boss," they responded in unison. As I ran through the ruined streets, my eyes caught something familiar.
A statue.
It stood tall, though worn and damaged, its once-proud form now cracked and weathered.
My name was carved onto the base—"Ace the Sin Redeemer."
But the engraving was barely legible, almost erased by time… or by force.
"Hah… how nostalgic," I muttered.
"Fascinated by your own statue?"
I turned around to see a white-haired man standing behind me, a smug expression on his face.
"This statue? I destroyed it," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "Because this hero will never come to save you."
I chuckled. "Maybe you're right."
Then, with a polite smile, I bowed. "Nice to meet you. My name is Arche, the Fool Hero."
The moment I lowered my head—
BANG!
A bullet pierced the man's skull before he could even react. His body crumpled to the ground, lifeless.
I straightened up, glancing at his corpse. "Or… before that, they called me Arche, the Sin Redeemer."
Turning around, I spotted Chronia standing a few steps away, a smoking gun in her hand.
She twirled it casually. "That's what they call a Backshot."
"...What the hell?" I blinked. I never expected her to say something like that.
"Ah, my bad," she said, completely unfazed.
I sighed and refocused. "Anyway, let's move. The castle's the only place still standing strong."
"Understood."
Without wasting another second, we dashed toward the castle. Zack and Lycaon came to a halt as a woman stepped into their path.
Jet-black hair. Burning red eyes, her presence alone radiated danger.
"Who are you?" she asked, her gaze sharp. The two exchanged glances before answering in unison.
"We're from Venganza!"
"Venganza…?" The woman tilted her head. "Never heard of it."
Zack smirked. "Really? You must not get out much, huh?"
Lycaon chuckled, eyeing her pale, flawless skin. "Yeah, we can tell from how unnaturally clean you look."
The woman twitched. "You bastards! I won't let you leave here alive!"
Before they could react, a sudden explosion erupted around them. Flames roared, and debris scattered in all directions.
Zack and Lycaon swiftly leaped back, avoiding the blast.
Lycaon narrowed his eyes. "I didn't see any bombs planted there…"
"Me neither," Zack muttered. "Maybe we should get our eyes checked."
"You idiots! There was no bomb!" the woman snapped. "I made that explosion happen!"
She spread her arms dramatically, a wild grin stretching across her face.
"I'm the Explosion Witch! I can create blasts anywhere!" She let out a crazed laugh, her excitement as explosive as her abilities.
"My name is Boomera! I serve Lord Dravherion!"
Zack scratched his head. "Dravherion…? Never heard of that guy."
"Isn't that name kinda complicated? What's the abbreviation?" Lycaon asked, unimpressed.
"Rav, maybe?" Zack guessed.
"Vherion?" Lycaon offered.
"Drav, of course! You guys play dumb!" Boomera stomped her foot, visibly annoyed.
Her frustration only made their grins widen.
"Huh? People usually pretend to be smart, why the hell would we pretend to be stupid?" Zack replied, his tone dripping with amusement.
Lycaon burst into laughter.
"Ahhh! That's enough!" Boomera snapped, her frustration reaching its peak. With a flick of her wrist—
BOOM!
A massive explosion erupted between them. Before the flames could consume him, Zack's body began to shift.
In an instant, he transformed into his werewolf form. Lycaon moved without hesitation, shielding Zack from the blast.
The explosion barely left a scratch—a minor wound that disappeared in seconds.
"Hah… feels like a massage," Lycaon muttered, stretching his arms as if he had just woken up from a nap.
Boomera's eyes widened in disbelief. "Huh?! A werewolf?!" Her momentary shock was all Zack needed.
SWOOSH!
He dashed forward, his claws gleaming as he aimed a devastating strike at Boomera.
But before the attack could connect—BOOM!
A controlled explosion sent Zack flying backward, forcing him to crash into a nearby wall.
Lycaon casually caught him midair.
"Nice catch," Zack muttered.
"Of course." Lycaon smirked.
Boomera grinned. "Heh… that was only 20% of my power!" She prepared for another attack, flames crackling around her.
But before she could move—"Pleasure meeting you, miss," Zack said with a grin.
And just like that, Lycaon turned tail and bolted, carrying Zack with him.
"H-Hey! Wait!" Boomera shouted, but they were already too fast.
She clicked her tongue. "Tch… whatever. Not worth chasing."
With a huff, she crossed her arms and watched them disappear into the distance.
Elsewhere…
Arthur walked through the desolate ruins, his armored boots crunching against the debris-littered ground.
"This place… it's completely ruined."
A sultry voice suddenly echoed through the empty street.
"Oh? And who might this gallant knight be?"
Arthur spun around, gripping his sword instinctively. A woman stood before him.
Golden blonde hair, piercing amber eyes, and a smile that held both amusement and danger.
"Hello~" she greeted playfully. "The name's Calibra."
With a graceful bow, she continued, "I serve Dravherion in the Lunar Ascendance organization! Pleased to meet you!"
The moment he heard that name, Arthur unsheathed his sword, eyes sharp with hostility.
"You're from that organization, huh?!"
Calibra pouted. "Hey now, isn't it rude not to introduce yourself first?"
Arthur narrowed his eyes. "Arthur. Knight of Justice. Member of Venganza."
"Venganza, huh?" She tilted her head. "Nice name."
Then, with a mischievous smirk, she reached behind her back—And drew dual pistols.
"Our meeting was brief, but it was nice knowing you~"
Before Arthur could react, she opened fire.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Bullets whizzed toward him, but Arthur's blade moved faster.
With flawless precision, he slashed through every bullet mid-air, their fragmented pieces scattering like sparks.
Calibra's eyes widened in disbelief. "H-How?!"
Arthur lunged forward, his sword gleaming as he aimed for her—But Calibra kept firing, her movements frantic yet calculated.
Several bullets struck Arthur's armor—
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
But his armor was too strong.
Arthur smirked. "Slow."
With one decisive swing, he aimed to end the fight—But Calibra twisted away at the last second, just barely dodging.
She let out a low whistle. "You're good."
Then, with a carefree spin, she turned her back on him.
"Unfortunately, I don't have a decent weapon on me right now… So, I'll take my leave."
She blew him a kiss before sprinting away. Arthur exhaled, sheathing his sword.
"Tch… What a hassle."
He turned his gaze toward the only structure still standing tall.
The palace.
"Looks like Arche went that way…"
Without hesitation, he strode forward.
Inside the palacs, as I stepped forward, my eyes landed on a man sitting proudly upon his throne, his posture exuding authority.
The way he sat—relaxed yet imposing—made it clear. He had been waiting for us.
"Long time no see, Oris." I greeted, a smirk creeping onto my lips.
The king's sharp gaze met mine. "I have been expecting you, Arche, son of Richard."
From beside me, Chronia muttered, "You sure know a lot of kings, huh…"
I shot her a grin. "What can I say? This is the life of a popular man."
Oris let out a dry chuckle. "Hmph… You seem calmer than before. Though you still run your mouth as much as ever."
Then, with deliberate steps, he descended from his throne.
His gaze flickered toward Chronia, then behind me. "And… are they your friends?"
"Yeah, she's my—wait…" I stopped mid-sentence, my brow furrowing.
"They?"
Oris smirked and gestured behind me.
"Not her… them."
I turned—And sure enough, Zack, Lycaon, and Arthur stood there.
"Oh... right." I nodded casually. "Yeah, they're mine."
They approached, their expressions a mix of curiosity and amusement.
"He's your friend, Arche?" Zack asked, crossing his arms. "You really do know a lot of kings, huh?"
Arthur stayed silent, his eyes locked on Oris with mild suspicion.
Oris exhaled heavily. His once-proud kingdom now lay in ruins around him, yet he still carried himself like a ruler.
Then, his voice dropped—"This destruction…"
His words hung in the air, heavy with regret.
It began with a single explosion.
A loud, violent blast that tore through a corner of the city, sending debris flying and panic spreading like wildfire.
Then, before anyone could make sense of it—BOOM!
Another detonation erupted, this time in the heart of the kingdom.
Screams filled the air. People ran, desperate for shelter.
And then came more.
One after another, explosions engulfed the city, turning once-thriving streets into a nightmare of fire and ruin.
By the time the smoke cleared, two figures stood in the middle of the destruction, their presence almost casual amidst the chaos.
A woman with jet-black hair grinned, hands on her hips.
"Hey, citizens!" she called out. "We, from the Lunar Ascendance, will be plundering this kingdom!"
Beside her, a blonde woman twirled a pistol between her fingers.
"You've got a lot of good materials here, right?" she teased, smirking at the trembling civilians.
Then—Clank.
A spear hit the ground.
Oris, the King of this kingdom, stepped forward. His expression was cold, unshaken.
"And what makes you so confident?" he asked.
A soldier rushed to his side—Squelch.
Before the poor man could even draw his weapon, Oris' spear pierced through him effortlessly.
The body collapsed to the ground with a dull thud. The black-haired woman's grin widened.
"Oh? So you're the King? Perfect!" She turned toward her partner.
"Calibra, tell him!"
"Why me?! You do it, Boomera!"
"Huh?! I've been talking the whole time!"
Calibra sighed, rolling her eyes. Then, she stepped forward, leveling a gun at Oris with a smirk.
"Listen, Your Majesty—"
"You've already lost."
Oris' grip on his spear tightened.
Calibra continued, her tone light but sharp as a blade.
"You can't fight back, because—" She pointed at the cowering people around them. "We've already taken your people hostage."
"And your soldiers?" Boomera added, giggling. "Yeah, we've got their families too."
The king's breath hitched.
The soldiers who had once stood tall behind him now trembled, their hands frozen over their weapons.
None of them dared to act.
Because if they did—Their families would die, Calibra smirked, tilting her head.
"So? As a good king, you'll just sit in your palace and do nothing."
Boomera clapped her hands together cheerfully. "Don't worry! We'll only enslave them!"
Silence fell. Oris' shoulders stiffened. His fingers curled into a tight fist.
For a moment, it looked as though he would fight. But then—He closed his eyes.
Took a slow breath.
And nodded.
"…Okay."
The crowd gasped.
Their king—The man who had once stood against armies, who had fought for them—Had just surrendered.
Oris turned without another word, walking back toward his palace under the weight of his people's disappointment.
They didn't say a word, but he could feel their stares. Their betrayal.
Their silent anger.
Yet, he kept walking.
Because if he didn't—They would all die.
Arthur's grip tightened on his sword.
His rage boiled over as he took a step forward, his blade now pointed directly at Oris.
"Then what the hell are you doing here in this palace?!" Arthur's voice was sharp, laced with frustration.
"Don't you plan to save them?!" His voice echoed through the throne room, filled with anger and disbelief.
"A king, a leader, surrendering so easily?" Arthur couldn't accept it. He refused to.
As a former king himself, he saw Oris' decision as cowardice.
But Oris—He simply sighed.
Then, he looked Arthur in the eye and spoke. "Listen to me, Arthur, son of Aldric."
Arthur's breath hitched.
His father's name.
This man knew his father's name.
Before Arthur could question it, Oris continued, his voice steady yet filled with burden.
"If I fought back, they would slaughter dozens of my people immediately."
"They are my people, Arthur. My duty is to protect them."
"So yes—" His hands clenched at his sides. "They will suffer. They will be enslaved. But at the very least…"
"They will live." Arthur's jaw tensed.
Oris' voice lowered, filled with quiet desperation. "There is a chance some will die."
"But at least it won't be all of them." For a moment, silence.
Arthur's sword remained raised, his fury unwavering. But deep inside, something in Oris' words pierced through him.
Because…
Arthur understood.
He understood the weight of sacrificing pride for duty. Yet, he still couldn't accept it.
Then—"Wait!" Arthur snapped back to reality. "How do you know my father's name?!"
Oris let out a small, tired chuckle.
"You two are just like them..." he muttered, his eyes shifting between Arthur and me.
"Do you have a plan?" Lycaon asked, cutting through the tension.
Oris let out a slow exhale. "You think I'm stupid?" His voice was sharp, but his exhaustion was evident.
"I have too many plans."
"Then why the hell haven't you acted on them?!" Zack challenged.
Oris closed his eyes.
"Because I can't do this alone."
"I need help."
He looked at all of us.
Then—"Are you a team, or…?" His voice trailed off.
I stepped forward, my gaze firm.
"Yes."
I met his eyes, my voice steady.
"We are Venganza."
"And we exist to destroy Lunar Ascendance." Oris was silent for a moment.
Then—He straightened his posture, took a deep breath. And spoke, his voice carrying the weight of a king's plea.
"Venganza!"
"I ask for your aid—help this kingdom."
His next words came with a deep bow.
"Please, accept my favor."
The room fell into a tense silence.
We all exchanged glances.
Then—"Boss, your call," Chronia said, turning toward me.
I grinned. "Oris!" I called out, my voice echoing.
"I accept your humble request!"
"However—"
"You must pay us later!"
Oris chuckled, straightening himself. "Fair enough, I accept."
"Alright then, what's the plan?" Arthur asked, arms crossed, his impatience evident.
Oris sighed, rubbing his temple. "First things first—do you know who's leading this attack?"
"Those two women, Boomera and Calibra, right?" I chimed in.
Oris nodded. "Yeah, just the two of them. And that's what makes this easier."
"If they're taken down, their army loses its backbone," he continued.
"Without leadership, the soldiers will be in disarray, and that's our chance to strike back."
He laid out his plan in detail. By the end of it, everything was clear.
"Alright, are you all ready?" I asked, scanning the group.
"Yes, boss!" they all shouted—except Oris, who simply sighed.
The plan was simple:
Chronia, Zack, and Lycaon would handle freeing the hostages—a high-priority task that required stealth and speed.
Meanwhile, Arthur, Oris, and I would deal with Boomera and Calibra directly.
The Rescue Team Moves
Chronia crouched behind a stack of crates, eyeing a heavily guarded doorway. Five soldiers stood in front of it, their weapons ready.
"That has to be the place..." she muttered.
"Then let's go," Zack said, twirling his knife between his fingers.
Before they could advance, Chronia froze the guards in place, using her ability to stop their movements for a split second.
That was all Zack and Lycaon needed.
Zack darted forward, his knife flashing under the dim light—three heads rolled to the ground before they even had a chance to scream.
Lycaon took a more direct approach.
With a single swipe of his claws, he ripped the heads off the last two soldiers, their bodies collapsing the ground.
Chronia stared at them, blinking in disbelief. "You two are insane."
She sighed, rubbing her temples. "I don't think I can mentally survive staying with you guys for too long…"
Zack grinned as he wiped the blood off his blade. "Come on, you'll get used to it."
Then, with a casual flex of his inhuman strength, Zack kicked the door open.
The heavy metal door didn't just open—it broke off its hinges and slammed into the floor with a deafening crash.
Chronia took a step back. "…He's a literal monster," she muttered under her breath.
"Enough talk, move it!" Zack grabbed her wrist and started running.
"—H-Hey! Don't just pull me like that!"
They rushed inside, greeted by a long, dark stairway leading underground.
Lycaon peered down. "An underground prison, huh…?"
As they descended the final step, their eyes adjusted to the dimly lit chamber—a massive underground prison.
Rows of cells lined the walls, filled with terrified prisoners, their wrists bound in cold, iron cuffs.
At the sight of Zack, Lycaon, and Chronia, the captives recoiled in fear—especially at the towering beast-like form of Lycaon.
Sensing their distress, he sighed and shifted back into his human form.
Chronia took the lead, stepping toward the bars. "Hey! Don't worry, we're here to help you!"
A frail old woman stepped forward cautiously, her voice trembling.
"Who... who are you?"
Chronia smiled gently, placing a hand on her hip. "I am Chronia, the Queen of Time."
She gestured toward her comrades. "We're enemies of the organization that attacked this country."
Then, with a confident smirk, she added—"The enemy of my enemy is my friend, right?"
But before the old woman could answer, a chilling voice echoed through the chamber.
"And you are friends of my enemies." The three turned sharply.
A figure stepped forward from the shadows—a woman with sharp, golden eyes and a sly grin.
Calibra.
She stopped just a few steps away, tilting her head playfully. "Oh? Where's the knight?"
Zack grinned, twirling his knife between his fingers. "Sorry to disappoint you, but we're the ones here to serve you!" His voice was laced with excitement.
Elsewhere… Arthur, Oris, and I faced off against a different opponent.
A woman stood before us, her jet-black hair contrasting against her wide, maniacal grin.
Boomera.
"So, she's the woman you told me about?" I muttered to Oris.
He nodded, his expression grim. Boomera, on the other hand, beamed with pride.
"Heh. Looks like I'm getting popular, huh?" Then, her piercing red eyes locked onto me and Arthur.
"And who are you?" She lazily waved at Oris. "Not you, old man."
I took a step forward. "Arche, the Fool Hero."
Arthur followed suit, gripping the hilt of his sword. "Arthur, the Knight of Justice."
Boomera burst into laughter. "Y-You… you seriously call yourself the FOOL Hero?! Pffft—"
She doubled over, nearly falling off her feet. Arthur and I just stood there, watching her roll in uncontrollable hysterics.
"A-Are you actually THAT stupid?!" she wheezed between laughs.
Arthur turned to me with a smug expression. "I told you it was a bad name, Arche."
"Shut up," I muttered, deadpan.
Suddenly, Boomera froze mid-laugh, her eyes widening in shock. "Wait… did you say Arche?"
She pointed a trembling finger at me, her expression shifting from amusement to absolute panic.
"Y-You—! You're THAT Arche?!"
I smirked and crossed my arms. "Heh. Looks like I'm getting popular, huh?" I said, mimicking her earlier words.
Boomera's face twitched. "Y-YOU'RE MOCKING ME NOW?!"
Oris, who had been watching with a tired expression, sighed. "And? Do you have any business with Arche?"
Boomera snapped at him instantly.
"SHUT UP, YOU OLD MAN!"
Oris just raised an eyebrow. Boomera took a deep breath, clenching her fists.
"I-I am NOT afraid!" she declared, though she was clearly trying to convince herself more than us.
"As one of Lord Dravherion's trusted followers… I WILL NOT BE AFRAID!" Arthur, ever the professional, raised a hand.
"Question."
Boomera squinted. "Go ahead."
"Who's Dravherion?"
Boomera's jaw dropped.
"…You DON'T know who Lord Dravherion is?!"
Arthur shrugged. "Well, we're not from your organization."
Boomera facepalmed so hard that it echoed through the ruins. "Unbelievable…"
Then, as if she had just accepted our ignorance, she climbed onto a rock and sat down.
"Fine. I guess I have to explain, huh?"
I leaned toward Oris, whispering.
"Eh… is she really about to explain?"
Oris smirked and whispered back.
"It's fine. This'll buy us some time."
Boomera cleared her throat dramatically.
"Ahem! Listen up, because I'm only gonna explain this once!"
She raised one finger. "The highest position in our organization is the Supreme Commander."
"And that position belongs only to His Majesty… DEATH."
She let the name hang in the air for dramatic effect, but we all just stared at her, unimpressed.
Ignoring us, she continued, raising three fingers. "Below DEATH, there are three Generals. These guys are his most trusted warriors."
She then raised two fingers per hand.
"Each General has two Captains who serve directly under them."
Boomera puffed out her chest proudly.
"And I am one of those Captains!"
She then crossed her arms, looking smug. "Captains like me lead the soldiers and give them orders."
"We're the ones who make sure missions actually get done!"
Then, with a satisfied smirk, she reached into her bag and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper.
"Here! This chart will make it easier to understand!" She unfolded it with a dramatic flair…
Only for us to see a page full of messy doodles, random scribbles, and childish drawings.
Oris sighed. "Are you a kid?"
"Shut up, old man!" Boomera snapped.
Arthur squinted at the top of the page. "Oh? Is that her signature?"
I took a glance and nodded. "Yeah, not like we need it anyway."
Then my eyes caught something. Among the six Captain names listed… I saw my mother's name.
She was one of Valth's trusted Captains.
A realization hit me.
…Ah. I see now.
I raised my hand. "Question."
Boomera grinned. "Alright! Go ahead!"
"Isn't Johannes also one of the Generals?"
Boomera froze. "How do you know?!" She leaned forward, eyes wide.
"You really are a surprising man, huh..."
Mumbling to herself, she then cleared her throat and straightened up.
"Yes! Indeed! But he was reported dead."
"So now, Lord Dravherion is the successor."
Oris raised his hand next. "Question."
Boomera clicked her tongue. "Go ahead, old man."
"That means you Captains are the third-strongest in the organization, right?"
Boomera paused. Then she crossed her arms and sighed. "Not really."
"Some soldiers have insane abilities. I'll admit—there are a few stronger than me."
"And besides, my position as Captain? It can be replaced at any time."
Hearing that, we all started piecing together how the organization truly worked.
Boomera suddenly snapped back to reality. "Ah—!" She gasped. "I've been talking too much!"
Meanwhile, my mind was already elsewhere. I have to bring my mother home.
"Alright... let's beat her up." I order.
On the other hand, Zack's team is facing Calibra, Without warning, Calibra struck first.
Two shots rang out-one aimed at Chronia, the other at Zack.
Time slowed.
Chronia snapped her fingers, and the bullet meant for her froze midair.
But before she could do the same for Zack, he had already thrown himself to the side, narrowly dodging the shot with remarkable agility.
Lycaon roared and lunged forward. Calibra immediately redirected her aim to the charging werewolf.
One bullet shattered against the wall. The other nearly tore through Lycaon—until Chronia slowed time in an instant, giving the beast just enough room to evade.
Zack seized the opportunity. He slipped behind Calibra and slashed his knife toward her arm.
But Calibra's reflexes were razor-sharp. She twisted, driving her knee into Zack's gut, sending him staggering back.
Another shot fired.
Before the bullet could reach Zack, Lycaon swung his claws, deflecting it into the wall with a sharp clang.
Chronia snapped her fingers once more—time resumed its flow.
Calibra smirked. "Hmph. Not bad."
She raised both guns again—but this time, Chronia moved first. With a single motion, she froze time completely.
The world stopped. Calibra stood locked in place, her smirk still on her face, but her body paralyzed in the frozen moment.
Zack exhaled, "You could've done that from the start, couldn't you?"
Chronia's lips curled into a faint smile. "I could. But where's the fun in winning too easily?"
Zack clicked his tongue but didn't waste time. He snatched the key dangling from Calibra's belt and stepped back.
"You free the civilians! Lycaon and I will handle her!" Zack tossed the key toward Chronia.
"Fine. But don't blame me if you end up dead."
With that, Chronia turned and sprinted toward the cells, ready to unlock them one by one.
"You still want to fight?" Calibra's voice was calm—too calm. As if this battle was nothing more than entertainment to her.
"You only survived earlier because of that time mage. But now? You've already lost one of your own."
Zack exhaled, twirling his knife between his fingers. "Damn, she sure likes to talk."
Lycaon grinned, his fangs slightly visible. "You don't see it? She needs to talk big to hide her fear."
Calibra chuckled. "Fear? Now that's interesting."
Then, without warning-she moved.
BANG! BANG!
Two shots fired in an instant. Zack and Lycaon split in opposite directions, barely dodging the bullets.
Zack surged forward, his blade flashing. He struck for Calibra's stomach, but she twisted effortlessly, causing his knife to graze nothing but the fabric of her jacket.
BANG! BANG!
Zack barely had time to react as two more shots were fired at him.
He dropped low, but one bullet still nicked his shoulder.
"Shit!" Zack hissed, but before Calibra could fire again, Lycaon was already charging.
The werewolf didn't care about the bullets—each shot felt like nothing more than a mosquito bite.
With blinding speed, his claws lashed out at Calibra.
She leaped back, but Lycaon didn't let up. He struck again and again, his claws slicing the air inches from her throat.
Then, at the last moment, Calibra ducked-and drove a brutal kick into Lycaon's gut.
THUD!
Lycaon staggered back a few steps. But Zack was already moving. Seizing the opening, he lunged, slashing downward from above.
Calibra raised her pistol, blocking the blade with the barrel of her gun.
But Zack had anticipated that.
With his free hand, he slammed a fist into her jaw with all his strength.
Calibra's head snapped to the side—but she didn't fall.
Zack landed, breathing heavily. "Damn, she's stubborn."
Lycaon cleared his throat, rubbing his stomach. "Agreed." They exchanged a glance.
Zack smirked. "Guess it's time to stop holding back."
Lycaon let out a short laugh. "Only now? Don't make me bail you out again."
Zack chuckled. "We'll see who takes her down first."
Across from them, Calibra raised her pistols once more, a grin stretching across her face.
"Come on. Make this fun for me."
They fought relentlessly, neither side willing to fall.
Blood dripped from Calibra's temple, her breaths ragged. Zack and Lycaon stood before her, their bodies battered and bleeding, yet still standing.
Zack flicked his knife, sending droplets of blood flying off the blade. "You're finished."
Lycaon let out a low growl, his eyes glowing in the darkness of the corridor. "Surrender now, or I'll make sure you never run again."
Calibra smirked—but this time, the confidence in her grin wavered.
Her eyes flicked to the right-a narrow passage leading outside.
They realized it a second too late.
In one swift motion, Calibra dropped one of her pistols and hurled a smoke grenade at their feet.
Pssshhh!
Thick smoke engulfed the area.
"Shit, she's running!" Zack cursed, stepping back to regain his vision.
But Lycaon didn't hesitate. Without a second thought, he charged straight into the smoke, relying on his heightened senses.
His ears caught hurried footsteps ahead. His eyes narrowed. "You're not getting away!"
He shot forward like a bullet, his claws scraping against the walls for momentum. Ahead, he saw her.
He was close-so close he could almost wrap his fingers around her throat-
BANG!
A thunderous shot rang out, deeper and heavier than a pistol's crack.
Lycaon barely registered the impact before the force ripped through him.
Blood sprayed across the ground.
His body slammed into the floor, sliding several meters before coming to a stop.
At the end of the corridor, Calibra stood, now gripping a massive shotgun. The barrel still smoked.
She gazed down at Lycaon, writhing in pain on the floor.
"Heh..." She let out a small smirk. "You know... even a werewolf drops like any other prey."
Lycaon tried to move, but his body refused to obey.
Calibra's footsteps echoed as she strode toward him, her eyes gleaming with quiet satisfaction.
All Lycaon could do was glare at her, fury burning in his gaze.
Zack's footsteps echoed as he rushed toward Lycaon.
Blood pooled beneath him, seeping from the gaping wound in his chest.
His once—powerful werewolf form shrank, muscles fading as he reverted to human.
Zack knelt beside him, shaking his shoulder. "Hey! Stay with me!"
Lycaon gave a weak smirk. "I'm... ugh... not dead yet, idiot..."
Zack clenched his teeth. This was his fault. He should've been in front, not Lycaon.
His gaze snapped forward-Calibra still stood, shotgun in hand.
Something inside him snapped.
He lunged.
Calibra raised her gun, but Zack was faster. He slid past her, his blade flashing.
First strike—her shoulder, blood spraying.
Second—her stomach, forcing her back.
Third—her thigh, nearly dropping her.
No strategy. No restraint. Just revenge.
Calibra staggered, gasping. She tried to smirk, but her eyes showed fear.
Then, she did the only thing she could—she ran. Leaving a trail of blood, she disappeared into the darkness.
Zack gripped his knife, ready to chase—But a weak voice stopped him. "Zack..."
He turned. Lycaon lay there, still bleeding, still alive.
Zack exhaled sharply. He wanted to finish this, but...
He sheathed his knife and looked back. "Chronia! Switch with me! Heal him!"
Chronia, still freeing the prisoners, nodded. She hurried over, placing her hands over Lycaon, time magic already flowing.
Elsewhere, the battlefield trembled under Boomera's relentless onslaught. I barely managed to leap aside-
A split second later, the ground where I had stood was obliterated, shards of stone blasting into the air.
The heat from the explosion scorched my face, but there was no time to care.
Boomera stood across from me, the tips of her fingers still glowing red, fading embers of destruction flickering away.
She wasn't in a hurry. She was savoring this, I took a deep breath.
"Arche, focus!" Arthur's sharp voice cut through the chaos from my right.
I didn't respond. Talking was useless when the enemy in front of us could turn us into dust at any moment.
"We can't get close like this," Oris muttered, gripping his golden spear tightly, eyes locked on Boomera.
Arthur tightened his hold on his sword. "We just need to break her rhythm. One opening—that's all we need."
Boomera chuckled darkly. "And you think I'll give you that chance?"
Her hand twitched.
I moved first.
In a fraction of a second, I was already sprinting toward her. Boomera's eyebrow twitched. Her fingers flicked.
Too slow.
I was already airborne before the explosion hit, kicking off a flying rock for extra momentum.
I shot forward, blade gleaming under the dim light. Boomera realized her mistake—but she wasn't the type to panic.
The air around me rippled violently.
Then-
BOOM.
A deafening blast engulfed me at close range. My body was sent flying, crashing into a stone wall with bone-cracking force.
A faint crack echoed-not from the wall, but from me.
I collapsed to the ground, blood dripping from my lips. My vision blurred, but I could still see Boomera striding toward me, that smug grin still plastered on her face.
"Rushing in like that will only get you killed," she mused, voice almost amused.
I said nothing.
Oris had already moved-his spear shot forward like lightning, aiming straight for Boomera.
Boomera flicked her wrist—BOOM. The explosion erupted mid-air before the spear could reach her.
But it was just a feint. Arthur was already on the opposite side, his sword slashing straight for Boomera's head.
Boomera ducked at the last second.
And in that instant—I was already behind her.
My blade sliced through her shoulder. Blood sprayed into the air.
Boomera staggered back, her breathing heavier. Her eyes narrowed, the amusement in them gone.
"We can win this," I murmured, my voice lower than I realized.
Arthur pointed at me. "I knew that was your voice!"
Another explosion shook the ground beneath me, forcing me to leap back to avoid the flying debris.
Arthur and Oris were also pushed back, widening the gap between us once more.
Boomera stood amidst the swirling smoke, her fingers moving lazily-like she was merely toying with us.
"Damn it..." Oris muttered, tightening his grip on his spear.
Arthur raised his sword, his gaze sharp. "She's stalling for time."
I kept my eyes on Boomera. "Or maybe... she just wants us to lose hope."
Boomera's lips curled into a small smile. "Oh? So you're finally catching on."
Her fingers twitched—
And at that moment—
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Explosions erupted in rapid succession all around us. The ground shattered, stone walls crumbled, and debris rained down like a storm.
The shockwaves sent the three of us flying in different directions, our formation completely broken.
I hit the ground hard, pain jolting through my body. The moment I tried to stand—
BOOM!
Another blast erupted behind me, hurling me even further. I clenched my teeth.
This is bad.
Boomera wasn't letting us get close.
No matter how fast I moved, her explosions always shattered my path before I could reach her.
Arthur attempted to break through from the right—BOOM!
A blast erupted beneath his feet, forcing him to stumble back.
Oris leaped into the air, hoping to strike from above—BOOM!
A shockwave slammed into him before he could even get close.
Oris crashed hard into the ground, dust and debris scattering around him.
Boomera chuckled. "You're all completely useless without close range, aren't you?"
Oris struggled to rise, blood trickling down his forehead. Arthur was on the ground too, his breathing ragged.
And me—I could still fight.
I twirled my sword in my grip, feeling the cold weight of the metal. I locked eyes with Boomera.
And for the first time since this battle began—I thought about killing her.
I clenched my teeth, struggling to steady my breathing.
Boomera alone was already a nightmare to deal with—but before I could even search for an opening, heavy footsteps echoed from my left.
I turned—A woman I had never seen before emerged from the haze.
But judging by her appearance, she had to be Calibra—the one Oris had mentioned.
She staggered forward, blood dripping from the wounds on her shoulder and thigh.
Her breathing was ragged, her expression dark with fury.
Yet, despite her injuries, she still gripped both of her pistols tightly.
"You look busy," she muttered.
Boomera let out a chuckle, glancing at her with a lazy smirk. "Oh? Look who finally crawled in... Uglybra."
Calibra's hand twitched. In a blink, she had her pistol aimed straight at Boomera's head.
"Say that again, and I'll blow your skull open."
Boomera raised her hands in mock surrender, smirking. "Oh no, I'm so scared~"
I exhaled sharply. Damn it.
These two clearly hated each other-but that didn't mean we could use this to our advantage.
Because if Boomera and Calibra fought on the same side—even if they despised each other—this would only get worse.
Arthur stood beside me, sword still drawn. "We need to figure out how to take them down. Fast."
Oris wiped the blood from his forehead, narrowing his eyes. "The problem is, neither of them will let us get close."
I looked ahead, watching as Boomera and Calibra exchanged sharp glares, as if they wanted to kill each other.
But in the end—
Their attention shifted back to us. Two predators. And we were the prey.
"Take care of them first," Boomera muttered.
Calibra scoffed, raising both of her pistols. "For once, I agree."
The battle reignited in an instant.
Boomera and Calibra moved without hesitation—two demons thirsty for blood.
Explosions rocked the ground, bullets screamed through the air.
Arthur, Oris, and I scattered, dodging the relentless storm of attacks. But finding an opening to counterattack? Nearly impossible.
I ducked low, barely avoiding two bullets that whizzed past my head.
Calibra wasn't just shooting blindly—she was aiming for weak points with deadly precision.
Meanwhile, Boomera gave us no time to think. Every time Arthur or I tried to close the distance, the ground beneath us erupted, forcing us to keep moving.
I leaped back, cursing under my breath. "Damn it, they're getting more annoying."
Arthur landed beside me, breathing heavily. "This is bad. They're keeping us pinned down."
I turned to Oris—Unlike us, struggling to keep up, he was moving forward.
Boomera raised her hand, summoning an explosion right in front of him-
But Oris didn't stop.
He tore through the smoke and fire, his golden spear flashing under the light.
"You idiot."
Calibra fired—two bullets aimed straight at his chest. Oris shifted his body slightly, slipping past them with inhuman speed.
In a single breath—He was already in front of Boomera. His spear swung.
Boomera tried to retreat—
Too late.
A golden arc cut through the air—BRAGH!
Boomera's body slammed into a massive boulder, fresh blood spraying from her shoulder.
For a moment, I froze.
Arthur stood still as well.
Oris... wasn't holding back anymore.
His gaze was razor-sharp, his body radiating an icy, unrelenting bloodlust.
I smirked. "Oh... this just got interesting."
Calibra raised her pistols again-but this time, I saw something in her eyes that wasn't there before.
Caution.
I moved swiftly through the ruins, dodging Calibra's bullets as they tore through the air with deadly precision.
On the other side, Arthur clashed with Boomera, their battle erupting into a relentless storm of explosions and steel.
In the midst of the chaos, Oris advanced without hesitation.
His spear danced through the battlefield, golden arcs carving through the air as he deflected the onslaught.
The tide was shifting.
Where we were once on the defensive—now, we struck back.
I lunged at Calibra, my blade slicing through the air.
She stepped back, firing two bullets straight at my chest—I twisted my body, letting them whistle past, then countered with a slash aimed at her throat.
She ducked low and retaliated with a sharp kick to my gut, sending me skidding backward.
But I didn't fall.
I leaped onto the rubble, my gaze locking onto hers.
Calibra let out a sharp breath. "Tsk... you're getting faster."
I smirked. "I've been holding back for too long." On the other side, Arthur and Boomera clashed with relentless intensity.
Boomera unleashed explosion after explosion, forcing Arthur to stay on the move-never letting him stand still.
But Arthur never faltered.
With every strike, his blade drew closer—closer to Boomera's flesh.
And Oris—He was a golden storm in the midst of battle.
His spear struck at Boomera and Calibra in turn, keeping them on the defensive, forcing them to react.
The fight had changed, we weren't just surviving anymore, We were fighting.
And for the first time—Boomera and Calibra looked cornered.
Oris stood before Boomera, his golden spear aimed straight at her chest.
She had nowhere left to run.
No room to escape.
This was the end.
Oris swung his spear—And at that very moment—Boomera yanked something in front of her.
No.
Someone.
SRAT!
Steel tore through flesh and bone, the sickening sound of a body being impaled echoing through the battlefield.
Blood sprayed onto the dirt.
But it wasn't Boomera who screamed.
It was Calibra.
Her eyes widened in shock, her body trembling. She looked down-
At the golden spear now buried deep in her stomach. Boomera chuckled, patting her on the shoulder like an old friend.
"Thanks, Uglybra—I knew you'd be useful for something."
Calibra's lips parted, as if to curse, to scream—But only blood poured from her mouth.
I had been expecting a betrayal, I was just waiting to see who would be the traitor.
Arthur stared in horror, his mouth slightly open, while Oris stood frozen—his grip still firm on the spear that now dripped with Calibra's blood.
Boomera released her hold, letting Calibra drop to the ground like discarded trash.
Then, she turned to us, flashing a crooked grin. "I'd say this fight just got a little unfair."
She took a step back-then another-before leaping away, widening the distance between us in an instant.
None of us moved to chase her.
Not yet.
Because in front of us, Calibra was still standing—Barely.
Her body trembled violently, blood soaking her clothes, pooling beneath her.
Yet even as life drained from her, her glare burned with hatred.
"...You bitch..."
Boomera only laughed.
Oris yanked his spear free, the wet schlck of metal sliding out of flesh sending another spray of crimson into the dirt.
Calibra choked violently, blood spilling from her lips.
But before we could react—A massive shadow descended upon the battlefield.
BOOM!
The ground trembled as Lycaon landed behind us, his red eyes burning with primal fury.
His breath was ragged, his body shifting once more.
No longer human.
No longer holding back.
Claws extended, fangs bared—
And in his grasp, he held the barely breathing body of Calibra as if she were nothing more than a broken doll.
He didn't speak.
He only roared.
And in a blur of motion-
WUSH!
Lycaon swung Calibra's body with monstrous force, using the dying woman as a weapon and hurling her straight at Boomera.
Boomera's face twisted in shock. "Oi, are you serious?!"
Lycaon didn't answer, he just kept moving. Every step shattered the ground beneath him.
Every strike sent shockwaves through the air. Arthur and I instinctively stepped back—this was no longer a battle we could control.
Boomera began weaving her hands in the air, retreating with rapid footwork.
But I saw it—Her fingers glowing, power building between them.
She was preparing something.
And just as Lycaon closed the distance- She slammed both palms into the ground.
BOOOOOOM!
A deafening explosion erupted, consuming everything in a blaze of fire and dust.
Heat scorched my skin, the sheer force of the shockwave sending me staggering backward.
I shielded my face with my arms, gritting my teeth against the searing wind.
As the smoke slowly began to clear, I saw him—Lycaon, thrown across the battlefield, his massive frame crashing into the ruins with a sickening thud.
Boomera stood in the distance, chest rising and falling with each heavy breath.
Yet even now, a wicked smirk curled on her lips. "Damn... You guys really are monsters."
Boomera was gone.
She had taken a horse-drawn carriage meant for transporting goods, disappearing into the distance.
We had won.
The imprisoned citizens had been freed. But as the people gathered, cheers did not come.
Instead, a heavy silence hung over the ruined kingdom.
They turned to Oris, their only pillar of hope. "Your Majesty!" A citizen called out, his voice trembling. "You have saved us, right?"
Oris hesitated for a moment.
Then, he shook his head.
"No… not just me."
He turned around, searching for the ones who had fought alongside him.
But Venganza was already gone.
Because we are not heroes.
We are just a group of people seeking revenge. The citizens stood in silence, looking around.
Buildings reduced to rubble. Homes torn apart. Shops nothing but ashes.
Their once-thriving kingdom had become a graveyard of broken dreams.
A young boy clung to his mother, his eyes hollow with loss.
A man fell to his knees, staring at the remains of what was once his home.
And then, a voice—full of desperation.
"Your Highness… what should we do?"
Oris took a deep breath.
"We must rebuild this kingdom," he declared. "Even if we have to start from nothing."
But before he could say more, a man rushed forward.
"Your Highness, please!" His voice cracked with emotion.
"Avenge us."
Tears streamed down his dirt-covered face. "They tortured my family. They enslaved us. They destroyed everything we had!"
More voices rose, anger and sorrow intertwining.
"They took our families hostage!"
"They burned our homes!"
"Please, Your Majesty Oris!"
"Punish them! Avenge us!"
Their pleas filled the air, a kingdom's pain laid bare.
And as Oris stood amid the ruins, he felt the weight of their suffering settle on his shoulders.
Would rebuilding ever be enough… if justice was never served?
Hearing the desperate pleas of his people, Oris fell silent.
The weight of their pain, their suffering, their anger—it all rested on his shoulders.
For a moment, he closed his eyes, considering his options.
Then, with renewed resolve, he nodded.
"... Alright."
He took a deep breath and stepped forward. "I have heard your cries!" His voice echoed through the ruins of his kingdom.
"We have suffered great losses. Our homes—burned. Our families—torn apart. Our freedom—stolen."
"But do you think this is where we fall?!"
"NO!"
The people listened intently, their despair flickering into something else.
"The bastards from Lunar Ascendance thought they could break us!" Oris' voice boomed.
"They thought they could turn us into slaves! They thought we would bow, that we would accept this fate!"
He clenched his fist.
"But I tell you now—they are wrong."
"We are more than just ruins!"
"We are more than just survivors!"
"We are a kingdom, and a kingdom never dies!" The people murmured, emotions stirring in their hearts.
"I swear to you, I will not let them walk away from this!"
"I will make them feel our fury!"
"I will make them tremble before us!"
"And I will see to it that this kingdom rises again!"
"So tell me—will you stand with me?!"
Silence—then, a roar of voices.
"We will stand with you!"
"Long live King Oris!"
"Avenge our kingdom!"
The broken people of the kingdom stood tall once more. Their king had not abandoned them.
Their king would lead them forward.
And as we, Venganza, watched from the sidelines, we couldn't help but feel a sense of awe.
"Wow... they're really in sync," Chronia muttered.
"He really is a great king," Arthur admitted, crossing his arms.
And for the first time, I felt like Oris was not just a man sitting on a throne.
He was a leader, standing at the front of his people.
A king worthy of their loyalty.
A few days had passed since the battle.
Now, we were riding in a horse-drawn carriage, the steady rhythm of hooves a comforting sound against the quiet road.
Lycaon was still unconscious, resting peacefully beside Zack.
Arthur, surprisingly, had taken the reins, guiding the carriage with focused ease.
Across from me, Oris sat calmly, his golden eyes reflecting the afternoon light.
"I didn't expect you to join us, Oris," I said, leaning back.
"Well, I couldn't exactly take back my words, could I?" He chuckled.
He had stayed behind for a few days, helping his people rebuild their kingdom before finally catching up to us.
Zack grinned, sliding closer. "Welcome, Oris the Golden Emperor."
Oris smirked. "Mhm. Nice title. I think I'll keep it."
Chronia then poked her head in, eyeing me. "This team is getting bigger, huh?"
I nodded. "Yeah. Not bad, though."
But then, she leaned in closer. "There's one thing I need to protest," she said, her tone dead serious.
I blinked. "Huh? What?"
She crossed her arms. "We're severely lacking in female members!"
"...What?"
"I'm the only girl here! Do you know how exhausting that is?!" Chronia huffed. "I need someone I can actually talk to!"
"You've got Arthur, Zack, and now Oris," I pointed out.
Chronia gasped in mock horror. "You men know nothing about women!"
I sighed, rubbing my temple. "Fine, fine. We'll try to find another female member for you."
"Yay! You're the best!" Chronia cheered, practically jumping in excitement.
She lunged toward me for a hug—I dodged. Smoothly.
I turned to Oris, "Boomera's a strong woman, huh? Do you know a woman named Nanama?"
Oris gave me a confused look. "No, and what's with the random question all of a sudden?" He raised an eyebrow, clearly wondering if I'd lost it.
"HEY!" Chronia pouted. "You're avoiding me! And who the heck is Nanama?!"
Arthur, up front, couldn't hold back his laughter. The easy banter, the teasing, the warmth—it felt familiar.
We weren't just a group of people brought together by fate.
We weren't just a team.
We were family.
The crown is heavy not for its gold, but for the anger it must endure and the justice it must deliver.