"Wait! So you're saying there's one more member?!" Valeria's voice carried disbelief.
"Yes. Oris, the Golden Emperor," Zack answered.
Valeria frowned. "I haven't seen him before."
"I sent him on a mission," I said flatly. "To find someone."
She hesitated. "Someone... for our team?"
I leaned back slightly. "He'll refuse, but that doesn't matter. He'll join either way."
Valeria exhaled through her nose, unimpressed. "So, has Oris found him yet?"
Arthur nodded. "Yeah. We're heading there now. Oris is already waiting."
Arthur then glanced at me. "Who is this guy, anyway?"
Valeria clicked her tongue. "You don't even know? I thought you did."
I flicked my wrist, sending a tarot card into the air—the Wheel of Fortune.
"You know him," I said.
Arthur caught the card, flipping it between his fingers. His expression darkened slightly. "His name?"
"Murphy," I replied.
Arthur stilled. Then, after a moment, he let out a low chuckle. "Murphy, huh... Yeah, it's been a while since I last saw him."
Chronia tilted her head. "A friend of yours?"
Arthur scoffed. "More like a classmate."
"Then what made you want to recruit him?" Zack asked, his gaze sharp.
Arthur let out a short chuckle. "I already know why, Arche," he said. "That ability of his... it's exceptional, isn't it?"
Lycaon folded his arms. "And what exactly is his ability?"
I let the question hang in the air for a moment before answering.
"You could say it's like..." I paused, choosing my words carefully.
"A destiny changer."
No one spoke after that, but the weight of my words settled over them.
By the time we arrived at our destination, Valeria exhaled sharply, irritation clear on her face. "...Why did it take us so long to get here?"
She turned to Chronia. "From what you told me, you can open cross-dimensional portals, right? Why didn't we just use one?"
"Impossible," Chronia replied flatly.
Valeria raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"I overused them before," Chronia explained.
"The more I use portals, the weaker they get. Now, I can only open one cross-dimensional portal at a time."
Valeria clicked her tongue. "Your power is annoying."
We stepped down from the carriage. Arthur patted the horse's neck gently. "Stay here, okay? We'll be back soon."
The horse let out a soft snort, almost as if it understood.
Lycaon scoffed. "And they call me the weird one."
"Oris said he rented a room at a hotel," I muttered, scanning the letter he had sent.
Following the address, we soon arrived at our destination. Standing in front of the building, a sigh escaped me.
"...That damn king..."
He had booked a room in a luxury hotel.
"He's the one paying,"
"Agreed."
"..We're supposed to be saving fo—"
"Let's just go inside."
Without further argument, we stepped in. The moment we entered, the contrast between us and the hotel's usual clientele became painfully obvious.
From the way the receptionist eyed us, it was clear we didn't belong here.
"Uh... are you looking to book a room?" the receptionist asked, polite but hesitant.
"No," I replied calmly. "We're here to meet someone—Oris. We're with him."
The receptionist blinked before hastily checking the reservation list. "Ah... Mr. Oris. He's in room 08," he confirmed.
"Got it. Thanks." I gave a slight nod before we headed toward the room Oris had booked.
I knocked on the door. A moment later, it swung open. "Oh? You guys are here already?"
"Hello, Your Highness," I greeted, my tone flat. "So, you went all out and booked a luxury suite, huh?"
Oris shrugged. "I have standards. I refuse to stay in some run-down inn."
We stepped inside, and sure enough, the room was absurdly spacious—far more than necessary.
"So, she's our new member?" Oris asked, eyeing Valeria.
"Yes. Be grateful I decided to join, kid," Valeria said with a smirk.
Oris raised an eyebrow. "Kid? I might be older than your grandfather."
Valeria tilted her head. "So, you're tens of thousands of years old?"
"She's probably the oldest woman I know besides Luciela" I replied.
"Who?" Lycaon asked, surprised that I suddenly mentioned a random woman's name.
Oris visibly stiffened for a second, but before he could respond, Lycaon casually lifted Valeria off the ground.
"You two are both new, so shut up," he said before tossing her aside.
Valeria spun midair, effortlessly shifting into her bat form before landing gracefully. "Tch."
I stepped closer to Oris. "Enough games. Tell me about Murphy."
Oris exhaled and leaned back. "Murphy… He's living in a cabin. A small place inside the forest."
Chronia narrowed her eyes. "Alone?"
"No," Oris replied. "He lives with his younger sister."
Arthur and I exchanged glances before speaking in unison.
"Seraphy."
Oris smirked. "That's right."
I turned around. "Valeria, Oris. You're coming with me."
"This is your first job," I added without looking back.
Arthur stepped forward. "Arche! I want to come too. Let's make it a reunion."
"Meet him after I've recruited him," I replied flatly.
Just as I took a step forward, a sharp pain shot through my chest—like a blade stabbing deep into my ribs.
"Tch—" My knees buckled, and I clutched my chest, my breathing ragged.
It wasn't just one stab—it felt like countless invisible needles piercing my body over and over again.
"Hey, you good?" Oris asked, watching me with mild concern.
"Arche!" Chronia rushed over, her face unusually tense. "You shouldn't be doing this in your condition. If it's this bad, forget recruiting him—"
"No" I cut her off, forcing myself to stand. My vision swayed, but I bit down the pain.
"If I can't handle this... then I'll never be able to defeat DEATH."
The venom from Ven was still coursing through my veins, a lingering curse that refused to fade.
But I didn't care. I refused to let it stop me. I stepped out of the hotel, Oris and Valeria following silently behind.
The moment we entered the forest, the air turned still. Towering trees loomed above, their dense branches swallowing what little light remained.
The scent of damp earth and old wood filled my lungs. Then, through the gaps between the trees, I saw it.
A lone cabin, nestled in the heart of the forest. "That's the place, huh?" I muttered.
Oris nodded.
We stopped in front of the door.
"Let me handle this," I said.
I knocked.
Silence.
No movement. No response.
The door creaked open, revealing a dark blue-haired man with striking red eyes.
The moment he saw me, his expression froze in pure shock.
"Yo, long time no see, Murphy," I greeted casually.
Murphy immediately slammed the door shut. Bang!
"Sorry, sir! No guests allowed!"
I sighed and grabbed the doorknob, trying to force it open.
But Murphy was just as stubborn—he pushed back with equal force.
"Why don't you go away?! I thought I made it very clear that I'm not accepting visitors right now!" he snapped, struggling to keep the door shut.
"Hey, come on! It's a reunion!" I countered, pushing harder.
Behind him, a girl's voice called out. "Bro, who's that?"
"Ah! Just a shitty advertiser!" Murphy quickly lied.
I rolled my eyes. "Hey, don't be rude to me, Murphy." Then I raised my voice, "Seraphy! It's me, Arche! Remember me?"
"Arche...?" I heard Seraphy mumble. Seemed like she was trying to place my name.
Meanwhile, Murphy was still holding the door with everything he had.
"Dammit, stop trying to break in! How the hell did you even find my house?!"
At this point, Oris and Valeria decided to help—which, in our case, meant forcing the door open even harder.
The hinges creaked ominously. The entire frame wobbled. We were seconds away from committing breaking and entering.
Then—
"Oh! Arche! Come in!" Seraphy called cheerfully from inside.
I instantly let go of the door.
Murphy staggered forward, his face twisted in pure betrayal. "You bastard..."
With a satisfied smirk, I stepped inside.
Murphy groaned in defeat as we walked in. "Damn it..."
The house was small, with barely enough furniture for everyone. There were only two chairs, so we ended up sitting on the floor in a loose circle.
"Sorry, we can't serve anything," Seraphy said apologetically.
"It's fine," I replied. "We're just here to have a quick chat with your brother."
I turned to Murphy. "How have you been?"
Murphy shot me an unimpressed look. "I was fine… until you showed up." His tone made it clear—he wasn't thrilled about my presence.
"Bro! Don't be rude to our guests!" Seraphy scolded, frowning at him.
"Hmph! He's not a guest. He barged in unannounced!" Murphy shot back.
Seraphy sighed and turned to us. "Forgive him, okay? He doesn't like people."
Then, with a bright smile, she introduced herself. "And you two must be Arche's friends, right? Nice to meet you! My name is Seraphy, I'm Murphy's younger sister."
She looked about fifteen—young, but there was something sharp in her eyes, a contrast to her cheerful demeanor.
"My name is Valeria, and this guy here is Oris," Valeria introduced themselves.
"Hey, Seraphy, want to play together?" Valeria asked, grinning.
Seraphy's smile widened. "Of course!"
Murphy let out a quiet sigh as he watched her leave with Valeria.
Then, his eyes slowly shifted back to me, sharp and unwavering.
"If anything happens to Sera…" His voice dropped into something colder. "You know what will happen, right?"
I met his gaze and nodded. "Got it."
With that settled, I exhaled and straightened my posture. "Alright, let's get down to business."
Murphy leaned back, crossing his legs. His red eyes locked onto mine.
"Yeah. Cut to the chase." His voice was calm, but there was a weight behind it. "Why are you here?"
Then, his gaze flicked to Oris.
"And who the hell are they?"
I explained everything—what had happened, what Venganza stood for, and why we were here.
Murphy listened in silence, his expression unreadable. Then, he let out a quiet scoff.
"You want to recruit me to fight them?" His red eyes narrowed slightly.
"That's the idea," I nodded.
Murphy exhaled, rubbing his temple. "And he's a king?"
I nodded again.
"And the woman outside, playing with Seraphy… she's a vampire, isn't she? There's no guarantee she won't suck my sister's blood."
"Not really," I replied casually. "She prefers mine, though."
Murphy stared at me for a moment, then clicked his tongue. "I refuse."
He sighed, leaning back against the wall. "Listen, Arche."
His voice was lower now, steady but firm. "I respect you—because you were the first idiot I ever called a friend."
His gaze darkened. "You're a fool who does whatever the hell you want."
"And once you set your mind on something, no one can stop you."
"And honestly? I get why you're doing this. It doesn't even surprise me."
"But I still have Seraphy to take care of." He crossed his arms. "And that's why I have to refuse."
Silence filled the room.
I sighed. "I figured you'd say that."
Murphy gave me a knowing smirk. "But… it wouldn't be Arche if he didn't try to force things, right?"
His words were almost a challenge.
The three of us stood up.
Murphy lunged at me in an instant.
I was about to dodge—but then it hit me.
A sharp, stabbing pain erupted in my chest, freezing my entire body in place.
His kick landed squarely, sending me crashing into the door.
The impact rattled through me, and the door itself rebounded from the force, groaning in protest.
Oris stepped out, his golden eyes scanning me. "You alright?"
I exhaled sharply, forcing myself up. "This is nothing..."
The pain in my body was one thing. The pain in my chest was another.
I clutched my shirt, gritting my teeth. "Oris, take my place."
Oris glanced at me, hesitating.
"But before that... his ability..."
I tried to finish my sentence, but—I couldn't.
The pain was unbearable. So overwhelming that even forming words became impossible.
Oris gripped his spear with one hand, its tip grazing the ground. A condescending smirk curled on his lips.
"So, you're relying only on your hands and feet? How amusing. I won't even have to try."
Murphy, standing lazily, lifted one foot and tapped it against the ground a few times. A mischievous grin spread across his face.
"Oh? So I'm up against a cocky bastard who doesn't know his limits?" He let out a low chuckle.
"Don't cry too much when I end up stomping your face into the dirt."
Oris clicked his tongue. "Starting to run your mouth already? Fine, then—"
SRAK!
Oris shot forward, his spear slicing through the air, aimed straight at Murphy's chest with lightning speed.
But just before the tip could pierce him, Murphy twisted his body, leaping to the side with absurd agility—dodging the attack by a hair's breadth.
BRAK!
His foot slammed into a tree trunk behind him, sending tremors through the ground as leaves rained down.
Oris flicked his gaze towards the impact, just enough to register the sheer force behind that kick.
Murphy smirked. "Too slow."
Oris' eyes narrowed. He adjusted his grip and unleashed a flurry of rapid, deadly thrusts.
Yet, each attack pierced nothing but shadows.
Murphy moved like a phantom, weaving through the barrage with inhuman reflexes. Then—his leg lashed out.
DOR!
The first kick struck the shaft of Oris' spear, rattling his stance.
DOR!
The second nearly connected with his face, but he barely managed to evade.
Murphy chuckled. "You can't even touch me, huh?"
But what he didn't realize was that Oris had already slipped behind him.
In a flash, the spear carved through the air—SLASH!
Murphy grunted as pain flared across his back. Snarling, he spun around and drove his foot toward Oris' head.
Oris growled, leaping backward to reassess. But that—was his mistake.
For a split second, their eyes met.
One second…
Two seconds…
Three seconds…
Murphy's gaze gleamed with something unnatural.
Suddenly, Oris' body felt… heavy. His limbs sluggish.
He staggered backward, only for his foot to catch on an unseen root.
"Shit—!" he hissed.
Murphy wasted no time. He vaulted into the air, twisting mid-spin—His foot crashed into Oris' chest, sending him flying into the same tree he'd kicked earlier.
Oris coughed blood, struggling to rise, but his knees buckled beneath him.
"What… the hell… did you do…?"
Murphy loomed over him, eyes full of mockery. "You stared into my eyes for more than three seconds, dumbass."
Oris watched Murphy with sharp, calculating eyes.
He wasn't a fool—he had already recognized the pattern of the man's curse.
Misfortune didn't just strike at random. It only happened after his attack landed… and after he locked eyes with Murphy for a full three seconds.
"So that's the key…" Oris muttered, gripping his spear tighter.
His breath was still heavy from the brutal kick earlier, but he forced himself to stand tall.
Murphy smirked. "Oh? So you've figured it out? Good. Now let's see how smart you really are."
Oris wasted no time. He lunged forward at breakneck speed, thrusting his spear toward Murphy.
But this time—it was different. He wasn't just attacking; he was aiming for spots that would make dodging nearly impossible.
SREK!
The tip of his spear grazed Murphy's shoulder. The wound wasn't deep, but it was enough.
Enough to ensure the curse would activate if he made the wrong move.
Murphy hissed, but not in pain. Instead, he grinned, eyes gleaming with amusement.
"Interesting… so you're deliberately holding back your power?"
Oris didn't answer. He kept moving, pressing the attack with precise, controlled strikes.
He knew the rules of the game now—the harder he struck, the worse his luck would be if he slipped up.
His spear spun through the air with deadly accuracy.
Each attack targeted vital points—enough to wound, but never enough to shatter bones or deal a killing blow.
Murphy dodged where he could, but Oris was faster, sharper, relentless. The rhythm was shifting.
For the first time, Murphy was losing ground. "Getting overwhelmed, huh?" Oris taunted, a smirk tugging at his lips.
Murphy scoffed. "And you're playing it safe. Boring."
In an instant, Murphy leaped back, putting distance between them.
His expression shifted—not mockery, but intrigue. "If you're really that skilled, why don't you go all out?"
Oris narrowed his eyes.
Murphy's smile turned razor-sharp. "Because you're afraid."
Oris growled. He hated being looked down on.
Without thinking, he swung his spear with full force—this time, aiming directly at Murphy's body.
BRAK!!
The impact sent Murphy skidding backward.
Oris exhaled in satisfaction. But before he could launch another attack—
Their eyes met.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
Murphy's grin widened. "Thank you."
Suddenly, the ground beneath Oris collapsed.
He staggered, trying to regain balance, but somehow—his foot caught on a root, twisting around his ankle like a snare.
Murphy didn't waste a second.
With blinding speed, he twisted his body—BANG!
His kick slammed into Oris' stomach, sending him crashing into a tree.
"Guh… Damn…!" Oris choked out, gasping for breath.
Murphy strolled forward, hands in his pockets, eyes gleaming with amusement.
"You were smart enough to figure out my curse, but in the end, you let your emotions get the best of you." He chuckled darkly.
Suddenly, Murphy's eyes burned fiercely. He dropped to one knee, clutching his face in pain.
"Damn it… not now…" he muttered through gritted teeth.
Suddenly, Valeria came sprinting in, her expression unusually tense.
"Arche! It's bad! Seraphy is missing!"
Murphy's eyes widened. Without hesitation, he turned to her. "Where is Sera?!"
Valeria pointed toward the direction she had come from. Murphy didn't waste a second—he bolted.
His breath was sharp, his pulse pounding in his ears. "Sera... if anything happens to her—"
Then he saw her.
Seraphy was crouched among the wildflowers, humming softly as she plucked them with a gentle smile. She was safe. She was—
"Sera—"
CRACK!
Something blurred in the air—before he could react, a force like a sledgehammer slammed into his face.
His skull met the tree trunk with a sickening thud. The world spun, pain searing through his head.
"Don't underestimate us."
A cold voice.
Murphy's vision refocused—on Valeria, standing over him with a smirk.
His chest heaved. "You... lied to me?" Valeria didn't answer. She only stared, waiting.
Murphy locked eyes with her—one second, two seconds, three.
A loud creak echoed behind her. The massive tree trunk he had crashed into suddenly gave way, collapsing straight toward her.
But before it could land, Valeria moved.
With a cruel grin, she grabbed a fistful of Murphy's hair and yanked him away before the tree could crush her.
"Nice try," she mused.
Murphy snarled, wrenching himself free—only to feel something slithering up his leg.
A snake. Its coils tightened, fangs bared as it lunged at Valeria's arm.
Murphy stumbled back, watching with satisfaction. "That snake is venomous. You'll be dead in minutes."
Valeria merely sighed.
The moment the snake sank its fangs into her, she didn't even flinch.
Instead, she raised her other hand and, in one fluid motion, sliced the serpent in two.
Murphy's breath caught.
"What...?"
Valeria flicked the blood off her blade, eyes gleaming. "I'm immune to such trivial poison."
Murphy's stomach twisted.
"No way..." he whispered. "You're a monster."
His body moved on instinct—run.
He turned on his heel and sprinted toward Seraphy. "I have to get her out of here—before it's too late."
Murphy stood protectively behind Seraphy, his breaths ragged.
Seraphy turned to him, oblivious to the tension in the air. "Oh! Bro! Huh? Where's Valeria?"
Before she could process the situation, Murphy swept her up into his arms, carrying her like a princess.
"Eh?! What are you doing, bro?!" she squeaked, surprised.
"We're leaving," Murphy muttered, voice strained.
"We need to get out of here. We'll find another country—we'll disappear."
From the shadows, we watched.
"Are you okay, Arche?" Valeria asked, her tone composed, yet carrying an undercurrent of amusement.
I adjusted my hood, eyes locked onto Murphy like a predator watching its prey. "Yeah. I'm fine."
The three of us pulled our hoods low, cloaking our faces in darkness.
"Let's do it."
With a flicker of energy, we appeared—shadows materializing from thin air, surrounding them in an instant.
Seraphy's eyes widened. "H-Huh? Bro? Who are they...?"
Murphy stiffened. His fists clenched.
"You... three..." His voice was a whisper, thick with dread.
Then, without warning—he ran.
Fast. Faster than most humans should be able to.
"Back in the academy, he won every sprinting competition without breaking a sweat," I remarked, watching his retreating form.
Valeria smirked. "That explains why he bolted like a damn deer."
Oris adjusted his hood. "Let's hunt him down."
And just like that, we moved.
Silent. Efficient. Like wolves cornering their prey.
The dense canopy overhead blocked out most of the sunlight, leaving only thin, flickering rays piercing through the gaps in the towering trees.
The air was thick with humidity, the scent of damp earth filling our lungs.
Our breaths came in ragged gasps. Footsteps pounded against the wet ground, branches snapping under the relentless chase.
"Brother, they're still after us!" Seraphy's voice carried a hint of panic, but not fear. She wasn't crying—she was ready.
"Of course they are," Murphy replied nonchalantly, a grin lacing his words. "That's what bad guys do."
We were closing in, but his speed was maddening—slipping between trees, his movements fluid and untamed.
My chest burned, every breath felt like needles stabbing into my ribs, but I forced my legs to move faster.
Oris growled in frustration and hurled his spear straight at Murphy.
For a moment, time seemed to slow.
Murphy twisted his body at the last second—barely dodging the lethal strike.
But the blade kissed his arm, leaving a thin, crimson line trailing down his skin.
Murphy skidded to a stop and turned—locking eyes with Oris.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
THUD!
Oris stumbled, his foot catching on an unseen root, and his entire body slammed face-first into the dirt.
We all stopped, turning to stare at him.
"Could you, I don't know, stop looking into his eyes?" I said sarcastically.
Oris pushed himself up, his face twisted in irritation but silent. His pride wouldn't allow him to admit fault.
Without a word, he sprinted toward his spear, wrenching it free from the earth in one swift motion.
"Let's move," he spat, already surging forward again.
Valeria smirked. "Men and their egos."
I sighed. "Yeah, let's hurry before he plants his face into the dirt again."
Without another second wasted, we launched into the chase once more—Oris in pursuit of Murphy, and us right on his heels.
Murphy weaved through the trees in a zig-zag pattern, his movements erratic and unpredictable.
"Bro! My head is spinning…" Seraphy whined, gripping onto him tightly.
"Sorry, but they're getting closer! I'm not leaving you behind!" Murphy shot back, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
"Bro…?" Seraphy murmured, sensing something off.
Behind them, we were closing in fast.
"You should've brought Chronia, Fool!" Oris barked at me.
"Yeah, yeah, I already regret it," I grumbled.
I turned to Valeria. "Devil! Use that speed of yours and try to grab him!"
She nodded, cracking her knuckles. "You do know there's a time limit to this, right?"
Without waiting for a response, Valeria crouched low, gathering momentum before launching herself forward like a bullet.
She was fast—faster than any of us. And she was closing in.
Just as her fingers were about to brush against Murphy—He veered hard to the right.
Valeria's speed worked against her. She couldn't stop in time.
CRASH!
She slammed straight into a tree.
"Agh…!"
I winced, staring at her sprawled out on the ground. "…She's dumber than I thought."
Oris sighed, effortlessly lifting Valeria by the back of her collar like a misbehaving kitten. "You still in one piece? Let's move."
"Could you at least pretend to be concerned?" she muttered.
No time to waste. We shot forward again, leaping onto the thick tree branches above, bounding from one to another.
Murphy, unaware that we were tracking him from above, finally eased his pace. A hint of relief crossed his face.
"Are we… safe now?" Seraphy asked, her voice laced with uncertainty.
Murphy exhaled sharply. "No… they wouldn't give up that easily."
And he was right.
We dropped down in front of them, blocking their path.
"Just as I thought…" Murphy muttered, his eyes narrowing.
"Who the hell are you?! And why are you chasing us?!" Seraphy demanded, stepping in front of Murphy like a protective shield.
Murphy turned—And bolted.
"Again…?" Oris groaned, rubbing his temple in frustration.
Before they could escape completely, I stepped forward. "Let me handle this."
Back at the academy, I was the only one who could keep up with him.
If I could at least get close—
"That would be enough."
I took a deep breath, planting my feet firmly against the ground.
Then, I ran.
My heartbeat thundered in my ears, my lungs burned, my legs screamed in protest—But I pushed forward.
Faster. Faster.
I closed the distance.
And then—
"You…" Murphy murmured, his gaze flickering toward me in shock.
He dove into the thicket, tearing through dense undergrowth despite there being no visible path.
"Shit—!"
No choice but to follow. Oris and Valeria flanked me, the three of us charging after them, branches whipping against our skin.
And then—
We broke through.
A vast field of flowers stretched before us, a sea of color swaying under the dim sunlight.
"This place…"
Murphy finally stopped. Slowly, he lowered Seraphy from his back, letting her feet touch the ground.
"Wait here."
His voice was calm. Steady.
But there was no more running in his eyes. Murphy turned to face us, his expression darkening.
"I'm done playing this game." He rolled his shoulders, cracking his knuckles.
Without warning, he moved. A short leap, then a swift side kick shot toward my head.
I ducked—just barely. I could feel the wind of his strike brushing past my hair.
I countered instantly. My foot slammed against the ground, my body twisted, and my elbow shot toward his ribs.
But he was fast—he jumped back, creating distance with incredible speed.
"If that's all you've got, Arche, you'll never touch me," he taunted, his voice laced with amusement.
I locked eyes with him, unwavering. "You're right… if all I did was attack head-on."
I bent my knees—then launched forward. My right fist flew at him, but it was a feint.
The moment he dodged, I twisted mid-air and drove my knee toward his stomach.
Murphy's eyes widened in surprise, but he managed to bring up his arm just in time to block.
I didn't stop.
The second his feet touched the ground, I swung my elbow toward his chin, following up with a low kick aimed at his calf.
He stumbled—almost.
Using his falling momentum, he spun and retaliated with a spinning kick in mid-air.
I raised my arms to block, but the impact was still strong enough to push me back a few steps.
"I wonder," he stepped forward, eyes glinting, "how long you'll dare to look into my eyes after this?"
I narrowed my gaze.
Then, he leaped—higher this time. Twisting his body mid-air, he dove down, an axe kick descending from above like a meteor.
I didn't dodge.
Instead, I moved forward, jumping toward him. My knee rose, mirroring his attack.
Knee against knee.
The collision was brutal.
A shockwave rippled through our bodies as we were both sent flying back.
But before we could land, I twisted in the air, using the momentum to propel myself forward—unleashing a powerful side kick.
Murphy, still airborne, had nowhere to escape.
My kick struck his back, sending him crashing into the ground with a thunderous impact.
I landed steadily, catching my breath, while he slowly pushed himself up, brushing the dust off his clothes.
He looked at me—then smirked.
"You haven't changed a bit," he said. "Still as damn good as ever."
I shrugged. "Thanks. You too."
We both reset our stances.
The wind howled softly. Flowers swayed gently around us.
I knew he was searching for an opening, waiting for the slightest mistake he could exploit.
Then, he struck.
The pressure in the air shifted from my right. I stepped back, but too late—a sharp kick sliced through the air just inches from my face, close enough that I could feel the wind from his foot.
I retaliated with a straight punch, but it hit nothing but empty space. I spun, aiming a low kick at his shin, but he hopped lightly backward.
Strike after strike, I lashed out, yet none of them found their mark.
Damn it.
Fighting blind was like fighting a shadow. I could hear him, feel his movements—but without precision, all my attacks were wasted.
Murphy took full advantage of that. He danced around me, his kicks snapping at my body.
Some I managed to block with my arms. Others were too fast—I barely dodged them a fraction of a second before impact.
I exhaled sharply, forcing myself to stay calm. I couldn't keep swinging wildly. I had to let my body read his rhythm.
I steadied my breathing. I listened. I felt.
And finally—I understood his movements.
When his footsteps shifted right, I knew a kick from the left would follow. I raised my arm and blocked.
When the wind grew slightly heavier on my left, I knew he was about to leap back. I stepped forward and lashed out with a quick jab.
At first, only one or two strikes landed. But as time passed, I began to match his pace.
Murphy let out a quiet breath. "Seriously, you can still adapt?"
I simply nodded.
I could feel his surprise. At first, he thought he had already won. But now—
I bent my knees and dashed forward at full speed.
I threw a straight punch toward his stomach. He tried to evade—but too late. The hit connected.
Murphy coughed, staggering back a step.
I didn't let up. I twisted, driving my left elbow toward his jaw.
He raised his arm to block—but I had anticipated that.
I stopped my elbow just before impact—then swiftly switched to a sharp kick to his side.
Hit.
Murphy stumbled sideways, this time truly losing his balance.
I lowered my foot, standing still, feeling his movement.
Murphy slowly pushed himself back up.
Then—I heard his quick footsteps rushing toward me.
But he wasn't attacking.
He was trying something else.
Suddenly, his hands clamped over my face, fingers prying at my eyelids, trying to force them open.
I didn't move.
I kept my eyes shut.
He pushed harder, but it was useless.
I let out a small chuckle. "Murphy, if you have time to do this, you should be attacking instead."
I grabbed his wrist, twisted it slightly, and pulled him forward.
Then, I drove my knee into his stomach.
He choked, his grip loosening as he stumbled back.
I remained still, my eyes still closed.
The wind drifted softly between us.
His breathing—slightly heavier now—was all I needed to hear.
The tension in the air was suffocating, a storm ready to break.
Then—
"BIG BROTHER!!"
Seraphy's desperate scream tore through the battlefield.
I snapped my eyes open, my body still in motion, but something about her voice forced me to halt.
Murphy spun around so fast he nearly lost his footing.
There she stood—Seraphy, unharmed. Behind her, Oris and Valeria had removed their hoods, revealing their faces in the dim light.
Murphy's pupils contracted. What the hell is happening?
"They already explained everything to me," Seraphy said, voice steady.
Murphy's breath hitched. Without a second thought, he bolted to his sister, his hands gripping her shoulders as he scanned her up and down.
"Sera?! Are you okay?" His voice wavered, barely masking his terror.
His sharp red eyes darted past her, locking onto Oris and Valeria with pure, unfiltered rage.
"You two..." His voice was low, dangerous.
Valeria clicked her tongue and crossed her arms, stepping beside me. Oris merely shrugged, unfazed.
Murphy clenched his jaw.
"Sera," he hissed, pulling her close, as if shielding her from unseen threats.
"They're trying to force me into their fight. They want to separate us!" His grip on her shoulders tightened.
"Let's run," he pleaded. "We'll find another country—we'll disappear."
But Seraphy just smiled.
And then—"No!"
The silence that followed was deafening.
Murphy blinked. "...What?"
Seraphy stepped back, her small fists clenched. "I've made a lot of friends!" she declared.
"And you know we have our own grudge against them!"
Murphy's breath hitched.
"Bro, you told me our parents were killed by an evil organization!" Her voice trembled, but her resolve didn't break.
Her next words shattered the last piece of resistance Murphy had.
"It could be the same organization that killed our parents!"
The world froze.
Murphy's breathing became erratic. His eyes darted around as if searching for an escape.
"Damn it... Damn it!"
"Me! I'm the one who killed our parents!" Murphy's voice roared through the battlefield.
Seraphy's eyes widened, her breath hitching as if the very air had been stolen from her lungs.
"I have a curse," Murphy continued, his voice raw, unfiltered.
"If someone hurts me and they look me in the eye for three seconds, they will be cursed."
His words echoed, searing into our minds like a branding iron.
"Do you remember?" His voice wavered, his hands trembling. "Our father and mother... they were violent towards us!"
Seraphy's lips parted slightly, her expression unreadable.
"Because I was fed up, I made them suffer," Murphy admitted, his red eyes filled with something between guilt and defiance. "But I accidentally caused their deaths..."
A deafening silence fell.
Seraphy just stood there.
Motionless.
As if the weight of those words had drained every ounce of life from her body.
She had been lied to.
All this time.
"You've been lying to me... all this time, huh, bro?"
Her voice was barely above a whisper, but it carried a storm of emotions—hurt, betrayal, disbelief.
Murphy clenched his fists. "Sera, I—"
"Why?!"
Seraphy's voice shattered the air between them. "Why didn't you trust me?!"
Murphy's breath caught in his throat.
"Is it because I'm too weak?! Too stupid?! Too young?!" Seraphy's hands balled into fists, shaking violently.
"You've always been like this! Hiding everything, locking me out of your world!"
Then—SLAP.
The sound rang through the clearing like a gunshot.
Murphy froze.
His head tilted slightly to the side, his cheek burning from the impact. His eyes squeezed shut.
Seraphy's hand trembled as she pulled it back. Her shoulders rose and fell, her breath ragged, her entire body shaking.
And then—She turned around.
And walked away.
Each step felt like a knife to the chest.
No words. No glances back.
Just silence.
Murphy didn't move. He didn't breathe. He just stood there, his eyes shut tight, as if keeping them closed would stop the reality from setting in.
Only after she was gone did he finally—finally—open his eyes again.
He looked completely broken.
Murphy lowered his head, his fists clenched. Then, without another word, he stepped forward, walking past us to catch up with his sister.
Oris exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of his neck. "It was my idea to tell her. This is my fault. I'll take responsibility."
Murphy didn't even glance at him. "No need," he muttered. "Let me take care of this. You guys get out of here."
His voice was steady, but there was something off about it—like a man who had just willingly put himself into an unwinnable battle.
"Besides," he continued, "it was my fault for not telling the truth from the start."
I met his gaze for a moment, then reached into my coat and pulled out a folded piece of paper.
"Our hotel address," I said, handing it to him.
Murphy took it, barely looking at it before stuffing it into his pocket.
Then, without hesitation, he broke into a run—chasing after the sister whose trust he had shattered.
Valeria crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. "What now?"
I sighed, tucking my hands into my pockets. "We go home."
Valeria arched an eyebrow. "So… we failed?"
I stared at the path ahead, the wind rustling through the trees. "I don't know. That's his choice."
"Women can be pretty scary when they're angry," I said with a sigh.
"I almost died when I made a woman named Cassandra mad."
Oris stared at me, utterly confused.
"Why do you keep randomly mentioning women's names like that?" he asked.
Without another word, the three of us turned around and walked back to our hotel.
Whether Murphy joined us or not—
That was for him to decide.
Seraphy stood in the middle of the park, panting from exhaustion.
"Idiot brother..." she muttered under her breath.
"Sera!"
Murphy stumbled onto the scene, nearly tripping over his own feet as he caught up.
His hair was disheveled, his breathing ragged—he looked like a man who had just sprinted for his life and lost his dignity along the way.
Seraphy turned to face him, arms crossed. "What else do you want?!"
Without hesitation, Murphy bent forward in a deep bow. "I apologize!"
Seraphy narrowed her eyes. "You think just by apologizing, everything can be solved?!"
The commotion drew the attention of bystanders. Mothers with their children, elderly folks enjoying their strolls.
And a group of teenagers eating ice cream all turned to watch the tragic spectacle unfolding before them.
Then, as if to cement his utter lack of pride—Murphy dropped to his knees and kowtowed.
"Forgive your idiot brother!" he wailed, practically pressing his forehead into the dirt.
"Please, Sera! Don't leave me! You're the only one who's precious to me!"
"Brother, get up!" Seraphy hissed, her face turning red from embarrassment. "You don't need to bow down!"
Murphy remained on the ground, shaking like a puppy left in the rain.
"If you leave me too, I won't have anyone I can trust anymore..."
The onlookers exchanged glances. Some whispered among themselves.
A toddler clapped as if enjoying a street performance. A passing pigeon stopped to watch.
Seraphy groaned, running a hand down her face. "People are staring!"
Murphy lifted his head just enough to peek around.
Realizing they were practically putting on a public drama, he slowly got up, his movements sluggish—like a man rising from the grave of his own humiliation.
Seraphy let out a deep sigh. "I will forgive you if you do one thing."
Murphy's head snapped up. "I'll do anything!" he declared, his voice filled with desperation. "I don't care if I have to bark! Just don't leave me—!"
A nearby child giggled.
"Anything?" She repeated.
Murphy stood frozen. His breath hitched, his body numb.
"Go and join the war," Seraphy said.
His heart sank. "W-What?"
"Follow that war! Do it for me, even if you don't have any problems with that organization."
Her words struck him like a blade to the chest. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out.
"But… why?" His voice trembled. "Why would you ask me to—"
"Because I want you to go," Seraphy cut him off. "I want you to save this world!"
Her voice was steady, determined—so different from the little sister who always clung to his side.
"So I can show off to everyone… that my brother is the one who saved the world."
Murphy's breath came out uneven. He felt as if something inside him had shattered.
"And if I go… what about you?"
Seraphy smiled, but it wasn't the usual bright, innocent smile. It was bittersweet—one of quiet acceptance.
"I will live in an orphanage," she said. "I'll work there."
Murphy's knees nearly buckled. "No…"
"Besides," she continued, "I've been considering this for a long time but never had the chance to tell you."
Her voice was so calm, as if she had already accepted this fate long before he ever knew it was an option.
"I'm friends with the kids at the orphanage. They always want me near them."
She let out a small laugh—yet to Murphy, it sounded like the most painful thing in the world.
"The nanny there even offered me a job."
Murphy gritted his teeth. "Sera, you don't have to—"
"So I will wait for you to come back!" she interrupted.
The weight of her words crushed him.
"And when you return, you'll see me growing up without you!"
Murphy clenched his fists. His mind screamed at him to stop her, to tell her this wasn't how it was supposed to be.
But he couldn't.
Because deep down, he knew—She had already made her choice.
"I know I can!"
Her voice was filled with determination.
And Murphy?
Murphy finally realized that for the first time in his life—His little sister no longer needed him.
"…And when you back home… please… tell me "I'm home" Okay…?"
Seraphy's voice wavered, her small hands clenched into fists at her sides.
Tears welled up in her eyes, shimmering in the dim city lights.
Murphy felt his chest tighten.
"It's strange…" she whispered, her voice breaking. "I don't want to cry… but…"
Her lips trembled. She wiped her eyes furiously, as if trying to hold herself together, but it was pointless.
Murphy stepped forward and pulled her into his arms. "It's okay to cry."
The moment those words left his lips, the dam broke.
Seraphy buried her face into his chest, gripping the fabric of his shirt as sobs wracked her small frame.
"I don't want to be alone, Bro…" she choked out between sobs. "I'm scared… but I want to be strong…"
Murphy's own vision blurred. He rested his chin on top of her head, holding her tighter, as if afraid she would slip away.
"You will be strong," he whispered.
Seraphy's cries only grew louder.
And Murphy, for the first time in his life, realized—He wasn't just leaving for war.
He was leaving behind the one person who had always been waiting for him to come home.
The heavy atmosphere of sorrow and parting dissipated the moment we stepped into our hotel room.
Inside, our allies were already waiting.
"Oh! Arche!" Chronia's voice was the first to break the silence as she rushed toward us.
"Did you guys succeed?" Zack leaned against the table, arms crossed.
Lycaon sniffed the air, his sharp gaze sweeping over us. "Where's that guy?"
Arthur, who had been sitting with his arms folded, narrowed his eyes. "Don't tell me…"
"I knew it. He wouldn't want to," he muttered, shaking his head.
Knock! Knock!
All heads turned toward the door.
Standing there, wearing sunglasses indoors like some wannabe gangster, was Murphy.
"Eh…? Looks like I got the wrong room, huh?" His tone was casual, but the way he instinctively turned to leave was anything but.
Before he could bolt, Chronia raised a hand, and time around Murphy froze in place.
"Ah! I can't escape!" he groaned, realizing he'd been caught.
With no choice left, he sighed and stepped inside, rubbing the back of his neck.
"So… yeah. I want to join your team."
He then glanced around, his lips curving into a smirk as his gaze landed on Arthur.
"Didn't expect you to be here. Yo, long time no see, Arthur."
"Well, you two were always together at the academy anyway," he glanced at me then Arthur.
Arthur let out a deep breath, then stood up. "…Welcome aboard, Murphy."
"We last met on the day of your inauguration as king, right?" Murphy said, leaning against the wall with a casual smirk.
Arthur chuckled. "Yeah… but why do you want to join now?"
Murphy's smirk faded slightly. "For my sister."
Arthur sighed, shaking his head with an amused smile. "Ah… that's so you." He wasn't even surprised anymore.
Oris clapped his hands together. "Well, since you're joining, you need a nickname."
He turned to the others. "Anyone got ideas?"
Murphy raised an eyebrow. "Where did you guys get your names anyway?"
"From the tarot cards," Zack replied without hesitation.
Murphy blinked. "Why?"
"Because it sounds cool." Zack shrugged.
Valeria, who had been silently flipping through a deck of tarot cards, finally plucked one out and handed it to Murphy.
"Here. This is yours."
Murphy hesitated before glancing down at the card.
'The Wheel of Fortune'
"…Eh? Are you serious?" He looked up, bewildered. "Isn't this the complete opposite of me?"
"Maybe with this, your life will finally get luckier," Valeria said with a small smirk.
Murphy stared at the card for a moment, still doubtful, before letting out a deep sigh.
"Alright, alright." He flipped the card in his fingers and adjusted his sunglasses.
"Well, it's better than 'Murphy the No Name.'"
The room erupted in laughter.
Everyone turned to Murphy, smiling as they welcomed him.
"...Welcome, Murphy the Wheel of Fortune."
Laughter filled the room, voices overlapping in warmth and camaraderie. But I—
I hadn't spoken a word.
Because the pain was unbearable.
A searing agony clawed through my chest, my heart twisting and tearing as if unseen hands were ripping it apart.
My veins burned like molten iron, my limbs felt as though they were being impaled by thousands of invisible blades—spears, knives, swords, all plunging into me again and again.
I couldn't breathe.
My vision blurred, spots of black creeping at the edges.
The sound of laughter around me faded into a dull, distant hum.
I clenched my teeth, trying to endure it—trying to hold on just a little longer.
But my body refused.
Vena Poison... it's still in effect.
A sharp gasp escaped my lips. My knees buckled.
And then—I collapsed.
The world tilted as I crashed onto the floor, my body limp, trembling.
The warmth of the room, the laughter, the camaraderie—none of it could reach me.
All I knew was pain.
"ARCHE?!"
Everyone rushed toward me, their voices clashing, their panic palpable.
And then—
"Hey?! Is this your fault, giving Arche bad luck?!"
Chronia's voice cut through the noise, her eyes burning with fury as she turned on Murphy.
Murphy scoffed, clearly taken aback. "What?!"
"It turns out my suspicions were right! We shouldn't have asked you to join!" Chronia snapped.
Murphy shot her a venomous glare. "Hey, bitch—"
The room went stiff.
"He didn't even touch me, and I'm wearing these damn glasses so no one can look me in the eye!"
Murphy snapped, jabbing a finger at her like it was a dagger.
"How the hell am I supposed to curse someone who didn't even make eye contact?!"
His voice was thick with fury now. "Next time you're looking to throw blame around, how about you actually use your brain?"
"That is, if you still fucking have one!"
"He's right, Chronia." Oris' voice sliced through the tension like a blade dipped in frost. Cold. Merciless.
"Your obsessive love for Arche is sickening."
Chronia recoiled like she'd been slapped.
"Do you seriously think you're the only one who gives a damn about him?" Oris asked, eyes gleaming with fury.
"Shut up—!" Chronia's fists shook, her voice climbing. "Don't act like you care more than I do!"
"Of course we care" Zack stepped forward, voice firm, steel hidden beneath silk.
"But screaming at everyone won't bring him back" Valeria cut in sharply, eyes narrowed like knives.
"So maybe try doing something useful instead of throwing tantrums"
Lycaon let out a growl of a sigh, folding his arms with a loud thud "For fuck's sake, Chronia. Grow the hell up."
Chronia's breath hitched—rage boiling, eyes wide with frustration, voice cracking.
"I'm just worried about him, damn it! Is that so wrong?!"
Her scream echoed.
"SHUT THE FUCK UP!!"
The chaotic shouting collapsed into sudden, suffocating silence.
Arthur's voice didn't just cut the air—it ripped through it like thunder splitting the sky.
The entire room froze.
Arthur—the calm, composed knight, always polite, always rational—had snapped.
His voice was raw, jagged with fury none of them had ever heard before.
It wasn't just anger—it was desperation wrapped in command.
He knelt beside me—Arche—checking my pulse with steady hands, but his eyes were a storm.
His jaw was clenched tight, like he was holding himself together with sheer force of will.
No one dared breathe. Even Murphy, the one who always had something to say, looked like someone had stolen the words from his throat.
Arthur stood slowly, gaze sweeping across the room like a blade unsheathed.
"No one is at fault." His voice cut deep. "So stop spewing useless bullshit."
"If you really care about Arche, then shut up and help me save him!"
His words cracked like a whip, branding themselves into their minds. No room left for pride. No space left for doubt.
"Do you all understand?!"
A beat. Then—slow, almost ashamed—everyone nodded.
Arthur had never needed to raise his voice to earn respect. But now, he demanded obedience.
Murphy finally managed a whisper. "…But how?"
Arthur exhaled hard through gritted teeth. "There's poison in Arche's blood. But it's not hopeless."
His eyes narrowed, deadly serious. "We need a witch. A great one."
Zack stepped forward without hesitation. "Then we'll find one."
"Then lets move," Arthur barked.
His voice carried the weight of everything they were about to lose.
"Go. Find a witch."
No more words were needed.
They ran.
And behind them, Arthur stayed—his hands trembling now, but never letting go.
A rush of motion.
No more arguing. No more blaming. Only purpose.
Only action.
Chronia lingered for a moment, her expression unreadable.
Her fingers clenched into fists as she whispered, "…Damn it…" before storming out.
And then—silence.
Arthur looked down at me, his grip tightening.
For the time being, he was in charge. For now, the boss was him.
He inhaled deeply, his voice dropping into a quiet promise.
"I won't let you die, Arche."
I wasn't allowed to die.
Not here. Not now.
Sometimes, pain doesn't just change a person—it changes those who care about them