Silence.
True silence.
Not the kind after a battle—no thunder of flames, no groans of dying beasts, no crackle of fire—but the eerie, breathless stillness that came when everything had ended, and you didn't know what came next.
Kai lay on the scorched earth, face covered in sweat and dirt, eyes half-lidded as the last fragments of adrenaline fled his body. The ruins of the forest were still glowing faintly from the fight. Smoke drifted lazily upward, curling toward the clouds like forgotten memories.
He groaned.
"…Ughhh. I didn't even kill it," he muttered, rolling onto his side. "I didn't even beat it… something else did the finishing blow. After all that…"
He sat up slowly, brushing ash off his arm.
"Come on, Kai. Great Adventurer? More like Great Disappointment."
"Glad you said it before I had to."
Kai's body froze.
The voice came from behind him—low, dry, and sharp like a dagger dragged across stone. Calm, but steeped in cutting judgment.
Kai turned his head slowly.
Behind him stood a tall man with long, thick, snow-white hair that fell behind his shoulders like a lion's mane. His skin was pale but hardened—scarred down one side of his face like lightning had struck it. He stood perfectly still, arms crossed beneath the deep sleeves of a black-and-red kimono, embroidered with strange ancient patterns.
He didn't blink.
He didn't smile.
His eyes, cold gray like winter steel, stared directly at Kai.
"...Who the hell are you?" Kai muttered.
"Someone who just watched a boy with no discipline, no rank, and no K.I. get two people killed and nearly die himself doing a mission he was not qualified for."
Kai flinched.
"…I didn't ask for your opinion."
"Didn't need to. I gave it anyway." The man didn't move an inch. "You're lucky you're alive. But that girl? The swordsman? They're dead. You talk about being a legend, yet you don't even know how to survive. You were dead the moment you picked up that quest."
Kai stood up, trembling with leftover adrenaline—and now, anger.
"Say that again. Go ahead. Say that again to my face."
The man tilted his head slightly.
"I said you're reckless, loud, and wildly underprepared. You think courage is all it takes? You're wrong. You're not a knight. You're not even a squire. You're just a boy, playing hero."
Kai's hands clenched into fists.
"Who the hell do you think you are? You walk up here with your fancy coat and cold stares—judging me like you know me?! I almost died trying to help people. What were you doing, huh? Watching?"
"I was analyzing," the man said flatly. "Because unlike you, I'm not impulsive."
Kai's brow twitched. "Tch. So what? You think you're smarter or something?"
"I don't think," the man said, stepping closer, "I know."
Kai opened his mouth—but stopped as the pressure in the air suddenly shifted. His lungs tightened. His knees wanted to bend. It was like gravity had changed direction, pulling him down toward this man.
"Who... are you?" Kai muttered, trying to hold eye contact but failing.
The man didn't blink.
"I am Chandler. High Advisor to King Akuma, and Head Strategist of the Elarian Royal Court."
The air went still again.
Kai blinked. His lips parted—but no words came.
"…Advisor to… wait. The King Akuma? The one that rules the central provinces?"
Chandler nodded once, slowly.
Kai's mouth moved. Nothing came out. He scratched his head awkwardly, his entire posture deflating as the weight of the moment crashed down on him.
"…Oh."
Chandler didn't move. "And now that you know who I am, allow me to ask—who are you, boy?"
Kai looked up. Despite the intimidation, despite the weight of his title—Kai's pride refused to go quietly.
He straightened his back.
"…I'm Kai."
Chandler's eyes narrowed.
"An adventurer. From the outskirts. I may not have rank, K.I., or strategy… but I've got something you don't."
Chandler raised a brow. "And what would that be?"
Kai stepped forward, staring him down despite the weight in his knees.
"I've got fire," he said. "And I'm not gonna stop until I make everyone remember my name. Including you."
A long silence passed between them. For a moment, it was unclear if Chandler would strike him or laugh.
Instead, the advisor turned his back.
"Let's hope your ambition lasts longer than your first victory," he said, walking away. "Because next time, no one will be there to clean up your mess."
Kai watched him fade into the smoke, fists still clenched—but heart pounding with something new.
He didn't like Chandler.
And now… he wanted to prove him wrong.