Luke noticed the unsettling expression that briefly crossed Ophelia's face. Her features contorted as if she had seen a ghost.
Little did he know, the source of her turmoil was far more chilling than encountering a mere ghost.
Motivated by an instinct to help, Luke decided to approach Ophelia. His voice, typically warm and connecting, now sliced through the air.
Despite his sincere efforts, it seemed as if Ophelia had retreated into a soundless void, unresponsive. His calls echoed in a hollow vacuum of unheard words.
Determined, he rose and moved towards her.
As his hand made contact with her shoulders, a gentle attempt to pull her attention away from the grips of her distress, Ophelia's startled reaction reverberated.
Her voice trembled slightly as she yelped, "Hiii!"
However, the sight before him made him uneasy. It was evident to Luke that Ophelia was grappling with something more profound than mere surprise. The shadow of fear danced in her eyes.
Luke's next words were borne from a genuine desire to understand. "Did something happen?" he queried, the concern in his voice mirroring his genuine care.
His attempts to communicate, however, seemed to fall upon a wall of detachment.
Directing his attention towards the origin of her unease, his gaze settled upon the object that seemed to captivate her—a mysterious orb known as the Radiant Oracle Stone.
Curious, he observed her interactions with the orb, speculating about its role in her unease.
Considering the Radiant Oracle Stone's ability to show the future, he wondered if Ophelia had glimpsed a dark vision of things to come.
He pondered Ophelia's distressing vision of a grim fate, her anxious expression sparking his curiosity. While future visions hadn't interested him, her unease suggested a troubling future.
Her serious demeanor prompted him to consider the implications of her vision, despite his uncertainty about the unknown. A sense of foreboding hung over his thoughts, casting a shadow of uncertainty.
Regrettably, his attempts at communication were in vain, like whispers carried away by the wind. Fear had overtaken Ophelia, rendering her immune to his words. He found himself on the periphery of her inner turmoil, an observer unable to breach her emotional defenses.
In a decisive move, he harnessed his skill, invoking the power within him.
[ Power Off ]
The words resonated as an unspoken directive, aimed at dispelling the fear that had engulfed Ophelia.
In an instant, the feeling of fear faded away, freeing her gaze from its heavy burden. Her eyes met his, a connection that revealed vulnerability, momentarily laying bare their hearts.
In the silence that followed, Luke's voice punctured the air, the inquiry hanging heavy with patience and concern.
"What happened?" he queried, his words a gentle plea for her to share the storm that had raged within her. With a patient demeanor, he stood poised, a sentinel awaiting her response.
Ophelia took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, a clear sign of her ongoing inner battle. Sweat formed on her brow, evidence of her turmoil as she struggled to articulate her harrowing experience.
With determination, she began to piece together her thoughts. When her words finally emerged, they carried the weight of revelation.
"Boss," she began, her voice carrying the traces of candid urgency. "I've foreseen something ominous. A cloud of darkness looms in the future, and its implications are grave."
The words hung in the air, a potent disclosure that cast a somber hue over their conversation. Ophelia's admission bore a raw authenticity, a testament to the seriousness of her vision and the burden she now carried.
Luke sensed the vagueness of Ophelia's revelation. Her serious expression hinted at something ominous, yet the details remained unclear. Despite his unease, he understood the need for clarity to grasp the impending threat.
"Please, tell me more," he requested, his voice imbued with a patience that served as a buffer against adding undue pressure to her burden. He understood the delicacy of the situation and sought to provide her a space to share at her own pace.
Recognizing the need for secrecy, Ophelia leaned closer to Luke, whispering her words confidentially. Her cautious glance around ensured their privacy, safeguarding the knowledge she was about to share.
"It involves the young boy Beastfolk," Ophelia began in a hushed tone, her voice laced with gravity. "He's destined to undergo a transformation, a transformation that will turn him into a harbinger of destruction. He'll set his sights on innocent civilians, sparing no one in his path. The commoner area will bear the brunt of his wrath, with a devastating loss of life."
Her words lingered, filled with a mix of disbelief and urgency. Ophelia's confession held the weight of her convictions, even if her prophecy seemed unbelievable.
The revelation hit hard, prompting a quick and instinctive response from Luke. "What?" he exclaimed, his voice carrying a mixture of shock and anger. His immediate reaction was to reject the idea, his belief in the character of Kai is unwavering. How could Kai, someone he cared for, be capable of such violence?
As his frustration threatened to spill over, a mechanical sound diverted his focus.
[ Initiating a Question ]
[ Quest : Suppressed Kai's Berserk]
[ Reward : +15% Upgrade Progress ]
The abrupt intrusion of a mechanical sound cut through the charged atmosphere, causing a momentary shift in Luke's focus. His attention swerved, his initial surge of anger momentarily subsiding, replaced by a mixture of astonishment and bewilderment.
The system notification interrupted his train of thought, causing him to seize upon this unexpected turn of events. "How could that even happen?" he muttered, his question revealing his disbelief at the surprising alignment of circumstances.
Almost as if responding to his unspoken query, the system offered the explanation he needed. It provided insights into the nature of the Beastfolk and the complexities of their transformative cycles.
[ Beastfolk, a unique race born of the fusion between humans and animals, embody the harmony of both worlds. With a striking blend of human and beastly traits, they command extraordinary physical might and unmatched instincts, rendering them as formidable hunters and warriors. While their intellectual prowess may not shine as brightly, they display remarkable skill in harnessing their primal instincts to skillfully navigate their surroundings. ]
[ As they mature, typically at the age of 10, beastfolk undergo a transformation into a berserk state, unleashing unbridled frenzies. These intense surges of energy can result in significant havoc. However, the beastfolk tribes stand as vital sentinels, tasked with the pivotal duty of reigning in and overseeing these chaotic episodes. Drawing upon their profound comprehension of their brethren, these tribes adeptly steer and channel the volatile energy, preventing it from spiraling into uncontrollable turmoil. ]
[ Once they've mastered control over their initial berserk state, the beastfolk possess the ability to deliberately trigger and regulate it at their discretion. ]
Amid the cascade of revelations, Luke's thoughts wove a tapestry of understanding. "I see," he reflected, connecting the dots of the unfolding situation. The notion of a Berserk state that every Beastfolk underwent became a piece of the puzzle.
With the absence of Mira and Kai's parents, the customary containment of Kai's Berserk was a void that no longer could be filled. The weight of responsibility settled upon Luke's shoulders.
The realization reverberated as he considered the complexities. Kai had essentially become his responsibility, like family. With this crystallized recognition, the weight of the situation settled heavily on Luke's heart. The path ahead was clear: he was destined to try and suppress Kai's Berserk, preventing the catastrophic vision Ophelia had revealed.
The details of the situation had formed a clear image, leaving no doubt in his mind. "Ophelia was telling the truth," he admitted to himself, a tinge of remorse washing over him for doubting her initially.
With the implications sinking in, Luke directed a measure of appreciation toward the system, acknowledging its timely intervention. "Good timing, system," he reflected, grateful for the assistance that spared him the burden of suspecting someone acting with good intentions.
Ophelia's emotional state was uncertain, her landscape clouded with doubt. The silence between her and Luke felt like disapproval to her. The lingering quiet turned into a storm of self-doubt, causing a cold sweat to form on her brow.
But the silence was broken by Luke's soothing voice, a balm to her worries. A smile graced his face as his hand settled on her shoulder, a gentle touch that conveyed reassurance.
"Thank you for telling the truth," Luke's words flowed with sincerity, dissipating the shadows of uncertainty that had gripped Ophelia's heart. "I'll take control of the situation."
Ophelia's lips formed a smile, responding to Luke's reassurance. Their shared understanding and his commitment closed the gap, easing the tension.
"Thank you for believing me!" Ophelia's voice held gratitude, reflecting the significance of her disclosure and the relief of being heard.
The situation she had revealed was truly incomprehensible—transforming a young child into a bringer of destruction defied logic. But in Luke's acceptance of her words, she discovered solace. Someone had looked beyond the disbelief and believed in her insight.
Luke's smile silently acknowledged her. But behind that smile, a different thought lingered. 'I don't believe you, I believe the system,' he inwardly pondered, his unsaid sentiment reflecting his reliance on the system rather than blind faith.
The unspoken tension between their shared understanding and concealed thoughts lingered—a reminder that despite their understanding, complexities remained unexplored between them.
However, beneath the surface of their interaction, there was a secret that Ophelia held close, one that had remained concealed from Luke. The truth was that her earlier fear wasn't rooted in Kai's future transformation. It wasn't him that had stirred the depths of her anxiety; rather, it was the aftermath that sent chills down her spine.
A scene unfolded in her mind, one she had hidden in the shadows of her thoughts. It was more terrifying than she'd ever imagined, not just Kai's transformation, but the chilling tableau that followed his demise.
In Ophelia's consciousness lay an unsettling vision, a scene that unfolded like an uninvited nightmare. She replayed the tableau with vivid clarity, sending shivers down her spine.
From the shadows emerged a solitary figure, drawn irresistibly to Kai's lifeless form. Despite the attempts of soldiers and mages to halt him, his determination surpassed reason. Tenderly cradling Kai's cold body, the man's touch sent shockwaves through Ophelia's mind, foreshadowing a transformation beyond the natural realm.
The man's handsome features twisted in an eerie metamorphosis, succumbing to inner malevolence. Red eyes, burning like coals, and an aura of otherworldly dread turned him into a harbinger of destruction.
After his transformation, chaos reigned. His rampage knew no limits, his vengeful power devastating all in his way. Soldiers and mages fell, their efforts futile against his newfound invulnerable strength. Innocent citizens, too, witnessed his wrath, their lives extinguished in a violent crescendo.
Resistance crumbled, even the mightiest magic and weapons powerless against his onslaught. With eerie efficiency, he laid waste to the capital city, reducing it to smoldering ruins in a single day.
This chilling vision painted a landscape of devastation, an unspoken burden Ophelia carried—a truth more terrifying than she could have imagined.
The memory of that haunting scene clung to Ophelia, sending shivers down her spine. Even though her sense of fear was [Powered Off], the impact of that vision remained, leaving an indelible mark on her psyche.
Her gaze shifted to Luke, a symbol of kindness and compassion. Watching him with the kids, his gentle approach and warm smile brought a ray of light to her heart. Each pat on the head, each display of care, showcased the goodness within him.
Through observation, Ophelia's understanding grew. She saw beyond the surface, realizing Luke held no ill intentions towards the kingdom. Their past conversations had built a connection, unveiling shared concern for their world's well-being.
However, despite the evidence and foreboding, Ophelia struggled with disbelief. Her gaze remained on the figure before her—a man radiating kindness, empathy, and sincere concern for others' welfare.
In a stunning revelation, she's incredulous to realize that the very gentleman before her ... is destined to cause the kingdom's downfall after Kai's passing.