My memory clicked.
I knew this boss.
Not well. Not as a major part of the game's main story.
But as a side event.
Something that only happened if you cleared a certain underground dungeon.
Just like what we were going through now.
In the game, it was part of an event called Corrupted Lord.
You'd go through a dungeon, fight waves of enemies, and at the end, you'd encounter this guy.
A mid-tier boss. Not insanely difficult, but not easy either.
But the reason I hadn't recognized this place immediately?
Because in the game, it was a large-scale event.
And this?
This was too small.
The dungeon wasn't supposed to activate yet.
The Corrupted Lord wasn't supposed to awaken now.
Something had changed.
Something had triggered it early.
Maybe the boss had only just started gaining power, and we stumbled into it before it could grow into its full form.
Or maybe…
We were the trigger.
Either way, it didn't matter.
Because even if this was just a side boss in the game…
Here, in reality?
It felt suffocating.
The air was thick.
The chamber itself seemed to breathe.
And the figure on the throne?
Its presence was overwhelming.
Not like a raging beast.
Not like a monstrous horror.
But something colder. Deeper.
Like it knew us.
Like it was waiting.
And then, something unexpected happened.
The Corrupted Lord…
laughed.
A slow, grating chuckle that echoed through the chamber, making my skin crawl.
"Ah… Fate twists in amusing ways."
His head tilted slightly.
"I had not expected… you."
His glowing eyes locked onto me.
Like he knew exactly who I was.
And that was very, very bad.
I swallowed hard, forcing my voice to stay even despite the pressure crushing the air around us.
"…Do you know me?"
The Corrupted Lord stopped.
Then, something unexpected happened.
His glowing eyes narrowed slightly, his grin widening as if he had just confirmed something.
"Ah… I see."
His voice was like cracked stone and fading embers.
"It has been long, hasn't it?"
Wait.
What?
What long time?
"I had thought all of you were lost… Yet, here you stand."
I felt a chill crawl down my spine.
This guy…
He wasn't talking about me.
He thought I was someone else.
I could see it in the way he studied me, the way he was piecing together whatever twisted logic his mind had settled on.
He recognized the wrong person.
And based on the way he spoke—with familiarity, with a strange sense of approval—
I quickly scanned my memory of the game, that specific event.
Then i remembered a scene where he was talking to some people that looks weird.
He thought I was one of his old subordinates.
The realization hit me like a hammer.
Now why did he misunderstood?
The only thing that changed on me was what i got from that day.
My aura.
This must've been because of what my future self left behind.
Buddy, what the hell did you dabble in to gain this?
But that wasn't important right now.
What mattered was that I had a way in.
A chance to play along.
To figure something out before this turned into an unwinnable fight.
I didn't correct him.
Didn't deny it.
Instead, I tilted my head slightly, mirroring his amusement.
"…And here I thought you were lost to time, my Lord."
Silence.
Then—
A deep, rumbling chuckle.
"Ah… so you do remember."
Gotcha.
——
The atmosphere remained tense, but the suffocating weight pressing on my chest?
It was lighter now.
Not gone—not even close.
But focused less on hostility and more on intrigue.
That gave me room to play.
My companions, on the other hand?
They were completely lost.
I could feel their stares burning into me.
Edward's grip on his sword tightened. Silvia was rigid, silent. Blaire…
Blaire was the only one not reacting in pure confusion.
Instead, she was watching me.
Not in shock.
Not in anger.
But calculating.
Trying to figure out what I was doing.
But for now?
They couldn't do anything.
The Corrupted Lord's aura was keeping them at bay.
I was the only one unaffected enough to move freely.
And that meant this was my game to play.
I had one shot at this.
Time to make it count.
The Corrupted Lord leaned forward slightly on his throne, his glowing eyes studying me with an almost… satisfied look.
"You are not as I remember, but time twists all things, does it not?"
I barely stopped myself from reacting. Not as he remembers? Right. That made sense. He thought I was someone from his past. Someone who had changed.
I needed to keep this going.
If he was interested rather than hostile, then I could buy us time. Figure something out before this turned into a death sentence.
I lowered my head slightly, keeping my expression calm. "Time changes everything, my Lord."
His grin widened.
"Ah… so you understand. Many of our kind perished. The world does not favor those who walk the path we did."
Okay. That was concerning.
He wasn't just mistaking me for an old subordinate—he thought I was part of something bigger.
Some kind of group.
I wanted to ask questions, to dig deeper, but I couldn't push too fast.
For now, I played along.
"Yet here you remain," I said, gesturing at the throne. "That alone speaks of your strength."
Flattery. Always a safe bet with egotistical boss monsters.
And it worked.
The Corrupted Lord let out a slow, dark chuckle.
"Indeed. And now, after so long, I am waking."
My stomach tightened.
So I was right. He wasn't supposed to awaken yet.
Something triggered this early.
Whether it was our presence or something else happening in the world, I had no idea.
But if this was a weakened version of him?
Then fighting him at full strength would have been suicide.
——
Behind me, my companions were still silent.
I could feel their confusion, their tension.
Edward had shifted slightly, blade still drawn but uncertain.
Silvia's magic flickered around her fingertips, but she hadn't cast anything.
And Blaire?
She hadn't moved.
But she was listening. Closely.
She wasn't just confused—she was analyzing.
Trying to figure out what I was doing.
And she wasn't stopping me.
She was waiting.
That meant I still had time.
Time to turn this to my advantage.
——
I exhaled slowly, choosing my next words carefully.
"You say you are waking, my Lord… but not fully, I assume?"
His glowing eyes gleamed.
"Ah… you perceive much. No, not fully. Not yet. This body is incomplete."
Incomplete?
That was useful.
It meant he was still gathering power.
Which meant he wasn't at full strength yet.
Which meant we had a chance.
I nodded slightly. "Then your return is still in motion. A process not yet complete."
His grin widened.
"Yes. And that is why I wonder… why you are here now."
Crap.
This was the dangerous part.
He still thought I was one of his own.
But if I said something wrong—
If I said something that didn't match his memories—
He'd see through me.
I needed to be vague.
I gave him a slow, unreadable smile. "Fate moves in strange ways, does it not? Perhaps I was meant to be here."
Silence.
Then, he laughed.
A deep, unsettling sound that echoed through the chamber.
"Ah… perhaps you are right. Fate does love irony."
Good.
I was still in the game.
But I needed to push further.
If I could get more information out of him—if I could figure out what his goal was—
We might be able to end this before it even starts.
So I took a risk.
I took a step forward, looking up at the Corrupted Lord's throne.
And I asked the one thing that had been nagging at me since the moment I got here.
"What is it that you seek, my Lord?"
The air grew heavier.
The whispers stilled.
The Corrupted Lord's grin widened.
"Ah… now that is a question."
His voice dropped lower.
"I seek what was taken. What was stolen. What should never have been lost."
I tensed.
That wasn't vague.
That was personal.
This wasn't just a mindless boss reviving for destruction.
This was revenge.
And I had no idea who or what he was after.
But whatever it was…
It was bad news.
For us.
For the kingdom.
Maybe for the entire world.
I kept my face neutral. "And do you know where it is?"
He chuckled again.
"Not yet. But soon."
His glowing eyes gleamed.
"And perhaps… you will help me find it."
Oh. Hell. No.
I needed to end this conversation—fast.
Before he decided to "test" my loyalty.
Think, Gunavor.
I glanced around the chamber, eyes scanning for anything useful.
Then—
I saw it.
The sigils on the walls.
They were still active.
Still glowing faintly.
Still part of the same magic that had sealed him away.
If we could reactivate them…
We might be able to trap him again.
I inhaled sharply, keeping my tone calm. "Then I hope you will allow me time to prepare, my Lord."
He hummed.
"You have always been a careful one… Very well. But not too long."
I nodded.
Then, without turning around, I spoke softly enough for only my companions to hear.
"Get ready to move."
The air crackled.
The sigils hummed.
And the plan to seal this bastard away before he could fully awaken…
Began.
The plan was perfect.
Or at least, I thought it was.
The sigils on the walls flared, the ancient magic humming louder.
I could feel it—the seal was reactivating.
For a brief, fleeting moment, I thought we had done it.
That we had stopped this nightmare before it truly began.
But then…
The Corrupted Lord grinned.
A slow, cruel grin, as if he had been waiting for this exact moment.
And then, before our horrified eyes—
He broke the seal.
Effortlessly.
Not with some grand explosion, not with overwhelming force—but with a simple, deliberate motion.
Like swatting away an insect.
The sigils that had been our last hope shattered into useless fragments of dying light.
And with that, our plan crumbled.
The room plunged into a crushing silence.
A silence filled with realization.
There was no escape.
Blaire, standing beside me, let out a slow, amused exhale.
"Well, that was a successful plan."
I shot her a look.
She smirked.
Even in a hopeless situation, she still had the nerve to be sarcastic.
But I knew why.
She wasn't mocking me.
She was lightening the mood.
Because this was bad.
Worse than bad.
This was complete despair.
——
The Corrupted Lord finally stood.
A slow, deliberate motion, as if he had been resting for centuries.
And when he rose to his full height—it became real.
This wasn't just a monster.
This wasn't just a boss.
This was something we were never meant to fight.
His mere presence made the air feel like it was crushing our lungs.
Edward, Silvia, Gareth, and the others gripped their weapons tighter.
No one spoke.
There was nothing to say.
No words would change the fact that we were going to die here.
But if we were going to die…
We would go down fighting.
I took a deep breath, adjusting my stance. Blaire did the same beside me.
Edward raised his sword, his usual grin gone.
Silvia's magic flared, but her hands shook.
Gareth let out a sharp breath. "No backing down now."
Then, without a word—
We attacked.
——
It was pointless.
Our weapons bounced off him like twigs striking a boulder.
Magic dissipated before even reaching him.
When he swung his arm, the force alone sent us flying.
I hit the wall so hard my vision blurred.
Edward was flung back, crashing into Gareth.
Silvia barely managed to shield herself before slamming into the ground.
Blaire landed next to me, grimacing. "Well. That went great."
I coughed, struggling to push myself up. "Yeah. We really showed him."
The Corrupted Lord barely acknowledged our existence.
"Pathetic."
His voice echoed through the chamber.
"You thought you could stop me with such feeble tricks?"
He raised his hand, and the air itself trembled.
This was it.
We weren't even a fight to him.
We were just flies waiting to be swatted.
Then—
Something changed.
——
A pulse.
A deep, resonating pulse of energy filled the room.
Not from the Corrupted Lord.
From Edward.
His body stiffened. His grip on his sword tightened.
And then, before our eyes—
His blade ignited.
Not with fire.
Not with magic.
But with something deeper.
Something ancient.
The Corrupted Lord paused.
For the first time, his grin faltered.
"Ah… So that bloodline still lingers."
Edward didn't seem to hear him.
His eyes glowed faintly.
His stance changed, becoming steadier.
His breathing evened out.
And then, he took a step forward.
The pressure in the air?
It shifted.
The Corrupted Lord's amusement faded.
And I, still half-kneeling on the ground, let out a weak, bitter chuckle.
"…Classic."
Blaire turned her head slightly. "What?"
I exhaled.
"The protagonist in most of the stories bursts with power in the middle of the fight."
Blaire stared at Edward.
Then at the Corrupted Lord.
Then back at me.
Then—despite the situation—
She laughed.
Just once.
Then she picked up her sword and stood.
"Well then," she murmured. "Let's see if he actually pulls through."
Edward tightened his grip.
The Corrupted Lord's eyes narrowed.
And the real fight—
Was about to begin.
The battle between Edward and the Corrupted Lord was unlike anything I had ever seen.
I had watched fights like this before—but only in the game's CGI cutscenes.
Not in reality.
Not with death breathing down my neck.
And right now, I could only do one thing.
Watch.
—---
Edward moved differently.
Faster. Sharper. His swordplay had always been strong, but this?
This was on another level.
His glowing blade clashed against the Corrupted Lord's dark power, sparks and energy ripping through the air with every strike.
The Corrupted Lord, for the first time, wasn't playing around.
He was serious.
Each movement carried real weight.
Every blow could have killed any of us instantly.
But Edward held his ground.
For the first time, we weren't just being toyed with.
We were fighting back.
—---
The rest of us?
We could barely move.
The pressure in the air was still too much.
If we tried to interrupt, we'd just get in the way.
So I did the only thing I could do.
I waited.
I watched.
And I searched for a moment to strike.
Because no matter how strong Edward had become,
This was still a boss fight.
And bosses always had phases.
—---
Then, it happened.
Edward's blade cut through the Corrupted Lord's shoulder, leaving a deep, crackling wound.
It wasn't just a hit.
It hurt him.
And he realized it.
The moment that realization hit?
The Corrupted Lord stopped playing fair.
—---
He raised a hand.
Dark energy swirled violently in his palm, twisting and writhing like something alive.
This wasn't a direct attack.
This was something worse.
Magic meant to cripple. To weaken.
I knew what this was.
It wouldn't kill Edward in one hit.
But it would reduce his power.
Make him slower, weaker.
And in a battle like this?
That was as good as death.
My breath hitched.
No.
I wasn't letting that happen.
I took a deep breath.
Then I sprinted forward.
—---
I wasn't fast enough to stop him from casting it.
The Corrupted Lord threw the dark magic toward Edward—
And I jumped in the way.
Impact.
Agony ripped through my body.
The pain was like my bones were being shattered all at once.
I let out a choked sound, vision blurring for a second.
But that was it.
Just pain.
No other effect.
No power drain.
No corruption.
Nothing.
I had won my gamble.
The Corrupted Lord's dark magic might have been strong,
But the immunity left by my future self was stronger.
I exhaled.
Then I grinned.
"Well, that sucked."
—---
The Corrupted Lord's eyes narrowed.
"You… again."
I rolled my shoulders, still feeling the pain but pushing through it.
"You throw a mean spell," I admitted. "But I think I'm built different."
Behind me, Edward stared.
Then he grinned.
He knew what I had just done.
He knew I had bought him time.
And now?
It wasn't just one person against the Corrupted Lord.
It was a team.
A tank and a damage dealer.
Me and Edward.
"Alright, buddy," I muttered, gripping my shortsword. "Let's kick the old man's ass."
Edward raised his sword.
The Corrupted Lord scowled.
And this time, I'm finally able to practice in this fight truly and properly.
The fight shifted.
Before, it was Edward alone against the Corrupted Lord.
A battle that—while impressive—had still been one-sided.
But now?
Now, it was different.
Now, it was me and Edward.
Tank and damage dealer.
—---
I didn't attack. That wasn't my job.
Instead, I drew attention.
The moment I survived that dark magic, I saw it—the Corrupted Lord was irritated.
Not furious. Not enraged.
Just annoyed.
Because in his mind, I should have been nothing.
Just a bug to be swatted away.
But here I was, standing unaffected by his best tricks.
And I was going to exploit that.
I shifted my stance, spinning my shortsword once in my grip.
Then I did something incredibly stupid.
I grinned. Mockingly.
"Hey, old man," I called. "I thought you were supposed to be a big deal, your magic is lame as you."
The Corrupted Lord's eyes darkened.
Good.
Now he was focused on me.
—---
He moved fast.
Too fast for a creature his size.
But I wasn't trying to dodge perfectly.
I just had to move enough to survive.
Each swing of his massive arm sent shockwaves through the chamber, his attacks shattering the ground.
I ducked. Rolled. Took glancing hits.
Pain flared across my body, but that was fine.
Pain meant I was still alive.
And every second he spent chasing me?
Edward was free to strike.
—---
Edward took full advantage of the opening.
His sword flashed, cutting deep into the Corrupted Lord's legs and arms.
His speed was relentless.
Where before he had been forced to defend, now he was on the offensive.
The Corrupted Lord tried to counter—
But I was always there.
Blocking. Distracting. Taking the hits meant for Edward.
Silvia and Blaire, still recovering, watched with wide eyes.
"This is actually working," Silvia whispered.
Blaire—who had been completely still, completely silent since I took that magic to the face—exhaled.
Then, in the driest tone possible, she muttered—
"I hate that this is working."
—---
The Corrupted Lord wasn't laughing anymore.
His expression darkened.
"Enough."
With a single wave of his hand, the entire chamber shook.
A pulse of pure, dark energy exploded outward.
I barely had time to react before I was sent flying.
I hit the ground hard, my vision flickering for a second.
Edward was knocked back as well.
For the first time since we started, we were both down.
And the Corrupted Lord?
He wasn't playing around anymore.
"I grow tired of this mockery."
He raised a hand—gathering energy.
A final attack meant to end everything.
I clenched my teeth, forcing myself to move.
But I wasn't fast enough.
Edward wasn't fast enough.
For the first time, we were too slow.
And then—
A third presence moved.
Blaire.
—---
She appeared between us and the Corrupted Lord in an instant, her sword glowing violently.
No hesitation.
No fear.
Just pure precision.
She slashed through the air—
And the incoming blast shattered.
The entire room shook.
Then, silence.
The Corrupted Lord's eyes narrowed.
Blaire, standing between us, finally turned her head slightly.
Her red eyes locked onto me.
Then, in the most casual voice ever, she muttered—
"You two are useless."
I let out a weak laugh.
Edward coughed, pushing himself up. "You love us, admit it."
Blaire didn't respond.
Instead, she pointed her sword at the Corrupted Lord.
"This ends now."
And just like that—
The final phase began.
I pushed myself up, shaking. Every muscle in my body screamed in protest, but I wasn't about to stay down.
Edward was in the same condition—barely standing, breathing hard.
But our eyes weren't on the Corrupted Lord anymore.
They were on her.
Blaire stood in front of us, sword still humming with residual energy, her red eyes locked onto the enemy like she hadn't just obliterated an attack we couldn't even react to.
I couldn't help it. I stared at her.
Then, through ragged breaths, I muttered,
"…Aren't you a bit exaggerating?"
Blaire didn't even look at me.
Edward did, though. And he wasn't surprised.
Neither was Silvia.
But I?
I was still trying to process.
I gestured vaguely at Blaire. "How did you do that?"
No answer.
I kept going. "Why were you hiding your strength if you could just beat him up directly?"
Still no answer.
I sighed. "I feel betrayed."
At that, she finally turned her head slightly.
And, with zero hesitation, said—
"You're an idiot."
I blinked.
Edward snorted. Silvia let out a quiet giggle.
Even in this insane, hopeless situation…
She was still Blaire.
I groaned, running a hand down my face. "Okay, fine. I'll stop questioning it."
She nodded. "Good. Now shut up and focus."
Right.
Final phase.
The Corrupted Lord was still standing.
Still watching.
And despite everything, despite the fact that Blaire had just shattered his attack—
He was smiling again.
Like this was exactly what he had wanted.
"Ah… interesting. Very interesting."
His voice was low.
Intrigued.
He wasn't afraid.
He was excited.
I clenched my teeth.
This wasn't over yet.
Not by a long shot.
The Corrupted Lord watched us.
Not like an enemy preparing to kill us.
Not like a predator toying with prey.
But like a scholar observing something unexpected.
Something interesting.
"So… this is what remains of your bloodline."
His glowing eyes locked onto Blaire.
"How long has it been since I last saw a Nightshade?"
Blaire didn't react.
She simply tightened her grip on her sword.
Her stance was different now. Steadier. Heavier.
Before, she had been holding back.
Now?
She wasn't hiding anymore.
I exhaled. "So. You've met her people before?"
The Corrupted Lord tilted his head.
"Met them? No. I fought them. I killed them. And yet, here you stand."
His lips curled into a slow grin.
"Fascinating."
Blaire finally spoke.
Her voice was cold. Unshaken.
"You talk too much."
And just like that—
She moved.
—---
The fight resumed.
But this time, it was different.
Before, it was Edward at the front.
Now, it was Blaire.
And the Corrupted Lord?
He wasn't laughing anymore.
Her strikes were fast. Precise. Devastating.
She wasn't just keeping up with him.
She was pushing him back.
Blaire.
The one who had called us reckless. The one who had held herself back.
The one who had stayed silent. Watching. Waiting.
She had been capable of this the whole time.
Edward grinned beside me, rolling his shoulders. "Well, now you know."
I didn't take my eyes off the fight.
I could barely believe what I was seeing.
"…You're telling me you weren't even surprised?"
Edward shrugged. "Of course not."
Silvia, standing just behind us, smiled softly. "She's always been strong."
My eye twitched.
"So I'm the only one who didn't know?"
Edward laughed.
"Yeah. Pretty much."
I groaned, running a hand down my face.
Blaire, still locked in battle with the Corrupted Lord, didn't spare us a glance.
But I caught it—
The smallest smirk.
She had known I was clueless.
And she had let me struggle anyway.
Unbelievable.
—---
But this wasn't over yet.
Blaire was fighting him head-on, but I could tell—
Even with her strength, it wasn't enough.
She was matching him blow for blow, but that was it.
Matching.
Not overwhelming.
Not defeating.
Just stalling.
I clenched my fists.
We needed an opening.
A way to end this before he adjusted.
Because the Corrupted Lord?
He was learning.
And if we gave him enough time, he'd figure out how to win.
I turned to Edward.
"We need to help."
He nodded. "Yeah. But how?"
I watched the fight closely, analyzing every movement.
Then, I saw it.
A pattern.
The Corrupted Lord, despite his overwhelming power, still had a rhythm.
A moment of pause between certain attacks.
A gap just barely big enough for someone else to strike.
I took a slow breath.
Then I grinned.
"I have an idea."
Edward sighed. "I already hate it."
I clapped him on the shoulder.
"Relax. It'll probably only kill one of us."
Silvia muttered a prayer.
Edward groaned. "I hate you."
I smirked.
And then, without another word—
I moved.
Time to end this.
I sprinted forward, heart pounding.
Blaire and the Corrupted Lord were still locked in a fierce exchange, their weapons clashing so fast that sparks flew with every strike.
But I wasn't watching the fight.
I was watching the gaps.
The split-second moments where the Corrupted Lord shifted his weight, the tiny pauses between attacks—his rhythm.
That's where I needed to strike.
Edward followed right behind me, gripping his sword tightly.
We had one shot.
Blaire had him occupied.
Now it was our turn.
—---
I moved first.
Not to attack.
To bait.
I lunged toward the Corrupted Lord's left side, the one that had already taken a hit from Edward's sword earlier.
He noticed instantly.
His head snapped toward me, annoyance flickering in his eyes.
"Again, you persist?"
He swung violently.
I barely managed to twist out of the way, the force of the strike cracking the ground behind me.
It worked.
That tiny hesitation gave Edward the opening he needed.
He struck.
A direct slash across the Corrupted Lord's back.
This time, it wasn't just a hit.
It tore through.
The Corrupted Lord staggered.
The first real sign of damage.
And I saw it in his expression.
Not anger.
Not amusement.
Recognition.
"Ah… I see now."
His voice was lower, almost thoughtful.
"So this is what you have become."
His glowing eyes locked onto Edward.
"A Wither… and a Nightshade."
Edward clenched his jaw.
Blaire didn't react.
But I could feel it.
Those names meant something to him.
Something important.
I filed it away for later.
Because right now, the Corrupted Lord was changing tactics.
—---
He let out a slow breath.
Then he shifted.
The air grew heavier, darker.
I felt it crawl over my skin.
Something was coming.
A final move.
Blaire saw it too.
She stepped forward, sword raised. "We have to finish this now."
Edward nodded. "Agreed."
I exhaled.
Then I grinned.
"Alright, team. Let's kill an undead king."
We moved as one.
The Corrupted Lord's power spiked.
The chamber shook, the air grew heavier, and an overwhelming pressure settled over us—like the world itself was trying to crush us into the ground.
It felt like standing in the eye of a storm.
But we kept moving.
We had to.
Because if we stopped now?
We were dead.
—---
The Corrupted Lord raised his hand, dark energy spiraling around his fingers.
I recognized it immediately.
His final move.
A massive explosion of decay, meant to erase everything in its radius.
In the game, this was the kind of attack you had to dodge perfectly or get instantly wiped out.
The only way to stop it?
Kill him before he could release it.
And that was exactly what we were going to do.
—---
Blaire moved first.
She blurred forward, her sword cutting a clean arc through the air—
Only for the Corrupted Lord to parry her mid-strike, his free hand grabbing her by the throat.
She barely had time to react before he slammed her into the ground.
Hard.
Dust exploded outward.
Silvia gasped. "Blaire—!"
Edward and I didn't hesitate.
We attacked together.
—---
Edward lunged high, going for a clean slash toward the Corrupted Lord's chest.
I went low, sweeping in with my shortsword toward his legs.
But the Corrupted Lord moved like a phantom.
Faster.
Smarter.
He let go of Blaire just in time to dodge Edward's strike, twisting his body like a shadow.
Then, without even turning—
He kicked me straight in the ribs.
The force sent me flying.
I crashed against the far wall, pain exploding in my chest.
Blaire was still recovering.
Edward, for the first time, staggered.
Silvia tried to cast something—but it was too late.
The Corrupted Lord raised his hand.
The decay magic was ready.
And then—
Everything stopped.
—---
A pulse.
Deep. Powerful.
But not from the Corrupted Lord.
From Edward.
His sword flared violently, a massive wave of energy surging outward.
His breathing was heavy.
His body trembled.
But his eyes—
They were burning.
And in that moment, I knew.
This wasn't just Edward fighting.
This was his bloodline waking up.
Something ancient.
Something powerful.
The Corrupted Lord recognized it instantly.
"Ah… I see. The Wither blood still carries its curse."
His smile widened.
"Then let us see if you are worthy of it."
He turned his full focus on Edward.
And the final battle truly began.
—---
I forced myself to my feet.
I wasn't out yet.
Neither was Blaire.
Edward was holding his ground, but if the Corrupted Lord was now taking him seriously—he wouldn't last alone.
I wiped the blood from my mouth, exhaling sharply.
Then I grinned.
"Alright," I muttered. "Round two."
Blaire stood beside me, rolling her shoulders.
She shot me a look. "You good?"
I smirked. "I'm alive."
She nodded.
Then, without another word—
We rushed in.
Time to end this fight that wasn't supposed to happen at all.
I ignored the pain.
I ignored the Corrupted Lord's sheer overwhelming power.
I ignored everything.
Because if this fight went on any longer, Edward wouldn't last.
And we couldn't afford that.
So I did the only insanely reckless thing I could think of.
I charged forward and grabbed the Corrupted Lord from behind.
I wrapped my arms around his torso, locking my grip like a vice.
And I held on.
——
Pain exploded through my body.
His very presence was like holding onto a storm.
I felt my skin burning, cracking, breaking.
But I didn't let go.
Not when he tried to shake me off.
Not when his decay magic tried to sink into me—only to fail again.
I held on.
Because I didn't need to beat him.
I just needed to keep him still.
Long enough for Edward and Blaire to finish this.
——
Blaire and Edward saw their chance.
And they took it.
Their movements were flawless.
Edward's sword flared, blazing with ancient power.
Blaire's blade hummed with a deadly, precise force.
And together—
They struck.
The world blurred.
Light flashed.
A shockwave ripped through the air.
And the attack?
It was so insanely beautiful, so perfectly executed, that my brain crashed.
I stared blankly.
Even as my body gave up.
Even as I accepted my death under the sheer force of the impact.
But—
I didn't die.
Not even a scratch.
Somehow, they had controlled their power so perfectly that only the Corrupted Lord took the full hit.
I collapsed to the ground, my body completely fried.
I lay there, arms and legs sprawled out, my tongue sticking out like a dead dog.
Next to me…
The Corrupted Lord staggered.
His body began to crack.
Deep fractures spread across his form, glowing with a faint, eerie light.
Slowly…
He began to turn into dust.
His time was up.
——
But as he crumbled, his glowing eyes landed on me.
For the first time, there was no mockery.
No arrogance.
Just curiosity.
And in a voice that was far quieter than before, he asked—
"Who are you?"
I blinked.
I opened my mouth to answer—
But before I could say a word, his body collapsed into dust.
And just like that…
It was over.
I lay there, completely drained.
My body ached, my mind still trying to process what just happened.
The Corrupted Lord was gone.
We won.
And yet, as I lay motionless on the cold stone floor, my so-called companions decided that this was the perfect time to have a conversation.
I cracked an eye open.
The trio was squatting near me, looking down like I was some stray animal they found on the street.
Edward grinned. "You look awful."
Silvia smiled gently. "That was reckless… but impressive."
Blaire just tilted her head slightly. "You'll live."
I exhaled. "Oh, good. I was worried."
Edward chuckled. "You should be. You look like you got run over by a carriage."
Silvia giggled.
Blaire just smirked.
I sighed, shifting slightly—then froze.
Wait.
Something was missing.
I squinted. "Weren't there more people here?"
The adventurers.
The ones we had brought with us.
I looked around, but aside from us, the chamber was empty.
I turned to the trio, confused.
That's when Blaire, with zero shame, casually pointed toward the entrance.
"They're over there."
I followed her finger—
And sure enough, the entire adventuring group was knocked out cold, piled near the entrance like discarded luggage.
I blinked.
Edward just smiled, shaking his head.
Silvia sighed, but there was amusement in her expression.
And Blaire?
She grinned proudly.
"I knocked them out."
…What.
I stared at her.
Then at the unconscious adventurers.
Then back at her.
"…You what?"
She crossed her arms. "They were in the way."
Edward snorted. "Translation: She didn't want them seeing her fight seriously."
Silvia nodded. "That seems… accurate."
I frowned, my aching brain finally catching up.
Of course.
She didn't want outsiders knowing her true strength.
That's why no one else reacted when she went all out.
Because they didn't see it.
Only me, Edward, and Silvia knew the truth.
I processed this for a moment.
Then, through exhausted breaths, I grinned.
"Alright, Blaire. Crucial question."
She raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"If you didn't want outsiders to know…"
I paused for dramatic effect.
"…Why didn't you knock me out?"
Silence.
Edward froze.
Silvia covered her mouth, stifling a laugh.
And Blaire?
For the first time ever, she actually hesitated.
She blinked, as if just now realizing it.
Then she scowled, looking away.
"Tch. I forgot."
Edward lost it.
He burst out laughing, clutching his stomach.
Silvia giggled softly, shaking her head.
And me?
I just grinned up at her.
Blaire's scowl deepened. "Shut up."
I chuckled.
Yeah.
This was worth it.
_________
I wasn't going to ask.
Not about the Corrupted Lord's last words.
Not about the mention of their bloodlines.
Not about whatever ancient history tied them to him.
I respected them.
I considered them friends now.
If they wanted to talk about it, they would.
If they didn't?
I wouldn't pry.
Simple as that.
——
With the Corrupted Lord gone, the chamber dimmed.
The eerie glow that had once filled the room faded, like a fire finally running out of fuel.
The seal was gone.
It had lost its purpose.
And as if recognizing that, the far wall shifted, stone grinding against stone—
Revealing a massive exit.
One that led directly back to the watchtower.
Silvia exhaled. "So that's it."
Edward sighed in relief. "Good. I was getting tired of creepy underground dungeons."
Blaire just rolled her shoulders. "Let's move."
——
The case was solved.
The reason for the lifelessness around the watchtower was clear.
Those corrupted creatures we had encountered at the entrance?
They weren't just a small group.
There had been enough of them to wipe out entire caravans, travelers, and adventurers.
We were just lucky we had cleared them out first.
And now, with the source destroyed, the land would eventually recover.
A long process. But at least the corruption wouldn't spread anymore.
——
Shortly after the Corrupted Lord's death, the other adventurers finally woke up.
They groaned, rubbing their heads, clearly confused.
But thankfully, they didn't question much.
They simply assumed that we had taken down the Corrupted Lord.
And in a way…
That was true.
Well. Four of us, anyway.
Blaire knocked them out before the real fight started, after all.
I smirked at the thought, but that quickly faded when I tried to stand up.
I couldn't.
My legs refused to move.
My body was done.
Before I could even think about asking for help—
Blaire picked me up.
Effortlessly.
And carried me on her back.
——
Silence.
Then—
Edward let out a sharp laugh.
Silvia giggled, covering her mouth.
Even the adventurers looked vaguely amused.
And Blaire?
She slowly turned her head and gave everyone the deadliest glare imaginable.
It only made Edward laugh harder.
"Oh, this is gold," he wheezed. "This is absolute gold."
I, still too exhausted to even argue, just sighed against her shoulder.
"Wow, Blaire. Carrying me so gently. You really do care."
Her grip tightened.
"Say one more word and I'm dropping you."
Silvia smiled softly. "Be nice, Blaire."
Blaire just grumbled under her breath and kept walking.
Edward wiped a tear from his eye. "Best. Day. Ever."
——
And just like that, we made our way out of the dungeon.
Back to the city.
Back to report what happened.
Back to whatever came next.
But one thing was for sure.
I wasn't just an outsider anymore.
I was part of this.
And honestly?
I was fine with that, i start to like this feeling, oh and getting a piggyback for free is worth the trouble too.
Sadly, halfway back to the city, Blaire had enough.
Between Edward's endless teasing and Silvia's giggling, her patience finally snapped.
Without a word, she dropped me.
Not gently.
I landed on my feet—barely—stumbling forward before catching myself.
I sighed. Helplessly.
"Well, it was nice while it lasted."
Edward grinned. "I'd say it lasted longer than expected."
Silvia smiled. "You should be grateful she carried you at all."
Blaire just walked ahead, ignoring us completely.
I rolled my shoulders, still sore as hell, but forced myself to keep moving.
We had a report to give.
——
At the Guild
By the time we reached the guild hall, the adventurers who had gone with us were already there—drinking.
A lot.
They waved when they saw us, cheerful, relaxed.
Completely unaware that they had missed one of the most insane battles ever.
I sighed. Must be nice.
At the center of the hall, waiting for us, was the Guild Master.
A broad-shouldered man with a scar over his eye, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
His gaze swept over us, but when it landed on Blaire, it lingered just a few seconds too long.
She didn't react.
Didn't acknowledge it.
Just stood there, arms crossed, waiting.
Something told me that he knew.
Or at least suspected.
But he didn't say anything about it.
Instead, he motioned for us to speak.
Edward took the lead, explaining things simply.
We found the cause of the disappearances.
We encountered corrupted creatures.
We fought the Corrupted Lord.
We won.
The Guild Master listened silently.
Then, after a long pause, he nodded.
"Good work."
That was it.
No long speech. No unnecessary questions.
Just acknowledgment.
Then he turned to me.
"You."
I blinked. "Me?"
He grunted. "You're not a rookie anymore."
I glanced down as he slid a metal badge across the table.
A promotion.
No more wooden rank.
I picked it up, staring at it for a second.
Then I grinned. "Finally. I was starting to feel like a beginner forever."
Edward clapped me on the back. "Welcome to mediocrity."
Silvia giggled.
Blaire just rolled her eyes.
The Guild Master sighed.
"Hand in a full report tomorrow," he said. "For now, go rest."
That?
That was the best order I had ever received.
——
At the Inn
The moment we entered the inn's gathering hall, I didn't even make it to my room.
I spotted a sofa.
And I collapsed onto it.
Instantly.
Like a dead pig.
I was out.
Nothing could wake me.
Not Edward's laughter.
Not Silvia's amused sigh.
Not even Blaire's death stare.
I was gone.
Drained.
Dead to the world.
And I would not wake until my natural biological clock forced me to.
Whatever came next?
That was a problem for future me.
For now?
Sleep.
_______
I don't know how long I was out.
But when I finally woke up, the first thing I felt was pain.
My entire body ached, every muscle sore from getting tossed around like a ragdoll in that dungeon.
The second thing I felt?
Hunger.
A deep, soul-crushing hunger that made me realize I hadn't eaten since before the boss fight.
I cracked my eyes open, staring blankly at the ceiling.
The inn was quiet—early morning, probably.
For a moment, I just lay there, unmoving.
Then, slowly, I forced myself up.
I needed food.
——
When I shuffled into the main hall, Edward was already awake, sitting at a table with a plate of food, looking way too energetic for this hour.
He spotted me and grinned.
"Well, well, well. The dead rise."
I ignored him and sat down with a tired groan.
A plate of food was placed in front of me.
I blinked, looking up.
Silvia.
She smiled. "You'll need energy after yesterday."
I stared at the food. Then at her.
Then back at the food.
"…You're an angel."
She giggled. "Eat before it gets cold."
I didn't need to be told twice.
I dug in, shoving food into my mouth like I'd been starving for weeks.
Edward chuckled. "Wow. That's… honestly kind of disturbing."
I kept eating. "I don't care."
Then I noticed something.
Blaire wasn't here.
I raised an eyebrow. "Where's scary lady?"
Edward smirked. "She left early. Something about 'getting some fresh air.'"
I chewed slowly.
Something about that felt… off.
Blaire wasn't the type to just wander off without a reason.
But I was too tired to question it.
For now, I was just going to finish my meal and rest.
Whatever Blaire was up to…
I'd find out soon enough anyway.
I finished my meal in record time.
The hunger had been so intense that I barely registered the taste—just warm food disappearing into my stomach as fast as possible.
By the time I leaned back with a sigh, fully satisfied, Edward was staring at me.
Like I was some strange creature.
"…I think I just witnessed a crime," he muttered.
Silvia giggled. "At least he's eating well."
I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. "Listen. I almost died, like, ten times yesterday. Let me have this."
Edward held up his hands in surrender. "Hey, no judgment. Just… mild concern."
I was about to respond with something witty when I remembered—
Blaire still wasn't back.
I tapped my fingers against the table, thinking.
It wasn't strange for her to wake up early.
It wasn't even strange for her to go off on her own.
But something about this… felt different.
And I wasn't the only one who noticed.
Silvia's smile faded slightly. "It's not like Blaire to be gone this long."
Edward leaned back in his chair. "Eh. She probably just needed to clear her head."
Silvia hesitated. "Maybe. But after yesterday, I thought we'd all take today to rest."
I sighed. "Well, if she doesn't show up soon, I'll go find her."
Edward raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Worried?"
I shot him a look. "She carried me like a sack of potatoes. I at least owe her the courtesy."
He snorted.
Silvia smiled softly. "I think it's nice."
I stretched, standing up. "Alright. I'll go look around."
Edward waved lazily. "Have fun."
Silvia called after me. "Be careful!"
And just like that, I stepped out of the inn.
Into the streets.
Into the city.
And into whatever the hell Blaire was actually up to, i just hope it's not a big thing.
_____
The morning air was crisp and cool, the streets just starting to fill with people as the city slowly woke up.
Merchants setting up their stalls. Adventurers heading toward the guild. The usual morning routine.
But I wasn't paying attention to any of that.
I was looking for Blaire.
And I had no idea where to start.
——
I thought about her habits.
Blaire wasn't the type to wander aimlessly.
If she left early, it was for a reason.
The training grounds? Possible.
The guild? Unlikely.
Some quiet place away from people? More likely.
I exhaled. Alright. Let's check the usual places.
——
The training grounds were empty.
The guild hall was business as usual—nothing out of place.
The marketplace? Definitely not her vibe.
I was about to give up and just wait for her to come back when I spotted something.
Or rather, someone.
Blaire.
Standing at the edge of a small, secluded garden near the city walls.
She had her arms crossed, looking out over the horizon, lost in thought.
She hadn't noticed me yet.
Or maybe she had and just didn't care.
I approached, keeping my voice light.
"Didn't take you for the 'appreciating nature' type."
She didn't turn around.
"Didn't take you for the 'stalking your friends' type."
I smirked. "I prefer 'checking in.'"
She finally glanced at me.
Her red eyes were calm.
Not annoyed. Not guarded. Just… neutral.
That was rare.
For a moment, we just stood there, the city quiet around us.
Then, I spoke.
"…You good?"
She tilted her head slightly. "Why wouldn't I be?"
I shrugged. "I don't know. Big fight. Crazy boss. Possible deep-seated bloodline trauma."
Blaire exhaled sharply. Not quite a laugh. Not quite a sigh.
Then she looked back at the horizon.
"I'm fine."
A pause.
Then—
"You didn't have to come looking for me."
I leaned against the wall beside her. "Yeah. But I did anyway."
Silence again.
But this time, it wasn't awkward.
Just understanding.
Then, finally—
Blaire smirked.
"You're still an idiot."
I grinned. "And you're still scary."
She shook her head, turning away.
"Come on," she muttered. "Let's go back before Edward starts making things weird."
I followed.
Whatever she had been thinking about, whatever had been weighing on her—
She let it go.
For now at least.
We made it back to the inn just as Edward and Silvia were finishing breakfast.
Edward raised an eyebrow when he saw us. "Oh? You found her?"
I dropped into a chair with a sigh. "Yep. She's alive. Unfortunately."
Blaire kicked my chair.
I barely caught myself before face-planting into the table.
Silvia giggled. "You two get along so well."
I grumbled. "If that's what you want to call it."
Edward smirked. "Alright, alright. Enough flirting."
Blaire and I both shot him a glare.
Silvia choked on her tea.
Edward just grinned.
——
After the chaos settled, we got to business.
The guild wanted a full report on yesterday's events.
Which meant someone had to write it.
I exhaled. "Alright. Who's taking care of it?"
Silvia smiled. "I will."
I blinked. "Wait. That fast?"
Edward chuckled. "Yeah. She always does it."
I frowned. "So… you two never handle reports?"
Blaire crossed her arms. "Why would we?"
Silvia waved a hand. "It's fine. I'm used to it."
I stared at them.
Then muttered, "This is a very unfair workload distribution."
Edward shrugged. "You say unfair. I say efficient."
Silvia just smiled patiently, like she had already accepted this fate long ago.
I sighed. Well, at least I didn't have to write anything.
——
After Silvia took on the report duty, we started discussing what's next.
Edward leaned back. "How long are we resting before the next quest?"
Blaire crossed her arms. "A few days. No need to rush."
Silvia nodded. "We should take some time to recover."
I stretched. "Well, I feel fine already."
Silence.
Then, three sets of eyes turned to me.
Edward squinted. "Wait. You're already better?"
Silvia tilted her head. "But you took so much damage…"
Blaire just sighed.
"Thick boar-like skin," she muttered.
I blinked. "Excuse me?"
She didn't elaborate.
Edward and Silvia just accepted it like it was a fact of life.
Like I was some freak of nature.
Which, okay, fair.
But still.
I sighed, shaking my head. "So we're visiting the guild today?"
Blaire nodded. "No point in waiting."
Edward grinned. "Perfect. Time to see what's next for us."
And just like that—
Our break was over.
It was time to move forward.
We left the inn shortly after, making our way to the guild hall.
The streets were livelier now, filled with merchants, adventurers, and travelers.
It felt normal.
Like we hadn't just fought a damn near-immortal undead lord yesterday.
But that's how life worked, I guess.
No matter what insane things happened, the world kept moving.
And so did we.
——
At the Guild
The moment we stepped inside, I felt eyes on us.
Not in a hostile way.
More like… curiosity.
Whispers floated through the air.
"That's them, right? The ones who took the watchtower quest?"
"Yeah, I heard they went deep underground and fought something crazy."
"No way. They came back alive, didn't they?"
"I dunno, man. That black-haired guy looks half-dead."
I sighed.
Great.
Apparently, word had spread.
Edward, of course, was thriving in the attention.
He grinned, puffing his chest out like we were some legendary warriors.
Silvia smiled politely, not minding the attention.
Blaire?
She ignored it completely.
And me?
I just wanted to get this over with.
——
We made our way to the Guild Master's office.
The man was already waiting, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
Silvia handed over our official report.
He skimmed through it, nodding slowly.
"Good work," he finally said.
Edward grinned. "I know, right?"
The Guild Master ignored him.
His gaze flicked to me instead.
"Your recovery is unusually fast."
I tensed.
Silvia and Edward looked at me curiously.
Blaire didn't react at all.
I shrugged. "Guess I'm just built different."
The Guild Master didn't smile.
He watched me for a few seconds longer, then nodded.
"…I won't question it. For now."
I exhaled quietly.
Close one.
——
With the formalities out of the way, we moved on to more important matters.
"What's next?" Blaire asked.
The Guild Master pulled out a stack of papers.
"There are multiple high-priority requests right now," he said.
Edward leaned forward. "Anything interesting?"
The Guild Master nodded.
Then, he handed us three options.
1. A missing person's case near the western border. Several merchants had disappeared under mysterious circumstances.
2. A monster subjugation in the southern forests. A rare beast had been sighted, dangerous but valuable.
3. A noble's personal request. The details were vague, but the pay was exceptionally high.
I looked over the options, rubbing my chin.
"Well," I muttered. "This all sounds fun."
Edward grinned. "So? What's the plan, fearless leader?"
I snorted. "Oh, so I'm leader now?"
Silvia smiled. "Well, you do seem eager."
Blaire crossed her arms. "Let's just pick one and go."
I sighed.
Time to make a choice.
I looked over the options again, thinking.
A missing person's case? Suspicious. Could be bandits, monsters, or something worse.
A monster subjugation? Straightforward, but if the beast was rare and valuable, that meant it was dangerous.
A noble's personal request? Vague. High pay. Definitely sketchy.
I glanced at the others.
Edward looked excited about all three.
Silvia seemed open to anything.
Blaire?
Blaire was already getting impatient.
I sighed, stretching my arms. "Alright. Let's break it down."
Edward smirked. "Oh? The great strategist is speaking?"
I ignored him. "If we go for the missing people, it could lead to something big. Might even be related to something larger, just like yesterday."
Silvia nodded. "That's true. But it's also the most unpredictable."
I continued. "The monster subjugation is the safest option. We know what we're getting into. The reward will depend on how valuable the beast is."
Edward grinned. "Sounds fun."
Finally, I tapped the noble's request.
"This one?" I shook my head. "It screams trouble."
Blaire raised an eyebrow. "Trouble or opportunity?"
I frowned. "Hard to tell."
Edward leaned back. "So, what's the call?"
I thought about it for a few more seconds.
Then I made my choice.
I exhaled.
"Let's take the missing person's case."
Edward grinned. "Ooh, mystery. I like it."
Silvia nodded. "It's concerning that so many have disappeared. If we can solve it, we might prevent more."
Blaire simply crossed her arms. "Fine."
I turned to the Guild Master. "What's the full report?"
He handed me a stack of papers.
"The disappearances have been happening near the western border. Mostly merchants and travelers. No bodies, no signs of struggle—just gone."
Edward frowned. "No tracks? No witnesses? It's already looking familiar."
The Guild Master shook his head. "Nothing."
Silvia bit her lip. "That's… unsettling."
Blaire exhaled. "So, we're walking into the unknown."
I skimmed the report. The last person to vanish was a merchant named Dorian Vale. He was traveling alone when he disappeared near an abandoned trade post.
That would be our starting point.
I glanced at the others.
"Pack your things. We leave at dawn."
Edward smirked. "Finally, some adventure again."
Blaire gave me a look. "If this turns into another underground nightmare, I'm blaming you."
I grinned. "You already blame me for everything."
Silvia giggled.
The Guild Master nodded. "Report back when you find something."
With that, we left the office.
A new mission. A new mystery.
And something inside of me told me.
This one wasn't going to be simple.
We left the guild hall and made our way back to the inn to prepare.
The mission seemed simple on paper.
Find out what happened to the missing merchants. Investigate the abandoned trade post. Solve the mystery.
Yeah. Right.
If there was one thing I had learned since arriving in this world, it was this:
Nothing is ever simple.
And this trio I'm with?
They had the kind of luck that guaranteed we'd never have an easy mission.
And now I'm part of it.
Edward stretched as we walked. "You ever notice how we keep running into the worst possible situations?"
Silvia smiled, adjusting the strap on her satchel. "Well… we do take the high-risk requests."
Blaire scoffed. "This isn't high risk. It's just trouble waiting to happen."
I sighed. "Yeah. But that's what makes it fun, right?"
Edward grinned. "See? That's the spirit."
Blaire gave me a flat look. "I will stab you."
Silvia giggled behind her hand.
I chuckled. "Too late. You already carried me. You're stuck with me now."
Blaire exhaled sharply. Not quite a sigh. Not quite a growl.
Edward snorted. "Alright, let's get some rest. Tomorrow, we go mystery hunting."
Tomorrow.
Another mission. Another problem.
And knowing our luck?
It was going to be worse than what we expect, probably.
_____
The Next Morning
As expected, morning came too fast.
One second, I was in my bed, enjoying the first real sleep I'd had in days—the next, Edward was banging on my door.
"Rise and shine, sleepyhead! Mystery time!"
I groaned into my pillow. Why did I agree to this again?
Still, I dragged myself up, got dressed, and met the others downstairs.
Blaire was already fully geared. Silvia had her supplies neatly packed. And Edward?
Edward looked way too awake for this hour.
I rubbed my eyes. "Do you sleep at all?"
He grinned. "Sleep is for people who don't get into exciting trouble every day."
Blaire exhaled sharply. "So, normal people?"
Edward ignored her.
Silvia smiled, handing me some bread. "Eat before we leave."
I took it gratefully. "See, this is why you're my favorite."
Blaire raised an eyebrow. "You said that to me yesterday."
I took a big bite of bread. "And I meant it at the time."
Edward snorted. "Alright, let's move out before you two start bickering again."
___
The journey to the western border took a few hours.
The road was mostly quiet, but the atmosphere felt off.
There were less travelers than usual.
Less life in general.
Even the birds weren't singing.
Silvia noticed it too. "The land feels… tense."
Edward nodded. "Yeah. No bandits, no merchants, no anything. It's like people are avoiding this place."
Blaire, who had been quiet for most of the trip, suddenly spoke.
"They know something we don't."
That didn't make me feel any better.
——
By the time we reached the abandoned trade post, the sun was already starting to dip.
The place was exactly what I expected.
Old. Crumbling. Forgotten.
Once, it had probably been lively. A hub for travelers moving goods between the kingdoms.
Now?
Now it was empty.
But not just in the 'no people' way.
It was the same feeling as the watchtower.
Like life itself had been drained away.
I tightened my grip on my shortsword. Here we go again.
Edward whistled. "Alright. Let's split up and—"
"No." Blaire cut in immediately.
Edward blinked. "What? You don't trust us?"
"I don't trust the situation."
Silvia nodded. "Staying together is safer."
I sighed. "As much as I love horror stories, I'd rather not live one."
Edward shrugged. "Fair enough."
And so, as a group, we stepped into the trade post.
Straight into another problem.
Because the moment we crossed the threshold—
The door slammed shut behind us.
The air grew cold.
And from deep inside the ruins…
Something moved.
Here we go again.