Teresa and Garner rode atop the Razorback's back, its powerful muscles rippling beneath them as it charged forward. Who could rival the speed of a beast born to run — especially one of King's rank?
They raced for another hour at full speed before reaching a vast expanse of grassland. In the distance stood a ruined cathedral, its once-proud spires now wrapped in vines and moss, nature reclaiming what time had forgotten.
Hundreds of Razorbacks surrounded the cathedral, their pups playing near the entrance until the thunder of approaching footsteps silenced them. As the beast halted, every head turned toward the newcomers.
Inside the shadowed cathedral stood an imposing figure — not a Razorback, but a human.
"A human?" Garner muttered in surprise. Instinctively, he raised his guard, his body tensing for battle.
Threads of white strings gathered around him, weaving through the air like streaks of light only he could see. Beside him, Teresa's eyes narrowed, her stance firm and focused.
Without a word, the sky above them began to shift. Thick gray clouds rolled in, swirling ominously as a low rumble of thunder echoed across the plains—Teresa's power stirring in response to her unease.
The Razorback pups squealed and scrambled back to their mothers, while the larger beasts rose to their feet, snouts lifted, nostrils flaring. The air grew tense, heavy with essence and the scent of rain. Something—or someone—was coming.
A sudden surge of power erupted from within the cathedral, crashing over them like a tidal wave. The overwhelming aura pressed down on Teresa and Garner, forcing the air from their lungs.
The gray clouds above began to dissolve, scattering as if swept away by the sheer force of the presence before them. Around Garner, the white strings trembled violently, snapping out of alignment before scattering into the air like shards of light.
This wasn't just power—it was authority, far greater than anything they had ever felt, even from their master, Rosalia.
"You both should know," a deep voice echoed from the cathedral, calm yet commanding, "this is my territory. Any hostility will not be tolerated."
A pause. The weight of his aura lightened slightly. "But… since you're both new here, I'll let this one slide."
From the cathedral's shadows, the figure finally stepped forward.
"I am Leo, the Alpha," he announced, turning to face them with a faint, confident smile.
He appeared to be in his mid-twenties, his tan skin catching the stray beams of sunlight filtering through the vines. His build was balanced—broad-shouldered but not overly muscular, the physique of someone forged by nature rather than training. Long brown hair framed his sharp features, and he stood barefoot upon the ancient stone. Handsome, wild, and calm—he embodied the perfect harmony of man and beast.
"Impossible!" Teresa and Garner exclaimed in unison.
"The Alpha… he's reached the peak of the King's rank—and even gained the ability to take human form," a deep voice rumbled behind them.
Both turned sharply. It was the Razorback they had been riding.
"Let's cut the chase and go straight to business," Leo said, his tone casual but commanding. "You possess Law. Keith already reported you to me before your arrival."
"Keith?" Garner blinked, confusion written all over his face. "Who's that?"
Leo's smile widened slightly, almost amused. "Oh? You mean you didn't know?"
He gestured toward their mount. "The Razorback you're riding… is Keith."
Garner and Teresa froze, dumbfounded. The massive beast snorted softly, its eyes gleaming with something that looked suspiciously like pride.
"Anyway, we can talk about that later," Leo said casually, though his tone carried a weight that demanded attention. "What I really want to discuss is the danger looming ahead. Even now, the Twelve Circles are on edge—as you can imagine."
He stepped closer, the air thick with his aura. "We've long had rumors of a unique orb—one capable of bending the very laws of existence. But no one knew where it was… until you and Keith stumbled upon it. Fortunately—or unfortunately—you were the one who absorbed it."
Teresa's eyes widened slightly, but Leo continued. "The high-ranked Seekers say this orb has the power to bend, erase, or even create laws. Beyond that, we know almost nothing."
Garner's face went pale. "What are you saying…?"
Leo chuckled, a knowing smile forming. "Ah, so you didn't know it yet."
His gaze drifted toward the distant horizon. "There's a special place—one that can only be reached through the help of a Taker with Space affinity. We call it The Void."
He paused, letting the name sink in. "Legend says it's a sanctuary of cultivation, where time flows differently. One day in the real world equals ten years inside."
"I've searched every kingdom on this continent," he added, voice lowering. "Not one Taker I've met possesses true Space power. Not until you appeared, with that orb that defies the natural order."
Leo's eyes glinted with curiosity. "Your aura may still be that of a Warlord—but your orb's potential surpasses even Divine rank. The question is… can you learn to harness Space?"
"Stop right there!" Garner shouted, his voice trembling with anger and exhaustion.
"I need to go back to the kingdom—to find my family!" he continued, his emotion breaking through. "And all of you keep stopping me!"
His aura flickered, unstable, threads of white string faintly vibrating around him. "We've been chased, thrown around, captured, even enslaved! I don't want to wait another day! I don't want to wake up to the worst news that might already be coming!"
His eyes glistened; his voice cracked under the weight of everything he'd endured.
Leo exhaled softly, his tone steady and calm. "Manuel is afraid—just like you. But he never intended to make anyone's life a living hell. What you're seeing is the work of corrupt officials, not the king himself."
He took a step forward, his presence gentle yet commanding. "I'll send my best people to look for your family and make sure they're safe. In exchange, you'll stay here. Let my people handle the search. Your friend can go with them if that helps you rest easier."
Garner paused, his breath heavy as the anger drained from his face. He turned toward Teresa, searching her eyes.
Teresa met his gaze with a calm smile and nodded once, her expression saying what words didn't need to. I've got this.
"Alright," Garner finally said, squaring his shoulders. "It's a deal then?"
His determined eyes locked on Leo, the Alpha, who returned the look with quiet approval.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Teresa, along with four Razorbacks, departed toward the kingdom to search for Garner's family. Meanwhile, the Alpha, Leo, led Garner deeper into his territory.
Behind the cathedral stood a colossal tree, its roots thick and twisted like coiled serpents. Beneath its shade rested a small nipa hut — humble yet warm — Leo's dwelling.
"Come," Leo said, motioning toward a wooden stool near the hut. "Let's talk about our preparations."
Garner sat, still uneasy but curious.
"Tell me about the power you've gained," Leo began, his tone calm but probing. "How does it work?"
Garner took a breath, then began to explain everything — from the day he first touched the orb, to how the invisible strings respond to his will. He spoke of their color, the way they moved, and the strange creatures he'd encountered — including the teleporting frogs, known among locals as space frogs.
As Garner spoke, Leo's expression shifted — confusion at first, then intrigue, and finally a glint of realization.
"I see," Leo said with a faint smile—then his expression abruptly shifted, eyes turning north. His aura sharpened.
"Hmmph… kidnapping now, little wolf?"
The voice was light, almost playful, yet it carried an unmistakable pressure that rippled through the air. It echoed from somewhere distant, yet felt close enough to whisper.
Garner and Leo stepped outside. Far beyond the cathedral's ruins, a small silhouette drifted toward them—hands tucked behind his back. His robe was far too large for his small frame, swaying with each movement.
He rode upon a swirling black cloud of miasma, gliding effortlessly through the air. As he approached within a meter, the figure came into view: a child, no older than ten, his face innocent and almost irresistibly adorable—enough to make anyone want to pinch his cheeks.
But beneath that cherubic expression pulsed an aura so heavy it made the ground itself shudder.
"King…" Leo murmured, his voice steady but serious.
The child only smirked, his eyes gleaming with mischief and danger.
He was the leader of the Twelve Circles—King.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++