"I hope he's not dead," Ryojin sighed as his aura began retracting. "I'm not into killing humans."
He slowly raised his hands—looking at them with a face of satisfaction. "My strength and speed are unreal," he looked down at Ben's unconscious body. "This guy stood no chance."
He knelt down and brushed his finger against Ben's nose. "He's still breathing—good for him. Today will serve as a lesson to him."
His gaze turned to the tied women on the ground near the carriage. They sat there breathing heavily and shaking involuntarily in their long white dresses—not because of the cold but out of fear. They did not understand anything that was happening; they only heard loud thuds on the ground and a man screaming for help.
He lowered his head, then ran a hand through his hair. "What should I do with them? I probably shouldn't have knocked out all the traffickers, especially the first guy I hit." He stood up. "I just gave myself more work."
He began walking towards the carriage at a slow pace. As the tied-up women heard his footsteps, their shivering and breathing increased. As he reached the women, he knelt down before them.
"You don't need to be scared," he said, his voice low and steady. "You are safe now."
Despite his words, the women's breathing was still heavy. Ryojin then slowly extended his hand and untied the cloth that covered the eyes of one of the women. As he did, her facial features were now fully revealed under the moonlight—showcasing her young, feminine face with black curly hair. Her eyes were still filled with fear as they darted from place to place.
"Hey, look at me," Ryojin held her face in position. "You are safe now."
Tears began to form in her eyes before they ran down her cheeks.
Ryojin then proceeded to untying her hands and legs. He then removed the cloth that covered her mouth. As he finished doing so, the woman wrapped her hands around him.
"Thank you," she said, her voice hollow.
"It's... okay," he stammered. "Let me check out your friend over here."
The young woman unwrapped her hands from Ryojin. Ryojin then proceeded to untie the other woman—this one looked like she was in her thirties with long brown hair framing her terrified face.
"You are safe now."
The woman was still shivering in fear as she held her legs tightly.
"Merina," the young woman said as she leaned closer to the older woman. "It's now over."
Ryojin stood up and walked towards the body of the carriage, and he found one more female—but this one was not tied up. With an unreadable facial expression, he leapt onto the carriage.
This female was not moving, with bruises covering most parts of her face. Ryojin leaned closer and lifted her in his hands. She could barely breathe, and her body was cold. He carefully came down from the carriage.
"Maggie," the young woman's voice boomed with concern as she ran towards Ryojin. "Is she okay?"
"Not really," he admitted. "She's severely hurt and needs medical attention."
Ryojin's gaze drifted to Merina—the older woman—who was now slightly calm, then to the carriage.
"How are you now going to get home?" he asked. "By the way, where are you from?"
"We're from Kingdom Colonia."
"Kingdom Colonia?" he repeated.
"Yes, we were kidnapped on our way home."
Ryojin looked at her in silence, his mind racing.
"If they are from Colonia, it will be impossible to get them home- it is too far," his eyes drifted to the place where the horse bolted. "If only that horse was still here." He closed his eyes. "Leaving them to spend the night in the tower would have been the right option if only this woman was not severely hurt."
"Got any ideas?"
"Not really, but for now go back in the carriage," he suggested as he turned and put Maggie back in the carriage. "I need to think."
"Alright," the young woman said. "By the way, where are the guys who kidnapped us?"
"Unconscious," he said, gesturing towards the other side of the carriage.
The young woman did not fully understand Ryojin's words. She then walked towards the other side of the carriage and found two unconscious bodies. She was startled at the sight as she walked backwards.
"Are you the one who did this?"
"Yeah." Ryojin replied as he helped Merina on her feet and led her to the carriage.
"Who are you, by the way?" she asked.
"It doesn't matter who I am," he lifted Merina onto the carriage and turned back to the young woman. "What matters is that you are safe now."
The young woman looked at Ryojin's face but could hardly see anything clearly due to the darkness.
"You are right. What am I thinking," she admitted. "I am Cathy."
Ryojin walked past her. "Stay in the carriage. I'll be right back."
He hurriedly headed into the tower. Cathy watched him as she sat in the carriage.
"Are we safe around this man?" she thought. "I hope he's got no ill intentions."
Meanwhile, in the tower, Ryojin sat on a crumbled stone. "What should I do with them? That girl will likely die due to cold if I don't move fast."
Then the whispers spoke.
"Portal."
"A portal?" His face lightened up with realization. "You are right. A portal to Colonia will be useful."
He stood up and took two shaky breaths.
"Open."
No response.
"What? Let me try again."
"Open."
Still no response.
"Damn, what the hell," he hissed under his breath. "Why the hell won't it open?"
"Nefaria," the whispers spoke once more.
"Nefaria?" He took one step toward the exit. "Maybe the portal is not opening because the image of Kingdom Colonia is not that vivid in my brain, as it has been years since I've been there—a lot about the physical appearance must have changed." He looked at the women in the carriage. "But should I show them my abilities? What if someone among them senses that it is Abyssal energy?" He sighed. "It doesn't matter. They can't see my face."
He stepped out of the tower and walked towards the carriage, still deep in thought.
"Where exactly in Nefaria should I open the portal? Considering the time, many won't come to help them," he paused mid-step. "There is only one place where they will be helped."
"I'll do something, but please," he said as he reached the carriage, "do not tell anyone that you saw me and saw what I'm about to do."
Cathy and Merina exchanged glances, not sure of what he was talking about.
"Sure thing," Cathy finally spoke, her voice still hollow.
Ryojin sighed as he turned, his eyes began to glow.
"Open."
A thin crack formed on empty air, and later a pattern of cracks. Then the sky shattered, revealing the orphanage grounds of Nefaria.
At the sight, the women were startled as they crouched back into the carriage.
Ryojin turned to them, eyes still glowing, and extended his hand. At first, they were terrified. Then, slowly, Cathy's hand responded as she reached out to Ryojin.
With a light smile, he helped her come off the carriage, and Merina also reached out her hand. Then he went to carry Maggie and handed her to Cathy.
"Go. This is Kingdom Nefaria," he said, his voice calm.
The women hesitantly stepped through the portal.
As the portal began to close, Cathy turned.
"Thanks."
Ryojin nodded in response, and then the portal closed.