The night breeze drifted gently through the trees in Novara Park, carrying the faint scent of damp earth from the recent rain. The last streaks of sunset filtered through the branches, casting long, shifting shadows on the stone pathways, while the soft murmur of a nearby fountain added a delicate rhythm to the stillness.
The air was slightly chilly, brushing against Milo's skin with a gentle sting, yet it did nothing to silence the whispers of the leaves as they swayed with every movement of the wind. Far from the city's chaos, the park seemed like a world suspended in time, a quiet corner where reality itself felt softened, almost dreamlike.
The room was vast, dimly lit by a series of tall, narrow windows that let in only the faintest glimmer of moonlight. Shadows stretched across the polished marble floor, merging with the heavy drapes that hung motionless along the walls. The air felt thick, almost electric, as if every corner of the space held a secret waiting to be revealed.
Lola sat opposite Tavian at a long, ornate table, her posture tense yet controlled. The soft glow of a chandelier above cast sharp angles across her face, highlighting the determination and anxiety mingling in her expression.
Lola sat on the chair across from Tavian, tears streaming down her cheeks uncontrollably, her body trembling under the weight of fear and tension. Her voice caught between sobs and gasps, her tear-filled eyes searching desperately for any hint of mercy in Tavian's gaze but she found only the sharp, cold stare that made her feel small and powerless before him.
Tavian sat motionless, his face calm, his eyes studying every twitch of Lola's lips, every shiver of her body, every tear falling to the floor. His silence was heavier than words, and his mere presence filled the room with a tense, suffocating pressure.
Behind him, standing quietly, was a girl with long black hair and a streak of red threading through it. She carried a katana at her waist, her posture calm yet alert, her gaze fixed on Lola. She remained silent, like a shadow that followed Tavian, a constant, silent warning of the danger that loomed.
Lola's voice trembled as she spoke, tears streaming freely down her face.
"S-Sir Tavian... I... I'm really sorry. They took the key from me... I... I didn't know... I just suddenly reached into my pocket and... it wasn't there..." Her shoulders shook violently with sobs. "I've ruined everything..."
She buried her face in her hands, crying so hard that her body seemed to tremble with every tear, her voice breaking with desperation and guilt.
Tavian remained silent, his gaze fixed on her, unreadable, while the girl with the katana behind him shifted slightly but said nothing, her expression calm yet alert, as if ready to react to any sudden movement.
Tavian remained silent, his eyes fixed on the ceiling, seemingly indifferent to Lola's words or the torrent of tears streaming down her face. The heavy atmosphere in the room grew even more intense with the presence of his cold, unwavering composure, amplifying Lola's sense of guilt and despair.
Suddenly, Tavian moved with calm yet decisive steps, approaching her steadily. Each step cut through the silence, making Lola's heart race faster with every inch he closed.
Lola trembled in place, unsure of what to do, while Tavian advanced, his face expressionless, his gaze locked on her as if she were the only person in the room.
Tavian reached out and gently placed his hand on Lola's head.
"Don't worry, Lola," he said softly, his voice calm and reassuring. "You've done your best."
A small, kind smile curved his lips, easing some of the tension in the room.
Lola sniffled, her tears still flowing, but the warmth in Tavian's words made her chest feel a little lighter, as if a small weight had been lifted.
Lola lifted her head, her voice trembling slightly:
"Sir Tavian..."
Tavian continued, his tone calm and confident:
"You've done your best and truly proven your talent. You entered the lair of our enemies and came out unharmed that's what truly matters..."
He gave her a reassuring smile, as if his words were lifting some of the weight from her guilt and restoring a bit of her strength.
A few minutes later, Lola stepped out of the large room's door, her face bright with happiness.
Next to the doorway, a mysterious figure stood silently, observing.
Startled, Lola jumped slightly, but her joy was overwhelming she couldn't hide how thrilled she felt by the way Tavian had treated her.
Her eyes sparkled, and a wide smile spread across her face as she took a deep, excited breath, still savoring the warmth of his encouragement.
The mysterious figure glanced at Lola for a moment, then silently stepped into the room.
Tavian remained seated, calm as ever, with the long-haired black-haired girl standing beside him, her eyes fixed on the mysterious newcomer who had entered the room.
The mysterious figure had short gray hair and a slight beard. From his appearance, he seemed to be in his late thirties and had only one hand. In his other hand, he held a can of soda, which he tossed toward Tavian. Tavian caught it effortlessly with his hand.
Tavian looked in his direction and smiled.
"Hello, Marcus."
Marcus smiled back at Tavian.
"Sir Tavian... you're still as kind as ever. Are you really sure you'll let that girl live?" (referring to Lola)
Tavian opened a soda can and took a slow sip, his eyes fixed on Marcus and Raiza.
He smiled calmly and said,
"Marcus, I already told you I promised her I would make her dream come true, and I never break my promises."
He took another sip before continuing,
"And this applies to all members of this gang, which includes both of you, Marcus and Raiza."
Raiza, the long-haired black-haired girl with a katana at her waist, stood beside him, her eyes alert yet feeling a strange sense of reassurance in Tavian's presence, despite the tension filling the room.
Raiza smiled at Tavian's words, then lowered her head respectfully.
"I'm honored to serve under your command, sir," she said softly.
Marcus continued, his voice steady but curious:
"Sir Tavian, now that the Guild Agency knows our goal... what will we do?"
Tavian smiled calmly, a hint of mischief in his eyes.
"Marcus, have you forgotten? I always get what I want."
Marcus's lips curled into a determined grin.
"I will take that key, enter the prison under the Agency, and free that person
Tavian finished his soda and wiped his mouth slowly, then lifted his head with a confident smile.
"I will turn Novara upside down," he said, his eyes glinting with determination and cunning.
Raiza looked at him with admiration and respect, while Marcus simply offered a calm smile, fully understanding the nature of the man before him.
The morning had just begun, and the sky above Novara carried a faint golden hue, as if the day itself was still yawning after a long night. The distant chirping of birds blended with the growing footsteps of people filling the streets, while rays of sunlight slipped between tall buildings, granting the city a fragile warmth. Yet, with each new dawn, there was always the lingering sense that Novara hid secrets too vast to be counted.
Inside the hospital, where silence lingered between white walls and the scent of antiseptics filled the air, Sally Kim lay quietly on her bed. Her face was calm despite the traces of exhaustion, and the morning light brushed against her features, making her look almost fragile like she belonged to that very morning.
Milo, Lilithia, and Herax stepped quietly into Sally's hospital room. Milo's eyes immediately found her lying on the bed, her left arm in a cast and small, faint scratches scattered across her arms and legs. Despite the minor injuries, she looked pale but stable, the steady rise and fall of her chest a comforting rhythm.
Herax sat on the edge of the bed, his eyes full of worry as he looked at Sally.
"Sally... are you okay? Does it hurt anywhere?"
Lilithia stood beside the bed, her eyes shining with deep sadness, her heart heavy at seeing her friend like this.
"Sally..." she whispered, her voice trembling as she wiped away an invisible tear, "I can't believe this happened to you..."
Sally tried to smile despite the slight aches in her body. "Don't worry... it's nothing serious... I'll be fine."
Milo stepped forward, his brow furrowed, a mix of anger and sorrow etched across his face. His eyes locked onto Sally, his voice tight with emotion.
"Sally..."
He looked around at everyone in the room, his gaze sharp and unwavering, demanding answers.
"Who did this to you?"
Herax's jaw tightened, and Lilithia's hands clenched slightly at her sides, their concern for Sally mirrored in their expressions.
Sally shook her head gently, her lips trembling. "It... it was a gang... thieves... they attacked me... but it's... it's okay..."
Milo stepped forward, his voice tinged with anger as he looked at Sally:
"Do you remember their faces? Anything about them?"
Sally shook her head slightly, her eyes wide with fear and uncertainty.
"N... not much... there were so many of them..." she said, her voice trembling before she took a deep breath and added, "But I remember... one of them had a scar on his forehead... maybe he was their leader... they attacked me to steal what I owned..."
Tears began to fall from her eyes, and her lips trembled slightly.
"And when I resisted... they hit me... but luckily, one of the guards from that area arrived just in time, and they ran away immediately..."
Milo's eyes burned with fury as he clenched his fists.
"What did they do to you... and what about them? Did anyone catch them, or are they still out there?"
Sally shook her head, her voice weak but honest.
"They said... they're part of a big gang... it's... it's hard to find them..."
Rage surged through Milo. He slammed his hand against the wall, the impact echoing sharply through the hospital room. His voice was low, deadly calm, but filled with raw anger:
"If the law won't punish them... then I will do it myself."
Without another word, he turned and stormed out of the room, his steps heavy and determined, leaving Herax, Lilithia, and Sally frozen in shock. The sudden silence that followed felt heavy, each of them grappling with the intensity of his wrath.
Hirax clenched his fists, watching Milo disappear down the hallway.
Lilithia's eyes narrowed, a mix of concern and unease crossing her face.
Sally remained in her bed, trembling slightly, her heart racing as she realized just how serious Milo's anger had become.
Hirax called out, his voice urgent, "Milo! W-Wait!"
Lilithia's eyes widened slightly, a mix of surprise and concern crossing her face.
"He's angry... really angry," she murmured, her voice calm but edged with worry.
"...But I can't blame him," she added softly, understanding the depth of his fury.
Sally, struggling to sit up a little in her hospital bed, pleaded, her voice shaky but sincere, "Guys... please... don't let him do anything reckless..."
The doctor's voice echoed softly through the room, interrupting the tense moment.
"Hirax... Lilithia... visiting time is over. You need to leave now."
Herax and Lilithia stepped out of the hospital doors, following Milo's steps carefully but quickly, until they found him seated on a wooden bench by the side of the road. His hand gripped his necklace tightly, and his head was slightly bowed.
Herax sat down beside Milo, his tone gentle but concerned.
"Hey, Milo... why are you so distant? What's on your mind?"
Lilithia looked at Milo with concern, her voice calm but probing.
"Milo... do you have any information about this gang? Do you know anything about them?"
Milo suddenly remembered something and immediately stood up.
"Alright... guys, I'm heading to the slum district now. I'll tell you the details later."
He dashed off immediately, leaving them behind.
Herax shouted after him, "Wait, Milo! Aaaah, he's gone!"
Lilithia glanced at Herax. "Aren't you going to follow him?"
Herax shook his head, conflicted. "I would... but I promised my father I'd visit Sally quickly, then I'll come back to help him."
Lilithia nodded, her expression serious but calm.
"Alright, I have to go now, Herax. Keep me updated if you see Milo... goodbye."
Herax stepped closer, lowering his voice slightly, concern in his eyes.
"Wait, Lilithia... I want to ask you something first."
She paused, tilting her head, curious yet cautious.
"What is it?" she asked, her tone calm but attentive, ready to listen to whatever he needed to say before leaving.
Herax frowned, his curiosity growing.
"Where is Solir? Why has he disappeared like this?"
Lilithia remained silent for a moment, her gaze distant.
He pressed gently, "He didn't even think about visiting Sally... doesn't she mean anything to him?"
Lilithia finally spoke, her tone measured and calm, "It's not like that, Herax... but you have to understand, Solir has personal issues that don't allow him to spend time as he wishes."
Herax tilted his head, puzzled. "Personal issues?"
She nodded, continuing, "Yes... many issues. He hasn't told me much, but I know a few things."
Herax leaned closer slightly, eager. "Then tell me about them while we walk."
Lilithia remained silent, her expression unreadable.
The atmosphere between Herax and Lilithia was a mix of tension and quiet depth. Despite each being absorbed in their own thoughts, there were moments of heavy silence, carrying unspoken questions and cautious curiosity. Lilithia appeared reserved and careful in her speech, while Herax was eager for answers, creating an underlying sense of anticipation and mutual respect. The air around them felt calm, yet it carried a subtle note of curiosity and concern, as if the city itself shared in their quiet moments before revealing its secrets.
Milo moved quickly toward the poor district on the outskirts of Novara, where the houses were close together, services were scarce, and life was simpler but tougher. Every step he took on the stone pavement reflected his sense of responsibility and determination, his hand trembling slightly as he thought of the gang that had attacked Sally.
Milo stopped abruptly, his expression freezing for a moment as he heard the voice calling him. In the narrow alley, Lucas stood there, his eyes glinting with curiosity, a faint, careless smile playing on his lips, as if he didn't care much and was simply wandering around.
"Oh... it's you, M-Milo, right?" Lucas said, his voice light and slightly smug, like he was just strolling through the alley with no particular purpose.
Milo's gaze sharpened, his eyes quickly assessing the situation, and he replied in a calm but firm voice:
"Yes... I'm Milo. What are you doing here?"
Lucas shrugged casually, a slight grin still on his face:
"Just wandering through the alleys... didn't expect to run into someone I know here."
The air grew slightly tense, the long shadows cast by the setting sun adding a sense of mystery and alertness as Milo watched Lucas cautiously.
reminder: Lucas previously had a tense confrontation with Milo, where Milo's strength and speed overwhelmed him, leaving Lucas injured and unconscious on the ground. After that incident, they reconciled, and later Lucas invited Milo to dinner at the orphanage, marking the beginning of a new understanding between them.
Lucas looked at Milo, tilting his head slightly.
"What are you doing here? Do you need something?"
Milo stepped closer, his expression serious.
"Do you know someone named Toxifar? He has green hair"
Lucas cut him off quickly, a small smirk forming.
"Toxifar? Oh, yeah... he's my friend."
Milo's lips curved into a faint smile.
"Could you tell me where I can find him?"
Lucas ran a hand through his hair, a small sigh escaping him.
"He always wakes up late... but I'll tell you where he stays. Follow me."
As they walked, Lucas spoke to Milo.
"Honestly, I didn't expect you to know Toxifar. His connections with people like you are... rare."
Milo smiled faintly.
"Yes, I met him recently."
Lucas tilted his head, a knowing smirk forming.
"Let me guess... he invited you to join some gang, didn't he?"
Milo stopped for a moment.
"Yes... how did you know?"
Lucas chuckled softly.
"Of course. He always does that-likes to recruit any new member. And, well... he really hates the Church."
Milo continued walking.
"You're right... but do you hate it too?"
Lucas nodded slightly.
"Yes, somewhat. There are many in Novara who dislike the Church, but waging a war against it would be difficult. It holds all the power."
Milo fell silent.
Lucas finished his thought,
"Milo, don't join the gang of troublemakers.
It'll only bring you big problems.
Stay away from them."
After a few minutes, they arrived at an apartment high up in the building.
Lucas used a key to unlock the door and stepped inside, with Milo following closely behind.
"Toxivar? Hello, are you here?" Lucas called out.
Milo glanced around the small apartment, noticing it was a bit messy and cramped. They continued forward, their footsteps quiet, until they found Toxivar asleep on the floor.
Lucas sighed, "Ugh... Toxivar, you never change." He leaned down toward him and gave him a light slap.
Toxivar stirred, blinking his eyes open. "Oh?"
His gaze immediately landed on Milo, and a wide grin spread across his face. "Look what we have here!"
Milo's eyes narrowed slightly, a mix of caution and curiosity crossing his face as he studied Toxivar.
The small room felt cramped and dimly lit, sunlight filtering weakly through dusty windows. The clutter around them papers, clothes, and small trinkets scattered on the floor added to the chaotic atmosphere. Despite the mess, a faint aura of energy seemed to linger around Toxivar, subtle but unmistakable, hinting at his latent strength even in a relaxed state. The air was tense, charged with anticipation, as two very different world Milo's disciplined calm and Toxivar's playful unpredictability stood face to face.
Milo stepped forward, his eyes fixed steadily on Toxifar. His voice was calm but carried a clear seriousness:
"Toxifar, I need to talk to you."
The scene carried a subtle tension. The small, cluttered room, with faint light filtering through the window, cast shadows across their faces, intensifying the focus and gravity of the moment.