The world blurred.
Before Jeff could even register what was happening, the air rippled like torn fabric, and in an instant Yangyang was gone—swept away into nothingness, her voice cut short.
"Yangyang!" Rover's voice cracked as she lunged forward, reaching into empty space. Her sword vibrated faintly, its glow sputtering with her rage.
Jeff's stomach dropped, his pistol tightening in his grip. The hell just happened?
And then—he stepped out.
A tall man with a presence that sent the air itself trembling. His coat fluttered despite the stillness, cards orbiting lazily around his fingers as if gravity bent to his will. His eyes—burning with something between amusement and madness—glinted beneath the messy hair. The smile stretched across his face wasn't warm, but sharp, a blade disguised as charm.
"Y-You are…" Rover's words shook. She steadied her stance, blade rising defensively. "…Scar?"
Scar tilted his head with mock offense, resting a hand over his heart like a stage actor. "If you need to hear it from me, then… yes. I am Scar. The cruel and twisted maniac." His smirk deepened as he quoted the words like a fond nickname.
Jeff's teeth clenched. "Where's Yangyang?" His pistol was already aimed between Scar's eyes.
Scar's cards twirled in his hand as he waved dismissively. "Oh, come now. We deserve a meeting free of such disturbances, don't you think? That girl… she would only sway your judgment."
Rover's voice cut like steel. "Give her back. Now."
"Aww," Scar cooed, his grin stretching. "So you really care about her. Don't worry, I don't plan to make you both hate me. Not just yet. She's safe, for now." His gaze darted between Rover and Jeff, lingering on the desperation in their eyes. "Let's just… enjoy our time together, shall we? Forget about that irrelevant person. I have so much to share."
Jeff's voice was flat, sharp as the edge of his sword. "Then talk. What the hell do you want?"
Scar's expression flickered—just for a moment—with something sharper, hungrier. "To begin with… I heard you've lost your memories." His finger shot toward Rover, before shifting and pointing directly at Jeff. "…and you. You have no idea how you even got here, do you?"
Jeff's blood ran cold. What the fuck—he knows?
Rover's grip tightened, jaw set. "How did you know that?"
Scar's grin widened like a cat with a cornered mouse. "So it's true." His voice dripped with satisfaction. "That makes sense, given how fragile you both were when you woke up. Otherwise, I might have doubted the rumors."
"You…" Rover's eyes narrowed. "…you've been following us."
Scar chuckled, bowing his head with exaggerated grace. "So you noticed? I'm flattered." He spread his arms wide. "But don't be so tense. By now you must realize—I'm just an onlooker."
Jeff spat, "Onlookers don't kidnap our allies."
"But I'm not like the others," Scar countered smoothly. "Out of all the eyes watching you, I'm the only one honest enough to meet you face-to-face. No veils, no masks. Just me."
"Answer my question," Rover snapped, blade steady but voice trembling with barely suppressed fury.
Scar's grin sharpened. "Hehe… fine. Before you even knew this world, you were already the center of conflict. An unknown variables. A prize everyone is fighting for. Forces have been circling you since the day you opened your eyes. And…" His eyes flicked toward Jeff with a spark of intrigue. "That person beside you? He's one of those forces."
Jeff's eyes widened, but his finger refused to leave the trigger. Me? What the hell is he talking about?
Scar's voice softened, almost pitying. "From the very start, every person you've met—including that girl you hold so dearly and the man beside you, who you are clearly fond of—knew your worth. You are pawns to many, no more than living weapons. But me? I see you as friends. And so, I'm sorry… truly sorry… for what you're about to face. Because the truth?" His grin snapped back. "Truth hurts."
Jeff's jaw tightened, heat rising in his chest. "As if you're any different."
Scar chuckled, shaking his head. "I like you. Not so easy to sway and provoked with words, hm?"
Rover's voice rang with sudden strength. "I'll never abandon Jeff. No matter what you say."
Jeff blinked, his chest tightening at her words. For a moment, the madness in Scar's smile dimmed, replaced with something unreadable.
"…Beautiful," Scar whispered, almost reverently. Then the grin snapped back, crueler than before. "You could say I look forward to your choices. My goal is simple: to deepen our… understanding." He gestured with a flourish of his cards, their glow painting his smirk in eerie colors. "Observe. Tell me what you see in this place."
Rover's eyes narrowed. "…What did Fractsidus do to this village?"
Scar feigned a pout. "Oh, why assume we are the culprits? Perhaps you should ask what truly happened here."
"Enough riddles," Jeff hissed.
Scar only chuckled. "Too boring to spill it all now. No, no. Take a look. A large-scale ritual. Injuries. A strange Tacet Discord." He snapped his fingers. "So? What conclusion do you draw?"
Rover's voice was steady. "The Fractsidus manipulated the villagers."
Scar's laughter rang sharp, echoing off the broken walls. "Ah, the tired old tale—wolves and lambs, good and evil. But tell me… do you really believe the world is so simple?"
Jeff's stomach turned as he muttered, "…The villagers killed each other."
Scar froze. Slowly, that wicked grin spread wide again, his eyes lighting up. "Ahh… so She was right about you. Keen observation. Precise judgment. An instinct for human cruelty. Delicious."
He stepped closer, his shadow spilling over the ground. "Let me give you a few hints, then. Who are our players? An innocent girl. A revered leader. And a flock of simple villagers. And the story? False devotion. Fleeting kindness. Collective deceit. Senseless killings. One vulnerable soul, pushed to ruin by the masses."
His smile widened until it was almost grotesque. "Now, Rover, the tale is yours to spin. I'm waiting… eager to hear your version."
The ruins of Qichi Village breathed silence, still fucking heavy and suffocating. Broken beams cast long shadows across the muddy earth, where forgotten pages lay scattered like the aftermath of a storm. Rover bent down, her fingers brushing against a damp scrap of paper half-buried in dirt. Jeff crouched beside her, adjusting his pistol at his hip before leaning closer.
It wasn't just paper. It was a diary.
The handwriting was uneven—sometimes rounded and childish, sometimes shakier, as if the writer's small hands had trembled while clutching the pen.
03.12
Hi, I'm █████! I found a new home and the nice uncle gave me this cool new book to writes in. Our old home was scare by monsters, so we went on a super long jurney to find this new place. I askd when mommy and daddy will catch up with me and uncle said really soon! Can't wait for them to join us here. The new place is so sunny and has a huge tree that grows peaches. Not many ppl from here go to the big city though. I just want mommy and daddy to find me quick.
...
12.5
Today it's my birtday! Everyone is being really nice, saying I'm their lucky charm bcuz I can keep those mean monsters away. I'm really happy and everyone likes me lots. We had cake and noodles and I got presents too! It's been forevz since I saw mommy and daddy tho, hope they come back. Will they come back?
...
December 05
This marks my fourth birthday here, and our village head made it official I'm his daughter now. But before that, everyone was already been taking care of me and shared with me delicious meals. My father told me I'm a child of the Qichi Village, and I should consider myself lucky. I feel really fortunate to be loved by so many people. Even though my powers are still small, I'll do my best to continue protecting the village from being invaded by Tacet Discords!
Rover swallowed hard as she read on, her voice softening with each entry. The mention of birthdays. Of waiting for parents who never came. Her throat constricted. She lowered the page a little, hair spilling around her face, trying to mask the shimmer in her eyes.
"She… she just wanted her mom and dad…" Rover's voice broke into a whisper.
Jeff's hand twitched at his side. For a moment, he looked away, as though the weight of the words pressed too close to old wounds he kept buried.
Then—
A voice sliced through the silence.
Scar.
He stepped forward with a half-smile, his tone dripping with mockery yet polished like a performer on stage.
"Our story begins here…" His hands spread, gesturing to the ruins around them. "Once upon a time, in a peaceful village lived a flock of carefree lambs."
Rover's eyes narrowed. She rose to her feet in one smooth motion, the diary page still crushed tightly in her fist. Her other hand hovered near her blade, though she didn't draw it—yet. Her stance was defensive, every line of her body on guard.
Jeff glanced at her, then at Scar, and gave a low, humorless laugh.
"Quite the storyteller, aren't you?"
Scar's grin widened. "Fables. The ancient art of hiding truths inside fiction." He took a slow, deliberate step closer, his shadow brushing over the mud and stones. "But you see… every story reflects life. Told a thousand times, spun a thousand ways. Each telling, a new truth."
Rover's grip on the diary page tightened until her knuckles turned white.
"What's your point?" she asked, voice low, controlled.
Scar's eyes gleamed as he tipped his head.
"My point, dear Rover, is that this village was the stage. My stage. And you… are but players written into a plot not of your making. Clever, isn't it, how the Magistrate led you both right into my little story?"
Jeff's jaw flexed, and he muttered under his breath, "Schemer." I knew she meant well. I still think she's sly for doing that.
Later, when they reached the tree, the branches sagged under the weight of sodden paper slips. Wishes, hundreds of them, ink bled away by rain. The sight twisted Rover's stomach. She reached up carefully, pulling one note free, the damp paper sticking to her fingers.
"Will this really work? If it does, I wish I could stand up again..."
"I want money! I want enough money to last a lifetime!"
"Amazing! Thank you, Lord □□! My legs have truly healed!"
"No. Mother just died and left me some money, but I don't want my wish to come true with this □□□! I want my mother back! I want □□□ back!"
"Strange... It did make me stronger, but lately I seem to be getting weak again, and I can't □□□ my body without □□□ Is it because I haven't sacrificed enough □□□..."
"□□□ please, PLEASE, don't take away my wish! I'LL GIVE YOU ANYTHING!"
"Is this □□□ really what we all □□□ wanted?"
More notes followed. Pleas. Bargains. Desperation scrawled in trembling hands. Rover's chest tightened with each word. Her eyes flicked toward Jeff, searching his face—only to find his gaze locked on the tree, his expression unreadable but shadowed.
Then, Scar's voice again, smooth as silk, mocking as ever.
"One day, a shepherd visited the village…"
Rover turned sharply, silver eyes flashing with frustration. "Is that… the end of your story?"
Scar chuckled low, shaking his head.
"No. The shepherd's arrival was only the beginning. With a wave of his hand, he granted their every wish. Food, strength, shelter… And the lambs bowed their heads, worshipping him like a god."
Jeff's eyes narrowed. He didn't speak, but he was deep in thought . Nothing in this world comes for free. Everything has a cost. Like they saying goes "there's no such thing as free lunch."
Scar's gaze snapped to him, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips.
"What's wrong? Does my story make you uncomfortable?" His voice lowered, almost a purr. "Imagine, Jeff… imagine, Rover. You're starving. Surrounded by peers all bowing, pleading. Wouldn't you… beg too?"
Rover's lips parted. Her fingers tightened on her blade until her hand trembled slightly, but she held firm. Her voice rang clear, steady despite the turmoil twisting inside her.
"We are all created equal. There should be no hierarchy."
Jeff turned to her sharply, eyes flickering with disbelief. Naive, he thought, but he didn't speak it aloud.
Scar's laughter spilled into the heavy silence, smooth and amused.
"Ah, so idealistic… and yet, so right. The world fails us. The shepherd still reigns, the lambs still kneel." His eyes glittered with something unreadable, dangerous. "Which is why, dear lambs… it's up to the three of us to make that ideal world a reality."
Rover's chest rose and fell with a shaky breath, her eyes locked on Scar's like steel.
Jeff… said nothing. This guy really likes to talk. I can't wait to put a bullet in his forehead to make this guy stop yapping.