The night breeze drifted through Novara Park, carrying the scent of damp earth. Shadows stretched along the paths, and a distant fountain murmured softly.
Inside, a vast, dim room held a tense silence. Lola sat across from Tavian at a long table, tears streaming, trembling with fear. His cold, sharp gaze watched her every move, filling the room with suffocating pressure.
Behind him, a long-haired girl with a katana stood silently, calm yet alert a shadow warning of the danger around Tavian.
Lola's voice shook as she spoke, tears falling freely.
"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, sobbing uncontrollably, her voice trembling with guilt.
Tavian watched her in silence, his expression unreadable. Behind him, the girl with the katana shifted slightly, alert but silent.
The room fell into a heavy silence. Tavian glanced up at the ceiling, seemingly indifferent to Lola's cries.
Then, suddenly, he moved.
With calm, steady steps, Tavian began walking toward her. Each step cut through the silence, making Lola's heart pound faster as the distance between them disappeared.
She trembled where she sat, unsure of what to do, while Tavian approached without a change in his expression, his gaze fixed entirely on her.
Finally, 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, tears still falling, but Tavian's words lightened the weight in her chest.
Lola lifted her head, her voice trembling slightly:
"Sir Tavian..."
Tavian continued calmly,
"You've done your best and proven your talent. You entered the enemy's lair and came out unharmed… that's what truly matters."
He gave her a reassuring smile, easing some of the weight of her guilt.
A few minutes later, Lola stepped out of the room, her face glowing with happiness.
Near the doorway, a mysterious figure stood silently watching.
Startled, Lola jumped slightly, but her joy was too great to hide. Her eyes sparkled and a wide smile spread across her face, still warmed by Tavian's encouragement.
The mysterious man glanced at her briefly before stepping into the room.
Tavian remained seated calmly, while the long-haired girl beside him fixed her gaze on the newcomer.
The man had short gray hair, a slight beard, and only one hand. Holding a can of soda in it, he tossed it toward Tavian, who caught it effortlessly.
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 girl with a katana at her waist, stood beside Tavian, her eyes alert yet comforted by his presence despite the tense atmosphere.
She smiled at his words and bowed her head respectfully.
"I'm honored to serve under your command, sir," she said softly.
Marcus then spoke, 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 Tavian with admiration and respect, while Marcus simply offered a calm smile, understanding the kind of man he was.
Morning had just begun, a faint golden hue stretching across the sky above Novara. The distant chirping of birds mixed with the growing footsteps in the streets as sunlight slipped between tall buildings, giving the city a fragile warmth yet Novara always seemed to hide countless secrets.
Inside the hospital, silence lingered between white walls and the scent of antiseptics. Sally Kim lay quietly on her bed, the morning light brushing her pale face and making her look almost fragile.
Milo, Lilithia, and Herax entered the room quietly. Milo's eyes immediately found her left arm in a cast, faint scratches across her arms and legs.
Despite the injuries, she looked stable, the steady rise and fall of her chest offering quiet reassurance.
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, brow furrowed, eyes full of anger and sorrow.
"Sally… who did this to you?"
Herax's jaw tightened, Lilithia's hands clenched concern mirrored in their faces.
Sally shook her head, lips trembling.
"A gang… thieves… they attacked me… but… 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, eyes wide with fear.
"N… not much… there were so many… but I remember one had a scar on his forehead, maybe the 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.
"If the law won't punish them… I will."
Without another word, he stormed out, leaving Herax, Lilithia, and Sally in stunned silence.
Herax clenched his fists, Lilithia's eyes narrowed, and Sally trembled, realizing the depth of Milo's anger.
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 followed Milo out of the hospital, finding him seated on a wooden bench by the road, gripping his necklace, head 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.
Tension hung between Herax and Lilithia, each lost in thought but aware of the other, silence carrying unspoken questions.
Milo moved quickly toward Novara's poor district, streets tight and life harsh, hand trembling as he thought of the gang that attacked Sally.
He stopped abruptly as a voice called him. In the narrow alley, Lucas stood, eyes glinting with curiosity, a faint careless smile on his lips.
"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 tense as Milo watched Lucas, shadows stretching from the setting sun.
Milo eyed Lucas cautiously, remembering their past clash how Lucas had been overwhelmed, yet later reconciled and even invited him to dinner at the orphanage.
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 likes recruiting new members… and he hates the Church."
Milo walked on.
"You hate it too?"
Lucas nodded.
"Somewhat. Many dislike the Church, but fighting it would be hard it holds all the power."
Milo fell silent.
Lucas added,
"Don't join the gang of troublemakers. It'll only bring you trouble. Stay away."
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 cramped, messy apartment.
Their footsteps were quiet as they found Toxivar asleep on the floor.
Lucas sighed. "Ugh… Toxivar, you never change," 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, cautious yet curious as he studied Toxivar.
The cramped, dim room was cluttered with papers, clothes, and trinkets, yet a faint aura of energy lingered around Toxivar.
Milo's disciplined calm met Toxivar's playful unpredictability, the air tense with anticipation.
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 small, cluttered room cast shadows across their faces, adding subtle tension to the moment.