Kael stomped his foot again, his patience thinning by the second. How long had Alira been tinkering in that corner? And yet, she still hadn't finished her so-called plan.
"Hey, is this gonna take all day?" Kael barked.
Alira clicked her tongue in annoyance. "Tch. Impatient human. Of course, I need high-level techniques if we want a success rate above eighty percent."
Kael crossed his arms, the tightness in his chest refusing to go away. They had been hiding inside this barn for too long. And he had no idea what was happening to Lumino out there. He trusted Lumino's strength, sure… but this wait was killing him.
Meanwhile, the wind outside grew harsher, slamming against the barn doors hard enough to make them rattle. Cold air seeped through the cracks, chilling them to the bone.
And then—
"It's done!!" Alira shouted, raising a glass vial high above her head.
"You finally finished?" Kael rushed over, eyes narrowing at the shimmering potion inside.
"This… is a masterpiece," Alira declared proudly. "First time I've brewed a potion with a 98% success rate."
"Yeah, yeah, cut to the chase. What does it do?" Kael pressed, frowning.
"This potion amplifies your critical hit output. You'll hit harder. Much harder."
Kael stared at her, deadpan. "That's it? You think my attacks weren't already critical enough? I thought you were making something to kill those ghosts!"
Alira shot him a flat look. "Humans can't kill ghosts. They're already dead."
Kael clenched his jaw, exasperated. Without thinking, he smacked the back of her head. "Why did I even trust you with this!?"
"Ow! Geez! Who said We're gonna fight them as humans?" Alira raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a sly grin.
Kael froze. His expression shifted from annoyed to suspicious. "Don't tell me..."
Alira leaned closer, her voice low. "We're going to become astral beings."
--
H-2 before the disaster
Lumino wandered the capital's streets, his eyes scanning every corner as he searched for his mother. In a city this massive, finding one person felt almost impossible. But he wasn't giving up.
His stomach growled. Only then did he realize—he hadn't eaten since last night. He reached into his pocket, fishing for coins. After circling around various food stalls and taverns, the truth hit him.
"The prices here are insane…" Lumino mumbled, sighing. "I should've brought more money… Is Grandpa okay? I was too reckless. He must be worried sick… Should I just go back to the village?"
Lost in thought, he barely noticed when the streets grew darker around him.
"Where… am I?"
He stood between two looming buildings—a narrow alleyway. The moment he tried to step back toward the brighter streets, three bulky men blocked his way.
"Well, well… All alone, pretty?" the man in the center sneered.
Lumino instinctively took a step back. The man on the right stepped forward, flashing a knife.
"Hand over your valuables and walk away," he hissed, licking the blade.
"Umm… I don't have anything valuable. Isn't this… robbery?" Lumino asked, his voice careful.
The three burst out laughing.
"You're not from around here, huh? What's with that weird way of talking?"
Lumino forced himself to stay calm. "Is there something wrong with how I talk? Either way… You'd better back off. Or someone's going to get hurt."
The men only laughed harder as they stalked toward him.
"Oh yeah? And who exactly's getting hurt?"
"…Me," Lumino answered flatly.
The three erupted into cruel laughter again. The center man eyed him with a twisted grin.
"Y'know, you've got a pretty face. But looks like you're a guy. What do you say, boys? Should we check if he's got the balls?"
They advanced.
"Stay back… or I'll scream," Lumino warned, his heart racing.
"Go ahead. Let's see if anyone bothers coming."
The moment they lunged, Lumino squeezed his eyes shut.
…But nothing happened.
Slowly, cautiously, he opened them—
All three men were lying on the ground, bleeding.
"H-Hey. You," came a calm voice from the shadows ahead. "Come with me."
Lumino blinked. "Did… you do this?"
"Yeah. Now, are you coming or not?"
Without waiting, the figure turned away. Lumino scrambled after him until they stepped back into the light.
"Thank you… I owe you my life."
"No need to thank me," the stranger said, his tone flat. "You looked like you were in trouble. I help people who look like that."
Grrruukkk.
A loud growl came from Lumino's stomach. His face turned red. "S-Sorry… That was loud, huh…" He gave an awkward laugh.
"are you hungry?" the man asked.
Lumino nodded quickly.
The man pointed toward a crossroads. "There's a place with good food over there. Go eat."
Lumino hesitated. Should he tell him he didn't have enough money?
But before he could speak, the man tossed a coin pouch toward him. Lumino caught it out of reflex.
"Take it. You don't have to pay me back." With that, the stranger turned and walked away.
"W-Wait! I don't even know your name! Hey…!"
But the man had already disappeared into the crowd—
A stranger wrapped in mystery.
After finishing his meal, Lumino took a deep breath.
Should I really head to the royal palace…?
The words he overheard from the argument between his mother and grandfather echoed in his mind. If what she said was true, then… she must be living there.
But… would anyone even care if I showed up?
Anxiety prickled through his veins. His heart hammered inside his chest.
I came all this way… I have to at least try.
He stood up from his seat, just as the bustling tavern stirred with activity. Many of the people inside wore similar outfits—dark cloaks and matching badges. Lumino didn't pay much attention… until one of them suddenly handed him a folded paper.
"If you're interested… come back here," the man said through a cloth mask.
Lumino blinked in surprise, then unfolded the paper.
"Join the Revolution."
"…What is this…?"
Frowning, Lumino pocketed the flyer. Whatever this was, it wasn't his business right now. He had something more important to do.
The walk from the tavern to the royal palace took nearly two hours. By the time he reached the massive gates, he was exhausted—but determined.
However, two royal guards immediately blocked his path.
"What business do you have here?" one of them asked sharply.
"I'm here to see the queen… Is Her Majesty inside? I need to speak with her," Lumino said, trying to sound confident. He used the word queen even though he wasn't sure if his mother held that title.
"You cannot. The queen isn't expecting any visitors. Leave," the guard said firmly.
"Please, just a moment. Even if I can't enter, could you at least tell her I'm here—"
"I said no! Step back and walk away!"
The guard shoved him, sending him stumbling to the ground.
"Before things get worse," the second guard warned.
Lumino clutched his cheek where the man's spear handle had struck him. His vision blurred with pain, but he pushed himself up again—
A carriage approached the palace gates. It stopped right in front of them.
From it stepped a woman with long, flowing white hair.
"Open the gates," she snapped coldly.
Even the guards seemed mesmerized by her beauty.
"Y-Yes, madam."
As the gates creaked open, the woman's eyes flicked toward Lumino. She gave a slight smirk… and pinched her nose.
"So this is where that filthy stench was coming from." With that, she climbed back into the carriage.
Once it passed through, the gates slammed shut again.
"Did that brat leave already?" one guard muttered.
"Probably. He was just a nuisance."
"Shame. With a face like that, too bad her attitude's garbage."
"You mean Lady Resvika?"
"Yeah. But… it won't be long before she's cast aside. She has no heir. Everyone says Lady Trivan's son will be the next crown prince."
"I thought Lady Resvika had a child?"
"Hah! Haven't you heard the rumors? The royal saintess screamed that her child was cursed by the gods. And after that… no one ever saw the kid again. Some say she killed her own child."
The other guard laughed. "Or maybe the kid really was cursed—and she threw him away herself."
Unbeknownst to them, Lumino crouched behind a tree inside the palace grounds.
When the guards had been distracted opening the gates… he'd slipped inside using short-range teleportation.
He gritted his teeth. Is… is that really true?
"I need to find out… I can't jump to conclusions."
Steeling his resolve, Lumino glanced toward the looming castle.
And vanished in a blink—teleporting forward.
------
Meanwhile, Kael stood still, frowning at what Alira had just said.
"What do you mean we have to become astral beings? We're not dead yet," Kael grumbled, clearly unimpressed. "Whatever it is you're planning, you better explain it now."
Alira smirked and pressed the potion bottle against his cheek. "That's exactly why I brewed this. Drink it, and you'll see. Come on, down it already."
With an irritated sigh, Kael snatched the potion and gulped it down in one go. "You better not be scamming me again."
At first… nothing happened. Kael glanced at his hands. "Just as I thought. It's useless."
But when he raised his hand to smack Alira—his fingers passed right through her face.
"Wha—"
Alira chuckled. "Congratulations. You're astral now. For the next hour, neither I nor Phel will be able to see you. You also won't be able to touch anything physical… except for your sword."
She crossed her arms, adding, "But remember, Kael. Any mage with an Unbind Spell—those who can see the invisible—might still detect you."
Kael stared at his semi-transparent hands. So I'm basically invisible… This potion's actually genius.
"Are you listening? Say something so I know you're not just gawking."
"I hear you loud and clear. Looks like your 'greatest alchemist in history' title wasn't just hot air."
"Hey! That's offensive! Have you been doubting my genius this whole time?"
Kael chuckled again and drew his sword from its sheath. "Finally… I can hit those ghosts head-on."
Just then, Phel entered in his lizard form. "I checked outside. The ghosts gathered near the old plaza—where the crowd used to be." He glanced around. "I don't see Lord Kael anywhere, Lady Alira."
"Oh, I turned Kael into an astral being. Don't worry, Phel-chan," Alira said, patting Phel's shoulder.
"So… now this is the time! Let's kick their ass," Alira said with a sharp grin.
Without another word, the three of them rushed out of the barn. Kael charged ahead, while Alira and Phel followed behind.
"Remember, Kael! now you and them both astral being, that mean their attacks can still hurt you!" Alira shouted.
"I'll help create openings for you. You focus on striking them down," Phel added.
"Hey! Don't just decide things without me! I suck at close combat. I'll support from behind!" Alira patted Phel's back.
"Oi! Don't dump all the front-line fighting on me! I'm support!" Alira barked, smacking Phel on the back.
"Heh… Don't worry. I've got this." Kael's voice echoed ahead of them.
"Wait, Kael— You're already that far ahead?!"
No answer.
"Idiot! Don't rush in alone, you reckless moron!" Alira sprinted forward. "Phel, we have to—"
But Phel was already gone.
"Seriously?! You both left me behind?!"
When Kael reached the plaza, a swarm of ghostly figures hovered in the mist. Without hesitation, he leaped forward, crashing his sword into the ground. A shockwave blasted out—ghosts shattered and scattered.
"Come on! Let me take all of you down!" Kael roared.
Phel dashed to his side, launching rapid strikes—not enough to destroy the ghosts, but enough to disrupt their formation.
Moments later, Alira arrived, panting hard.
"Kael! I told you not to charge in—"
She quickly cast a spell, a glowing circle appearing beneath Kael's feet.
"Enchantment—Agility, Movement, Power. TRACE ENCHANT!"
"Nice timing, Alira!" Kael shouted over his shoulder.
"Eyes front, dumbass!" Alira yanked him back just as a ghost lunged.
That was close, Kael thought, gritting his teeth.
"Focus on attacking! I'll cover your blind spots!"
Kael smirked. That was cool
"I'll protect you too, Lady Alira!" Phel appeared beside her. Alira blinked in surprise but nodded.
Kael dove back into the fight. His movements sharpened, his blade danced—every swing taking down clusters of ghosts.
With a focused breath, he gathered strength in his arms, cutting through six… seven ghosts at once. His silver eyes burned with light.
I'm in the zone…
Kael straightened, sword raised. He shifted into a new stance.
"Chain Attack… SHADOW GHOST SLASH!"
A violent arc of sword energy tore through the remaining ghosts—blasting them apart in a thunderous shockwave.
Phel shielded his face. Alira struggled to stand her ground.
"HEI! Could you not blow everything up?!" Alira shouted.
When the dust cleared, the plaza lay in ruins. The ghosts… gone.
"Kael!! Are you trying to demolish the city?!" Alira stomped over.
Phel stared in awe.
This power… it's almost like Caroline's. Could he really be strong enough to fight her? Maybe even… defeat her?
Kael strode toward them, sheathing his sword.
"Guess the potion wore off already. I thought it would last an hour."
Alira glanced behind him—and her face paled.
"K-Kael—"
Kael's reflexes kicked in. He spun around, grabbing Alira and leaping back just in time to dodge a deadly strike.
"Whew… Nice try. Sneak attacks don't work on me anymore," Kael muttered.
"Is… is that—?" Alira whispered.
"Now that… is my real prey. Shadow!"
A wild grin spread across Kael's face.
"Kya… hey! Be careful! Carry me properly!" Alira shrieked as Kael dashed through the onslaught of Shadow's attacks.
The creature wasn't massive—but its movements were sharp, unpredictable. It darted like a wraith in armor. Definitely not an E-Class like the Grizzly Bear they fought before. Kael pegged it at a solid C-Class.
"Put me down already!" Alira snapped in frustration as Kael maneuvered swiftly to avoid another swing.
Phel lunged at the Shadow, daggers drawn—but his blades passed right through.
"Save it, Phel! Only my strikes will land. I'm a Shadow Hunter, remember?" Kael shouted, handing Alira off to Phel mid-move. "Keep her safe. Leave this one to me."
"Understood, Lord Kael," Phel nodded, holding Alira carefully and stepping back.
Kael turned back to the Shadow, smirking as he pointed his sword.
"You know… I missed this." His eyes lit up with wild excitement. "I almost forgot how good it feels… slicing through Shadows like you!"
Kael leaped forward—just as the Shadow conjured a long spear and lunged.
Kael landed atop the spear, pivoted off it, flipped over the Shadow's head, dropped low—then slashed clean through its leg.
"Hah! I really missed this feeling—nothing quite like cutting through shadow monsters! "
He slashed at the creature's other leg before delivering a finishing blow. The Shadow burst apart, dissolving into dust.
From afar, Alira and Phel watched in stunned silence.
He looks… way too happy doing this, both thought at once.
"Too easy… Don't you have anything tougher?" Kael muttered.
As if on cue, a larger Shadow emerged from the ground—this one wielding a massive axe.
"Oh? Another one…" Kael grinned.
The monster swung—Kael parried the axe with a flick of his blade, spun, and cleaved the creature in two.
"Tch… Slow one." He sheathed his sword—the weapon disappearing into his inventory.
Phel stood frozen, while Alira gasped.
"You know… This is the first time I've seen so many Shadows in one place… They're supposed to be ancient monsters, and yet he—" Alira slapped a hand over her mouth.
"—wipes them out without mercy," Phel finished for her.
Kael strode toward them, stretching his shoulders.
"I thought I'd die of boredom before seeing another Shadow… Guess today proved me wrong."
"Kael… Can I ask you something?" Alira asked hesitantly.
Kael tilted his head. "Sure, what?"
"What… exactly are you?"
Kael chuckled, jabbing a thumb at himself. "I'm a Shadow Hunter."
"Does your world's system make it that easy to kill them?"
Kael nodded. "I'm the strongest in my world. The strongest Shadow Hunter, anyway. Not to brag."
Alira stared blankly, 'First Lumino with his ridiculous OP powers… Now Kael pulling this off… These guys…!'
'They're amazing! And they better protect me with those insane powers—hohoho!'
Kael's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
"Back on topic—we need to move. We've gotta find Lumino, remember?"
"Right… But where?" Alira glanced at Phel.
Phel let out a heavy breath. "There is… one place. A place I never wanted to suggest…" His voice lowered. "Caroline. The Red Witch. My house."
"The one with the barrier even you couldn't bypass?" Alira asked.
Phel nodded grimly. "If your friend's there… then he's with Caroline. Are you ready for that?"
Alira shot a desperate glance at Kael, shaking her head vigorously.
"That is… if your friend's even alive—"
"He's alive!" Kael shouted, cutting him off.
Both Alira and Phel jumped.
"I know he is! Look at this!" Kael extended his wrist to Alira.
A faint red string shimmered, stretching forward… but severed midway.
"Our bond is still there. Weak… but pointing southeast. Even though we're not pulling at each other."
Phel froze. "That's… my house. Where Caroline is…"
"So there's no other way, huh?" Alira groaned. "Are we really going up against the entity that already wiped out humanity?"
"I don't care," Kael's silver eyes flared. "If it's to save my friend… I'll challenge her myself."
Alira wanted to scream YOU'RE INSANE!!!—but the words caught in her throat.
"…Fine. Let's go." Alira managed a shaky smile. "Let's save Lumino."