### **Carlos's POV**
The city was shrouded in darkness. Most people were either asleep or couldn't afford electricity, leaving only a few streetlights flickering weakly along our path. Even those dim lights seemed to fade as we moved deeper into the desolate streets.
*Why would anyone be out here?* I wondered. But Alexia didn't make mistakes with locations. If she said Joo-hee was here, then she had to be.
"Who is this Joo-hee, huh? Some kind of doctor or something?" Near broke the silence.
Truthfully, I didn't know much about her—only rumors.
"She's a very noble doctor. But of course, I wouldn't expect any of you to know that," Triyon said with a smirk.
Near kicked his leg. "You think you're clever, don't you? Guess what—I've ended plenty of clever lives before. I don't want to extend that list today. I'm too damn tired." His voice was calm, but the threat was clear.
Before things escalated, I stepped in. "Hey, no need to fight again. Let's focus on the task. Last time we fought, it didn't go well." I held Near back slightly and shot Triyon a warning look.
Then, we heard it—a desperate woman's voice. "L-let me go!"
We rushed toward the sound.
A massive man, easily 6'8", loomed over a woman, his intentions unmistakable. It wasn't surprising for this part of the city—technically within the urban sprawl, but far removed from civilization.
"We need to help her. Come on!" Near sprinted forward, and we followed.
With the speed of a trained assassin, Near slashed with his blade. But what happened next stunned us—the man caught the blade in one hand while gripping the woman's hair with the other. Near strained to free his weapon, but the man's grip was unbreakable.
I lunged forward, delivering an aerial kick to the man's arm. His flesh felt like steel, but the impact made him flinch—just enough for Near to wrench his blade free. The man retreated, releasing the woman.
"Are you okay, my lady?" Triyon asked, flashing her a charming smile.
"Y-yes, I'm fine... thank you," she stammered, her voice trembling with gratitude.
She had long orange hair, fair skin, and striking light blue eyes. Her clothes looked expensive—*what was she doing in a place like this?*
Before I could dwell on it, the man charged at us, wielding a massive hammer.
"I've got this," Near said, dashing forward.
The man swung, but Near slid beneath the attack, appearing behind him in a flash. He aimed for the heart, but the giant pivoted with shocking speed, blocking the strike with his hammer.
"You will pay," the man growled—the first words we'd heard from him.
He rushed again. If that hammer connected, Near was done for. I drew my MP5 and fired at the man's back—but his skin glowed blue for a split second, deflecting the bullets.
*Some kind of armor?*
"We need to get out of this!" Triyon's voice was laced with worry.
"But how?" I was at a loss. The man was fast, enormous, and armed with that damn hammer. Close combat was suicide, and ranged attacks were useless. Yet Near was still there, dancing on the edge of death.
"You're good... but not good enough." The man spun 360 degrees, and before Near could react—*CRACK!* The hammer smashed into his hip. His eyes widened in shock as the sound of breaking bone echoed.
The man ignored Near, now lying motionless, and charged toward us. He leaped, hammer raised, aiming straight for the woman. Triyon and I fired, but his armor absorbed the bullets effortlessly.
Then—Near was there again, somehow on his feet, blocking the hammer with his own blade.
"You... can't harm any of them... Not on my watch." His voice was strained, his stance unsteady. It was like David versus Goliath.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw tears streaming down the woman's face. *Why was she crying?*
"Then I'll end you first," the man snarled.
He swung again—Near's blade shattered. But before the next strike landed, Near pulled two more knives from his belt, slid between the man's legs, and drove them deep into his thighs.
The man roared in pain, his towering stance collapsing as his legs gave out. He was still dangerous, but slower now.
Near reached for another weapon—but his pockets were empty. His eyes widened in realization.
Then—*whoosh!*
The woman hurled a syringe straight into the man's neck. His body stiffened before he crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
"Why didn't you do that sooner?" Triyon snapped, equal parts relieved and frustrated.
"Triyon, drop it. She's been through enough," I said, moving to help Near. His hip was badly injured—possibly broken.
"Damn it," Near hissed through gritted teeth. "We came here to find Joo-hee and ended up fighting a damn monster."
The woman wiped her tears and looked at us.
"Actually... I *am* Joo-hee."
We stared at each other, completely dumbfounded.
### **Jo's POV**
*That damn Carlos and his little rats stole the evidence file from me. I need to get it back—fast.*
My phone wouldn't stop ringing. If I didn't handle this soon, my business partners—hell, even the politicians tied to me—would be in deep trouble.
*Knock, knock.*
"Sir, they're here," my assistant announced.
"Let them in," I said, swirling my wine glass.
The door opened, and a man in a black cloak stepped inside.
"Where's Glegor? Bearishta?" I demanded, my patience thinning. I needed those two specifically—no one else could retrieve that file as quickly or efficiently.
"Glegor went to 'have some fun,' as he put it," Bearishta replied flatly. He never bothered with formalities, not even a *sir*. Arrogant bastard—but he had the skills to back it up.
"You couldn't keep him in line? Do you have any idea how much trouble we're in?" I snapped.
"I know *very* well, Jo." His voice was ice. "But Glegor isn't my dog, unlike your employees."
My grip tightened around the glass. *This insolent—*
Before I could retaliate, the door burst open.
In stomped Glegor—all 6'8" of him, his legs drenched in blood. *Disgusting. Now my office reeks of filth.*
"Sorry for the delay," he grunted, dropping his hammer onto the floor with a heavy *thud*.
"Where the *hell* were you? I should ruin your life, you pig!" I snarled.
"Ran into some brats. They got away—used poison like cowards." He shrugged. "Took the woman with them too. Was looking forward to… *relieving* some stress."
"You're worrying about *women* while my empire is burning?" I threw a file onto the table. "Your *real* targets. Carlos and his little rats. They have the evidence. I don't care if you burn the whole city down—bring me that file."
Glegor smirked. " I have fought Three of them? Should be easy."
"And yet, here you are—injured and defeated. What a shame," Bearishta remarked coolly.
Glegor's face twisted. "What did you say—?"
His hammer swung in a flash—but Bearishta blocked it effortlessly with his black sword.
"You know these childish games don't work on me," Bearishta said, unfazed.
"Enough!" I slammed my fist on the desk. "Both of you, *get to work*. I don't have time for this!"
Bearishta vanished in the blink of an eye, as if dissolving into the wind. Glegor growled, then punched the wall—shattering it.
*Great. Another expense.*
---
### **Elarion's POV**
School had just ended, and students spilled out into the courtyard, laughing and chatting with friends.
I walked alone.
At the gate, I spotted Ayase. *Is she… waiting for me?* No, that couldn't be it. She was probably just meeting her friends. I tried to slip past, but—
*Yank.*
She grabbed my collar.
"Aren't you going to greet your friend? How rude," Ayase said, glaring slightly.
"W-well, I didn't know you were waiting for me! I thought you were here for your friends," I stammered.
"You're such a goofball." She rolled her eyes, then took my hand. "Come on, let's go home."
My heart skipped.
*Why does it feel like this?*
In the future, I'd forgotten how to feel emotions—but here, in this timeline, everything felt… *warm* when she was around.
*I don't care what Carlos and the others are doing in the future. I'm happy here. I don't want to go back to that life of danger.*
"Elarion… *Elarion!* Back to earth!" Ayase snapped her fingers in front of my face.
"Huh?"
"I asked what drink you wanted, idiot!" She laughed.
"O-oh! Sorry. Lemon tea, please."
She paid for our drinks, but just as we were about to leave, a sleek car pulled up beside us.
A man stepped out—plain T-shirt, jeans, an easy smile.
"Hey there. Mind if I talk to you two for a sec? You're high schoolers, right?"
Ayase crossed her arms. "Yeah, and you are…?"
The man grinned. "Name's ____. I need your help."
The moment he said his name, my blood ran cold.
*I know that name.*