The night breeze cut lightly through the trees. Families had long left the park, and the playground swings moved on their own, creaking softly.
Daniel sat alone on a worn bench, white jacket resting on his lean frame, gold hair ruffling with each gust.
His golden eyes didn't blink—just locked on the pavement ahead, where cigarette butts and soda cans littered the shadows.
"Thirty..." he muttered. "If I waste my time on the rest of the bottom-feeders, I'll stagnate."
He wasn't looking for a warm-up anymore.
Then footsteps.
From the left side of his vision, two silhouettes strolled closer, laughing.
It was Izel Valtier. Rank 30. His older brother. Perfectly built in posture and presentation. Walking beside him? Amy Ithwyn—dark-haired, well-dressed, with that expensive confidence only popular girls could fake so easily. She held Izel's arm.
Their eyes met.
Izel's lips twitched into a slow, lazy grin. Then laughter followed.
"Well, well... the fucking disappointment of the Valtier family, brooding in the dark like a stray mutt."
Amy snorted a laugh, glancing at Daniel like he was some beggar.
"Babe, go on ahead. I'll catch up," Izel said, brushing her off.
She kissed his cheek and walked off with a sway.
Izel turned toward Daniel, smirked, and took a step forward. "You're as tall as me now. Congrats on hitting puberty."
Daniel stood up.
"Life been good at Sirris?" he asked calmly, smile faint.
Izel tilted his head, eyes narrowed with casual mockery. "What's this, small talk now? Just 'cause you knocked out some nobody?"
Daniel's smirk deepened. "Is that your girlfriend?"
Izel shrugged. "What's it to you?"
A beat. Daniel's expression didn't change—but something flickered in his eyes.
"She's Amy, right? Shame. Her sister was more interesting. Before that bitch ruined it."
That hit landed harder than any punch.
Izel's face twitched.
"This is boring," he muttered and turned. "I'll leave you to your pathetic monologue, disappointment."
Daniel's voice cut in behind him.
"You're scared, aren't you?"
The older brother froze. Turned back. "What?"
"You saw what I did, and now you're playing tough so you don't piss yourself."
Fury slipped through Izel's composure.
"You think you're something now?" he growled, lunging in one motion with a vicious straight punch.
Daniel's hand came up and blocked.
The echo cracked into the silence.
"You're thirty," Daniel said, golden eyes blazing. "That your full strength, big brother?"
Then he stepped in and spun—his leg slicing through the air with a brutal Brazilian kick that smashed against Izel's guard. Izel slid back, shocked by the speed and precision.
Daniel smiled—an unhinged grin spreading across his face.
"I've been waiting for this, haha"