Hakan:
"The situation's tense. Best not to leave the house for the next few days."
Edie:
"Will they come back?"
Hakan:
"No. Don't worry."
Edie:
"How can you be so sure?"
Hakan:
"Tonight, I'll meet their leader. Give him what he wants… in exchange for peace."
Edie:
"I met Professor Elmir today. He said something… exactly the same lines as that guy you strangled before."
Hakan:
"Don't worry. No one will dare touch you tonight."
Night. Cold wind.
While Edie slumped over the table—drugged—Hakan left the house and stepped into the thin mist leading to a forest a few kilometers away.
At a clearing deep in the woods, lit only by moonlight and damp mud,
a figure emerged from behind a decaying tree. His voice was raspy but steady.
As Now:
"Hello, old friend. Remember me?"
Hakan:
"I only recall you begging for mercy. Don't waste my time—what do you want?"
As Now:
"I want Edie. He's got potential. He could take the place you were meant to stand."
Hakan:
"No."
Hakan clenched his fist as Nifow gathered around his arm like curling smoke.
As Now:
"Calm down. If this blows up, you're the one who loses. I'm not stronger, but I'm clean—no criminal record. Just one tip-off and the world hunts you."
Hakan:
"I've got nothing left to lose."
As Now:
"Still? What about Edie… and the child you're waiting for?"
Hakan froze. His eyes tightened.
Hakan:
"…I don't have a child."
As Now:
"I knew you from the time you were a janitor at Bellasia. I was a professor there before you arrived. A wanted man quietly doing janitorial work at the capital's academy? No one lives like that unless they're waiting for someone."
Hakan:
"…Spare Edie. I'll deliver the Keri Sphere."
As Now:
"Don't lie. That sphere's broken. I haven't even settled your betrayal of the organization, Hakan. Out of respect for your past service, I won't make it difficult. Just give us Edie and everything gets back to normal. You've got a lot to lose. Don't be selfish."
Silence followed. Then Hakan knelt on one knee, head bowed.
Hakan:
"I'm ready to give my life for Sill once more. To become the blade of the organization. Our light is eternal. We are the chosen ones to bring peace to the world."
As Now:
"Good. I will send you the plan soon."
From behind, a woman with flowing white hair stepped forward.
Lucy Ali:
"Why give him a chance?"
As Now:
"I never offered a chance. I only intend to use him."
Morning. The air felt eerily still. Edie entered the academy, shoulders heavy from yesterday's training. Hakan's words from the night repeated in his mind like slow echoes.
Jinna:
"You look sleep‑deprived today."
Edie:
"Last night was messy. Hakan seems to be hiding something."
Jinna:
"He didn't say anything?"
Edie:
"He said he would 'settle things' with someone… then I blacked out during the meal."
Jinna:
"Fainted?"
Edie:
"A sedative, definitely. I know the smell—I used to… never mind."
Jinna:
"Used sedatives? No point talking about it."
Edie:
"It's hard to explain. We can talk when we get married."
Jinna (rolling eyes):
"And you think he did that so you couldn't follow him?"
Edie:
"Yeah. And I woke up this morning—he wasn't injured or anything. Strange."
They passed through the school gate.
Jinna:
"Don't you have Professor Elmir class today?"
Edie:
"Yeah. Hope it's not another 'eternal light' lecture. Gives me chills."
After class, Elmir stood at the podium, staring directly at Edie.
Elmir:
"Edie, see me in my office after class. There's something to discuss in private."
Edie:
"Did I do something wrong?"
Elmir:
"Just need your help with something."
After school, the hallway was empty. Jinna leaned close to Edie.
Jinna:
"You should be careful. He looks at you like he's dissecting your organs."
Edie:
"I'm used to it."
They reached Elmir's office door.
Elmir:
"Come in. I don't have much time."
Edie:
"Sir, what did you call me here for?"
Elmir:
"You know who I am, right?"
Edie:
"Professor Elmir."
Elmir:
"No. My real name is As Now, leader of Sill. I was also… a friend of Hakan."
Edie:
"So what do you want from me?"
Elmir:
"What do you plan to do with your life?"
Edie:
"I haven't thought about it."
Elmir:
"You don't have dreams?"
Edie:
"No. So I never tried."
Elmir:
"If one day you marry Jinna, how do you intend to earn a living?"
Edie:
"Maybe… a hunter or mercenary."
Elmir:
"You think those jobs maintain both love and money? Being away for days, distance grows. Fatigue, silence, feelings fade. Then what will you do?"
Edie hesitated.
Edie:
"I… don't know."
Elmir:
"Join my organization. I'm not forcing you to fight every day. Just complete missions, get rest, earn money, be stable. You think those jobs are easy because you're strong—but strength isn't fame. Fame takes time. Who supports your family during that time? Jinna's money?"
Elmir:
"My organization doesn't forbid love or life. Just know how to balance."
Edie:
"But your organization is considered rebel. Nothing good about it."
Elmir:
"The government says so. But what do you know about us? Let me share some examples. Under King Kolin—he allowed drug trafficking to ruin generations abroad. Under King Sion—he created a biological weapon pandemic to weaken the world then appear as a savior. And current King Lion uses orphans as living weapons. Those mutants (Olin) out there—they're experimental products. Don't think your world is clean. It's rotten to the bone."
Edie (terrified):
"I want to go. I don't want to hear more."
Elmir:
"Go ahead. We will meet again."
A moment later, a man in police uniform entered the office. His gaze was dark as night.
Elmir:
"Hello, Sir Agent. What brings you here?"
Agent:
"Stop pretending, As Now. I don't have time to act with you."
Elmir:
"So… what do you want?"
Agent:
"Stay away from my prey. That kid Edie—I've been watching him since before he was born."
Elmir:
"What is he to you? Your son? If so, intriguing."
Agent:
"I don't have a son. Don't ask."
Elmir paused, analyzing him.
Elmir:
"I think I'm beginning to understand your motives."
Agent:
"Know your limits and you'll live longer. My organization survives fine without you. But yours… without us watching your back, how long can you last? So be reasonable."
The agent turned and left. As the door closed, Elmir murmured:
Elmir:
"Tracked since before birth… intriguing, indeed."
Back in class, Jinna noticed something different in Edie. He usually dozed off, even snored softly. Today he sat still, thoughtful, chin resting on hand, writing nothing.
After class, Jinna led him to the back courtyard and they sat under a large tree's shade. She sat first. Edie, without a word, laid his head on her lap out of habit.
Jinna:
"Why so pensive today? Did Professor Elmir say something that made you go numb?"
Edie:
"I was thinking about the future… like… if one day I have to support a family, how do I make them happy? I mean… money makes everything cloudy."
Jinna smiled gently.
Jinna:
"It's okay. Focus on now. And who knows—if you marry me one day—maybe you'll get bored and leave me for someone else."
Edie (pouting):
"I love only Jinna. No one else, ever."
At that moment, a familiar voice came from the front.
Lina, Edie's sister—blonde hair, green eyes—approached, arms crossed, half teasing half sarcastic.
Lina:
"Hey big bro, got a minute?"
Edie:
"What? You ignored me for months and now suddenly show up?"
Lina:
"You ask where you live? Besides… Dad said I should tell you you're welcome to come home now."
Edie:
"Tell him I'm living independently, doing fine, and don't need to."
Lina (smirking):
"Yeah, living 'independently' at Uncle Hakan's place. He's friendly, popular at school… so don't spread bad rumors and end up beaten by the entire school."
Edie:
"People who know understand. Outsiders better avoid it. Now leave—can't you see I'm 'talking' to my girlfriend?"
Lina:
"Wow… how did Jinna end up liking you, big bro?"
Edie:
"Handsome, talented, smart, no scandals—like, isn't that enough?"
Lina shook her head and walked away.
Jinna:
"You shouldn't talk like that—she's your sister and you haven't seen her in a while."
Edie:
"At home we're never normal. She always messes with me. And even if we share a father… we're still close, but… I don't know how to talk to her."
Jinna:
"Even so, you shouldn't tell her to go away like that."
Edie (pouting):
"Well, she interrupted us being affectionate…"
Jinna (glancing):
"You're hopeless. And stop touching her random—people have been staring since earlier…"
During break time, Hakan entered the art room—a rare quiet place in school—smelling of dry paint and soft light. He set up an easel in front of a blank canvas, holding a brush before dipping it when the door suddenly swung open.
A girl with white hair entered. Academy uniform neat, polite expression.
Lucy:
"Hello, sir… I have a letter to give Edie."
Hakan:
"No need to be tense. It's just me in here."
Lucy (surprised):
"I… I don't understand?"
Hakan:
"Just hand over the letter. I'll pass it to him. You can go now."
Lucy nodded and turned to leave, but a voice behind made her pause.
Hakan:
"By the way… you look a lot like an old friend of mine. Pale as snow, about two meters tall. Impossible to miss."
Lucy (calm):
"There's no one like that in my family."
Hakan:
"Ah. Must be my mistake."
At TIB Headquarters—Counter-Terrorism & Investigation Bureau, central district, 20th floor.
Footsteps echoed down a cold metal corridor. A young woman—small frame, brown hair, fire‑bright green eyes—hurried to the office labeled:
Duun – Special Commander
Liar gasped, pushing the door open in a hurry.
Liar:
"Sir… urgent news. The mole inside Sill just sent a signal. They're planning to attack Bellasia Academy within the next few days."
Duun didn't look up from the files on his desk.
Duun (calmly):
"Calm down. Sit. You're breathing like you're about to die.
They won't make a move… unless someone gives them a reason to think… this is the right moment."
Liar:
"You mean… someone powerful enough to make them act recklessly?"
Duun stood up, quietly stepping toward a glass cabinet. Inside was an old photograph of him and his late father, both in military uniform.
Duun:
"Everyone comes back to the old path eventually."
He took out the photo, gently brushing his fingers across the wooden frame. His voice was low, as if swallowing his fury with every word.
Duun:
"And so did he. Hakan."
Liar (shocked):
"Hakan? You mean… Hakan the Reaper, former Sill commander? I thought he was dead. The file says 'confirmed deceased.'"
Duun (flatly, without looking up):
"I made it that way. I personally marked him as dead… to shield him from the international hunt system."
Liar (confused):
"But… you hate him. The way you talk—it's like you deeply despise him. So why protect him?"
Duun:
"He killed my father. Harneth—the Empire's hero. Back then, I was just a boy… and hatred was the only thing keeping me alive."
Liar:
"Then… why didn't you finish him off?"
Duun:
"Because I found him. Saw him with my own eyes, living a new life.
He had a wife. A child.
The villagers protected him like a hero. He worked as a hunter, taught martial arts to orphans.
I stood at his gate.
But when I saw the way he looked at that child…
…I hesitated."
Silence filled the room.
Duun (voice heavy):
"Maybe… I was wrong. Wrong to believe he changed.
Wrong to think a man who once stepped over corpses… could ever become kind."
Liar (softly):
"I don't think you were wrong. No one would blame you for believing in something good."
Duun turned to look at her, gaze sharp.
Duun:
"You've worked with me for years now, Liar.
Tell me—can I trust you?"
Liar (without hesitation):
"Of course, sir. No matter what, I'm on the side of the truth."
Duun:
"Good. You may go."
Liar bowed lightly and exited the room.
Duun sat down at the tea table, poured two cups as if expecting company…
But the chair opposite him remained empty.
The air shimmered faintly.
A figure emerged from invisibility.
Efill — a man with metallic black skin, pale violet eyes, and long, wavy purple hair.
Duun:
"Did you notice anything strange about her?"
Efill:
"No. Steady heartbeat, normal expression. Girl's pretty damn calm."
He leaned back into the chair.
Efill:
"They're definitely trying to push us toward Hakan—to mislead us from their real target."
Duun:
"I think the same. TIB… it's not what it used to be."
Efill (quietly):
"…Agreed."
They sat in silence, eyes locked.
A great game was unfolding—but no one knew yet which pawn would be traded for the king's life.
—
Night had fallen.
The moon floated above the tree line.
Wind howled through the dry leaves.
Two figures—one large and broad, the other leaner—walked quietly down the dirt path toward the wooden house at the edge of the forest.
Edie:
"Man, it's cold tonight."
Hakan:
"It's cold in your head. You look more gloomy than the morning fog."
Edie:
"I… talked to Elmir. He said some things I really didn't want to hear."
Hakan glanced over, sighing softly.
Hakan:
"His words got to you, huh? He's a manipulator. Only believe half of what he says."
Edie:
"I don't know. I've never really thought seriously about the future. Now… everything just feels so foggy."
Hakan:
"Then leave it foggy. Sleep it off and fight again tomorrow.
You've gotta fail a bunch before you ever succeed."
Edie (smirking):
"You're terrible at comforting people."
Hakan:
"I'm not a damn kindergarten teacher."
They chuckled lightly.
The small wooden house appeared ahead, bathed in the faint glow of moonlight.
At the porch, Hakan pulled out his keys but paused.
Hakan:
"Hey…"
Edie:
"Hmm?"
Hakan:
"If one day I'm not around anymore… what would you do?"
Edie frowned.
Edie:
"What's with that? Don't say creepy stuff like that at the front door."
Hakan (half-smiling):
"Just… wondering."
Edie:
"Then let me ask you back. If one day I'm no longer myself, would you hit me?"
Hakan:
"Yes.
And I'd hit you until you remembered who you are."
The wooden door creaked open.
Warm yellow light spilled across the wooden floor.
A faint hint of peppermint tea lingered in the air.
Edie:
"Hey…"
Hakan:
"What?"
Edie:
"We're back… go easy on me tomorrow, yeah?"
Hakan:
"Depends on your morning attitude."
Inside the little wooden house tucked in the deep forest, only the wind whispered through the windows.
Hakan leaned back into his familiar wooden chair, eyes half-closed.
On the table was a still-warm cup of tea, next to an unopened letter.
The dim light glowed faintly over strands of gray in his hair.
From the bedroom, Edie shifted in his bed, unable to sleep.
Hakan's words echoed in his head:
"If one day I'm not around anymore?"
He stared at the ceiling.
That same unease pressed tight against his chest—
Vague, slow-burning—
Like a whisper of something terrible to come.
— End of Chapter —