TIB Headquarters – Tactical Intelligence for Blacklist
Domestic Strategic Zone – 9th Floor
Inside the emergency coordination room, the atmosphere was as taut as a bowstring. A magical map displayed energy fluctuations at Bellasia Academy.
Liar:
"It's been days and still no movement from their side, boss!"
Duun:
"It will come. They don't stay silent like that if they aren't preparing something."
Lori:
"But those SILL guys are tenacious. I thought only As Now and Paraver survived the great war… yet in just over ten years they've rebuilt their system."
Efill:
"I'm not worried about As Now. But Paraver, I am. He's a pure-blood wizard, almost on par with Ogon — humanity's omnipotent sorcerer."
Feina:
"Today there's news that Ogon suffered a backlash, he can't use magic anymore…"
Duun:
"Call the whole team. Get ready to depart for Bellasia Academy."
Someone:
"Right away."
Just then, the door opened. A middle-aged man with a finely tailored black suit walked in. It was Wuler, the director of TIB.
Wuler:
"No need for deployment."
"This case has been transferred to I.D.A."
Duun:
"What did you say? Transferred to those domestic mercenaries? This is a matter of national security, not common criminals!"
Wuler:
"And I say, it's not that serious yet. A magical disturbance at the academy isn't worth TIB deploying."
Duun:
"You know Two X, don't you? The most notorious assassin in contemporary history. People thought he was a lone monster… but no. He was a link in a larger network. Police. Officials. Those with the power to act without investigation."
Wuler:
"Are you implying I'm a member? You're just relying on the notes of a dead detective?"
Duun:
"Ela wasn't an ordinary detective. She was a legend. She died tracking Two X and sent me her final report. That assassin could be sitting right within this system, giving us orders, laughing at justice."
Wuler:
"Who are you implying, Duun?"
Duun:
"I'm not implying. I'm warning. If TIB doesn't act today, I will take this report to the supreme security council. And if necessary… I will meet the emperor personally."
The space froze. Everyone in the room held their breath.
Wuler:
"Do it your way. But remember, Duun… Sometimes the most dangerous thing isn't out there but deep within the heart of someone who thinks they still have a conscience."
He left the room. The door closed, leaving a suffocating silence.
Morning – A House by the Forest
Edie jolted awake, his face panicked.
Light streamed through the window where he had fallen asleep.
Hastily putting on his coat, he ran to the table and saw a neatly folded letter, written in Hakan's familiar handwriting.
Hakan (letter):
"Don't go to the academy. SILL will attack today. I'll go ahead and deal with it. Don't be foolish. Stay home."
Edie clutched the letter in his hand.
A second passed before he cursed.
"Jinna is still there!"
Without another thought, Edie rushed straight out the door.
Ignoring the warning, ignoring the danger, only one thing in his mind: ("I won't let anything happen to her.")
Bellasia Academy – Main Square
At the same time, a tall figure, cloaked in dark grey, walked slowly.
On his shoulders, bone spikes protruded like hooks, despite his attempts to conceal them.
He stopped in the middle of the schoolyard, under the curious gaze of hundreds of students.
And no one knew that… nightmare had just walked in.
???:
"It's been a long time since I returned to this place."
Paraver – one of the two surviving pillars of SILL – tightened his grip on his rusty black staff.
He gently swung it.
A Quadrilateral Sealing magic immediately enveloped the entire academy with a dimly glowing grey cube-shaped shield, allowing no one in or out.
Then he raised his hand again and in an instant, an army of darkness teleported into the middle of the schoolyard.
Standing among them was… Hakan.
Academic Affairs Building – Shattered Glass, 4 Professors Appear
The professors simultaneously raised their hands to cast spells:
Professors:
"Seven Wheel World Suppression – Five Element Law!"
A massive magical formation emerged from the ground, trying to lock down the SILL army's advance.
Paraver:
"Are old students trying to kill their teacher?"
Principal Soan stepped out from inside, his wizard robes billowing, his eyes cold.
Soan:
"He's holding the wall, he can't use his full power. Attack head-on!"
Paraver:
"Look at you, son. So many years, and you look even older than me. And I'm disappointed. A wizard using a sword?"
Outskirts of Bellasia Academy – On a Black Rocky Hill
A TIB special forces team appeared through a teleportation gate, a swirling light coiling up and then vanishing.
At the forefront was Duun, followed by high-ranking agents.
Before them, Bellasia Academy had been completely engulfed by a colossal purple-grey cube.
Liar:
"Sir Duun… We can't penetrate. This barrier isn't just a seal, it also carries corrosive toxins from the life field."
Duun:
"What about the people inside?"
Liar:
"Paraver prepared beforehand. He transformed everyone in the academy. To make them adapt to the toxic zone."
Duun:
"Now we can only hope our people embedded inside can do something."
Liar:
"Ogon is coming. Only he can open a 'safe' path from the outside with adaptive magic cords. No one can enter without wearing the cord, otherwise, their body will disintegrate at the cellular level."
Below the Hill – Edie is Running
Edie had just finished teleporting, sliding down the stone steps leading to the square outside the academy.
Before him, the purple barrier pulsed like a beating heart, emitting toxic aura in the silent space.
A group of TIB magic guards blocked him.
Guard:
"You can't go in! The poison inside… is a neural decomposition structure!"
Edie:
"Someone I need to protect is in there."
Guard:
"You'll die if you go in!"
Edie:
"Then so be it."
He charged straight into the wall of light, to the horror of everyone.
The barrier's surface didn't stop him… like a liquid flowing back in time.
His body passed through.
Immediately upon landing, Edie collapsed.
His whole body felt as if it was burning from within. Blood vessels burst, ears rang, chest tightened.
The skin on his hands began to crack, his breath heavy as if weighted down.
Senses shut off.
Heart pounding wildly.
Every cell… screaming.
But…
Underneath the scorched red skin, a grey-black aura spread, enveloping him like a reverse current.
Edie's already different body began to adapt.
Five minutes passed… he opened his eyes.
The pain was still there, but his body wasn't dying.
Edie:
"I really am on another level."
The shadow of the research building appeared in the distance.
Edie:
"Jinna…"
He stood up, the toxic smoke swirling around him like hissing snakes… but they could no longer bite him.
Inside Bellasia Academy – Deep in the Laboratory
Edie sped down the corridor, where the smell of blood and toxic gas mingled.
Bodies lay scattered. Some were dead. Some were writhing, resisting, moaning in madness. Some others only begged for mercy from whoever had left.
He stopped in front of the auxiliary research room.
It was empty inside, only one person huddled in a corner, trembling all over – Ito, a younger student.
Edie:
"Where's Jinna?"
Ito:
"I… I don't know. Those people said something about… the magic greenhouse."
Just as Edie turned to leave, an old voice rang out:
Lopi (professor):
"It's very dangerous here… you guys go to the greenhouse."
He hadn't finished his sentence when a blade pierced straight through his back and out his chest.
Thump!
Blood splattered. The professor fell dead right at Edie's feet.
Ghosi:
"They're in the greenhouse…"
He stepped out from the tall shadows, wearing a helmet that covered his entire face, his heavy armor clanking with a metallic sound.
Without hesitation, Edie took advantage of his distraction, closing in incredibly fast and landing a punch straight to his face.
Ghosi flew back several feet, slamming into the stone wall, leaving an indentation.
SILL soldiers rushed in.
Edie didn't wait for a punch that would pierce armor, piercing straight through their chests. Blood splattered all over his face.
For the first time… Edie truly killed someone. And… his palms trembled slightly but not from fear.
Edie:
"Why do I like it so much?"
Ghosi:
"HAHAHA… It hurts so good. Amazing! Keep fighting, make me feel more!"
Edie:
"Are you from the Tore guild?"
Ghosi:
"Yes, but I left the guild. They lacked ideals too much."
He ripped off his helmet, revealing a face deformed like melted flesh, bulging eyes, and a twisted smile as if stitched together.
Both lunged at each other.
Edie delivered a relentless barrage of blows, but Ghosi absorbed the damage, becoming more frantic with each hit.
Edie's body began to slow down. His breathing became ragged.
Ghosi remained like a wild beast, resilient and exhilarated.
Ghosi:
"Why are you tired already! It was fun!"
A horizontal slash to the neck fortunately only grazed him, creating a long but non-fatal gash.
Edie punched straight down into the floor, using the impulse to rebound and escape through another exit.
Ghosi looked after him, laughing contemptuously.
Then he turned back to the room and saw Ito still trembling in the corner.
Ghosi:
"Do you want to live?"
Ito:
"I do."
Ghosi:
"Then lead me to the greenhouse."
After the purple shield covered the academy – 20 minutes later
Lori:
"When will Ogon arrive?"
Duun:
"Calm down. If he promised to come, he will surely come."
At the same time, a cold gust of wind swept through.
A man with white hair and beard, wearing a sparkling silver magic cloak, walked forward, leaning on a staff as heavy as his entire body. He was followed by royal warriors, each wearing glowing runic armor.
Ogon:
"Sorry… I'm late. Adaptive cords aren't easy to make. Time was short, so there's only enough for… five of you."
Lori:
"You look terrible, sir. Did you suffer a backlash?"
Ogon:
"Yes. SILL trapped me with an ancient spell. Haven't fully removed it yet. To be precise, Paraver trapped me."
Ogon handed each cord to Duun's group.
Duun:
"Aren't the royal soldiers coming in?"
Ogon:
"No. They are just my bodyguards."
Before leaving, Ogon turned back.
Ogon:
"You… are very much like your father. Always stubborn in a rotten world."
Duun:
"We split into groups. Find Hakan, stop him at all costs."
The four nodded and fanned out.
Duun quietly followed another direction.
He stuck close to Liar, who was secretly turning into a side corridor leading to the storage basement.
Ancient Artifact Chamber – Where the Ancient Star is Sealed
Duun stood a few steps away, hidden behind a stone pillar.
Liar looked around, confirming no one was following, then lightly tapped the iron door three times. A voice came from inside.
As Now:
"Come in."
The door closed. Duun followed, making no sound. When the door had just closed, he gently touched the hilt of the dagger hidden in his cloak.
Inside, As Now was bending down, checking the seals. His body was still that of a tall, broad-shouldered human, his eyes hidden behind dark glasses.
As Now:
"Liar, report."
Liar:
"They believed it. They think Hakan is after the Book of Gana."
Duun:
"Is that so?"
Duun's voice rang out coldly from behind them. Both startled. Before Liar could turn around, a black mist shot out like a blade. Her throat was cut, blood splattering onto the stone floor.
As Now:
"…So it was you."
He stepped back, taking off his dark glasses. His skin began to turn pale white, rough like stone. Horns gradually appeared on his head.
Duun:
"Mutant (Olin). No wonder you hate the government so much."
As Now:
"Enough. I don't like monologues."
He waved his hand, and cold snow poured out, covering the basement. Duun immediately countered with black smoke, forming shimmering blades.
Both lunged at each other.
Snow cut through the smoke. Smoke wrapped tightly around limbs. Cold fought suffocation. Duun moved faster, attacking with speed and technique. As Now struck powerfully, each blow like a sledgehammer.
A punch broke through Duun's defense. Both retreated, breathing heavily.
As Now:
"Do you think killing me is enough?"
Duun:
"Is there any other surprise?"
As Now chuckled faintly, then… vanished into the smoke.
Duun:
"…An illusion?"
As Now (voice):
"Don't forget what he's taking… isn't the Book of Gana. It's the Ancient Star."
Narrator: Ancient Star is the Stone Star.
His body reverted back to the school professor.
Duun:
"Damn it… we were going the wrong way. Now I just hope Hakan can do something."
A few minutes earlier – Entrance to the Underground Artifact Area
Rapid footsteps echoed down the ancient stone corridor. Leading was Hakan, silent, his eyes cold as steel. Behind him was a SILL squad and Valder, one of the ten commanders, a double-blade wielder with a cunning expression.
Along the way, the soldiers continuously fired spells, attacking anyone still alive. People fell, blood soaking into the stone bricks.
Hakan:
"Stop. Kill one more innocent person, and I'll kill you first."
Valder burst out laughing, his eyes sharp.
Valder:
"Did you get on the wrong side, legend? Or are you too old to be a lapdog?"
Before he finished laughing, Valder saw a shadow flash by. A soldier behind him was thrown, his body embedded straight into the wall. No magic. Just a punch.
Hakan:
"Lapdogs don't bite their masters… but I was never anyone's dog."
The soldiers fell silent. Valder drew his twin blades, a silver gleam flashing.
Valder:
"Then die, traitorous legend."
The two lunged at each other. Valder's blades were sharp, fast, but Hakan used no weapons, only dodging, parrying, and counter-attacking with punches carrying a faint black energy flow – Nifow.
A direct knee strike broke Valder's ribs. He struggled up, swinging his blades through the air, but Hakan spun, used his bare hand to block, then punched through his armor, making him kneel, panting.
Without another word, Hakan finished Valder with a clean punch to the chest. The remaining soldiers were beaten to death, none survived.
Artifact Area – Below the Stone Floor
Hakan approached the center of the room – a six-pointed star symbol carved into the stone floor. He closed his eyes, feeling the energy emanating from below.
He clenched his fists, aura pouring out like smoke.
CRASH!
One punch. Stone cracked. A second punch, a third.
The floor vibrated, ancient runes glowing red then fading. Finally, the ground collapsed, revealing a small vault hidden beneath a silver altar. In the center of the altar, a dark purple stone emitted a cold light – the Ancient Star.
Hakan stepped down, without hesitation, reaching out to touch it.
A spatial crack echoed from above.
Ceiling – Flashing Brightly
A figure fell straight from the ceiling like a meteor.
As Now – his white hair disheveled, sharp horns on his head, bloodshot eyes.
His hand reached out towards the stone.
As Now:
"Thank you for unlocking it for me."
Hakan spun around, his eyes sharp.
Both simultaneously touched the stone.
BOOOMMM!
A silent explosion. No shockwave. No flames. Just… everything vanished.
Another Dimension
Hakan and As Now floated in a hollow black space. Around them, fragments of memories like broken mirrors drifted, including screams, laughter, and distant conversations.
Hakan:
"A trial dimension? Or a place where only one can leave?"
As Now:
"A place where souls must choose who survives. And I… won't let you leave."
They clenched their fists. Aura poured out like a vortex.
Everything was ready for a confrontation not just of power, but of ideals.
— end of chapter —