"Stop it. He's dead," Zena said, holding Rhen's arm.
Rhen's grip trembled, his knuckles white, as if letting go would make Jack's death permanent.
Only then did Rhen notice the amount of slashes and battering on Jack's corpse.
Rhen laughed bitterly as he looked at the sky.
"Father, I did this… In just a week, I've caused the death of four."
Zena stepped in, unsure of what to do or say.
"Rhen, you may think everything has become worse, but no. There was a reason for your confidence throughout all this, don't forget about it just because of this."
Rhen turned to Zena's emotionless face, his eyes clearly questioning what she had just said.
"Everybody survived. It's only Nina who's in a dire situation, and there are still a couple of ways for us to get an antidote for her.
"The people of the lost civilization… and a much more certain one is Enma, a world connected to many other worlds, like worlds where poison is like air."
Rhen's eyes seemed to brighten up at that moment. He chuckled.
"I'm just tired, Zena. Aside from that, I'm fine.
"I can't despair. Anyone else would've given in years ago if they were me.
"But I believe falling isn't the same as staying down — you're only truly lost when you stop fighting. So I'll keep chasing hope… until it finally runs out."
Zena didn't know what to say and could only nod.
Rhen scratched his head and added:
"I'm just worried about what my father would think of me killing. His teachings are the last thing I have to remember him by, and I don't want to lose that link I still have to him.
"I don't even remember my mother anymore."
The weight of his father's voice echoed in his mind, stern yet kind, urging him to protect life – not take it.
'Maybe it's time to let go, though…'
After saying that, Rhen told Zena to follow him inside and drank a potion to burn away Jack's remaining poison in his body.
When he walked into the room, the first thing he saw was Lilac lying on a half-burnt chair, napping as the potion Zena had given her took effect.
Rhen bent down and patted her head with gratitude.
He then moved to the kitchen where Nina laid on the floor with Einar using his mana to suppress the poison within her, a crow perched on his shoulders.
This was one of the few times Rhen saw Einar don a look of sadness.
He couldn't say anything as he just squatted near Nina.
Nina, using the last of her strength, opened her eyes after feeling the cold aura Rhen exuded.
Her cold look remained as she looked him straight in the eye.
"I… wanted to be… like you. Selfless, to make up for my past," she said.
Rhen was so speechless he couldn't tell her to stop.
"But I knew I was unable… instead I chose to… support you… go with your decisions. The one regret I have… is not being able to be worthy… to be noticed by you."
Her voice was fragile, like a candle's flame flickering against the wind. Each word seemed to cost her another heartbeat.
At this point, tears were dripping from Einar's cheeks.
Far away, in the core of Grayland city, on a chair beside his mother's bed, Oscar sat with a frown.
'Noticed by me...'
Rhen couldn't come up with what to say. No one was even blaming him like he was blaming himself.
"There's no need to regret, I'll give you all the opportunity in the world for that.
"Oscar, please hold the fort till I come back. Try to communicate with me through Lilac if anything happens."
Closing Nina's eyes which were too weak to close on their own, he walked away, muttering:
"I'll fix this. I promise."
The words weren't just a vow – they were a chain he bound to his very soul.
- - - - -
Wearing his cloak, Rhen darted through the forest, nothing slowing him down.
It wasn't that he didn't encounter monsters—his mana surge ripple effect had actually lured more of them out. But his cloak's skill, combined with his own strength, made short work of the F and D-rank creatures.
His mind was still a storm, but his eyes were sharp and his path clear. He needed to meet the members of the Lost Civilization.
As he neared the cavern, the trail changed – no monsters, only carcasses.
Their killers were waiting for him. He sensed concentrated magic signatures layered around the area, guessing the perpetrators.
Soon, he reached the tall tree concealing the underground meeting place. Before he could move further, Jiro materialized from thin air, blocking his path.
"You did a clean job clearing the area," Rhen said with a faint smile.
Jiro smirked. "Once you know their weak points, they're easy enough." He stepped aside, gesturing for Rhen to follow.
Inside, the cavern stretched tall and wide. From its depths came a familiar face—the girl with purple hair whom Rhen had once saved. Her eyes were clearer now, her voice bright.
"Sir Rhen! Thank you for saving me!"
Rhen studied her, then inclined his head. "I only did what I could. I'm glad you're well."
"My name is Jira," she said warmly. Jiro moved beside her, and when Rhen glanced between them, the answer was obvious.
"Twins, huh? That's rare."
They smiled with quiet pride. But the moment of lightness ended as August stepped forward with Dean as an escort, his expression serious.
"I'm sorry I'm late. I had urgent business to take care of."
"It's no problem, Sir Rhen. Let's have a seat."
The cavern settled into silence. Rhen took the central seat, while August and Dean sat in front of him, with Jira and Jiro remaining standing.
"After thinking, I assume migration, which will be the best case for your people, is impossible despite having gates," Rhen began, his tone even.
August nodded. "You're right. Powering the gates requires Mana Cores, and the more people involved, the higher the cost and we have a lot of people. Acquiring cores is... difficult for us."
Rhen said thoughtfully. "Cores are rare for us too out there. No way to bypass the spatial instability?"
Dean, their spatial expert, answered flatly. "We've attempted breaking the runes causing the distortion, but it's proven near impossible. Maybe, with knowledge from the outside world, we'll eventually find a breakthrough."
August exhaled. "Our focus right now is securing food. That's the priority."
"What of armor and maybe even weapons?" Rhen had noticed their rough armor from day one. "That will strengthen your people."
August arched a brow. "What do you need sir?"
"You need food," Rhen said plainly. "Armor. Weapons. Things to keep your people alive. I can provide that, if you can provide Runic Items."
The words hit their mark. August and Dean exchanged a glance, wary but intrigued.
"Runic Items?" August echoed. "Why would you ask for those?"
Rhen frowned unknowingly, believing they would find such discomfort.
This made August add, "I'm not saying it's a problem, I'm just curious."
Rhen leaned forward, meeting his gaze directly.
"Because I know their value. And because I need them more than coins or cores. I don't care about your secrets—just the items themselves. That's all."
August studied him, then exhaled slowly. "You speak boldly for one man. Are you not afraid of being cheated?"
Rhen smirked faintly, his voice carrying authority. "If you tried, I'd know. Besides, if not now, one day, I'll make sure I'm not cheated.
The cavern grew still. For a long while, only the faint hum of the wards filled the silence. Then Dean finally spoke.
"It's no problem. The primary restriction with this is a lack of resources for creating Runic Items, which this transaction can solve."
"That's great. Give me a precise rundown of what you need."
The Nerakai did as asked within minutes, and Rhen gave comments during the conversation of what he could provide.
After reaching a level of agreement, Rhen said, "Will it be a problem if this transaction officially starts 30 nights from now?"
"Not at all," August replied.
Rhen then lingered before he asked.
"I'd like to make a request. I urgently need a medicine that can heal a poison that's corroding mana core and vessel."
Zena had spent a while with Nina, noting how the poison worked so finding a suitable antidote would be easier.
At that moment, a slight frown could be noticed on Nerakai's face.
From what they've seen of Rhen before, he was acting strangely today and the more experienced elders could tell Rhen had just left a battle.
They were concerned for this kind-hearted man, especially since they didn't think they'd easily find anyone as easy as him in the outside world.
"Basically the spirit body, that's hard," Dean muttered.
"We do not have one." August sighed.
"Sir, if we search for a beast of the Mutant class, we could make an antidote!" Jiro chimed in.
August glared at him before facing Rhen.
"That's a possibility, Sir Rhen. But not only would it take a while, we aren't certain of the success."
"I will appreciate any attempts."
August considered his next words carefully. "Let's meet in 15 nights if possible, we'll update you about our progress then."
Rhen's plain smile remained.
"I'll be glad. I'd also like to hear more about the way of your people."
The Mutant class mentioned by Jiro had piqued Rhen's interest.