"Didn't expect someone your age in this world," Arash said, watching the boy through the rear-view mirror.
The kid didn't even look up. "From what I heard, you're the last person who gets to say that."
Arash smirked. "So you're informed. I meant— I wasn't expecting another me. I was twenty when I started."
"I only know you started young," the boy replied. "That's what I see as valuable. I don't want to pry, but… describe this world in three words."
Arash didn't hesitate.
"Grit. Thrive. Finish."
The kid nodded once. "Noted."
"Where we headed?"
"Public.Someone you know."
Arash raised a brow. "And how are you guys even aware?"
The boy exhaled, long and annoyed.
"Too much Wolfgang. Ask them later."
***
The café buzzed with midday noise — clattering plates, low chatter, city dust drifting in warm light.
Arash's gaze hooked on a familiar outline.
"Big Ben."
[Code Name:Big Ben]
The giant turned. Green hoodie stretched across a mountain of a body, chest hair peeking like wild undergrowth.
A yellow beanie sat crooked on his head. Beside him stood another man — fingers inked with thorned vines, bracelets of bronze, silver, and gold stacked on his left arm, black shades and a sports cap hiding everything else.
Ben grinned. "What? You look surprised I'm still in shape."
He slapped Arash's shoulder — a thud like hitting a padded wall.
They took a seat. Greetings passed quietly, the kind reserved for dangerous men in public spaces.
Arash let a small breath slip. "The world is round and rolling. You know what I meant."
Ben shrugged. "Even I'm suprised of this getting this far Wolfgang.Consider the debt repaid."
"Pleased," Arash replied.
"Anything for the founder.Tea's on me.For your return."
Silence spread — heavy but comfortable.Then, almost in sync, the boy in yellow and the thorn-tattooed man straightened.Attention sharpened. Posture corrected.They sat like professionals receiving classified intel.
Arash lifted the teacup, steady, unbothered. "We're not a corporate," he said, voice low. "Whoever's capable becomes La Dezram. A stage built to balance power with the Six Roots."
His eyes locked on Arash.
"Being in the top ten. Any respect you demand? Your lethality has already paid for it.Name?"
The kid straightened, hands folded neatly on his lap.
"Kyo"
Arash nodded, then turned to the thorn-tattooed man — the vines wrapping his fingers, metal bracelets glinting bronze, silver, gold.
"And you?"
The man adjusted the bracelets, voice low and grounded.
"Graft"
Arash leaned back in his chair, taking another slow sip of tea.
"Kyo. Graft. Do me a favor."He pointed with his chin."See that shop? Go buy some ice cream. Eat it inside. Founder's order."
Arash flicked his eyes toward the small shop across the street — bright lights, ice cream freezers, harmless.
No questions.No hesitation.
"Understood," Kyo said.
Graft simply nodded.
They stood, moved out, and vanished into the crowd — disciplined, silent, obedient.
Ben watched them leave. The casual calm on his face cracked the moment they were out of earshot. His posture shifted — shoulders tightening, jaw clenching.
Then he leaned in.
"…Is it really serious?" Ben asked quietly. "What does that Cleaner have anything to do with it? This client of yours… he threatened you, didn't he? With what…?"
Arash didn't flinch.Didn't even blink.
He only gave a small, gentle smile — the kind that made Ben's stomach sink.
"That fatherly side of you is concerning," Arash said, voice low. "But your instincts are sharp."
Ben's brow furrowed, tension rising.
Arash rested a finger on the rim of his cup.
"No clue who he is."
Ben's heart kicked. He straightened.
"And yeah," Arash added, eyes drifting toward the window — toward nothing and everything.
Ben waited.
Arash finally spoke.
Just a few words.Soft.Too soft for anyone else to catch.
But Ben heard them.
And the color drained from his face.
His lips parted."What...."
Silence fell, thick and heavy, leaving only the faint hum of the café.
The words hung between them.Unspoken danger.And the world felt suddenly smaller, sharper, and colder.
"Malik's death and My secret."
-END OF CHAPTER-