Ray cleared his throat loudly, drawing everyone's attention.
He walked with visible strain. The fight had clearly taken more out of him than he let on.
"I would've told all of you to sit," he said dryly, glancing at the broken furniture around them, "but as you can see… the chairs aren't exactly in good shape."
"It's fine," Elena replied cheerfully.
"Good. Then let's get down to business."
Dante straightened and stepped closer, positioning himself just behind Elena without thinking.
"I'm going to give you all the information I have — everything you'll need if you truly intend to rescue your friend."
"Wait… you're going to help us?" Dante asked, clearly surprised.
"Yes," Ray replied with a faint smile. "Your friend here has a way with words. She made some… very compelling arguments."
Dante looked down at Elena, impressed.
"Well, I'll give you your flowers, Tiger. You did something even I couldn't accomplish. This old man is a tough nut to crack."
He ruffled her hair.
Elena shot him a glare while fixing it, but she couldn't suppress the proud smile forming on her lips.
Ray's expression suddenly turned serious.
"But I will tell you this…"
The air shifted.
"If you had a chance at defeating them before, that chance has now been reduced. You're essentially walking into a suicide mission."
"Why do you keep saying that?" Elena asked, confused. "I've unlocked my powers! With a bit of training, I'm sure we stand a chance."
"You've unlocked your powers?" Dante repeated, surprised.
"Yes," she replied, unable to hide the pride in her voice.
For so long she had feared that nature had simply skipped her. That she wasn't meant to wield magic at all.
Turns out, she just needed to be pushed.
This journey had forced her to grow in ways she never imagined.
"It's not that simple, Elena," Ray said, cutting into her thoughts. His tone was solemn. "Even if you've unlocked your magic, you're still inexperienced. Power alone won't save you."
"Elena might be new at using her abilities," Dante said firmly, "but I'm not. I can protect her. And together we can—"
"I'm not trying to discourage you from going," Ray interrupted. "But there's a reason Amber and that man attacked this village."
Elena's brows furrowed.
"Why did they attack your village?"
Ray exhaled slowly.
"I'm not supposed to tell you this. The Kingdom intends to keep it quiet. If the citizens find out, it could cause nationwide panic."
He began pacing.
"But… I suppose you two are an exception."
Dante and Elena nodded immediately.
"We won't tell anyone," Elena promised, determination blazing in her eyes.
"Good."
Ray stopped pacing.
"There's a new substance circulating through the underworld. It's called a transformation potion. No one knows who created it or where it originated."
He paused, lowering his voice.
"It's being distributed primarily among criminals. Crime bosses purchase them in bulk and hand them out to underlings — especially those with weak magic… or none at all."
Elena's stomach tightened.
"For those with low magical output, the potion amplifies their power tenfold."
Dante's jaw clenched.
"And for those with no magic at all…" Ray's voice dropped further. "It temporarily grants them magic."
Silence.
"But not the kind given by nature."
Elena felt her breath catch.
"It gives them cursed magic."
She gasped.
Dante's fists tightened at his sides, his expression darkening.
Ray's eyes shifted to Elena.
"Say what you're thinking. This is a safe space."
Elena swallowed.
"This is my first time hearing about a transformation potion… but it's not the first time I've encountered one."
Ray stilled.
"What did you just say?"
"There was a local gangster group where I used to live. Their leader used something like that when he was overpowered. His body changed. His power spiked unnaturally."
"Are you saying a local thug had access to something this rare?" Ray asked sharply.
"Yes. His name was Gerald. I thought he was just a bully… I didn't realize he was tied to something bigger."
Ray's expression grew thoughtful.
"He also had access to an advanced healer," Elena continued.
"How advanced?" Ray asked.
"Advanced enough to heal a broken arm within a day. The only after-effect was slight strain."
Ray hummed.
"There's only one explanation. A crime boss must have noticed him. Someone with access to underlings makes a perfect distribution point."
"That makes sense…" Elena murmured.
Dante shifted.
"The man who was with Amber. What can you tell us about him?"
Elena tensed.
She remembered Leo mentioning him before. The cursed bird. The way it watched her.
He had to be the one controlling it.
Every hour that passed tightened the curse's hold on Amber. If they didn't act soon…
Elena clenched her fists.
"It's not the end," she whispered to herself.
Ray nodded slowly.
"He's skilled. Extremely skilled. He fights with an axe — and that's where his true power lies."
Dante's eyes narrowed.
"The axe absorbs magical attacks. It can even slice through air itself. He's physically powerful and tactically dangerous."
Ray's gaze darkened.
"To be honest… I believe he's the greater influence over your friend."
Elena looked up sharply.
"When they broke into my home, I noticed something. Amber didn't want unnecessary bloodshed. She just wanted the potions. She tried to resolve things with minimal violence."
Ray's voice hardened.
"That man, however… would've killed me without hesitation."
Elena's chest tightened.
"I heard her call him Yami."
The name hung heavy in the air.
"My son told me she stopped him from finishing me off by taking the potions. Still…" Ray's expression tightened. "Those potions were entrusted to me. The royal capital will not be pleased that they're gone — or that their guards were wiped out by a Marked."
"Don't beat yourself up over it," Dante said calmly.
"If Yami is influencing Amber… then removing him from the equation might give us a chance."
Ray folded his arms.
"The real problem is finding them."
Elena suddenly yawned — loudly.
She clapped a hand over her mouth, embarrassed.
"I think…" Ray said, amused, "we should call it a night."
"No, I'm fine! I can still—"
Another yawn interrupted her.
Dante smirked slightly.
"I think you've had enough for one day, Tiger."
"Are there any inns nearby?" Dante asked Ray. "Don't worry, I'll pay."
Ray shook his head.
"The villagers are frightened. They won't open their homes to strangers. You can stay here… though I don't have many rooms."
"That's fine. I can sleep anywhere," Elena said.
Ray's eyes gleamed mischievously.
"Well… perhaps you and Dante could share a room."
"W-what?!" Elena's face flared red.
"I'm not sharing a room with this fool!"
"Ouch," Dante muttered.
"No way Elena is sharing a room with that scary guy," Lena added sharply.
Elena blinked.
Scary?
Dante was many things. Scary was not one of them.
"It makes more sense for me to share with my twin sister," Elena said firmly.
"No," Dante replied instantly. "I'll stay with Elena. We have things to discuss."
"But Elena... I don't want to be away from you." Lena said.
Her tone was soft as she glanced at Elena
But something in it felt… off.
"You can sleep somewhere else," Dante said, his gaze flickering toward Lena. "I'm sure you wouldn't want to disturb us."
Elena's face burned hotter.
The tension in the room thickened.
And Dante?
He simply smiled. That annoyingly sweet smile
But the shadow at his feet stretched slightly longer than the candlelight allowed.