Location: Sacred Temple, First Aid Room
The surroundings were eerily silent. The only sound echoing through the room was the mechanical beeping of machines at steady intervals. White lights hanging from the ceiling illuminated the space with a cold tone, reflecting off the sterile metal panels on the walls. Many beds covered with white sheets were lined up side by side, but only two were occupied one by a heavily injured man, and the other by a young girl.
The girl slowly opened her eyes. Her vision was blurry at first; the ceiling lights burned her eyes. Trying to control her breathing, she slightly turned her head and whispered:
- - - : Where… am I?
Many parts of her body were wrapped in bandages. The wounds on her arms were still fresh. When she moved her fingers, a sharp ache ran through her muscles. At that moment, the sound of the door opening echoed. Instinctively, she closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep.
- - - (thinking): Whoever it is, I'll secretly attack them and ask where I am.
Footsteps approached. Then a relaxed voice spoke:
- - - : Since I won, you owe me a meal.
Another voice immediately replied:
- - - : You only won because you cheated that day.
The curtains were suddenly pulled open. The girl attacked without hesitation but froze instantly. The two people in front of her were also stunned.
- - - : Looks like the shadow girl is awake.
That girl was actually Luna Shadows. The two standing before her were Enzo and Michael.
Luna : Where am I?! Michael! Enzo!
Enzo shrugged with a slight grin.
Enzo : We brought you both to the first aid room… and this is how you thank us?
Michael glanced at the bed on the left.
Michael : Looks like… Mark still hasn't woken up.
Luna looked around again; the machines beside Mark's bed blinked rhythmically. Curiosity was clearly written on Enzo's face.
Enzo : So… how did you end up like this?
Michael : Good question. Did you fight Mark, or was it some kind of unexpected attack?
Luna took a deep breath and leaned back against the pillow.
Luna : Yeah… we fought. We used our strongest attacks… after that, I don't remember anything. We both just passed out.
Enzo and Michael exchanged looks and silently nodded.
Luna : What happened?
Enzo exhaled before speaking.
Enzo : The exam was canceled… but we can become Guardians directly.
Luna : Seriously?
Luna nodded.
Luna : Then what about our rankings?
Enzo : Let's just say…
Michael : We'll start from the lowest rank.
Luna : What?
Michael : Because the exam was canceled. The rankings were supposed to be decided in the final stage, but since it ended early, they made this decision.
Luna : So… we're Rank Four now…
Guardian Rankings determined a Guardian's level, the missions they could take, and their responsibilities.
Rank Four: Surface security, surveillance, and reporting duties.
Rank Three: Direct combat permission against low-level creatures.
Rank Two: Active missions against mid-level threats.
Rank One: High-level creatures and critical operations.
Rank Zero: Kings… those who give orders and fight the highest-level beings.
Suddenly, Enzo remembered something.
Enzo : Michael, I forgot to ask… have you seen Jack?
Michael : Why? What happened?
Enzo : I don't know… I haven't seen him for almost a week…
The door suddenly burst open. The metal slammed into the wall, echoing across the room.
- - - : Because he's in a special prison.
All three turned toward the door at once. The person who entered was wearing a pink sweatshirt and black pants.
Luna : I think your name was Rose, right?
Rose : Yes, you've got a good memory.
Enzo stepped forward.
Enzo : What do you mean, prison?
Rose let out a deep sigh.
Rose : First… he has an unknown second soul. It's so powerful that the five Kings held a meeting… and… he killed Peter.
The room instantly turned cold.
Enzo : Damn it!
Rose looked at him sadly.
Rose : I understand… your friend became a murderer but-
Enzo : I would've killed that blockhead too.
Rose : What?
Enzo : What shocked me is the second soul… and that he ended up imprisoned.
Michael fell into deep thought.
Michael : Do you know the name of that soul?
Rose nodded.
Rose : Its name… is Liberty.
Michael's expression hardened.
Michael : That's worse than I thought.
Enzo : Who is that?
Michael : My father once mentioned him… his full name is Liberty Sacred… the Demon King.
Everyone's faces turned pale.
Luna : Wait… was Jack actually Liberty?
Enzo : First time I'm hearing this.
Rose : Not surprising that it sounds familiar.
Michael took a deep breath.
Michael : I'll explain what kind of demon he was…
Liberty Sacred… a demon who brought chaos to this world a thousand maybe eleven hundred years ago. He was defeated by the First Guardians. He possessed three techniques; one was the Erasure Technique… the others remain unknown. One of his techniques granted extreme regeneration. The only person who could share detailed knowledge about him is still alive but missing: Zeron Tensai, one of the First Guardians… the only person allowed to roam freely without a rank. Most of what we know about Liberty comes from him.
Enzo lowered his head, clenched his fist… bit his lip… then suddenly calmed down.
Enzo : I understand… then my second goal is to find Zeron… and free Jack.
Rose glared at him angrily.
Rose : Are you insane?! That's not Jack! You're seriously going to help release a disaster?!
Enzo : Yes. Whatever it takes.
Michael stepped beside Enzo.
Michael : I agree. The guilty one isn't Jack… it's Liberty.
Rose turned to Luna.
Luna : Unfortunately… I agree too. If they find Zeron, I have questions to ask.
Rose sighed.
Rose : Fine… but if we're branded as criminals… I'm leaving you guys.
Michael : As long as we stick together, we'll be fine.
At that moment… without realizing it, the four of them had become a team.
Spot was still unconscious.
Spot (thinking): They're definitely going to drag me into that idiot team too…