At last, after a silence that seemed to weigh heavily on the air around us, Vesper spoke. Hesitation and disappointment were clear on his face.
"My unique ability… isn't as strong as I hoped. In fact, it might be weaker than I expected."
I studied his troubled expression for a moment, then asked, trying to push him to elaborate:
"Hey… don't underestimate it before you try it. What exactly is it?"
He took a slow breath, then said in a low voice, mixed with disappointment and a hint of embarrassment:
"It's an ability to harm the opponent… I can injure or cause pain without touching them. But the effect is very weak—barely leaves any mark. At least, that's what the status window says."
I gave him a faint smile, trying to lift his spirits.
"It's okay, Vesper. Abilities might start weak, but who knows? Maybe it'll grow stronger over time. Besides… you're still better off than me."
He raised his eyebrows with interest and asked suddenly:
"Right! You never told me… what's your ability?"
I froze for a moment, as if the question had caught me off guard.
"My ability… isn't that strong either…"
But the curiosity shining in his eyes didn't let me escape so easily.
He stepped closer and insisted:
"What is it?"
I felt tension creep into my voice, as if the words were stuck in my throat.
Darn it… why does he have to ask now?!
I didn't want to tell him the truth—at least, not so simply.
So I quickly changed the subject, waving my hand:
"Oh! Look… we're really late for work! Come on, let's run before the boss gets angry!"
Without giving him a chance to object, I dashed off through the partially stone-paved streets of the city, hearing his hurried footsteps behind me as he tried to keep up.
By the time we reached work, we were almost out of breath.
I placed my hands on my knees, trying to catch my breath, sweat dripping from my forehead.
But then, something strange caught my attention.
A man with shining blond hair—like threads of gold—stood facing the employer. He wore elegant clothes that seemed tailored for the upper class.
But what shocked me most wasn't his luxurious appearance…
It was his eyes.
Bright yellow… glowing… completely inhuman.
A chill ran down my spine.
Impossible… no normal human has eyes like that.
Then he must be one of those who came from another world… just like us.
I stood watching from a distance, unable to hear what they were saying, but their body language was enough. The employer looked clearly angry, while the blond man seemed to be trying to persuade him, gesturing as if offering a tempting deal.
I hesitated for a moment, then decided to ignore it.
I didn't want to involve myself in something that didn't concern me.
I turned to Vesper and whispered:
"Come on… let's go finish our work."
He nodded silently, and we returned to our usual tasks—cleaning weapons, arranging crates, and checking the large cart parked in the back.
But a heavy feeling stayed with me the entire time… as if those yellow eyes were still watching me, even from afar.
Hours passed until we neared midday.
Suddenly, Cairo came rushing toward us, his face filled with excitement, as if he had rare news.
He stopped in front of us and said in a low but eager voice:
"Hey… did you hear the news?"
I looked at him, confused.
"What news?"
He leaned closer, lowering his voice like he was sharing a dangerous secret:
"I heard that a man with yellow eyes came to the boss and proposed something strange… He wanted to take four employees from us—specifically weak ones—to fight against other people!"
My eyes widened.
"What do you mean? Real fighting?!"
Cairo nodded.
"Yes, real fighting. He said he wanted four weak ones in particular, to throw them into fights against others like them… but the boss refused angrily."
Confusion rose inside me.
"Then why would the boss be so angry?"
Cairo raised his hands as if it were obvious.
"Don't you get it?! That man literally wants us to fight for him—to become puppets for his amusement. That means we could get seriously injured… or even worse."
I sighed slowly.
"But the boss refused, right? That means we're safe. So why all the fuss?"
Cairo exhaled impatiently.
"You don't understand. I heard rumors that this man is extremely rich and powerful. If that's true, he might pressure the boss somehow to force him to accept."
I froze for a moment. His words stuck in my mind.
Then I forced a sarcastic smile.
"Hey, Cairo… you've been watching too many stories and dramas. Do you think we're in a novel or a TV series? That's impossible… right, Vesper?"
Vesper chuckled lightly.
"Of course… something like that can't happen."
We all laughed for a moment—even Cairo smiled.
"Maybe… maybe I'm just imagining impossible scenarios."
Then he left to continue his work, but his words echoed deep within me.
I returned to work with Vesper, but I couldn't shake the thought.
Pressure… influence… forcing the boss…
I paused, placing a crate down and smiling bitterly.
"Why am I even thinking about this? The chances are almost zero… right?"
Time passed slowly, and silence settled over the place.
I worked quietly, moving crates and organizing tools, but my mind remained occupied with what Cairo had said.
Then suddenly—
A sharp sound cut through the silence.
The meeting bell rang.
My heart trembled involuntarily.
I looked at Vesper, and he exchanged a quick glance with me before we both nodded and rushed toward the wide yard where everyone usually gathered.
When we arrived, all the members were already lined up:
Cairo with his anxious eyes…
Knox with his mysterious smile…
Sirion, still as a shadow…
Marcus, hesitant…
Zairos, restless…
Calstir, calm with an unreadable gaze…
Tyros, radiating a strange mix of excitement and anxiety…
And finally Luxian, standing arrogantly like a peacock, as if above everyone else.
At the front stood the employer, his usual stern presence making it clear that what he was about to say wouldn't be simple.
But what truly caught my attention—what made my breathing quicken—
Was that man.
The man with the yellow eyes.
He stood beside the employer this time, smiling calmly as if everything was going according to his plan.
His glowing eyes shimmered with something unsettling… as if they could pierce through my chest and expose my thoughts.
Impossible…
Did he really pressure the employer?
Did he force him to accept?
Before I could sink deeper into my thoughts, the employer's voice cut through:
"So… it seems everyone is here."
A heavy silence followed.
"Listen carefully… Today we received a very unusual task. Something we've never faced before."
My breath caught as I glanced at the blond man cautiously.
"This time…" he paused, as if the words were heavy, then continued:
"Four of you—yes, only four—will participate in a fight against another four. But the condition is… those four must be weak."
Murmurs spread across the yard, but the employer raised his hand for silence.
"I know it doesn't make sense. And I know you're asking yourselves: why us? But believe me… this time, we have no choice."
We have no choice?!
Those words stirred a storm inside me.
Had that man really forced him?
The employer continued:
"The good side… the reward for the winners will be huge. Seven thousand dollars for the winning team."
My eyes widened.
Seven thousand… dollars.
That wasn't a small amount—it was enough to live comfortably for a month.
For a moment, greed crept into my heart.
But it vanished just as quickly when he added coldly:
"As for the losers… their reward will be three thousand dollars."
My chest tightened.
It was as if hope had been born… only to be killed in the same instant.
Three thousand… still not small…
But then reality hit me.
I'm the weakest person here.
I can't even defeat a normal human without abilities… so how would I stand against others with powers?
Inside me, a battle began:
The money pulling me forward… whispering that it's the path to my goal.
And fear dragging me back… screaming that I would perish in the first fight.
I looked around at the others, searching their faces:
Luxian stood proudly, arrogant—as if this was beneath him.
Knox smirked, confident he wouldn't be chosen.
Marcus trembled slightly, pale.
Calstir remained silent, unreadable.
Tyros was tense, torn between excitement and fear.
Cairo looked openly anxious.
Zairos couldn't stand still, restless.
Sirion… emotionless, like a statue.
And Vesper…
He was smiling.
Excited… like a child in a game. His eyes shone as if he already saw himself as the hero.
As for me…
I was caught between two flames.
Money tempting me…
Fear warning me…
I stood frozen, staring at the ground, then lifting my gaze to the sky—searching for an answer.
But all I found…
Was this bitter conflict inside me.
I simply… didn't know.