The underground base was silent — except for the sound of footsteps.
Precious walked forward calmly.
The men who tried to attack him suddenly collapsed to the ground without even understanding what had happened.
"Aggh…?!"
He continued walking.
Crossing a heavy metal door, he entered a large room.
Nearly a hundred men stood inside.
Behind them, one man stood confidently — their boss.
The biggest underworld don of Shin Kingdom.
Precious stopped.
The don laughed loudly.
"Hah! So a kid did all this? That's quite shocking. But you made a mistake coming here alone! Today is the end of your life! Hahahaha!"
Precious stepped forward.
Just one step.
And in the next second —
All the men vanished.
The don's eyes widened.
"W–What?!"
His body began trembling in fear.
Precious walked closer, his voice cold.
"Do you know how many families… how many people… you kill every single day?"
The don slowly stepped backward as Precious moved forward.
"Because of people like you… my mother and father died. Do you know that?"
His voice carried emotion.
"Do you know? After uncountable years… I finally felt family love again. I finally felt a mother's warmth… a father's presence…"
Precious looked at him with burning eyes.
"And because of you — not just you, but those behind all this — I have once again lost that love. I have once again lost their care."
The don collapsed onto the ground.
"W-What are you saying…?"
Precious stood before him.
"Your time is over."
"Huh…?"
Precious touched him.
And both of them disappeared.
Nish Prison
Inside the prison, the criminals were moving around restlessly.
Suddenly —
Precious appeared again, sitting calmly on the same chair as before.
The criminals froze in shock.
"W–What?! He left barely 30 minutes ago!"
The don appeared beside him, kneeling on the ground.
"W–Where are we?!"
One criminal shouted.
"Isn't that Shin Kingdom's biggest don?!"
"Yes! That's him!!"
Precious spoke calmly.
"Looks like I shouldn't have said two days. Anyway… here is your biggest supporter. Or whatever you call him."
He turned slightly.
"Knights. Capture him."
"Yes, Prince Precious!"
Two knights stepped forward and dragged the don away.
The remaining criminals stared in fear.
"Who in the world is that kid…?"
"Who knows?!"
Precious leaned forward slightly.
"Now. Tell me everything you know."
All of them answered at once.
"Yes!!"
One criminal spoke nervously.
"I don't know who is capturing the rare, legendary, and mythical beasts. But I'm sure the answer is outside the kingdom. If you want to protect Shin Kingdom, you will have to travel to other kingdoms."
Precious nodded slightly.
"I see."
Another criminal spoke.
"I investigated that destroyed village. It wasn't a normal village — it was actually a criminal gang living undercover as villagers. But one person wiped them out."
Precious narrowed his eyes.
"It wasn't Sir Tall. That person is still a mystery."
Precious paused.
"Oh… Where can I find Dhuma?"
A third criminal flinched.
"Dhuma…? Do you mean the King of the Sky?"
"Yes."
"You can find him in the deepest part of the CAVAI Cave in Shin Kingdom."
Precious stood up.
"I see. My work here is done."
The head knight bowed.
"Yes, Prince Precious."
Precious vanished.
Meanwhile – The Empire
Inside the Empire, Deku sat in a grand chamber.
Behind him stood Damyaan.
Across the table sat Emperor Takumi.
Behind Takumi stood another man.
Takumi looked directly at Deku.
"So, why are you here, Deku?"
Deku leaned back slightly.
"I need some information about the 12 Nicul."
Takumi's eyes sharpened.
"Why do you suddenly want information about the 12 Nicul? They are ancient relics."
"I know."
"That's why I'm asking. What are you planning?"
The atmosphere grew heavy.
Inside his mind, Deku thought:
How do I extract information from him? Manipulating him would be like putting my hand into boiling water…
Takumi's voice cut through the silence.
"Speak, Deku."
Deku forced a casual tone.
"Takumi… I was just thinking. The Empire summoned the 12 heroes and sealed Gesaane. So I wondered… what if her seal has weakened? What if her power has decreased?"
Takumi scoffed.
"You don't need to worry. Gesaane is properly sealed."
"Oh? And where is she sealed?"
"Exactly where she is supposed to be."
Inside, Deku clicked his tongue.
As expected. Manipulating him this easily is impossible.
Takumi stood up.
"If there is nothing else, I will leave."
Deku quickly added,
"At least tell me this — the 12 Nicul are safe, right? They're not in the wrong hands?"
Takumi replied calmly.
"You don't need to worry. As I said before. As far as I know, all 12 Nicul are safe."
"I see."
Inside his mind, Deku analyzed.
'As far as I know'… so he isn't completely sure. At least I know they still exist and aren't destroyed.
Takumi left the room.
Deku stood and began walking out of the palace.
If I'm right, each Nicul must be hidden in a special place… but where? And since manipulating Takumi is nearly impossible, I can't extract information directly. Damn.
Outside the palace—
"King Deku! Wait!"
Deku turned.
That's… the Empire's Second General — Babado.
Babado approached him.
"King Deku… the information you need… I can provide it."
Deku's eyes widened slightly.
What luck…
A faint smile formed on his face.
Author's Note
"So what do you think Babado will tell Deku? And what action will Deku take? Let's see. And is it okay if I continue like this, or should I change the script style into full novel style? Tell me in the comments… and subscribe."