As they tried to escape—
A presence crashed down behind them.
Heavy.
Overwhelming.
John turned—
—and in that instant—
SLASH.
Daniel's arm was cut clean off.
Blood splattered across the floor.
Syd screamed.
John froze for half a second—
(Too fast…!)
"DON'T STOP!" Daniel shouted, his voice sharp. "KEEP MOVING!"
John snapped back to reality.
He grabbed Syd's hand and pulled her forward.
They ran.
Footsteps echoed behind them.
The pressure—
It felt like death itself was chasing them.
They rushed down the stairs, burst through the back door—
—and stopped.
Daniel stood there.
Perfectly fine.
His arm…
…was back.
Syd's grip tightened around John's hand.
Her voice trembled.
"John… please tell me I'm dreaming…"
John stared at Daniel.
"…No."
"No??" she snapped. "THE HELL YOU MEAN NO?! HIS ARM—HIS ARM—"
Daniel frowned, clearly confused.
"…Are you okay?" he said. "You look like you're losing it."
Syd blinked.
"LOSING IT?! YOU JUST—YOU JUST—"
"Healed?" Daniel shrugged. "Yeah. That's normal."
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN NORMAL?!"
Daniel sighed.
"…You two are weird."
He raised his hand.
A portal tore open beside him.
Dark.
Swirling.
Unnatural.
"Get in."
Syd stepped back instantly.
"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!"
"A portal," Daniel replied flatly. "Now move unless you want to die."
John didn't hesitate.
He tightened his grip on Syd's hand.
"Trust me."
Before she could argue—
He stepped in.
She had no choice but to follow.
...
They landed inside a cave.
Silence.
Warm air.
Soft light glowing from the walls.
Fruits hung from vines, and small creatures wandered peacefully.
It felt…
Safe.
Too safe.
John exhaled slowly.
(Think.)
(There are supposed to be seven Commanders…)
(But only six attacked.)
(Which means—)
His eyes shifted toward Daniel.
(The seventh…)
"…is him."
"Hey," Daniel said suddenly. "Josh, right?"
"It's John," he replied. "And yeah?"
"Why'd you trust me back there?"
John paused.
Then answered casually.
"You looked like someone who wouldn't kill us immediately."
Daniel narrowed his eyes.
"…That's it?"
John smirked slightly.
"And you betrayed the Commanders."
Silence.
Daniel's expression changed.
(He knows…?)
"So," Daniel said slowly, "who exactly are you two?"
John took a breath.
Then explained.
Everything.
...
Silence filled the cave.
Then
"You can see the Demi-God too?" Daniel said.
John stiffened.
"…Yeah."
"What level are you?"
John frowned.
"…Level?"
Daniel blinked.
"…Wait. Don't tell me..."
"We're level 1."
Silence.
Then—
"WHAT?!"
Syd covered her ears.
"MY EARS....STOP SCREAMING!"
"HOW ARE YOU EVEN ALIVE?!" Daniel shouted. "LEVEL ONE?!"
"In our world," John said calmly, "there's no system. No levels."
Daniel froze.
"…Oh."
"Yeah."
"…"
"…Sorry."
John sighed.
"Just don't scream again."
"…No promises."
John rolled his eyes.
Then stepped closer.
His tone dropped.
"I know why you left the Commanders."
Daniel's smile disappeared.
In an instant—
His sword was at John's throat.
Cold.
Sharp.
Killing intent filled the air.
"I don't care who you are," Daniel said quietly. "I can kill both of you right now."
John didn't flinch.
"Then tell me," he said, locking eyes with him, "are you strong enough to defeat all six Commanders?"
A pause.
"…What?"
"To get your revenge."
Silence.
John stepped closer.
"To avenge your sister."
The air froze.
Daniel's grip tightened.
"HOW do you know that?" he growled.
Mana exploded around him.
The pressure—
Too much.
Syd collapsed.
Unconscious.
John struggled to breathe.
(He's serious…)
(Think… NOW.)
"I know… about the Book of Prophecy…" John forced out.
(I'm risking everything…)
Daniel's grip tightened on his neck.
John gasped.
"I'm… a prophet…"
Silence.
"In return…" John choked, "you join me…"
A long pause.
Then—
Daniel loosened his grip.
John dropped to the ground.
cough
cough
Daniel stared at him.
"…A prophet, huh?"
He extended his hand.
"Why didn't you say that earlier?"
John looked up.
(…This guy is insane.)
"…Slipped my mind."
Daniel smiled.
Bright.
Casual.
Like nothing just happened.
"So you mentioned a team…"
"A guild," John corrected, standing up slowly. "Where we work together."
"…And don't try to kill each other."
Daniel scratched the back of his head.
"…Yeah. My bad."
John exhaled.
(Why did I write him like this…)