The orange light pierced through the glass stretching along the corridor, an old man in a butler's suit walked, the orange glow occasionally illuminating his face.
A woman's voice stopped his steps.
"Head butler! What does Master Julian want for dinner tonight?"
The head butler turned around, a smile etched on his face, the orange light shining upon it.
"Steak… just like yesterday."
The woman nodded and hurried away.
The head butler scratched his cheek, his skin peeling off to reveal thick brown scales underneath.
His scratching grew harsher.
The head butler quickened his pace, his feet carrying him to an empty storage room filled with unused items.
Orange light seeped faintly into the room, dust particles floating freely.
The head butler crouched in a dark corner, now the skin on his neck peeled, revealing thick brown scales.
A tail wriggled out.
His tongue extended, splitting at the tip.
The head butler revealed a strange symbol on the back of his left hand.
His tongue flicked several times.
The symbol glowed with a dark purple hue, thin dark mist writhing out of it.
A cold voice echoed.
"Have you found it?"
The head butler's tongue flicked several times.
"Not yet ssst… it is hidden and well guarded ssst...."
A clicking sound of a tongue was heard.
"Then why did you contact me?"
The head butler scratched his forehead, his skin peeling.
"Ssst... I can't hold back anymore ssst… may I eat that child first ssst…"
The back of his left hand burned, the smell of char filled the air. The head butler winced.
The cold voice spoke.
"Fool… you haven't even found it, yet you want to eat that child?"
The burning sensation disappeared.
"If you have the energy to eat that child under such tight security…"
A sigh was heard.
"…then use that energy to search more diligently."
The head butler scratched his face more violently, blood dripping.
His tongue flicked repeatedly.
"Ssst... send help ssst... if you want it done faster ssst…"
A sigh followed, now laced with anger.
"Do it properly, damn it! There's only one week left until the trial. You must find it before then!"
The head butler's eyes turned reptilian.
"Ssst… understood ssst…"
His eyes narrowed.
"ssst... But if I fail ssst… I will kill them all ssst…"
The thin dark mist vanished along with the symbol.
The head butler stood up, his steps heading toward the exit, his tail swaying, his tongue flicking, blood still dripping from his face and brown scales still visible beneath his peeling skin.
The head butler grabbed the doorknob.
As he stepped out and closed the door, the scales and blood vanished, his eyes returned to human, and his tongue no longer flicked or split.
—
The orange light pierced through the glass in a room.
A cold sigh was heard.
A man with neatly combed black hair leaned back in his chair, his golden eyes bathed in orange light as he stared at the glass.
The man brushed his hair back, a strange symbol visible on the back of his left hand, slowly fading away.
He massaged his forehead.
In the silence of the room, a cold voice was heard.
"That lizard… he's too foolish."
The man covered half his face with his left hand.
His shadow on the floor slowly writhed.
A black face with red eyes revealed itself.
"How… much… longer…?"
The golden-eyed man sighed.
"One more week…"
The black face writhed, a foul stench filling the room.
"Too… long… too… long…"
The golden-eyed man scoffed.
"Don't blame me. Blame your incompetent contractor."
The room trembled.
"If… the timing… is off… even… by a day…"
The black face grinned widely.
"…I… will… kill… your… family… and…"
The golden-eyed man was about to respond, but suddenly his eyes widened, his gaze shifting to the door.
BANG
The door burst open, and a girl with long black hair and golden eyes slowly stepped in.
Her brows furrowed as she entered. She sniffed and covered her nose.
Her eyes narrowed.
"Father! It smells like something died in here! Where's the scent of flowers?!"
She looked at her father, orange light illuminating her back, her golden eyes shining, a smile forming on her face.
A warm voice spoke.
"Seems like something did die…"
Her father looked at her.
"What is it, Mira?"
Mira swallowed, looking at her father bathed in orange light.
She lowered her head slightly.
"Um… um…"
Mira looked at her father, a bright smile forming.
"Can I ask for something?"
Her father's eyes narrowed.
"What is it?"
Mira pretended to stroke her chin, smiling brightly.
"The Flower of Life and Death! I want it!"
Her father sighed.
"Is it for research?"
Mira nodded enthusiastically, pleading cutely.
"Please! Please!"
Her father massaged his forehead.
"That's in the Golden Desert, right?"
Mira nodded.
"Yes! Near the beastman territory!"
Her father leaned back.
"Alright… just order it."
Mira jumped in excitement, wanting to kiss her father, but he told her to leave.
As she walked out, her father asked.
"Aren't you visiting Julian?"
Mira stopped and thought.
"Maybe this weekend? I'll go before the trial with Eve and Arthur."
Her father nodded.
Mira walked out and closed the door.
She leaned against it, swallowing hard.
Her chest rose and fell, her breath tight, sweat dripping from her forehead.
'What is that smell?'
Mira scratched her forehead and walked away.
'What did I hear earlier? Father sounded like he was talking to someone…'
Mira scratched her temple, goosebumps rising as she recalled her father bathed in orange light, his golden eyes shining and that wide smile directed at her.
Her steps carried her to the backyard garden.
Her gaze lowered, the cooling wind brushing her black hair.
Mira slowly looked up at the sky turning dark.
A breath escaped her lips.
Mira stood silently in the garden, until the night sky fully revealed itself.
The night sky grew clearer, the moonlight becoming the brightest in the darkness.
A cold wind blew, carrying grains of sand.
A simple city was illuminated by the moon, and to the south, an endless desert stretched.
On one of the streets, a black-haired boy coughed after accidentally inhaling sand.
"Cough cough…"
A brown-haired girl beside him giggled.
"Serves you right, liar!"
The boy took a breath and looked at the dark red-haired girl.
"Hey, Katarina! Shouldn't we buy clothes first?"
Katarina sighed.
She looked at the two boys and one girl.
"Then I'll go with Reva, and you go with Ken."
Ken raised his hand.
"I don't want to go with Alex, he'll drag me into the desert without realizing it…"
Alex chuckled and slung an arm around Ken.
"Come on, friend… we can have some fun."
Ken looked at Alex with distrust.
Katarina massaged her forehead.
"Go for one hour, then we'll look for lodging and a guide."
Alex saluted and dragged Ken away.
After an hour, Alex and Ken returned first.
Alex had changed all his black clothes into a white tunic and a loose white robe covering his entire body, along with a face covering and hood.
Ken did the same, though his long black hair was now tied more neatly.
Alex looked at Ken and smiled.
"How is it, friend? Katarina will definitely like it…"
Ken didn't respond, his mouth agape. Alex raised an eyebrow and followed his gaze.
There, Katarina was walking, her black boots looking large on her feet, her loose beige pants matching her long-sleeved shirt, a white scarf wrapped around her neck.
As she walked toward Alex and Ken, the wind blew her dark red hair, strands covering her face, but her blue eyes remained unwavering.
Step by step, she captivated everyone.
Occasional murmurs were heard.
Alex glanced around at the reactions as Katarina walked, but it didn't last long as people quickly looked away.
Alex clicked his tongue.
"I told her to disguise herself… but that girl refuses."
Alex looked back at Ken, slung an arm around him, and turned him away as Ken resisted, unwilling to lose sight of Katarina.
Alex whispered.
"Hey, friend… don't be that mesmerized."
Ken swallowed.
"How can I not be? She's that stunning."
Alex chuckled.
"You like her that much?"
Ken nodded enthusiastically.
"Want me to teach you how to approach her?"
Ken narrowed his eyes.
"Have you ever dated?"
Alex smiled and nodded proudly.
Krystal's laughter echoed in Alex's head.
'Hahaha this lunatic, he never even dated in his previous world.'
Alex replied internally.
'Ssst the coach doesn't play, friend…'
Krystal clicked her tongue.
Ken pressed Alex, who remained silent.
"Have you really dated? Aren't you a bookworm?"
Alex's brow twitched as he pointed at Ken.
"What's the difference between a bookworm and a normal person, bastard…"
Before Ken could ask further, Katarina's voice interrupted.
"What are you doing?"
They immediately turned.
Alex pointed at Ken.
"He said you're beautiful…"
Ken smiled awkwardly, almost hitting Alex.
Katarina looked at Ken.
Ken scratched his head.
"You're very beautiful, Katarina…"
Katarina shrugged, looking at her outfit.
"I'm dressed like a man though…"
Reva appeared behind her and clicked her tongue.
"Ck ck ck look at you people, why are you dressed more eye-catching than a woman?"
Reva pushed aside Alex's robe to peek.
One of her eyebrows rose.
"Look at this. Why do you look like you're wearing a dress, and why is everything white?"
Reva brushed her short brown hair and looked at Alex.
"Can you even move, madam?"
A laugh almost escaped Alex.
"At least I can beat you up in this outfit."
Reva scoffed.
Alex chuckled at her.
"Look at yourself, are you a treasure hunter or what?"
Reva wore the same boots as Katarina, dark green cargo pants, a beige long-sleeved shirt, and goggles resting on her head.
A quarrel broke out between Alex and Reva as they mocked each other's outfits.
Katarina sighed and looked at Ken.
"Let's go, Ken. Leave these two idiots."
Ken nodded enthusiastically.
The two of them slowly walked away.
Alex struggled as Reva wrapped her arm around his neck.
Reva looked around and noticed Katarina and Ken were already far ahead.
"Princess! Wait for me!"
Reva released him and ran.
Alex watched her go, took a deep breath, and rubbed his neck.
"That short fuse is getting stronger…"
Alex followed them.
Katarina led them to a more secluded place.
The road grew narrower and darker. The crowd gradually disappeared.
Katarina stopped in front of an old building.
Alex looked at it.
He swallowed.
The building looked dark and abandoned from the outside.
Above it was written:
'Three Bee Brothers Inn'
One of Alex's eyebrows rose.
"What are we doing here?"
Katarina used her scarf to cover her face.
"We'll stay here…"
Alex sighed.
"Are you kidding? Where's the five-star hotel?!"
Katarina, her face half-covered, looked at Alex.
Her blue eyes emitted seriousness.
"You come with me. Reva and Ken stay outside for now."
Reva was about to protest, but Katarina had already walked toward the entrance.
Alex clicked his tongue and followed.
Katarina grabbed the wooden door and pushed it open, a creaking sound echoed, and a blinding light shocked Alex's eyes.
Sreeet
Katarina closed the door behind them, leaving Ken and Reva outside.
Inside the old building, bright light filled the room, tables clean from dust and any living presence, and a long bar table stretched ahead.
Behind it sat two bald men with antennae on their heads, looking identical.
Alex's eyes widened—it was his first time seeing humans with antennae.
'Are those beastmen?'
Krystal's voice responded.
'Yes…'
Alex swallowed.
'Activate your ability, Krystal.'
Krystal didn't respond, but text slowly formed above the two bald men.
'Sahir al-nahl'
'Samir al-nahl'
Sahir, on the right from Alex's view, spoke first.
"What do you need?"
Katarina answered without hesitation.
"Lodging and a guide."
One of Sahir's eyebrows rose.
"Where are you going?"
Katarina took a breath.
"The Golden Desert, to find the Flower of Life and Death…"
Samir, who had been silent, laughed.
"Hahaha… are you insane? If you want to go there, this isn't the place…"
Samir pointed somewhere.
"Go to the Death Seeker Guild over there!"
Katarina chuckled.
Alex picked his ear.
Sahir continued calmly.
"Sorry, we can't guide you there. We only guide for tourism."
Katarina raised an eyebrow.
"What if information about Komodo's location becomes a consideration?"
Sahir and Samir's eyes widened.
Samir shot up from his seat, two pairs of transparent wings appearing from his back, reflecting light, vibrating rapidly.
Samir flew toward Katarina, and from a smart bracelet on his hand, a rapier appeared.
Katarina didn't move at all.
Samir didn't stop—he lunged forward, attempting to stab Katarina.
Alex clicked his tongue and stepped in front of her.
His first soul core made his body tremble, signaling danger.
Katarina whispered.
"It's poison…"
Alex chuckled.
A light appeared in his palm. The Changing Sword manifested.
Alex channeled his mana, the Changing Sword transforming into a large shield protecting both him and Katarina.
Samir's poisoned rapier clashed against the shield.
Cling
Alex's hand trembled.
Alex grinned widely, behind the shield, his eyes locking with Samir's.
"You'll regret it if you know who she is."
Sahir, who had been watching, finally stood up, looking at Alex and Katarina.