Liuke finally returned to his hotel room after the sushi.
"Today actually turned out… surprisingly good," he muttered.
He sank onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.
"I thought I'd be eating alone and falling asleep, but it didn't happen."
"Elysia said she's a priestess at the Solaryn Temple…"
He hesitated. "Should I go there tomorrow?"
"But… will it be too weird if I just show up?"
He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts.
"Forget it. I'll just sleep now."
"Or else I'll have to go there half-asleep tomorrow. Hahaha."
This time, Liuke fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
It was as if the previous dream had been a final message—an urging to find a real connection.
Morning came.
Liuke yawned and stretched his sore muscles.
"Alright, let's get ready quickly… then I'll head to the temple."
Two hours later, at 10 AM, he was ready to go.
But as he stepped outside, he spotted a familiar figure.
Klane was waiting right by his hotel.
"Klane? What are you doing here?" Liuke exclaimed.
"Brother, we haven't seen each other in two days," she said cheerfully.
"I thought I should come meet you."
Liuke froze mid-word. "But… Klane, today isn't—"
"Why, brother? Are you hiding something from me?"
She narrowed her eyes, teasing him.
"No, no… I was just thinking of going to the temple," Liuke replied sheepishly.
"If it's the temple, then I'm coming with you, brother Liuke," she said firmly.
"Klane, you don't need to come. What would you even do there with me?"
"Oh… so now you're a private, busy person hiding things from me?"
She pouted. "No worries, I'll leave then."
"Wait! Don't be mad… I'll take you with me. Stop pouting," Liuke said with a reluctant grin.
"Hahaha, I knew you hadn't forgotten this little girl, brother," Klane giggled.
Liuke sighed, defeated.
"Alright, then. Let's go without any more drama."
Together, they walked toward the Solaryn Temple.
Inside, the air was heavy with incense and quiet whispers.
Liuke guided Klane to the massive statue of the Sun God, Solaryn.
"Let's pray," he whispered.
They knelt together. Liuke closed his eyes and began:
"O Lord of the Eternal Sun, whose light chases away every shadow…"
"Guide my path and fill my heart with your radiance."
After finishing, Liuke scanned the room.
He noticed Elysia nearby, deeply focused in meditation.
"Klane… I have some important business now," he whispered.
"I need to talk to the priestess over there."
Klane smirked knowingly.
"Ah… I see. You like her, brother Liuke."
"No! That's not what you think," he stammered, his ears turning red.
"Really? Your flushed face says otherwise," Klane teased, stepping back.
Liuke sighed. "Alright… stay here while I talk to her."
"Good luck," Klane said softly. "I hope it works out with her."
Liuke walked toward Elysia, but paused when he overheard two other priestesses whispering.
"She's new… arrived just a month ago," one said.
"But she's incredibly dedicated. Been here since 4 AM till evening every day."
"That's extraordinary devotion to Solaryn," the other replied.
Liuke hesitated, then approached Elysia anyway.
"Hey, Elysia!" he called softly.
One of the priestesses quickly cautioned him.
"Don't disturb her. She's in deep meditation. You must wait until evening."
Liuke nodded and slowly returned to Klane.
"Hey, Klane… it didn't work. She's in deep prayer. She won't be out till evening."
"I'm not waiting that long," Klane said.
"I'm going home if you're not talking to her."
"Fine… your choice," Liuke replied.
He stepped outside and sat down, waiting patiently for Elysia to finish.
"Seriously… do I have to sit here all day?" he muttered.
"Fighting ice monsters was so much more fun than this."
Two hours passed. Suddenly, his phone buzzed in his pocket.
"A message?" he muttered. "From who?"
It was Commander Elvis.
Liuke frowned. "Why now? Didn't firing me give them peace?"
He read a portion of the urgent message and set his phone down, his expression hardening.
"What… do they think I'm a servant?"
By 6 PM, the sun began to set, and Elysia finally emerged from the temple.
"There she is!" Liuke stood up quickly. "Elysia!!"
She turned, looking surprised. "Liuke… I didn't expect to see you here."
"I was just passing by and thought I'd meet you," he lied.
"I heard a voice like yours this afternoon… maybe it was just my imagination," she said shyly.
"Yeah… must've been your imagination," Liuke laughed awkwardly.
Then, his phone rang again.
"One moment, an important call," he said.
He noticed the caller ID: Commander Elvis.
Stepping aside, he finally answered.
"Foolish boy! Why haven't you answered the messages? This is urgent!"
"An ice monster is heading straight for the Solaryn Temple, Sunspire Quarter!"
Liuke's eyes went wide.
He turned around—and his breath caught in his throat.
Behind Elysia, a massive Ice Monster had appeared from the shadows.
It was nearly ten feet tall.
Its skin was smooth, pale, and entirely made of ice.
A jagged spike protruded from its skull, and its entire body shimmered like frozen steel.
"Elysia! GET DOWN!" Liuke shouted, panic surging through him.
But it was too late.
The spike on the monster's head moved with blinding speed.
It pierced straight through her, impaling her body.
"Noooo!!" Liuke screamed.
Fury and helplessness boiled inside him like a volcano.
He clenched his hands, summoning every last ounce of power he had left.
His left hand gripped his right, which began to harden like a solid metal rod.
It glowed with the intense, white-hot heat of the sun itself.
"I won't let you get away with this," he growled.
His eyes were no longer human—they were blazing with molten light.