Betrayed in the Alley
"Aaaa! Did you two kill him?" the boss shouted through the phone.
James spoke calmly through his Bluetooth earpiece.
"Relax boss. He's not dead. We only knocked him out. A senseless injection."
"Bring him to me today!" the boss ordered. "If you delay, he might die because of you two."
"Alright, understood," James replied.
The call ended.
Hena handcuffed the thief goblin while he remained unconscious after being hit by the sleeping bullet.
James made another call.
Outside the building, two agents were waiting.
Their names were Dax and Elvine, members of the agent army.
Elvine answered immediately.
"Yes, Commander James!"
"Mission successful," James said. "Come inside and take this goblin. Make sure nothing happens to him. Deliver him safely to the boss."
He paused before continuing.
"Hena and I are leaving. Inform the boss we're going to our hometown, Scarlox. We'll return to work after one month."
"Understood, Commander," Elvine replied.
James cut the call.
Hena opened the window and looked back.
"So… shall we go, darling?"
James walked beside her and grabbed her hand.
"Yes. Let's go."
The two of them jumped out of the 40th floor window.
Their bodies fell rapidly through the air before they released each other's hands.
Hena spoke first.
"Deal of Dragon Lizbard."
Deal Accepted
Beautiful white wings like a moonlit dragon queen appeared behind her back.
She immediately started flying.
James activated his own deal.
"Deal of Dragon Glayhired."
Deal Accepted
Large black dragon wings appeared behind him, glowing slightly with purple thunder.
He flew beside Hena.
"To reach Scarlox from Zerethyra, we must travel at least 10,000 kilometers," James said.
"It will take about three days. Keep your DLMANA output low."
Hena smiled confidently.
"Don't worry, darling. I already set it to low."
She grabbed his hand and the two of them flew high into the sky toward Scarlox City.
Meanwhile…
Morning, 9 AM.
At Jeigan's house.
Jeigan suddenly woke up.
"Ugh… why does morning come so early?"
He opened his room door and walked toward the bathroom.
But when he tried to open the door—
It wouldn't open.
"Who's inside?"
From inside came his father's voice.
"It's me, son. Wait a moment. I just got in a few minutes ago."
Jeigan's eyes widened.
"What?! Dad! Hurry up! I really need to go!"
His shouting startled Sumie in the kitchen.
She ran toward him immediately.
"What happened? Why are you shouting?"
"Mom! Tell Dad to come out quickly!"
Inside the bathroom, Ruden spoke nervously.
"Son… I'm sorry, but this is also a serious matter for me. I can't come out right now. Please hold it for a bit."
"Mom I can't hold it!"
Sumie panicked.
"What should I do… what should I do…"
Then she suddenly raised her hand.
"Sorry dear… Deal of Teleporting."
Deal Accepted
She closed her eyes and aimed her hand toward the bathroom.
Inside, Ruden realized what was happening.
"Sumie! No! Don't do that!"
But it was already too late.
In an instant—
Ruden disappeared.
He was teleported into a forest bush.
Ruden opened his eyes.
"Where did she send me in this condition?!"
Meanwhile, Jeigan forced the door open with the emergency handle and rushed inside the bathroom.
"Thank you so much Mom!"
Then he paused.
"…Wait. Where's Dad?"
Sumie canceled the deal.
Deal Cancelled
She laughed awkwardly.
"Haha… I feel both sorry and amused. I don't know where I teleported him."
Jeigan stepped out of the bathroom.
"Maybe we should go find him."
"Don't worry," Sumie said. "He must have teleported somewhere nearby. He'll come back on his own."
"Now hurry up and brush your teeth. Eat breakfast and wear your uniform."
"Okay Mom."
Jeigan began brushing his teeth.
(At least no strange dream came last night. Everything should be fine.)
Sumie prepared breakfast on the table.
Suddenly—
Ruden burst inside the house, breathing heavily.
Sumie immediately bowed.
"I'm sorry!"
But Ruden grabbed her hand urgently.
"Come with me."
He pulled her into their bedroom and closed the door.
"I saw her," he said.
"Who?" Sumie asked.
Ruden's voice trembled.
"Wa… Walinsiya."
Sumie froze.
"What are you saying? Are you sure you didn't see wrong?"
"No! It was her!"
"Calm down," Sumie said. "Tell me everything."
Ruden began explaining.
"When you teleported me, I landed in a bush near Scarlox Station. Then I saw her there…"
(Past memory)
Ruden slowly peeked outside the bush.
Standing near the bus station was a tall woman wearing red clothes.
Brownish-red hair.
High heels.
It was Walinsiya.
Ruden began sweating.
(This is impossible… why is she here?)
(First Jeigan saw Jodenious in his dream… and now Walinsiya appears here…)
(Something very bad is happening.)
He quickly pulled up his pants and ran home.
(Present)
Sumie listened carefully.
"I'm scared," she whispered. "What if they are targeting our son?"
Ruden nodded seriously.
"I feel the same. We must do something before anything happens to him."
Just then—
"Mom!"
Jeigan called from outside.
Ruden and Sumie were startled.
Jeigan walked in.
"Oh Dad, you're back."
Both parents secretly sighed with relief.
Ruden gently stroked Jeigan's head.
"Son… tell me something."
"Is someone bothering you?"
"Or are you worried about something?"
Jeigan hesitated.
(Should I tell them about Jodenious?)
But he stopped himself.
"No. Everything is fine."
"If something is wrong, you can tell us," Sumie said.
Jeigan frowned slightly.
"Mom… Dad… why are you suddenly asking so many questions?"
Both parents became nervous.
"No reason," Sumie said with a forced smile.
"We just care about you."
"Yes," Ruden added. "Your mom is right."
Sumie walked toward the kitchen.
"Come eat breakfast. Otherwise you'll be late."
After breakfast, Jeigan prepared to leave.
"Mom, Dad, I'm going to the university."
"Be careful," they replied.
Jeigan started walking toward the university.
Suddenly—
Takemishi appeared from a side alley.
Jeigan immediately became nervous.
Takemishi approached him calmly.
"You're Jeigan, right?"
"I'm sorry about yesterday."
Jeigan was surprised.
"No, it's okay. You don't need to apologize."
"Please come with me," Takemishi said.
"There's a great ice cream shop in this alley. Let me treat you as an apology."
"But we'll be late for university."
"Don't worry. There's still 30 minutes before class. It will only take five minutes."
He grabbed Jeigan's hand and pulled him into the alley.
Suddenly—
Hanaume and Takemishi grabbed Jeigan tightly from both sides.
Julian stepped forward and pressed a chloroform cloth against Jeigan's nose.
Jeigan struggled.
"Mmm… let go…"
His vision slowly faded.
Everything turned dark.
He collapsed unconscious.