Weeks passed.
Time moved differently within the shadows measured not in days, but in silence, recovery… and the weight of what was lost.
And then , Alaric woke.
The ceiling above him came into focus slowly, blurred at the edges like a memory struggling to return. His body felt heavier than before, yet… stable.
Alive.
A quiet breath escaped his lips.
"…So I'm not dead."
A faint voice answered immediately.
"Not yet."
Alaric turned his head slightly.
Jacob stood beside him stronger than before, posture steadier, presence sharper. Behind him, Alexander leaned against the wall, arms crossed, while Selina stood near the window, her expression unreadable.
For a moment…
No one spoke.
Then Alaric smiled faintly.
"You've gotten stronger, Jacob."
Jacob blinked, surprised for a second… then smiled back, a bit awkwardly.
"I've been training. Constantly. Pushing harder each time."
A pause then he added, almost teasing:
"Did you forget? You said you were always watching me."
Alaric's smile faded slightly.
"…I remember."
Silence settled again.
Heavier this time.
Alexander shifted his stance, his usual composure faltering just enough to be noticed.
"…Do you know about Valerian?" he asked, his voice lower than usual.
Alaric didn't hesitate.
"I know."
The room tightened.
His gaze hardened cold, focused.
"And I won't let it pass without consequence."
Selina stepped forward immediately.
"Alaric… do you even understand what's happening?" she said, her tone sharper than before. "The Leader has already issued orders. The Hashashin are on their way to the city."
Alaric frowned.
"…What?"
A brief pause.
"Why involve them in this?"
Selina shook her head slightly.
"You know the answer."
A beat.
"No one understands how he thinks… but he's never wrong."
Alexander exhaled slowly.
"The Right Hand wants to see you. Orion will send the location."
Alaric looked down for a moment.
"…I can already guess what he'll say."
Then he lifted his gaze again.
"But let's hear it anyway."
Selina crossed her arms.
"Alaric… remember this. The Leader made it clearno one interferes in the matter of the Devil's Party."
A pause.
"We leave it… to the Hashashin."
Alaric let out a quiet breath.
"Yeah… yeah. I got it."
But his tone said otherwise.
Alaric turned his head toward Alexander.
"What about you?"
Alexander pushed himself off the wall.
For a moment, the light caught his figure his long red hair falling like strands of fire, veins faintly visible along his face, his expression sharpened by determination.
"I'm training," he said firmly.
A pause.
"I'm breaking into Elite Tier."
The air shifted slightly.
"…And I'll refine the Nafs system."
Alaric raised an eyebrow.
"Oh… that's impressive."
A faint smirk.
"Good luck with that."
Alexander didn't smile back.
"I won't need luck."
Selina turned toward the door.
"…We should go."
Alexander nodded once.
They left.
Silence returned.
Only Jacob remained.
Alaric looked at him for a long moment Studying him , Measuring something unseen.
Then.
"It looks like the Right Hand is going to assign me a mission."
A pause.
"You're coming with me."
Jacob froze.
"…Me?"
Confusion crossed his face.
"But… why me?"
Alaric stood slowly, his body still adjusting, but his presence already returning to what it once was.
"To gain experience," he said simply.
A step closer.
"To become stronger."
Jacob hesitated.
"…Is that all?"
Alaric stopped.
For a brief second Something passed through his eyes , Uncertainty?
No.
Something deeper.
He looked away slightly.
"…Maybe."
A pause , Long enough to matter Then quietly :
"…Or maybe it's because what's coming…"
His voice dropped.
"…will require more than just strength."
Jacob didn't respond But for the first time , He felt it.
Not fear.
Not doubt.
Something else.
Something heavier , As if the path ahead wasn't just dangerou…but inevitable.
The next day
The room was silent… too silent , Alaric stood near the center, his body still recovering, yet his presence remained unshaken. The faint glow of his gray aura flickeredunstable, restrained He knew This was not a meeting This was a judgment A shift in the air Then A voice.
"You took longer than expected to recover."
Alaric didn't turn immediately He didn't need to.
"…I've been in worse situations," he replied coldly.
From the shadows at the far end of the room, a figure emerged slow, deliberate , A long black garment Face concealed , Presence… erased , And yet Oppressive The Right Hand.
"Your definition of *worse* is… limited."
A pause.
Measured.
"Drago is dead."
"Valerian is dead."
Each word landed like a blade.
Alaric's jaw tightened but he said nothing.
"And Jacob…"
A slight shift in tone.
"…is no longer merely a variable."
Now Alaric turned His eyes locked onto the faceless figure.
"Then say it clearly," he said, voice low.
"Why am I here?"
The Right Hand stepped closer Not a single sound from his movement.
"Because you failed."
No anger , No judgment Just truth , A long silence followed Then.
"And because… you are still useful."
Alaric let out a faint breath. Almost a laugh.
"Useful…" he repeated. "That's generous."
"Do not confuse usefulness with value."
The words were immediate , Precise.
"You allowed emotion to interfere."
"You broke formation."
"You prioritized individuals… over outcome."
Alaric's eyes darkened.
"And yet I'm still alive," he replied.
"That is not a success."
A step closer The air grew heavier.
"That is… unfinished failure."
A brief silence Then.
"Jacob will leave the city tonight."
That changed everything.
Alaric's gaze sharpened instantly.
"…With who?"
"With you."
A pause.
"And no one else."
The Right Hand raised his hand slightly From the shadows, a small device slid across the floor stopping at Alaric's feet Coordinates Movement patterns Unknown territory.
"You will escort him beyond the city limits."
"There… you will wait."
Alaric frowned.
"Wait for what?"
A pause Long enough to feel intentional.
"For what comes next."
Alaric's voice dropped.
"…temple knights?"
"Perhaps."
Another pause.
"Perhaps worse."
Alaric stepped forward now Not aggressive , But not submissive either.
"You're sending me out there with the most important target… alone," he said.
"You either trust me…"
A beat.
"…or you want to see me fail."
Silence , Then The Right Hand tilted his head slightly.
"Trust… is irrelevant."
A step closer Now they stood face to face.
"You once said"
A pause And then.
"Emotions are not weakness…"
Alaric's eyes widened slightly.
"…they are power."
The air froze.
"Now prove it."
The Right Hand turned away , Conversation over.
"Protect him… if you can."
A slight pause.
Almost… imperceptible.
"Or use him… if you must."
Alaric's voice came out colder than before:
"…And if I do neither?"
Silence Then Without turning .
"Then you will confirm… that you were never worth keeping."
The shadows shifted And just like that He was gone.
Alaric stood alone.
The device still at his feet.
The mission clear.
The weight… heavier than ever He closed his eyes for a brief second , Then whispered "…Jacob."
A pause.
"…Let's see what you really are."