The night in Oros City felt heavier than usual. Ren stood at the edge of the rooftop, staring down at the maze of streets below. Lantern light flickered across wet stone, shadows stretching and twisting like something alive. Behind him, Lira leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "You've been quiet," she said. Ren didn't turn. "I'm thinking." "That's dangerous." "…Yeah." Silence settled between them, but it wasn't comfortable. Not anymore. Too much had changed. Too fast.
The Alchemist Union. Black Hollow. The merchant. The man in the hood. And now—someone was watching him. Ren could feel it. Not like before. Not like fear. This was different. It was pressure.
"You're going back out tomorrow, aren't you?" Lira asked. "…Yeah." She clicked her tongue. "You just got back from something that almost killed you." "I know." "And you're still injured." "I know." "And you still don't fully control your mana." "…I know." Lira pushed off the wall and walked toward him. "Then why?" Ren finally turned. His eyes weren't uncertain anymore. "I'm running out of time."
"…Mira," she said quietly. Ren nodded. "She's getting worse." "I saw." "Then why are you taking risks instead of staying?" "Because staying won't save her." His voice was calm. Too calm. "That medicine we got?" he continued. "It slowed it. That's all." Lira clenched her fists. "…So what? You think throwing yourself into more danger will magically fix everything?" "No," Ren said. "I think it's the only option left."
Wind swept across the rooftop, cold and sharp. "I got a name," Ren said suddenly. Lira frowned. "What?" "The thing the merchant mentioned before we left." "…Black Hollow?" Ren shook his head. "No." His eyes darkened. "The place deeper than that." Lira felt it immediately. Something was wrong. "What do you mean… deeper?" Ren hesitated. Then—"The Ashen Depths."
The name hung in the air. Heavy. Dangerous. "…That sounds worse," Lira said. "It is." "And you're going?" "Yes." "Why?" Ren looked at his hand, at the faint flicker of mana that now stayed a little longer than before. "Because whatever's down there… it's connected to what's happening to me."
"…Your core?" Ren nodded. "It reacted when I got close to that shard." "And?" "And that wasn't normal." There was something new in his voice now. Not fear. Not determination. Curiosity. Dangerous curiosity. "I think… my cracked core isn't just broken." Lira didn't like that. "…Then what is it?" Ren looked back at the city. "…I think it's changing."
"…That's not good, is it?" Lira asked. Ren exhaled. "No. It's not." A faint pulse spread through his chest. Weak. But different. "I can hold mana longer now," he said. "Not much. But more than before." Lira nodded slowly. "…So you're getting stronger." "Maybe." "That's good." "…Or it's something else." She stared at him. "…You always do this." "Do what?" "Turn good things into bad things." Ren gave a faint smile. "Experience."
For a moment, it felt normal again. Then—Ren's expression changed instantly. His body tensed. "…Did you feel that?" Lira froze. "…Yeah." Someone was watching them. Again. But closer this time. Ren's eyes scanned the rooftops. Nothing. Empty. But the feeling didn't leave.
"…Show yourself," Ren said quietly. No response. Wind moved. Shadows shifted. Then—a voice. From behind. "You've grown."
Both of them spun around. A figure stood at the edge of the rooftop. Cloaked. Still. Watching. Ren's eyes narrowed. "…You." The same presence from before. "…Who are you?" Lira demanded. The figure didn't answer. Instead, they stepped forward just enough for the light to touch their face.
Ren's breath stilled. Not old. Not young. But their eyes—cold, calculating, ancient. "You're not supposed to be alive," the figure said. Lira felt a chill. "…What?" The figure ignored her. Their gaze locked onto Ren. "Your core should have killed you years ago."
Ren's heart pounded. "…Then I guess I'm unlucky." A pause. Then—the figure smiled. "No," they said softly. "You're something else." The air tightened. "What do you want?" Ren asked. The figure tilted their head slightly. "Nothing. Yet."
That word lingered. Yet. "But I will be watching," the figure continued. "Closely." Ren didn't like that. "…Why?" The figure's smile faded. "Because if what I think is true…" They turned, stepping back into the shadows. "Then you're going to change everything."
And just like that—they were gone.
Silence returned. Lira exhaled slowly. "…I don't like this." Ren didn't respond. His hand tightened, mana flickering faintly. Neither did he. Because deep down—he knew. This wasn't just about survival anymore. Something bigger had started. And he was right in the middle of it.