One week passed and I recovered enough to move myself. We meet Uncle Kasler and Eric in a camp near Piear City, their gazes stab us from afar.
Around a campfire, my siblings nervously sit with my mother. The sight of my father lights up their eyes.
"Dad!" They say in unison and run to my father, who embraces his children.
"D-Dear...you are alive..." My trembling mother slowly walks towards my father covering her mouth. Tears roll down her eyes as she throws her hands over my father.
"Thank goodness..." My father says. "Everyone is alright...Thank you very much, brothers."
Uncle Kasler and Eric, both holding their swords tightly to their chest, stare at us with pity and regret. The silence says a thousand words.
"Considering our relationship, this is as far as we can help you. There's a carriage and a horse parked behind those trees." Eric says and points in a direction. "We are honourable knights of the kingdom. The next time we meet, we will be enemies."
My father stares solemnly back and nods. "May your life be blessed with prosperity and happiness."
My mother pulls me towards her and wraps her arms around my body. "Silly boy, do you know how worried I was." She tries to pat my head but is hindered by the difference in height. I smile and lower myself to return her hug.
Uncle Kasler and Eric quietly leave as the touching atmosphere unfolds.
"Sorry, Mom, wait a moment." I chase after both of them.
"Uncles," I say. They stop and look at me. I bow to them. "Thank you very much. This isn't much but please take this."
I hand them a small pouch.
...
Uncle Kasler initially refuses but Uncle Eric takes it without hesitation, desiring some payment for their tainted honour. However, he freezes when he notices the content.
"Elixirs?! Five vials of it!?" He shoots his gaze at me. "You stole this?"
"No, I got it legitimately...although I don't have any proof."
"..."
Uncle Eric slowly shifts his gaze to the ground.
I bow at them. "I will never forget this."
Both turn their back on me, slowly walking away.
Uncle Kasler stops momentarily. "Stay safe, kid."
His brother spares no time to get on his horse and ride away.
I nod at Uncle Kasler. He replies with a warm smile and mounts his horse.
"Hiya!"
Galloping echoes through the forest, getting further and softer.
...
Murderous intent?! From behind!
I run back to my family to find my mother confronting Snow. Her eyes bore into Snow, sending even shivers down my spine. Snow instinctively steps back from the unknown danger, confused by the foreign emotion.
"Dear, who is this?" Her voice is low, almost a whisper, every word attached with sharp edges.
"Let me explain! She is the saviour of Loi and me, a former captive at the Royal Prison. Without her, we wouldn't be here in one piece," my father swiftly explains with precision.
"Ah...I see." My mother instantly reverts. "In that case, I thank you very much, ma'am."
"O-Okay..." Snow replies.
...
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I decide to spend the night with my family. It's been a while since everyone is together. Lee sits on my lap and whispers to my ears "Brother...what's happening? Mom and Dad won't say anything."
"We are moving to our new home. That's all."
"New home? Why? What about my friends at the Capital?" Lee asks, sulking.
"...We...will visit them in the future, don't worry."
He sighs.
!
"Ah! Lee is hogging Loi!" Mane points out. Mane rushes to my side and clashes, tumbling us on the ground.
Christina joins in on the light tantrum. She leans over and looks at my face. "Are you okay?" She asks softly.
I smile. "Ugh...yeah."
Their shenanigans force a few laughs out of my parents. I hope this moment lasts forever.
...
Later at night, my siblings fall asleep in the carriage. My parents prepare to set off at the veil of midnight to avoid eyes. I get off the carriage and head to my father tending to the horses and my mother inspecting the carriage.
"They are asleep," I say.
My father nods.
"I'm glad to have both of you back." My mother says. She stops what she is doing. Her gaze fixated on the ground. "Each passing day, I fear the inevitable. I..."
My father looks at my mother and walks to her, hugging her from behind. "I'm sorry...but it's alright now. We are together."
...
I sigh with clenched fists.
"Dad, Mom, there is somewhere I need to be. Please head over to Icaris first."
"What?!" My mother exclaims. "We just got together as a family and now you want to leave again?"
I lock eyes with my mother and replies "I have some unfinished business. I'm sorry."
She furrows her brows and clicks her tongue. Looking away, she blurts "Then fuck off."
I know my mother meant no harm. She was constantly in a web of confusion, anxiety, and sadness during the long absence of my father and me.
But it has to be done.
"The Iron Peak Range? It's quite far, how will you get there?" My father asks.
"By foot."
...My father nods and grasps my shoulders. My body flinches from a sudden pain. His grip is trembling.
"Stay safe, son."
"I will...In the meantime, protect our family."
I walk a little before leaping off. Every movement brings pain.
"Are you okay? Moving this much after barely recovering will root a permanent damage," Morja suddenly breaks the silence.
"Yeah. For you to suddenly speak, what do you want?"
...
"You are eligible to learn my techniques now. You will need it if you want to assassinate Zepdas in the future."
"...Explain the theory on the way."
================
Three days later...
================
For several years, a Martial Master eluded the eyes of many other Martial Masters after he determined their plans flawed. Thorough investigation through those years finally deduced the traitor to be hiding within The Iron Peak Range.
A camp is erected at the burnt soils of the old Lorain.
Zepdas sits inside a tent, sighing as he gazes at the floor with his body slouched over. A few days ago, his superiors reprimanded him for using a Martial Artist to wipe out Lorain, potentially exposing their identity to numerous figures that can disrupt the grandiose scheme.
As punishment, Zepdas was sent to capture Hajin Namgung within the mountains with his troops. However, anyone can tell the true purpose beneath the facade. Zepdas was sent to test the waters. Frankly, he knows he has no chance of capturing someone even his superiors can't. It is an execution.
"Damn it..." Zepdas rubs his face with his hands. "I'm threatening an utter and complete victory huh...they don't understand how dangerous that boy is."
His sources gave Zepdas a profound understanding of the situation. Icaris Kingdom was crafted from centuries of war, consuming many small kingdoms to build the largest human empire. The Martial Masters took reins of the kingdom in the shadows ten years ago. Now, a growing rebellion union is threatening their authoritarian rule, focusing many of the Martial Master's manpower on Icaris. They fear the situation will grow worse if people notice the existence of them within neighbouring kingdoms.
In addition, his superiors caught onto Zepdas' suspicious activity. He investigated the Martial Masters' movements and intent.
Zepdas scratches his tilted head resting on his palm. He rocks his chair back and forth as his train of thoughts runs amok.
"It makes no sense..." Zepdas mumbles. "Their true goal is a complete migration to this world? What does that mean?"
In the corner of his eyes, he notices the shadow under a table at the corner of the tent moving slightly.
?
"Wha-"
*PSSSH!!!*
A matter devoid of light pierces through his chest from behind, throwing blood across the tent.
"H-Huh...?"
He falls forward off the chair, grasping the hole in his body. Zepdas looks back while expecting to see red hair. Reality takes Zepdas aback to discover me. Half of my body sinks into the shadow of the chair he sat in. My aura monopolizes the darkness, reigning in control of nature.
"Y-You...why...is that technique..." Zepdas attempts to speak as he pulls himself away. His futile struggle against inevitable demise fills empty.
"No...I..." Zepdas lets out his final words and his body slams to the ground. In his final moments, his eyes are fixated on me, burning the image of his killer into his soul.
Why am I using the Martial Master's best assassin's technique? Did the organisation sent me?
None of those matters anymore. Zepdas, a mere pawn with great ambitions, died a dog's death.
By pure coincidence, I met Zepdas sooner than expected coming to The Iron Peak Range.
I stare at the corpse solemnly. To think someone like this killed me father. I descend to absorb the demonic mana spewing out.
...I did it. I achieved my revenge.
I feel empty. Unsatisfied. He was the starting cause of my family's downfall and I gave him mercy, a swift death.
Futility and sadness is all that remains.
No, I made the right choice. Leaving him alive to "torture" him later may bite back. My true goal is to escape the fate laid out for my family.
----------
You have killed the fuel of the wheel of destiny, changing the course of the future.
Fate:530722->630722
Karma:300299->100201
----------
The panel reassured my conscience, I might've saved many lives by killing this bastard early.