I came back to Khan and caught him just finishing up beating a poor man, blatant wallet theft, no discretion. The more I saw that, the more my head shook out of frustration: *Why is he like this?* Then, it clicked: *Duh, Lee, you created him.*

I sighed and approached him, tapping his shoulder. He sprang up in fright, cursing under his breath. "Damn you, Jun! You scared the shit out of me. How do you do that?"

"Do what?" I asked, really confused.

"You're like a ghost. I don't even know you're there until you touch me. Stop doing that," he said in disgust. Then he saw the swords I was holding. "Wait—what's that?"

Here, a sword," I said, handing it to him. His eyes widened in shock.

"You actually got it?" Khan asked, astounded.

"Yeah, why?" I said nonchalantly.

"How the hell did you manage that?" He grabbed my arm, his clenching in surprise.

"I stole it.had to kill someone because of it," I said, as his look of surprise turned into one of fear.

You. you killed someone?" Khan stuttered backward, his voice shaking with pure terror, as he took slow steps backward.

"Calm down," I tried to tell him. "It was self-defense. Look at my shirt-it's torn to shreds. If you don't believe me, just say 'Reveal'."

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Suspiciously, Khan frowned. "Why? What will happen if I say it?" Despite the suspicion in his voice, he reluctantly obliged. "Reveal.

A blue window sprang up in front of him, and his eyes went wide. "Now, read what it says," I urged.

"What's this supposed to prove?" Khan asked suspiciously. "How does this show you're telling the truth?"

I shrugged. "If you don't believe me after this, you can leave. Or kill me right now."

Khan sighed defeatedly and looked to the window, reading his skills aloud: "Soul Sight, Risk Accrual, Risk Transfer, Fortune's Gamble."

Then he reached the blessings and curses: "King of Gambling, Blessing of Favor. Curse of Mistrustfulness, Curse of Repulsiveness."

Before he could launch into an angry fit over the curses, I quickly spoke up, "Look at what *Soul Sight* says."

Khan didn't hesitate this time. He read:

*[Soul Sight]* – The ability to see the purity of souls.

He fell silent, his eyes wide as he took in the meaning of the ability.

I grew impatient, snapping, "What're you waiting for?"

He gave me a glare. "I don't know how to friggin use it, dumbass."

I let out a stupidly frustrated sigh. "First, drop the screen," I said. After he did, I said, "Look at me, and concentrate. Concentrate like you're trying to see beyond me—into something more than just my body."

It was a few moments, but then his face changed as he finally saw it-or what should have been a mostly white soul. Instead, Khan looked shocked.

I responded with a concerned inquiry, "Are you okay?" My heart was beating rapidly; I wondered if he had seen anything dangerous. If he had, that would mean I would have to kill him, which would destroy my plans.

Khan finally spoke, his voice stumbling as he said, "I saw your soul. It was white. but also damaged."

Confused, I asked, "What do you mean, damaged?" I let my guard down for the moment, as curiosity overcame me.

It had cracked, like a broken mirror," he explained, his tone uneasy.

I had just stood there, shaken. "I don't know what that means," I said at last. "Perhaps we will later. But for now, can you trust me?"

Khan watched me for a long time before sighing. "Yeah. I trust you."

"Okay, good. Now we need to find a place to stay," I said.

I cut him off as he began to say something. "No, your parents' house isn't safe. You need to bring your family with us."

Khan firmly responded, "Well, my parents' house is this way."

With the sword in hand, we ran toward his home. We hadn't gotten far from where we were when I froze, stretching out my arm to stop him.

"Damn it," I muttered under my breath, my eyes slitting.

Khan followed my gaze, confusion written on his face.

I swore softly. "It's worse than Frey. it's a damn Seeker."

Things were about to get a lot more complicated.