Things got tense in the Roobóleo guild after that mysterious phone call. No one wanted Candado to meet this guy Nelson, but they didn't dare tell him not to go. They were afraid it might sound like an order, and Candado doesn't like orders, especially from the people giving them. That could make him angry, and that terrified the group. It was clear this could be a trap, but this was Candado, "The boy who feels no pain," at least that's what his enemies called him, and that name said it all. Who would confront someone unafraid of being hurt? It's downright eerie. But there was also the possibility that it could be dangerous. Candado had been in grave danger twice before with mercenaries and the Circuits. So, they gathered the courage to tell him because their friend's life was at stake.

"Candado, are you sure about going there with an unknown individual?" asked German.

"Yes, I am," affirmed Candado.

"Even if he seems like an assassin paid by the Circuits or any other agency?" inquired Hector.

Even more so, as it would be interesting," Candado said with a hint of a smile.

"Even if it's dangerous?" asked Hammya.

"Of course," Candado reassured.

"Even if they kill you, and I end up in charge to tear you apart while dead, so I can sell your organs and make a lot of money selling them at a higher price to the Circuits for them to use as trophies?"

"Matlotsky... shut up, because nothing intelligent ever comes out of your mouth when you talk," said Candado. He continued, "I don't know why you all worry so much. If something goes wrong, I promise to call you. Don't cringe or fret too much about it."

Shortly after, he left the guild and headed to his favorite restaurant to meet the guy named Nelson, passing through the forest and pathways, looking at the cloudless sky and thinking that it had rained yesterday. That's how strange the Chaco's weather is. As he walked, Tinbari appeared and started asking questions.

"Is it alright with you?"

"Alright with what?"

"To follow this path, remember that you don't know it, and it's more likely that he'll try to kill you. It could lead to your own death or something worse."

"Worse? Double death?"

"I'm serious, Candado. It might be dangerous, and I'd have to help you in a prominent danger."

"Prominent, you say? What can one person do to me? Nothing, absolutely nothing."

Amidst the argument, Candado didn't realize that, the more he spoke, the closer he got to the restaurant until, in the blink of an eye, he was at the door.

"So fast, I didn't even notice."

"Are you sure about going ahead?"

"I already told you, pay more attention," Candado said rudely.

"Hah, suit yourself. Good luck... kid," Tinbari said mockingly as he disappeared.

"Oh, shut up and leave it to me."

When he entered the restaurant, it was empty, no customers. Candado didn't find this noteworthy, so he went to the table where he always sat, waiting for that guy.

Waiting there was boring for him, and no one attended to him until the waiter Luan passed by, whom Candado disliked because he had told him his way of serving customers was cretinous.

"Service, please."

Luan stopped and looked at Candado.

"I'm busy; there are many customers here," Luan said irritably.

"Listen to me, redhead, there's no one, I'm the only one here."

"Sorry, I'm busy."

"With whom are you busy? There's no one."

"For you, there's no one; for me, there are many people," Luan said arrogantly.

"Oh, really? Look at that, so the mister doesn't care about my money, but he cares about imaginary money. I didn't know you, Luan, were schizophrenic. Is that why you dropped out of school?"

Upon hearing this, Luan got so annoyed that he left the restaurant with the tray in hand, saying:

"Let God attend to you, idiot."

As Luan left, a jovial laugh approached Candado from behind.

"You're a bit rough with people, don't you think?" the voice said amidst laughter.

Candado turned around.

"Excuse me? And who are you?" Candado asked.

"Me? I'm the one who called you on the phone."

"You're Nelson?"

"Exactly, Candado, I'm the one who summoned you to this place," he said as he sat at the same table as Candado.

The Nelson in front of him was an elderly gentleman with blue eyes, a small scar on his chin, white hair due to old age with still brown sideburns, a white handlebar mustache, wearing a white laboratory coat similar to the one Lucas wears, a light blue shirt with a black tie, brown formal pants, and shoes of the same color. He used a wooden cane with a diamond sphere on top.

"Hello, young man."

"I came here to find out who killed my grandfather, not to have coffee and talk about unimportant things. Now tell me, who was it?"

"You're just like your grandfather, same clothing, same beret, but he didn't wear those white gloves; they were brown."

"Wait, did you know my grandfather?" Candado asked, surprised.

"I was his best friend when he was your age, and I continued to be until now."

"Then tell me, if you really are his best friend, how is it possible that I heard about you from him?"

"Well, that's because Alfred always used an animal pseudonym and mentioned a 'yarará' when telling you his adventures, right?"

At that moment, Candado began to remember all the stories his grandfather used to tell him when he was little. The story was always repetitive in terms of characters; they were always the same: the red lion, the turtle, the armadillo, the dove, the rooster, the lynx, the rhea, and the yarará. They were always the heroes in Candado's grandfather's tales, and they were the same animals that fought against an evil hawk. For Candado, this was very strange, as only three people in the world knew that story: Candado, Gabriela (deceased), and his mother.

"How do you know that?" Candado asked, slowly and carefully bringing his hand to his back, gripping his facón.

"Because I was the one who gave him that idea, although he created the animals he mentioned, not me."

"How can I know that you are who you claim to be?" Candado asked, still with his hand on his facón.

"If you don't believe me, then I'll have to give you proof. When Alfred gave you his beret, he whispered something in your ear, right?"

"Yes, it's true," said Candado, slowly drawing his facón from its sheath.

"He told you, 'Happy birthday, my violet gaucho.' Then he placed his beret on your head. I know because he told me himself over the phone," he said with a smile on his face.

Upon hearing this, Candado sheathed his facón again and, to disguise it, pulled a piece of gum from his pocket with a fake smile and raised eyebrows.

"Great, you are who you say you are because when he told me this, we were alone."

Just then, the younger sister of Luan and Siro, Susana, the waitress, came by to take their orders.

"Do you want anything to drink?" Susana asked.

"Yes, I'd like a chacolí, please."

"Alright, and you, Candado?" Susana asked.

"Nothing, thanks," said Candado, adjusting his beret but with a cold expression on his face.

"I'll be right back," Susana said with a smile.

Afterward, the waitress went back to the kitchen.

"Chacolí? Are you Chilean by any chance?"

"No, I'm Argentine, but I like chacolí."

"Well, you've shown me evidence that you truly were my grandfather's friend, but what were you as a child?"

"I was part of the Roobóleo guild; I was vice president as a child and a member of the W.O.G.A.B. or Bernstein Organization," said Nelson as he showed his badge to Candado.

"Well, it's a bit faded, but it's clear evidence. Now tell me, who killed my grandfather?"

"Your grandfather's death is related to this," said Nelson as he slid a silver hawk into Candado's hands.

"Agents," he said with disgust.

"Do you know them? That makes this simpler."

"Is there a connection?"

"Yes, it's related because this badge belongs to a man named Greg."

"Greg? Did he kill my grandfather?"

"Yes, I'm sure it was him, but he wasn't alone; there were like three more people with him, one of them was underage."

At that moment, waitress Susana came with Nelson's chacolí wine.

"Here you go, sir," Susana said as she uncorked the bottle and then left.

Nelson grabbed the bottle and, instead of pouring it into the glass he had on the side, he decided to drink directly from the bottle.

"Would you mind showing a bit more manners?" said an unfamiliar voice.

"Who said that?" Candado asked, looking in all directions.

"It was me. Any problem?" said a very small girl, the size of a baby's hand, emerging from Nelson's chest pocket.

When she said that, she began to climb with difficulty towards the table, without Nelson's help, as he was busy with his wine. When she arrived, Candado could see her clearly. She had long, loose blonde hair, black eyes with bright blue circles in them, wore black gauchos, dark brown boots, a white long-sleeved shirt, an elegant black vest, a red scarf wrapped around her neck, and a light blue hat on her head.

"What are you supposed to be?" Candado asked, with his cold expression on his face.

"I am your worst nightmare, Goliath."

"Oh, I'd like to know, how is a gnome going to be as powerful as a nightmare?" Candado asked with the same cold expression.

"What did you call me? Sewer rat."

After the girl said that, Candado gently pushed her with his index finger, and she fell to the floor. When she stood up, she took a knife from her back with tremendous hatred towards Candado, then started running towards him. However, cleverly, he grabbed the salt shaker and placed it in front of her. By the time the girl realized, it was too late because she crashed into the salt shaker, causing her to fall to the ground again.

"Well, what a frantic and long fight," Candado said sarcastically.

"Hah, you're very funny."

"What is this thing?"

"Her? She's called Grivna, and like Clementina, she's a robot, but mine is a smaller model and a USB drive."

"Well, that solves the mystery of why she was a bit foolish not to stop when she saw a salt shaker," Candado said sarcastically.

"I don't understand."

"No, what I don't understand is how you know about Clementina and, even more, how you knew she's a robot."

"Well, because the plans to make her were created, designed, and drawn by me, but the credit isn't mine, as Alfred sweated to make her."

"Really?"

"Of course, Alfred was never good at making plans or drawing them, so he threw me the ideas, and I drew exactly as he told me."

"Well, I'm enjoying this and all, but the question I had in mind to ask you was, how do you know it was Greg?" Candado challenged.

When Candado asked this, Nelson stopped smiling and leaned in closer to the table with a serious and ominous attitude, but not to Candado, as he never felt intimidated or scared when an adult looked at him that way.

"Tell me, boy, what do you know about the incident in 2000?"

"I know that place mysteriously caught fire, although I don't think that's it. I rather believe my grandfather was hiding something more."

"Exactly, Alfred always told me that you didn't believe what he told you. God knows how, but it's true, there wasn't a fire," he continued. "It was something much worse. I remember it well. It was during a rainy night outside. A man named Greg had a great hatred towards Alfred because he had the same goal: to travel to Cotorium."

"I don't understand. Are there people who know about that planet, and if so, how?"

"Yes, boy, but they're not many. And in response to that... Ummm, do you have a Bari?" Nelson asked.

The question caught Candado off guard; he and only his friends knew about the Bari.

"How do you know that?"

"It's simple, your grandfather had one. It was called Slonbari," Nelson said with a smile.

"Did you happen to know that?"

"Yes, of course. I was friends with your grandfather from a very young age."

"Darn, that never crossed my mind. I mean, I thought they came with that meteorite," Candado said sarcastically.

"Now, after saying all that, would you show me your Bari?" Nelson asked confidently.

Candado was completely perplexed. He had always believed that he and his family were the only ones who knew about the existence of the Bari in the world. So, he began to distrust the old man who was telling him the whole story.

"What guarantees do you give me that you're not plotting something?" he thought. "I thought that had already been clarified. Am I still considered someone suspicious? Forgive me, I still don't trust you, even though you told me something that only my grandfather and I knew. But what you're telling me is one of the biggest secrets of the Roobóleo guild."

"Well thought, we can solve all your doubts if you ask your Bari." "I will," affirmed Candado.

Then, with his index and middle finger, he touched his forehead and whispered while looking at Nelson attentively: "That which the human fears, come forth, I command you." These were Candado's words. After finishing his monologue, Tínbari appeared in a puff of smoke that only he could see.

"Why have you summoned me?" Tínbari asked. Candado, without taking his eyes off Nelson, began to speak telepathically with Tínbari.

"I've called you because this man claims to know or be familiar with the Bari." Tínbari looked the old man up and down with a smile on his face. It could almost be said that Tínbari was very interested in figuring out how the heck he did it.

"Don't worry, Candado, he's trustworthy. I didn't see any signs of hatred, revenge, or an attempt to harm you," Tínbari said.

Candado doubted a bit, but he decided, took off one of his white gloves, and extended his hand toward Nelson. Nelson placed one of his fingers in Candado's palm, and immediately, he could see Tínbari. To Candado's surprise, Nelson wasn't scared or astonished; instead, he saw him with a victorious smile, like a child on Christmas or his birthday.

"Interesting," exclaimed Nelson.

After saying that, the old man looked at his watch.

"Well, friends, it's time for me to go," he said as he grabbed the still unconscious Grivna.

"What the hell? Was that it? I show you my Bari, and it's over?" "No, nothing is over; this is just the beginning, boy, keep that in mind," Nelson said as he handed Candado a card.

"And what is this?" Candado asked as he looked at the card.

"That's a contract. If you're interested, call me, and if not, don't call me, obviously," Nelson said with a smile as he left the restaurant.

"Ha, those are my three wasted minutes," Tínbari said as he watched the old man walking away.

Candado stood up and walked toward the exit of the restaurant, immersed in the intrigue emanating from that card. It was the first time he was in a situation like this, not knowing what decision to make since he was more than sure it could be harmful to him and the guild. So, to think a bit more about the situation, he decided to go home to rest his brain. He thought it would be a good idea not to tell his friends what happened in the restaurant, but that wouldn't last long as his friends would take matters into their own hands for Candado's sake, and they would be the ones making the decision for him.

While thinking about all this, he hadn't realized he had reached Diana's forest. That meant only one thing: trouble. Every time he set foot in that place, he ended up fighting with her, and he, at that moment, didn't want to talk or fight with her. So he turned around and slowly headed back the way he came. But as Tínbari wanted to have some fun, and Candado hadn't spoken the Roobóleo language to disappear or not be organic, he took a twig and bent it until it broke, causing a loud echo throughout the forest. Candado looked at Tínbari with colossal fury, and he just laughed and said:

"Oops, I broke it."

Then he vanished, just when a strange figure jumped from the trees and attacked Candado with a scythe, knocking him to the ground while he used his facón as a defense. The curious thing is that Candado showed no expression of fear or surprise; he had the same cold expression on his face.

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"Oh, wow, I didn't think you'd defend yourself so soon," Diana said.

"Because if I don't, it's more likely that you'll kill me," Candado said with his cold expression.

"You weren't supposed to block it," criticized Diana.

"Diana, you're out of your mind if you think I'm going to let myself be killed," Candado said as he stood up.

"Hey, you're in my area, so I attacked you since no one passes through here these days," Diana said as she polished her scythe.

Diana: She is Mauricio's sister and also claims to be the daughter of the Pombero. She is an extremist in matters of combat, to the point of killing her opponent, making her have few rivals and practice partners. She is cheerful, mocking, sadistic, and psychopathic. She wears dark bombachas with yellow leather boots, a poncho in orange with light blue identical to Mauricio's, a red glove on one hand, and a white hat. She has long, blond hair with black-dyed tips, and green eyes that glow in the dark. She also has pointed ears. She plays and trains with Candado and loves preparing new meals for her friends, especially for Logan and Mauricio. Unlike the latter, instead of a staff, she uses a scythe and can make it grow to a very large size.

Power: She has powers similar to Mauricio's, except those emanating from his staff. She is so fast that she can stop time, take the form of various animals (cat, dog, owl, frog, and hamster), transform into sand, and stretch her limbs up to a thousand meters in height.

Abilities: She uses her laughter as an intimidating weapon, has a very venomous pet scorpion that she can grow to the size of a dog and can bite someone to paralyze them.

"And how's that going?"

"What thing?"

"You know, Viki's thing. Has she learned to control her thirst yet?" Diana asked disinterestedly.

"No, and the worst part is that I received a summons from the Rechép guild in La Pampa, saying that my 'guest' has been killing livestock belonging to the farmers," Candado said, looking up with concern.

"And what will you do?"

"Nothing, and I won't transfer her to another province, as it's a huge cost for my family and me."

"I hope your decision causes problems for the people in La Pampa."

"Haha, nothing's going to happen. She didn't steal a bite from the humble peasants; instead, she took ONE COW from those damn ranchers. They can recover that and more of that 'endangered Ferrari cow' at a dirt-cheap price.

"Well, if I knew you were so hysterical, I wouldn't have mentioned it," Diana said as she pulled her scythe from the ground.

"It's just stupid; they just want to take my money, these 'overthrow governments' pieces of crap," Candado said, even more annoyed.

"Oh, that's interesting, but I would also report you or just straight-up kill you if you stole, or more precisely, killed something on my property," Diana said as she walked with Candado in the forest.

"That's the point. Viki kills and eats a cow to, obviously, feed herself, but it's just one, and they want me to pay thirty-five million pesos for that cow. They're crazy."

"Well, it's not much for someone who has quadrillions of pesos every minute."

"Yes, that's true, but that doesn't mean I'll throw away thirty-five million pesos." "Haha, if you can because you can recover double that in just six seconds," Diana said, playing with Candado's beret.

"You're unbearable, Diana. I don't understand how Logan and Mauricio put up with you," Candado said, taking back his beret.

"Well, actually, I'm superficial when it comes to talking to them."

"I'm already tired of hearing your 'well,' improvise," Candado retorted.

"No, because I talk how I want. If I want to add a 'well' to the sentence, I do, and that's it." "Fine, do whatever you want."

They were arguing about pointless things for over thirty minutes until they finally reached Candado's house. Well, almost, because they had reached the backyard (since he has two, plus one on the rooftop and another in front).

"Well, here's where we part ways."

Candado didn't say anything, just nodded. But as he was about to enter the garden, Diana, who was already walking away, turned around and attacked Candado with her scythe. However, Candado, without turning, blocked the blow with his facón.

"Seriously, you have to stop attacking everyone," Candado advised.

"I'll try," Diana said, withdrawing her scythe with a smile.

When the psychopath moved away to a considerable distance, Candado headed towards the six-meter wall of his garden and jumped to the other side, using his powers, as an ordinary child couldn't jump that height. Upon reaching the yard, Clementina and Hammya were waiting for him with crossed arms and angry expressions, and Candado didn't understand why they were upset, but he knew it would ruin his day.

"Well, I don't want to know what happened, but something very deep in my 'curious nature' pushes me to find out why you're looking at me with those bulldog faces."

"Looks like you're in a good mood this afternoon," an angry Clementina said.

"Oh, no, it's not afternoon yet; it's 11:36 a.m."

"Well, cut it out with the jokes," Clementina replied.

"What?"

"Did you call Hammya an 'alien' in that meeting? And did you leave your post to meet with a stranger, knowing that your life could be in danger?"

"Well, regarding Hammya, it's true that you're not human, as the structure of your organs is different from a human's, your cells are different, not to mention you have a heart rate of 180 to 200," he continued, "And to answer your question, Clementina, it's because I don't give a damn about what might happen to me; I'm used to my life being in danger."

After answering the questions in his own way, Candado headed to the door that connected the garden to the house, regardless of Clementina being dissatisfied with the response. But Candado didn't care because Clementina wasn't programmed to give him orders. However, that didn't stop her from using tricks in her operating system to keep him under control because, even though she was a robot, she knew what it was like to be angry.

"Well, I wonder what you'll do with the citation from the W.O.G.A.B.," Clementina said, smiling.

When she said that, Candado stiffened for a brief moment, with a kind of "amazement," so to speak. Lately, Candado hadn't had time to comply with the citations. In the past, he had brutally beaten a kid representing the United States because he had insulted his family and Perón, resulting in a serious mistake by messing with the Barret family icon. This incident infuriated Candado thoroughly, and, carried away by anger, he attacked the boy. This made a mockery of the W.O.G.A.B., as it implied that in the guild, one couldn't think differently. This led to other affiliated nations requesting Candado's expulsion from the organization. However, since he was the representative of Argentina, one of the pioneer countries in the founding of the W.O.G.A.B. and a valuable member for the other eight countries (China, Kenya, Japan, Paraguay, France, Iran, Germany, Venezuela, and Cuba), they did everything possible to avoid his expulsion. They advised Candado not to return to the organization for a while and that to resolve his assault on the touchy boy, he would have to perform a "special service" each time he received one of the citations. This incident was known as Candado's first error in life, and that's why every time they remind him of it, he gets upset.

"And will you do anything about it?" Clementina asked, mocking and pulling out a red card with a seal of a white lion.

"Girl, one of these days I'm going to reformat your memory," Candado said with a fake laugh as he took the letter.

Hammya interrupted.

"Wait, tell me how you know all that information about me, that I'm an alien, and those things."

"I see it's not the first time someone has told you."

"In fact, no," Hammya said, remembering what Tínbari had told her.

"It's simple, I studied you while you were asleep. If you don't believe me, look at your stomach," Candado said, turning around.

Upon hearing this, Hammya lifted her nightshirt, exposing her abdomen. To her surprise, there was a tiny line drawn with a black marker, as if it were a pre-incision.

"Why did you do this to me?" Hammya asked, distressed and terrified at the sight of her abdomen.

"Don't think someone as distrustful as me would let someone sleep under my roof without studying her first."

"There was no reason to open my abdomen with a knife."

"Don't worry about the incision. I made sure to disinfect the tools," he said, still not turning around.

"Why?" Hammya shouted.

"Because I'm diabolical," Candado said, turning around with a cold expression on his face.

Saying this, Hammya, already annoyed, was about to hit him in the face, but Candado stopped the blow with his counter palm, maintaining his empty expression.

"Girl, it was a joke. Of course, I didn't open your abdomen with a knife. But I used tools that you can get at any pharmacy, like X-rays, a microscope, alcohol, a heart monitor, and defibrillators."

"Defibrillators? Heart monitor? What kind of pharmacy sells that?" Hammya asked, astonished.

"I only got them if something unexpected happened."

"What led you to think I'm not human just with those gadgets?" Hammya asked, now reassured.

"Ah, the rest is a secret, no, actually, it's not because no matter how much I explain it to you, you won't understand it even with drawings from a first-grader."

"Don't make fun of me," Hammya reproached.

Candado didn't say anything else, just turned around and entered the house while opening the envelope with his facón, as knowing what was written in the letter was more important to him than what Hammya was saying. It seemed like he just wanted to get out of that argument with the girl since discussing "the operation" Candado did on her was exasperating. However, for Clementina, it was confusing to see Candado walk away without arguing, but for Hammya, it didn't mean anything; rather, it was an internal anger at his jokes.

Candado took a seat in his favorite chair to read the letter sent by the organization.

"Just one more, and I'll be done with my punishment," Candado celebrated.

"I'm happy for you," Clementina said as she sat in front of him.

"I know it's not a compliment, but thanks," Candado said while reading the letter.

After almost three minutes, Candado folded the letter and placed it on the bookshelf next to him, remaining still in his seat with his arms crossed for ten minutes.

"What happens now? You're not going to tell me that the mission is to sit there doing nothing."

"Actually, the mission given to me is a very distasteful joke, so much so that I don't plan on going to fulfill it. Instead, I'll think about what to tell those."

"And what's the mission that put you in such a bad mood?"

"Getting a damn photo of Esteban kissing Tarah to expose the leader of the Circuits and to lower the morale of his boss by kissing a woman from the E.O.T.G.E. guild (Emerging Organization of Tile Guild Equality).

"It seems like you don't have an option since it's your last mission to be exempt from your punishment. After all, what does it cost you to take a picture of them kissing? They're always kissing all day long in the square."

"I won't do it. Maybe we're mortal enemies, but exposés are not my thing. I have principles," Candado said proudly.

"Haha, for the last six months, you've been completing difficult missions. You never had an easy one like this, so I advise you to do it if you want to return to the Bernstein Organization."

"Since when do you give me bad advice?"

"Advice isn't good or bad; it's just an opinion. The advised one decides whether to follow it or not."

"I don't remember you having a profound concept about advice."

"Right at that moment, Hipólito interrupted.

"Why so aggressive with the lady, Mr. Barret? Honestly, I couldn't sleep well last night because of some jerks."

"Well, that's in the past. You know what they say, let bygones be bygones," said Hipólito with a smile.

"Haha, I also have a nice saying," argued Candado.

Shortly after, he stood up from the couch, took off his trench coat, placed it on the back of the chair, and headed towards the exit without saying anything more. Then, he closed the door behind him. When Candado did that, Clementina and Hammya stood up, intending to follow him, but at that moment, Hipólito put his hands on the girls' shoulders.

"Let's leave Candado alone for a while; he'll need to clear his mind," advised Hipólito.

The girls looked at Hipólito with confusion. What exactly did he mean? And why? Perhaps Candado was worried about the "strange" guild mission. If he completed this mission, he could return to the Bernstein Organization. But would it be worth it? Candado had issues with some of the board members, but not with the leaders who saved him, as they, due to life circumstances, had always been in favor of the Barret family, including his great-grandfather Jack Barret, his grandfather Alfred Barret, and his mother Europa Barret. But Candado knew that with the help of those countries, it wouldn't serve him well in the future, as he was viewed unfavorably by most of the other nations in the Bernstein Organization. This was because they still hadn't forgiven him for the simple fact that his mother, when she was the leader of the Roobóleo Brotherhood, had fraternized with the Circuits. For that reason, Candado had been labeled a traitor to Harambee's principles and the Bernstein Organization. However, for him, the U.F.E.T.C. had been formidable allies, as they had helped the Roobóleo Brotherhood when no one else did. So, Candado wondered if it would be right to tarnish his morals with those who had helped him in the past just to please the W.O.G.A.B. Is it worth it? The hatred between the Guilds and the Circuits is genuine, as they had ruled the world for almost three entire years with terror and violence, not to mention leaving a third of the world's population orphaned and seeking revenge against those who had taken everything from them. But that was almost 100 years ago, and the people who suffered it died years ago. Moreover, the terror rule of the Circuits had never been repeated since Tánatos was locked in the golden chest. Nowadays, both the Circuits and the Guilds hardly engage in direct conflict, but the essence of a cold war between these two large organizations still lingers, and once again, he found himself in a difficult position. His decision could be fatal."

While Candado strolled through the streets of the town, contemplating the decision he had to make, he decided to go to the square in the hope of clearing his mind a bit. He lay down under a tree that strangely had leaves as red as blood; apparently, this tree was also affected by the meteorite of 1912. When Candado approached the square, he stopped; apparently, someone was following him. He looked back, but only saw people walking along the streets. Without wasting more time, he continued walking until he reached his destination. When he arrived, he saw Lucas sitting in the lotus position with his eyes closed and flames in his hands. Candado approached and lay down at the other end of the tree to avoid disturbing Lucas in his concentration. However, as he began to relax...

"I know very well that you're there, Candado," said Lucas without opening his eyes.

Instead of answering, Candado began to whistle to imitate a bird.

"That doesn't work with me, Candado, maybe with Matlotsky, but not with me."

"Well, I didn't want to talk, but it seems it didn't work."

"Don't worry, Héctor took care of reassuring the others when you left."

"Alright, thank him for me."

"Well," Lucas continued, "Candado, there's no need to hide it, right?"

"No, not at all."

"Boss, don't lie."

"Anyway, how do you know that I'm worried?"

"Because you always come to the same square, to the same tree when you have a problem, to talk alone about your annoyances and problems, and boom, like magic, you already have the clearest answer. You're very predictable."

Candado, upon hearing the word "predictable," lightly tapped the tree, and a pinecone fell on Lucas's head.

"Was that predictable?" Candado asked in a mocking tone.

"Well, sorry," Lucas continued. "And by the way, who are you talking to when you're here?" Lucas asked.

Candado's face changed instantly, going from somewhat happy to depressed.

"With my sister."

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked," Lucas apologized.

"It's okay, she's always with me when I need her."

"You say it as if you're to blame for her death."

"I already know what you're going to say, 'It wasn't your fault.' You know, I'm getting tired of hearing that."

"Well, if you say so, that's fine."

Candado didn't say anything more; he remained silent, lying down, looking at the exceptional tree's red leaves. Strangely, one of the tree's leaves detached from a branch and began to fall slowly where Candado was. He raised his left hand with an open palm, and the leaf settled gently on it. He watched it attentively, turning the small leaf around and around. After a while, Candado let it go, and it began to drift away from him due to the wind. He smiled as he watched the leaf dance aimlessly from side to side until he could no longer see it. After that, Candado lay down next to the tree and closed his eyes. He was happy for some reason seeing such a scene, and his happiness relaxed him, eventually leading him to fall asleep.

Lucas, on the other hand, hadn't realized that Candado had fallen asleep and, unaware, began talking about inconsequential things to pass the time. Until a girl named Tarah greeted him.

"Good afternoon, Lucas."

Tarah, a young woman with short ash-white hair and brown eyes, was dressed in a light green polo shirt with a small bow-shaped cockade on the heart side. She completed her outfit with long white pants held by a belt and walked barefoot. She wore a necklace in the form of a distorted blue cross. Like Candado, Tarah was the leader of the O.N.I.G.A. guild, known as The Azulejos. She was a kind and intelligent person but didn't get along well with Lucía or Viki. Additionally, she was Esteban's girlfriend, the leader of the Circuits, and the daughter of the town's mayor. She was considered responsible for keeping the town clean and had a passion for reading and painting.

Tarah possessed a power considered weak: she could create portals. Additionally, she had skills that allowed her to climb trees, walk on house roofs without falling or cutting herself, disassemble a car, and she could perfectly imitate other people's signatures.

"Good afternoon? There are still ten minutes until twelve."

"Okay, good morning," Tarah said confused.

"Good Miss Tarah, what has brought the leader of the Azulejos and the mayor's daughter to this square?"

"I just came for a walk, as Dad is busy managing the town."

"Alone? What happened to Xendí?" Lucas asked.

"Oh, he's doing the shopping; he won't take long to return."

"Ha, he's always busy, isn't he?" Lucas continued. "Hey, what's Candado up to?"

"Oh, nothing, he's just ignoring me."

She walked towards where Candado was.

"To me, it seems like he's sleeping."

"What?" Lucas asked surprised, as he stood up and walked towards Tarah.

"Do you see? I told you," Tarah pointed out.

"It's true, he's sleeping."

Tarah approached and began tapping his cheek to wake him up. But he wouldn't wake; apparently, he was very tired as he hadn't slept, so Lucas gave him such a strong slap that the noise made the nearby pigeons flutter away. He managed to wake Candado, but, as a consequence, it made him angry. Even before, the simple act of waking him annoyed him, let alone if they hit him to do so. So, as soon as he woke up, he revealed his violet flaming eyes, grabbed Lucas by his robe, and violently pulled him towards him until their foreheads were pressed together.

"You have ten seconds to give an excuse I believe, before I break your neck."

"Akflskfhsdflidskfhieoshfloisd.gusadgfas.dhgawñd.ashufesigfsdflhjdsgfyegsfligsd."

"SHUT UP!" Candado shouted and continued, "I didn't understand a damn thing."

Lucas somehow managed to free himself and started running, saying, "I'm sorry, it wasn't my intention," as he ran to avoid being "killed" by Candado.

"You fought countless times with our enemies, and countless times you put your life in danger, and now you run away, COWARD!" Candado retorted.

"Well, I didn't mean to make you angry, but what can you do?" Tarah commented.

"Ah, it's you, Lady Azulejo," Candado said as he adjusted his beret.

"The same goes for you, Lord Beret," Tarah said in a reverent tone.

"What are you doing here?"

"Nothing, just taking a walk."

"Ah, well, continue with your walk," Candado said as he walked away.

"Is that it? You're not going to argue or something?" Tarah asked.

"I'm a very busy person, so see you."

After that, he left the place, leaving Tarah very confused. Coincidentally, Candado always argues with her, just because, but today he didn't. "Who knows why," she thought.

While Tarah was pondering all this, Candado, without even clearing his mind due to Lucas and Tarah, decided to go to the guild without any other option. He thought he would find a clearer answer there. But as he returned, someone started asking for help. Candado, upon hearing this, ran guided by the cries for help until he reached a supermarket. Apparently, it was the Circuits causing trouble again in the town. Candado peeked inside and saw the scene: an elderly man was tied to a chair, and three kids were wreaking havoc.

"Darn it, and I thought there were no more problems," he muttered disappointingly.

As Candado was about to enter, he heard that someone or something had violently opened the emergency exit door. In it, Candado could see Esteban.

Esteban: He has blond hair with a vertical white line, blue eyes, wears a white long-sleeved shirt, dark brown gala gloves with a blue tie, a red gala vest, dark refined pants, and light brown triangular-toed shoes with laces. His personality is similar to Candado's. It bothers him profoundly when someone doesn't listen to his ideology. He is Tarah's boyfriend, likes solving mysteries, and has a rivalry with Candado (no one knows why; the most accurate theory is ideological, but it's a rumor). He has an obsession with defeating Candado, although neither of them has won.

Power: Can manipulate or absorb electricity at his convenience, as well as create it. He can also use his blood to heal wounds and diseases.

Ability: Knows how to speak all languages in the world, is the only one who can pacify the powers of others (except for Candado), and is very good at school.

Esteban ran to where they were and struck one of them. The other two, using their respective powers, attacked him from behind, but he turned around and hit both of them. The first one he had hit got up and grabbed his arm, but Esteban reacted quickly and threw him through the metal door. Then, the remaining two jumped at him. Esteban shot a lightning bolt at one of them, making him crash into a wall, while the other one, he dodged. However, the latter reacted quickly and tried to punch Esteban in the chest with his hand turned into metal, but Esteban stopped him with his hand and even threw him towards him, delivering a punch to his face, knocking him out.

"You are a disgrace to the Circuit," Esteban said, looking at all of them.

Then, he approached the man, untied him, and helped him to his feet. After that, he approached the three with the same rope they had used on the store owner, tied each of them up, and told the owner:

"The situation is under control. You can call the police now; I'll make sure this doesn't happen to you or anyone else again."

The man thanked him and gave him some sodas. Esteban accepted the gift humbly and left the store through the same door he had entered. Candado, who was watching everything, smiled and murmured.

"It seems he wasn't as bad as I thought. I'm glad to witness this event."

Afterward, Candado left the place with a twisted smile of satisfaction. It was as if he had won the lottery. But then he started smiling, smiling, and smiling (a bitter smile). He always knew that beneath that tough and crusty exterior, there was goodness with a huge heart. As he walked away from the store, a strong wind blew, so strong that his beret flew off to where he came from. Quickly, he turned and managed to grab his cherished hat. But when he was shaking it off, he saw the leaf from the tree stuck to the sign of the store that Esteban had saved. It was the same leaf that Candado had picked up in the park. This fact changed his smile from genuine to a cold, calculated one.

"I understand what you wanted to tell me," Candado said, looking at the leaf stuck to the sign.

And with that, Candado left, but this time, he headed home. He no longer needed to go to the guild to clear his mind; he had made a decision; he just needed one more thing.

Candado arrived at his home without any issues, entered, and, hiding his smile, found the others in the living room. Hipólito, Clementina, Hammya, and his grandmother were all there. Although the latter would find out anyway since she could read minds, Candado didn't care at all. He approached Clementina and asked:

"Where's the phone? I need to make a call."

Clementina took a cellphone from her chest and handed it to him.

"Thanks," said Candado, taking the cellphone.

He dialed and called the W.O.G.A.B. He had a firm and irrevocable decision. When someone picked up the phone, Candado introduced himself, gave his information, and said:

"I've made a decision. I won't fulfill your mission, even if it's the last one. I won't do it; it's not my job to smear people. Thank you, and have a good night."

Then he hung up.

But on the other end of the line were the nine child leaders of the W.O.G.A.B., listening to Candado's phone conversation. They were Jacqueline Crusoe (France), Yuuta Aikawa (Japan), Raúl Rojas (Paraguay), Banu Fereshteh (Iran), Shen Shaoran (China), Kirinyaga Harambee (Kenya), Armando Castro (Cuba), Aurora Solari (Venezuela), and Alejandra Bernstein (Germany). They were discussing among themselves.

"Well, it seems I've won the bet," said Jacqueline.

"You've won, but I don't intend to pay you," said Shen.

"It seems the Argentine has morals and principles after all," said Alejandra.

"Well, gentlemen? I won. Now, I want Candado reinstated in the guild," demanded Jacqueline.

"It's true, Candado has fulfilled all his orders, and besides, he passed Shen's test, so keep your word now," ordered Kirinyaga.

"Indeed, do it," said Raúl.

"Ha, I hope he comes back. I miss the boinudo Candado," said Aurora.

"The leader is coming back, great!" celebrated Armando.

"I hope you keep your word," said Jacqueline.

"I've lost, and I accept it. As a warrior, I'll keep my word," said Yuuta.

"That's good; Candado is coming back. I'm happy," expressed Banu.

Yuuta sat at his desk, took a wooden gavel, like those in movie courtrooms, and said:

"I decree that Mr. Candado Barret, better known as 'El Gaucho,' has been exonerated from his penalty for fulfilling the orders given to him in the last thirteen months, and that in approximately thirteen days, he may return to the World Organization of Adjacent Guilds Bernstein. I have spoken."

Yuuta struck the table three times with the hammer and left. Meanwhile, 92% of the boardroom rose and applauded. Not only did the organization's leaders applaud, but most of the board members also clapped and whistled. While the 8% of children representing the other countries felt revulsion, indignation, and hatred for the decree.

Candado, on the other hand, still hadn't learned what Yuuta had decreed. Therefore, as soon as he hung up, he told everyone in the room that he was going to make another call in his room. So Candado headed to his room, took out the card from his pocket, and dialed again.

"Hello? It's me, Candado, and I accept the contract," said Candado with a smile.

"I knew you would," said Nelson.

Now Candado was about to confront those who had killed his grandfather. For him, revenge was within reach, and he feared nothing and no one. Nothing would stop him. Finally, he could avenge himself. For two months, the police had found nothing, and now his grandfather's childhood friend appeared with a lead that he followed and believed blindly. Greg, the killer, would pay dearly for daring to take Alfred Barret's life. The eye-for-an-eye and blood-for-blood operation was beginning, indeed.