Alp and Korotobi’s steps quickened as they fled, the sound of the Karyos behind them echoing like a blend of low hums and savage growls, mixed with the thudding of its heavy, limping footsteps. It resembled a zombie, moving awkwardly, emitting intermittent sounds as if it were panting. Alp held Korotobi’s hand tightly, pulling him along, while Korotobi stubbornly kept his pet rat safe in his pocket, glancing back with wide eyes at the looming creature in pursuit.

“Why the hell did you scream? You could’ve called me in a quieter voice!” Alp scolded angrily as he dragged him forward.

“How was I supposed to know a handsome monster would come chasing after us?” Korotobi replied with a sarcastic grin, panting as he continued to run.

There was no way out—the path had led them to a dead end, blocked by a tall wall. Meanwhile, the Karyos was closing in slowly, each step seeming to drain its energy. Its gleaming eyes fixed on them as if counting the moments before it would strike. It paused, emitting muffled, guttural sounds like a strange blend of moans and growls of the undead. With each staggered step, it teetered as if off-balance, opening its grotesque mouth wide as though ready to devour.

Alp turned to Korotobi, his voice challenging, “I think now would be the perfect time to use your powers.”

Korotobi raised his hands towards the ceiling, focusing as droplets of water began to gather in the air from above. Feeling a surge of concentration, he watched as the water swirled between his hands, forming a small, spinning vortex. With a swift motion, he released the water, splashing it onto the ground with a sharp hiss, creating a thin layer of ice around the Karyos.

Alp looked on with a strangely calm surprise, not appearing overly shocked. Korotobi continued his control over the water, freezing it quickly until the creature’s feet were trapped, then let the ice creep up, inching higher and higher with a sound like cracking glass.

The Karyos was frozen in place, its wild eyes staring coldly as its entire body became encased in the ice, trapped mid-motion, leaving behind an eerie silence.

Korotobi smirked victoriously and said, “Ha! Told you, I can handle it.”

Alp took a deep breath and, with an edge of irritation, asked, “Why didn’t you the fuck use that from the fucking start?!”

Korotobi just shrugged, still grinning, as he pet the rat in his pocket. “Didn’t want to spoil my surprise too soon.”

Alp looks at him with a flat, cold face, as if he wants to strangle him. He remains silent,

As they caught their breath and cautiously stepped past the frozen Karyos, Korotobi suddenly broke the silence and asked, “And you… What’s your name?”

“Call me Four,” Alp replied indifferently.

“Alright, Four… What’s your power?” Korotobi’s curiosity was evident as he studied Alp.

Alp’s golden eyes glowed with a cold detachment as he leaned closer, his voice carrying a mysterious undertone. “I have no power… I’m like the Kaladi.”

Korotobi looked puzzled for a moment, raising an eyebrow, then asked hesitantly, “Are you… Eldian?”

Alp paused, as if his mind were racing with questions, and then replied cryptically, “Maybe.”

Korotobi’s tone shifted to one of bitterness as he spoke, his voice soft yet resentful, “Humans hate us just because we’re different. They use the essence of our blood in their experiments, treating us like nothing but tools.”

Alp remained silent, his gaze distant and pensive. Slowly a shadow of tension crept onto his face, his eyes darkening as a flicker of resentment emerged. In a low, almost growling voice, he said, “The Eldians aren’t any better than they are.”

Korotobi looked at him, startled by his response, but they continued walking in silence until they reached a wide hallway. Breaking the silence, Korotobi offered a faint smile, “There’s a soundproof room in this place… We could use it to hide. I think there are also weapons inside.i read

Alp looked around and nodded, “I know where it is. I passed by it earlier.I read a message saying this is for a scientist or something. But it doesn't really matter.

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They continued moving forward, each step bringing them closer to safety until their conversation was interrupted by a strange sound of footsteps from a nearby room. Alp froze, raising airon stick in his hand, ready to enter with caution. The footsteps were heavy and unnerving, as if another creature like the Karyos were lurking within.

He crept slowly towards the door, his eyes scanning every corner with sharp vigilance. Pushing the door open cautiously, he found not a Karyos but Haruki and Haruko standing there. Haruko recoiled gripping a metal rod defensively as if preparing to attack Alp,

Haruko gripped the metal rod threateningly, pointing it towards Alp and Korotobi with a mix of anger fear and hostility

"Stay back! Step away from us right now damn you! And drop that metal stick—now!" he commanded his voice sharp and commanding.

Alp’s eyes flashed with equal anger and hostility as he yelled back, "Don’t you fucking dare try to order me around you filthy wretch. You put it down.now

With heavy steps, Alp advanced toward Haruko, his gaze intense and unsettling, as if piercing straight into Haruko’s soul. Haruko’s blue, diamond-like eyes narrowed in anger, though a hint of unease was evident as he pushed Haruki back protectively. Moving closer, Haruko growled, “Looking for a fight? You’ve got one…”

“I didn’t know blondes could fight,” Alp sneered as he approached slowly, the tens

ion thick in the air. Haruko’s face twisted in anger and defiance as he replied, “Oh, I’ll show you exactly what a blonde can do you little bitch

Alp and Haruko exchange looks, and without wasting another second, Alp advances toward him, swinging his staff to strike. Haruko blocks it with his own staff. Alp seizes the moment and swiftly kicks Haruko’s leg, causing him to stumble. As Haruko attempts to get back on his feet and catch his breath, Alp knocks the staff from his hand and presses his foot against Haruko’s neck, immobilizing him. Alp smirks down at him, while Haruko glares back defiantly.

"Your defense needs work, and you also fail to watch for blind spots your opponent could exploit," Alp says mockingly as he presses down on Haruko’s neck and chest, leaving him unable to move.

"Maybe," Haruko replies with a chuckle, looking up at him with his diamond-blue eyes.

A tense silence fills the room, broken only by the sound of their breathing. Haruki takes advantage of the moment, creeping forward quietly, holding an iron rod to help her brother. Her footsteps are slow and silent, with only the sound of water dripping from the ceiling breaking the quiet.

"No, no, no, blondie, I suggest you stop right there. I can hear your footsteps," Alp says suddenly, his tone sharp, warning her not to take another step.

"Don't you even think about hurting her!" Haruko exclaims, struggling to push Alp off him, but Alp merely delivers a swift kick to his stomach, knocking him back down. Then he turns toward Korotobi, saying, "I thought you guys were Kariyos, which is why I came to this room."

"Kariyos?" Haruko echoes, confused, not knowing what Kariyos are. He clutches his stomach and leg in pain as Haruki hurries over to check him for any other injuries. Haruko grabs her hands gently and says, "Don’t worry, I’m fine." Then he looks over at Alp and Korotobi, who are whispering to each other.

"What do you think about taking them with us?" Korotobi whispers to Alp.

Alp shoots him an irritated look and whispers back, annoyed, "What? They’re useless. He couldn’t even land a punch on me. He’s physically weak, too. We’re here to survive, not save others." He glances quickly at Haruko, who’s also staring back at him, his eyes shining a bit.

"I know, but… their eyes… I’m sure they belong to a tribe with that kind of mesmerizing diamond-blue eyes," Korotobi whispers, trying to persuade him.

"And what do we care about their eyes? We’re not here to admire anyone!" Alp hisses back, annoyed.

"No, you idiot… they’re from Far Far Far Land," Korotobi whispers back.

"Wow, what an amazing fact. We’re all from Far Far Far Land. It’s nothing special," Alp mutters, his voice slightly louder.

"No, but they’re from a specific tribe there… I forgot the name, but they’re known for those eyes… and when their tears dry, they turn into diamonds," Korotobi explains.

Alp’s eyes widen in surprise as he looks at them, taking in their diamond-blue eyes and considering the possibilities.

"They could help us make money… if we’re planning to escape from the orphanage. But the bigger question is…" He wonders silently to himself, "How hasn’t Miss Aristo used their eyes yet? Does she really not know… or are they not working?"

Alp turns back to Korotobi and asks suspiciously, "Are you sure about this?"

Korotobi slips his hands into his pockets and responds confidently, "Of course. I read books about other tribes beyond the Eldians before I was brought here. They also have a strong connection with spirits and can control fire—though it’s a light green color, and they can use it for healing."

"Wow, were you studying at home or something?" Alp says with a faint laugh, looking at Korotobi.

Korotobi’s yellow eyes widen in surprise as he looks up at Alp’s slightly brighter yellow eyes. He stammers, "You… can smile?"

Alp’s face instantly hardens, and he snaps, "Mind your own business, bastard!"

"No, I’m serious! You have a nice smile; do it again, come on," Korotobi insists playfully, trying to tickle him and mockingly saying, "Come on, laugh, laugh…"

This only angers Alp more, and he clamps his hand over Korotobi’s face while grabbing his hand with the other, saying, "Damn you, Korotobi. Stop it, or I swear I’ll punch you or break your damn hands!"

"You even said my name!" Korotobi retorts with a grin, only for his face to turn serious when Alp punches him, sending him to the ground. "You asked for that!" Alp says.

Then he notices the two blond siblings looking at them, stunned. Alp snaps at them, "What are you staring at?"

Haruki gives a small smile, then lets out a soft laugh and says quietly, "You two seem close."

"We’re just… partners with a common goal," Alp replies coldly, as Korotobi wipes the blood from his nose and stands up, brushing the dust off his shabby coat. He steps toward Alp, his expression unaffected by the punch, and says with a smile, "We’re more than that, aren’t we, Four?"

"Keep it up, and you’ll get another punch!" Alp snaps, glaring at Korotobi. Korotobi just smiles, smirking, "Partners don’t punch each other."

"Because normal partners aren’t annoying," Alp mutters in frustration.

Haruki helps Haruko to his feet, and Haruko coughs to get their attention.

Alp and Korotobi turn to him as Korotobi cheerfully says, "Looks like you need a team… we have space for four people, and—"

Alp punches Korotobi in the stomach to silence him and mutters through gritted teeth, "How about you tell them everything? Our names, pasts, even the color of our underwear?"

"Shall I?" Korotobi grins, winking at Alp.

Haruko quickly interrupts, saying, "No need… just…" He sighs, surrendering, and says with a weary voice, "We were just wondering if we could come along with you. We all have the same goal—getting the files… and maybe escaping from the orphanage."

Alp’s cold eyes soften slightly, showing a flicker of interest as he notes the desperation in Haruko’s tone, as if this is his last chance. Clearing his throat, Alp responds, his voice tinged with genuine interest, "Did you say… escaping from the orphanage?"

"I believe he did. Your dreams are quite big, it seems," Korotobi says, with a look of surprise. His small mouse pops its head out of his pocket, looking as if it wants to listen too

Espace from orphanage?.........