A tense silence fell over them as their gazes locked, the weight of Kaiser's unyielding resolve pressing against Alfred's grim practicality. For a fleeting moment, his grim eyes scrutinized Kai’s impassive face, searching for a crack, a sliver of doubt or hesitation—anything that might hint at uncertainty to pull him out of this madness.

But... Strangely enough, there was nothing.

Not a shred of doubt in his claim, no flicker of fear in his eyes. Only a maddening belief in himself, a conviction so absolute it bordered on insanity, defying normality of someone of his age.

'This kid's head is broken...'

This isn’t a man I can sway. Alfred realized grimly, feeling defeated. Unfortunately, his battered state lacks the capacity to force sense into this deranged brat.

Finally, Alfred sighed, dragging a hand through his sweat-matted, short black hair. He looked away, his face etched with frustration and conflict. "You’re crazy, you know that? A damn fool. I always knew there was something wrong with you, but somehow, you’ve managed to surpass even my worst expectations."

Kai smirked, the faintest trace of humor creeping into his otherwise determined expression. "Takes one to know one."

For a moment, Alfred hesitated, weighing his options, before reluctantly speaking.

"...Have it your way. But I won’t let you do this alone. Those willing will fight alongside you—including me will stand by your side. To the death."

It was a noble sentiment, but Kaiser’s response shattered it like glass.

"No. I don’t need help," Kai said flatly, as if they were more of a liability than an asset.

Alfred was once again speechless... Was this damned madman still have brains in that head? The stern hunter stared at him, slack-jawed, then stared some more. After a few seconds, he finally found his words.

"You don’t need?—are you out of your damn mind?! You think I’m just going to run away while some reckless kid throws his life away holding the line?"

Kai shrugged nonchalantly. "Yeah, pretty much."

Honestly, Alfred wouldn't even think of retreating if not for this troublesome Player coming back. And now, his ordering him, the Leader of the Hunters to retreat under his cover?

Alfred’s voice rose, his frustration boiling over. "Listen here, you lunatic. You had no rights to command me. I’m a Hunter. I’ll die as a Hunter if I decide so, not some coward running while an arrogant brat—"

Alfred is stubborn himself. However, it seems his still underestimating this madman.

Before he could finish, Kai lifted a slim dagger from Garba and placed its razor-sharp edge against the side of his own neck.

The gesture stunned Alfred into silence. Brick took an uneasy step back.

"This," Kai said, voice low and calm, "is why."

Alfred scoffed. "You’re joking."

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There's no way this insane bastard will kill himself, even a lunatic knows to fear death.

Kai wasn’t, though. Unbothered, he pressed the blade into his skin, a thin line of blood trickling down his neck.

"Kaiser," Alfred growled, his tone sharp with warning, "stop it."

But his words fell on deaf ears, Kai didn’t flinch. He pushed the blade deeper, his expression as calm as if he were buttering toast, instead of cutting to his own throat, therefore, his life.

Was this brat so in love with courting death alone, that he will end it his own life if his wishes are not granted?

"I said stop!" Alfred barked, stepping forward hesitantly. Feeling uneasy. As someone who saw many terrible things through his years, he could recognize fear of everyone's body language and eyes. And from the looks of it, the Player is really killing himself.

The kid is not playing a game. Still, what kind of absurdity is this? Using himself as a hostage to make others obey his selfless demand?

Kai didn’t stop. The metalic blade’s edge gleamed ominously, now cutting dangerously close to a vital point. One second more, the hostage will die... In the hostage's own hands.

Forcefully stopping the suicidal young man wasn't an option either, for Kai's reflexes are too potent to bypass. He could end himself the moment Alfred attempted. The big man wasn't having it today. A Player's life, be it the most deranged Player was too significant to be wasted on such stupidity.

Feeling like going mad himself, Alfred finally gave up.

"Okay! Fine!" Alfred finally shouted, throwing up his hands in defeat. "I’ll lead the survivors to retreat! Now put the damn sword down before you actually kill yourself!"

Alfred knew many ways to command men, even towards demise. However, he never thought that he would one day surrender to such messed up tactic. That said, although he agreed for the sake of stopping Kaiser's suicide, that does not meat he would flee entirely because once Kai surely got himself killed, they're the invaders next target, allowing him to die with honor. Sadly, this brat can't be saved anymore, the Player completely lost all reasons, further argument with a madman will only waste time. His normally tough composure was all shattered, his head is aching. Alfred gave up.

Only then did Kai stop Windslayer, his lips curling into a satisfied smile.

"Good," he said calmly. Then, as if discussing the weather, he added, "By the way, in case I don’t come back, promise me you’ll protect Ariella and Cia at all costs. Support their financial needs, make sure they have a place to stay, and—most importantly—don’t touch them. Don’t let any man get close to them, either. That includes you. *No exceptions.* Limit interactions when you check on them. And if I find out someone so much as laid a finger on them…"

Kaiser leaned in, his voice dropping to a deadly whisper. "I’ll come back from the grave and hunt all of you down."

Alfred stared at him, utterly dumbfounded. In all honesty, his begining to feel creeps.

"Seriously?"

Back then, after their confrontation in the tavern due to a horrible misunderstanding. Alfred oath to protect his companions as compensation for his mistake that almost endangered the innocent trio, and now, Kai was making him promise it... again. Just how overprotective is this lunatic?

"Dead serious," Kai replied.

After a long, exasperated pause, Alfred finally sighed. "Fine. I’ll do it."

"Not good enough. Give me your word again."

Alfred’s eyes twitched. "If I live, I’ll fulfill it to the best of my abilities. Satisfied?"

After all, a dead man can't do anything.

Kaiser nodded, finally lowering the dagger entirely. "Good. Now get moving. They’ll be here soon."

Alfred gave him one last long, measuring look, then turned to leave. "You’re the most insane person I’ve ever met. Do you even care about your own life? If not, then good luck dying alone there, I just hope you will realize the value of fighting alongside allies if you somewhat survive... I'll be hoping for your return."

Kai grinned. "Not really. In any case, I'll be needing that thing Brick." He pointed at something hanging on Brick's belt.

Without a word, Brick untied the blowing instrument Hunters often used for announcing signals, made from a horned hounds horn and tossed it at Kaiser before following their leader. However, he paused and with a reluctant sigh, he suddenly spoke without facing Kai.

"This is probably the last time I'll see you. I want you to know that… I’ve never really liked you. Why? Because since I first met you. You always strike me as a naive kid that didn't know a thing about what it takes to become strong. You have no talent, no skills, no experience, nothing. Actually, I'm better than you could even be. It only got worse when we found out you were a Player. I mean, you’ve got two beautiful girls already, and somehow even Layla—who I’ve been trying *so long* to win over—has a thing for you! You’re the luckiest motherf*cker! That doesn't deserve everything you own because without that unfair title and strength of yours, you're nothing. At best, perhaps you're at the level of an average villager, lesser than me. That's why I always hated you, I'm stronger, I've tried harder, suffered worse in my hunts and proven myself as an exceptional hunter, a cut above the rest! Most importantly, I had more potential than a damned lucky bastard like you. I'm better, so why did you have better things than me? Why can't I have your strength? If I had it, I wouldn't be so helpless against those things... Why does it have to be you?" He took a breathing, continuing with a heavy tone, but calmer and accepting.

"I have my answers now... What I’m saying is, I’ve always thought you were just a naive loser who got lucky... But I was wrong." Turning to meet Kaiser's eyes, Brick stated firmly, full of acknowledgment.

"You’re the bravest, most daring, insane, true warrior I’ve ever met. It’s been an honor knowing you. And I swear, if you die, I’ll make sure to brag to everyone about our duel in Miss Lina's Inn—and I’ll tell them I punched you square in the face back then, that I defeated Kaiser the brave once, if you don't come back."

With that, Brick hurried away with clenched fists, not wanting to hear a response.

Watching the two hunters back vanish into the fiery haze of the burning forestry with a distant gaze. Left alone, Kai smirked.

"You'll never."

Was his late response to Brick's farewell. Then added a bit regretfully, his smile fading.

"Did I f*cked up big this time...?"

Kai asked himself, looking at his remaining hand.