Katherine POV:

My gaze failed to move from the clean bedsheets the villagers had been kind enough to prepare for me. The dip of my eyebrows soon turned into a plunge that creased the smooth skin in between.

‘It happened again... This is the fourth time I have blacked out and forgotten everything. How could I embarrass my master in such a way?’

The faint quiver of my lips was accompanied with tears accumulating around the edge of my eyes.

“Is there something wrong with me?”

I examined my hands and recalled an old memory of Zane Pantheon, The Shadow King.

***

I hastened my footsteps up the winding pathway that nature was kind enough to form. The sides of my long skirt were bundled into the palms of my hands, since it would debase my master’s status if I were to not look presentable as his disciple.

I passed through a thicket of trees and arrived on a flat cliff top. Zane sat alone at the edge, meditating with the air that coalesced around him.

The sides of his shaved head joined with tight bundles of curls that formed soft spikes. Gold linings ran down his black cloak, concealing a toned body underneath.

There was always something magical about the way the elements responded to his command, but sadness would sweep over his face at times.

‘I want to cheer him up...’

This was something a disciple should do for their master. When someone gives, one should give back. If no one gives, then be the first to show kindness.

“Master!”

I closed the distance between us before bowing my head. Zane’s eyes flickered open, and his gaze shifted toward me.

“You’re here early, Katherine.”

His speech and mannerisms drew me in; the way he carried himself captivated me. I gave Zane a polite nod, noting that it was better to be early than late.

“Yes. I was quite excited, Master.”

“Then let’s begin.”

He picked up a stick and got to his feet. I knew today’s lesson would be difficult, but that wouldn’t deter me in the slightest.

***

Laboured breaths flew out in a hurry. Rays of sunlight made the rainfall of sweat glisten. I doubled over, resting my hands on top of my knees to try and ease the tightness encroaching around my bosom.

Aches and pain reminded me of the necessary effort needed to learn from Zane Pantheon. It was fortunate that I was raised on a farm, so manual labour was nothing new to me. From as young as I could remember, I took pleasure in caring for the nature around me.

A black towel with gold around its edges entered my vision. Zane’s lips spread into a content smile, pleased with the current rate of my progress.

“Thank you, Master.”

I bowed my head before taking the towel with both hands. The sweat had seeped into my clothes, darkening its colour further. Whenever strenuous activity was involved, I wore appropriate attire that would allow me to focus on the task at hand. Thick materials and dark colours prevented any undesired transparency from taking place.

“You’re welcome, Katherine.”

Once I finished wiping my face and neck in a thorough manner, I folded the towel. I would return it after washing it at home.

Zane stared at the sky with his arms folded. I believed he was thinking about the past—about something important that played on his mind often.

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“Master... May I ask you a question, please?”

“You may.”

His wide back felt like it carried a heavy burden, yet he was still so kind. I smoothed out the creases in my dress multiple times in an effort to shoo away the hesitation creeping into my mind.

“U-um... Do I make you happy?”

Zane’s cheeks rose, and he turned around to face me. His rich brown eyes contained a beautiful depth that encompassed a desire to protect and serve.

“What Master wouldn’t be happy with a disciple who trains earnestly?”

The slight curve of my eyes complemented the rise of my lips. I felt rejuvenated by such wonderful words of praise until a flash of sadness flickered across his face. It took my elation with it, leaving me with deep concern at the source of Zane’s pain.

“But... why are there times when you look unbearably sad? I... hope I have not upset you in any way...”

I bowed my head once more. Arriving early and intruding upon his private time wasn’t good manners, nor did it show care for his own situation.

My excitement had gotten the better of me. Though my fervour was genuine, I had gone too far.

‘!’

A firm hand rested on my shoulder. It swiped away the incorrect assumptions I had just made and reassured me I was not the cause of his pain.

“In the past, I failed to save someone who was once my whole world. Though time flows on, every now and then, I’m brought back to that moment. I’m reminded of how I fell short. It was a sacrifice that I never wanted to happen.”

Tears rolled down my cheeks from Zane, opening up to me. The agony and anguish on his face showed how deep this scar reached.

“You have me, Master.”

I placed my hand on top of his. Perhaps it was inappropriate to say, but I felt these words were what he needed to hear.

“I will never let you be alone! I won’t disappoint you. I’ll meet all of your expectations so that you can smile more!”

The trees rustled from the soothing breeze that flowed between us. Zane’s eyes softened like the clouds in the sky. The seconds trudged onward and so did the heat spreading over my cheeks.

I let go of his hand and bowed. The atmosphere had made me forget that saying such things could be considered discourteous.

“I-I apologise, Master! I overstepped my boundaries!”

‘!!’

A rare chuckle warmed the air around me and stabilised my racing heart. This was only the second time I had ever heard Zane laugh.

“Thank you, Katherine. I’m truly blessed to have two phenomenal disciples.”

“Y-you are welcome, Master.”

I lowered my head when a young, tall man appeared out of thin air. He had curly blond hair, and a well-defined body that wasn’t too muscular but toned to a such degree it seemed like he was bursting with power.

His ocean blue eyes held a storm within, kept in check by a pure humility. It was a tranquil balance that required a lot of control that his natural disposition seemed to have.

He placed his fist against his open palm and showed respect toward Zane Pantheon.

“Master.”

Zane’s content smile widened into one overflowing with proudness.

“Raise your head, Lyon.”

His bright grin illuminated the area with a faint blue hue. I marvelled at what results he must have achieved in order to evoke this kind of reaction from Zane.

“It’s always great to see you again, Master.”

“Likewise, my disciple.”

The two men clasped hands before pulling each other into a one-armed hug. It was a greeting not befitting of master and disciple but of an older and younger brother instead.

They parted ways, and Lyon shifted his gaze to the golems further behind me.

“Heh, this brings back memories.”

I remained quiet while Lyon reminisced about the past for a couple of minutes. He also had a deep pain that came from a great responsibility.

“That means this young lady must be your final disciple.”

Lyon’s gaze rested on me. He comprehended my character with a wisdom and eye, acquired through many testing grounds. I may not have been able to explain how I knew this, but I was certain this was the case.

“Katherine, this is your senior brother and my first disciple, Lyon Asphalios.”

My fist hit against the palm of my hand now that the official introductions had been made.

“I am Katherine Brightfield, and I greet my senior brother!”

“...Truly, you have an eye for people, Master.”

Lyon’s response left me rather perplexed until a strange type of Ki flared out of him. The humble white Ki spread across the entire area, wrapping Lyon in a dignity and majesty that elevated his confident smile.

‘He... is a King.’

His presence confirmed it. Nature turned her head in his direction and approved of the man known as Lyon Asphalios.

“You skipped a step, but you have the time to fix that issue.”

Lyon gave Zane a firm nod, leaving me none the wiser about what that step could be. The power radiating from him was enough to quake several regions.

He walked forward and took my hand. His eyes gazed right into mine with pure intentions.

“...When I’m not around, take care of our master well, little sister.”

***

The memory faded, taking the tears with it. I refocused my mind, determined to not let another embarrassment like this occur again.

Even if this Arcane Dungeon wasn’t enough to break through to Boukyaku, the Jiyeok and the villages closer to Chunhae city would be kept safe.

There was also the matter regarding Shun. He was kind enough to carry me until he found a suitable place for my head to rest. I thought giving him my thanks would erase some of the barriers between us, but he seemed irritated by my very existence.

He showed me care, then despised that he did, but felt like he had no choice to in the end. I understood that his conflict stemmed from a deep pain—a deep darkness that robbed the light from his eyes.

I wanted to support him, so I was the first to offer dealing with those in pursuit. Once Phoebe showed the intention to go, I conceded, but Aiden stopped her. His concern came from Shun’s attitude and approach to dungeons in general.

Phoebe was a smart young woman. I felt confident that she wouldn’t let others use her, even if her romantic feelings were involved.

But I would still do what I could within reason.

“I need to be someone dependable like my older brother... I need to show our master that I can achieve similar results too.”

I balled my hands into fists and shifted my gaze to the door.

“I won’t bring shame to the Pantheon name!”