My brain short-circuited. I couldn't comprehend why Oso had a hole in his chest now. I mean, I knew it was because he was shot, but why?

Just when I was about to have an ogre friend.

Adrenaline rush pumped my heart. It banged into the cage of my ribs. So malignant, I was sure it would burst any moment. I've seen many deaths in my life, but nothing compared to the dismay I felt right now. It was all thanks to the perp.

I position my gaze at him. A striking face blessed my eyes. His yellow eyes were sharp like a tiger’s. Merely seeing his ivory skin gave me blizzards. I, who was a man before, agreed that this man was the most handsome man I had ever seen.

“Excuse me?” I was shocked, but my voice was calm. I was under the impression of a formidable man. His aura swelled around the area like perfume. I knew people that I shouldn't mess with when I saw one. I couldn’t afford to offend this man. Hence, I was as calm as would ever be.

The man didn’t utter anything back. Probably thinking that he didn’t owe me any explanation. Instead, he moved his long legs, closing our distance. He slung his shotgun over his prominent right shoulder. His face was indifferent. The cold I felt grew immensely. My whole body shuddered. Even without me sparing a glance, I knew the others behind felt the same way.

What is this man? I was lost. His unperturbed eyes darted on my skin. There was no trace of guilt nor sorry on them. As if it was only his business to kill.

When he reached me, about 2 meters away, he finally opened his mouth. “Stupid.”

One word for him, and it was ‘stupid’. I heard this word all my life. Who wouldn’t? Being called stupid was an everyday occasion. I didn’t even consider it an insult. Every so often, I just brushed it off. But this very time was the first time I felt it hit the bull's-eye. 10 points.

“Wh-” I was about to open my mouth without a complete sentence in my head, but a hand grabbed my head and pushed it down instead. I was suddenly at a 90-degree angle, head facing the damp ground.

"Bow." An eminent voice stroked my heart. The eater’s killer pushed me down lightly with his left palm. There was no arrogance in his act or word. I supposed I would jump on him if he held me down like this, belittling me. But no. He did it as if he was pleading with me to keep my head down. As if whispering 'Please, just bow your head'.

When I peeked behind, the trio was bowing as well. Leaving Lucy unattended on the ground. I wondered what they had in mind.

"You see me, and you don't bow. How impudence." The man continued.

First of all, why should I?

"Forgive them, boss. They must be confused."

You bet I am.

"Yoro. I didn't ask you."

His robust voice sent chills down my skin. I flinched, and my hair blistered.

The man holding me grabbed me by my right shoulder and herded me to the side. He didn't say anything back to the boss. Instead, he regarded me with a little nod.

When I gave him my 'what just happens' eyes, he pulled his mask down, revealing an undisturbed face. It was a face that I knew so well. A face of a man that hauled his ass every day to work, hanging on to his dear life. He probably got so used to the boss's attitude, it became his personality to just hang in there.

What a waste. I couldn't help but pity him. His ethereal face brimmed with bleak expression. Those light brown eyes were supposed to be lively, complimenting his soft facial structures. A gentle face that you wouldn’t see often. The very face of a bishōnen. Young and sweet. Yet… What did you do to have your expression darken like that?

The boss lifted his left eyebrow, giving a little tilt at the end, suggesting something to the man.

“Allow me to explain,” The man said, “We’re from the Orrientera Intelligence Bureau. My name is Edward Weller. We’re here to exterminate this poor ogre. The reason being is confidential.”

“What sort of reason is that?” I wasn’t content with the reason, not one bit. I lifted my head, sharing glances at the two mysterious men in black. Yes. They were indeed troubles. Their aura alone suffocated me. But I was never afraid in the first place.

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“Our apologies, Prince Edward.” I was too busy running my thoughts that I didn’t hear any footsteps racing behind me. Pascal had rushed, stepping after me. Emil and Lucas followed and stood beside me. I turned my head, finding Lucy had sat on the ground, trying to catch her breath.

Good. She’s fine. I sighed.

“Our friend has amnesia. She must not recognize Your Highness and Your Majesty. She doesn’t even remember who she is. So, if you could, please spare us some understanding.” Pascal bowed his head, full of courtesy.

I grew more confused. This eater’s killer was apparently a prince. Then, it crossed my mind. I must be looking like a deer caught in the headlights.

If this man is a prince, what kind of powerful status does the other man have to be THE boss?

The boss in an easy-going voice inquired, “Is that so?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

I was stunned, in between confusion and curiosity. Whoever the boss was, he held a higher status than a ‘mere’ prince. No wonder his demeanor, expression, and words strangled me.

“I assumed you all from Sanlow." Edward continued. “I have to inform you, an eater breakout had happened not too long ago.”

I didn’t move my eyes, but I was sure of the trio’s expressions. They must be as distraught as they would ever be.

“How many of them survive?” Pascal's hands hung down. They were no more than two flaccid clumps of flesh.

“We don’t know it yet.”

“No way,” Emil murmured under his unsteady breath. He dropped his body. Lucas followed. Both hands were on his ears. As if he wanted to deflect the nightmare Edward just announced.

Aria's and Pauli’s faces flashed before me. The flash hit me like a punch to the stomach. I could feel a lump of discomfort in my tongue, unabling me to say anything.

“This ogre right here had brought something inside him that triggered the outbreak. Probably, unconsciously. That’s all we can tell you. Do not ask any further.” The boss uttered, still without any weight of condolence.

Heartless brat.

I stood there, watching Pascal, Emil, Lucas, and Lucy cried in silence. I too was sad, but I was not the type of person to cry. I didn’t even cry when my father died.

As if showing their condolence, the lines of trees swayed by a sudden gust of wind. Their leaves brushed into one another, creating a calming sound.

The boss turned his back as if searching for something. I would never notice it if he didn’t, his blood-red ribbon. It reminded me of some-

Eh? Why is the ribbon so not unfamiliar?

A blurry memory. This man, his figure, his scent, I had met him before. It must be in one of my lives.

“Who are you?” I unconsciously questioned. Edward flinched. His crystal eyes opened a little wider. The boss turned and gazed at me with his unreadable eyes. I guessed I fucked up.

[Skill: Black Magic – Possession] (Possessed)

“HAHAHAHAHAHA.”

A burst of laughter echoed, overwhelming the sound of leaves and bushes swaying. In a split second, the boss’s face darkened. His heart must skip a beat.

The sound was from Oso who laid face down on the ground. There shouldn’t be any indication of life in his body anymore. Yet a joyful laugh was heard.

I blinked and the body had disappeared. One second later, Edward was sent flying, crossing the distance between me and the boss. He crashed a wooden tavern and was buried under a pile of broken wood that fell upon him.

“Huh?” I jolted.

“Everyone, get back!” The boss shouted. Now his voice held concern. Sensing the danger, we retreated to where Lucy was and herded ourselves back to back.

“Look at you. 5 years and you grew even more dependable. That’s my student for you.” In another blink of an eye, Oso appeared again behind the boss. The boss broke his character and jerked his neck. He jumped to our side, securing a distance.

I could see the view of trees through the hole in Oso’s chest. He was no less than dead, yet he stood, grinning at us with snake-like eyes.

Is that Oso? His voice is different.

“How’s your father, master?”

“Akasha!!!”

“Oho. There you go again. You cannot raise your voice like that. It’s not polite.” He smiled.

The boss mounted his shotgun, pointing the tip at Akasha.

“As your teacher, I should punish you.”

[Skill: Specter Steps lvl 12] (Blink)

[Skill: Zephyr’s Hands lvl 15] (Burst)

In another blink of an eye, the man had gone.

Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud. Sounds of something falling to the ground broke the silence. I froze as I realize what they were. I looked down. Four heads rolled to my feet. Pascal’s, Emil’s, Lucas’s, and Lucy’s eyes stared back at me, lifeless. In a second, their heads were detached from their bodies. The slashes were so clean. I gagged at the horror.

[Skill: Prime Identification lvl 9] (Analyze)

‘Report: An individual is casting [Skill: Prime Identification] on master. Accessed to master’s primary information will be denied.’

“Who are you, young lady?” A vicious tone wrapped my ears. “Who are you to be able to deny me?” He was right behind me.