Chapter 3

In the snowy forest, the laughter of the children—Yamato, Suero, and Kaso—echoed through the air, blending with the cold breeze that embraced the snow. They were gliding across the ice with excitement, their joyous voices bouncing between the snow-covered trees. As they paused to catch their breath, Yamato clutched her stomach, tears of laughter filling her eyes.

Suddenly, Suero lifted her into his arms and raised her high into the crisp winter sky.

Yamato let out a shriek of surprise mixed with laughter, and when Suero momentarily let go, he swiftly caught her again, wrapping her safely in his warm embrace before setting her gently back on the ground. She beamed with pure childlike joy and exclaimed:

"Oh my god! That was so much fun!"

Kaso eagerly joined in, her excitement mirroring Yamato’s:

"Yeah! Wasn't that great, Suero?!"

Suero nodded with a smile that had never left his face. Yamato grasped his small hand, and together, they began strolling through the forest as snowflakes softly fell upon them, leaving behind a trail of footprints on the icy ground.

Kaso stretched her arms out and sighed happily:

"The weather is amazing today! The forest looks so beautiful with the snowfall!"

Yamato responded with the enthusiasm only a child could have:

"Yes! We should come out every day and enjoy this weather! Right, big brother?!"

Suero remained silent, his hands tightening slightly around Yamato’s, but there was something deeper in his gaze—something unreadable.

Suddenly, a voice called from behind, breaking the peaceful moment:

"Suero...?"

Kaso and Yamato turned around in surprise, while Suero froze in place, his face stiffening with shock upon hearing the voice. Standing there was Laura, with Rita beside her, both staring intently at him.

Kaso blinked in confusion before asking:

"Who are you? Do you know us?"

Before Laura could respond, Yamato spoke with innocent curiosity:

"What do you want from my big brother?"

Laura’s gaze remained fixed on Suero as she spoke firmly:

"Suero, we need you. You have to join us!"

Suero’s expression turned eerily cold. Without a word, he gripped Yamato’s hand tighter. It was clear he had already made his decision. He stepped forward, his voice calm but resolute:

"Let’s go."

Kaso quickly followed but couldn’t help glancing back at the two girls. Laura murmured under her breath, her eyes locked on Suero’s retreating figure:

"What’s wrong with him...?"

Rita called out, trying to reach him:

"Oi, Suero! Don’t you want to join us? Don’t you want to destroy the magic system?!"

But Suero kept walking, his footsteps against the ice speaking louder than any words.

Beside him, Kaso tilted her head in curiosity and asked:

"Magic? Were those girls with you when you were a sorcerer?"

Suero remained silent, his expression unreadable, further deepening Kaso’s curiosity.

Behind them, Laura watched Suero for a moment before turning away:

"Let’s go. I don’t think he’ll join… the incident in Ronda left a deep scar on him."

She started walking away, and Rita cast one last look at Suero before following.

The snow continued to fall endlessly over Kaisima, as if it sought to bury the forest’s secrets beneath its white embrace.

—

Amidst a towering mountain draped in endless white, heavy snowfall transformed the path to the summit into a treacherous ascent. Fierce winds howled as if challenging the two figures pressing forward—Spailo and Raizo—who struggled against the relentless storm. Despite the biting cold, they continued their climb, their steps blending with the crunching sound of snow beneath their feet.

Spailo paused for a moment, gripping his coat tightly to shield himself from the wind, and asked with a mix of curiosity and challenge:

"Why don’t we just use flight and reach the summit instantly?"

Raizo let out a scoffing laugh, brushing back strands of his wind-tossed hair as he replied:

"Have you forgotten? This mountain is under the protection of the Mana Organization. Any attempt at flight is immediately nullified within their borders. Flying here is completely restricted."

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Surprise flickered across Spailo’s face as he continued his ascent beside him:

"Really?!"

Raizo’s tone turned enigmatic as he watched the snow pile beneath their steps:

"But fifteen years ago, there was someone who destroyed this place entirely."

A smirk tugged at Spailo’s lips as he raised an eyebrow:

"And who had the guts to do that?"

Raizo responded with an ambiguous smile:

"Have you forgotten? It was when you were still a child… and I passed the Unlimited technique onto you."

Spailo halted momentarily, a look of intrigue crossing his face:

"No, I haven’t forgotten. But I remember the technique was inside a bullet… and you transferred it to me."

Raizo sighed, shaking his head with a hint of sarcasm:

"True. But do you know where that technique originally came from?"

Spailo pondered for a moment before answering:

"Smart Bessix, wasn’t it?"

Raizo’s smirk widened as he nodded:

"Exactly. But don’t forget—Smart didn’t obtain it easily. He had to fight a fierce battle against the most powerful sorcerers."

Spailo’s expression grew contemplative as he muttered:

"Sbyam Brius… right?"

Raizo affirmed:

"Yes. Along with his friend, Brylo."

Spailo’s eyes widened slightly, his voice rising:

"Brylo?! The man who later joined us? Isn’t he the one guarding the Containment Sphere now?"

Raizo nodded in confirmation:

"That’s right. Back then, Smart faced both of them in a battle that nearly obliterated this place."

As they finally reached the summit, they halted momentarily, gazing upon a colossal structure that towered over the mountain’s peak. Snow swirled around it as if trying to reclaim it once more. Raizo’s voice carried a hint of astonishment:

"They rebuilt it?! And they placed it above the surface instead of keeping it inside the mountain?!"

Approaching the main entrance, they found a man standing there, his expression unwaveringly composed. Exchanging glances, Spailo and Raizo suddenly recognized him, prompting Raizo to exclaim:

"Golobet?!"

Golobet spread his arms in greeting:

"Raizo! Spailo! Welcome!"

The three shook hands, their smirks never fading. Breaking the exchange, Raizo asked:

"Is the ‘Obliteration’ technique ready?"

Golobet raised an eyebrow in mock surprise before replying:

"Are you seriously asking that?"

He pushed open the doors, leading them through a long corridor with glass-paneled windows overlooking the seemingly endless hallway. Despite the storm raging outside, the interior radiated an unsettling calm.

Raizo, his curiosity piqued, asked:

"Why is the organization so empty?"

Golobet’s voice remained steady as he answered:

"Everyone was granted leave. Most of the staff here are from Kaisima—it wasn’t necessary for them to know about this technique."

Spailo scoffed, shoving his hands into his pockets:

""And I suppose I don’t count as one of Kaisima either?"

Raizo chuckled while Golobet responded with a faint smile:

"You’re the one who’s going to use the technique, aren’t you?"

Raizo nodded, gesturing towards Spailo:

"Exactly. Spailo is the key to this operation."

But Golobet, his curiosity unshaken, asked:

"Do you really not care about your country?"

Spailo’s expression shifted instantly—his features hardened as he spoke in a low, grave tone:

"Ever since I fell from that hill and met Raizo, I realized… we can’t stand against you."

Golobet sneered, his tone laced with mockery:

"You sound like a slave."

Raizo smirked faintly and remarked:

"Don’t be too harsh, Golobet. Spailo is our tool for activating the technique."

As they reached the end of the corridor, Golobet opened a door leading to a small, dark room, seemingly disconnected from the outside world. Spailo glanced around, examining the surroundings, while Raizo spoke with a mocking tone:

"So, this is the room where the book is hidden?"

Golobet nodded in confirmation:

"Exactly."

Spailo's expression shifted to a mix of confusion and suspicion as he muttered under his breath:

"A book?"

Raizo, with an air of nonchalance, dismissed the weight of the situation as he explained:

"When the World Sages discovered the book written by the King of Kaisima, they panicked. That’s why they launched a campaign to wipe out Kaisima and erase the 'Obliteration' technique along with its history."

Spailo remained silent, processing Raizo's words, while Golobet stepped forward with steady steps toward a small wooden chest. He carefully opened it, revealing a glowing red orb at its center. The pulsating light reflected on their faces, casting an intense, dramatic aura over the scene.

Raizo’s eyes widened, a mix of awe and terror filling them as Spailo cautiously approached, examining the radiant orb. Raizo spoke, his voice a blend of admiration and dread:

"Damn you, King! You really created something terrifying!"

Spailo observed the orb with a deep, contemplative gaze and whispered:

"Is this... 'Obliteration'?"

Raizo responded, unable to suppress the underlying fear in his voice, yet the grin never left his face:

"Yes! This is the technique capable of erasing the entire world!"

Lifting the orb in his hand, Raizo let out a hysterical laugh:

"Now… now I hold the most powerful technique in existence! What an honor!"

Then, with an eerily serious tone, he extended the orb toward Spailo:

"Take it."

Spailo stared at the glowing sphere for a few moments before quietly taking it. Meanwhile, Raizo turned and began walking toward the door, his voice brimming with madness:

"It’s time to begin the annihilation… Kaisima and its history must be erased!"

Golobet interrupted with a questioning look:

"The technique will create an infinite army of colossal beasts, right?"

Raizo, stepping out of the room, replied confidently:

"Of course! These creatures will flood the land in overwhelming numbers and crush Kaisima entirely!"

Golobet and Spailo followed him, leaving the door ajar as Golobet asked with growing concern:

"And what about us?"

Raizo smirked:

"Who do you mean? Spailo? He’ll die the moment the technique is activated. The contract is clear—obliterate the designated area in exchange for the user's soul."

Golobet’s voice trembled slightly:

"No! I don’t care about him. He’s the last of his kind. I mean, what about you and me?!"

Raizo let out a chuckle:

"We’ll use your technique! You have 'Teleportation,' don’t you?"

Golobet hesitated before nodding:

"That’s true..."

Raizo’s grin widened with confidence:

"Then there’s nothing to worry about."

Spailo remained silent in the back, his eyes holding an enigmatic depth. Suddenly, massive sparks flared along both sides of the corridor—one red, the other green. Their luminous glow reflected on their faces, filling the air with tension.

Raizo cursed under his breath:

"Damn it!"

Golden electricity surged around his body, his eyes glowing with an ominous golden hue. He shouted with power:

"Onoko Borna!"

A ghostly, ominous voice echoed in response:

"What?!"

Raizo roared again, his movements swift as lightning:

"Come out now!"

A terrifying spectral entity erupted from Raizo’s back, accompanied by a massive explosion as the two opposing sparks collided. The force shattered stones, shattered windows, and sent violent gusts tearing through the corridor. The entire passageway turned to rubble just as Jan and Moryo soared toward the organization.

As they neared the mountain’s peak, their flight abruptly halted. Jan let out a panicked scream as he plummeted to the ground, his face crashing into the snow, while Moryo barely managed to stabilize himself before landing on his feet.

Moryo stood up, bewildered by what had just happened. He muttered to himself in shock:

"What’s going on here?"

Jan groaned as he pulled himself up:

"Why did we suddenly stop?!"

Moryo didn’t answer, his gaze fixated on something ahead. Jan followed his line of sight—and froze in shock.

Before them stood a colossal phantom with gleaming golden skin, razor-sharp fangs, and thick drool dripping from its mouth. Golden electricity crackled fiercely around its massive frame.

On the giant specter’s palm stood Raizo, smirking with amusement, with Spailo and Golobet beside him. The three leaped to the ground, where Moryo met them with a glare filled with fury. He murmured in a hushed, astonished tone:

"Moryo?!"

But Moryo ignored him, his piercing gaze locked onto Golobet:

"Golobet! Why are you standing with them?! You’re the commander of the Mana Organization!"

Golobet chuckled mockingly:

"Unfortunately, I’m just an employee under the World Sages."

Moryo let out a bitter laugh, his voice laced with hysteria:

"I’m not even surprised anymore… this world is full of filthy betrayals."

Raizo stepped forward, his voice carrying a taunting edge:

"Oi, royal blood brat! You must be here to destroy the Mana Organization, right? Well… it’s too late now!"

Moryo remained silent, but his determination was unwavering as green sparks danced around his clenched fist. His voice was resolute, calm, and defiant:

"It’s not over yet. And if it is… I’ll carve out a new opportunity from nothing."

The corridor fell silent, except for the howling wind. Snowflakes drifted gently, but the battle ahead would be anything but gentle.

End of Chapter.