Sariel sat atop the building, his fingers brushing against the burn on his shoulder. The acid wound no longer hurt; he couldn't even feel a scar.

He had attacked that creature, thinking it would be easy. Just like this time, he could have encountered something far more dangerous and met his end.

The old man's words kept replaying in his mind. He needed more power—not just a better weapon.

His thoughts drifted to his first memory: waking up surrounded by giant spiders.

Neil, Natasha, and William had been sent to kill the monsters in that part of the forest, and he was saved by them, if only for a moment.

Those creatures had come from a rift, and soon their leader emerged. They fought it, while he ran for his life.

He had no memories and was confused beyond belief. So he ran and ran...

He didn’t want to dwell on the rest—on what happened in that forest, or what he had done to survive.

How he gained his first levels.

Sariel frowned. He remembered the System mentioning another gift. It was nothing unique, but it was a shortcut to power.

While others had to study and be taught how to achieve it, he would obtain it instantly.

Still, he was hesitant. She wasn’t a good person.

He recalled when she forced that pseudo-contract on him. He hadn't wanted it, but she hadn't cared, saying:

"Think of it as a contract, I suppose. A taste of a weak contract for the greater ones you may seek in the future."

There was no need to rush. He could choose not to use it. But maybe it was better to face it head-on. Was it a trap, or genuine?

He muttered, uncertain how to make the power work, “Create imperia.”

From deep within his mind, he felt a heat growing. It intensified, becoming fire. It felt like an inferno had ignited in his brain!

Sariel screamed in agony.

It burned.

He slammed the back of his head onto the ground, hoping to knock out the fire, but it kept burning. Of course it did—the flame was literally in his brain.

It spread down his spine and through his limbs, boiling him from the inside, like molten lava...

Help me…

Everything started to go dark. In his panic, his foot slipped off the roof. Oh, shit…

He tripped, his body suddenly weightless.

He was going to be consumed by the flames.

***

Outside the City.

A man with black hair sat cross-legged on a giant snow-white rat, its golden claws and teeth gleaming in the dim light. He wore a mix of metal and leather armor.

His face was concealed behind a skeletal mask.

Opposite him stood a young woman with purple hair, flanked by two others — one with piercing green eyes, the other with deep blue, their faces bore a striking resemblance, as if they were twins. Hazel and Sapphire, respectively.

"It took you long enough to answer my call," said the man.

"What do you want? Neil."

"A favor."

"And why would I—"

"It's in your interest. There's a certain boy I need you to take care of."

"The one you brought into Deflen?" The capital city in the North Nation, located in North Aoriotar.

"Yes."

"How is that to my interest?"

"He's a ******. I saw it with my own eyes."

She and the others were stunned with the exception of the Hazel. She never showed expressions.

The young lady with purple hair didn't believe it. "You must think I’m a fool. Do you really expect me to believe that?"

She was aware of the existence of 'them,' but they weren't supposed to exist in this world.

"It’s true. I wouldn't lie about something so absurd. I thought you would like someone like him on your side. I hear Louis was trying to recruit him, I know you wouldn't like that."

"Why don't you take care of him?"

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"I'm always on missions. You're the best option at hand. Whether you choose to capitalize on it is up to you."

"Haha... I bet that poor boy thought you were his ally since you saved him. Maybe even a friend. Yet here you are, talking about him like he’s trade-able good. You’re truly the greatest clown. It's like you walk around with an aura of disappointment."

Neil ignored her words. "What's the answer? Is that a yes or no?"

"Whatever I feel like."

There was a silence.

"Good luck, Zahphael."

"Go die, Neil."

"I'm far too strong for that." He leapt off his rat, which instantly shrank to its normal size. Tendrils of darkness surged from his feet, twisting and stretching, morphing into the shape of a giant hawk with eyes like smoldering embers. The giant hawk was so big that it made humans appear like rats in comparison.

With a swift motion, they leaped onto the bird's shadowy back. With a powerful beat of its wings, the dark hawk took to the skies, vanishing into the sky.

The Sapphire finally spoke, "He’s lying. A trap."

"Maybe." Zahphael turned to Hazel. "What do you think?"

"Trap."

"Hm... I'm conflicted. If Louis wants him, it's for political reasons. And if she knows of him, other influential people would also know. I need you two to keep an eye on him and report anything interesting."

"The elders would be upset if we left your side."

"They won't know."

***

Sariel suddenly awoke, gasping for air. Instinctively, he reached out, thinking he was falling, but realized he was on a bed.

He tried to move, but his body was drained of energy. He noticed a boy standing by the door—the same boy Irish had tried to steal from.

Sariel tried to piece together how he ended up here. He remembered falling off a building… then nothing.

A red-skinned woman entered the room.

She must be their mother, he thought, though they looked nothing alike except for the strange black-dark lines that covered their bodies.

Sariel tried to move his legs, he slipped off the bed, crashing to the floor. The woman rushed to help him but was just a moment too late.

Feeling vulnerable, Sariel recoiled from her touch. "Who are you? And what am I doing here?!" he demanded, unable to lift his head because of the pain.

"You fell off that building headfirst and that's your first worry?" He was incredibly lucky, she thought.

Sariel pondered her words. "How did I end up here?"

He noticed his clothes had been changed. The woman explained, "You had a lot of blood on your outfit. A life threatening amount."

"I might be able to pay you back tomorrow," he muttered, with no real intention to do so.

"I don't want money from you. This is a thank you from me."

"I never interacted with you."

"You stood up for my children back in that bread shop."

Sariel was caught off guard. He looked at the boy again. He seemed like he wanted to say something but hesitated.

The girl, his sister, spoke up instead. "Thank you for helping us."

Sariel was unsure of their intentions, but their words seemed genuine. He remained cautious, not fully trusting the situation.

The boy seemed nervous and competitive in his response. "Yeah! We... uh... back then... you helped us. We didn't need your help, but... it's appreciated."

The sister lightly punched her brother’s shoulder and turned back to Sariel. "Ignore my brother. We mean it, really—thanks."

The boy rubbed his shoulder, looking annoyed.

Sariel nodded slightly. This was feeling odd to him. "Sure."

He had a nagging question on his mind.

The place in the city where he had met them was quite far from where the building he slept on. It was possible they didn't live near the city gates but closer to where he was now. Yet, why would parents send such young kids so far by themselves? Their mother was with them, but that didn’t dismiss his concern. How had they found him? And at night, no less—when it would be hard to spot someone from a distance.

"Miss, how did you find me?" he asked.

"Well, I didn’t. It was these kids who found you. Specifically, Kai"

How did this Kai find him?

"Is that so..." he replied, still pondering.

Everyone in the room had white outlines, but that didn't mean he completely trusted them.

Kai spoke up, "Can I ask you a question?"

"I also have a question for you. But go ahead."

"Why did you help us?"

"Weren't you about to be kicked?"

"No way. I could have handled him."

"Your sister got hurt protecting you. You clearly couldn't handle him."

“I am strong! Very strong! I will always protect her because I’m her older brother! You don't know what you're talking about!" His eyes blazed with anger, and even his outline shifted to red for a second.

Sariel was puzzled. What had he said to provoke such a reaction? That boy clearly had anger issues.

Wait—did he say he was the older brother?

"How are you the older brother when she's bigger than you?" Sariel asked, genuinely curious.

The sister looked a bit sad for her brother and answered, "I take after my father's side. My human side allows me to have rapid growth spurts. My brother, on the other hand, takes after our mother's side. His growth is more constant but slower."

Their mother folded her arms. "I'm glad to see you're taking your education seriously."

"Of course!” The girl nodded enthusiastically.

“Ah. Kids, I think the soup should have cooled by now. Go get a bowl for him."

"Sure!"

“He can starve a bit longer…” the boy muttered as he walked out. Sariel had clearly hurt him with his words.

The kids left the room.

Was this where the typical nonsense began?

"What species are you?" Sariel finally asked, breaking the tense silence in the room.

The woman took a seat in a chair. "Well, it seems this is your first time meeting a non-human."

"No..." Sariel replied. On the day he arrived in this world, while Neil and the others were busy fighting monsters, he had met others, who weren't human.

One of them even saved him while he cowered in fear. He did a lot more out of fear.

One of his first memories, one he didn't like to think about.

"But I'm not familiar with your people," he admitted.

She raised her eyebrows in mild surprise. "I am a Reserio. You may have heard of us; we’re called ‘shadow lurkers’ here.” At those last words, her voice filled with hatred.

She explained that she was born in the kingdom of North Zamaruia, where all citizens were required to undergo Slayer training. Those with potential were drafted into the army with no choice, while those without potential could be conscripted at any time during a major conflict.

"I didn't want that life. So I fled to Aoriotar, and married a human. I guess I'm a coward, but I don't mind it."

She however was ashamed that her son had inherit those qualities from her.

A pained smile crossed her face. "Haha..."

Sariel wondered: Was that what people meant when they referred to ‘shadow lurkers’? Was it because of the strange, dark lines on their bodies?

"The reason we’re particularly grateful is that your kind... are often very discriminatory against us. Unfortunately, my children inherited some of my dark appendages..."

So that was what those were called. The dark appendages, traced along her skin in twisting patterns. They snaked up her arm, curling around her fingers and extending even to her eyelids.

She continued, "Usually, humans don’t care if we get beaten, robbed, or worse. They often turn a blind eye to murder. The laws aren’t particularly in our favor. Sure, there are some laws against prejudice, but there are also laws designed to keep us at the bottom of society."

What was he supposed to say? What could he say?

She leaned back. "Still, I understand why. Back in Northern Zamaruia, humans would be treated far worse. It would be surprising to see one not killed on sight." She laughed. "It’s hard not to be prejudiced... but I have a husband who is fully human, two kids who are half human, and some human friends who are genuinely kind."