Shen sat in the middle of his bedroom, practicing
[Energy 400/400]
[Health 200/200]
[Iron Body Lv.3]
Shen smiled faintly. "Not bad… not bad at all."
Still, unease tugged at him.
"I wish I had more time to prepare for the hunt, but… guess I'll have to make do with what I got."
He stood, dusted himself off, and muttered, "Might as well go ask His Majesty about the time of arrival." Then, he left his room.
---
Throne Room
Hydris was buried in the kingdom's daily problems, issuing commands to stewards and scribes. His advisor slipped beside him, whispering in his ear.
"Is it true?" Hydris raised a brow.
The advisor gave a single grave nod.
"I see." Hydris leaned back, fingers steepled, his expression grim. "I'll tell Shen before we arrive."
The advisor stiffened. "I'd advise against it, Your Majesty. He may be a threat to our secrecy… he could give something away to the enemy."
Hydris considered this, eyes narrowing. After a long silence, he finally said, "Very well. We will keep this from him—for now."
"As you command." The advisor bowed and turned, his face hidden.
But once he was alone in the corridor, his lips curled into a smirk. He pulled out a faintly glowing crystal and whispered into it.
"The fish took the bait."
"Good…" a voice answered from within.
The advisor's smile widened. "I think we could—"
The crystal flickered. Then, suddenly—
---
The Collision
Shen rounded the corner at a jog, nearly colliding with the cloaked man. The impact jolted the advisor, sending the crystal tumbling from his hands.
"You idiot! Watch where you're—" the advisor began sharply, but froze when he realized who it was.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Shen said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head.
The advisor's throat tightened. "N-Nothing to worry about, Master Shen."
But then Shen crouched down, picking up the fallen crystal. "Hey, looks like you dropped this. Oh—" it cracked cleanly in half as soon as he lifted it. "Sorry! I didn't mean to break it."
The advisor's face drained of color. His chest clenched painfully at the sight.
'That crystal was worth more than my house!' He forced a strained smile.
"It's fine. Forget it." He snatched the pieces from Shen's hand and hurried away before his mask could slip.
Shen tilted his head. "Weird guy." Then he pushed open the throne room doors.
---
Confrontation with Hydris
Hydris's eyes followed him in silence.
"Your Majesty, may I ask a question?" Shen said respectfully.
"Proceed."
"Are we near the port?"
"Yes."
"Thank you." Shen bowed lightly and turned to leave.
"Shen." Hydris's voice stopped him.
Shen turned back. "Yes, Your Majesty?"
Hydris's tone lowered. "I've been meaning to ask… how do you feel about what happened to your master?"
The room chilled to silence.
Shen's jaw tightened. "Do you really want to know?"
"Yes," Hydris said firmly.
Shen drew a long breath, fists clenching until his palms bled. "At first, I felt the world crash around me. I felt alone… afraid. Like it would've been better to die with him." His aura flared, the air itself trembling.
Hydris's eyes narrowed. 'So much power, leaking from pure emotion… interesting.'
"But now…" Shen's gaze sharpened like a blade. "Now I want revenge. And I'll do anything for it."
The weight in his words made even the guards stiffen.
Hydris asked coldly, "And what makes you so sure you'll get it?"
"Because I know I will."
The blunt certainty left the hall silent—before Hydris's booming laughter filled it.
"What's so funny?" Shen frowned.
"That Shu somehow found his clone and made him his student!" Hydris howled with laughter. "Shen, I give you my blessing to use the resources of this kingdom to grow stronger. You need only ask!"
Shen bowed, hiding the tear that escaped his eye. "Thank you, Your Majesty… truly."
"Go now. Have your hunt. But know this—the real training begins when you return."
"Yes, my king!" Shen said with newfound determination, leaving the hall with light in his step.
---
Advisor's Shadow
From the shadows, the advisor watched Shen leave, gripping the shattered crystal pieces so tightly they cut into his palm.
'If the crystal broke… then the other side already knows. And if Shen starts putting things together…'
His eyes narrowed into slits.
'…I'll silence him myself.'