In the dark, Yenzo walked through the forest in search of a nearby village. During his journey, he stopped at a lake—its surface glowing under the moonlight.
"I never thought I'd see this lake again," Yenzo murmured. "Look how much time has changed me."
He stepped into the water to bathe, scrubbing off the strange scent left by the tall flower bud he had emerged from. If left unwashed, the scent could attract many unwanted visitors. Once he had cleansed himself, he left the lake and continued his journey.
After a long search, he finally found the village.
He was relieved—it was almost exactly as he remembered. This was why the high nobles desired his abilities.
He walked into a familiar bar where he used to hang out. The moment he entered, everyone turned to look at him in shock.
Yenzo whispered, "Why's everyone so surprised?"
Then it hit him. "Oh, shit... I forgot that bastard killed me, and I'm supposed to be just 17," he muttered under his breath.
He didn't look around. Instead, he sat down calmly, as if waiting for someone—even though he knew the person wouldn't recognize him in his current state.
"Think, think... there has to be another way," Yenzo whispered.
Then an idea struck. He created a unique scent using a specific flower—one only he and a certain friend would recognize. The flower had a mysterious history, one shared between the two of them.
The bar's door creaked open. Yenzo turned to look.
"Yeah... that's him," he said to himself.
The man's name was Luke Wlner.
Yenzo and Luke had been childhood friends. Luke stumbled into the bar, half-drunk, but suddenly stopped as the scent hit him. He looked around to trace it—and found it coming from a boy.
He approached the bar.
"You let a kid in?" Luke asked the barkeeper.
"He's not a kid anymore," the keeper replied, then turned to the boy. "Who are you? You've lost something?"
"I'm just looking for someone," the boy said calmly.
The barkeeper nodded. "Alright, alright. You can stay. But leave after you meet your friend."
Luke chuckled. "Yeah, kid, stay safe. This place is dangerous."
Yenzo muttered under his breath, "I don't want to hear that from you, dipshit."
He wasn't sure how to talk to Luke in his current drunken state. But he had a backup plan—he created a symbol, shaped like a flower sliced in half, one only Luke would recognize.
As Yenzo passed Luke, he slipped him the pendant.
The barkeeper asked, "Did you find your friend?"
Yenzo replied, "He's probably drunk and lying around somewhere." And with that, he left the bar.
Luke stood frozen—even in his drunken state. That pendant... the symbol stirred something deep inside him. Emotions surged: confusion, anger, disbelief.
He rushed out of the bar, eyes scanning for the boy. He spotted him walking into a dark alleyway.
"Yenzo!" Luke called out.
Yenzo stopped. Hearing Luke say his name, he smiled faintly. "So you didn't forget after all."
Luke's face twisted in anger. "How could I, after what you've done?" He punched Yenzo so hard that he flew across the alley and crashed into the wall.
Yenzo coughed, blood dripping from his mouth. "You bastard... why'd you punch me?"
Luke cracked his knuckles. "Now we can talk. You're the one I saw at the bar, aren't you? Yenzo?"
"How can you possibly know it's me?"
"That pendant—it didn't shock me because of its design. It was the subtle detail. A tiny crack only you and I would've noticed. That's how I knew."
He added, "And I punched you because if I was wrong, I'd be in deep trouble. It was a 50-50 chance."
"Fifty-fifty, you bastard..." Yenzo muttered.
Luke narrowed his eyes. "Why do you look like this? I've never seen you at seventeen like that."
"Because... this isn't my body," Yenzo replied.
"What do you mean?"
"A lot has happened since I left the organization. It's a long story. Wanna hear it?"
Luke sighed. "Yeah... but make it short."
Yenzo shared his tale.
"You don't know who killed you?"
"I recognize the voice," Yenzo said. "But I can't remember who it was."
Luke growled, "One of the Rayn family, no doubt. Not surprising, considering how many people put a bounty on your head."
Yenzo smirked. "Why didn't you take the bounty?"
Luke replied, "I'm not like you."
Yenzo smiled. "You've changed."
"Maybe," Luke said. "But you're still the same."
"So what brought you back?" Luke asked.
Yenzo grew serious. "I was planning to ask about what happened... but more importantly, I want to restart our organization."
"You're serious about that?"
"Yes."
"Why should I trust you?" Luke challenged. "What if it happens again?"
"If it does," Yenzo said solemnly, "you can take the bounty on my head. No second thoughts."
Luke paused, then nodded. "If you keep your promise, I'm in."
"That makes two of us," Yenzo said. "Last time, there were ten members in our organization."
"Yeah," Luke nodded. "But now some are with other groups... others work for the Rayn family."
"Where'd you hear that?" Luke asked.
"There are rumors. Some true, some not. But I can find the truth."
Luke smirked. "Don't get cocky. Last time you acted like that, you got killed."
"Don't remind me..." Yenzo groaned.
They fell into silence.
"It's already morning," Luke said. "So much happened in one night."
The two climbed onto the roof of an old house, gazing at the peaceful village below.
"By the way, Luke," Yenzo asked, "what's this village called now?"
"You don't know?" Luke raised an eyebrow. "After all this time?"
"I remember the old name... but I heard they changed it."
"They did," Luke said. "It's called Midlight Village now."
"Were you serious about restarting the organization?" Luke asked again.
Yenzo looked at him. "Yes. But this time, we do things differently."
"Alright," Luke yawned. "Anyway, I feel sleepy. My sleep was ruined by you bastards."
Yenzo mumbled, "Acting like you sleep at the right time... idiot."
"What was that?" Luke asked.
"Nothing," Yenzo said quickly. "Anyway, pack your things. We're traveling."
"Where to?"
"Rosmen Town."
Luke froze. "No way. You're seriously planning to go there?"
"I'm sure it'll be great," Yenzo said with a grin.
Luke sighed. "We'll see about that…"
...….★†★...