Episode 9: The Echo of Betrayal
[Present – Near the cliffside of Undaunted Forest]
Mael breathes heavily, staring into the endless woods beneath.
Mael: "Haaaaa... these damned memories... they always crawl back when I least want 'em."
He hears rustling beyond the trees.
Mael (groaning): "Tch... probably that damn kid again. What's he up to now?"
He picks up his old staff and follows the sound, but the noise intensifies. Screams begin to echo faintly in the distance.
Mael: "Those aren't footsteps... they're screams." He breaks into a run.
[Scene transition – Smoke rising from Undaunted Village]
Mael's eyes widen. His face goes pale.
Mael: "No... it can't be... that armor... those weapons... Archoly soldiers!? How did they find this place?!"
[Flashback – A few days earlier while the MC was logged out]
Mael walks casually through the village market.
Mael: "Hey, I'll take a basket of those flame-apples."
Vendor (smiling): "Of course, Mael! Can't believe you're still around after all these years. The village feels safe with you here."
As Mael shops, a hooded figure watches from the shadows.
Hooded Stranger (whispering): "...I've found him."
The hooded man exits quietly and uses a teleport scroll.
[Scene – Archoly Kingdom, Grand Council Hall.]
The hooded figure kneels before a cloaked man seated where Mael once ruled.
Hooded Spy: "Sir, I've located Mael's hideout."
The man in the chair grins and stands.
NPC: Kai
Lvl: 500
Class: Dark Eclipse Magician
Kai: "Hah! Finally! My dearest master... how long I've waited for this day!"
The hooded figure reveals his face—it's Zhar, once Mael's loyal companion.
NPC: Zhar
Lvl: 369
Class: Arcane Magician
Kai (smirking): "Prepare the paladins. We march for Undaunted."
[Back to Present – Undaunted Village, under siege]
Villagers scream. Fires spread. Bodies fall.
Undaunted Villagers: Avg Lvl 380-430(20 people)
Archoly Army: Avg Lvl 360-390 (150 soldiers)
Mael watches as villagers fall, gritting his teeth. Then he slams his staff into the ground.
Skill: Final Magic – Astral Projection
Four radiant beams of magic slam down on the invading priest, knight, paladin, and mage battalions.
Archoly Soldier: "What the hell!? Who did this!?"
Mael walks into view. Villagers gasp.
Villager: "Mael... thank you!"
Mael (clutching his staff): "You monsters... attacking innocents. You're no better than the demons you claim to protect us from."
Suddenly—clapping. Laughter. A familiar sinister voice.
Kai (approaching): "What a performance, Master! Truly touching."
Mael (horrified): "YOU!"
Kai: "Hello again. How have you been?"
Mael casts a spell targeting Kai.
Mael: "Take this!"
An arcane shield blocks it.
Mael: "No... you're still using arcane magic!?"
Kai (wagging finger): "Tsk-tsk. Allow me to introduce my right-hand man."
A figure steps forward—Zhar.
Mael (shocked): "Zhar!? It... can't be..."
Kai (laughing): "Yes, yes! I've longed to see that expression!"
Mael collapses to his knees.
Mael: "Why, Zhar!? Why betray me?!"
Zhar (clenching fists): "I didn't betray you... you betrayed us."
[Flashback – Mael's Tower, Day of the Attack]
Zhar: "Let's go! Mael will protect us!"
Kai bursts in.
Kai: "Evening, students. Time to collect your master's life."
Zhar and other mages cast a barrage of spells.
Kai: "Foolishness."
Skill: Corrupted Magic – Abyssal Devour
All mana is absorbed. Only Zhar remains.
Kai (grinning): "Your will is strong. But Mael... he's preparing to flee and leaving you guys behind."
Zhar: "Liar! Mael will save us!"
Kai: "Let's watch, shall we?"
Mael activates: High Teleport – Sanctum Gate. He vanishes.
Zhar (smiling): "He escaped! He'll come back with help!"
Kai: "We'll see."
They leave Zhar alive. Later, Zhar overhears soldiers labeling Mael betrayed the emperor.
Zhar (falling to knees): "So... it was true... Mael abandoned us..."
Back to present – Mael still kneeling.
Zhar: "That's the pain I've carried all these years."
Scene shifts – our MC running through the woods.
MC: "Whe
re the hell is this old man...? Wait—what's that smoke!? Is that... the village!?"
He sprints toward Undaunted, the flames reflected in his eyes.