The room was dark—pitch black, like the bottom of a forgotten well. Velian sat shackled to a wooden chair in the center, the sound of dripping water echoing somewhere beyond the blackness.
He couldn't move. Couldn't speak. Could barely breathe.
But then—footsteps.
Soft. Deliberate. Growing louder.
From the shadows stepped someone… him.
But not him.
His mirror. His shadow. His darker self.
This other Velian had chains around his neck, but he dragged them like medals. His smile stretched unnaturally wide, a crooked grin that split his face in two.
Velian's eyes widened. "Who are you?"
The chained figure chuckled, voice like broken glass. "Isn't it obvious? I'm you. You're me."
Velian shook his head violently. "No… No, I'm not a killer!"
He looked away, refusing to meet that twisted reflection.
But the other Velian moved closer, silently. Their backs touched, but their heads faced opposite ways.
The darkness whispered around them, feeding on the silence.
"We're Velian," the voice whispered again.
And for a moment… half of Velian's face smiled along with him.
"No…" he gasped. "This isn't me."
---
Reality. Morning light.
Velian jolted upright, gasping. His body trembled, soaked in sweat—but he wasn't in chains anymore. He looked around, disoriented.
Clean sheets.
A soft bed.
Fresh clothes.
A breeze carried the smell of something… warm. Cooking.
He rose from the bed slowly, rubbing his eyes. The room was simple—plain wooden walls, a dusty window—but compared to his past? It felt like a palace.
He walked toward the window. Sunlight poured in, soft and golden.
He raised his hand up, trying to grasp the light.
"Is this… freedom?" he whispered.
But then—Bruce's bloodied smile flashed before his eyes.
Velian lowered his hand. "I wonder what kind of peace you found, Bruce…"
---
At the Kitchen.
Velian stepped out into the hallway, walking quietly. The smell of stew grew stronger. He turned a corner and saw Ban at the stove, humming lightly.
"You're up," Ban said without turning. "Sit. Food's ready."
Velian said nothing. He sat quietly at the table as Ban placed plates before him.
"Eat up," Ban said, smiling. "You've been starving in that hellhole."
Velian hesitated. "I'm not hungry."
His stomach growled in betrayal.
Ban laughed. "Seems your stomach disagrees."
Velian reluctantly picked up his spoon and ate. He didn't speak. Didn't lift his eyes.
When the meal ended, he got up and walked to the sink.
"I can wash—"
Ban raised a hand. "I've got it."
Silence.
Then, Ban said gently, "The other kids are playing outside. You should join them. The breeze is nice today."
Velian stood still, staring at the floor. "I think… it's better if I stay locked in here."
Ban paused.
Then he stepped forward, kneeling next to the boy.
"You've been in cages for so long… I get it. The open sky feels strange now."
His voice was soft—like a breeze through shattered glass.
"But a bird doesn't heal by staying in a box. It heals by flying again—one wingbeat at a time."
Velian didn't speak, but his fingers twitched.
Ban placed a hand on his shoulder. "You don't have to trust the world all at once. Just give it a chance. Let it prove not everyone wants to hurt you."
Then he added, quieter:
"Freedom isn't just the absence of chains… It's when you finally believe you deserve to be free."
He stood and walked toward the door.
"Come out when you're ready," he said with a grin.
"I'll be waiting."
Later,the door creaked open.
Velian peeked out, then stepped into the fading sunlight. Ban was sitting under a tree, watching the sunset.
Velian walked slowly toward him.
Ban didn't turn. "Took you long enough."
Velian stopped, then sat beside him in silence.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Ban asked.
Velian nodded. "I always wanted to see this… with Bruce."
He clenched his fist.
Ban noticed. He gently touched Velian's hand—and Velian slowly loosened it.
"Can I ask you something?" Velian said.
"Anything," Ban replied.
"…Why did you adopt me?" Velian asked.
Ban raised a brow. "That's what's been bothering you?"
Velian looked down. "You saw what I did… I killed them. Bruce died because of me. I'm a monster. Yet, you—"
Ban ruffled his hair gently.
"Who gave you that title—'monster'?" Ban asked softly.
"Even if that's what they called you… I only see an eleven-year-old boy."
Velian blinked, caught off guard.
"I adopted you because I felt responsible," Ban said. "I call myself a hero, but I failed to stop that place before it hurt you."
His voice cracked. "I'm sorry, Velian. Truly."
He bowed his head. "Please… forgive me."
Velian shook his head. "No, don't. You're the only one who looked at me… and didn't see a monster. You took the role of a father, knowing everything I'd done. That alone…"
He stopped. His throat tightened.
Ban smiled warmly, his eyes misty. He still has emotions, he thought. Even after everything…
Velian's smile faded.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he looked up at Ban. "You said you're a hero."
Ban blinked, caught off guard. "Surprisingly, yes." He chuckled lightly.
But Velian's voice didn't carry the same lightness.
"Then tell me… what is a hero?"
Ban's face turned serious.
Velian continued, voice quiet but sharp,
"The people in my village—guards, adventurers, even elders—they called themselves heroes of justice. Protectors. But their actions… weren't heroic. Not to me. Not to anyone who was on the other side of their cruelty."
He looked Ban dead in the eyes.
"But you speak of heroism like it's something sacred. So I'm asking you… What is a hero? What is a villain? What separates one from the other? Is it just who tells the story? Those who call themselves heroes while doing despicable things—are they still heroes… or just villains wearing a brighter color?"
His eyes narrowed.
"Tell me... what defines the moral masks the world clings to? One praised, the other feared— yet both soaked in blood."
Silence.
Ban stared at the setting sun.
"That's a heavy question… for someone your age," he said softly. "But I'll answer you."
He leaned forward, resting on his knees.
"A hero is not a title. It's a choice."
He looked at Velian.
"A hero walks into darkness—knowing it might swallow them—still choosing to protect the light."
Velian nodded slowly. "And a villain?"
"A villain makes the world smaller," Ban said. "They kill, lie, or control just to feel big."
He paused.
"And sometimes… they start as people like you. Hurt. Angry. Abandoned."
Velian flinched.
"But pain doesn't justify cruelty. Not from heroes. Not from villains."
Ban stood. "Both wear armor. Both smile. What separates them is the lives they choose to protect—or destroy."
Velian whispered, "…Then those people who hurt me—they weren't heroes."
Ban looked back at him. "No. They weren't. I'm sorry they made you believe they were."
He stepped toward the house, then paused.
"One more thing…"
"You get to decide who you'll become. Hero. Villain. Or something the world hasn't seen yet. Just make sure—when others look at you—they see hope, not fear."
Velian was quiet.
Then he asked, "But I've killed people. Does that make me a villain?"
Ban looked back at him.
"No," he said with a calm smile. "It makes you human."
Velian glanced at his hands. "Do you think… I can be a hero?"
Ban didn't hesitate. "Everyone can be a hero. All it takes… is a choice."
He paused, then smirked.
"And if you do want to be one, you're in luck. Next week is the Title Ceremony."
Velian blinked. "What's that?"
"A tradition," Ban said. "Kids your age are given hero titles—Seeker, Mage, Talker… everyone gets one."
Velian smiled slightly. "Which one are you?"
"Seeker," Ban said proudly.
Velian nodded. "I see."
Ban stood and ruffled his hair again.
"Come on. It's getting dark. You have to get ready for your title."
Velian followed behind him, whispering to himself:
"I can be a hero…"
---
By a week, there was laughter once again.
Children ran through soft snow, throwing snowballs and chasing one another. Velian was among them now. Smiling. Playing. Alive.
He talked to Ban every day. He played with the other kids. He laughed.
It was the start of a new life.
But peace… doesn't last.
The snow turned red.
Velian stood alone, his hands trembling—dripping with blood.
His knees gave way, and he dropped beside a lifeless body.
Ban's body.
Velian stared down at his blood-soaked hands. His breath caught.
"…Old man?" he whispered.
The cold wind howled through the trees.
"Old man!!"
He screamed.
---
6 Years Later
"Velian! Velian!!"
A voice rang out—sharp, desperate—piercing through the pounding in his skull.
Velian's golden eyes snapped open.
Blood ran down the side of his forehead, soaking into the strands of his white hair. His back was pressed against the cold stone wall of a cavern, his breath shallow. His body ached. His vision spun. The metallic taste of iron lingered on his tongue.
"Get your butt up and support us with your Talker abilities!"
That voice again—loud, familiar, annoyed.
He groaned, pushing himself off the jagged wall. His legs trembled beneath him, but he forced himself to stand. He blinked, clearing the haze from his vision. He remembered.
The mission. The dungeon. The Lycerg Beasts.
Ahead, chaos exploded.
Three of his guildmates were surrounded by monstrous Lycerg creatures—tall, muscular beasts with claws soaked in slime, and glowing red eyes full of rage. Their screeches echoed through the cavern.
Kael and Dren fought back-to-back. Swords clashed. Sparks flew.
Aera stood farther back, staff in hand, but frozen in fear. Her hands shook. Her eyes darted.
Velian stepped forward.
"D-rank Lycerg beasts," he muttered. "Fast… pack-hunting… weak to light. If they flank us—we're finished."
A golden circle flared beneath his boots. Then two more beneath Kael and Dren. Lines of glowing light flowed between them, vibrating with sound.
He opened his mouth.
"Buffer Spell: Burn louder than silence!"
A golden shockwave rippled outward.
Kael's blade ignited in flames.
Dren's body became a blur of speed.
They charged in, weapons like flashes of lightning. Lycergs screamed as steel and fire ripped through fur and flesh.
Kael laughed. "Now we're talking!"
But Velian turned back.
Behind him, Aera had collapsed to her knees, her staff slipping from her fingers.
"I—I'm just… I'm too slow…" she whispered. "I'll mess it up..."
Velian walked over, his boots crunching over broken stone. He stopped in front of her.
"Buffer Spell: Stand tall, even if your knees beg you not to."
Light pulsed from his hand, wrapping around her like a protective aura. Her body stilled. Her fingers gripped the staff again. Her eyes lit up with courage.
She stood. "I've got you. Cover fire incoming!"
Her staff lit with radiant magic. A beam of light shot forward, piercing a Lycerg mid-jump. It dropped, writhing, before vanishing in a burst of smoke.
Kael grinned. "There you go, Aera!"
Velian just watched.
"...That's it," he whispered. "That's your strength."
Their team moved as one. Sword, flame, light, and word.
But then—
The ground rumbled.
Then again.
Cracks spread across the cave ceiling.
A low growl echoed through the cavern.
Everything froze.
Even the Lycerg beasts.
"Why did they stop?" Dren asked, eyes narrowing.
"It's not an earthquake…" Aera murmured.
Velian's expression darkened. "They're not afraid… They're making way."
BOOM.
BOOM.
A massive figure lumbered out from the darkness.
The Lycerg boss.
Bigger than any of them had imagined. Towering with muscles like mountains, claws like blades. Red eyes burned like fire. Its roar shook the cavern.
"That's not D-rank," Kael whispered.
"We're not surviving this," Dren muttered.
Aera trembled. "What do we do?"
Velian's breath shook. "I'm… out of mana."
"WHAT!?" Dren shouted.
The Lycerg boss slammed its chest. A thunderous roar filled the chamber. Stones cracked. Dozens more Lycergs poured into the space.
Kael's eyes widened. "RUN!"
They turned and sprinted through narrow tunnels.
Aera stumbled.
THWACK!
Velian kicked a Lycerg away and grabbed her wrist.
"Move!"
They dashed on.
A claw slashed into Velian's leg.
He fell. Groaned. Blood poured out.
"Velian!" Dren turned back and lifted him with Kael's help. They ran.
Eventually, they reached a small chamber and collapsed inside.
Aera breathed hard. "Why do they keep finding us?"
Dren looked at the trail.
"…They're tracking us. Through Velian's blood."
Silence.
Riven's eyes narrowed. "We have to split up."
"But Velian's hurt!" Aera yelled.
"If we stay together, we die," Dren said.
Velian nodded. "It's fine. I agree."
Dren handed Aera a small pouch. "Take this. Don't use it unless it's needed."
Aera nodded.
They split.
---
Later
Velian limped, leaning on Aera.
His body gave in. They both crashed to the floor.
"Sorry," Velian said.
Aera blinked. "Why?"
"You're stuck with a burden like me."
She pinched his cheek. "Where's that coming from? We're friends. Remember?"
Velian nodded. "Yeah… sorry."
Aera smiled faintly. "Besides… I just wanted to be close to you."
She leaned forward.
Her face inches from his.
Her lips almost touched his—
Velian turned away and stood up.
"We should get going."
Aera stared at his back. "Why do you always walk away?"
Velian didn't answer.
She followed. "Why do you run from your emotions, Velian?"
"I don't want to talk about it."
Aera ran ahead, blocking his path. "Then tell me now!"
Velian snapped. "Now's not the time! Let's survive this dungeon first!"
She stayed quiet.
Velian sighed. "Sorry for yelling…"
"It's fine," she said quietly. "Let's survive first. Then we'll talk."
They walked on.
The growls of beasts grew louder behind them.
They reached a cliff edge.
Aera stepped forward. "I got this. Remember what Riven gave us?"
Velian looked uncertain. "But—"
"I'll be right back."
She stepped into the open and pulled out the pouch.
Her hand touched something soft.
She opened it.
Raw meat.
Her eyes widened in horror.
"You've got to be kidding me…"
"What's wrong?" Velian asked, walking forward.
He saw the meat.
"…A trap," he said.
A shadow dropped from above.
Aera pushed Velian aside.
BOOM.
The beast slammed her across the cliff.
Velian hit the ground. Dust rose.
He looked up. Blood coated half his face.
Aera's body twitched in the distance.
She smiled at him. "This… feels right. I'm glad I died before you…"
Velian shook. "Why…"
Aera chuckled weakly. "Now I know you'll miss me. Stop crying, it doesn't suit you…"
"It's all my fault…"
Aera looked peaceful. "My only wish was to spend my last moments… with the one I love…"
She coughed blood.
"…I wanted to die in your arms… but this… is okay."
Beasts leapt at her.
Tearing. Ripping.
Her body was torn apart.
Her head flew through the air—still smiling.
"…Live…" her last word echoed.
Velian's breath hitched.
His fists hit the ground.
"WHY!?"
He stood.
More beasts charged toward him.
He turned—back to the cliff.
And jumped.
Dozens of Lycergs followed him—falling.
Freefall.
Blood trailed in the air.
He remembered Ban's words.
The warmth.
"Old man Ban… you were wrong."
"Friendship is just another ticket to betrayal."
"The most important thing… is survival."
His eyes flared open mid-air.
"I can't die now."
He hit the ground—
BOOOOOOOM!
A shockwave exploded.
Beasts were hurled into walls, crushed, shredded.
Velian floated.
His hair glowed white.
His eyes burned red—like dying stars.
Power exploded around him.
The dungeon cracked. Stone shattered.
He looked down at the remaining beasts.
He raised one finger.
Voice calm. Cold.
"…Die."
Everything stopped.
The beasts froze mid-motion. The ground cracked violently. Stone from the ceiling fell like meteors. One by one, every monster collapsed, lifeless. The entire dungeon rumbled.
---
Somewhere else in the dungeon.
Kael and Dren were laughing, walking slowly.
"By now," Dren chuckled, "they must be dead."
Kael scoffed. "Should never have brought both of them. Slowed us down too much."
Dren sighs. "At least they served as bait."
Suddenly.
CRACK.
The earth beneath them split apart.
RUMBLE.
A massive stone boulder slammed into Dren. Blood splashed across the wall. Her eye rolled out from her crushed skull.
Kael screamed.
He turned to run but was met with a rock the size of a wagon smashing into his head. Brain matter splattered. Silence returned.
---
Back with Velian.
A glowing panel appeared before him.
---
[Lexomancer System — Command Protocol: ACTIVE]
Command Word: Die
Execution Mode: Total Annihilation
Confirmed Kills: 38 Targets
---
System Warning
— Overload Detected
— Soul Load: 91%
— Neural Strain: Critical
— Engaging Emergency Recovery Protocol
Host will lose consciousness in: 3… 2… 1…
---
[Lexomancer System: OFFLINE]