The morning sun bathed the cobblestones of Panis Town in a soft glow as Endi left his cramped lodging and walked the quiet streets.
His mind churned with doubts.
Why must he fight those who were born in the same era, even if they were called mafia?
What could he, Endi, truly do?
Lost in thought, he stared at his feet—until a cheerful humming reached his ears.
"Hey! If it isn't Endi!"
Darmaine strolled up, light-footed as if nothing had happened.
Endi's gaze turned cold.
"What do you want?"
"Oi, oi, I'm your ally now, remember? No need to be so prickly." Darmaine grinned.
"I haven't forgiven you for kidnapping Lamia or leaving those prisoners to die in Mildonia. And yesterday, you tried to betray us again!" Endi snapped, his irritation spilling out.
Darmaine spread his arms wide in mock innocence.
"Aw, don't be like that. Listen—guess what? I found out where those bastards hid after last night."
Endi's eyes widened.
"What!? Seriously!?"
"Damn right! I slipped out the back after things went south at the restaurant, and what do I see? Those mafia fools lifting a manhole and climbing down. I'm on my way to tell Prince Rose right now!" Darmaine puffed out his chest proudly.
Endi didn't hesitate. He spun on his heel and sprinted toward the town center.
"Oi! Where the hell you going!? That's my scoop—don't you dare steal my credit!!" Darmaine's protests echoed behind, but Endi's feet didn't stop.
He wanted to talk to Nova.
He was sure the boy wasn't evil.
If they spoke, they could understand each other.
With that fragile hope, Endi reached the Platinum Grill.
Behind the restaurant, just as Darmaine had said, a manhole sat waiting.
"There it is!"
He crouched down, fingers reaching for the lid—
"What the hell are you doing?"
The sudden voice made Endi jump. He spun around. Cain stood there, expression as cool as ever.
"Cain! Why are you here?"
"I saw some idiot running through town at dawn with a dumb look on his face. So I followed." Cain smirked.
"…Wait, but you got here before me?" Endi frowned.
Cain ignored him, glancing at the manhole.
"So Nova's crew is down there, huh? I heard your little chat with Darmaine."
Endi nodded, eyes shining.
"Yeah. I'm going to meet them. Will you come with me?"
"Sure. I was bored anyway." Cain shrugged, then lifted the heavy lid with ease.
The two descended into the damp underground passage. The air clung to their skin, footsteps echoing.
"Damn, it's dark. Can't see a thing." Endi muttered.
"This crooked tunnel… they probably dug it themselves," Cain said calmly.
Ahead, faint light glimmered. Laughter echoed.
As they drew closer, they found Nova's men drinking and carousing, bottles scattered across the floor.
Just as Endi and Cain prepared to step in, a sharp killing intent rushed from behind.
"Whoa!" Endi twisted, narrowly dodging a slash.
Cain didn't even flinch.
The two tumbled forward into the room.
"Who the hell are you!?"
"How'd you get in here!?"
Drunken shouts erupted. The air grew tense.
From the shadows stepped a boy with sword in hand—the attacker. His milk-tea hair framed cold, dead eyes. His face was a mask of indifference.
"Rabesta, sir! Do you know these two?" one of the gangsters asked reverently.
"No. They were sneaking around the tunnels, so I tried to cut them down. He dodged." Rabesta's voice was flat, devoid of emotion.
"What the hell's your problem!?" Endi barked.
"You're noisy. Go elsewhere," Rabesta snapped. The gangsters hurriedly fled with their bottles, leaving the three behind.
"Who are you?" Rabesta's eyes fixed on them.
"I'm Endi. This is Cain. We're working under Prince Rose, investigating your family since yesterday."
At that, Nova himself entered.
"Oi, you're that brat who was with Rose yesterday. What the hell are you doing here?"
"Nova… I came to talk. What's your purpose? Yesterday you said 'revenge.' What did you mean?"
Nova's fist shot out like lightning—but Cain stepped in, blocking it with his left arm.
"Oh? Not bad, blondie," Nova muttered.
Cain's arm throbbed red, but he stood unfazed.
"So you two aren't part of the kingdom's army, just working under Rose personally?" Nova asked.
Endi nodded.
"I don't know much—I only arrived here recently. But if you're planning to start a war, I'll stop you. That's why I came to talk."
"Talk? Don't be naive." Nova scoffed.
"Nova's right. Outsiders like you shouldn't meddle." Rabesta's voice was ice.
Endi's jaw tightened.
"If you touch Lamia again, or hurt Cain, Prince Rose, or Jessica—I won't forgive you."
Nova's eyes sharpened.
"Where are you two from?"
"…I don't know. I lost my memory." Endi admitted.
"I lived on that deserted island your poachers used to raid," Cain added coolly.
"Complicated," Rabesta muttered flatly.
Nova's voice dropped low.
"Rabesta and I… we're from the Kingdom of Pronto. Ten years ago, Nakatham Kingdom destroyed it."
"Destroyed… in the Fifth World War?" Endi asked.
Nova nodded sadly.
Cain smirked.
"So that's it. You want revenge. But the 'power' of rats from the underworld only works in the shadows. Going against real authority? That's suicide."
"I'll kill you," Rabesta snarled, blade raised at Cain.
"Stand down," Nova ordered. Rabesta reluctantly lowered his sword.
"I know it's reckless. I know we can't beat the Three Commanders. But I'll never forgive them. Even if it costs us our lives, I'll make them pay." Nova's eyes burned with hatred.
Endi spoke firmly.
"Then tell me. What happened in that war?"
Nova and Rabesta exchanged a glance—and slowly began to speak.