– Hm? What is it? Why are you two looking at me like that?
Evo tilted his head slightly as he spoke. The two women exchanged a glance, realizing he had no idea how wrecked he looked. Freya bit her lip before asking softly:
– E-Ev... are you alright?
– I'm fine. But what really matters now... – He pointed toward the broken man lying on the ground.
Everyone followed his gaze. Even in that pitiful state — practically with one foot in the grave — the man still smiled, mocking them all. It was almost impressive how his ego remained intact despite his body being melted, pierced, slashed, and shattered.
– Don't you two think you went a little too far? We needed information from him, and look at the state you left him in!
He scolded them harshly. Both women blushed in embarrassment and replied in unison:
– Sorry, Ev...
– We... got a little carried away. Forgive us, Eylam.
They apologized awkwardly, but Evo ignored them and walked up to the man on the floor.
– Damn mutt... – he muttered, nudging the man's body with his foot.
The man, struggling to breathe, turned his head and forced a smug smile.
– Well, guhh... – He coughed blood and continued – if it isn't the kid with that nosy little skill. Hummm! – His gaze ran over Evo from head to toe. – Hahaha, you look like hell, brat. Inside and out, you're—
Tak!
A sharp crack echoed through the hall.
– Ghhhk! – The man groaned.
– Shut up. I'm the one who talks here. You just answer. – Evo kicked him across the face, his tone cold and commanding. – Listen, you'd better cooperate. I'm not in the mood.
– Hahahaha! And what if I don't? I'll die anyway. I'd rather go seeing your frustrated faces than say a word. Hahaha!
Evo's irritation flared, but then something dark flickered across his expression. A cruel smile crept onto his lips, and the air around him shifted. Everyone could feel it — the heavy, cold, malicious aura pouring from him. His grin sent chills down their spines; his golden eyes glimmered with arrogance, half-shrouded in shadow, making the scene all the more dreadful.
– That's fine. You don't have to tell me anything... if you don't want to.
– What do you mean by that? – the man asked carefully, sensing the sudden change in atmosphere.
– I mean... I don't need your cooperation anymore. – Evo's grin widened, revealing his fangs. – I have other ways to make you talk.
The two witches glanced at each other, confused. Freya couldn't hold her curiosity.
– Ev, what do you mean by "other ways"?
He looked her way for a moment, then turned back to the man.
– You remember that day when I went on that dungeon mission assigned by the academy? When I finished clearing it, I reached the core room. Maybe it was luck, or maybe destiny... but I found a skill book beside the dungeon core.
He crossed his arms, explaining calmly while the man listened too.
– I gained a skill I thought was useless. But right now... it's proving to be the exact opposite.
– And what does that skill do? – Ravina asked, her curiosity barely contained. The others leaned closer as well.
– Hmm... what does it do? – Evo hummed playfully, mocking the dying man.
He uncrossed his arms, slid his hands into his pockets, and stepped closer until he stood right beside his target.
– It does... this. – Everyone watched anxiously, sweat beading down their faces as they waited.
– Answer me. How many are in your little group?
The others looked at Evo in confusion — surely the enemy wouldn't reveal something like that. But their doubts vanished in the next instant.
– I wasn't asking. I was ordering you to answer me! – His voice came out heavy, cold as iron.
The man's body stiffened. It felt as if his will was being stripped away. His lips trembled and slowly parted. He tried to stay silent — but failed.
Realizing what was about to happen, he tried to bite his tongue — but Evo spoke first.
– Don't bite your tongue! – His command reverberated through the air, freezing the man's movement.
Evo saw him still resisting, so he poured even more force into his words.
– I order you to tell me... how many of you exist!
– W-we're... – The man's face twisted in agony as the words forced their way out. – T-ten... l-leaders... in t-total...!
He finally answered. Evo smirked in satisfaction, while the others looked on, stunned. It was insane — even torture wouldn't have broken that man's will so easily.
Yet there stood a young man, barely at the start of his path, bending another's will with something terrifyingly simple.
– E-Ev... what did you just do? – Freya stammered.
She stared at him, incredulous. Ravina was pale as chalk. The others weren't much better — their expressions were almost cute, if the situation weren't so grim.
But it hadn't been easy. Everyone might think so, but Evo was barely standing. He refused to fall — not yet. For many reasons. He glanced at his fingers; faint golden cracks spread like spiderwebs along them. His body was breaking apart — the price for using the skill [The Word] on someone stronger than himself, even with a light command.
The skill's description had warned him several times about its danger. When used on a stronger being, the command could be resisted or ignored entirely — which almost happened. Evo had only succeeded because the man was already on the verge of death. Otherwise, the backlash would've been catastrophic, and he would've gained nothing.
Returning to the moment, Evo spoke indifferently:
– I'll explain later. What matters now is getting everything we can from him before he dies.
The others nodded and stepped back, giving him space.
– Now... answer me!
When the man realized more questions were coming, he desperately tried to cover his ears. But with only one hand, he looked ridiculous — plugging one ear with his hand and pressing the other against his shoulder.
Evo couldn't help but laugh darkly.
– Hahahaha... it's no use. Now then... I order you to tell me: where is your base?
Once again, the man struggled, but resistance was futile.
– I-it's... o-on an isolated island... b-between the human continent... a-and the dragons'... – he stammered, fighting to hold his tongue.
Evo's eyes lit up. He immediately turned toward Freya, who met his gaze.
– Well, there you have it. But... do you even know where that island is?
Freya looked at him blankly, lost in thought.
– H-huh...? – she murmured. – I've flown past there several times, but... I've never seen anything on that island.
Evo turned back to the man.
– How are you hiding in that place?
Freya smiled softly. Even amidst the chaos, she couldn't help but melt a little at the fact that Evo immediately noticed her doubts.
– W-we're using... an artifact... we found in a ruin... on the dragons' continent...
– That makes sense, if it came from there – Ravina interjected suddenly, as if realizing something.
Evo glanced at her, puzzled.
– What do you mean, "makes sense"?
Ravina adjusted her glasses and explained:
– Eylam, dragon magic is ancient and powerful. Dragons live for millennia, and the strongest often leave behind relics for their descendants — hidden within ruins on their old territories. – She paused briefly. – They probably found one of those ruins. If it's made with dragon magic, then yes... it's possible.
Evo nodded in appreciation of her reasoning, then remembered the other man — the one who had come alongside this one. His body lay farther away, only from the neck down. His head had been obliterated by Freya's gravity magic.
He stared at the corpse for a moment, lost in thought, then muttered quietly:
– Dragons, huh...
Turning back to the two women, he asked:
– Tell me... do you think the dragons could be involved in this?