Nothing about what was happening made any sense anymore.
A massive hole—no, an entire tunnel—beneath Mr. Lonz's bed???
Without a second thought, Raym rushed forward.
There was only one thing echoing in his mind:
"Mr. Lonz… I want answers. Now..."
He ran straight to his room to prepare himself, to grab his sword. On the way, he nearly collided with Lira, who looked deeply worried...
"Lira—please," he said hurriedly, his voice unstable..."Get Master Vail and meet me at Mr. Lonz's room. Hurry. There's no time to explain."
And he was gone...
She didn't even understand what was happening, but Raym's state wasn't normal—not at all...
He grabbed his sword quickly. The moment his eyes met the blade, he hesitated… just for a breath...
But his decision had already been made...
When he returned, Zak was waiting for him...
Without hesitation, without discussion, the two of them jumped into the hole...
The tunnel was dim, but Zak pulled out a torch—one he had clearly prepared beforehand...
For some reason, that eased Raym's mind...
"Zak… I really like how you're always prepared for every situation..."
Zak smiled faintly, saying nothing...
They continued walking. The place felt wrong—unnatural...
As if it had all been prepared in advance...
Raym's breathing grew heavy. The weight of Mr. Lonz, his disappearance, the accusations—it was all too much...
He stopped for a moment to catch his breath...
That's when he noticed something strange.
Zak didn't look worried...Didn't look tense.Didn't look afraid for Lonz at all.
"Why…???" Raym asked hesitantly.
Zak smiled slightly...
"Raym… I'm sorry to say this," he replied calmly."But if you came down here hoping to find Lonz and bring him back safely… then our goals aren't the same..."
Raym looked at him...
"My goal is to capture him," Zak continued,"And make sure he's punished..."
"I hope… you don't still believe he's innocent after all this."
Raym's expression collapsed into silent sorrow.
He said nothing...
But his face said everything...
They continued walking together, deeper into the tunnel.
Time passed without direction—until they reached a fork.
Two paths...
Zak pointed to the left...
Without thinking much, Raym nodded...
But the moment they took a step—
A scream echoed through the tunnel.
Raym's face twisted instantly.
He knew that voice...
Without hesitation, he ran toward the right path...
"Raym, wait—!!!" Zak called out..."That's not the right way!!!"
But something felt wrong...
Something deep inside Raym was pulling him.
Zak grabbed his arm...
"Raym… this path doesn't feel right. We should go the other way..."
"No," Raym snapped..."Something is happening there. I'm going."
"Don't you think this could be a trap???" Zak insisted..."We should go left..."
Another scream...
Louder... Closer... More desperate...
Something snapped...
Raym slowly turned...
His eyes were empty—filled with pure killing intent...
"Zak," he said in a low, terrifying voice...".Step aside... Now!!!"
Zak froze...
He moved back.
Raym rushed down the right path.
And in that very moment—
A blade struck from behind.
Raym barely dodged it.
His heart skipped.
He turned.
"…Zak???"
For a split second, Raym almost thoughtmaybe he was aiming at something else.
Then he saw Zak's eyes...
The smile...
Wide. Twisted. Inhuman...
Zak raised his sword, laughing—a mad, unrestrained laugh...