Anna ran with all her strength down the snow-covered street, not daring to look back. She clutched the book Aster had given her tightly with both hands, refusing to let anyone take it away.
"I have to find the Flame Sage," she whispered under her breath as she turned into another street.
Suddenly—
She collided full force with someone stepping out in front of her.
Anna fell backward onto the snow, but even then, she did not loosen her grip on the book.
The body she had crashed into felt solid—hard, like someone who had trained for years.
She slowly lifted her head.
A massive man stood before her. Broad-shouldered, so wide it felt like he could touch both walls of the narrow alley at once. His chestnut-colored hair framed a face that seemed carved from stone. Even his clothes looked too small to contain his build.
"Did you hurt yourself?" he asked, slightly bending down and extending his hand toward her.
***
Inside the warehouse, the flames had begun to cling to the ceiling, devouring it.
Smoke thickened the air, sinking low and choking those still inside.
The black-clad men tried desperately to extinguish the spreading fire.
But in the center—
Two figures remained unmoving.
Aster.
And Ned.
"Don't you need the book anymore?" Aster asked coldly.
"You stayed to find out who you are, didn't you?" Ned replied with a faint chuckle.
The smile vanished from his face.
At the same time—
"Yes!"
Aster moved first.
Without hesitation, he lunged forward, aiming straight for Ned's chest—his heart.
But before the blade could pierce its target, another sharp piece of steel struck it, deflecting the attack.
Ned did not retreat backward.
He moved sideways.
"I thought you'd ask questions first."
Aster raised his sword.
"I knew that wouldn't kill you. And…" he paused briefly. "…I also knew you were hiding those."
In Ned's hands were long, thin daggers—blades designed to pierce cleanly without spilling much blood.
"Sharp thinking," Ned replied.
Suddenly, he dashed forward.
[Flame Mana]
Aster raised his sword high above his head and brought it down with force, empowered by mana—splitting the air itself.
The strike looked capable of cleaving anything in two.
But not him.
Dagger and sword collided, a screeching metallic echo filling the warehouse.
A second dagger came from below.
It aimed straight for Aster's throat.
He lifted his head and jumped back—
But Ned twisted his wrist.
The blade grazed Aster's neck, leaving a shallow cut.
There was no pause.
The Order of Eyes' servant increased the pressure with each strike.
Every blow forced the young Elestar one step backward.
His boots slid over burning embers and ash.
'He's strong.'
Another slash tore through Aster's shoulder clothing.
'No… he's experienced in life-and-death battles.'
Aster felt the heat beneath his feet. He kicked the burning embers toward Ned, buying himself a fraction of time.
The glowing coals scattered through the air, falling toward Ned. He shielded his face and body instinctively.
Seizing the moment, Aster slashed sideways.
***
The fire had already consumed much of the warehouse. The old, rotting walls creaked and groaned as if they might collapse at any moment.
The black-clad men abandoned their attempts to extinguish the flames and fled outside.
All except—
Ned.
With his opponent's vision partially obstructed, Aster aimed for his neck.
But the strike failed.
Ned bent low and kicked Aster in the abdomen.
The impact knocked the air from his lungs, sending him crashing into a stack of wooden crates behind him.
The crates shattered under his weight.
Aster tried to stand, chest throbbing painfully.
But—
The earlier injury flared up violently.
'Don't stop!'
He slowly lifted his head.
Ned was already on top of him.
A dagger pressed against Aster's throat.
"You'll become a good fighter in the future," Ned said calmly. "But not now."
Aster looked up at him coldly.
"Are you going to kill me?"
A faint smile returned to Ned's face.
"Want to hear a secret? I never needed Anna. I needed you."
Aster frowned in confusion.
Ned placed a hand against his temple, as if nursing a headache.
"Yes, I came for the book. But I realized I can retrieve it later."
The dagger pressed deeper, drawing a thin line of blood across Aster's throat.
"You're more important. After all… you don't just stumble across one of the Four Great Heroes every day."
By now, the warehouse was fully engulfed in flames.
The beams and pillars began collapsing.
Suddenly, a massive roof support crashed down, scattering embers everywhere.
The fire had grown so intense that people outside were shouting.
Through the smoke and roaring flames—
Aster heard a familiar voice.
"Aster!"
'Master Valorant!'
Ned turned his head sharply.
"The Flame Sage?!"
Moments later, part of the roof collapsed again, allowing firelight to illuminate a silhouette approaching from outside.
Despite the unbearable heat, Valorant walked forward steadily.
Without fear.
Without hesitation.
He stepped through the flames as if they were nothing.
Ned instinctively jumped away.
The entire warehouse was swallowed by Valorant's bloodthirsty aura.
Aster had felt his master's aura before—but each time, the fear returned just the same.
Suddenly, fury ignited within Valorant's eyes.
Though that gaze was not directed at Aster, cold sweat poured down his back.
Sensing the killing intent aimed at him, Ned attempted to flee—turning toward the hole Aster had created earlier.
But before he could move—
A sword pierced through his chest.
He hadn't even realized when Valorant had appeared in front of him.
Ned looked down at the blade embedded in his chest, then up at Valorant's face.
Shock and confusion filled his expression.
The daggers slipped from his hands and clattered to the ground.
"Don't kill him!" Aster shouted.
Valorant turned toward his disciple.
Ned's body collapsed backward.
Aster hurried to his side and knelt down.
"Tell me everything!" he shouted.
Blood trickled from Ned's mouth, running down his face.
His voice was faint.
Aster leaned closer to hear.
"I… don't know anything. I lied to you."
Rage flared violently across Aster's face.
"What do you mean?!"
No one but him should have known about his reincarnation.
No one.
It was impossible.
"They… told me to say that. I… obeyed."
"Who? Who ordered you?"
Ned began coughing violently.
After a moment, the coughing subsided.
Then—
He leaned close to Aster's ear.
And whispered.