The first ray of sunlight dawned upon the world. Calus's eyes were blood-red; he hadn't slept at all. His mind kept replaying what had happened over and over again.

His mind was shaken, but more than that, he felt as though his heart had been shattered… even gutted out.

His best friend… had he just lost him in this life?

He was an adult and had lived for many years in his previous life. He knew that following Fre now would only be counterproductive. But did he truly want to leave him like this and simply watch from afar as he continued living?

This was his sworn brother.

Yet because of that crazy witch, Lisa…

Their relationship had turned into hatred.

Finally, Calus took a deep breath.

"Champ."

A familiar voice called out.

Calus looked up.

At the doorway of their room, Mabi stood with her arms crossed, leaning casually against the doorframe as she smiled at him.

Seeing her, Lisa's words suddenly echoed in his mind again only this time they felt even worse.

He knew he lacked strength.

"I'm in," Calus said. His swollen eyes quickly returned to normal as he stood up and walked toward Mabi.

"I agree. I want to join the special training program. Working for the royal family isn't a problem," Calus said calmly.

Mabi nodded.

Although she noticed something was off about him, she knew it wasn't her place to pry into matters that didn't concern her.

"Alright. Follow me then," Mabi said.

Calus nodded.

He had nothing with him anyway. Everything, from clothes to daily necessities had already been prepared by the Central Continent. All he had to do now was follow Mabi.

And with that, the two separated.

Calus went to the Special Training Academy.

Fre disappeared.

****

Trul watched everything unfold like pieces moving across a chessboard.

They had reached a terrifying stage.

The death of that chess piece meant the game was about to become intense.

And now… the true life-and-death struggle for Calus had begun. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"The game will move much faster now. Do you have anything to ask or say?" Alayot asked, his eyes filled with indifference.

Trul paused, his gaze distant as countless thoughts ran through his mind.

He felt almost like a father.

After all, he had watched Calus's life since the moment he was born until now. Every major decision had been influenced by him.

He had made Calus desperate for power. He had given him a goal to pursue.

Yet the leader of the Dreadborne Organization had easily shattered Calus's most important relationship.

That pawn he introduced, Lisa.

Although Calus killed her but

at what cost?

Her death had caused far more harm than good.

Now his childhood friend was gone.

"This universe… where is it?" Trul finally asked.

At this point, he honestly wanted to give up. He wanted to go into that universe, tell Calus to follow his dreams, and make sure his relationship with Fre wouldn't end like this.

"On this chessboard. This is just a spare universe I created in my leisure time," Alayot muttered casually.

Trul's mind shook violently.

A universe?

Alayot created a universe?

His understanding of the Dreadborne Organization's power was refreshed once again.

Could he create a planet?

Or even a galaxy?

Hell no.

Yet Alayot had casually created an entire universe.

Just how terrifying were the leaders of the Dreadborne Organization?

"Any more questions?" Alayot asked.

Trul snapped out of his thoughts.

Gulp.

"Why… am I playing this game?" Trul asked, his voice trembling.

At first, he had assumed it was somehow related to his life.

Now he was certain.

This game was directly connected to his fate.

"Well, let me make it clear then. Since the first moment you ever had thoughts of rebellion… I knew," Alayot said calmly.

"I—"

Trul's heart trembled.

How was that possible?

How could he have known?

"You're probably wondering how," Alayot continued. "Well, I dabble in souls. Not only yours, I can see and manipulate anything connected to a person's soul."

He smiled faintly.

"But you're too weak to understand that. So… how about I show you?"

"Ah—!"

Trul's face twisted in horror as his body suddenly froze within space and time.

He felt a terrifying part of his very being being stripped away.

His memories became foggy.

He began forgetting everything that had ever happened in his life.

Slowly, his body started disintegrating.

"You see?" Alayot asked calmly.

Pah!

A loud sound echoed.

Suddenly, Trul could breathe again.

Everything that had just happened felt like a nightmare but far worse.

It wasn't simply the fear of death.

It was something far more terrifying.

"We know everything," Alayot said casually. "But we allow it. Good and evil must remain balanced , at least for a while. Otherwise, things wouldn't be interesting."

He paused.

"Well… you will eventually be punished in the most gruesome way imaginable."

"But if you win this chessboard game…"

"I might be lenient enough to allow you to leave and do everything you've ever wanted."

"You will no longer be part of the Dreadborne Organization."

"And everything we've given you… you can keep it as a gift."

Hearing those words felt like being pulled out of an icy abyss.

Hope flickered within Trul's heart.

His mind began racing as countless strategies formed within seconds.

"What… what if I lose?" Trul asked.

Even though the question sounded foolish, he needed to know.

The more he thought about it, the more terrifying the Dreadborne Organization seemed.

He had believed that being part of the organization meant he understood it somewhat.

But now he realized…

He knew nothing.

Just moments ago, he had truly felt himself being erased.

Not destroyed.

Not annihilated.

Erased.

Completely removed from existence.

Everyone would forget he had ever lived.

Every mistake.

Every regret.

Every happiness.

Every decision he had ever made…

All of it would vanish.

As if he had never existed.

Meaning…

There would never have been anyone called Trul.

His body trembled.

"If you lose… then you will be cleared like a piece killed on the battlefield," Alayot replied calmly.

"Take this game seriously. It is not only Calus's life and death."

"It is also your life and death."

BAM!

Alayot lifted a chess piece and placed it onto the board.

White and black mist mixed together, forming a creature that was half white dragon and half black snake, both trying to bite each other's tails.

"This… this is…"

Trul's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

His vision exploded with terrifying revelations.

"This is fate… the Law of Fate?!"