"If I'm dying… I'm dying with someone," Fre muttered, his eyes turning cold.

The ground exploded as he vanished, charging at Calus. He didn't care; he could only use 40% of his peak power. In fact, he didn't even bother defending himself anymore.

Splash…

A sound like a watermelon bursting echoed as Calus gently push the body back.

"Waste," Mabi said from the side as she and Calus flew higher, disappearing swiftly.

Once they were gone, the body plummeted to the ground, scattering brain matter and blood.

Splurt.

A fountain of blood formed as Fre's headless body created a small ditch.

Minutes passed, and finally, the headless body stood up. This time, it wasn't headless, it had a head.

"Quite interesting, Calus…" Fre muttered, his eyes glowing a shade of green as blood trickled from his mouth.

Fre's aura had weakened from falling a realm, but

diamond aura still radiated from his body.

---

After several minutes of silent flight, Mabi spoke:

"Are you okay?"

Calus hesitated. Right now, he didn't even know his emotions. He had just killed his best friend… his brother from a past life. What was he even supposed to feel? He felt nothing, just emptiness.

"I understand," Mabi murmured as she flew above him and hugged him.

Feeling the softness of her arms and the warmth against his chest, he sighed.

"Your death won't be in vain… Once we find the organization's headquarters, I'll make sure they can never do to anyone what they did to you," Calus thought silently as they flew together.

For days, Mabi and Calus searched for any trace of the organization, even going undercover. But after Fre's death, it seemed they had vanished entirely.

Finally, they had no choice but to return to the Central Continent.

---

The Royal Palace, Central Continent

"That is the summary of my report, Your Majesty," Calus said, bowing.

Beside him, Mabi also bowed.

In front of them was an elevated platform with a large throne. On it sat a middle-aged man with a soft face, though his expression radiated calm, perhaps too calm. The throne room exuded an oppressive atmosphere, emphasizing the gravity of the meeting.

"I understand. I also have some news, and it's very bad…" the King said, pausing.

"For now, they have retreated, and their tracks have mysteriously disappeared. But…"

The King smiled lightly.

"I've received a tip. They will likely attack again, and even more forcefully. They retreated to gather their forces and prepare. This attack was merely a test to gauge our reaction. Now that they have what they need, next time… countless creatures will die, and we may face endless war," he rubbed his temples.

"What are your orders?" both Calus and Mabi asked, frowning.

"We will have a few years of peace. The youth need time to rest. I want you to blend into society, erase your traces… but more importantly…"

The King paused, smiling at them.

"Arie gave you her blessings and asked me to personally allow you two to marry quickly. Maybe, for once, you should enjoy life together. Get married, have children, do the good things of life and much more she wants little cuties to call her 'auntie.'"

The King laughed, breaking the tension. Calus looked at Mabi, who shyly bowed. He wasn't the same man he used to be; it was time to think about his own future, especially with Mabi, who had supported him throughout their search in the Western Continent. She had always tried to cheer him up.

Now that Fre was dead, so was his obsession with protecting him. It was the right time for Calus to pursue his own happiness.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Calus said, a faint excitement underlying his voice. Mabi smiled brightly.

"Good, good. Tell me when you're ready," the King said as Calus and Mabi thanked him.

---

At a Far Distance In space…

A being sat cross-legged before a massive black hole, spanning hundreds of thousands of light-years.

"Is he dead?" Dared asked as Jake opened his eyes.

"No. One of the leaders asked about him. He's not dead, though I don't know if he's well… at least he's alive," Jake said indifferently. Dared nodded.

"Alright. I'll take my leave," Dared said, turning to move.

"Do you also intend to confront Dreadborne?" Jake asked, and Dared stopped in his tracks.

"I won't, unless Dreadborne crosses my principles," Dared muttered.

Jake laughed lightly.

"You're all the same. Don't you understand by now? You're all bound by Dreadborne. The leaders could kill you easily, so you have no choice but to obey.".., Jake said.

"Still, we fight for our own oaths, choose our own goals. Even if it leads to a dead end, if something violates our principles, we act to correct it," Dared

answered then paused.

"That's the difference between us and mere slaves of Dreadborne," he said, disappearing.

Jake closed his eyes again and returned to meditation.

In a deeper layer of space, a figure observed all this with a smile.

"Isn't this bad for the organization?" Nephem asked, eating chips. Sunglasses on, he lounged comfortably on a couch.

Sword Demon's face twitched in irritation. They were in the fourth layer of space. There was no sun in the second layer talkless of the fourthlayer of space, yet Nephem had created a massive sun, chips, a couch, even a TV and still wore sunglasses.

"It's fine. All schemes are worthless in the face of absolute power," Sword Demon chose not to question Nephem… at least for the sake of his own sanity.

"Ehn… alright, alright… though I feel it could use some garlic-like drink. My taste buds are tired of sweet and sweet at this rate…" Nephem muttered.

"I might get sick," he complained, and Sword Demon's face fell.

Wtf… dude, you're a Quasi Rank 4 being. How can you even get sick?

You fool… but whatever. Just let the idiot be.

"The commander is calling me… later," Sword Demon said hurriedly before disappearing.

Nephem shrugged as he watched him run off.

"Heh," Nephem sneered, crunching on his chips.

*********

3/10