Chapter 41: CHP 41 THE MYSTERIOUS OLD MAN

Chapter 41 — THE MYSTERIOUS OLD MAN

Everyone was running toward Aurelia Kingdom. No one spoke during the entire journey. The road that usually felt short seemed endless. Kil Ful, Maddy, Rony, Morry, Ravian, and Kael all remained silent, each of them carrying the memory of Lira in their minds. Even though they had escaped from Juyew, there was no feeling of victory. Lira was gone, and everyone knew that her sacrifice had changed them forever.

After several hours, they finally reached Aurelia Kingdom. The gates opened as Kael and the others entered. People around the kingdom looked at them, noticing their injuries and exhausted expressions, but nobody asked questions. Kael stopped near the center of the kingdom and looked at everyone.

"Everyone, go to your homes and rest. You all need time to recover."

Nobody argued with him. One by one, they separated and went toward their homes.

Kil Ful, Maddy, Rony, Morry, and Ravian eventually reached Kil Ful’s house. They entered quietly. The atmosphere inside was heavy. Nobody knew what to say. Maddy suddenly clenched his fists, and anger filled his eyes.

"I WILL KILL JUYEW!"

Everyone looked at him.

Maddy’s voice shook with anger. "He took Lira from us. I won’t forgive him. I’ll become strong enough to defeat him myself."

Rony looked down at his injured hands.

"But we’re not strong enough to defeat him."

Kil Ful looked at him.

"Why?"

Rony raised his head. "Because every time we fight Juyew, we lose."

Kil Ful’s expression became serious.

"Why do we lose every time?"

Morry answered calmly.

"Because he is a Transcendent."

The room became silent again.

Ravian leaned against the wall and crossed his arms.

"I don’t understand why you guys keep wanting to fight someone who is far more powerful than you."

Kil Ful slowly turned toward Ravian.

"We think we can defeat him."

Ravian looked at him.

"And why don’t you stop us?"

Kil Ful stepped closer.

"You also know he’s a Transcendent. So why don’t you stop us?"

Ravian’s expression changed.

"Don’t argue with me."

Kil Ful didn’t move.

Ravian looked at everyone and said, "All of this happened because of you. If you had never decided to fight Juyew again, Lira would still be here."

Kil Ful’s eyes narrowed.

"What did you say?"

"It’s your fault."

Kil Ful suddenly punched Ravian.

Ravian moved back and immediately kicked Kil Ful, sending him across the room. Kil Ful regained his balance and rushed toward him again.

Before they could attack each other, mud suddenly erupted from the floor and wrapped around both of them.

"STOP!"

The mud pulled Kil Ful and Ravian apart.

Maddy stood between them, his hand covered in Lira’s mud.

"I said stop."

Everyone became silent.

Maddy looked at the mud around his hand. For a moment, he remembered Lira.

Then he looked at Kil Ful and Ravian.

"I’m not going to let you two fight each other."

He clenched his fist.

"I will take Lira’s revenge."

Rony walked toward Maddy.

"Come on."

Maddy nodded.

The two of them left the house and began walking toward the road leading away from Aurelia Kingdom.

Kil Ful watched them leave.

"Where are you going?"

Maddy stopped for a moment.

"Back to our kingdom."

Rony turned around.

"We need to get stronger."

Maddy looked at Kil Ful one last time.

"Next time we meet Juyew, I won’t be the same person."

Then Maddy and Rony continued walking.

After some time, they disappeared into the distance.

The night eventually arrived.

Aurelia Kingdom became quiet.

Kil Ful couldn’t sleep.

He left his house and began walking through the streets alone. His mind kept replaying everything that had happened in the abandoned village.

Lira.

Juyew.

The fight.

His own defeat.

He continued walking without knowing where he was going.

After some time, Kil Ful reached a quiet part of the kingdom.

He suddenly noticed someone standing ahead of him.

An old man.

He was standing alone beneath the moonlight, wearing a long, simple robe. His face was partly hidden by the darkness.

Kil Ful stopped.

The old man slowly raised his head.

"Come here."

Kil Ful looked around.

"Me?"

The old man nodded.

"Yes. You."

Kil Ful remained cautious but slowly walked toward him.

The old man watched him carefully.

"You have been carrying a heavy burden tonight."

Kil Ful’s expression became serious.

"Who are you?"

The old man smiled slightly.

"Come closer, Kil Ful."

Kil Ful froze.

The old man knew his name.

Kil Ful took another step forward.

The old man looked directly into his eyes.

"I have something to tell you."

Kil Ful stood silently in front of him.

The night wind passed through the empty street.

And neither of them spoke again.

TO BE CONTINUED...