-Hakan: "The situation is tense. It's best not to leave the house for the next few days."
-Edie: "Will they come back?"
-Hakan: "No. Don't worry."
-Edie: "How can you be so sure?"
-Hakan: "Tonight, I will meet their leader. Give him what he wants... in exchange for peace."
-Edie: "I met Professor Elmir today. He also said a phrase... exactly like the one the guy who choked me said last time."
-Hakan: "Don't worry. No one will dare to touch you tonight."
Night. Cold wind.
While Edie was passed out on the table from being drugged, Hakan left the house, stepping into the thin mist leading to the forest a few kilometers away.
At an open space in the forest, where there was only moonlight and cold mud.
A figure stepped out from behind a decaying tree, their voice hoarse but steady.
-As Now: "Hello, old friend, do you remember me?"
-Hakan coldly: "I only remember when you begged me for your life. Don't waste my time, what do you want?"
-As Now: "I want Edie. He has great potential. He can take the place you need to stand."
Hakan: "No."
Hakan clenched his fist, Nifow gradually gathered like swirling smoke around his arm.
-As Now casually: "Calm down, if things get big, only you will suffer. I'm not as strong, but I'm clean, no criminal record. So one tip-off, and you'll be hunted by the whole world."
-Hakan: "I have nothing left to lose."
-As Now: "Is that so? What about Edie... and the child you're waiting for?"
Hakan froze. His eyes narrowed.
-Hakan: "...I don't have a child."
-As Now: "I knew you from the moment you worked as a janitor at Bellasia. I was already a professor there before you arrived. A wanted man, silently working as a janitor in a capital academy—no one lives like that, unless they're waiting for someone."
Hakan: "...Spare Edie. I will hand over the Keri orb."
As Now: "Don't lie to me. That orb is broken. I haven't settled the score for your betrayal of the organization yet, Hakan. I respect that you contributed a lot to the organization, so I won't make it difficult for you. Just give me Edie, and everything will go back to normal. You have a lot to lose. Don't choose selfishness on one side."
A moment of silence. Then Hakan knelt on one knee, his head slightly bowed.
-Hakan: "I am ready to live and die for Sill once more. To become the sword of the organization. Our light is eternal; we are the chosen ones to bring peace to the world."
As Now: "Good. I will send you the plan later."
From behind, a woman stepped forward, her white hair cascading over her face.
Lucy Ali: "Why did you give him a chance?"
As Now: "I never give chances, I only want to use him."
Morning. The air was strangely quiet. Edie walked into the academy, his shoulders still heavy from the previous training session.
Hakan's words from last night kept repeating in his head like a slow tap.
-Jinna: "You seem to be lacking sleep today."
-Edie: "Last night was a bit messed up. Hakan seems to be hiding something."
-Jinna: "He didn't say anything?"
-Edie: "Just said he would arrange something with someone. Then I passed out during dinner."
-Jinna: "Passed out?"
-Edie: "Sedatives, I definitely know that smell, I used to use it to... oh no."
-Jinna: "What did you do with sedatives? It's fine if you don't say."
-Edie: "It's hard to say, I'll tell you when we get married."
-Jinna glared: "But about the sedative, do you think he did that so you wouldn't follow him?"
-Edie: "And when I woke up this morning, he wasn't injured or anything, it was strange."
Both walked into the school gate.
-Jinna: "You have Elmir's class today, don't you?"
-Edie: "Probably. I hope it's not another lecture on the 'eternal light.' It gives me goosebumps."
After class, Elmir stood on the podium, looking directly at Edie.
-Elmir: "Edie, after class, come to my office, I need to talk to you privately."
-Edie: "Did I do something wrong again?"
-Elmir: "I just need a favor from you."
After school, the hallway was empty. Jinna turned to Edie.
-Jinna: "You should be careful. He looks at you like he's dissecting your internal organs."
-Edie: "I'm used to it."
In front of Elmir's office.
-Elmir: "Come in. I don't have much time."
-Edie: "Did you call me for something?"
-Elmir: "Do you know who I am?"
-Edie: "Professor Elmir."
Elmir: "No, my real name is As Now, the leader of the Sill organization. Also... Hakan's old friend."
-Edie: "So... what do you want from me?"
-Elmir: "What do you plan to do in the future?"
-Edie: "I haven't thought about it yet."
-Elmir: "Don't you have a dream?"
-Edie: "No, that's why I've never tried."
-Elmir: "So if you marry Jinna later, what do you plan to live on?"
-Edie: "Probably... a hunter, a mercenary, something like that."
-Elmir: "Do you think those jobs can maintain both affection and money? You'd be away for days. Out of sight, out of mind. Tired, quiet, feelings also cool down. What will you do then?"
-Edie stammered: "I... I don't know."
-Elmir: "Join my organization. I won't force you to fight all the time. Just complete missions, get breaks, earn money. It's stable. You think those other jobs are easy because you're strong, but strong isn't as good as famous. And fame takes time. Who will support your wife and children during that time? Take Jinna's money?"
-Elmir: "My organization doesn't forbid love, doesn't forbid living. You just need to find balance."
-Edie: "But... your organization is rebellious. It's not good or anything."
-Elmir: "The government always says that. But... what do you know about them? Let me tell you a few examples of what they've done. During King Kolin's time, he allowed drugs to be sold to other countries to destroy their generations. During King Sion's time, he created diseases with biological weapons to weaken the world and then appeared as a god. And the current King Lion is using orphans as living weapons. Those mutants (olin) out there... are experimental products. So don't think the place you're living in is clean. It's rotten to the bone."
-Edie scared: "...I want to go, I don't want to hear anymore."
-Elmir: "Go ahead, we'll meet again."
A moment later, a man entered Elmir's office.
His police uniform was neat, his eyes as dark as night.
-Elmir: "Hello, officer. Are you here... for something?"
-Police: "Don't pretend, As Now. I don't have time to play with you."
-Elmir: "So... what do you want?"
-Police: "Don't touch my prey. That kid Edie, I've had my eyes on him since before he was born."
-Elmir: "What is he to you? A son? That would be interesting."
-Police: "I don't have children. And don't ask any more questions."
Elmir paused, his eyes narrowing in analysis.
-Elmir: "I think I'm starting to understand your motives."
-Police: "Knowing just enough keeps you alive longer. My organization lives well without you, but your organization... how long can it survive without us covering your back? So, be reasonable."
The officer turned and left the room. Before the door closed, Elmir mumbled softly.
-Elmir: "Being monitored since before he was born... that really is interesting."
After returning to class, Jinna noticed that Edie was acting differently.
Normally during class, he would doze off, even snore softly.
But today he sat still, eyes pensive, chin resting on his hand, not writing anything.
When class ended, Jinna pulled him to the back of the courtyard, where they sat under a large, shady tree.
She sat down first, and then Edie, without a word, rested his head on her lap as if it were a habit.
-Jinna: "What's wrong today that you're so pensive? What did Professor Elmir say that made you so distraught?"
-Edie: "I just... thought about the future. Like... if one day I had to support a wife and children, how would I make them happy? I mean... money. It makes everything seem blurry."
Jinna smiled lightly: "It's nothing, just focus on the present. Who knows, maybe after Edie marries me... he'll get bored and leave me for another girl."
Edie pouted: "I only love Jinna, no one else..."
Just then, a familiar voice rang out from in front of them.
A blonde-haired, green-eyed girl—Lina, Edie's sister—walked over, arms crossed, looking at them with a half-teasing, half-sarcastic expression.
-Lina: "Hey big brother, are you free?"
-Edie: "What is it? You haven't bothered to ask about me for months, and now you're creeping around here?"
-Lina: "How would I know where you live? And also... Dad told me to tell you that you can come home now."
-Edie: "Tell him I'm living alone, doing well, don't need to."
-Lina smirked: "Oh, living alone like living with Uncle Hakan. He's cheerful, sociable, everyone at school likes him... so don't make up bad stories or you'll get beaten black and blue by the whole school."
-Edie: "Only those involved understand, outsiders should stay out of it. And you, go away, can't you see I'm having a 'heart-to-heart' with my girlfriend?"
-Lina: "Oh my goodness... why does sister Jinna like my brother so much?"
-Edie: "Handsome, talented, smart, no scandals, isn't that enough?"
Lina shook her head and walked away.
-Jinna: "You shouldn't talk like that, it's your sister, you haven't seen her in a long time..."
-Edie: "At home, I can never be normal with her, she always plays tricks on me. But, even though we have different mothers... she and I are still close, it's just... I don't know how to talk to her."
-Jinna: "Even so, you shouldn't chase her away like that."
-Edie pouted: "Who told her to interrupt when we were being affectionate..."
-Jinna glared: "I can't believe you. And stop touching me inappropriately, people have been watching us for a while now..."
During the break, Hakan walked into the art room, a rare quiet spot in the school, smelling of dry paint and soft light. He placed the easel in front of a white canvas, brush in hand, before the door burst open. A girl with white hair entered. Her academy uniform was neat, her expression polite.
-Lucy: "Hello, sir, I... have a letter I want to give to Edie."
-Hakan: "No need to be so tense, it's just me here now."
Lucy looked confused: "Huh... I don't understand?"
-Hakan: "Alright, give me the letter and I'll give it to him. You can go now."
-Lucy nodded slightly, preparing to turn away, when a sentence from behind made her stop.
-Hakan: "Oh... you look very much like an old friend of mine. Skin as white as snow, about two meters tall, unmistakable."
-Lucy calmly: "There's no one like that... in my family."
-Hakan: "Is that so? I must have remembered wrong."
At TIB Headquarters – Terrorist Investigation & Interception Bureau | Central Area – 20th Floor
Hurried footsteps echoed through the cold metal corridor. A young girl, small in stature, with brown hair and bright green eyes like fire, rushed to the office labeled: Duun - Special Commander.
-Liar panted, pushing open the door: "Sir... we have urgent news. The spy embedded within Sill just sent a signal. They will attack Bellasia Academy in a few days."
-Duun remained seated, eyes fixed on the files on his desk: "Calm down. Sit down. You're breathing like you're about to die. They won't make a move... unless someone makes them think... it's time."
-Liar: "You mean... there's someone strong enough to make them reckless?"
-Duun stood up, silently walking to a glass cabinet. Inside was an old photo of him and his deceased father, in military uniform:
-Duun: "Everyone eventually returns to their old ways."
He took out the photo, gently stroking the wooden frame. His voice was deep, as if swallowing anger with every word.
-Duun: "...And so will he. Hakan."
-Liar: "Hakan? You mean... Hakan 'The Death God,' the former commander of Sill? I thought he was dead. The file still says 'confirmed deceased'?"
-Duun's voice was low, without looking up: "I deliberately staged it. I personally marked him 'deceased' to protect him from the international tracking system."
Liar looked confused: "But... you don't like him. The way you're talking now... it sounds like you hate him deeply. So why hide it?"
-Duun: "He once killed my father. Harneth – the empire's hero. At that time, I was just a young man... and hatred was the only thing that kept me alive."
Liar: "So... why not finish him?"
Duun: "Because I once found him. I saw with my own eyes that he was living a different life. He had a wife. He had children. The villagers protected him like a hero. He worked as a hunter, taught martial arts to orphans. I stood at the gate of his house. But when I saw his eyes looking at that child... I hesitated.
Silence for a moment.
-Duun: "Perhaps... I was wrong. Wrong to believe he had changed. Wrong to think that someone who had walked over dead bodies could become... kind."
-Liar: "I don't think so. No one blames you for believing in good."
-Duun looked at Liar, sternly: "You've worked with me for so many years, Liar. Tell me, can I trust you?"
-Liar: "Of course, boss. Whatever it is, I'm always on the side of truth."
-Duun: "Good. You may go."
Liar bowed slightly, leaving the room.
Duun sat down at the tea table, pouring two cups as if expecting a guest... but the opposite chair was empty. Suddenly the air stirred, and a figure emerged from stealth.
Efill, a man with metallic dark skin, pale purple eyes, and long, wavy purple hair.
-Duun: "Do you see anything strange about her?"
-Efill: "No. Stable heart rate, normal demeanor. She's pretty calm."
Efill leaned back in his chair.
-Efill: "They're definitely trying to push us towards Hakan to divert attention from their real target."
-Duun: "I think so too. TIB... isn't what it used to be."
-Efill: "...I agree."
Both looked at each other in silence. A grand chess game was unfolding, but no one knew which pawn would trade for a general's life.
It was completely dark. The moon hung low behind the trees, wind whistling through dry leaves.
Two figures, one tall and muscular, the other thinner, were quietly walking on the dirt road leading to the wooden house at the end of the forest.
-Edie: "It's so cold today, huh..."
-Hakan: "Only cold in your head. Your face looks even gloomier than the morning fog."
-Edie: "Because... I met Elmir. He said things I didn't want to think about."
-Hakan glanced over, sighing softly: "Did those words make you waver? He's very good at manipulation, you should only believe half of what he says."
-Edie: "I don't know. I've never seriously thought about the future. Now... everything feels so blurry."
-Hakan: "If it's blurry, just leave it there. Tomorrow, we'll fight again and it'll be gone. You have to fail a lot in life to succeed."
-Edie: "You really don't know how to comfort people."
Hakan: "I'm not a primary school teacher."
Both chuckled softly. The small wooden house appeared in the dim light. Stepping onto the porch, Hakan took out his keys from his pocket and stopped.
-Hakan: "Hey..."
-Edie: "Huh?"
-Hakan: "If one day, I'm no longer here... what will you do?"
-Edie frowned: "What is it, don't say death-like things when we're going home."
-Hakan gave a faint smile: "Just... asking."
-Edie: "Then I'll ask back. If one day I'm no longer myself, will you hit me?"
-Hakan: "Yes... And I'll hit you until you remember who you are."
The wooden door opened, and warm yellow light spilled onto the cozy wooden floor. The scent of peppermint tea from the afternoon lingered gently in the air.
-Edie: "Hey..."
-Hakan: "What?"
-Edie: "We're home... can you hit me less?"
-Hakan: "Depends on your attitude tomorrow morning."
In the small wooden house nestled in the ancient forest, only the sound of the night wind rustled through the window cracks.
Hakan sat leaning back in his familiar wooden chair, eyes closed lightly. On the table was a still-warm cup of tea, next to an unopened letter. The dim yellow light illuminated his hair, which was beginning to show specks of gray.
From the inner room, Edie tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep.
Hakan's words echoed in his head:
"If one day I'm no longer here?"
He looked up at the ceiling. A feeling of unease clung to his chest, vague, simmering... as if foreshadowing something.
— end of chapter —