Ryan had been ordered to defeat and recruit the person wielding the [Light] skill. He set out with Aya, just the two of them. It would be faster and reduce the risk of another mishap like what happened to Leo, who died while the rest of his group survived. Traveling in a pair also gave them more freedom in their movements.
Along the way, Ryan grew increasingly annoyed. Erwin had interrupted his time of leisure again, pulling him into another mission. "I need a break too, damn it," Ryan muttered. "At this point, I’m no better than a slave, right?"
Aya, startled by his tone, responded nervously, "Y-Yes... I guess so..."
Ryan glanced at her from head to toe. For a moment, he thought, She’s not bad either. He remembered Erwin’s warning, don’t touch Aya. But Ryan was fed up.
"Erwin always gets the best ones while I’m left with nothing. Who does he think he is? I’ve been doing the dirty work all along, while he sits and commands like a king."
His irritation deepened when he remembered how Erwin had even forbidden him from interacting with Veronica. He acts like everything belongs to him...
Ryan’s frustration grew unbearable. He looked at Aya again, clearly nervous, walking beside him cautiously. Her unease only irritated him further.
"Want to take a break?" Ryan asked, trying to mask his growing agitation.
Aya flinched slightly. "Eh? N-No, I’m not tired..."
"It’s fine. We can rest a bit. We’re not in that much of a hurry," he replied, forcing a grin.
But Aya shook her head and said firmly, "I think we should finish this quickly and return safely. That’s more important."
Ryan clenched his fists. The constant rejection, the way others seemed to treat him like he was beneath them, it boiled over inside him. Tentacles began to ripple around his back, the hint of his power emerging as his emotions surged. "I’m done with this," he said darkly. "Everyone thinks they can just brush me off, even now that I have real power?"
Tentacles began forming around him, but before anything could happen, a sharp sound cut through the air.
Slash!
A gleam of silver streaked past. Ryan’s tentacles were severed in an instant. Aya stumbled backward, but before she could fall, someone caught her.
Julian.
Cradling Aya in his arms, he stood firm. Ryan, stunned and wincing from the pain, barked, "Who the hell dares interrupt me?!"
Julian looked at him calmly, and with a cold smirk, said, "I do, you pathetic pig."
--------×--------
The morning light barely touched the edges of the dark room when Julian stirred awake. He sat up slowly, surrounded by silence... except for the soft breathing of the two girls beside him.
Clarissa and Emma still slept soundly, tangled under the covers, naked, their bodies exhausted from the events of the night before.
Julian let them have the moment. Just a little longer. But time was against them.
He reached out and gently nudged Clarissa first. "Hey," he whispered. "Wake up."
She stirred with a faint groan, her eyes fluttering open.
"Five more minutes..." came Emma’s sleepy voice from the other side.
Julian rolled his eyes. "You said that three times already. Get up."
Emma pulled the blanket over her head and mumbled something incomprehensible. Clarissa rubbed her eyes and yawned.
Julian stood and began pulling on his gear. "We’ve got a plan to execute. Ryan and Aya are already moving. We can’t fall behind."
That made Emma sit up finally, her messy hair falling across her face. "So... what exactly are we doing? Are we going to kill them too after this is over?"
Julian glanced at her, buckling his belt. "That depends. I’m not someone who enjoys killing. But if they cross the line... I won’t hesitate."
Clarissa lowered her gaze but didn’t speak. Emma’s expression turned serious as she pulled on her shirt.
Julian turned to both of them. "Here’s the plan. I need you two to go to Erwin’s base. Stay hidden, and stay alert. If anything goes wrong, I’ll come to you immediately."
Clarissa looked unsure. "Are we... just a burden to you?"
Julian paused. Then, with a smirk, he flicked her forehead with his finger.
"Ow!" Clarissa flinched, rubbing the spot. "That hurt..."
"That’s for being stupid," he said, but his tone was light. "You’re not a burden. I trust you adn I’m counting on you."
He turned serious again. "Also, I have a side mission. Kael told me something, Erwin’s been keeping Mr. Leighton locked up in a chamber next to the cafetaria room. Once I deal with Ryan and Aya, I’ll go get him."
Emma nodded slowly. "What if Erwin shows up before then?"
Julian narrowed his eyes. "There’s a chance he already suspects our plan. That’s why I’m sending you two ahead."
Emma stood and stretched, her expression focused now. "Then I’ll stop anyone who tries to interfere. You just focus on winning."
Julian smiled faintly. "Thanks"
Clarissa stepped forward, adjusting her hair. "If you need help... promise you’ll call us. Don’t try to handle everything alone."
Julian gave a nod. "I will."
They gathered their things and readied themselves. As they walked toward the door, Julian added, "Once I’ve taken down Ryan and Aya, we’ll start the rescue. Wait for my signal."
Both girls nodded firmly and disappeared into the corridor.
The reason Julian wanted to rescue Mr. Leighton was simple.
He didn’t want the group led by Erwin to die, at least not all of them. Most of them, he knew, were just trying to survive. They didn’t deserve to be caught in the crossfire of someone else’s ambition.
That’s why he planned to make Mr. Leighton their new leader. Someone who could guide them, protect them... keep them alive.
As for the rest, the ones who had betrayed him?
They would pay.
He would kill them all.
Julian exhaled a slow breath. He was already prepared for chaos. That’s why he had sent them away, to keep them out of the immediate blast zone. But if something did happen, his [Shadow] skill would allow him to teleport to them in an instant.
Just in case.
He moved through the shadows toward the target area... when he sensed them. Ryan and Aya had arrived.
But something was off.
Ryan was attacking Aya.
Julian’s eyes narrowed.
So this is the moment.
Without hesitation, he surged forward. Ryan’s tentacles lashed toward Aya, but before they could do more damage—
Slash!
A flash of steel cut through the tentacles. Aya stumbled, but Julian caught her before she fell.
Ryan roared in pain. "Who dares—?!"
Julian looked up with a calm, deadly smile.
"I do, you patethic pig."