Everest's Perspective:

  The atmosphere is cold, empty. All I see is a vast valley of black.

  It looks like the dream I used to have, the times the dragon passed. But now it's nothing but a world devoid of light.

  Has the dragon given a feeling of presence I didn't know about? Even now, faced with this world, I only think how lonely it must be here.

  But those are nothing but meaningless thoughts. I'm not dead. I'm just asleep. As long as I'm alive, I can't be lonely. I can be useful.

  So I force myself to wake up.

  Melissa trusted me. At least to show her my good faith, I have to escape with Filip. Her sacrifice won't be in vain.

  As I wasn't too far gone, my eyes open. The sight of curled lips getting closer to my face. Filip attempts to connect.

  My instincts take over me. I yank his face away. His glasses fall to the ground. "What the hell are you doing?!" It was so sudden I bite my tongue.

  Filip looks surprised, facing me in disbelief. Melissa is leaning against the wall, folding her arms, barefoot. Her skirt is torn apart, as is her shirt, which has a hole at the level of her stomach, but her skin is fine. We're in an alley or some isolated place. The smell of rotten food and waste is invading.

  I stand up. My hands touch the moistened floor.

  The sensation of feeling something like that is enough for me to wish I had no imagination.

  Melissa finally looks my way with a scrutinizing gaze. "You look fine. I was worried."

  Filip walks over to pick up his glasses. "Oh man, my glasses are dirty now." He wipes them with his shirt.

  "What was that just now?" I ask.

  Closing her eyes with a deep breath, Melissa replies. "You weren't breathing, so I suggested Filip apply first aid."

  I walk toward her on the other side, crossing past Filip. "And did it have to be a boy?" I shoot him a glance.

  "He's your friend. I figured it would be more tolerable." She places her right hand above her mouth, whispering. "You would've preferred if I did it, didn't you?"

  I frown. "I don't deny it."

  "Your honesty is frightening."

  "What? Have you lost confidence in your charms?"

  "You're smoother than I thought." Her face sharpens. "Enough now. There isn't anything adding up." She looks behind us.

  I turn to see Filip putting back his glasses. His eyes lock with mine.

  "I-is something wrong?" He slowly lowers his hands.

  Staring back at Melissa, I give the same concerned look. "Yes, what's so cryptic about it? Just tell us what's wrong."

  She sighs. "If you don't get it, I'll just ask Filip. That alley… you said nothing about it being completely destroyed. The way it looked, authorities would've taken care of it right away. If it was a fight, I doubt any parties would've had time to run away given the severity of the damages."

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  Filip's face darkens. "You're right. This morning when I came with you, I was surprised there were more casualties than I thought, but I chalked it up to the fact that it happened at night and my vision deceived me."

  "Are you sure about that?" She insists.

  Filip nods.

  In this new revelation, I understand that the blood I saw was from victims.

  I clench my fist, grit my teeth. "How cruel can someone be? Killing innocents just like that. It can only be a monster." My voice trembles. I look at Melissa. "What do you think was the reason that person went that far?"

  She crosses her arms again. "After being discovered, they thought the best thing was to create damage high enough to be considered the work of a spirit user. There are probably records for the people in this town. They turned on the newcomers. After all, cases and incidents like this happened at the arena, and all the participants had spirits, even more reason to think that." Her voice is cold.

  "They massacred innocents just to put themselves in a situation where they won't have to worry about being exposed?"

  I am in utter disbelief. Don't they give any value to life? Just like that man, they don't care about killing. They can't be considered human. I refuse to believe that.

  "Are you alright?" Filip's voice echoes in my head. I feel a touch on my shoulder. "You don't look too well. Maybe we should go home."

  His presence awakens me from my thoughts.

  Melissa gives a protesting voice. "You can go home, Filip, but if we get there with you, even Tora would be in danger, and I don't think that's what you're looking for."

  "But I can be of help." He retorts with a weak voice.

  "Filip. You've done everything you could've done. Leave it to us." I say.

  "But Everest..." His face turns fearful as he looks at me. He takes two steps back before turning. "I get it. I'm nothing but a rock in your shoe."

  "I couldn't find better words."

  "If that's the case, promise me you're going to come back safe. That's the only thing that will make me move."

  "I promise."

  "I promise too." Melissa adds.

  "Then I'm feeling safe leaving you behind." Filip shoots us a smile before running through the alley.

  "You were scary back there. Even your friend backed off," Melissa says.

  "It was either that or he would've seen me having the most heinous thoughts possible."

  "Huh?"

  "No, forget about it. What are we doing from here on?" I attempt to change the subject.

  "Forget about it. Find a way to stay safe."

  "What?! Is it because I couldn't be of help against that soldier?"

  "Effectively. Look, I'm the one who forced you into this situation. If I didn't drag you out, you would've stayed home, and you would've been one of the few who won't be arrested."

  "It's not your fault."

  "Don't get stubborn." She lets out an exhausted sigh.

  "I decided by myself. You had no influence on my choices." I stare at my right hand. "If I'm a burden to you, tell me. I'll follow you and take care of myself. Use me as a decoy, anything if it helps you succeed."

  "Are you even sure about being a good decoy? You got knocked out so quick I was wondering if you're made of bread." She laughs dramatically.

  "Your act doesn't fool me."

  "Uh?" She stops. "Look at your face. It looks like that of a good boy. Listen—"

  "No, you listen. The moment you should've pushed me away was when Filip was present. If you care about me, then let me join you. This time I ask you once again. Let me be a tool for your success."

  Melissa's amused demeanor turns soft. She takes her time before giving her answer. "And why should I accept this time? The situation I've requested your help in and now are two different situations." She extends her left hand to the side. "Why should I even consider you this time?"

  "You ask that now? Can't you see..." I grin. "I'm filled with the wish of bringing those monsters to justice?"

  She gives me a look I can't describe. Then she answers. "You're right. I can see that now. Let's bring them to justice. But that would be your job. If you fail, then I'll get what I came for and get us bailed." She smiles before passing behind me. "Let's go. We have a lot of preparations to do."

  I turn around in a hurry. "Yes, I'm right behind."

  We walk through the alley before we arrive at the active population. She doesn’t pay attention to the look people gives to her.

  "Unlike the area of the incident, these places haven't been evacuated, so even if we run into a soldier, it won't end up being a fight. But still, stay alert at all times."

  I nod. "Right."

  We exit the alleyway, blending into the crowd.

  I raise a question. "How are we going to find the others?"

  "There are things I can't tell you yet. Your utility as a decoy would be reduced if I get exposed because of you. Here…" She cuts to the right. "How do you think they'll get us if they don't want a fight to erupt?"

  "Bite my tongue."

  We come across a crowd formed in the middle of the road. Melissa and I weave our way in. The person I see Jiaolong and two men with red lion emblems on their armor.

  "They attack in groups so the fight can't get out of hand."