Luis frowned and took another sip of wine.
'This idea is absurd. We don't even know what consequences it could bring.'
Clarice's mother, seated beside her, looked at the girl with a crooked smile.
"Dear… who exactly would carry out this idea? I mean… who would be the test subject for this plan?"
Clarice tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"Hm… well, wouldn't that be me?"
It made sense. After all, she was the one who suggested it.
But her mother's expression darkened. The crooked smile vanished, replaced by firm refusal. She stood and pointed at her.
"No. Absolutely not. You are not doing something that dangerous. We have no idea what this could do to you."
The silver-haired girl with ruby eyes remained calm, almost cold, as if she had expected this reaction.
"Then who will do it?" she asked quietly.
Her mother opened her mouth, then closed it again, unable to answer.
A glass slammed onto the table, the sharp sound cutting through the room.
"Sorry to interrupt, but I'll do it."
A confident smile spread across Luis's face.
"After all… he's my nephew. My brother's son. And my daughter's blood. It's my responsibility."
Clarice stared at him, stunned.
She wanted to do it herself, but he had stepped in and shattered her reckless resolve.
"I can't let a Saint take such a risk," Luis continued calmly. "Unlike you, I'm older. Losing a few memories won't matter much."
He was twenty-nine now. The only memories he truly treasured were those of his family.
And that family was scattered.
His wife and daughter were in Kotei County.His best friend had disappeared—no news for over a year.Jay… was no different. Maybe worse.
All he wanted was to bring them back together.
A relieved smile appeared on Clarice's mother's face.
"Miss Elarara," Luis said, turning to her with a respectful bow.
She blinked, slightly startled. "Yes?"
"When will you be able to call a mage specialized in tracking magic?"
She placed a hand on her chin, thinking.
"The ones I know are… occupied. If you understand. It may take one or two months before I can contact them."
Luis nodded.
After sharing a few more drinks with Elarara, he departed, heading back toward Kotei County.
Clarice returned to her room.
She let out a quiet sigh and picked up the book Jay had once given her, pulling it tightly to her chest.
Sitting on the bed, hugging the book, she whispered softly,
"Jay… I hope you're safe."
And far away, in that hell on earth…Jay was anything but safe.
Blood ran down his forehead. Claw marks covered his arms and neck.
Panting, he stared at the werewolf before him.The creature was just as battered—its fur soaked in blood, one arm shattered and frozen on the ground.
They stood there, facing each other as birds cried in the distance, battle roars echoed far away, and the trees groaned in the wind.
Then both moved.
The wolf lunged, claws tearing forward.
Jay swung his frost-covered blade.
Claws pierced his shoulder—
And his sword cut through the creature's neck.
For a brief second, the sound of tearing flesh echoed across the clearing.
Jay collapsed.
He expected something to break his fall.
Nothing did.
He hit the grass hard, pain exploding through his body.
His eyes rolled wildly as he writhed.
'Runa… it hurts… Runa… it hurts… Runa… it hurts…'
"AAAAAAHHH!"
His scream dissolved into the empty wilderness.
After some time, the boy lay motionless in a pool of his own blood, arms spread, breathing faint.
Slowly, his elemental power began to regenerate his wounds. It took time, but it saved his life.
Jay opened his eyes beneath the harsh sunlight.
For a moment, he saw a silhouette—blonde hair swaying gently.
His heart jumped.
"Runaaa!"
He reached out and sat up abruptly.
No one was there.
He looked around.
Only trees.
A cold wind brushed through him, carrying the metallic scent of blood.
As he struggled to stand, something felt off.
Roh was silent.
Lillith too.
Jay frowned, unsteady on his feet.
'Ah… damn it. I need to rest… but I have to keep moving.'
He walked to a nearby tree and leaned against it, staying there for hours.
And in that silence, his thoughts returned.
Memories.Regrets.What-ifs.
If he had chosen differently…Would everything have changed?
He would probably never know.
'Unfortunately.'
Sleep slowly crept over him.
Minutes later, he opened his eyes again.
A sudden headache struck.
Jay pressed his hand against his temple as a sharp, splitting pain surged through his skull.
Clicking his tongue, he muttered under his breath.
He couldn't stop now. Not here. If he stayed still, some monster—or another wolf—might come looking for revenge.
'New world or not…'His eyes drifted to the dead wolf.'...that damn sense of pack loyalty still exists.'
Using the tree for support, he forced himself upright.
Then he started walking again.
Slow. Unsteady. But moving.
'The Black Reaper… the assassin everyone feared… the one even the strongest avoided.'
A hollow laugh escaped him.
'And now I'm like this.'
Sunlight filtered through the trees, illuminating his tired face.
'This place… it's forcing me to go back… to who I was.'
He paused.
'I'm not proud of that.'
If he wanted to survive in this cursed land, staying the same wasn't an option.
What Jay didn't understand…Was that he didn't need to become his past self again.
He needed to become something else.
Meanwhile, far away—
Lillith lay on a dark bed, reading a romance novel.
"Oh?"
She covered her mouth in surprise.
"These novels Jay recommended are actually good…"
But then something crossed her mind.
Something that didn't fit.
The timing of everything that had happened to him.
Her expression slowly changed.
'That's strange… How could so many things happen to him in such a short time? Something… isn't right…'
Her eyes widened.
"This… that's not possible, right?!"