"Huff... huff..."
Mira slumped onto the ground, sweat trickling down her face as her chest rose and fell rapidly.
"...Inventory," she muttered weakly, her eyes squinting in exhaustion.
A small container of pain relievers materialized in her hand.
Pop.
She twisted the cap open and tipped two red pills into her palm.
"Haap!" she grunted, swallowing them dry before sticking out her tongue at the bitter aftertaste.
"Huff... haah..."
Her breathing gradually steadied, the tension in her body easing.
Rustle.
"-!"
Mira's eyes snapped open.
Her head turned sharply toward the sound.
Another one?! she thought. My Star's dimmed… I won't be able to cast any more spells.
"..."
She listened carefully as the footsteps drew closer.
Two people? she deduced.
Her fists clenched against the soil.
"Fuck it," she muttered, pushing herself up and summoning her staff.
Her gaze locked onto the forest ahead.
"..."
The footsteps grew louder.
Her staff rose, her mind already preparing a spell—
"Oh! It was her."
"...?!"
Mira's eyes widened, one brow lifting in confusion.
The figures emerged from the trees.
Recognition hit instantly.
"Tristan?!" she exclaimed, relief washing over her.
"...Jin!" she added, breaking into a run toward them.
"I thought you guys were enemies for a second" she said, placing a hand on her chest as she let out a breath, her eyes briefly closing.
"Haha... I can see why you'd think that," Tristan scoffed, his gaze drifting over the remains of Cara and her team. "Anyway..."
"...I guess Kade's the only one left," he added, slipping his hands into his pockets.
Jin's eyes lingered on Tristan's back for a brief moment.
"...Are you okay?" he asked, shifting his attention to Mira.
"...Yeah, hehe. Don't you trust me?" Mira replied with a soft smile.
"Okay...?" Jin responded, a hint of confusion in his expression.
"Yo, Jin. Your clones still haven't picked anything up?" Tristan asked, his tone bored.
"..."
"...?"
Jin let out a quiet chuckle, drawing both their attention.
"Found three—no, six people. I think it's a 3v3," he explained.
"Six people?" Tristan muttered. "That's good. Let's go."
He turned and began walking, Mira and Jin following behind.
A grin slowly spread across his face.
"Let's cause a ruckus."
---
"Haah..."
Kade let out a long sigh, slumping onto a nearby rock.
"How is this even possible..."
After the mass teleportation, he had somehow ended up completely alone on the island.
For the past hour and a half, he had wandered without encountering a single person.
"...?"
Until now.
"Finally found someone..."
Kade turned toward the distant voice, confusion etched across his face.
A figure emerged from the shadows.
Step by step, his features became clear.
"Yo," the man greeted casually.
Kade's eyes scanned him—dark brown eyes, tanned skin, slicked-back golden-brown hair. A polearm rested on his shoulder, held loosely in place.
"...And you are?" Kade asked, rising to his feet and reaching for the shield strapped to his back.
"Mikel," the man replied, his grin widening. "You're Kade, right?"
"...?"
Kade frowned, trying to make sense of him.
"Yes... I am," he confirmed, bringing his shield forward and equipping it.
"That's good," Mikel said with a small nod.
"So... where is he?"
"Who?" Kade asked, his guard already up.
Tap... tap... tap.
Mikel closed the distance, leaning in close to Kade's ear.
"Samuel."
"-!"
Kade's mana surged violently, the air around him distorting under the pressure. His face twisted with rage.
Mikel hopped back lightly, letting out a quiet laugh.
"Let me ask again..." Kade said, his voice low and dangerous.
The atmosphere trembled under his rising aura.
"...Who the fuck are you?"
Mikel's lips curled into an unsettling smile.
He raised a hand to cover his mouth, barely holding back his laughter.
"Are you deaf?" he muttered.
Then his eyes sharpened.
"I'm Mikel."
His grin widened, something eerie settling behind it.