"…A forfeit?"
"Yeah. The opponent‘s injuries seem severe. They said continuing the match would be impossible."
This Champions League was structured as a one-on-one tournament. It was an unusual format, but likely chosen due to the current political climate.
In past Leagues, entire knight orders would clash, or there would be a variety of team events. But this time, there was none of that.
The downside of a solo tournament was the physical toll. A knight had to fight again just one week after their previous match. If they sustained significant injuries, they had to fight through the pain. If the damage was too severe to move, they had no choice but to forfeit.
"We got lucky."
"Yeah."
Yujin needed time to recover from his accumulated fatigue. He had plenty of other work to do as well. Whether he rested in a hospital room or at the mansion made little difference.
Larin sat demurely beside him, peeling an apple into rabbit shapes and feeding him with a fork.
"…My hands are fine, you know."
"Shut up and eat."
Protest was futile. Yujin accepted the fruit like a baby bird.
"I wonder when they‘ll arrive."
"Ah, your friends?"
If they came, they would be a force beyond measure.
While Netsalem couldn't leave Kazdel due to the restrictions placed on him as a King, Yujin‘s four closest friends were different.
Only Buldrokkas'tee, the Last Wendigo, had a face known to the wider world. The citizens of Kazimierz, who cared little for Sarkaz politics, likely wouldn't even recognize him.
Theresis, Theresa, and Kalaisha had never stepped into the spotlight, so they were unknown variables. These four would bring certainty to Yujin‘s uncertain plans.
"I just hope they arrive safely."
He hoped they wouldn't lose their tempers and start swinging spears before they even got here.
As Yujin stared out the window with a thoughtful expression, Larin asked him a question, her eyes smiling but her mouth not quite matching the sentiment.
"Are there women among them?"
"Uh... two men, two women. I'm not sure if they'll all come, though."
Given their bond, they should all come, but life happens. Still, if none of them showed up, he'd be a little hurt.
"…Are you close?"
"Very. They're the only friends I have."
It wasn't that Yujin lacked social skills. Growing up in the backalleys of Kazdel didn't leave much room for making friends. When survival was a daily struggle, there was no time for laughter and camaraderie.
"Closer than me?"
"Huh...?"
Yujin shut his mouth at the comparative question. He didn't want to answer carelessly. Realizing her mistake, Larin laughed it off.
"Just kidding. I was just asking."
"R-really...? Well, okay."
Though flustered, Yujin quickly hid his emotions. It was a familiar trap. Theresa and Kalaisha used to tease him with similar questions, enjoying his discomfort like little devils.
"Anyway, a forfeit... the injury must be serious."
"Who knows."
Larin‘s vague response left Yujin tilting his head, but she knew the truth. The name "Yujin" was causing a storm across Kazimierz.
Imitation cannot surpass the original. The moment a copy exceeds the source, it becomes creation.
But what Yujin showed in the duel was too much to be dismissed as a simple anecdote. Mimicking an opponent perfectly, like a mirror, sent shivers down the spines of the spectators.
Daniel didn't miss the opportunity. To secure Yujin's fame and honor, and to quell the smoldering discontent, he capitalized on the moment.
Like other Sport Knights, a narrative was built, and fans began to admire him. The story of a young man leaving his homeland to become a knight in Kazimierz was compelling.
Especially since it was the story of an underdog, marginalized by society.
Kazdel, Sarkaz. Kazimierz. Daniel wove these three elements into a shield for Yujin. It was a shield covered in thorns that might hurt Yujin as well, but it served its purpose for now.
"…It‘s nice to see you looking so carefree."
Watching Yujin eat his apple, Larin muttered. Did he know? That fans were screaming his name outside?
And Larin‘s face had been revealed as well. Though still partially veiled, the image of her holding the collapsed Yujin‘s hand had been broadcast live. Rumors of romance were already spreading like wildfire.
’Actually, that‘s good.‘
She didn't mind. In fact, she welcomed being seen as his lover. It was a perfect excuse to swat away any pests trying to get close to him.
But one problem remained.
"Yujin, I'm asking seriously. Are you really going to Sector Zero?"
"Yeah. I have to see the truth. I need to know why they‘re trying so hard to control information about that place."
Sector Zero. Officially, a quarantine zone for treating Infected.
But the Infected feared it. No one who went in ever came out. The Infected knew their own treatment best, and their fear spoke volumes.
There was no information. So he had to investigate personally.
"How?"
"…Simple. I just need to become an Infected. Wait, Larin? You‘re holding a fruit knife. Put that down."
"Stop talking nonsense and tell me the real plan."
"No, it‘s really simple! If they‘re rounding up Infected and throwing them into Sector Zero, I just have to disguise myself as one and get caught... Aaaack!"
"You idiot! That‘s your plan?! What if something goes wrong?!!"
In the end, he got hit.
2.
Yujin walked while rubbing his stinging back. Even after being slapped several times, he had no intention of changing his mind.
There was no time, and no perfect plan. He had to take the risk and gamble.
Sector Zero. There was definitely something there ugly enough to make even an ordinary person wince. But without proof, no one dared speak of it. Since the Merchant Association managed the sector, people kept their mouths shut to avoid their wrath.
"…So, you‘re going in like that?"
"We don't have time, Daniel. We have to take the risk."
Leaving Yujin—who now called him by his first name comfortably—behind, Daniel fell into deep thought.
Send a mediocre agent, and they‘d die or disappear without a trace. The only card Daniel held that was strong enough and trustworthy enough was Yujin.
A two-week break due to the opponent's forfeit. He didn't know if Yujin could unravel the secrets of Sector Zero in that time.
"Even if I tell you not to go, you'll go anyway."
"..."
Yujin‘s silence confirmed it. He would go regardless of Daniel‘s protests.
"Honestly... we don't need to fight anymore. The Armorless Union and the Merchant Association clearly find the Nearls annoying, but we‘ve grown too big to touch easily now."
"So, you want to stop?"
"…My heart wants to ignore the pretext and crush them. But we have responsibilities."
Daniel carried the weight of his family and Kiril. Risking their lives to pick a fight with the Association was reckless.
"Think of the future. Do you really believe they‘ll leave you alone forever just because they‘re quiet now?"
The only reason the Association was holding back was Yujin—his strange power and influence. But Yujin didn't plan to stay with the Nearls forever.
"…I know. I'm just venting. Besides, you're the one entering Sector Zero. Aren't you afraid?"
"If I were going to give up over fear, I wouldn't have started."
"That sounds like you."
In the end, Daniel couldn't stop him. Larin had asked him to try, but once Yujin made up his mind, he didn't listen to anyone.
"To get in, you'll have to act like an Infected on the outskirts of Sector Zero. Can you hide your identity?"
"…I‘ve lived among the Infected my whole life. That much is easy."
"It‘s sad that I have no information to give you. How is your body?"
"Better after some rest."
"Don't forget. Even if you fight, save some strength. Remember that the finals are still ahead."
"Understood."
Decision made, he would move immediately.
It would take time to get caught. He had to deliberately act suspiciously and dangerously to draw attention.
Besides, reinforcements would be arriving soon.
"Hey."
"What is it, Theresis?"
The outskirts of Kazdel. A desolate wasteland where no Nomadic Cities roamed.
Where Catastrophes had swept through, not a blade of grass grew. In this land devoid of buildings or beasts, Theresis stared blankly at a map.
"We are going the right way, right?"
"…Probably?"
"Why answer with a question?"
"We‘re following the map, so it should be correct."
Inside the car, Theresis and Buldrokk looked at each other. A hunch struck them both. A hunch that something was very wrong.
Buldrokk had left Kazdel before, but that was to follow a marker left by his Master to reach Iberia. He just had to follow the signal.
Theresis was leaving for the first time. Moreover, Yujin was in Kazimierz, a country of Nomadic Cities that shifted locations to avoid Catastrophes. Updating the map was essential.
And looking at each other, the two realized the truth.
"Dammit."
Theresis and Buldrokk were lost in the middle of nowhere.