That night, as the room grew quiet, Halex hesitated, then asked softly, "Hey… Seha, where do I sleep?"
Seha glanced at him lazily, a small smile curling on her lips. "You sleep with me… in my bedroom."
Halex froze. "Are… are you really okay with a boy sleeping with you?"
She laughed lightly, a teasing tone in her voice. "Are you really considering yourself a man? Hey… you're just a kid."
Halex blushed and nodded. "Okay… I know I'm just a kid."
He climbed onto the bed, and immediately felt how soft and comfortable it was. "Hey… Seha… why is this bed so soft? I've never slept on anything like this before."
Seha smirked, leaning back on her pillow. "It's made with special materials from a Dragon. That's why it's so soft."
Halex's eyes widened. A Dragon…? Something that rare must cost… hundreds of millions.
"Just sleep," Seha said casually, ignoring his astonishment.
She lay down, wearing a short, hot dress. Halex's gaze immediately flickered to her, startled.
"Hey… your dress… it's too short," he said nervously.
"Why?" she asked, tilting her head. "Don't I look beautiful?"
"No, it's not that… uh… never mind," Halex stammered, flustered.
Seha giggled softly. "Okay, now come closer."
"What?" Halex asked, confused.
Without waiting for an answer, she hugged him tightly, like a pillow or a soft teddy bear. "Ooh… you're really soft, like a teddy bear," she murmured.
Halex's head pressed against her chest again, and he blurted nervously, "Hey… my head is… it's touching your chest… don't you have any problem?"
"No," she said calmly, holding him firmly. "You can sleep."
Halex whispered, almost to himself, "Your chest… it's really soft. I… I always wanted my head to be here, like this."
Seha smirked and lightly scolded him. "You idiot. Fine… you can. Ah… hey, don't move your head!"
Halex felt a strange warmth, comfort, and nervous excitement all at once. The soft bed, Seha's gentle hold, and her calm presence made him feel… safe, in a way he never had before.
Halex's father sat across from the police desk, his hands trembling. Dark circles had formed under his eyes from sleepless nights.
One of the officers sighed.
"We observed Van Karden for a full week. His daily life shows nothing abnormal. No illegal movement. No suspicious contact."
Another officer added calmly,
"We believe… he is innocent."
Halex's father stood up suddenly.
"No. That's impossible. My son wouldn't disappear on his own. Please—don't stop this case."
The officer lowered his gaze.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Handersson. We have no evidence, no leads. We can't continue this investigation."
"Please," Halex's father begged, his voice breaking. "I'll give money—anything. Just find my son."
"We understand your pain," the officer replied softly, "but our resources are limited."
After a pause, the officer added,
"There is one option left. You can submit a request through Zeror Trav. If Official Adventurers accept the mission, they may be able to locate your child."
Clinging to that final hope, Halex's father immediately registered a missing-person mission through Zeror Trav.
A Fading Hope
Many adventurers accepted the mission.
They searched forests.
They searched ruins.
They questioned travelers and merchants.
But no trace of Halex was ever found.
One week passed.
The mission expired.
Halex's father stared at the empty notice board, his hands clenched into fists.
Where are you…? Are you safe…?
No answer came.
Meanwhile — Somewhere Unknown
Far away from the city, Halex lived a completely different reality.
Under Seha's watch, his days passed quietly.
They played simple games together—
running through open grounds,
throwing shuttlecocks back and forth,
racing through clear water pools.
For the first time in his life, Halex laughed freely.
No shouting.
No pressure.
No fear of disappointing anyone.
Seha treated him kindly, almost gently, and Halex slowly began to relax around her.
Without realizing it, he started feeling safe.
If I stay here…
No one will scold me.
No one will say I'm useless.
Halex looked at Seha one evening and thought silently:
Maybe… I want to stay here.
Maybe this is where I belong.
Unaware of the storm gathering beyond those walls—
and of the father who searched for him every single day.
Meanwhile, Halex's father sat in his study, his hands trembling as he clutched the phone.
"Have you found your son yet?" his friend's voice asked.
Halex's father, tears streaking his face, shook his head.
"No… I haven't found him. I think… I should give up. It's all my fault. If I had allowed him to become an adventurer earlier, maybe he wouldn't have run away…"
"Stop crying, Handersson," his friend said calmly. "I have an idea. You should give your job to the Unofficial Adventurers. They are capable—they will find your son."
Halex's father's eyes widened.
"How do I… give my job to them?"
His friend smiled.
"It's simple. Tomorrow, I'll come with you. We'll send your job directly to them."
Halex's father exhaled, relief washing over him.
"Thank you. You truly are a good friend."
"I'm just helping. Now, get some sleep. Tomorrow, we send your request to the Unofficial Adventurers."
The Job is Sent
The next day, the mission was submitted to Zeror Trav.
Soon, a notorious group known as Bandit Master accepted the job.
"We'll find your son," their leader said, a sharp glint in his eyes.
Halex's father felt hope stir in his chest for the first time in weeks.
The group made their way toward the ruins of Tokyo City, their path quiet, almost too quiet. Suddenly, the leader paused and a sinister smile crossed his face.
"What is it?" Halex's father asked nervously.
"Nothing… just enjoying the scenery," David, his friend, replied casually.
But as they moved deeper into the city ruins, the true intentions of Bandit Master's men became clear.
"Give us your valuables, or… suffer," one of the bandits threatened.
"What?" Halex's father cried, panic rising. "David! What's happening?"
David's face hardened.
"I'm no longer your friend," he said coldly. The bandits laughed cruelly, circling Halex's father.
"Someone… help me! Please!" Halex's father shouted.
Before the bandits could respond, a massive presence descended upon the ruins. The air itself seemed to shiver.
"Black ViSage," the bandits murmured, fear cracking their voices.
The man in black stepped forward. His presence alone made the bandits falter.
"Go home," some muttered nervously. "This isn't your fight."
Black ViSage's gaze swept over them.
"I haven't said a word," he replied coldly. "Be silent."
The bandits trembled.
"Do you want help?" Black ViSage asked Halex's father.
"Yes! Please, save me!" Halex's father cried.
"And the reward?" Black ViSage asked calmly.
"$1,000!" Halex's father blurted.
Black ViSage nodded once.
"Accepted."
With that, he stepped forward. "Leave him."
The bandit leader tried to negotiate.
"I'll pay $2,000 later… from his wealth!"
Black ViSage shook his head.
"Rejected."
The Fight — Duskwell vs Unknown
The bandits lunged together, confident in their numbers.
They were all Duskwell rank adventurers, with their leader a Trailblazer.
But Black ViSage moved like a shadow.
He dodged, parried, and struck with precision, never revealing his full strength. Each movement was calculated, designed to subdue rather than annihilate.
Within moments, the bandits lay groaning on the ground. Their leader's smug expression vanished completely.
Aftermath
Black ViSage stepped back, his aura still radiating power.
"I can feel you're looking for someone. Who is it?" he asked Halex's father.
"I'm trying to find my son," Halex's father replied, voice quivering. "But I haven't been able to locate him."
Black ViSage nodded.
"I will find your son. But what is the reward?"
"$2,000," Halex's father said immediately.
Black ViSage shook his head.
"I don't need money. I want gold."
"Gold? Okay… I'll give you gold," Halex's father replied, relieved.
"Good. Go home. In three days, you will have your son back."
Halex's father exhaled, tears of relief streaming down his face, and began his journey home.
Meanwhile — The Dancing Hollows
Far away, Seha and her team convened for an urgent meeting.
Silvana crossed her arms.
"I think we shouldn't worry about Black ViSage. Let's focus on our mission."
Latina shook her head.
"You don't understand. Ignoring him could be dangerous."
Tiana nodded.
"If he tries to attack us, we'll respond—but only if necessary."
All members agreed cautiously.
Tiana glanced at her team and added, smiling faintly,
"I can see that you've been happy these past two weeks. Don't let anyone ruin it."
"Huh… yeah," she said softly, her eyes glinting. "I have a really good friend. I really like him."
Tiana, leaning against the wall, raised an eyebrow.
"Wait… you said 'friend'? But Karden captured him for us—he's a slave, not your friend."
Seha's expression hardened slightly.
"Don't call him a slave. He's my friend. We enjoy our time together."
Tiana tilted her head, clearly intrigued.
"That's… interesting. You've never seen a slave as a friend before. But now… you see him as a friend?"
Seha shrugged lightly.
"He's not like the others."
"Okay… okay," Tiana said, chuckling.
Halex, lying on the soft bed, thought quietly to himself. Despite everything, he was enjoying his time with Seha—but a part of him still longed to go home.
Seha noticed his silence and tilted her head.
"What are you thinking?"
Halex hesitated.
"Nothing," he muttered.
Seha shook her head gently.
"Hey… share your feelings with me. You'll feel better if you do."
Halex swallowed and spoke quietly.
"I heard a rumor… that you captured me as a slave. Isn't that true?"
Seha's eyes softened.
"Yes… but now, I see you as a friend."
Halex felt a warmth in his chest.
"Thank you," he said sincerely.
Seha leaned closer.
"Come closer," she said, her voice gentle.
Halex moved closer, feeling a quiet happiness settle over him. Finally, she wasn't treating him like a slave—he was a friend, someone she cared for.