Chapter 7 - Editor

Hidara sighed. "Neil, I want to talk to you." Hidara's gaze spoke volumes. Neil looked at him. "Let's go inside… or do you want us to get kicked out like the first time?" Inside the classroom, Neil whispered, "So… where did you disappear to? Tell me. Seems your bad luck didn't let you rest." He said it with a mocking smile. Hidara replied, "You're right… this is a cursed city." He looked down, then raised his eyes toward Neil. "It seems I'll become cursed as well." With a gaze empty of any emotion, he sat in his seat. The teacher entered. "Alright, students, we have a new student… please come in." A girl with long black hair, blue eyes, and pale white skin walked in. She whispered softly, "I'm Ren Kamil." "Alright, my daughter, have a seat." All eyes were fixed on her, mesmerized by her beauty. She sat beside Hidara. Neil whispered in Hidara's ear, "Who is this girl? Is she one of your relatives? It's impossible that she's your girlfriend… because your face doesn't help." Hidara looked at him sarcastically. "Thanks for the compliment." After an hour— "Alright, with that we conclude today's lesson." Then he left. Hidara looked at Neil. "I want to talk to you… I want to know about Malisura and the forbidden energy." Neil raised his hand. "Wait, wait… talking to me will cost you more than a thousand per hour." Hidara whispered coldly, "Really?" Soft laughter escaped from Neil. "I'm joking, joking… I was trying out the feeling of scammers. Ahahaha." Neil leaned closer to Hidara and whispered a few words in his ear, then straightened up. "Follow me." Hidara was shocked by what Neil said, then looked down and followed him. Suddenly, Ren grabbed his hand. "Where are you going, Hidara? I'll come with you." Neil whispered, "Alright… no problem, let her come." Behind the school, in the sports storage room, the place was almost dark. Faint strands of light slipped in through a dusty window, and the smell of old wood and rusted iron lingered in the air. A heavy silence prevailed, broken only by the sound of their breathing. Neil sat on a worn-out chair and tilted his head slightly. "So… tell me, what happened?" In a low, broken voice, Hidara spoke, "I was kidnapped… and I was on the verge of death. If it weren't for this girl's father, I would be dead now. I owe them my life, but…" His breath stopped for a moment. His fingers trembled, and his tone shattered. Tears slipped silently from his eyes. "Her father was killed… while trying to protect me." Hidara clenched his hand tightly until his knuckles turned white. Thoughts stormed through his head, and anger crawled inside him like a beast slowly awakening. "The killer is still free… in a cursed city." His voice suddenly rose, and the coldness in his features broke. "And if I have to… I will become cursed as well." In that moment, the light around him dimmed, as if the air itself had tensed. "And when I find him…" He slammed the table with his fist. It shattered into small pieces, and dust scattered through the room. He slowly lifted his head… and sparks danced in his eyes, glowing in a green hue. "Then… I will drink from his blood." Neil did not move. He did not even blink. His gaze was steady, cold… and as if empty of life. He stood up. "I'll tell you what I know about the forbidden energy and Malisura, but don't expect much from me." "The forbidden energy is an immense destructive power, obtained by only a few people… very rare, almost impossible to appear in an ordinary person. Those who possess it are called the Forbidden." He sighed lightly, then continued, "Malisura is divided into three sides: the Government of Malisura, the users of the forbidden energy, and the third side… they are the cause of the disasters that occur in Malisura." He fell silent for a moment, then added, "And it's possible they are connected to the ones who kidnapped you. They are also users of forbidden energy, in addition to sorcery and magic. And when a battle occurs between users of forbidden energy, total destruction is created, victims fall, and many are killed." Hidara sighed, terror filling his eyes. "Why don't you escape from Malisura?" Neil laughed bitterly. "The cursed city is surrounded by a magical barrier of a special grade… it allows entry, but it does not allow exit. Users of forbidden energy are free to enter…" Then he continued in a dark tone, "As for ordinary people, they are not allowed to leave. They must live with terror every day… to the point that they have lost their emotions." He looked at Hidara and asked calmly, "So… what will you do؟