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"System, locate Nima and Auri for me. Notify me immediately if either is nearby," Kent commanded as he left the smoldering volcanic battlefield, the heat still radiating from the ground beneath his feet. His mind buzzed with plans, the taste of victory fresh on his tongue.

Instead of an answer, all he received was static.

Kent frowned. This wasn't normal. His system rarely failed him, and now when he needed it most there was nothing. It meant one thing: he was on his own. Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself and pushed forward, heading deeper into the ruin's heart.

The once-lush forest had turned dark and foreboding, its twisted trees looking like silent sentinels. Every step he took echoed in the eerie quiet, blending with distant murmurs and anguished voices lost in the shadows. As he pressed on, he stumbled upon a clearing where several figures were bound and gagged, their arms and legs tightly secured to the gnarled trunk of an ancient tree.

Their eyes, wide with fear and shame, flickered with a mix of emotions when they spotted Kent. Relief warred with resentment.

"Thank goodness someone's here!" one of the captives gasped as Kent crouched to untie him. His voice was hoarse, filled with desperation. "Young man, please help us! We were left for dead by those... those bastards!"

Kent responded immediately. As he freed the others, a chorus of angry grumbles filled the air.

"Damn that black crow and that little girl who beat us up!" one of them spat, his voice trembling with a mix of indignation and pain.

Kent's gaze swept over the group. They were all barely clothed, stripped down to their underwear. A flicker of amusement crossed his face. 'They must have seriously pissed someone off.'

"What exactly happened?" he asked, his tone calm but firm.

The captives exchanged wary glances before a middle aged older man, Forty, his face streaked with soot and grime, cleared his throat. "It… it was a girl named Nima and a crow called Auri…" He exhaled sharply. "They came through here like a damn hurricane, very bossy and fierce. No one stood a chance. We tried to… Ahem well, we thought we could help them, you know, as seniors… but that brat and her fat bird didn't care. They—" He hesitated.

Another man groaned, rubbing his bruised wrists. "They beat the ever-living hell out of us!"

A bitter laugh escaped one of the younger captives. "I still can't believe a little girl and a tiny bird could turn our lives upside down," he muttered, shaking his head.

Kent's lips curled into a smirk. He thinks "So, these idiots actually tried to rob Nima and Auri and got what they deserved."

"I see," he drawled, amusement laced in his voice. "So, let me get this straight. You thought you could mug them, and instead, you got your asses handed to you? And now you're here, whining about a black crow and a little girl?" His voice dropped to a mocking lilt. "Pathetic."

The captives squirmed under his gaze, their earlier bravado wilting.

Kent folded his arms. "Now, where did they go?" His tone was no longer playful instead it was sharp, demanding. "Tell me which direction they headed."

One of the men hesitated, then pointed toward a dense, shadowy part of the forest. "That way," he murmured, barely audible.

"Good." Kent cracked his knuckles. "Stick around and reflect on your choices. And if you so much as think about messing with them again…" His gaze darkened. "I will beat the shit out of you."

With that, he turned on his heel and strode toward the passage.

But the moment he entered the deeper woods, a prickling sensation crawled up his spine.

"Someone's following me."

His system, previously silent, flickered back to life. A notification flashed before his eyes.

Ding! +999 SP copied from 666 (Curiosity).

Kent's pulse quickened. 666?

His expression hardened. "A Dark Alliance member. So, they managed to infiltrate the Azure Forest Ruins…"

He kept walking, his posture relaxed, but his senses were sharp. Shadows flickered in his periphery. His stalker was skilled, silent, almost undetectable.

"Too bad I'm better." Kent murmured.

Without warning, Kent vanished. His Flashing Step activated, propelling him forward in a blur. In the blink of an eye, he reappeared, this time, standing directly in front of his pursuer.

Ding! +999 SP copied from 666 (shock).

A tall, cloaked figure jerked to a halt, their movements stiff with shock. The dim light barely illuminated their face, but their eyes, gleaming with malice, were unmistakable.

The stranger hissed, voice cold as ice. "What the Füçk!!! How did you find me?"

Ding! +999 SP copied from 666 (Confused).

Kent cocked his head, an amused smirk playing on his lips. "Oh? You must be the one the Dark Alliance sent to assist me." His tone was light, almost playful. "Took you long enough."

Ding! +999 SP copied from 666 (Panic).

The cloaked figure's sneer deepened. "What the hell are you talking about? I don't know you." His voice was sharp with suspicion. "I'm not with the Dark Alliance."

Kent chuckled, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Come on, 666. No need to play dumb." He leaned in slightly. "I saw your file."

The figure stiffened. Kent continued, feigning a casual shrug. "I was on a mission and requested backup. My supervisor promised to send someone competent. I assumed that was you." His smirk widened. "Unless you're just a rogue agent sneaking around in enemy territory?"

Silence stretched between them, thick with tension. The figure's fingers twitched, a subtle movement, one Kent didn't miss. He could tell they were debating their next move.

Kent let out a low chuckle. "So, what'll it be?" His voice was smooth, but his stance was ready. "Friend or foe?"

The air between them grew heavier. The game had begun.

Before 666 could answer, Kent disappeared once again, this time reappearing a few paces away. Then, in a rapid series of erratic antics, he twirled midair, summoned a holographic image of a laughing cartoon crow above his head, and snapped his fingers to release a small, comical firework that burst into the shape of the number "666" before dissolving into harmless sparks.

Ding! +999 SP copied from 666 (Angry).

Ding! +999 SP copied from 666 (Humiliation).

The dark figure's eyes flared with anger. "Enough games! No one told me anything about assisting anyone. How do you know my name? My information must have been leaked!" 666 roared, lunging forward with blinding speed.

Kent met his attack with a teasing grin, effortlessly sidestepping as their battle commenced. The two exchanged a flurry of blows. 666's movements were precise and ruthless, while Kent danced around with exaggerated dodges, as if mocking him.

Ding! +999 SP copied from 666 (Frustration).

Ding! +750 SP copied from 666 (Hatred).

The absurdity of the fight wasn't lost on Kent. Mid-dodge, he smirked and said to himself. "You know, I could squeeze the frustration out of you like juice from a lemon." He sidestepped again, making 666 stumble forward. "You're just brimming with SP points. Keep glaring at me like that, and I might hit the jackpot!"

666's teeth clenched so tightly they might crack. "How dare you dodge my attacks. Your insolence will be your downfall! I am the supervisor of this area. Who the hell are you?" he snapped, attempting a powerful strike, only for Kent to barely tilt his head and let it pass.

With another cheeky grin, Kent disappeared once more, reappearing directly in front of 666. He leaned in slightly, his voice laced with mischief. "Oh, I'm on a secret mission. Your rank must not be high enough to know about me." Then, just for effect, he spun dramatically in place, sending a swirl of dust into the air.

Ding! +999 SP copied from 666 (Embarrassed).

Ding! +999 SP copied from 666 (Confusion).

Before 666 could react, a sudden commotion erupted behind them.

A group of students, a few Watchers, and even a couple of teachers arrived, their voices carrying a mixture of curiosity and authority.

"What's going on here?" a Watcher demanded. "Why are you two alone? This is no place to wander off! We must stay in groups."

Kent remained relaxed, but he subtly glanced at 666. If the dark alliance member had any common sense, he'd play along.

666's mind raced. "There's a chance this guy is telling the truth. He didn't expose me in front of the Watchers. If he's with us, then I need to help him… or at least find out what he's planning."

The teacher's stern voice cut through his thoughts. "Enough! We're forming a group. Either you both join us, or you leave the centre area immediately. No one is allowed near the center alone."

Kent tilted his head. "Fine, fine. I'll join your group, 'for now,'" he said with exaggerated reluctance. He shot a glance at 666, practically daring him to follow.