Oscar met her gaze."Precisely because you're not."His voice softened."That's why I don't want you involved."The words left Ellizabeth speechless.She wanted to argue.But she could see it in his eyes.This time, Oscar was completely serious."When I'm gone, don't go anywhere alone. Alright?"After a moment, Ellizabeth nodded.She understood.Even if it made her heart ache.No matter how much she wanted to stay by his side, she couldn't stop him from walking his own path.Oscar stepped forward and placed both hands on her shoulders."I'll be back soon."Then he leaned down and gently kissed her forehead.Usually, Ellizabeth would freeze whenever he did something like that.But this time was different.Rising onto her toes, she softly pressed a kiss against his cheek.A faint blush immediately colored her face.Yet she didn't look away.Not this time.Oscar smiled faintly.His heart felt heavy, but everything he was doing was for the greater good.He no longer worried about leaving

"Then..." Oscar said quietly.The old man raised his cane slightly, his eyes narrowing."Don't disappoint me."The atmosphere around them changed instantly.The real battle was about to begin.Back at the estate, Ellizabeth felt something shift.She stared into the distance, anxiety tightening in her chest.Her heartbeat quickened."Oscar..."The growing sense of unease refused to leave her.Deep within the forest, the two figures remained standing face-to-face.The air around them continued to change.There was no wind, yet the leaves trembled softly.The fog that had blanketed the area now swirled in slow circles, as if drawn toward the immense pressure radiating from the two opponents.Oscar stood tall.Across from him, the hunched old man appeared calm.His body looked frail, but the aura surrounding him was anything but—dense, profound, and overwhelmingly oppressive.The black circlet around Oscar's neck grew hotter.It was no longer merely a warning.It was responding."Interest

Then she remembered.The GPS.The vehicle Oscar had taken.A moment later, her eyes widened.She found it.Without hesitation, she slammed her foot on the accelerator.The car surged forward at full speed.Deep within the forest, Oscar stepped forward once again.Without hesitation.Without fear.He had already surpassed the limits he once knew.And now...He was beginning to step into an entirely new realm of power.The air within the forest grew heavier with every passing second.Each collision between Oscar and the old man unleashed shockwaves that spread farther than before. The ground around them was no longer intact. Cracks stretched in every direction, trees had been uprooted, and the mist had completely vanished, replaced by clouds of dust swirling through the air.The two fighters separated once again.This time, the distance between them was greater.Oscar stood with breathing that had finally become labored. His chest rose and fell steadily, sweat dampening his temples. His

A simple cup of coffee in the restaurant cost more than most people expected.Yet the restaurant remained packed.Revenue had skyrocketed.And the staff were struggling to keep up.“That's him, right?” one customer whispered.“They say he can cure serious illnesses.”“That's not all. Apparently he's an incredible fighter too.”Oscar had just finished preparing another herbal remedy when he let out a quiet sigh.He disliked this kind of attention.Ellizabeth walked over.“You're becoming a celebrity.”Her tone was teasing.Oscar shook his head.“This isn't good fortune.”He glanced around the crowded restaurant.“It's trouble.”Ellizabeth smiled.“I told you. Your peaceful life is over.”Before either of them could continue—A well-dressed man entered the restaurant.His steps were calm.His eyes immediately locked onto Oscar.“Excuse me,” he said politely. “May I have a moment of your time?”Oscar glanced at him.“What do you need?”The man reached into his pocket and produced a busin

His clothes were plain and unremarkable, but his eyes were sharp.He didn't sit down.Instead, he scanned the room.His gaze eventually settled on Oscar.After a few moments, he approached."You're Oscar."Oscar didn't seem surprised.He didn't even stop what he was doing."If you want to talk," he said calmly, "wait until I'm finished."The old man wasn't offended.If anything, he looked amused.A small smile appeared on his face."I like your attitude."The old man pulled out a chair and sat down.Several minutes later, Oscar finally approached him.Elizabeth remained nearby, watching carefully."What do you want?" Oscar asked without preamble.The old man met his gaze."I'm not here with an offer."A brief silence followed."I'm here with a warning."Oscar folded his arms."Everyone seems to like using that word lately."The old man wasn't bothered."What happened last night was only the beginning," he said quietly. "The real trouble hasn't started yet."Oscar said nothing."Severa