2026-03-24 14:15:22
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Malikar stood alone in the shattered remains of his chamber, the silence pressing in around him.The broken glass still glittered across the floor.His jaw tightened.Defeated… by one man.His fingers curled slowly into a fist.No. Not just a man.His thoughts darkened, twisting.That wasn’t normal. The speed… the precision… the way he dismantled them…His lips pulled into a thin, vicious line.“Ethan…” he muttered under his breath.The name tasted bitter.You humiliated me.The torches flickered violently as his aura surged.You made me look weak.His eyes burned with cold fury.I will tear everything from you. Piece by piece. I will make you regret ever stepping into my world.He exhaled slowly, but the rage didn’t fade.It settled.Deeper.Sharper.Next time… I won’t send thugs.⸻Meanwhile, Ethan stood in front of Norka’s door.He hesitated.Then knocked.Once.Twice.His heart was beating faster than he wanted to admit.The door opened.Norka stood there, looking at him quietly.
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Meanwhile, in a dark, high-ceilinged chamber, Malikar sat upon his raised seat, waiting. The shadows flickered as he paced slightly, anticipating the arrival of his men with news of their “success.”Instead, the heavy door burst open, and the defeated thug—the leader Ethan had taken down—stumbled in. Bloodied, bruised, and shaken, he barely managed to bow before Malikar.“They… they… failed,” he stammered. “All of them… they… Ethan—he—he—”Malikar’s eyes blazed. “How dare you fail me!” His voice thundered through the chamber. “How… how did he beat you all? Explain yourself!”Before the man could respond, a sharp slap echoed across the room. The leader yelped, staggering back, his pride and courage shattered.Malikar had slapped him.Malikar’s, standing beside him, clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles whitened. “Impossible!” he hissed through gritted teeth. “That Ethan… that insufferable fool… he will pay, no matter what it takes!”In a sudden burst of rage, the alchemist gr
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The man hesitated. Just for a second. And that was enough. Ethan suddenly stepped forward. Fast. Too fast. Before the thug could react— Ethan’s fist slammed into his stomach. The man doubled over instantly. Air blasted from his lungs. “GHH—!” Then Ethan grabbed the back of his collar. And slammed his face into the stone pavement. BAM. The leader stopped moving. Only one thug remained. The man stared at Ethan. Then at the bodies of his companions. Then back at Ethan. “…Nope.” He turned. And ran. Ethan didn’t chase him. Instead, he simply sighed. Then he looked down at the groaning men on the ground. For a moment he said nothing. Then he crouched beside one of them. The thug groaned as Ethan grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him slightly upright. Ethan’s voice was calm. Almost polite. “Who sent you?” The thug spat to the side. “Tch… go to hell.” Another one laughed weakly from the ground. “You think we’re gonna talk?” Ethan stared at them. Qui
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The leader frowned. “Why?” Ethan’s smile slowly returned. “Because now you’re going to pay for that answer.” The men laughed loudly. “Did you hear him?” “He’s threatening us!” “Five against one!” “Let’s break him.”One of the thugs stepped forward first.“Don’t rush.”He cracked his neck.“I’ll handle him.”The other four stepped back slightly, clearly entertained.The thug charged.Knife aimed straight at Ethan’s stomach.From her hiding place, Karpeta held her breath.Ethan…The knife slashed forward.Fast.But Ethan moved faster.His hand shot out.He grabbed the thug’s wrist mid-strike.The man’s eyes widened.“What—”CRACK.Ethan twisted the arm violently.The sound of bone snapping echoed down the street.“AAAAAGH!”The knife dropped from the thug’s hand.Before the scream even finished—Ethan drove a brutal punch straight into the man’s stomach.The thug folded instantly.Air exploding out of his lungs.Then—BAM.Ethan’s elbow smashed into the side of the man’s face.T
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Karpeta took two more steps before noticing.She turned around.“…Ethan?”He was standing still.His expression had shifted slightly.Not alarmed.But… focused.Her smile faded.“Is everything alright?”He didn’t answer immediately.For a brief moment, his eyes moved subtly across the street.Behind them.To the rooftops.To the alleyways.Then he exhaled quietly.“…Yeah.”Karpeta tilted her head.“You sure?”“Just a small malaise.”“A malaise?”“Yeah.”He rubbed his temple briefly.“But it’s gone now.”She looked unconvinced.“You’re not hiding something, are you?”“No.”He resumed walking.“I’m fine.”She studied him for a second longer.Then shrugged.“Alright…”They continued forward.The street had grown quieter.The buildings around them cast longer shadows.Then—Two figures stepped out in front of them.Karpeta froze.Both men held knives.Their faces were partially covered with cloth.Her heart skipped.“…Ethan.”But before she could say more—Footsteps echoed behind them.Th
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Then she jumped back two steps. “I’M SORRY!” Her face turned bright red. “That just—happened!” Ethan blinked slowly. Once. Then he let out a small laugh. Karpeta stared at him. “…You’re not mad?” “No.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Just surprised.” She laughed nervously. “Yeah… me too.” For a moment they both stood there awkwardly. Then Ethan gestured down the hallway. “Well.” “Lead the way.” Karpeta immediately brightened again. “Right!” They began walking down the corridor together. After a few minutes, Ethan glanced at her. “So.” “Yes?” “Where are we going?” Karpeta grinned. “That’s a surprise.” He sighed. “That’s not reassuring.” “You’ll like it.” “How do you know?” She shrugged playfully. “Because I’m amazing at planning dates.” “…That sounds like you’ve planned many.” “Maybe.” “Karpeta.” “Yes?” “That didn’t sound convincing.” She laughed. “Just trust me.” They continued walking, their voices slowly fading as they left the hallway. But
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