2026-01-22 12:34:15“The vehicle reversed because there was no way to turn around in a narrow area like this,” Heinrich said, keeping his eyes on the tire tracks ahead.
“Yeah, that makes sense,” Jonas replied casually. “Mind if I have one of your cigarettes?”
Heinrich turned to him, studying Jonas with a sharp look. He was increasingly convinced there was something odd about the man beside him. Still, Heinrich said nothing and handed over a cigarette along with the lighter.
“I have to admit, I’m impressed that you managed to survive such severe torture,” Jonas said after lighting the cigarette. He placed Heinrich’s filtered tobacco pack and lighter into the dashboard compartment.
“Severe torture,” Heinrich muttered, then pressed the gas pedal and started driving.
“Yes. It shows from the wounds on your body,” Jonas replied calmly. “You look like someone who’s trained to endure it.”
Heinrich did not respond. He needed to focus on the road since he was unfamiliar with the terrain. “Does the fog always come down like this?”
“This is Norway, Buddy.”
“What about snow?”
“In summer like this, snow only remains on the peaks of the fjords.”
“What about the Edge of the World?” Heinrich asked without thinking.
Jonas immediately turned his head. “The Edge of the World?” he repeated, then fell silent as he tried to grasp the meaning of Heinrich’s words.
A moment later, Jonas smiled faintly. “The Edge of the World is just a term used by people who live in solitude up north. All that lies ahead is a narrow road cutting through cliffs and pine forests. Once you pass through, you have to keep going forward because there’s no way back. Just like you said earlier. There’s no space to turn around.”
Heinrich exhaled slowly and chose not to reply.
“How about I drive instead?” Jonas offered. “You can get some rest.”
Heinrich glanced at him briefly but said nothing.
“All right then. I’ll just be your guide, even though I don’t really know where you’re actually headed.”
Once again, Heinrich did not respond. Since the death of Liv and their two daughters, his character had slowly reverted to what it once was. Heinrich was awakening the Lucifer that had long been buried.
“How much farther is the village you mentioned earlier?” Heinrich asked after a long silence.
“About three kilometers more,” Jonas answered after flicking his cigarette butt out the window. “Don’t be surprised once we get there.”
“Why?” Heinrich asked flatly.
“You’ll see,” Jonas replied lightly.
Jonas’s answer made Heinrich curious, but he had no intention of asking further.
There was no conversation for the rest of the journey. Jonas yawned several times, while Heinrich seemed more at ease.
After a while, the scenery began to change. There were no more cliffs or pine forests. Wooden houses started to appear, though sparsely.
“Is this the village you meant?” Heinrich asked, breaking the long-standing silence.
“Yes. Varnholt,” Jonas replied. “There are more houses a few meters ahead than here.”
Heinrich slowed the vehicle, scanning left and right. Gradually, the houses became closer together, though still not densely packed.
“The population here isn’t very large. Mostly women and the elderly. Children too. Like that,” Jonas said, pointing ahead at several children who had been playing before quickly scattering when they saw the approaching car.
Heinrich looked puzzled. Jonas understood the expression immediately.
“Don’t be surprised. They’re always like that when they see vehicles passing through,” Jonas explained.
“Because it’s rare?” Heinrich asked.
“Maybe.” Jonas adjusted his posture. “Let’s stop in front of that small inn,” he said, pointing to a dark brown wooden building a few meters ahead.
Heinrich stopped the car in front of the building. He followed Jonas out and looked around.
Several women watched them with suspicious, unfriendly gazes, as if they resented their presence.
Heinrich returned the looks, as though searching for answers, but the women soon walked away.
“There’s something strange about this place,” Heinrich muttered as he entered the inn.
“Just ignore it. They’re often like this,” Jonas said lightly before speaking to the innkeeper. He booked one room for the two of them.
“It’s cheap, but we should still save money. You’ll need a lot of fuel to reach the Edge of the World.”
Heinrich did not respond. He simply followed Jonas to the room they had rented for the night.
The room was very simple. There was only one bed.
“Are we supposed to sleep together?” Heinrich asked, his tone edged with protest.
Jonas chuckled softly. “You sleep here. I can stay anywhere,” he replied casually.
Heinrich understood what Jonas meant. He said nothing more and chose to rest.
“I’ll get you some medicine,” Jonas said before leaving the room.
Heinrich narrowed his eyes. His suspicion toward the man had not faded. There was something about Jonas’s movements that felt worth watching.
As soon as Jonas was gone, Heinrich grabbed his jacket and left the room. He followed the man carefully, making sure not to be noticed. It was an old skill he rarely used anymore.
However, Jonas was not as foolish as Heinrich assumed. The young man smiled faintly. “Hm,” he murmured as he kept walking.
“Where are you going?” Heinrich muttered as he watched from a distance. He stopped following when a small child suddenly approached and handed him a slip of paper covered in strange symbols.
“What is this now?” Heinrich muttered before turning to the child, who was already about to walk away.
“Hey, Kid,” Heinrich called, not too loudly.
The child froze, then turned around.
“Who told you to give this to me?”
The child looked around, then at Heinrich. He pointed to a small building across the road, immediately drawing Heinrich’s attention.
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Chapter 12 : Varnholt
“The vehicle reversed because there was no way to turn around in a narrow area like this,” Heinrich said, keeping his eyes on the tire tracks ahead.“Yeah, that makes sense,” Jonas replied casually. “Mind if I have one of your cigarettes?”Heinrich turned to him, studying Jonas with a sharp look. He was increasingly convinced there was something odd about the man beside him. Still, Heinrich said nothing and handed over a cigarette along with the lighter.“I have to admit, I’m impressed that you managed to survive such severe torture,” Jonas said after lighting the cigarette. He placed Heinrich’s filtered tobacco pack and lighter into the dashboard compartment.“Severe torture,” Heinrich muttered, then pressed the gas pedal and started driving.“Yes. It shows from the wounds on your body,” Jonas replied calmly. “You look like someone who’s trained to endure it.”Heinrich did not respond. He needed to focus on the road since he was unfamiliar with the terrain. “Does the fog always come
Chapter 11 : A Sign of War
“In Norse belief, Tiwaz is a sign that someone has chosen war and has no intention of returning. That means, if you want to find Valkyrie, you must follow that symbol. It is possible that she will send the next symbol as another clue,” Jonas explained calmly.“What kind of nonsense is that?” Heinrich shook his head briefly, then crumpled the paper into a wrinkled roll.“I am not asking you to believe it. I come from this land and I have studied Viking culture. To outsiders, it may sound like nonsense. That is fine.” Jonas walked away, heading toward the car, which was unlocked.Heinrich stood still for a moment before following him inside, still holding the rolled paper. The morning air was biting enough to make him hurry. He needed to change. Heinrich took his bag from the trunk, then pulled out a thick shirt and a jacket.After getting dressed, Heinrich got in and sat behind the wheel. The bearded man fell silent, thinking. A few seconds later, he unfolded the paper again and studie
Chapter 10 : Tiwaz
Heinrich turned, his gaze locked sharply on the radio transceiver on the table. He slipped the pistol into the back of his waistband and tightened his grip on the long-barreled rifle he was carrying.The radio crackled again. A few seconds later, the melody of Goldberg Variations filled the room. Classical music Heinrich often listened to while driving, sitting alone at home, or carrying out missions.Heinrich shook his head in confusion. Only Liv and Sergei knew about his fondness for that music.“What kind of game is this?” Heinrich muttered, his eyes dark with suspicion.He stepped closer to the table as the music stopped. He stared at the radio for several moments, then scanned the room. Heinrich was certain someone was watching him, though he did not know who or from where. One thing was clear. Whoever it was knew him well.“Sergei .…”Without hesitation, Heinrich grabbed the radio and headed for the door. Just as he was about to open it, he sensed a faint movement outside. Heinr
Chapter 9 : The Escape
The door was shut tight. Heinrich was left alone in the room.Heinrich closed his eyes for a moment. The pain from the earlier torture had drained his strength, though it had not vanished completely. He needed time to regain his energy. The only way was to ignore the discomfort he was enduring.In his half-conscious state, the image of Liv’s beautiful face appeared behind his eyelids. Her tenderness, love, and affection had turned Heinrich into a different man.Liv felt so real. She stood before him with her gentle smile.“Liv…” The name slipped out deeply. “I love you…”“I love you, Erik.”Liv’s soft voice sounded so clear that Heinrich blinked. A spark of strength emerged. He did not know where it came from, but suddenly it was there, inside him.“Help me, Liv.”Heinrich looked up at his hands bound to the ring in the wooden ceiling. He tried to pull them down. The rope was tied tightly to the iron ring. There was no other way for him to free himself except by relying on physical st
Chapter 8 : Taken Alive
Heinrich was not completely unconscious. He managed to turn his head. At the same moment, a second blow landed. Fresh blood streamed from his nose and the corner of his lips. His vision began to blur.As if unsatisfied, the attacker delivered a kick. This time, Heinrich truly lost consciousness.Without wasting time, the attacker dragged Heinrich away, pulling him into the forest while Jonas was still busy exchanging gunfire with another assailant.“This man is dangerous. Tie his hands and feet so he can’t fight back,” ordered the attacker who had dragged Heinrich into the pine forest.“What about Skarvik?”“Leave him here. We have to get to the cabin and report to Vardr.”“Alright.”Heinrich’s hands and feet were bound like a hunted animal. A large-built man dragged him using a rope. They took Heinrich to a wooden cabin deep inside the forest.Meanwhile, Jonas began to realize that Heinrich was gone. The enemy hiding behind the pine trees suddenly stopped shooting. The area fell into
Chapter 7 : Vokter's Ambush
Heinrich stared coldly. He turned around without taking off his jacket.“Hey, Ulv. Search him.” The man who had been banging on the car window earlier gave the order to his companion.Ulv was about to step forward to frisk him. But Heinrich spun around in a swift motion. He knocked the rifle’s muzzle upward, then kicked the man who had aimed the gun at him straight in the solar plexus, sending him flying backward.After that, Heinrich shifted his attack to the man named Ulv, who had been about to search him. A hard punch smashed into the man’s face as he moved in to strike.Seeing this, Jonas, who had been sneaking out of the car, immediately grabbed the rifle from the man still lying on the ground. He slammed the rifle butt into the attacker’s stomach and head before the man could get up. Not satisfied, Jonas kicked his head several times.After seizing the rifle, Jonas shot the attacker on the right, who had already prepared to strike Heinrich. A bullet tore through his chest. Jonas
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