The Last Step Chapter 53: Cold-Calculations

Lucas's Perspective:

Ahh, it's finally getting interesting.

I glance back at Eve, and she's just beaming. Wide-eyed, hands clutched together, looking at like I'm so legendary card shark about to demolish a six-year undefeated champion.

Yeah, uh... I've never played poker in my life.

But who needs skill when you have a god-tier AI system doing all the work?

「 Look at you, relying on like a helpless baby bird. I should start charging you rent. 」

Love you too, system.

Vincent Devereux leans forward, smirking like a guy who's never had to work for anything in his entire life. His slicked-back blond hair, expensive suit, and that condescending grin practically scream "I was born into privilege and I want you to know it."

"So then," he drawls, twirling a gold ring on his finger. "How much are you betting, mister challenger?"

Good question. How much money do I have?

「 Let's see... oh, wow. Congratulations, you have... negative self-respect. Because your wallet is empty. Bro, you walked into a high-stakes poker ga with zero funds? I cannot stress this enough—you are a disgrace. 」

My face twitches. I can already feel the cold sweat forming.

But then—bless her soul—Eve claps excitedly, practically bouncing in place.

"Lucas! You can do it!"

...Well, I can't actually, but damn if that doesn't restore my confidence. I smirk and return my gaze to Vincent.

"I bid..." I lean back, keeping my voice smooth. "This pink-haired girl called Eve."

Silence.

Absolute, deafening silence.

Every noble at the table just gapes at . Soone in the back drops a glass. One guy actually gasps. Vincent's lackeys look like I just punched their Lord in the face.

Eve blinks. "H-Huh?"

I place a hand on my chin, looking thoughtful. "A rare, one-of-a-kind treasure. Who needs gold when you can own the admiration of a girl this adorable?"

Eve's pink eyes widen, her cheeks slightly puffed out in confusion. "W-Wait, Lucas, what do you an by own—?"

Vincent chuckles darkly. "How bold. To think you'd wager a person in a ga of chance. But tell , do you truly have the skill to back up such arrogance?"

Oh, buddy, you have no idea how much I don't have that skill.

「 You don't even know what shapes are on the cards. This is beyond fraud. This is performance art. 」

Eve tugs my sleeve gently. "Lucas... Are you sure you know how to play?"

I turn to her, putting on my most mysterious and experienced face. "Eve... Have you ever heard the legend of the 'One-Eyed Trickster' from my holand?"

She tilts her head, her soft pink locks swaying. "No...?"

Good. Because I'm making it up right now.

I nod sagely. "They say he was the greatest gambler of all ti. A man who could see through deception itself. His opponents feared him, for he never lost a single hand."

Eve blinks in awe. "W-Wow... You t him?"

I place a solemn hand on my chest. "Not only did I et him... I defeated him."

「 Bro. BRO. What are you even saying right now? I am losing my digital mind. 」

Vincent scoffs. "You expect us to believe such a ridiculous tale?"

I shake my head. "Believe what you want. But that day, after I took his title... he gave his most treasured possession."

Eve leans in, eyes sparkling. "W-What was it?"

I slowly raise my hand... and dramatically flick my wrist.

"A deck of cards forged from the feathers of a phoenix, blessed by the gods themselves."

Vincent stares. His lackeys look uncertain.

Eve clasps her hands together, absolutely entranced. "A-Amazing...!"

「 No, Eve. It is not amazing. He is lying to your face. But honestly, respect, this is the most confident nonsense I've ever witnessed. 」

Vincent narrows his eyes. "If you're so confident, then let's begin. But I warn you... I detest losing."

I smirk. "Then this is going to be a very bad day for you, Vincent."

System, mark those cards. We're going all in.

「 With pleasure, oh mighty One-Eyed Trickster. 」

And with that, the ga begins.

"Lucas, please don't lose!"

I glance at Eve, who's clasping her hands together like I'm about to go to war. Her pink eyes shimr with pure, innocent hope, the kind that makes feel almost guilty for what I'm about to do.

Almost.

I smirk and wave at her like a seasoned pro. "Relax. This is child's play."

What I don't ntion is that the only card ga I've ever played is Uno, and I barely knew how that worked.

Vincent, sitting across the table, laces his fingers together and smirks. "Such confidence. I hope it isn't misplaced."

Oh, it's entirely misplaced, buddy. But don't worry—I've got an AI god on my side.

As the dealer starts shuffling the cards, I barely tilt my head. System, it's your ti to shine.

「 Ah, yes. Let's commit high-level fraud in broad daylight. Fantastic idea, Your Majesty. 」

Less sarcasm, more cheating.

The mont the cards start flying between the dealer's fingers, a nearly invisible gust of wind brushes past them. It's so subtle, so precise, that not a single person notices. But I know what's happening. The system is marking them.

「 Done. Every card is tagged. I now know exactly where every Ace, King, and strategic high card is located. Which is more than I can say for you, Mr. "What Shape is a Club Again?" 」

I clear my throat, keeping my composure. The dealer finishes shuffling and begins dealing the first hand.

Five cards land in front of . I casually pick them up, pretending like I know exactly what I'm doing.

Okay. What do we got?

「 Two Aces, a King, a 7, and a 3. Decent, but we can do better. 」

Vincent twirls his ring, grinning as he peeks at his own hand. "The ga begins, gentlen."

I nod like a seasoned veteran. "Indeed."

What are the rules again?

「 You discard and replace up to three cards to improve your hand. Let's ditch the 7 and 3. I've got my eyes on a third Ace and a Queen for an optimal hand. 」

I slide out the two cards like a total pro. "I'll swap these."

The dealer deals two fresh cards. I peek at them.

「 Boom. Three Aces, a King, and a Queen. You are stacked. 」

I fight the urge to grin. This is too easy.

Vincent narrows his eyes. "Confident, are we?"

"Of course," I reply smoothly. "I live for gas of chance."

「 You literally do not. Stop talking. Just bet. 」

I toss in my bet—a cool 1 Eve. The other nobles hesitate before following. Vincent smirks and matches it without a second thought.

The showdown begins. One noble reveals a pair of tens. The other has a asly high card.

Vincent reveals his hand with a smug grin—three Jacks.

"Impressive," one of his lackeys says.

Vincent shrugs. "What can I say? A master of the ga never falters."

Oh, buddy. I cannot wait to crush your dreams.

I lay my cards down, face-up.

"Three Aces."

Silence.

Then a gasp.

Vincent's face freezes mid-smirk, his eye twitching. "What?"

"I believe this ans I win," I say, leaning back like this was expected.

Vincent forces a stiff smile. "Beginner's luck, it seems."

「 Oh-ho-ho, he mad. 」

Eve claps excitedly. "Lucas, you're amazing!"

I chuckle, brushing my nose. "What can I say? Talent is a burden."

「 The only burden here is the amount of lies you are telling. 」

Round Two – Raising the Stakes

Vincent's jaw is clenched as we go into the next round. The dealer shuffles again—and system does its magic.

Five cards. I peek at them.

「 Oh, this is just cruel. Two Kings, an Ace, a Jack, and a Five. 」

I swap the Jack and Five.

「 Four Kings. This is actual robbery. 」

Vincent smirks. "I'll raise to 75 gold."

His lackeys imdiately follow. They're sweating, but they have to bet if Vincent does. That's nobleman peer pressure for you.

I tap my chin, pretending to think. Then, with the slowest, most agonizing grin—

"I raise to 150 gold."

Gasps.

Vincent's left eye twitches. "You dare raise against ?"

I shrug. "A master of the ga never falters."

The sa line. His line. Used against him.

「 Oh my god, you are actually evil. I love it. 」

Vincent glares. "Fine. I call."

Showdown.

The nobles reveal garbage hands.

Vincent flips his cards dramatically. "Full House. Queens over Jacks."

The lackeys sigh in relief. One even mutters, "Finally, Lord Vincent returns to form."

I look at my cards. Look at Vincent.

Then I set them down.

"Four Kings."

Absolute shock.

Vincent slams his hand on the table. "IMPOSSIBLE!"

I tilt my head, feigning confusion. "Is it? I thought this was a ga of skill?"

Eve lets out an adorable "Waaah~" of amazent, hands clasped in front of her mouth. "L-Lucas, you're so cool...!"

I flash her a wink. "Just another day for the One-Eyed Trickster."

Vincent looks livid. He stands abruptly, fists clenched.

"This ga is not over."

I smirk, stacking my gold. "Oh, I know. Let's go again. I'm on fire tonight."

「 Bro. You have cheated twice. You are playing with the devil's luck. You need to leave before you get stabbed. 」

Not yet.

I want one last win.

Final Round – The Grand Theft Gold

The cards are shuffled. System does its magic.

This ti, it's perfect.

「 Royal. Flush. My guy, run. Take the money and RUN. 」

Vincent stares down. "I bet 200 gold."

I spin a coin between my fingers. Then, I grin. "I call."

The nobles gulp. The tension is insane.

Vincent slams his cards down. "Four Aces!"

I let out a low whistle. "Wow. That's crazy."

Then, slowly, I reveal my cards.

"Royal Flush."

Dead. Silence.

Vincent screams and flips the table. Gold coins scatter everywhere.

"YOU LYING DOG!"

I grab my winnings, already backing away. "Pleasure doing business, gentlen!"

Eve quickly follows, holding her dress as she rushes after . "L-Lucas, wait!"

「 MOVE. YOUR. FEET. 」

Vincent roars behind us. "GUARDS! SEIZE HIM!"

Welp.

Ti to run.

I grabbed Eve's hand and yanked her along as we bolted for the exit. She let out a soft gasp, barely keeping up with my pace.

Behind us, Vincent's guards were already moving to block the way, their heavy boots stomping against the wooden floor like they actually thought they could stop .

System, do sothing fancy.

「 Fancy? Oh, you an save your reckless ass again? Sure. 」

A sudden burst of water magic exploded from nowhere, drenching the guards in an instant. Their polished noble armor beca shiny wet buckets as they stumbled backward, slipping over each other like they were in a slapstick cody.

I didn't look back. We were almost out.

"System, get the gold."

「 Oh, so now you care about our hard-earned, totally-legit, not-at-all-stolen wealth? 」

A gentle gust of wind swept through the bar, and just like that, the scattered coins lifted into the air, floating toward like a loyal flock of birds. The nobles gawked as their money betrayed them, following like I was their rightful king.

The second we reached the door, System hit the guards with a flash of light magic—a dieval flashbang.

Vincent's voice howled from behind us. "YOU COWARD!"

Nah, bro. Just built different.

Then—poof.

The world flickered, and the next mont, we were standing outside of town. No more bar. No more nobles. No more angry Vincent yelling about his tragic downfall. Just the two of us under the open sky.

Eve slowly opened her eyes, blinking at the sudden change in scenery. "Huh?"

Then she looked down—straight at our hands, still clasped together.

A tiny pink hue dusted her cheeks.

I imdiately locked eyes with her and pulled out my Mogger expression™—chin slightly raised, smirk perfectly calibrated, eyes radiating that I-just-outplayed-your-whole-family-lineage energy.

She tilted her head slightly, clearly flustered. Victory was mine.

...Until System ruined it.

「 Congrats, King. You held a girl's hand. Shall we alert the newspapers? 」

Bro.

Suddenly—my hand phased through hers.

Just like before.

I blinked. She blinked.

Eve slowly pulled her hand to her chest. "T-Thank you for saving too."

Sothing about the way she said it made feel like there was more to it. But before I could question anything—

「 Focus on yourself, dumbass. Stop poking around. 」

Alright, alright. Chill.

Eve suddenly bead at , her pink eyes sparkling with pure admiration.

"Lucas, you were amazing back there!"

I smirked. "I know."

"The way you played! The way you read them! I had no idea you were a poker genius!"

"Oh, Eve, it's not genius—" I flicked my hair dramatically. "—It's instinct."

「 It's cheating. 」

Eve clasped her hands together, completely ignoring System. "I can't believe you won three tis in a row! Lord Vincent was undefeated for six years, but then you just walked in and—bam! Gone!"

I nodded solemnly. "That's right. His legacy, shattered."

"You were so cool when you raised the bet to 150 gold! I thought, 'Oh no! What if Lucas loses?!' But you never lose!"

"Of course not." I leaned back, arms crossed. "Losing is simply a concept that does not apply to ."

「 You literally didn't even know the rules. 」

Eve let out the softest little giggle, like she fully believed every single word I said. "You're like... a card master!"

"Exactly," I nodded. "So call the One-Eyed Trickster, the Shadow Gambler, the Poker Emperor—"

「 No one calls you that. 」

Eve's hands clapped together in excitent. "Waaah~! Lucas, you're incredible!"

I closed my eyes, dramatically exhaling. "Eve, let tell you sothing."

Then, in my most profound, philosopher-level tone, I uttered the most random nonsense I could think of:

"A deck of cards is much like life—sotis you're dealt a bad hand, but it's not about the cards... it's about how you play them."

Silence.

Then—Eve gasped.

"That's so deep!"

She clapped again, her eyes glowing.

「 Bro. You got that off a motivational poster, didn't you? 」

Eve smiled brightly. "You're really wise, Lucas!"

「 Wise? Eve, please. He has the IQ of a sock. 」

I ignored System. He was just mad because I wasn't mad.

Instead, I reached into my pocket, pulled out 50 gold, and placed it in Eve's hands.

"Here. Your share."

She blinked. "Eh?"

I grinned. "For letting bet you."

Eve's pink eyes widened slightly. Then, her lips curled into the softest smile as she held the gold close.

"Thank you, Lucas. I'll treasure it!"

「 TREASURE? IT'S LITERALLY JUST MONEY— You know what? Never mind. I give up. 」

Eve giggled again, clutching the coins happily.

And just like that—

I won.

We were walking along the outskirts of the town now, the moonlight casting soft shadows over the cobblestone streets. Eve seed a little more distant than usual, her gaze fixed on the ground as she gently tugged at the strap of her bag.

Sothing was off. I couldn't put my finger on it, but her usual calm deanor seed to have shifted, like the clouds had rolled in.

"Hey, Eve, what's up?"

She looked up at , her pink eyes montarily eting mine before she quickly looked away. It was like she had sothing on her mind, but didn't want to say it.

"It's nothing," she muttered, shaking her head as if dismissing whatever thought was bothering her.

I raised an eyebrow. "Eve, co on. You can tell . You know I'm an expert at listening to people's problems." I gave her a cheeky grin, though I wasn't really sure if I was ready for any serious confessions.

She hesitated but eventually spoke up, her voice soft, almost as if she was still unsure about what to say. "While you were playing that match... I noticed sothing."

My interest piqued, I leaned in slightly. "Soone catch your eye? Or was it just the poker tables? I've heard those things can be intense."

Eve shook her head, the light pink of her hair bouncing with the motion. "No, it was soone in the bar. Soone who wasn't supposed to be there."

That caught my attention. "Who? Was it a noble? A big spender, maybe? A suspicious character?" I tried to keep the tone light, but now I was genuinely curious.

Eve looked down again, as if the mory made her uneasy. "He had a weird appearance. I don't know... It felt strange."

"Okay, weird how?" I pressed, my voice more serious now, though I tried not to sound too interested.

Eve bit her lip, clearly uncertain, before she continued, her voice softer than before. "He was older than us, maybe in his early twenties. He wore a black suit... it looked too... perfect. His skin was pale—almost too pale, like he wasn't from around here. And... he didn't blink, Lucas. He just stood there and stared at you."

I snorted, trying to break the tension. "Well, I am pretty stylish. I guess I don't bla him for being captivated by my natural charm."

Eve didn't laugh. Instead, she pressed a hand to her chest, as if the mory was weighing heavily on her. "No... you're wrong. There's more. Sothing about him doesn't sit right with ."

I gave her a curious look, waiting for her to explain.

"He had these veins... on his forearms. Blueish veins. It was like... like he was cold-blooded. And his eyes, Lucas—his eyes were fractured. Like they were... breaking. Cold. Almost like he didn't even belong here."

I blinked, feeling an odd shiver run through . "Wait, what? Fractured eyes?"

Eve nodded, her pink hair swishing slightly as she turned her gaze up to the night sky. "I don't know how to explain it... but sothing about him just didn't feel right. I watched him for a while. And just before we left the bar... he blinked for the first ti. But didn't move. He just stared at us. At you."

I rubbed my chin, giving it so thought. A dude with cold veins and broken eyes? Sounds like sothing out of a bad horror flick, honestly.

But I didn't want to freak Eve out. She was obviously rattled, and I didn't want to pile on more anxiety. I gave her a comforting smile.

"Don't worry about it. We won't see him again. He's probably so random weirdo who got lost or whatever. You know how these towns are. A little too much wine, and bam—people start seeing ghosts."

Eve shook her head, her face still a little pale. "No, Lucas... There's sothing off about him. I can't shake the feeling."

I raised an eyebrow. "What kind of feeling?"

Eve's fingers went to the locket around her neck. Her delicate fingers traced it lightly, and I noticed a slight frown tug at her lips. She sighed softly, her voice a little strained as she spoke again.

"I don't know. But when I looked at him... I felt like I've known him for years. Maybe even forever. And when he stared at , it wasn't fear... it was comfort. I felt... safe."

I just stared at her, trying to process what she'd just said. Safe? From a guy who looked like he was straight out of a nightmare? I opened my mouth, but no words ca out.

System, however, didn't waste any ti.

「 That's... concerning. Given the description, I didn't detect him on my radar, aning he probably cloaked his presence and mana. Whatever the case, he's definitely not soone we should ss with. 」

I glanced over at Eve, who still had her hand pressed to her locket, eyes distant. It was almost like she was in so sort of trance.

"You feel safe?" I asked slowly, my mind racing.

Eve nodded, her expression unreadable. "Yes. Like... like I've always known him. Maybe in another life, or..." She trailed off, not finishing the thought.

I raised an eyebrow. This was getting way too weird for . I looked at her, then at the horizon, before shaking my head slightly.

"Alright. Don't go overthinking it. We're fine. Whatever he is, we're not going to see him again." I tried to keep the situation light, not wanting her to spiral further into that weird feeling.

But Eve's gaze stayed fixed on the horizon, her hand still clutching the locket. "I hope you're right, Lucas. I really do."

I didn't say anything else. I just hoped I was too.

As we continued walking, the feeling of unease lingered in the air, and I couldn't shake the thought of the man Eve described.

Cold veins. Fractured eyes. A stare that made you feel safe instead of scared. Whatever he was, I had a feeling he wasn't just so random guy.

And deep down, I had a feeling our paths were going to cross again soon.

The soft night air swept through the outside of Sylvaris as we walked side by side, leaving the town behind. The moon hung high above us, casting its glow over everything. The whole scene was... well, kinda poetic, to be honest. The trees swayed gently, and the distant sound of the town's hustle seed to fade as we walked farther from it.

I glanced at Eve, noticing how quiet she had gotten again. Great, back to mysterious mood Eve. I wasn't having any of it. Ti to lighten the mood, Lucas-style.

"Hey, Eve, you ever wonder if the stars are just... super fancy light bulbs?" I nudged her lightly, trying to pull her out of her funk.

She tilted her head slightly, her pink hair catching the light. "A light bulb?" she repeated, a confused yet cute look on her face.

I couldn't help but chuckle. "Yeah, you know, like so god up there's just switching them on and off for fun. Could be an alien trying to ss with us." I wiggled my fingers dramatically.

Eve blinked slowly, clearly processing my nonsense. Then she shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips. "You have strange thoughts, Lucas."

I grinned. "Hey, soone's gotta bring the humor to this world. I an, look at those stars, they're practically begging for a good punchline."

Feeling a little proud of myself, I decided to ask the System to chi in.

"System, hit with so star facts. Impress ," I said, lifting my head to the moonlit sky, making sure to sound extra casual.

The System's voice imdiately chid in with its usual sarcasm. 「 You're really asking for this, Lucas? You know, you have access to a literal library of knowledge, but here you are, asking for bedti stories. Fine. The brightest star in the night sky is Sirius, 8.6 light-years away, nad after the Greek god of the hunt. Happy now? 」

I chuckled at the System's tone. "Nice. Well, at least you didn't try to roast this ti. Gotta give credit where it's due."

I turned to Eve, trying to be all dramatic. "Hey, did you know the Sirius Star is basically the fa of the sky? It's 8.6 light-years away and still manages to outshine everything else."

Eve blinked up at the sky, her soft pink eyes reflecting the moonlight as she processed my words.

Then, she looked back at with that smile of hers, gentle and warm. "I didn't know that. That's really interesting, Lucas," she said, her voice light, as though the idea of a party in the sky had sohow brightened her mood.

I gave a playful, exaggerated nod. "Yeah, you know, I drop wisdom like it's nothing. The stars must be partying while I speak to you."

Eve's smile widened at that, and I couldn't help but feel like I was the one who had just won a prize.

"Do you think the stars really have parties?" she asked, her voice turning a bit more curious. She tilted her head, looking adorably confused.

I pretended to think for a mont, putting my hand on my chin. "Well, of course. I an, how else do they get all that sparkle? Probably a good reason they don't want us crashing it."

Eve giggled softly at that, the sound so light and pure it made the night seem even calr. "I think you're right. I wouldn't want to crash their party either."

I smiled, feeling a warmth inside I didn't quite expect. "Yeah, they've got their own thing going on up there. We don't want to interrupt their vibe. But, hey, at least we're here enjoying the view together, right?"

She nodded, and I noticed a bit of pink creeping into her cheeks as she glanced away, clearly flustered by my words. "Right," she said, her voice softer now. "It's nice... being here, walking with you."

We both fell silent for a few monts, the peacefulness of the night wrapping around us. Then I decided to break the silence.

"So, where are you headed next?" I asked, genuinely curious now that we were out of Sylvaris.

Eve hesitated for a mont, and then in her soft, calm tone, she spoke up. "I'm going to Rinascita."

I raised an eyebrow. "Rinascita, huh? What's got you going there?"

Eve looked down at the locket around her neck, her fingers gently brushing over it. Her voice dropped a little, almost as if she was talking to herself. "Like I said before... I'm looking for soone. I... I think they might be there."

I could sense the weight of her words, so I didn't press her further, but I did lean in a bit. "Soone? Who?"

Her eyes flicked up to et mine for a brief mont before she spoke again, her voice quieter. "There's a person I'm looking for. The locket—it's all I have left of him. The face is... it's been ripped off. I don't know what he looked like."

She paused, clutching the locket tighter. "But Rinascita has records of adventurers. If he was one... maybe I can find sothing. Maybe soone will know him. Maybe there's a clue."

I nodded, processing her words. "That's... tough. But I'm sure you'll find sothing. If he was an adventurer, I'm sure there's sothing in those records." I gave her a reassuring smile.

Eve looked up at with a grateful smile. "Thank you, Lucas."

I shrugged. "Hey, you've got to stick with your friends, right?"

We kept walking for a while, the cool wind rustling the leaves above us. The silence stretched between us, but it wasn't uncomfortable.

Then, my mind wandered back to my own goal. I hadn't forgotten about the cure I was after.

"Rinascita... huh. I've got my own reasons for going there too," I said, mostly to myself.

「 You're not just going there to sightsee, Lucas. The materials for the cure are still being analyzed. It will take ti, but we're getting closer. 」

"I'll make the cure. I'll save her. I promise." I muttered under my breath, almost as if trying to convince myself.

Eve turned to , her face softening as she noticed my expression. "Did you say sothing, Lucas?"

I shook my head, forcing a smile. "Nah, just... thinking about stuff. The sky's beautiful tonight, don't you think?"

She looked up at the moon, her expression relaxing as she gazed at the stars. "It is. It feels... peaceful."

We walked in silence again, the soft crunch of our footsteps on the dirt road the only sound. After a while, I turned to Eve, trying to break the silence with a bit of casualness.

"By the way, I'll be heading to Rinascita too. You mind if I tag along?"

Eve blinked at , a look of surprise crossing her face, followed by a soft smile. "You want to co with ?"

"Yeah, why not? Thought I'd offer my services as your partner. You know, just in case you run into any creepy guys with broken eyes or sothing." I winked, hoping to lighten the mood.

Eve giggled softly, the sound like a lody in the quiet of the night. "You're going to protect ?"

I shrugged nonchalantly. "I an, it's not like I'm not going to. I've got to make sure nothing bad happens to you, right? You wouldn't want to get stuck with so weirdo with cold veins."

Eve tilted her head slightly, her smile growing. "I'm glad you're coming with , Lucas. It's... comforting."

I felt my heart skip a beat, my usual sarcasm failing for once. "Well, I'm glad you think so. I do try to be a good influence, you know."

She looked at with those big pink eyes of hers, her smile lighting up the night in a way that made my stomach do weird flips. It was like my heart was frozen for a second before it started racing.

"Thank you, Lucas," she said softly, the warmth in her voice wrapping around .

I couldn't help it. "You're... really cute, you know that?"

Eve froze, her cheeks flushing a soft pink as she looked away, her fingers fiddling with the locket again. She didn't say anything, but the little smile tugging at her lips was enough.

I couldn't help but grin, feeling all soft inside for the first ti in forever.

"I'm just speaking the truth, Eve," I said, my voice a little softer than usual. "You really are beautiful."

And as we walked further into the night, her smile was the only thing I could focus on.

My eyes lazily scanned the path ahead. It was peaceful, the moonlight flickering through the trees, casting soft shadows on the dirt road beneath our feet. But, honestly, my mind wasn't on the peaceful scenery.

No, it was busy trying to figure out the mystery of the weird bandaged guy I t a few days back. Seriously, what was up with him?

System, any updates on the bandaged weirdo?

The System's response was imdiate, dripping with its usual sarcastic flair.

「 Ah, so now you're asking for help? A little late to the party, Lucas. Maybe you should try doing sothing yourself for once. Still a work in progress. 」

I sighed, the sound exaggerated, but I couldn't help it. Give sothing, though. What have you figured out so far?

「 About that guy... His na's Aldric. He's wrapped up like a mummy, but his real talent lies in so bizarre magic that lets him change his fake appearance. My data is linked to a spell that's over 600 years old. Don't get too excited, though. It should be lost by now. 」

Lost? Why's that? I asked, my curiosity piqued despite myself.

「 It's lost because no one in the present day has the ability to translate or decipher its magical code. Not even . You can't expect to figure out symbols that are beyond my reach. Analytical genius here, but I'm not a magician. 」

So how the hell did Aldric figure it out? That guy's got so serious tricks up his sleeve.

「 It's almost adorable how he pieced it all together. He managed to read your magical aura, deduced your mana control, and even caught onto your silent incantations by watching your body language. Seriously, though, he's probably so super skilled mage. It's kinda impressive. 」

Nah. No one's stronger than .

「 You're really gonna hype yourself up like that, huh? Cute. But let's be real—he's probably better at this whole magic thing than you. Or at least, he's got a more niche skill set. 」

Whatever. At least I can use my brain properly, unlike you. You couldn't even crack that spell.

「 Oh, I can crack it, just not with your feeble human brain's processing power. You should be thankful for my genius. 」

Okay, sure, system. You're the genius. I'll give you that.

「 Yeah, I know. Now, stop talking so much and focus. You're walking, not chatting. 」

I rolled my eyes again and sighed, but then I suddenly ca to a complete stop. I had a weird feeling, like sothing was off.

Maybe it was the night, maybe it was the moonlight filtering through the trees, or maybe I'd had too much ti to think, but it was like soone was watching .

My instincts were screaming at .

System, radar. Now.

There was a brief silence, and then the System responded.

「 No human being alive or dead detected around the forest. No mana readings either. You're safe, monkey. Stop making assumptions. 」

I let out a frustrated sigh. You always say that. But I swear I saw a shadow...

「 And I swear you're just jumping at shadows. Seriously, chill out. You're not in danger. 」

Just as I was about to grumble at the System again, I heard Eve's soft voice behind . "Lucas? What's wrong?"

I turned around to see her standing there, her hands gently pressed against her chest, a worried expression on her face.

I smiled, trying to brush it off. "It's nothing, Eve. Just... my mind playing tricks on , I guess. You know how it is."

She stepped a little closer, still concerned but trying to hide it behind her gentle smile. "Are you sure? You're not... scared, are you?"

I chuckled lightly, trying to make it sound like I was just ssing around. "Scared? ? Never. I've got way too much swagger for that." I gave her a playful wink, hoping to ease her worry.

She looked at for a mont, and then, to my surprise, a small giggle escaped her lips. It was soft, but it made my heart flutter. "Alright, if you say so."

I patted her lightly on the shoulder. "Yeah, no need to worry. We've got a long way to go, and I'm not about to let anything ss that up. Let's keep going."

She nodded, her eyes shining with trust as she smiled. "Yeah, let's go."

We resud walking, the path ahead clear, but despite what the System said, I couldn't shake the feeling. The back of my neck still tingled, and a sense of being watched lingered like an annoying itch I couldn't scratch.

But for now, I pushed it aside. We had a goal. Rinascita was still ahead, and that was all that mattered. But deep down, my instincts kept nagging at .

I was being watched.

anwhile, as Lucas and Eve continued down the moonlit path, a figure stood at the edge of the forest, behind the shadow of a large tree. He was impeccably dressed in a black suit, his posture immaculate, his presence utterly still. His cold-blue veins ran subtly beneath his neck and forearms, pulsing like the rhythm of a chanical clock, thodical and precise. His expression, however, was the most unsettling feature—blank, calculating, emotionless. There was nothing human about his face, only the barest hint of a presence that might as well have been a machine. His eyes, an icy blue, narrowed as they locked onto Lucas and Eve.

He stood perfectly still, watching them, his eyes tracing every minute detail. Every movent, every glance, every twitch in their body language was processed and analyzed with the kind of cold logic that bordered on the inhuman.

"Predictable," he muttered under his breath, his voice devoid of warmth, as if speaking to no one but himself.

Unknown Perspective:

The girl's lips move, ever so subtly, her words flickering across her expression like a faint pulse of light. It is easy to decipher—she doesn't even try to hide it. "Rinascita," she says. I can read the faint movent of her lips. She is going there, but why? To search for sothing or soone?

Her posture is defensive, hands clasped tightly—an unconscious attempt to shield herself. She carries a heavy air of nervousness, each small fidget betraying her unease. Body language suggests an extre lack of confidence, likely rooted in a past too painful to confront.

Loss of mory or experience is probable; she feels untouched by the world, yet unaware of the hole it leaves.

Her movents are restrained, hesitant—an individual unused to true combat or danger. Low experience for her age. No signs of recent training, but traces of magical aptitude.

Subtle hints of Celestial magic, faint but undeniably present. Her magic is dormant, perhaps even suppressed, but the aura still clings to her like a lingering fragrance.

Her pink hair, flowing without any signs of distress, suggests a maintained state—clean, untarnished. But her boots tell a different story. Dust and dirt from at least three days of travel. She's co from Sylvaris, likely alone, without any aningful company for so ti.

Her eyes are soft, yet searching—an unspoken desperation lies within them, a plea for sothing unknown. The tilt of her head, combined with the way she speaks, reflects confusion, as if she is trying to connect dots she doesn't quite understand.

This girl is an enigma—too naive, too fragile. She will be easy to manipulate.

Her naivety is clear. She speaks of a journey, a quest. She believes in the idea of connection—believes in the hope of finding soone.

Rinascita. She seeks records, answers, but she cannot understand what she will truly find there.

A childish dream.

And then there is him. Lucas. His lips move in a controlled rhythm, but I read them with precision. The shifts, the pauses—calculated, but they betray him. He speaks of protection, of guarding her.

A lie. I see no conviction in his words. His body does not align with the narrative he attempts to sell.

His posture is confident, but his legs tremble slightly, an involuntary reaction. The twitch of his fingers, subtle yet distinct, a fidget that he believes he hides well. He is trying to present an illusion—an illusion of control. But it falters. His confidence is a mask, thin and fragile, covering insecurity.

There is nothing about him that commands authority. His movents, too fluid to be genuine, too rehearsed to be instinctive. His body language—nervous, unsure—has not mastered the art of deception. He believes himself hidden, but I see through the cracks.

No magic. Not a trace. Yet sothing stirs beneath the surface—an unnatural force, a system perhaps. A tool, not a man. A crutch that hides his true self.

He is not an adventurer. He is a puppet, strings pulled by an unknown force. His aura is hollow, absent of any true power, yet sothing darker festers within. He hides behind this crutch, an empty vessel pretending to be whole.

A coward, with no foundation to stand on. His whole existence is built on a lie. The mask cracks—he cannot even hide his most basic instincts.

This makes him dangerous. Not because of what he can do, but because of what he's willing to hide. A person who refuses to show their true face is unpredictable.

It will be his downfall.

Their lips continue to move, and I read the subtle shifts.

The words spill forth, and I piece them together like a complex equation.

First, Lucas. His lips shift into a tight line, the subtle movent at the corners indicating a shift in his tone, a defensive position.

The words are muffled but clear: "I can control fire, air, and... so basic elental magic. Not much, but enough to defend."

The slight hesitation before the final words, the pause—signaling insecurity. He's lying, or at least understating. There's sothing hidden beneath those words. His fingers twitch again, a sign of discomfort with his own admission.

Eve's lips then move, and the change in her expression is telling. She beams, the light in her eyes soft but genuine. "That's so amazing, Lucas! You're incredible!"

The upward curve of her lips, the soft flush of her cheeks—genuine admiration, pure and unguarded. But there's a hint of... naivety in her excitent. Her body language says more than her words—her hands clasp together, and the way she tilts her head in childlike wonder tells she's oblivious to the lies wrapped in his words.

The next shift cos from Lucas. "We'll make it to Rinascita. I'll protect you." His lips pull tighter, an attempt at reassurance. The words are deliberate, but the tremor in his stance speaks otherwise.

Eve responds quickly, her lips moving with a genuine warmth. "I'm glad you're with . I feel safe now."

The way her lips curl upward in trust, the gleam in her eyes—a reflection of her naïve optimism. Her body leans in, unconsciously seeking his protection, believing his assurances.

Lastly, Lucas speaks again, and the way his lips shift is almost imperceptible. "Stay close. It's not safe out here."

The words are firm, but the tightness around his jaw tells it's less about concern and more about control—he's grasping at the illusion of safety.

Her hope. His lies. They are walking into a false sense of security, believing in sothing they cannot even comprehend.

Their journey will be a short one. They are playing a ga they cannot win. Their innocence, their hope—it is all aningless. They are unaware of the war that is already over in my mind. I've already calculated the outco. They think they can protect each other.

But it is I who will make the final move.

So, you're the ace card, huh?

I will make sure you're out of the picture soon.

Your's truly,

Azrael.