Shadow looked at Bell.

  Silence filled the space between them.

  Long.

  Heavy.

  His eyes slowly sharpened.

  "I will help you to free him."

  Bell was the one who spoke.

  Shadow's lips curved slightly.

  "Oh?"

  "Then you know a way?"

  Bell lowered her gaze for a brief moment before answering.

  "There is a tool… an item known as the Split Mirror."

  Shadow remained still.

  "If anything passes through it," she continued, "matter… objects… even existence… will split into two."

  A small pause.

  "But there are side effects."

  Shadow thought for a second.

  Then his voice lowered.

  "And you believe it can separate us?"

  His gaze turned colder.

  "If you're trying to play with me—"

  "I know the stakes."

  Bell's voice was firm this time.

  Her eyes lifted.

  Steady.

  Unshaking.

  Shadow stared into them.

  Searching for fear.

  For hesitation.

  He found none.

  "…Then where is it?"

  "I don't know the exact location," Bell admitted quietly.

  "But in the past, I heard that the treasure map was in Ben's possession."

  A brief pause.

  "So we need to search his office… or his house."

  Shadow smiled faintly.

  "Ben's world…"

  His tone carried quiet interest.

  Then his eyes shifted back to her.

  "If I hurt someone while using this body… or kill someone…"

  He paused.

  "Our agreement will break?"

  "Yes."

  Her answer was immediate.

  Shadow held her gaze for several seconds longer.

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  "…Fine."

  A calm breath left him.

  "I will not kill anyone while I am in this body."

  Bell took a slow breath.

  But she did not relax.

  Shadow noticed.

  "You still don't trust me," he said softly.

  "I don't," she replied.

  A faint smile touched his lips.

  "Good."

  He turned away.

  "Let's go."

  Bell hesitated for only a second.

  Then—

  They stepped forward.

  Leaving for Ben's world.

  The moment they entered Ben's world—

  Shadow glanced at Bell again.

  An intrigued smile rested on his lips.

  "So," he said lightly, "where do we go first?"

  His eyes narrowed slightly.

  "His house, perhaps?"

  The way he said it…

  It felt like he was testing her.

  Bell remained calm.

  Guarded.

  "No," she replied. "We'll go to his office. His guild office."

  Shadow's smile widened.

  "Are you trying to stop me from meeting that girl?"

  He tilted his head slightly.

  "Hm… what was her name?"

  A pause.

  "Makima?"

  His eyes sharpened, waiting for her reaction.

  Bell did not hesitate.

  "No. It's because Ben doesn't bring work to his house. Guild matters stay in the guild."

  Her tone was steady.

  But inside—

  She was lying.

  She knew it would be bad if Shadow met Makima.

  Very bad.

  Shadow didn't believe her.

  But he didn't say it.

  Not yet.

  They walked toward the guild.

  Two meters apart.

  No words exchanged.

  Only quiet tension.

  When they reached the guild building—

  Bell stepped forward.

  Her hands trembled slightly.

  "I will check for the map," she said. "You will wait here."

  Her eyes hardened.

  "And don't do anything."

  Shadow stared at her for a long moment.

  Then he stepped closer.

  One step.

  "As you wish… m'lady."

  His tone was polite.

  Mocking.

  His eyes clearly said—

  He didn't trust her.

  And he didn't need to.

  He was the one controlling Zaraf's body.

  Bell glared at him.

  "Don't speak to me like that. It's irritating."

  Shadow only smiled.

  Bell was in her fairy form and slipped inside.

  Small.

  Silent.

  Easy to infiltrate.

  She moved through the halls unseen.

  Her heart beat faster with every second.

  Ben was not in his office.

  Good.

  She landed softly on the desk and began searching.

  Drawers.

  Shelves.

  Hidden compartments.

  Her breathing grew heavier.

  Because she knew—

  If she did this…

  There would be no going back.

  But remembering the past—

  She didn't stop.

  After several minutes—

  She found it.

  A small box marked with the seal of the Fairy Realm.

  Her heart skipped.

  Slowly, she opened it.

  Inside—

  Documents.

  Records of agreements.

  And a map.

  Marked with special items located in the border of the Imagery World.

  Her eyes locked onto one name.

  Split Mirror.

  Her fingers tightened as she grabbed the map.

  Then—

  Cold.

  A heavy presence filled the room.

  Her entire body froze.

  Slowly—

  She turned.

  Ben stood behind her.

  His eyes were cold.

  Focused.

  He did not move.

  "I was informed about Zaraf's situation by Shin," he said calmly.

  "But I cannot allow you to take that."

  A pause.

  "Even if you are the Princess."

  Bell's grip tightened.

  "I have no other choice," she replied.

  "It's the only way to save him."

  Her eyes glowed faintly blue.

  "This time… I will save the one I care."

  Silence filled the room.

  For a second—

  Neither moved.

  Then—

  Ben's hand began to heat.

  Flames flickered to life.

  His eyes glowed purple.

  "You know the deal between the Fairy Realm and the Imagery World."

  His voice grew heavier.

  "It is my duty to guard these items."

  He stepped forward.

  "It's your last chance. Give me the map now."

  A pause.

  "I won't report this."

  "But if you refuse…"

  His gaze sharpened.

  "Even a Princess cannot escape the consequences."

  Bell's hands trembled—

  But she did not release the map.

  "I know I will be punished," she said quietly.

  "But I will do this."

  Her eyes burned brighter.

  "Because only I can save him."

  Before Ben could move—

  A voice echoed from the window.

  "Well, well…"

  "Looks like our Princess got caught."

  Ben's eyes shifted slightly.

  The window shattered.

  Shadow stepped inside.

  Calm.

  Smiling.

  He bowed slightly.

  "Hello."

  "Long time no see, Ben."

  Ben's gaze hardened.

  "You cannot fool me."

  "You are not Zaraf."

  Shadow smiled faintly.

  Bell flew toward Shadow and handed him the map.

  Ben stepped forward to stop her—

  But Shadow moved instantly between them.

  The air trembled.

  Ben's flames flared.

  Before the clash could destroy the building—

  Shadow jumped backward out the window.

  Ben followed.

  Outside—

  They landed across from each other.

  The ground cracked beneath their presence.

  Bell hovered near Shadow.

  "Remember," she said quickly, "don't kill anyone. And try not to hurt him."

  Shadow nodded lightly.

  "Don't worry."

  His smile widened.

  "I just want a little fun."

  He stepped forward.

  Ben's flames burned brighter.

  Protection's body.

  Darkness inside.

  Fire ahead.

  The clash was about to begin.

  A short distance away—

  Makima walked calmly toward the guild.

  A lunchbox in her hands.

  "Father didn't eat this morning," she murmured softly.

  "Something urgent from Captain Shin…"

  Her grip tightened slightly.

  "I hope it's not dangerous."

  She looked ahead.

  Unaware—

  That the air itself had begun to tremble.

  And that she was walking straight toward a battlefield.