One step forward and the trees vanished. The tall grass and uneven bushes were replaced by a small, silent field. The low grass and the leaves of the scattered trees that provided shade in some places swayed gently. Even the air had changed, what once carried the intrinsic scent of blood now felt fresh and floral.

  Further ahead, there was a house that, compared to most of the residences in the city, was clearly much better. More beautiful, well-built, and without a doubt, bigger. The old man approached the property and was greeted by a woman with short brown hair.

  — Sir, this... Who is he?

  The old man hesitated.

  — I don't know... — he replied, entering the house as he walked past her.

  — What?! How could you bring a stranger here? What if he's—

  — Maybe he is. But... I don't think that's the case. — he confessed, stopping in the empty room — They're already here. I don't know how many there are in total, but two of them have revealed themselves because of this boy.

  — Because of him...?

  — I don't know how or why, but he knows about the Frozen Flame. I wasn't the one who told him, and when he said her name before fainting, that's when the assassins revealed themselves.

  — You brought him here just because of that? That could also be part of some plan to get us to reveal ourselves!

  The old man thought for a moment in silence.

  — I know. — he admitted — However, this is also the fastest way we have to find all of them at once. We have to do this before we move again. Otherwise, they'll find us just as quickly as now.

  The woman opened her mouth but said nothing, allowing the old man to climb the stairs.

  There wasn't much on that first floor, just a wooden table with three chairs. No decorations, no vases, paintings, or portraits. The walls had no scratches and dust settled on everything except for the chairs and the table. Upstairs, however, there was a clean door carved with flowers.

  Noah was left on the floor after they entered, and the old man walked to the bed surrounded by curtains and illuminated by the window beside it. Hidden by the bed's shadow, a small nightstand rose up, supporting a vase painted with what appeared to be a phoenix against immaculate white.

  — She didn't react at all...?

  The woman at the door shook her head no.

  Time passed, and the old man sat on the edge of the bed. The one lying there didn't react, but Noah's fingers slid over the smooth wooden floor. He crawled unsteadily, barely able to keep his arms straight. His mind buzzed and his sense of where he was felt uncertain.

  The streets were paved, he was sure. So where did this wooden floor come from? Noah looked around, even if he couldn't make out what he was seeing. Dark walls, people, and—

  A window...?

  He tried to get up but fell to his knees.

  —...What is this place? — he asked, hearing his own voice echo inside his head, fading slowly — Where am I...?

  No one answered.

  Then, over time, his mind settled. Calmed. Cleared. And his vision sharpened.

  — Boy, — a familiar voice called, making Noah look over. He analyzed the situation, or tried to, but he found the bed more interesting. After all, that was where the pull in his chest seemed to come from — what do you know about the Frozen Flame?

  —...Is that a question or an interrogation? First, can I get a chair to sit on?

  Noah felt the wind stirred by the movement and then saw the glint of a blade near his side.

  — Answer. — the woman ordered.

  Turning, he followed the edge of the sword with strange calm. Noah couldn't sense cultivation like the others, he didn't even try. The only way he evaluated risks was by instinct, the same one that screamed whenever he was in real danger. So, if he had no such signal, he just kept his usual indifference. Except, not under threat.

  — Get that away from me while you still can.

  The woman tightened her grip on the hilt, but couldn't do anything. Their eyes met, and her body froze. What was that reddish glow? Why was she trembling? Surrounded by a sea of black flames, why did she seem trapped in a furnace...? Trembling, she dropped the sword.

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  Noah glanced back at the old man, confused, incredulous, and more alert.

  He's only someone in Foundation Establishment, right...?

  — And what about my chair? — Noah asked again, stretching as he stood up.

  Fearing what might develop if a fight broke out, the old man led him down to the first floor, followed by the woman who came down with sword in hand, though her blade still shook.

  The three sat down, but silence hung heavy. Noah seemed thoughtful as he stared at nothing, while the other two contemplated how best to steer the conversation.

  He doesn't seem to be one of them... The two supposed, without needing to speak.

  A sigh echoed, breaking the silence.

  The three looked at each other.

  — So how long has your granddaughter been asleep? — Noah asked.

  Granddaughter...?

  The two looked at each other, and confusion was plain on the woman's face. The old man nodded discreetly.

  He isn't one of them. They decided.

  — It's been 64 days... — the old man answered gently, then looked at Noah — Do you really know what's wrong with her?

  — What's wrong? She's dying, don't you know that? But 64 days... does she have a demon beast bloodline?

  —...The firebird's. — the old man revealed, though he was uneasy. Maybe he wanted to believe and cling to the idea that it wasn't over yet — Why?

  — Because that's what's been keeping her alive for this long.

  — What?! — both jumped up — H-How do you know that? How can you be so sure? Do you really know something about the Frozen Flame? Can you heal her? — the old man asked.

  — Yes. — they smiled at the answer, finally relieved — But why should I? — Noah's cold eyes swept across their faces — You threw me on a cold floor like I was nothing but trash, then pointed a sword at my neck. What exactly did you expect to get from that?

  The woman looked away. Asking for forgiveness wouldn't help, she realized, given the indifference in those strange eyes. To him, she was nothing. Less than the most useless speck of dust.

  — N-No, but... I did that because—

  — I don't care about your reasons, they mean nothing to me. Nor do those people who were watching you in the city. — Noah said as he stood.

  He'd already noticed...?! Then what was the fainting about? An act? A test? Why would he want to test me?

  — Wait! — the old man called out, seeing the boy heading up the stairs toward the bedroom — If you're not going to help her, then why go back up there?

  Noah looked away. It wasn't about the Frozen Flame, but the chaotic message the system was trying to send him. What did it mean? He wanted to check.

  —...There's something I need to see before I leave.

  The two looked at each other and followed him, alert. They couldn't risk starting a fight indoors, but wouldn't let him hurt her either.

  When Noah opened the door, he stopped, confusing them. Each step seemed harder and more exhausting than the last. Raising his arms and positioning them in front of his face, he looked as if he were fighting some overwhelming pressure as he approached. But why didn't they feel anything? They saw his veins swell and blood seep from all his orifices.

  What is all this...? The old man couldn't understand. What in the world is he doing?

  With one last step, Noah fell. He vomited all the blood that had pooled in his mouth beside the bed and, as he got up, pulled the curtains back while wiping his lips.

  —...Are you alright, kid? What was all that just now?

  After a few moments still, Noah's heart beat faster. His mind went blank.

  — I... — the words escaped him — There's something I want...

  — What...?

  It wasn't false or strange, just pure and warm. A true feeling, far beyond any other he'd ever felt binding him. His chest sang as his heart pulsed perfectly inside him. Now, Noah understood what the system wanted to say, even if the messages were incomplete.

  — If you promise me something, I'll heal her.

  This was not a negotiation. His action had been decided from the very beginning. He would protect her, no matter what it took. Such words, he knew, were only a way to secure his new and only, deepest wish.

  — What do you want...? I'll give you anything.

  —...Her...

  She was what he was looking for, Noah was absolutely certain. He couldn't be wrong. No. He was convinced this wasn't the case.

  — You—! How dare you say something like that?! — the woman managed to speak, trembling — She's not—!

  The old man raised a hand to keep her from continuing. He pondered a moment, analyzing Noah's condition.

  —...You're saying you will marry her?

  — Yes.

  There was no doubt or hesitation.

  The old man clenched his fists, uneasy.

  — If you can help her... — he wasn't sure, nor could he be. This was just the only chance that had appeared. He wanted to keep her alive as long as possible, he needed to — If you cure her, I'll make her marry you.

  — Sir! That's—

  — We'll leave so you can focus.

  — But...

  The woman hesitated, watching Noah for a moment, then followed, though reluctantly.

  — Sir! You can't do this! Hand the young lady over to a boy whose name we don't even know, that's—

  — The only choice we have. — the old man looked at the closed door — If he really can save her, she'd be better with him than any of us. And certainly better than with her father.

  — But even so... What if the young lady refuses? Will you really force her...?

  — No... And I don't think he would like it if I did something like that. — those eyes were familiar, he'd seen them before in his own reflection, back when his own eyes still shone. He even thought Noah's gaze might be even more intense than his ever were —...I know Ting'er will understand.

  — No, you're putting all the weight on her! — the woman went downstairs — Regardless of whether this works or not, if she doesn't want to, I won't let you give her to a complete stranger.

  Grinding his teeth, the man squeezed the wooden handrail until he dented it. He couldn't say anything to answer her. He wished he had the courage to go in there and refuse. He wanted to... but he didn't have it.