Cale's expression twisted into something unrecognizable—pure, unfiltered desperation. It was as if the world had just collapsed around him, and the only thing left was rage, grief, and a burning need for vengeance.
Snow raised an eyebrow, sensing something was off. "Hey, what's with that look?" he asked, half-joking. "You look like you just lost everything."
But Cale didn't respond. He wasn't even looking at Snow anymore. His body was trembling, his fists clenched so tight that his knuckles turned white. He didn't blink, didn't move. It was as if his mind had shattered in an instant.
Then, without warning, the sky darkened. Ominous black clouds rolled in unnaturally fast, swallowing the sunlight, casting the house into shadow. The air grew thick—heavy, suffocating. Snow's instincts screamed at him, but before he could react—
BOOM!
A spear of brilliant blue lightning crashed down from the heavens, splitting through the house like divine judgment. The impact sent shockwaves through the ground, shaking the entire neighborhood. And just like that—Cale was gone.
Only scorched earth remained where he had stood.
Snow stared at the spot in disbelief. His eyes narrowed, scanning the area. No trace of Cale. No residual mana, no lingering presence. Just... nothing.
"...The hell?" he muttered, his usual nonchalant demeanor cracking. He tilted his head back, staring up at the storm-choked sky. Then, suddenly, he scoffed.
"What a damn hypocrite," he mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck. "He lectured me about wrecking his house, and then he goes and does this?" He let out a dry laugh, shaking his head. "Seriously, what is with this uncle-type guy?"
Shrugging it off, Snow stretched his arms behind his head and turned away. "Whatever. It's not my problem. I have a mission—a very important one." His eyes gleamed with anticipation. "I need to eat some damn ice cream."
He vanished in a blur, reappearing in front of his favorite store. A nostalgic sigh escaped him as he gazed at the counter. "Man, ten years without my favorite ice cream… the suffering I've endured…" He stepped forward, ready to place his order—
Then he froze.
Something was wrong.
Cale's presence—gone.
Not just far away. Not just hidden.
Gone.
The ice cream store, the bustling street, the people around him—they all blurred into the background. A strange, hollow feeling settled in his chest.
"What…?" he whispered, his grip tightening. His usual carefree expression faded into something deadly serious. "Why… why can't I sense him?"
"what the heck is going on here..."
To be continued…