Everything was silent.
Then, in the darkness, Ryo saw something.
A strange-looking compass, suspended in the air.
A bony hand, dry and fragile as if it had been decaying for centuries, was holding it. In front of him stood a figure in a crimson robe, completely still. Its empty eye sockets stared at him without blinking.
Ryo's breath hitched as he slowly lifted his gaze to its face.
A sinister skull looked back at him. Its surface cracked, and its teeth were jagged and uneven.
The skeletal figure extended the compass toward him, urging him to take it.
But Ryo hesitated.
He swallowed, eyes flicking between the eerie compass and the deathly figure holding it. Something about this wasn't right.
His gut screamed at him—Don't touch it.
And then—
The skull's jaw unhinged.
A guttural, inhuman sound burst from its throat, deep and heavy, like a thousand whispers tangled together.
Then it lunged towards Ryo.
Its empty eye sockets widened with hunger as it lunged forward, mouth open wide, a void of darkness consuming everything—
Ryo jolted awake, gasping.
Sweat soaked his body, his breathing was rough, and his heart pounded against his ribs. His eyes darted around, lost and confused.
"Was that… a dream?"
It felt too real.
He was in a bedroom. Not just any bedroom—his bedroom in the palace.
He turned his head, still catching his breath.
And then—
"Hey there, Ryo!"
Amina.
She was sitting on a chair beside his bed, a playful smile on her lips but her eyes carrying a hint of worry.
"You looked like you just had a nightmare," she said, tilting her head. "You okay?"
Ryo blinked, trying to shake off the lingering dread.
"Amina…" He sat up too fast— pain!
"Ow!" He winced as pain shot through him. That's when he noticed—his body was covered in bandages.
Amina giggled. "Don't move too fast, silly. You're still not fully recovered."
Ryo took a breath. Then, suddenly—his eyes widened.
"Wait! The bugs!"
Amina placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, pressing him back gently.
"Relax, Ryo. You don't have to worry about that," she said calmly. "Shahira already told me everything based on what you found."
Ryo blinked. "Really?"
"Yup! The bugs, we took care of them all."
She folded her arms and huffed. "You wouldn't believe how many we found. Those bugs were everywhere. It was actually kinda scary."
Ryo let out a long sigh of relief.
"Thank God for that…"
Amina smirked. "You really are one hell of a detective, huh, Ryo?"
Ryo chuckled weakly. "Guess I try my best."
Then a thought hit him.
"Wait… how long was I out for?"
Amina leaned back in her chair, grinning.
"Two days."
Ryo's eyes nearly popped out of his skull.
"TWO DAYS?!"
Amina giggled at his reaction.
"I mean, think about it," she teased. "In one single day, you arrived in this kingdom, had an audience with the sultan, investigated the vault, almost got yourself exploded during your dinner date—"
"—Date?!—" Ryo interrupted, face heating up. But shahira did claim it was a date.
"—Got chased by the Ravens, fought them, and then collapsed from exhaustion," Amina continued, ignoring him. "Honestly, it's a miracle you didn't pass out sooner!"
She wagged a finger at him. "You could've at least rested a day after you arrived before starting work, you know..."
Ryo sighed, running a hand over his face.
"Yeah… but I thought finding the Celestial Compass was urgent, so I had to hurry."
Amina pouted, puffing out her cheeks as she stared at him.
"Idiot."
Ryo winced and rubbed his temple.
"Yeah, yeah… I know. Sorry…"
Ryo shifted slightly in bed, still feeling the stiffness in his body from all the wounds. He turned to Amina, his expression serious.
"So… where's Shahira?"
Amina's cheerful demeanor faltered. Her eyes narrowed with worry. She let out a deep sigh, then shook her head as if she couldn't quite put it into words.
Ryo didn't need her to.
He had already figured it out.
The image of Shahira standing over her brother, eyes filled with cold fury, flashed in his mind. The way she had torn off Jamil's foot with her water serpent—without even knowing it was him. The way she had frozen in place when she saw his face. Ryo also caught a glimpse of face Jamil's face seconds before collapsing.
Ryo exhaled. "It's okay, Amina."
Amina looked at him hesitantly, unsure whether she should tell him more.
"Amina," he said, voice steady, "can you tell me what happened after I passed out?"
She hesitated.
"Also… about Jamil and Lina."
He looked straight into her eyes.
"Both of them are part of the Ravens."
Amina lowered her gaze, a mix of frustration and sorrow flickering across her face. She clenched her fists slightly before letting out another sigh.
"Okay," she said. "I'll tell you everything…"
And so, she began.
Right after Ryo hit the ground, Shahira had wanted to run toward him. But she couldn't move.
Her legs were locked in place.
Not from exhaustion.
But from something worse—paralysis from her own horror.
The realization of what she had done had hit her like a falling building. The water serpent—the attack that tore through Flamo's foot—it wasn't just some enemy's foot.
It was Jamil's.
Her own brother.
Her breath had become uneven. Her entire body felt foreign, like she wasn't inside it anymore. The numbness spread. She couldn't even run to Ryo's side as he lay unconscious.
That's when Amina arrived at the scene.
She had sprinted into the plaza from a limousine, only to stop dead in her tracks, her eyes widening at the destruction around her. Buildings were scorched, the cobblestone streets were cracked, craters were everywhere and pools of water still glowed faintly from Shahira's previous attack.
But what shocked her most was the people.
Ryo, unconscious and wounded.
Jamil, lying in a pool of blood, his foot missing.
Lina, the once-loyal palace maid, now lying unconscious in a massive crater.
Amina took everything in, her heart pounding.
Then came the sound of heavy footsteps.
The law enforcement had arrived, surrounding the scene with weapons drawn, unsure of what had just happened.
Despite the turmoil raging inside her, Shahira did not break down. She forced herself to do her duty.
With a cold, commanding tone, she gave her orders.
"Take them! These two in black cloaks—send them to the prison hospital under maximum security. The person wearing the trench coat—bring him to the palace immediately. Call for the best doctors. He is to be treated personally."
The soldiers hesitated at first, seeing the state of their princess, but they obeyed without question.
At the Prison Hospital…
Jamil had regained consciousness in a bed, his face pale from blood loss. His left leg ended just below the knee, heavily wrapped in bandages, but the pain was unbearable.
Yet, despite the agony, his denial was stronger.
"I don't remember any of it!" he shouted at the guards, his voice hoarse. "I don't remember causing destruction! I don't remember hurting anyone!"
King Malik arrived in the room. His expression was one of pure disgust.
He didn't say a word at first.
Then—SLAP!
Jamil's head snapped to the side. The sting of his father's palm still lingered.
The king's voice was sharp and laced with fury.
"YOU ARE A DISGRACE!"
Jamil's eyes widened.
"YOU ARE NOT MY SON. YOU ARE AN ENEMY OF THE KINGDOM!"
Jamil opened his mouth to argue, but no words came out.
At the door, Queen Zafira stood silently, watching the drama. Unlike her husband, she didn't lash out. She didn't even speak.
She just stood there, staring at Jamil with heartbreak in her eyes and tears flowing down.
Her baby boy she once cared for, she had already lost him.
And she knew it.
Shahira had not spoken much since that night.
She carried on with her duties as princess—because that's what she had to do.
But something was missing in her.
She barely slept. She barely spoke unless necessary. She no longer trusted the people around her.
If her own brother and her trusted maid could be a Raven…
Then who else?
King Malik, infuriated by the events, had declared a state of heightened security.
Law enforcement flooded the kingdom.
The streets. The marketplaces. The palace itself.
Everyone was watched.
Monitored.
Every guard, every maid, every attendant—suspicion hung over everyone's heads like a noose.
People who once trusted each other now looked over their shoulders, wondering if the person next to them was secretly a Raven.
No one felt safe.
And Shahira—trusting no one but Amina—had ordered her to stay by Ryo's side.
Until she could trust again… Amina was the only one she could rely on to look after Ryo.
Back in Ryo's Room…
Amina finished her explanation, her voice heavy.
Ryo sat in silence, absorbing every detail.
He leaned back against the pillows, exhaling deeply.
"I see…" he muttered.
His eyes darkened. "Everything is a complete mess right now."
Amina nodded, folding her arms.
Then, her expression changed. A thought had been bugging her.
She looked at Ryo curiously.
"Ryo… why are the Ravens targeting you? I don't remember you doing anything that would make them bear a grudge against you."
Ryo closed his eyes for a moment.
Then, when he opened them, they were sharp.
His voice was calm, but his words were like steel.
"Isn't it obvious?"
Amina blinked. "What is?"
Ryo exhaled through his nose, his expression unshaken.
"As a detective… I poked in too much. I found out too much."
"So now, they want my mouth shut."
His voice dropped lower, almost chilling.
"With my head off."
Amina felt a shiver run down her spine.
Ryo's eyes narrowed slightly as he continued, his voice calm yet calculating.
"Or perhaps… the Ravens see me as a threat. They know I'm getting closer to exposing them, so they want me out of the picture before I get the chance."
Amina's expression grew more troubled. She clenched her fist on her knee, hesitating for a moment before speaking.
"Ryo… do you trust me?"
Ryo blinked, taken aback. "Huh? What do you mean?"
Amina inhaled deeply. "Because… I might be an imposter. A Raven member."
Silence hung between them.
Then, Ryo locked eyes with her, his gaze sharp and unyielding. He studied her with an intensity that could make anyone uncomfortable.
After a few seconds, he deadpanned—
"Obviously not."
Amina's jaw dropped. "Argh! So blunt! Shouldn't you at least think about it first? Y'know, like in the movies, where the protagonist struggles with trust but eventually believes in their friend?"
Ryo, still staring at her with a blank expression, replied flatly—
"Unfortunately, this is no movie, Dimwit! And you, Ms. Attendant, are just another suspect on the list."
Amina gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. "So merciless! So heartless! So cruel!"
Ryo smirked "But…."
Amina perked up. "But…?"
Ryo leaned back slightly. "I guess I'll trust you for now. But I'll still be careful around you."
Amina in confusion. "Why trust me all of a sudden?"
Ryo shrugged. "Well, you took care of me while I was in my temporary coma, and, more importantly…" He grinned. "You didn't try to kill me in my sleep when you had the chance."
Amina blinked. "Oh…!"
Ryo flashed a brighter grin. "So I guess I can trust you for now… I think."
Amina let out a small laugh and closed her eyes, a sense of relief washing over her. "I see. Thank you, Mr. Detective."
The playful atmosphere lingered for a moment before Ryo's expression grew serious again.
"Amina, I know I'm not exactly in top condition right now, but I need to visit the prison hospital."
Amina's eyes widened. "Eh?! But why?"
"I need to check on that maid, Lina. But also…"
Amina leaned in slightly. "Also…?"
Ryo with his sharp gaze. "I need to interrogate that prince. Of course, I have my own way of doing things."
Amina huffed. "EH! Meeting the prince?! I can't just let you go off on your own like that. Shahira told me to look after you while she's busy since you were unconscious!"
Ryo crossed his arms. "Well, I am wide awake now, and who said I was going alone?"
Amina blinked in confusion.
Ryo tilted his head slightly. "Didn't you say you wanted to see my detective skills in action?"
Amina's eyes sparkled with excitement. She jumped to her feet, pumping both fists into the air.
"I'M COMING WITH YOU!!"
Ryo watched Amina practically vibrating with excitement at the thought of joining his investigation. But just as she was about to celebrate some more, he suddenly cut in—
"Hold on."
Amina froze mid-celebration, her fists still in the air. "Huh?!"
Ryo tapped his chin. "If I remember correctly, there were two other Raven members who also pursued me. What's their situation?"
Amina blinked, then lowered her arms. "Oh, right! Well, one of them got shot down by Shahira when she got veeeeery pissed off. He's in the prison hospital too, cause, you know, getting blasted out of the sky by a raging water mage princess isn't exactly great for your health."
Ryo raised a brow. "Let me guess—he's denying everything too?"
Amina crossed her arms. "Yup! Says he doesn't remember ever joining the Ravens. Apparently, he just happened to be 'water-blasted' in the air and fell to the ground."
Ryo sighed. "Right, similar to Jamil's situation."
Then, his expression shifted slightly. "And what about the other one?"
Amina's playful demeanor faded into something more serious. "You shot him. His family already had a funeral."
Ryo's breath caught in his throat. His fingers twitched slightly against the bedsheets as realization settled in.
That's right…
He killed someone.
He had taken a life.
The weight of it pressed against his chest like a boulder. No matter how much danger the man had posed, no matter how justified the act was… someone, somewhere, had lost a son, a brother, maybe even a father.
As a former policeman, he knows that there were instances when officers faced situations where the only option was to use lethal force to prevent further harm, loss of life, or greater danger.
Amina noticed the shift in his expression—the regret creeping in, the slight tension in his shoulders. She sighed softly, then placed her hand gently on his shoulder.
"Ryo, listen." Her voice was calm, but firm. "It's not your fault. He was about to unleash storm sorcery in the middle of a crowded marketplace. If you hadn't stopped him, I don't even want to imagine how many innocent people could've died."
Ryo swallowed, his jaw tightening.
"And remember that explosion at the restaurant?" Amina continued. "That little girl, Layla? You saved her. You saved her parents' entire world. Do you know how much that means? Sure, there were losses… but because of you, there are still many people alive today who get to go home to their families."
She squeezed his shoulder lightly. "That matters, Ryo."
Ryo stared at her, his mind still clouded with lingering guilt. But as her words sank in, something inside him loosened—a small, fragile thread of tension unraveling.
He let out a breath he didn't even realize he was holding, then chuckled softly. "You sure just said one crazy wholesome line straight out of a movie."
Amina grinned and puffed out her chest proudly. "Hehehe! I'd make a great actress, don't you think?"
Ryo laughed. "Pffft. Maybe."
Amina pouted. "Hey!"
Despite everything, Ryo felt a bit lighter. He still carried the weight of that night, but Amina's words had given him something to hold onto.
He glanced at her and murmured, "Thanks, Amina."
She just smiled. "Anytime, Detective."
As Ryo and Amina were preparing to leave, Amina suddenly held something out to him with both hands.
"Here," she said with a grin.
Ryo looked down and blinked in surprise. It was his trench coat—completely repaired, looking as pristine as the day he first got it.
"Woah," he muttered, taking it from her. "It looks brand new!"
Amina winked. "Well, you can't go solving mysteries without your signature drip."
Ryo smirked as he ran his fingers over the freshly sewn fabric. "Signature drip, huh?"
"Mhm!" Amina nodded proudly. "I had the maids fix it up since it was torn and covered in dirt. No way I'm letting you go out looking like a hobo."
Ryo chuckled. "Thanks Amina, and I guess I also owe the maids a thank you later."
Without saying a word, he swung his trench coat into the air and slipped into it in one smooth move. It flared out behind him like a cape before settling perfectly on his shoulders. He quickly adjusted the collar, looking effortlessly cool. Amina's eyes widened in genuine awe. "Ooooh…"
But then, her playful side took over. She crossed her arms and smirked. "Oh my~ Not only do you try to impress me and Shahira, but now you're trying to charm our maids too? Oh, Mr. Detective, you're such a womanizer!"
Ryo gave her a deadpan look. "Really now…"
Amina placed a hand on her heart dramatically. "How many hearts must you break, Ryo? How many innocent maids must fall victim to your charms?"
Ryo let out a deep sigh. "Your teasing skills is really on par with your childhood friend."
Amina giggled. "Get used to it, partner."
Shaking his head with a smirk, Ryo turned toward the door. "Let's just go already."
As Ryo reached for the door handle, the moment he swung it open, he was met with an unexpected sight—five royal guards standing firmly in formation right outside his room.
Ryo startled a bit. "Wow. What's going on?!"
One of the guards, a tall man with a rigid stance, spoke first. "Oh, Mr. Detective, are you feeling well now?"
Ryo glanced at Amina, already getting the sense something was off.
Amina sighed and folded her arms. "Shahira ordered them to stand guard, they're the kings most trusted guards. She's worried someone might try to kill you again."
Ryo exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Is that so…"
Amina turned to the guards and gave a small wave. "He's fine now. He's resuming his investigation, so please let us through."
The guards nodded in unison. "Understood, Lady Amina."
As they walked past the guards into the hallway, Ryo felt the heavy tension in the air. Maids, attendants, and even some guards moved carefully, worry clear on their faces. Conversations were whispered, and the palace's usual warmth had been replaced with unease and suspicion.
Ryo leaned toward Amina. "I'd rather leave through the back. Too many eyes around here."
Amina caught onto his meaning quickly. "You think there might be another Raven member lurking?"
"Wouldn't be surprising," Ryo muttered.
Amina nodded. "Alright, follow me."
She led him down a less-crowded corridor until they reached the back entrance of the palace—an underground parking area. A sleek black limousine awaited them.
Ryo raised an eyebrow. "Another limo ride, huh?"
Amina giggled, nudging him. "Of course! VIP treatment while you're here."
With that, they stepped inside, and the driver pulled out of the basement.
As they cruised through the city streets, Ryo's sharp eyes took in the scene outside. The kingdom had turned into a security fortress—law enforcement officers were stationed at nearly every corner, stopping and questioning passersby. Patrols marched through the marketplaces, their presence a stark reminder of how serious things had become.
Citizens moved with unease, their eyes darting around, whispering nervously. Schools had shut down, businesses operated cautiously, and the fear in the air was almost suffocating. The kingdom, once vibrant, now felt like it was under siege.
Ryo crossed his arms. "Guess you weren't exaggerating."
Amina, looking out the window, let out a small sigh. "Yeah…"
After about 20 minutes, their limousine pulled up in front of the Prison Hospital—a looming, fortress-like building surrounded by armed guards.
As they stepped out, Amina turned to Ryo. "Ready?"
Ryo adjusted his coat. "Yeah. Let's go."
Two police officers in traditional uniform immediately stepped forward, blocking their path. "State your business."
Amina didn't hesitate. She reached into her pocket, pulling out official documentation. "This is Ryo Kuroda. He's the detective hired by Princess Shahira and Sultan Malik. We're here for an investigation."
The officers examined the papers before nodding. "Understood. You may enter."
They stepped inside.
The moment they entered the hospital, an oppressive atmosphere wrapped around them like a thick fog.
The first thing Ryo noticed was the sound—pained groans, muffled screams, the clatter of metal restraints, and the occasional outburst of unhinged laughter.
The patients here weren't ordinary—many were criminals, some critically wounded, others chained to their hospital beds to prevent escape. A few were even strapped to gurneys, violently thrashing as guards injected tranquillizers into them.
One particularly deranged patient suddenly screamed at the top of his lungs. "DEATH TO AL-MUNIRA! HAHAHAHAHA!"
Before he could continue, a swarm of guards tackled him, forcing him down and restraining his limbs. The madness in his eyes didn't waver—he was enjoying the chaos.
Amina shuddered and stepped behind Ryo, using him as a shield "Ughhh… I really hate this place."
Ryo glanced over his shoulder. "You okay?"
Amina, keeping her eyes away from the disturbing sights, just groaned in response.
Ryo let out a small chuckle. "You're not used to this kind of thing, huh?"
"Absolutely not!"
Ryo turned his gaze back to the halls. "I've seen places like this before… back when I was a cop."
Amina blinked. "Wait, you were a cop?"
"Yeah." Ryo smirked slightly. "Not the best one, though."
Amina couldn't tell if he was joking or being self-deprecating.
As they reached the elevator, they stepped inside and rode up to the fifth floor.
As the doors opened, the atmosphere changed. It was quieter, cleaner, but the tension still lingered.
And then, behind a glass wall reinforced with caged bars, they saw her.
Lina.
She lay in a hospital bed, unconscious, her body hooked up to multiple machines. Despite being an assassin, despite betraying the palace, seeing her like this—weak, unmoving—made something tighten in Ryo's chest.
Amina exhaled, her voice soft. "She was a great, skilled, and loyal maid…" Her hands clenched into fists. "It's heartbreaking seeing her like this. Especially after… after what she did."
Ryo knew better than to feel sympathy for someone who had tried to kill him. And yet, looking at her now…
He couldn't help but feel sorry for her.
Ryo approached a nearby nurse, his sharp gaze steady. "Excuse me nurse, I'm a detective hired by the sultan and princess, can I take a closer look at Lina?"
The nurse hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "You can, but only from outside the cage."
With permission granted, Ryo stepped inside the glass enclosure, stopping just before the metal bars that separated him from Lina's unconscious body.
Amina, standing outside, watched with wide eyes, her curiosity piqued. She leaned forward slightly, as if watching a live mystery drama unfold. "Ohhh, now this is getting interesting."
Ryo, however, was focused. His keen detective eyes moved over Lina's body, searching for anything—any clue that could explain her extreme behavior when she fought him. But her injuries were severe, and every inch of her was wrapped in bandages, concealing anything he might have found.
He sighed "Nothing but wounds." He muttered under his breath.
But Ryo wasn't done. Something in his gut told him there was more to this.
He turned back to the nurse. "I need to check her eyes. Can you open them for me?"
The nurse frowned. "That would require direct contact, and you're not allowed inside."
Ryo nodded in understanding, then pulled out his smartphone. "That's fine, please take a picture for me—use the flash and get a close-up of her eyes."
The nurse hesitated but eventually complied. Stepping closer to Lina, she gently pried one of her eyelids open. The moment the flash went off, the stark contrast between her pale skin and the harsh light created an unsettling effect.
She handed the phone back to Ryo. "Here you go."
He stepped out of the glass room and rejoined Amina.
Ryo immediately started scanning through the image, his brows furrowing in deep concentration.
Amina, still watching with fascination, leaned closer to Ryo. "Oooo, what did you find, Detective?"
Ryo didn't respond at first. He zoomed in on the image, then again, adjusting the brightness on his screen.
Then he saw it.
Right next to Lina's pupil—a small black circle with spikes surrounding it. It looked unnatural, almost parasitic.
The air around him seemed to grow colder.
Ryo's expression darkened. "…What the hell is this?"
Amina's excitement vanished, replaced with an uneasy shiver. She gulped. "That's… that's not normal, right?"
Ryo stared at the image for a moment longer, his mind racing through possibilities. Some kind of eye tattoo? A mark from a spell? Or something worse?
"Not sure," he finally said, his voice quieter than usual. "But at least we have something to work with now."
Pocketing his phone, Ryo turned to the nurse and gave a small nod. "Thanks. You've been helpful."
Amina, still a bit unsettled, shook off her nerves and flashed a grin. "Well, whatever that creepy thing is, at least we're making progress, right?"
Ryo gave her a side glance. "Yeah. But now, we need to see Prince Jamil."
Amina straightened up, giving him a mock salute. "Yes, sir!"
And with that, they headed toward their next destination.
In order to meet Prince Jamil, they had to be accompanied by a guard for security reasons. No one was allowed near him without approval, as he was now classified as one of the most dangerous criminals in the kingdom.
Amina approached a nearby guard, asked to meet prince Jamil for interrogation, and presented the official documentation, proving that Ryo was a detective hired by Princess Shahira and Sultan Malik. The guard looked through the papers before nodding.
"Approved. Follow me."
Without another word, the guard led them through the dimly lit corridors of the prison hospital. The deeper they went, the colder the air became.
Then, they reached the end of the hallway—where an old, rusted elevator stood. Its metal doors were dented and covered in deep scratches, as if something had tried to claw its way out. A faint flickering light buzzed overhead, casting eerie shadows on the walls.
The guard pressed the down button. "This elevator leads to the lower levels. The underground ward is where only the most heinous criminals are treated."
Ryo lifting his eyebrow. "Damn. The prince is really being seen as a monster now, huh?"
Amina shuddered. "I don't like this…"
With a groan of metal, the elevator doors slowly slid open.
Inside, the air was thick and stale. Amina hesitated, then grabbed onto Ryo's sleeve as they stepped in.
As the elevator descended, the dim light flickered wildly, and the walls creaked as if the building itself was groaning in protest.
Then—
DING.
The doors slid open.
And standing there, waiting for them—
Was a doctor.
Or at least, something trying to look like one.
The man was tall and skinny, almost like he hadn't eaten in weeks. His sunken eyes had dark circles underneath, and his pale skin looked stretched tight over his bones. When he smiled—too wide, too fake—his yellow-stained teeth made it even more unsettling.
"Ah… visitors…." His voice slithered through the cold air.
Amina instantly stiffened. "Nope. Nope, nope, nope!" She took a step back, instinctively hiding behind Ryo.
Ryo barely reacted, keeping his gaze sharp and unreadable, ignoring the sinister-looking doctor and talked to the guard. "We're here for Jamil. Lead the way."
They exited the elevator and walked past the doctor.
The eerie doctor tilted his head slightly, his grin never fading.
Jamil? Careful now hihihi... That man has lost everything." His voice dropped into a whisper, "And a criminal who bears an ancient grudge and goes around killing people, but still refusing to admit to his crimes… is the most dangerous kind."
Then, without another word, he turned and stepped into the elevator. The doors slid shut, swallowing his figure into darkness.
Amina let out a sharp breath. "What the hell was that?!"
Ryo exhaled. "Let's keep moving."
The underground corridor was far worse than anything Amina had imagined.
The walls were cracked, covered in grime and rust. The overhead lights flickered erratically, buzzing like a dying insect. The air was damp, thick with the scent of antiseptic and something else… something rotten.
But the worst part—
Were the eyes.
Rows of reinforced glass cells lined the hallway, each one containing a monster.
The most twisted, violent criminals in the kingdom.
Some were wrapped in bloodied bandages, their limbs restrained by thick chains. Others sat motionless in the dark corners of their cells, their empty eyes following Ryo and Amina's every move.
Then—
BANG!
A bloodied hand slammed against the glass. A man with wild, matted hair grinned through the glass. His teeth were sharpened, his gums bleeding.
"I'LL TEAR YOUR SHITTY FLESH APART!!" he shrieked, pounding the glass over and over.
Amina yelped, gripping Ryo's coat even tighter.
Further down, another prisoner muttered to himself in a deranged whisper.
"…fucking outsiders… fucking outsiders… dead soon… dead soon… hehehe…"
A third man, barely restrained by chains, hissed: "The Ravens shall rise… The Sultan will die…"
Guards rushed in, forcing him down with electric batons. But his laughter—twisted, broken—echoed through the hall.
Amina clenched her jaw. "…I wanna go home..."
Ryo remained unfazed, his sharp eyes locked ahead. "We're almost there."
Finally, they arrived.
The guard stopped in front of a thick, reinforced steel door. "You have 30 minutes. No more."
With a deep metallic groan, the door unlocked and slid open.
Inside, enclosed in a reinforced glass prison, sat Prince Jamil.
Footless on his bandaged left leg.
His once-proud royal garments had been stripped away, replaced with a simple, stained hospital robe. Thick bandages wrapped around his beaten body. His right foot was bound by a heavy metal shackle, ensuring no escape.
But the most disturbing part?
He sat completely motionless.
He covered his face with one hand, shoulders slumped. He felt empty—like a man who had died inside, but his body kept breathing.
Amina hesitated, then quietly took a seat at the far end of the room. She's afraid of him after what he had done.
Ryo, stepped forward, eyes sharp. His voice cut through the silence like a blade.
"Hey, Prince… how's life holding up for you here?"
For a long moment, there was nothing.
Then—
Jamil moved.
Slowly.
Painfully slow.
His head lifted from his hand, inch by inch, his movements sluggish—like a corpse being reanimated.
His hollow, sunken eyes locked onto Ryo's.
Dead. Empty.
Then, in a low, rough voice—
"…So you're here… "
"….Foreigner…"