Kyoto stared at Dzeth with sharp eyes, as if searching for something within him. The atmosphere around them fell silent for a moment, the only sound accompanying their conversation was the whisper of the wind rustling through the trees.
"Who exactly are you? Are you human?" Kyoto asked, his expression filled with doubt.
Dzeth furrowed his brows. "Yes, I am human. Why?"
Kyoto took a deep breath before speaking again. "Your aura is far stronger than other Hunters. I've never encountered a human as powerful as you."
Dzeth did not fully understand Kyoto's words. However, before he could respond, Kyoto pulled something out of his pocket. A golden key with mysterious engravings, glowing faintly under the moonlight.
"This... is for you." Kyoto extended the key toward Dzeth.
Dzeth took it hesitantly. "What is this? What does it unlock?"
"This key is used to open a door within the dungeon of the Paladin Realm," Kyoto answered seriously.
"Why are you giving me this key?" Dzeth asked again, his eyes scrutinizing Kyoto.
Kyoto fell silent for a moment before taking a deep breath. "Because I want revenge on the curse that killed my father."
-
Flashback...
In a peaceful village, Kyoto's father walked to the market to buy a birthday gift for his child. He smiled as he browsed the selection before finally choosing something he was sure would make Kyoto happy.
However, on his way home, something horrifying happened.
A figure, humanoid in shape but clad in dark armor, appeared out of nowhere. Its face was shrouded in shadows, and its eyes glowed red like burning embers. Without warning, it thrust a weapon indistinguishable in the dim light directly into Kyoto's father's chest.
Blood splattered through the air, staining the ground. Kyoto, still a child at the time, stood frozen, his eyes widening in terror.
"Father!" Kyoto screamed at the top of his lungs, running toward his father's fallen body.
The mysterious curse said nothing. It merely glanced at Kyoto before walking away, leaving something behind on the ground a golden key.
With trembling hands, Kyoto grasped his father's bloodied hand. The man weakly looked at his son and managed a final smile. "Son... I bought you the gift you always wanted..."
Kyoto opened the gift box with tears streaming down his face. "I really wanted this... But... Father..."
His father exhaled his last breath.
Kyoto cried his heart out.
Amidst his sorrow, he picked up the key that had fallen and swore revenge. From that day on, he trained relentlessly, becoming a Hunter even though he possessed no special technique.
-
Present...
After telling his story, Kyoto looked at Dzeth with hope. "Will you help me?"
Dzeth tightened his grip on the key and nodded. "I will help you."
Syiro, who had been listening, chimed in. "Dzeth, I want to go too. Can I?"
Dzeth turned to Syiro and smiled. "Of course."
However, Kyoto shook his head. "I don't want to go. I'm traumatized. I can't face that thing again..."
Suddenly, Dzeth's phone rang. The caller ID showed Akanza and Hwang.
Dzeth answered the call. "I'm going to the Paladin Realm."
From the other end of the line, Akanza and Hwang were shocked. "Paladin Realm?! Aren't you afraid?!"
Dzeth replied confidently, "This is for revenge."
Akanza and Hwang were silent for a moment before finally speaking. "Alright, if that's the case, we're coming too."
Dzeth opened a portal using Dimensional Warp and arrived at Akanza and Hwang's location. They gathered around a table, discussing their journey to the Paladin Realm.
"What do we know about this place?" Hwang asked, placing both hands on the table.
"Not much," Dzeth replied. "But we have to prepare for the worst. This place may be filled with curses stronger than any we've faced before."
Akanza tapped his fingers on the table, his expression serious. "Then we need a strategy. We can't just charge in recklessly."
Their discussion lasted for quite some time before Dzeth finally opened a portal leading to the entrance of the Paladin Realm.
Upon arrival, Akanza asked, "Why not teleport directly inside?"
Dzeth shook his head. "I already tried. I couldn't. No worries, we have the key."
Dzeth inserted the key into the massive door's keyhole before them. With a click, the door unlocked, revealing a straight pathway with six portals surrounding it. However, only one portal was open.
Dzeth examined the area. "These must be the dungeon levels within the Paladin Realm."
They stepped inside and found four more doors, all of which were already open.
Hwang observed the structure and said, "These must be different stages we have to go through."
Without hesitation, they decided to split up to face the challenges in each stage. Syiro entered Stage 1, Hwang took Stage 2, Akanza entered Stage 3, and Dzeth advanced to Stage 4.
-
Stage 1 – Syiro's Trial...
As soon as Syiro stepped inside, the portal behind him shut automatically. He swallowed hard, his eyes scanning the dark surroundings.
Suddenly, three armored figures emerged from the shadows. Their eyes glowed red, exuding an aura of pure malice that sent a shiver down his spine.
Syiro gritted his teeth and prepared himself. "I am no longer just a healer..." He tightened his grip on his weapon. "Exchange..."
-
To Be Continued...