The ruins were silent.
Dust drifted slowly through the air, and broken stone lay scattered where a palace once stood.
For a brief moment, time itself felt frozen.
The unknown figure stood before Karry.
Their eyes met.
Karry's breath caught in his throat. There were no words spoken, no expression shown—yet the pressure was overwhelming. It felt as if something far beyond human understanding was looking straight through him.
Then—
The figure vanished.
As if it had never existed.
Karry staggered slightly.
"Who… who was he?" he muttered.
"It's been years since I've seen something so… out of this world."
Arnold moved quickly, helping Sasha to her feet. She was still shaken, her usual composure cracked for the first time.
"That power…" Sasha said quietly. "It wasn't human. That much is certain."
Arnold turned to Karry.
"You cleared your first mission," he said.
"Bad luck that something like this happened on your debut."
Sasha let out a short breath, forcing a bitter smile.
"Whoever that unknown figure was… he saved me. That alone deserves thanks."
She glanced at Arnold and Karry.
"Still, you two were completely useless," she added coldly.
"You could say it was a solo mission for me."
Arnold didn't argue.
"Failures happen," he replied calmly.
"You're lucky you survived. I won't always be there to save you."
He met Sasha's eyes.
"That's why you must become stronger. Right now—you're still weak."
Sasha looked away but said nothing.
"Come," Arnold said. "We're returning to base."
As they moved away from the ruins, Karry hesitated.
"What do you think about that unknown figure?" he asked.
Arnold didn't stop walking.
"I don't know," he answered honestly.
They disappeared into the night, reaching the base just before police units arrived at the scene.
---
Back at Harry's palace, the wind began to howl.
Dust and ash swirled through the shattered halls.
From the darkness, a figure emerged.
Police units lay scattered across the grounds, the air heavy with the aftermath of violence. The figure stepped carefully through the ruins, surveying the scene.
"What a shame," the figure said softly.
"Harry… my slave."
He paused near the fallen remains.
"You were one of the greatest spies I ever possessed," he continued.
"To die like this… disappointing."
His voice grew colder.
"I will reward you," he said.
"By erasing those who killed you."
From behind, another presence appeared.
"Sir," a voice said respectfully.
"You summoned me?"
The unknown figure turned slightly.
"Find the perpetrators," he commanded.
"Yes, sir."
The subordinate vanished into the darkness.
The figure remained alone.
In the shadows, a twisted smile formed beneath the hood.
His eyes glowed red.
And somewhere far away—
Karry felt an inexplicable chill run down his spine.
[End of Chapter 8]