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“Wasn’t this a strategy game?”

Thirty minutes later, just as Eden expected, footsteps approached the warehouse.

*Clank*

The heavy sound of a lock being undone echoed before the solid iron door finally creaked open. Two men entered the warehouse, holding a lamp high to illuminate the iron cages scattered around.

“Nothing strange here.”

Just as confirmed earlier, inside the cage were tired children huddled together, waiting for their doom. Soon, these kids were slated to be sacrifices to the monsters.

“We should move these kids out first.”

“Damn it, how are the two of us supposed to move all these brats!? At least send a Mage with us!”

“What a dumb thought. Would we waste our precious Mage on this?”

The men grumbled as they approached the cage with Ella inside.

“But seriously, does this really increase the monsters’ magical power?”

“Yeah, they already finished the experiments. They proved that the younger the kids, the purer their souls, the better the effect.”

The men freely chatted about their horrifying plans while they started unlocking the cage doors, completely unconcerned.

The kids seemed to lack the strength to cry out for help or beg to go home, slumping in their cages.

“Huh?”

“What’s wrong?”

“I think one of them looks off. Hey, kid! You sick or something?”

One of the men approached a crumpled child, poking him lightly.

“It doesn’t matter; they’re all going to die soon anyway. Just leave him.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about! If they eat spoiled food, the monsters can get sick too! That’s exactly why we’ve been keeping an eye on them!”

“What? Damn.”

The men grew serious and approached the child who appeared to be in worse condition. They leaned down to inspect him when—

*WHACK!*

“Aagh!”

Out of nowhere, a shadow appeared behind them, swinging a large metal club down hard—

*BAM!*

The man who took the blow fell, dazed, while the one checking the child’s forehead widened his eyes in panic.

“What the hell!”

*THUD!*

A merciless club came crashing down onto his forehead as well.

“Uagh!”

As the two men collapsed to the ground, Eden shouted desperately, her arm feeling numb from swinging the metal club.

“Now’s your chance, kids!”

At that command, the waiting children rushed out of the already-open cage doors, all charging at the men.

In their hands were various bits and pieces from inside the warehouse, which they used to relentlessly strike at the men.

“Ugh…”

The men, stunned and disoriented from the blows to their heads, quickly found themselves overpowered and bound tightly.

Eden and the kids worked together to shove the men back into the cage, locking it tight.

Knowing that only these two unpleasant faces checked in on the kids and that if their condition worsened, they’d be taken to the town doctor, they had taken a chance.

A risky plan had succeeded.

“Let’s go!”

Eden hurried the children along, eager to flee the warehouse. If Asmun showed up, she’d need to get to the surface to meet him.

“This way!”

Eden lowered her voice as she led the children. However, with at least twenty of them, moving carelessly had its limits.

Seeing the men at the foot of the stairs, Eden quickly hid the kids behind her and lowered herself.

‘Crap…’

Eden bit her lip.

‘Where could Asmun be right now?’

Despite her urgency, it was clear he hadn’t arrived yet since things weren’t chaotic inside. If they got caught now, it would all be over. She had to find another way.

“Let’s go back.”

Just then, as Eden was softly looking back at the kids, a dark shadow loomed behind her, and she saw the horror on the children’s faces.

“Oh no, what now?”

Gulp.

The sinister voice made Eden’s spine go rigid. Turning around, she saw a rough-looking man flash a sinister grin, a gold tooth glinting uncomfortably in the darkness.

“…Um.”

Eden swallowed hard, and the man twitched his eyebrows.

“What was that, sweetheart? How did you get in here? Hm? And those kids…”

But before the man could finish his sentence, Eden swung her fist right at his face. Then, turning to the kids, she shouted,

“Run!”

As the kids bolted for the exit, Eden rushed after them.

“That brat! An intruder! Get her!”

As the man stumbled from the sudden attack, he quickly regained his composure and blew the horn hanging around his neck. A deafening sound erupted, signaling chaos.

The other men felt the noise and rushed underground.

“Kyaaaaa!”

With men rushing from the opposite direction, the kids screamed in terror.

“Head into the warehouse!”

Eden pointed at the opening door of the warehouse as the kids scrambled inside.

“Kyaaaaa!”

Eden screamed, clutching a frozen child in her arms, running as fast as she could.

Just making it into the warehouse, Eden quickly slammed the door shut and secured the latch. As soon as she locked it, the men started pounding against the door, threatening to break it down.

“Break it down!”

Eden pulled the children far from the door, biting her lip.

The latch was almost bending and breaking under the pressure, while the men relentlessly shoved against it.

If that door opened, it was game over.

“Asmun…!”

At that moment, when Eden desperately called for Asmun, the latch finally snapped, and the door burst open wide.

Eden pushed the kids behind her and spread her arms wide. Knowing it was pointless, she had nothing else to do.

“That rat-like girl…!”

As Eden clenched her eyes shut, waiting for the incoming blow, suddenly—

*BAM!*

A deafening sound echoed as smoke filled her vision. Eden opened her eyes wide.

‘Asmun…?’

The men who had been closing in on them had been swept away like ragdolls, bouncing off the walls as if caught by an invisible giant.

Eden could have cried tears of joy at the sight.

With tears welling up in her eyes, she saw someone standing in the midst of the hazy smoke.

As the smoke gradually cleared, a figure revealed itself, staring coldly at the men lying scattered around.

Realizing who it was, Eden gasped in disbelief.

“Hagen’ti…”

At her call, Hagen’ti finally focused his gaze on Eden. She stared at him, unable to believe her eyes, blinking in shock.

Even after blinking multiple times, it was indeed Hagen’ti standing right before her.

“How…?”

As Eden stammered in confusion, the men who had just regained their wits charged forward like leeches.

“These little—!”

But their weak attempts were shattered effortlessly with a mere gesture from Hagen’ti.

Before the men even made it to Hagen’ti and Eden, they floated in the air and crashed hard against the wall.

“Ugh.”

All the men lay broken and sprawled, likely unconscious, not a sound escaping from them.

Just moments ago, the warehouse had been a cacophony of chaos; now, an unbelievable silence enveloped the space.

All of it happened in an instant.

Now free from obstacles, Hagen’ti approached the startled Eden, who was left speechless at his display of power.

“…Eden.”

Hagen’ti quietly called her name. Eden, still dazed, simply stared into his eyes.

“You… how did you end up here…?”

Then, in those once steely-gray eyes full of cold indifference, a twinge of sadness emerged.

“…You didn’t keep your promise.”

Surprised by the unexpected answer, Eden’s expression blanked even more.

“What…?”

“You promised to come back.”

Hagen’ti stared at Eden with a forlorn look, almost like a neglected pet.

“It’s a full moon today.”

“…”

“It’s my sick day.”

His calm voice pierced Eden’s conscience deeply.

“…I really didn’t come.”

Hagen’ti quietly murmured, likely having waited up until this night for her return.

“W-well, that is…!”

“…”

“As you can see, I’m in this situation…”

At Eden’s words, Hagen’ti glanced at the kids hidden behind her. They were now even more terrified than before, frozen in place, barely breathing.

“…”

As soon as the kids met Hagen’ti’s gaze, they gasped, shrinking further behind Eden.

But Hagen’ti seemed unconcerned, quickly losing interest and focusing back on Eden.

What had happened before didn’t seem to matter to him anymore; seeing Eden was enough. Just as Eden thought this, she suddenly reached out and touched Hagen’ti’s forehead.

“But really…! You’re doing okay on a full moon?”

“…”

“Hah… no fever? Did you take the medicine I gave you? That’s why you’re okay, right? Hm?”

Hagen’ti’s expression melted at Eden’s suddenly worried demeanor.

Hagen’ti placed his large hand over Eden’s small one on his forehead, slowly grasping it.

“I’ve missed you.”

At those words, Eden’s eyes widened in shock. Hagen’ti looked at her expectantly, waiting for a response.

“…I missed you too…”

At Eden’s reply, Hagen’ti’s lips curled into a satisfied smile, softening his usual terrifying aura.

Seeing him smile, unfamiliar though it was, made Eden’s eyes widen even more.

*Ding!*

『【★】Hagen’ti’s Affection Level Reached 90!
Reward: Confidential Information Unlocked!』

Then, right beside Hagen’ti, a profile appeared.

『Hagen’ti
Intellect: 60
Strength: 60
Power: 0
Magical Power: 99
Divine Power: 0
Characteristics: The greatest Great Mage of the Empire, hiding in the northern fortress for 50 years.
Victim of a fraudulent contract.』

‘Victim of a fraudulent contract?’

Eden frowned at the incomprehensible new trait, only to spot a figure sneaking up behind Hagen’ti, causing her to scream,

“Hagen’ti! Behind you!”

But before Hagen’ti could turn around, the man wielding a knife floated into the air and smashed violently into the ceiling.

The force was so strong that the roof cracked, and splintered wood fell all around, yet none of it touched Hagen’ti, Eden, or the kids.

“…”

Eden momentarily forgot her predicament, staring blankly at the scene before her.

Hagen’ti must have cast a transparent shield around them. As he effortlessly decimated over a dozen men in an instant, not a single drop of sweat left his brow.

Even amidst all that chaos, Eden’s hand remained firmly in Hagen’ti’s grip.

Eden felt chills creeping down her spine.

‘He really is the Great Mage…’

 

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