I stood before Rishi Sutton, my body trembling with rage rather than weakness. My blood-soaked robes clung to my skin, but I barely noticed the pain anymore. All I could see was the shock and fear blooming across his face as he recognized me.


    "L-Liam Knight?" he stammered, rising from his chair. The jade bottles of my stolen pills scattered across his desk. "How did you get in here?"


    "Did you think I wouldn''te for you?" My voice was deadly calm, belying the storm of fury inside me. "Did you think your betrayal would go unanswered?"


    His eyes darted to the door behind me where Conrad stood guard. Rishi''s hand inched toward a drawer in his desk.


    "I wouldn''t," I warned, moving closer. "Whatever weapon you''re reaching for won''t save you tonight."


    Rishi froze, then forced a smile. "There seems to be a misunderstanding. Whatever you think I''ve done—"


    "No misunderstandings," I cut him off. "You stole my pills. You gave them to the Sterling family. You imed my work as your own. And now..." My voice hardened. "You helped murder my friend."


    His face paled. "What are you talking about?"


    "Caspian Kane," I said, watching his reaction carefully. "My brother in all but blood."


    A flicker of recognition passed over his face before he could hide it.


    "I don''t know any Caspian Kane," he lied.


    I moved faster than he could react, seizing him by the throat and lifting him from his chair. "More lies? Even now, facing death, you can''t tell the truth?"


    "P-please," he choked out, wing at my hand. "I can exin!"


    I released him, letting him copse back into his chair. "Then exin. Quickly."


    Rishi rubbed his throat, eyes wild with fear. "It wasn''t personal. The Knightwood family paid me. They wanted information about the man who humiliated Colt."


    "And you told them where to find Caspian," I said, the pieces falling into ce.


    He nodded, sweat beading on his forehead. "They promised me protection. Advancement within the Guild. How could I refuse?"


    A wave of disgust washed over me. "You sacrificed an innocent man for a promotion?"


    "You don''t understand the pressures of my position," he pleaded. "The Knightwoods are powerful. If I''d refused—"


    "Enough excuses," I snapped. "I want to know exactly what happened to Caspian. Every detail."


    Rishi swallowed hard. "They ambushed him at his workshop. Four Grandmasters, led by Colt himself."


    My hands clenched into fists. "And you watched?"


    "No! I just told them where to find him. I swear I didn''t see what happened."


    I stared at him, contempt burning in my eyes. "Then you''re going to show me."


    Before he could react, I pressed my palm against his forehead, channeling my spiritual energy into the forbidden Soul Searching Technique. Rishi''s eyes widened in terror as he realized what I was doing.


    "No!" he screamed. "You can''t! That technique is—"


    His words died as the technique took hold. His mind opened to me like a book, and I rifled through the pages until I found what I sought.


    *I saw through his memories: Caspian in his workshop, workingte into the night on a new form. The door bursting open. Colt Knightwood striding in with three other Grandmasters.*


    *"Remember me?" Colt sneered.*


    *Caspian looked up calmly. "The man who got beaten by my brother? How could I forget?"*


    *Colt''s face twisted with rage. "Your brother isn''t here to save you now."*


    *Despite being hopelessly outnumbered, Caspian didn''t show fear. He set down his tools and stood to face them.*


    *"Four Grandmasters against one alchemist," he said with a bitter smile. "How brave of you."*


    *What followed was both heroic and heartbreaking. Caspian fought with everything he had, unleashing hidden techniques that surprised even the Grandmasters. He wounded two of them severely before Colt managed tond a crippling blow.*


    *Even then, bleeding on the floor, Caspian refused to beg for mercy.*


    *"Liam wille for you," he gasped, staring defiantly at Colt. "And when he does, all your family''s power won''t save you."*


    *His final moments were spent calling my name, believing I would somehow know, somehowe to avenge him.*


    I pulled back from Rishi''s mind, tears streaming down my face. The pain of witnessing Caspian''sst moments was almost unbearable.


    "He died calling for me," I whispered, more to myself than to Rishi. "And I wasn''t there."


    Rishi slumped in his chair, blood trickling from his nose and ears—side effects of the Soul Searching Technique. His eyes were unfocused, his breathing shallow.


    "Why?" he mumbled. "Why would you make me relive that?"


    "So you could feel a fraction of what I feel," I answered coldly. "So you could understand the weight of your actions."


    I looked around his office—the luxurious furniture, the expensive art, the jade bottles of my stolen work. All the trappings of sess built on betrayal and blood.


    "You have onest chance," I said. "Tell me everything you know about the Knightwood family''s current whereabouts."


    Rishiughed brokenly. "You''re insane if you think you can challenge them. Colt has already returned to their ancestral home in the mountains. It''s a fortress, protected by dozens of Grandmasters."


    "I''ll find a way," I vowed.


    "You''ll die," he countered. "Just like your friend."


    Something snapped inside me at his words. In one fluid motion, I drove my hand through his chest, channeling all my rage and grief into the strike.


    His eyes bulged in shock and pain. "You... can''t..." he gurgled, blood bubbling from his lips.


    "I just did," I replied, withdrawing my hand.


    I watched impassively as he slumped forward, dead. I felt no satisfaction, only a cold certainty that justice had been served. I gathered the jade bottles from his desk—reiming what was rightfully mine.


    Conrad appeared in the doorway, his expression grim. "We need to go. Someone might have heard."


    But I wasn''t finished. "Not yet."


    I moved through the building like a wraith, leaving destruction in my wake. Training halls, archives, meeting rooms—I demolished them all, unleashing my grief and fury on the very institution that had enabled Caspian''s murder.


    By the time I rejoined Conrad and Michael outside, the Budo Association of Unchon City was in mes behind me.


    "That was reckless," Michael chided, but there was understanding in his eyes.


    "It was necessary," I replied. "A message to everyone who thinks they can hurt those I care about without consequences."


    We retreated into the night, moving quickly through the shadows. As dawn broke, I made my decision.


    "Conrad, I need you to return home," I instructed. "Warn our people. Prepare defenses."


    He looked troubled. "You''re noting with me?"


    "No," I shook my head. "Michael and I are going to Riverbend Town, to the Celestial Apothecary Guild. It''s the only ce that might offer us sanctuary from both the Ashworth and Knightwood families."


    "Mariana Valerius," Michael nodded thoughtfully. "The Pavilion Master. She''s always maintained independence from the major families."


    "Exactly," I confirmed. "And she owes me a favor." <strong ss="story-note-vis">Fоr а smооthеr rеаding еxpеriеnсе, visit МV&LЕМРYR.</strong>


    Conrad bowed respectfully. "I understand. Be safe, Master Knight."


    As Conrad departed, Michael and I set out for Riverbend Town. The journey was arduous, my wounds slowing our progress. But the thought of Isabelle, captive and alone, drove me forward.


    "Tell me about my granddaughter," Michael requested as we traveled. "The real Isabelle, not the heiress everyone else sees."


    A small smile touched my lips despite everything. "She''s brilliant. Compassionate beyond measure, yet fierce when protecting those she cares about. She sees people for who they truly are, not their status or wealth."


    "And she loves you," Michael stated simply.


    "Yes," I admitted, warmth flooding my chest despite our dire circumstances. "Though I don''t deserve her."


    "Don''t say that," Michael chided. "From what I''ve seen, you''re exactly what she needs."


    We traveled through the day and into the night, taking back roads and forest paths to avoid detection. By the following afternoon, we reached the outskirts of Riverbend Town.


    "The Guild is on the northern edge," I exined, consulting a map. "We should approach from the east, through the merchant district. Fewer eyes watching there."


    Michael nodded, but his expression was troubled. "We''re being followed."


    I stilled, extending my senses outward. He was right. Four distinct auras, all at Grandmaster level, moving parallel to our path.


    "Corbin works quickly," I muttered. "They must have been dispatched immediately after our call."


    "Can you fight in your condition?" Michael asked.


    I assessed my body honestly. "Against one, maybe two. Not four."


    "Then we keep moving," he decided. "Push for the Guild. If we can reach Mariana Valerius..."


    We quickened our pace, no longer bothering with stealth. Speed was now our only advantage. As we entered the town proper, I felt the assassins closing in, their auras ring with anticipation.


    "They''re making their move," I warned Michael.


    Ahead, I could see the distinctive jade-green roof of the Celestial Apothecary Guild. So close, yet still too far.


    A figure stepped out from an alley, blocking our path. I recognized him immediately—Mr. Snyder, a notorious killer in the employ of the Ashworth family.


    "Liam Knight," he called, his voice carrying in the quiet street. "Corbin Ashworth sends his regards."


    Three more figures emerged from different directions, surrounding us. All wore the insignia of the Ashworth family''s private security force.


    "We don''t want trouble with the Apothecary Guild," Snyder continued smoothly. "So we''ll make this quick and clean. Juste with us quietly."


    I stepped in front of Michael protectively. "You know that''s not going to happen."


    Snyder sighed theatrically. "I was hoping you''d say that. Makes the job more interesting."


    The assassins moved in perfect coordination, closing the distance with practiced efficiency. I braced myself, gathering what little strength I had left. If I was going to die, I''d take as many of them with me as possible.


    "For Isabelle," I whispered to myself. "For Caspian."


    But just as Snyderunched his first attack, something extraordinary happened. A wave of overpowering spiritual energy washed over the street, freezing everyone in ce.


    "Who dares bring violence to the doorstep of my Guild?" a woman''s voice rang out, clear and authoritative.


    There, standing at the entrance of the Celestial Apothecary Guild, was Mariana Valerius, the Pavilion Master herself. Her piercing gaze swept over the scene,ing to rest on me.


    A smile, unexpected and knowing, curved her lips.


    "Liam Knight is here," she announced, as if she''d been expecting me all along.