## Liam''s Perspective


    Evening shadows fell across the camp as I watched Julian and Dudley part ways after their hushed conversation. The predatory gleam in Julian''s eyes told me everything I needed to know. Another enemy made. Another threat to deal with.


    "We should gather the others," Frederick whispered beside me. "n our next move."


    I nodded, but before we could step away, Julian''s voice rang out across the clearing.


    "Everyone gather! Time to distribute rewards!"


    Julian stood on a wooden tform hastily constructed by Guild members. Behind him, several attendants arranged the beast cores we''d collected in the first round of hunting. The Water Tortoise core I''d earned gleamed brightest among them.


    "The first day of hunting has been most... illuminating," Julian announced, his gaze finding mine in the crowd. "Now, as promised, cores will be distributed based on merit and need."


    My stomach clenched. I didn''t like the smug certainty in his voice.


    Julian picked up a smaller core. "Cohen. Your technique was... unusual, but effective." He tossed the red dolphin core to Frederick, who caught it with a slight bow.


    Next came Dudley''s green core. "Lowell. Impressive efficiency."


    Julian continued distributing cores to various participants. With each name called, my tension grew. Finally, only two cores remained – my Water Tortoise core and a much smaller one from a minor beast.


    "Dominic Ashworth," Julian called.


    Dominic stepped forward, his aristocratic features arranged in practiced humility.


    Julian held up the Water Tortoise core, its blue-green light casting eerie shadows across his face. "For your family''s contribution to this expedition, and your exemry leadership qualities, I award you the Water Tortoise core."


    A ripple of surprise ran through the crowd. Even Dominic looked momentarily caught off guard before recovering with a smirk.


    "That''s Knight''s core," Frederick spoke up beside me. "He defeated the Water Tortoise."


    Julian''s smile didn''t waver. "The beasts belong to the Guild. The cores are distributed at my discretion."


    "Bullshit," Frederick snapped. "Knight nearly died fighting that thing while Dominic cowered behind Guild guards!"


    Julian''s eyes narrowed. He raised his hand, disying the control device for our bracelets. "You forget your ce, Cohen."


    With a casual flick of his finger, Frederick dropped to his knees, face contorted in agony as the bracelet on his wrist pulsed with red light.


    "Stop!" I stepped forward. "That''s enough."


    Julian''s attention shifted to me, Frederick''s punishment forgotten. "Ah, Knight. Almost forgot about you." He held up the small, dull core that remained. "This should suit your... modest talents."


    Dominicughed, the Water Tortoise core gleaming in his palm. "Know your ce, Knight. This core was always destined for an Ashworth." <code ss="in-imprint-a">Sourced directly from *.</code>


    I ignored him, focusing on Julian. "Release Frederick."


    Julian studied me for a moment before lowering his hand. Frederick gasped as the pain subsided.


    "You seem upset, Knight." Julian''s voice dripped with mock concern. "Perhaps you feel the distribution is unfair?"


    Every instinct told me this was a trap, but I couldn''t let it pass. "I killed that tortoise. The core is mine."


    "Is it now?" Julian stepped closer, his voice lowering. "And what will you do if I disagree? Attack a Guild Captain? That would activate all yourrades'' bracelets simultaneously." He gestured to Frederick, still recovering on the ground. "Imagine their suffering."


    I clenched my fists, fighting to keep my power in check. The golden light threatened to erupt from my skin.


    "Ah, control issues?" Julian taunted. "Perhaps that''s why poor Isabelle suffered so much during your botched rescue attempt."


    My blood froze. "What did you say?"


    "Your precious Isabelle." Julian''s voice turned honey-sweet with cruelty. "Did you know they''ve moved her to a special chamber? The screams echo quite impressively down those stone corridors."


    The world narrowed to just Julian''s face. I barely registered Dominic''s smug expression or Frederick''s warning hand on my arm.


    "You''re lying," I growled.


    "Am I?" Julian''s smile widened. "Have you forgotten who I am? I''m Captain Julian Radford of the Veridia City Martial Guild. I have ess to every prisoner. Including your beloved Isabelle Ashworth."


    My control slipped, golden light flickering at my fingertips. Julian noticed and smiled wider.


    "There it is," he whispered. "Let it out, Knight. Give me the excuse I need."


    Frederick''s grip on my arm tightened. "Don''t," he hissed. "He''s baiting you."


    With enormous effort, I reined in my power. Julian looked almost disappointed.


    "As I thought," he sneered, turning back to the tform. "A coward after all."


    He picked up the small core he''d assigned me. "Now, about your reward..."


    Without warning, Julian crushed the core in his hand. Gasps rippled through the crowd as the precious essence—meager as it was—dripped between his fingers and vanished into the dirt.


    "Oops," Julian said with exaggerated regret. "How clumsy of me."


    The gathered participants fell silent. Even Dominic looked ufortable at such a tant disy of cruelty.


    Julian wiped his hands clean. "Well, Knight? Nothing to say? Perhaps you''re finally learning your ce."


    I stood silent, every muscle trembling with the effort to maintain control.


    "Or perhaps," Julian continued, stepping closer until only I could hear, "you''re thinking of Isabelle. Of her beautiful face contorted in pain. Of her voice growing hoarse from screaming your name."


    My vision edged with gold. Julian saw it and pressed harder.


    "She begged for you, you know. ''Please, Liam will save me,'' she kept saying. Until reality set in. Until she realized you''d failed her."


    "Shut up," I whispered.


    "The great hero of Havenwood," Julian continued relentlessly. "Who couldn''t even protect the woman he ims to love. What would she think if she could see you now? Cowering before me while her uncle''s son ims your prize?"


    I felt something crack inside me – not my control, but something deeper. My restraint.


    "You know what the worst part is?" Julian''s voice dripped with mock sympathy. "She still believes in you. Still thinks you''reing. That pathetic hope in her eyes when the cell door opens... only to fade when she sees it''s just another guard, another session of—"


    I didn''t consciously decide to move. One moment I was standing still, the next my fist was flying toward Julian''s face, golden light erupting around it like a miniature sun.


    "KNIGHT, NO!" Frederick''s shout seemed toe from miles away.


    Julian''s eyes widened in surprise – and triumph. Just before my fist connected, I saw his finger move to the bracelet control.


    But I couldn''t stop. Wouldn''t stop. Not for all the pain in the world.


    Everything slowed to crystal rity as my golden fist surged toward the cruel smile of Captain Julian Radford.