Chapter 21: Desperate Escape and a Broken Blade

Thick ropes bound Evan tightly to a cold metal chair inside the factory's main building. After abducting him, the thugs had left without a second thought, confident that his slight frame posed no threat. Still, they stationed a guard nearby, checking on him every so often—just to be sure.

A few hours passed.

Groggy and disoriented, Evan's eyes fluttered open. His head ached. The ropes bit into his skin. He looked around—nothing but silence.

A chill crept over him.

In his previous life, he'd been locked in a dark chamber with nearly a hundred others. But now... no one. Not even the guards who had dragged him here were in sight.

"Why am I alone? Where did everyone go?" he muttered, heart pounding as his gaze swept the dimly lit room.

The silence tempted him to act.

"This might be my only chance... I need to find that artifact."

He moved his fingers, inching toward the hidden blade tucked beneath his sleeve—but just then, footsteps echoed behind him.

"Well, look who's awake," a gravelly voice sneered.

Evan twisted his head to see a broad, muscular man approaching, a half-burnt cigarette dangling from his lips. The man exhaled a puff of smoke and smiled coldly.

"Who are you? Why did you kidnap me? I don’t even know you," Evan asked, trying to steady his voice while gauging the man’s motives. Was it revenge? A misunderstanding? Some cruel twist of fate?

The man took a seat beside him and leaned forward.

"You really don't know, huh? One of your little friends stole something from me. So now... I’m using you to get it back."

"Friend?" Evan's mind raced.

Rey? James? No way... unless—did they see me talking to someone suspicious?

"Sir, I think you’ve got the wrong—"

Shnk!

A small object zipped past his face, slicing his cheek.

"Don’t test me, kid," the man growled, eyes blazing. "My men saw you and your buddy chatting like old pals. Don’t insult my intelligence."

Evan's heart thudded. He could feel the blood trickle down his cheek.

"You don’t understand—my friends wouldn’t—"

"Shut it. Your friend caused that man to beat me like a dog, and I’ve

never

been humiliated like that in my life. I swear, I’ll make him pay."

Without warning, the man lunged forward and drove a punch into Evan’s stomach.

Crack!

Evan's eyes rolled back as pain overwhelmed him and he slipped into unconsciousness.

{A/N: “That man” refers to the butler who beat Jacob into the ground.}

"Tch... what a fragile little brat. Back in my day, ten men couldn't take me down. Kids these days are pathetic," Jacob muttered, standing up. Seeing no henchmen around, he wandered off to find them.

Present Time

"Rey, we need to go. Now!" Aiden whispered urgently, yanking at Rey’s sleeve.

But Rey didn’t move.

"Wait! Evan—he’s here! I

know

it!" Rey's voice trembled with conviction. "My friend... the one with the geeky look. I

have

to save him."

Aiden clenched his jaw. His strength was nearly gone. They were in no state to fight.

"Rey, listen. You’re not strong enough. I only care about my host surviving—and right now, you’re leading us into death."

Rey shook his head.

"I don’t care what you think. He’s my friend. The first real one I've ever made... other than you and the rest of them. I’ll die before I leave him behind."

Aiden sighed, then chuckled softly.

"You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that. Fine. I’ll help—but if things go south, don’t hesitate to

run

. Got it?"

"Also, don’t say too much when you meet him. If he was taken because of you, you might have a chance to talk your way out."

Rey nodded and moved swiftly through the shadows, reaching Evan within seconds. He unsheathed his blade and began sawing through the ropes binding his hands.

One rope gave way.

"Almost th—"

Clack.

Heavy boots echoed behind them.

"Well, well... trying to play hero, are we?" came Jacob’s mocking voice.

Rey turned slowly.

"Why him? I don’t remember him being there during the robbery," he said, feigning confusion.

"Spare me the act," Jacob sneered, holding up a photo—Rey caught mid-run on the streets. "I know who you are."

"Then let him go. We can settle this between us," Rey said firmly.

"No settling. You die, or I do."

Jacob vanished.

Rey’s eyes widened.

BAM!

A fist screamed toward his face—Aiden yanked control just in time.

"Duck!"

Rey twisted his body as Jacob’s punch whooshed past.

But the next kick came faster.

Boom!

Rey flew a meter back, slamming into the ground with a painful thud.

"Ahhh! It hurts—it hurts!" he cried, clutching his arm.

"Get up!" Aiden barked. "He’s coming again!"

Jacob approached with a wicked grin.

"So much for that cool attitude. One hit and you're a mess already."

"Rey, prepare. Dodge and counter with your dagger!"

‘I… I can’t kill someone…’

"Then

die

! It’s one or the other!"

Jacob lunged again. Aiden guided Rey’s body to dodge. Back and forth they went—Rey’s stamina drained quickly.

Smash!

Jacob landed a clean punch, sending Rey crashing into the chair. Evan toppled beside him.

Both boys groaned in pain.

But Rey rose again, beaten and bruised—yet defiant.

The fight resumed.

Evan, meanwhile, stirred.

"Huh? Why am I on the floor... what's that noise?"

He glanced up—Jacob and Rey were locked in combat. Slowly, Evan reached for the blade with the hidden button.

Click.

The rope snapped.

"This is my chance."

He slipped away unnoticed, memories guiding his steps.

Within minutes, he found the stash.

"There!"

Rummaging through boxes, he spotted it—a strange one with carvings.

Whoooom.

A radiant spell circle flared beneath him.

"It worked!"

Evan vanished.

Back at the fight, Aiden sensed the teleportation—but it was too late.

Jacob’s glowing palm slammed into Rey’s chest, hurling him into a rack.

CRACK!

Blood poured from Rey’s mouth.

"No one's survived a Qi punch like that—not even warriors. And you? Just a mortal boy."

Jacob turned toward the chair.

"Huh? Gone?"

He looked back at Rey.

"Well, look at that. Your precious friend ran away without you."

Rey, gasping, began to lose consciousness.

The relic in his pocket tumbled out, landing in a pool of his blood.

"Rey,

wake up

! Don’t give in!" Aiden shouted.

But there was no response.

"ZERO! I know you’re in there! This kid is our last hope—don’t just let him die!"

Still, no response from the relic or Rey.

Jacob advanced slowly, eyes gleaming with cruel satisfaction.

"Oh? This is the artifact you stole? What luck... I’ll take that back too."

He bent toward the boy’s broken body, reaching for the relic.

[To be continued…]

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