Smoke still rose from the ruins left behind.
In the place where Hiro once trained with Murphy, the ground was now stepped on by four dark shadows.
Joker stood at the front, his black cloak billowing in the wild wind.
His eyes swept sharply across the area.
"They… just left," he muttered, soft yet venomous.
"Always… one step ahead of us."
One of the three mysterious figures behind him stepped closer.
"Should we pursue them?"
Joker didn't answer. He gripped a small crystal glass in his hand—the glass he always carried everywhere.
"NO!" his voice exploded.
"How dare they make me look like a clown left behind!"
The glass shattered in his grip, blood dripping from his wounded palm.
He slammed his hand onto a nearby stone table, cracking it wide.
"Murphy, do you think I don't know what your goal is?" he muttered with a bitter laugh.
"But I swear… no matter how hard you protect that boy, I will be the end of his story."
Viking Village
The northern sky glowed with golden violet as Hiro and the others arrived at the Viking village.
A cold wind swept the village, but the warmth of the people who knew Murphy filled the air.
Hiro looked at the village with wide eyes.
"I thought I was done with training before…"
Murphy chuckled, patting his shoulder with a large hand.
"You've only opened the door, Hiro. But inside, there's an empty room waiting to be filled."
Zeco stood not far from them, watching Carla.
He approached and handed her a folded piece of paper.
"You need to sharpen your skills too, Carla.
All this time, you've only survived… now it's time to strike."
Carla opened the paper. Written inside was a name that made her eyes widen:
Robin.
"Robin… the legendary archer?" she muttered, half in disbelief.
"Of course I know who he is. Everyone does."
Zeco gave a faint smile.
"He lives far west of the Thorny Forest.
If anyone can teach you the best archery techniques, it's him."
Carla clutched the paper tightly, then turned to Hiro.
A Small Farewell
Carla stood at the edge of the village, a small backpack slung over her shoulder.
Hiro stood in front of her, his face not ready to let go.
"Are you sure you want to go alone?" Hiro asked quietly.
"The world out there isn't a friendly place, Carla."
Carla smiled. Her eyes were gentle, but firm.
"I can't keep staying behind you, Hiro.
I want to stand beside you… not as a burden, but as a fighter."
Hiro bowed his head briefly, then looked at her with deep respect.
"Then… come back with strength equal to Robin himself."
Carla chuckled. "That's the plan."
They looked at each other for a moment, before Carla turned and walked away—slowly, but steadily.
Hiro watched her back until her silhouette disappeared beyond the trees, then clenched his fist.
We will return together.
And when that happens… the world will witness the strength of these separate paths.