A Voice That Shakes the Hall
In the grand hall of the Yorison Government, silence cracked beneath a voice that carried cold steel.
Shammroy turned toward his team, with his side look , with cold eye sharp, his tone cutting through the chamber like a blade:
Shammroy, calm, yet threatening,
"And when that day comes—when my name reaches your ears—it will not be something ordinary you feel. It will be a warning. And that time … there will be beginning , that change your damn politics."
The words echoed against the high pillars. He began to walk away with his team, the sound of his boots filling the space with defiance.
But anger exploded behind him. Geong's son rushed down the stairs, shouting with venom.
Geong's Son , furious,
"How dare you speak to the great Yorison Government chairman like this? Guards! Slaughter them all!"
Querion's blade sang as it left its sheath, but Shammroy lifted a hand, stopping him.
Before the guards could advance, Geong himself raised his arm.
Geong , loud, commanding,
"Stop! Everyone—stand down! Let him go!"
Shammroy smirked faintly, his eyes cold as he turned away. His team followed him out, leaving behind a stunned silence.
The Fear of Geong
As they left, the son's voice trembled with both anger and confusion.
Geong's Son,
"Why…Why did you let them go, father?"
Geong's face was pale, sweat beading his forehead. His voice carried the weight of a secret.
Geong ,low, shaken,
"Don't you sense him? He feared neither our thousands of guards nor me. His eyes told me… he could destroy this empire with his power."
He paused, voice rising with dread.
"Moreover… his name is Keyokthai Shammroy. He is of the Kthai Clan—the most dangerous, the bravest of all realms. No one… no one can stand against them through power or with the position."
The son's face drained of color, his breath shallow. From the shadows above, a pair of glowing, furious eyes observed them silently—then vanished into the darkness.
A Leader's Resolve
Outside, Shammroy and his team walked into the open air. Querion's voice broke the silence, eyes wide with shock.
Querion , bewildered,
"Leader! You keep astonishing me with your behavior and now , your revelations. You're from the great Kthai Clan…! why didn't you tell me before?!"
Shammroy's gaze hardened.
Shammroy , firm, dismissive,
"Because I want to become something on my own. I don't want my clan's name to carry me forward. I want to become myself. So don't bring this up again. Though I am of the Kthai Clan, you will call me only Shammroy—or leader, or captain. My name will be revealed when it is necessary. Understood?"
Querion gave a helpless nod. Behind them, a boy hesitated, struggling to speak. Shammroy noticed and turned.
Shammroy (calmer),
"I forgot to ask—what is your name?"
The boy's voice was shaky, but he managed to say it.
Ferin (nervous),
"…I… am Ferin."
Querion smiled warmly.
Querion,
"Ferin!"
Ferin nodded slightly. Shammroy then asked, voice steady:
Shammroy,
"Ferin. Tell me the way to the empty landscape on this planet."
Ferin thought for a moment, then began to guide them.
Ferin's Story
As they walked, Querion's curiosity surfaced.
Querion,
"Tell me—why did the Yorison guards want to kill you? What really happened?"
Ferin's voice broke with sadness.
Ferin , soft, pained,
"Before I was even born, the government passed a decree to separate us from the others. We never knew why. From that day, the villagers treated us like we weren't human. On my street, I once saw two children starving…"
Shammroy interrupted with sharp intuition.
Shammroy,
"You stole food. And the guards caught you, right?"
Querion blinked in surprise.
Querion,
"Wait—you knew that before?!"
Shammroy ,calm,
"Yes. I noticed it during our walk."
Ferin nodded, tears glistening in his eyes as he continued.
Ferin with choked voice,
"But when you two gave me your hands… you don't know how happy I was. That was the first time anyone, other than my family, had ever reached for me."
Querion placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
Querion gentle,
"Hey… from now on, you're one of us. Right, leader?"
Shammroy looked forward and gave a firm nod. Relief washed over Ferin's face, a timid smile forming as he whispered with newfound courage:
Ferin,
"Captain… you're my captain."
Shammroy's eyes softened.
Shammroy,
"Yep."
Hunger and Brotherhood
Night fell over their journey. Hunger gnawed at their stomachs until Ferin suddenly stood.
Ferin,
"Wait! I'll borrow some food and be right back. Stay here."
Querion grinning,
"Easy. We'll be here. Go."
Ferin disappeared into a nearby village and returned with bread. They ate gratefully, silence broken only by the sound of chewing. But Querion's eyes narrowed as something bothered him.
Querion serious, frustrated,
"Leader… you call us the 'Dumb Team.' Do you even know how that feels? Why do you keep that name? What does it mean?"
Shammroy chuckled softly.
Shammroy ,with a small smirk,
"Of course I know. D.U.M.B. stands for Dominion of Undying Monarchy Bravery. It is the spirit that refuses to kneel, the courage that survives even when everything else falls. That's what you are. That's what we are."
Ferin's eyes widened, whispering the words to himself.
Ferin , awed, whispering,
"Dominion… of… Undying… Monarchy… Bravery… D.U.M.B. Team…"
Suddenly, he shouted with boyish excitement.
Ferin ,beaming,
"Wow! That's such a cool name, Captain!"
Querion couldn't hide his grin.
Querion reluctant, yet impressed,
"Yeah… I didn't like the short form. But the full meaning… makes it epic."
Shammroy laughed softly, warmth breaking through his stoic mask.
Shammroy,
"Well, it's time to rest. Tomorrow, our journey continues."
The three settled under the night sky, a small team bound by fate, hunger, and a name that carried weight.