Evening arrived. The sky began to glow golden-orange, marking the beginning of their journey to the city of LATREL. Inside the vehicle, the cheerful atmosphere never faded. Gamma was sitting cross-legged in the middle seat, gazing at the Exone symbol emblazoned on the cloth.
"Brother Arya," he said innocently, "now that Raius and Yui have joined us, shouldn't we change the Exone symbol so they're included too?"
Everyone immediately turned to Arya.
Arya paused for a moment, staring at the symbol he had designed himself from the very beginning. There were two crossed swords, two firearms, and five symbols representing each of the original members no trace of Raius or Yui.
"Hmm… If we change it now, while this symbol has already spread to many cities, it might confuse people," he said quietly, then looked at Raius and Yui sitting together in the back.
"Do you two mind?"
Raius quickly shook his head. "It's okay, Brother."
"Yes," Yui added with a sincere smile. "We're just grateful to have been accepted into Exone."
Dina leaned back and glanced at Arya. "But Ar, won't they feel like outsiders? Like... not part of the beginning?"
Arya stayed silent. His eyes were serious, considering the possibility.
But before he could speak, Raius and Yui responded at the same time, their voices steady:
"It's okay, Brother!"
Venus, who sat near the window, took a sip from her drink. She glanced at Arya with a sharp but relaxed gaze.
"Actually, it works to our advantage," she said, lifting the bottle. "If their symbols aren't on the official emblem, it means they're not the primary targets. They can move more freely without suspicion."
Arya turned his head to look at Venus. "Good in that sense?"
Venus nodded. "They're still learning, right? Not ready for direct combat. If the enemy finds out our numbers increased by two, they might target them right away. But if they don't know, we've got two hidden trump cards."
Gamma nodded quickly. "Oh! Like secret infiltrators, huh?!"
"Yup. Our own spies," said Dina, half-joking, though there was a serious meaning behind her words.
Arya finally smiled faintly. "In that case... let's make it a strategy. But later, when the time is right, we'll update the Exone symbol."
"When we're ready for combat, right?" asked Raius with a small laugh.
"Exactly," Arya replied. "When the world knows you're not just 'the new kids'... but true Exone members."
Arya thought for a moment. "Wait... Doesn't the end of the pistol look like two candles?!" Arya asked, uncertain.
The others immediately leaned in, curious.
"Yeah, kinda," replied Dina, nodding slowly. "But… what do you mean?"
Arya turned to Yui and Raius. A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Isn't it fitting?" he said. "You two... Two candles lighting up the darkness."
Yui fell silent, her eyes widening. Raius stared deeply at the symbol too.
Arya turned to Raius and Yui, then smiled faintly. "Heh… Isn't it fitting? Raius and Yui, both of you. Two people... and here are two candles."
He paused before continuing, "Raius has a barrier ability, and Yui can heal. Two rare abilities... Isn't that like two candles giving light in the darkness?"
Silence fell.
Dina paused. "Huh, that's true. They can give support with their abilities." She said while glancing at Raius and Yui.
Gamma thought for a moment. "Yeah! Brother Arya is amazing!" he praised.
Venus grinned. "Oh, is that so?" she said with a faint smile.
Yui lowered her head, her eyes glassy. "I never realized that..." she murmured.
Raius, beside her, clenched his fist. "So… this is what we mean to the team..."
Everyone smiled.
"Hahaha! Then don't feel small anymore!" Arya glanced at Raius and Yui. "Oh right, what weapons do you want?" he asked while pulling out some weapons.
"Weapons?" they both asked at nearly the same time.
Gamma cheerfully said, "Yes, weapons! Yui is a healer and Raius is a barrier user! But they still need weapons for basic self-defense!" He stood up and approached Yui.
Arya smiled. "That's right! Here we have a karambit, a one-handed short sword, a whip, and a pistol." Arya said as he introduced them.
Raius looked at the weapons on the floor. "I want the short sword, Brother!" Raius said confidently.
Arya smiled. "Oh, good choice!"
Yui thought for a moment. "What's this pistol, Brother?" she asked quietly.
"This pistol is used for long-range attacks. And... in my opinion, the pistol suits you best, Yui." Arya said while lifting the pistol.
Yui was stunned. "Why is that?"
"Yes, Yui is a healer. And if we meet a genius enemy, they'll definitely target the healer first," he replied softly. "And this bullet can be enhanced if infused with magic."
Yui smiled. "Then I'll take the pistol!" she said firmly.
Arya smiled. "Alright! During our next break, both of you will train!" He glanced at Dina. "Dina will teach Raius how to use the short sword, and I'll teach Yui how to use the pistol."
Dina was surprised. "I don't mind teaching! But I'm not an expert in one-handed swords!" she said while eating.
Gamma stood up. "Sister Dina is the best in close combat!" Gamma said proudly.
Dina blushed. "I-Is that so? Alright then... I'll give it a try!"
Everyone laughed at Dina who suddenly became shy after Gamma praised her. Her cheeks turned red, but a faint smile still appeared.
"W-What?! Why are you all laughing?!" she protested, though not truly angry.
The sky started turning dark blue. The vehicle lights lit up.
But inside their hearts, there was another light that never faded
the conviction, that no matter how far this journey went,
they were not done.
Raius and Yui learned to use their weapons and became quite skilled.
Three days passed.
Night had fallen when they arrived in the city of LATREL. There was no time to wait. The target had to be eliminated that very night.
Arya looked back. His voice was calm, but cold.
"Ready?"
"Ready," they answered in unison.
He smiled faintly, then turned forward again.
"Alright. Let's begin."
Clack. Clack. Clack.
Their footsteps echoed, approaching the towering luxurious gate.
"I'll handle this one," Dina whispered.
Whoosh!
Her shadow darted.
Srettt!
The guard's head rolled to the ground before he could make a sound.
Bang!
Arya's shot hit the second guard in the head. His brains splattered on the wall.
Creeeaaak...
The iron gate groaned as they pushed it open.
Dina didn't stop. Two more guards
Srett. Srett.
Fell in an instant, their necks torn mercilessly.
Arya stepped into the mansion silently.
"Gamma, Yui, Raius. Detention room. The three of you, work together," he said flatly.
"Yes, Brother!" they replied. Without hesitation, they quickly slipped into the right hallway.
A guard blocked their way.
"Kids?! You think you can just walk in?!"
He swung his sword, but
Raius raised his hand.
"Barrier!"
Clang! Clang!
The attack bounced off. The guard's eyes widened.
"W-What is this?!"
Venus walked slowly with a smile.
"Don't underestimate children..."
"Water."
Water filled the guard's lungs in an instant. He choked, trembled, then collapsed... dead.
Meanwhile
Bang! Bang!
Arya's gun silenced two more guards.
Slash! Srett!
Dina swiftly finished the rest. Flesh and blood splattered on the marble floor.
The night in LATREL city was no longer quiet.
But for them, this was just the beginning.
Gamma, Yui, and Raius moved through the dim underground corridor. Their footsteps were nearly silent.
"Up ahead," Gamma whispered. "Detention room."
"I'll cut the iron door! Sever line!" The iron door was sliced open.
Yui nodded. "Let's enter together."
Without a sound. Inside, dozens of prisoners curled up in the darkness. Thin bodies, empty eyes.
"Don't be afraid," Yui said softly. "We're here to free you. Heal!" Yui healed the prisoners.
Gamma immediately cut the shackles with his fine thread. "Quick, before reinforcements come."
Meanwhile, in the main hall of the mansion
Arya walked calmly. Before him, the noble their main target was enjoying wine, surrounded by elite guards.
"Who are you?!" the noble shouted.
Arya didn't answer.
He simply raised his pistol.
Bang!
One guard fell.
"Attack him! Protect the Mas—"
Srett!
Dina was already behind them. Three heads separated from their bodies in an instant. Blood splattered the golden wall.
The last guard tried to flee
Bang.
Too late.
Arya stared at the noble, who now trembled in fear.
"You... You can't do this! I... I'm a royal official!"
"That's exactly why," Arya replied coldly.
He shot the noble in the knee.
The man fell, screaming, crawling backward.
"W-What do you want...?!"
Arya knelt before him, staring deep into his eyes.
"Justice."
Bang!
The final bullet ended his life.
Silence. Only the sound of blood dripping to the floor remained.
Not long after, Gamma and his team arrived with the freed prisoners.
"We did it, Brother Arya."
Arya nodded. "Good. Bring them to the vehicle."
Venus walked, eyes fixed on the noble's corpse.
"How many lives has he ruined…"
Dina wiped the blood from her dagger. "No need to count. What matters is, he can't hurt anyone ever again."
They all rushed out of the mansion. But...
A heavy voice broke the night.
"Where do you think you're going, EXONE?!"
Their steps halted.
From the shadows of the trees in the courtyard, emerged a tall figure wielding a black spear engraved with the kingdom's emblem.
His cloak billowed in the night wind, and his sharp eyes locked on Arya.
"A tracker already…?" Gamma muttered.
Behind the man stood five elite soldiers clad in heavy magic gear. Their presence was no joke.
Arya stepped forward calmly, eyes fixed on the commander.
"We've got no business with you. But if you insist…"
He slowly raised his pistol.
"…I don't mind making an exception tonight."
Dina stood to his right, her dagger glowing red.
Venus prepared to summon a wind barrier.
Gamma spread his threads across the grass.
Raius and Yui secured the prisoners behind them.
The night wind felt colder.
Tension thickened like fog.
The man smirked.
"Then let's begin." ???