A loud knock echoed through the room, followed by frantic shouting and hurried footsteps.
Inside a messy room filled with scattered books and tools, a young man lay lazily on his bed, reading a book. He reached for a lamp on the nightstand but accidentally knocked it to the floor with a loud clatter.
Just as he was about to pick it up, the door burst open. Another man rushed in, waving his hands, a faint light glowing at his fingertips. In an instant, the room was flooded with bright light.
The newcomer had black hair streaked with red highlights, a sharp yet handsome face, and a look of urgency written all over it."We're out of time—they're here!" he said, voice tense.
The one on the bed sat up, tousled brown hair falling over eyes the color of molten gold. His gaze swept across the cluttered desk, stopping at a single golden coin.
He picked it up, bit down on it lightly, then grabbed a long black coat and shrugged it on.
"Describe them," he said, voice calm but rough—like someone who had just woken from a long sleep.
"Four people," the man—Lunas—replied quickly, fumbling to grab a few items. "A mage in a white robe, blonde hair. A swordswoman—I couldn't see her face. A man dressed like a common hunter, but he carries the air of a noble. And the last one... he wore a silver mask. I couldn't get a clear look."
"Good. Lock the door. Execute plan A."
"You sure about this?"
"Do you even know who I am?"
I glanced out the window. A thin mist cloaked the entire Lionus Village. Shadows moved within it—silent, patient, like the darkness itself was creeping toward my home.
This village had been my shelter for two years since I arrived in this world. It meant something to me—but I had to leave.
Looking down the stairs leading to the main hall, I muttered, "They came three days earlier than I expected."
I pulled up my hood, hiding my brown hair and golden eyes. On the table, the golden coin rolled faintly, catching the dim light. I picked it up and slipped it into my chest pocket—the only reminder of what I truly was.
Right now, I am Ron Irus.A man living inside the very story he once wrote.And the four outside—are characters I created.
I grabbed a pile of papers I had prepared earlier and tossed them across the room. One of them read: "One Line Intelligence Report."
"Let's go."
Lunas nodded, snapping his fingers to extinguish the light. The room fell into complete darkness. We slipped into the back tunnel, descending damp stone steps that echoed faintly with each step—click... click... click...—in the cold air.
Above us, the sound of the front door being smashed open thundered—BAM!Heavy footsteps followed, metal clashing, then a sharp command:"Find him! The information broker has to be here!""Search for any files, notes, or evidence! Split up!" a woman's voice barked.
I smiled faintly.Go ahead. Search.I never planned to hide too well.
The tunnel led us into the forest behind the house. Rain had started falling, soft at first, then heavier. Each drop splashed against my cloak, but I kept walking.
In the distance, a flash of blue light burst through the trees—the mage had found the exit.
"Lunas."
"Got it."
He pulled out a small glass vial filled with thick black liquid and hurled it to the ground. A pillar of black smoke rose, swirling like a living creature, then split into hundreds of ravens with glowing red eyes. They shot toward the blue light, shrieking wildly.
Screams followed. The clash of steel rang through the rain.
I didn't look back.
"Do you know who they are?" Lunas asked, panting as we ran through the forest.
"Of course. The son of the Royal Chief Judge," I said, smirking.
Lunas fell silent. If that was true, then the other three must be them—the new generation of prodigies.
"So... what exactly is Plan A?" Lunas asked. He never got the details from me before.
I turned to him, eyes calm but glinting coldly."It's for them to find us."
"The hell—" Lunas began, but bit back the rest.
I nodded. "We'll be caught. I'll clear my name with the preparations I've already made, and we'll survive."
"And me?"
"I'll get you out too. Just memorize this."
I handed him a stack of blank-looking papers. He blinked, confused.
"If you already had a plan, why didn't you tell me? And if you're planning to get caught—why bother running?"
"Wouldn't it be boring otherwise?" I grinned.
Lunas gave me a sharp look but said nothing. He'd gotten used to my twisted logic by now.
"So, what will you do after this?" he asked as light began to show at the end of the tunnel.
"Me? I'm going to rest. At one of the most prestigious academies there is—Blue Light Academy. As for you—you'll be free of charges, but you'll have to keep working in my place. One Line doesn't rest, no matter where I go."
I smiled, then fell silent when I saw the shadow blocking our exit.
I clenched the golden coin in my hand and whispered—
"I'll survive. One more time."