"Don't be such a weak boy," Arnold said coldly.
"Fight."
The next instant—
Arnold's sword flashed.
BOOM.
Karry was blasted across the crater, his body slamming into stone. The moon's surface cracked beneath him.
"You've gained endurance," Arnold said calmly.
"Two gains at once."
Karry forced himself to stand.
"Yes."
"Don't slack off," Arnold continued.
"You don't have time."
Another strike.
Karry was sent flying again, blood spilling from his mouth.
"I thought… you said I was strong," Karry gasped, gripping his sword.
"Give me a chance."
Arnold looked at him.
"…Alright."
Arnold charged.
Karry raised his blade just in time—
CLANG!
The impact numbed his arms, but he held.
Arnold smiled.
"For now, this is enough," he said.
"Third training begins—sword forms."
"Dodge it if you can."
"What—wait—"
Arnold's aura shifted instantly.
The world blurred.
Arnold vanished.
Then—
He reappeared behind Karry.
A sharp pain tore through Karry's body.
Blood rained onto the moon's surface.
Karry's vision went black for a second—but he slammed his sword into the ground, forcing himself to stay upright.
"I'm… not done yet."
Arnold stopped.
"…Are you sure?" he asked calmly.
"I might reconsider Maizy's suggestion."
"Don't worry," Karry said through clenched teeth.
"I won't die."
Arnold nodded once. "I know. I won't let you die."
"That's enough for today."
"Go back to Earth."
Karry froze. "What? Why? I still need to train."
"Maizy was sent back to Earth," Arnold replied.
"So what?" Karry said.
"She just returned home."
Arnold's voice dropped.
"She didn't return."
"She was sent there as a bride."
Karry's blood ran cold.
"She's being forced to marry the Moon Clan leader's son—Jash.
He's skilled."
"…What?" Karry whispered.
"What do you mean, Captain?"
Arnold met his eyes.
"Your mission is to stop Jack."
"Why?"
"Jack has already reached Earth," Arnold said.
"He intends to save her."
"The Moon Clan is important to the government. So is the Blood Clan."
"The government ordered protection of both."
Arnold paused.
"And Jack is a serial killer in their eyes."
"But Maizy—"
"If you fail," Arnold cut in,
"there will be no more training. Understand?"
Karry clenched his fists.
"…Yes."
Arnold turned away.
"Don't tell Sasha," he added.
"She isn't ready."
"But I'm not ready either."
Arnold stopped.
"…That's already enough."
Karry departed for Earth.
With wounds unhealed.
With strength unfinished.
With fate already moving ahead of him.
[End of Chapter 24]