NEIL POV
"What did you say? Ashley?" I asked my sister again. She just told me that Ashley was behind Neo’s accident.
"I can’t believe it either, but that’s what Dave told me," she replied.
"How could she do that to her former Sensei?" Did she really leave just to betray us?
"I need to go. Don’t worry—Dave and CJ will take care of her," she said.
"Where are you going?"
"Nick said they tracked Sir Kian. Before we lose him again, I need to leave," she answered.
Sir Kian… the Eraser.
"I’ll go with you," I said, about to grab my jacket, but she suddenly stopped me.
"No. Let us handle this."
"I want to meet him," I muttered, clenching my fist.
"Neil Shin, this is our job. Don’t interfere."
Once she said my full name, I knew she was serious.
"Okay… fine," I sighed and sat down. "Just hurry up."
"Good. See you later. Bye." She left.
What was I supposed to do here alone? This was boring.
Maybe I should cook something for them… yeah, that sounded like a good idea. I headed to the kitchen. Davin’s house was impressive. As I started cooking, I played music on my phone. Earlier, I called Kiara to check on things, and she told me not to worry. I was always busy with our family business—it was our backup plan in case we decided to live here permanently. Aileen didn’t like that idea. She wanted to live a normal life—no powers, no spells… just a simple life.
That would be nice.
—Ring… ring—
I quickly picked up my phone. "Hello?"
"Oppa… something… happ…ened…" Aileen said, her voice shaking.
"What happened? Speak clearly—I can’t understand you!"
"We’re on our way to the hospital right now," she said.
"What? Why?"
"I’ll explain everything later when we get back."
"Hey—wait! Are you still there?"
The call ended. I immediately tracked her phone and grabbed my keys.
"What is going on now?" I muttered as I started the car.
When I arrived, I parked quickly and rushed inside. I looked around but couldn’t find them.
"Ciao, puoi dirmi dov’è il pronto soccorso?"
That voice…
I followed it to the information desk.
"È nel giusto, signore," the lady replied.
"Grazie."
"Chris!" I called.
"Sir, what are you doing here?" he asked, surprised.
"I should be asking you that."
"Well…"
"Where’s Aileen?"
"They’re in the ER right now."
"Why?"
"I don’t know everything. She just called me and told me to come here."
We rushed to the ER.
"Why am I so nervous right now?"
"Calm down, sir. Nothing happened to your sister," Chris reassured me.
"I won’t relax until I see her."
"I just saw them, sir."
I ran straight to her. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?" I asked repeatedly.
"Oppa, relax. I’m fine," she said.
"Then why are you here?"
"It’s Sir Kian. Someone tried to kill him."
"Who?"
"The Dark Archers."
That was ironic. He helped them, and now they wanted him dead?
"Tell me everything."
"I told Nick to go ahead. On my way there, they called me and said he was already in critical condition, so they rushed him here," she explained.
"How long has he been in surgery?"
"Almost an hour, sir," Nick answered.
"You should go back. I’ll stay here," I said.
"I’m staying too," Aileen insisted.
"Okay. We’ll go make a report, then come back," Chris said.
"Sure. And please get my tablet when you return."
"Yes, boss."
They left.
"Do you want some water? I’ll grab some food from the mini store," I asked.
"Yes, please. And get me a cookie," she smiled.
"Alright. Wait here."
DAVE POV
"We can’t find her anywhere. I think he lied to us," I said to CJ.
We were in the meeting room, reviewing the case, but we still had no solid lead.
"No, he told the truth. The problem is—we don’t know if Ashley is still here or if she already left," CJ replied.
"If that girl was really Ashley, we could track her easily. The last I heard, she was back in Naria," I said.
"I’ll ask Kiff. His wife is from there—maybe she can confirm it," he said.
"Alright. Let’s end the meeting."
I checked my phone—multiple missed calls from Chris and Aileen.
"Bro, did you hear?" CJ suddenly said.
"Hear what?"
"Sir Kian is in the emergency room."
"What? Why?"
"They tried to kill him. I can’t believe he let himself be used like that."
"Shujin, you need to see this," Fiona said, rushing in.
CJ read the report, then handed it to me.
"He really lied to us," I muttered.
"Did you track which country he went to?" CJ asked.
"No. He didn’t take anything—not even his phone," Fiona replied.
"This is not happening!"
He was furious.
"Don’t lose hope. We’ll figure this out. You should rest," I told him.
"Thanks, bro." He left.
"We need to investigate this thoroughly," I told Fiona.
"Yes, Shujin."
"We’re going back to the resort. Maybe we’ll find something in his room."
(Fast forward)
"Shujin, we might be too late. He already sold the resort," Recca said.
"It’s fine. We just need to get there before they remove his belongings," I replied, speeding up.
"Is it true they’re transferring Sir Neo to Paraden?" Chase asked.
"Yes. He’ll recover faster there."
"That’s good. At least we won’t worry as much," Recca added.
"Exactly. That’s why we need to catch everyone involved."
We arrived and rushed inside.
"Hey! You can’t just enter like that!" the guard stopped us.
"FBI," I said, showing my ID.
"Sorry, sir."
We went straight to the room.
"Search everything," I ordered.
"Yes, Shujin."
While they searched, I reflected—Thanks to the Guardians, the virus was finally under control. Victims were being treated quietly, room by room, without causing panic.
"Shujin, I don’t think he left the country," Chase said, showing me several passports.
"Then why was it reported on the news?"
"What if the news was fake?" Recca suggested.
That made sense. "If he faked it… then where is he?"
Suddenly—
"What are you doing in my resort?" a man barged in angrily.
"FBI. We’re conducting an investigation," I said, flashing my ID.
"You should’ve asked for permission first!"
"Apologies, sir. We’ve finished here—we’re leaving." We walked out.
"How are you so calm?" Chase asked.
"I’m not," I chuckled.
My phone rang. "Bro, I’ve got something to tell you," CJ said.
"What is it?"
There was a pause.
"Sir Neo…"
My chest tightened.
"He’s awake."