Some time had passed.

Fumiko’s eyes fluttered open. Her body felt weak, her mind hazy. Voices reached her from nearby, indistinct at first, then slowly sharpening.

Karna’s anxious tone cut through. “Do you think she’s going to be fine?”

“How would I know?” Gyoda replied flatly.

“She should be, right?” Karna pressed. “Remember that time—you were knocked out for a whole week!”

Gyoda blinked. “Me? When?”

Karna’s eyes lit up with triumph. “When you picked that fight with those grown-ups, and they beat you to a pulp. Goro had to drag you out! Remember?"

Gyoda’s jaw tightened. “No! They didn’t beat me to a pulp. I crushed them with my pinky!”

“Oh yeah? Then why were you out cold for a week?” Karna shot back.

“I wasn’t out cold, idiot! I was resting after my glorious victory.”

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever helps you sleep at night.”

Gyoda’s eye twitched. “Oi, Karna. Do you want me to put you down for a month? Because I will.”

A sharp smack rang out as Reiko struck both of them across the head. “Cut it out, you idiots! You’ll wake her up!”

And as if on cue, Fumiko stirred. Her eyes fluttered open, the sterile ceiling of the medic room coming into focus. Around her bed stood Karna, Gyoda, Reiko, and Goro.

“Fumiko!!” Karna exclaimed, instantly grabbing her hand. Relief flooded his face. “You’re awake! Thank god. I was so worried.” His expression now determined “I swear I’ll avenge you! That bastard Henry—hurting you like that! How dare he lay a hand on my princess. I’ll make him pay! I’m sorry it came to this. I promised I’d be your knight, to protect you, and yet—”

His declaration cut off with a dull thud. Reiko’s fist had slammed into his stomach, sending him collapsing to the floor, wheezing.

“Don’t mind him,” Reiko said calmly, though her eyes softened with concern. “How are you feeling?”

Fumiko blinked, her voice weak. “What… happened?”

“You passed out in the arena,” Reiko explained.

At once, Fumiko’s hands flew to her waist. She sat up in alarm, searching.

Reiko quickly pointed to the bedside table. “Relax. Your bag’s safe, right there. And the pendant is inside.”

Fumiko exhaled shakily, her shoulders easing.

“I’m glad you’re alright,” Goro said warmly, stepping closer.

Fumiko looked around the room. “Where’s Kenta?”

“He went to watch the final match of the test,” Reiko replied.

“The final match? Isn’t that tomorrow?”

Reiko shook her head. “No. You’ve been out for more than a day.”

“What??”

“Yes!” Karna croaked from the floor, still gasping for air. “You were hurt badly! I—I carried you here myself…”

“Don’t worry,” Reiko assured her gently. “The healers said you can leave once you woke up. Nothing serious.”

Goro’s eyes flicked to the bag on the table. His tone shifted, measured but heavy. “That pendant… the crest upon it. It’s the mark of the Shugo clan, isn’t it? You must be a Shugo.”

Fumiko lowered her head, her hair falling like a curtain to hide her eyes. Her expression clouded with sorrow.

“Goro-senpai!” Reiko snapped. “Don’t push her. You’re scaring her!”

Goro raised his hands in surrender. “Alright, alright. I’m just glad she’s safe. I’ll step out for some air.”

He slipped quietly from the room, leaving the others to keep watch by Fumiko’s side.

Walking down the hall, Goro’s thoughts churned. So she is a Shugo… the clan sent to Lycia millennia ago. As per my intel, only five Lycians entered this year’s D-rank test. Then that means she—

His train of thought broke as Kenta appeared ahead, approaching with quick steps.
“Goro-senpai! The final match is over—the results are out.”

“Already?” Goro asked, raising a brow. “Who qualified?”

Kenta exhaled. “Well, you of course. And since the rest of us forfeited, we didn’t. But all of the Lycians passed… and Adheera, Bagi, and a few others.”

“I see.” Goro nodded slowly. Then his tone sharpened.
“And Kenta.”

“Yeah?”

“About Fumiko… she is one of Mawang’s spies.” Goro said. 

Kenta’s eyes didn’t waver. “Yes. I figured that out.”

Goro blinked, surprise flickering into pride. “How?”

“Reiko told me Fumiko asked about the night Karna’s clan was slaughtered—even though none of us mentioned it. If she truly knew nothing of Twilight, then there was no way she could know that night. I’m sure Karna, Gyoda and Reiko caught it too. How did you figure it out, though?”

Goro’s eyes narrowed. “The Kyofu clan smuggles people as slaves from Lycia. Shugos among them. And my intel confirmed only five Lycians entered this year’s D-rank test. Once her identity slipped, it was clear—she must have been smuggled here when she was a kid and has been working for the Kyofu clan ever since.”

Before either could say more, both stiffened. A presence pressed against their senses. Their eyes shifted—and there he was. Pikari stood a few paces away, twirling his mustache with unhurried grace.

He strode forward, bowing slightly. “Hello, young men.”

Kenta’s gaze sharpened. “You’re the one we saw with Adheera and the others in the hallway yesterday.”

“Correct.” Pikari smiled faintly. “I am Pikari, butler to Mawang-sama.”

“I am aware of it.” Goro said evenly.

“Well informed I see!” Pikari mused.

“I do my homework before stepping into anything.”

Pikari clasped his hands behind his back, tone lightly mocking. “How is your friend? I trust she is not too gravely injured?”

“She is well enough,” Goro answered curtly. “Thank you for the concern. But can you please state your business.”

“Straight to the point.” Pikari adjusted his coat. “Very well. Mawang-sama demands your presence. He is currently staying in a mansion nearby—magnificent by local standards, though unworthy of him. To descend to such a place is… beneath him. And yet, he waits. And my master is a very busy man, you see. Him spending very valuable time for filths like you is no small matter. To be received by him is more than you could hope for in a lifetime.”

Kenta’s jaw clenched, but before he could speak, Goro raised a hand.

“Very well. Fumiko has recovered. We will be out shortly. Kindly wait.”

Pikari inclined his head. “Of course. Since you qualified, do not forget to collect your D-rank badge. You earned it—beating my dog was no small feat.” His smile curved sharp and with that, he strolled away.

Outside Fumiko’s room, she stepped into the corridor on her own, Karna, Gyoda, and Reiko close behind. Bandages wrapped her knee and temple, her satchel resting at her side. They exited the Arena and reached the arena entrance. 

At the entrance were Goro and Kenta waiting. 

They approached Kenta and Goro. Fumiko paused, then bowed in front of everyone.
“Thank you for saving my life.”

Reiko grinned. “No need to be so formal, Fumiko! We were glad to have you with us.”

Goro spotted the actors he brought and his other two teammates who joined him. Goro walked towards them and bowed to the newcomers. “I apologize for how I behaved earlier.”

“No need to bow!” one of them waved. “But you could’ve given us a warning.”

Goro gave a sheepish smile, then turned to the hired fighters.
“Thank you for enduring my punches. I hope I didn’t go too far.”

The actors laughed. “Don’t worry, Goro-san. Always a pleasure doing business.”

He pressed the payment into their hands and turned. The six of them—Goro, Karna, Reiko, Gyoda, Kenta, and Fumiko—were just about to make their way toward Pikari and Adheera’s group when a shadow fell across their path.

“Who’s that fellow twirling his mustache?” Gyoda asked, eyes flicking over. “We saw him with Adheera and the others in the hallway yesterday.”

“That’s Pikari,” Kenta said, barely hiding a smirk. “He works for Mawang Kyofu.”

“Mawang?” Gyoda’s grin snapped into a frown. “Wait — Mawang? Isn’t he the one we came looking for? Why is Adheera hanging around him?”

“You idiot.” Karna’s voice had the flat patience of someone used to correcting a child. “They work for him.”

“No way,” Gyoda protested. “How did you figure that out?”

“How?” Karna echoed, louder. “How do you think? Pay attention, will you? You moron.”

“Hey — who are you calling a moron? I’ll kick your butt—”

Reiko’s hand connected with both their heads in the same motion, a neat, no-nonsense smack. A small bump swelled on each forehead. They swore in muffled unison.

Kenta glanced at Gyoda with worry, Now I wonder if he’s figured out Fumiko yet, he thought.

They reached Pikari. He straightened, twirled his mustache one last time, and bowed with the practiced politeness of a man who spent a lifetime perfecting every inch of his posture.

“Let’s get going,” Pikari said smoothly, his mustache twitching with the words. “Mawang-sama is expecting you. He also demands to see the new member of your team.”

Karna, Reiko, Goro, and Kenta exchanged the faintest of looks. They had expected this—of course Fumiko would be summoned.

Fumiko widened her eyes, feigning surprise, and slipped into her role with practiced ease. Gyoda, however, frowned openly, lips parting as if to question it. Before he could speak, the group was already moving, swept along in Pikari’s wake.

Together, they set out for the mansion of the great figure they had sought all along. Against every odd, they had managed to draw the man from the shadows. Karna’s face hardened with resolve as he walked—ready to meet the one they had come for.