Zack flinched the moment he heard his original name.
"How... how do you know that?"
He grew slightly cautious, noticing the shift, Rafel calmly replied,
"Relax, Zack. Don't panic. Your father was the one who told me your real name."
Zack was shocked.
"My father? You know my father? Is he alive? Where is he?"
"Relax, relax. He's alive, safe, and completely changed—wherever he is."
"Then where is he?"
"Why the rush, Zack? First, listen to what I have to say."
Rafel continued,
"Your father is my old friend. And he told me that he will meet you very soon. So before you start asking a hundred questions, save them for him. For now, let's talk about why I came to meet you."
Zack nodded silently.
"The monster you fought—that was no ordinary monster, right?"
"Yeah."
"And till now, we haven't been able to track it. It's a completely new entity. And it killed your friend Albus... So I promise you this: I'll find it for you—and then you can finish what you started. But before that, you'll have to do something first."
"What is it?"
"The tournament is coming up. You must participate and secure first place. The winner's reward is an elixir—an item that can instantly increase your rank. That elixir is the result of years of your father's hard work."
"It was meant for you from the beginning. But I placed it as the top prize in the tournament. If you are worthy, you will earn it. Understood?"
"But—"
"No buts." Rafel interrupted firmly.
"Next—do you know Argon?"
"Instructor Argon?"
"Yes, the same. He's an A-rank swordmaster. I want you to learn swordsmanship from him."
"What?"
"Yes, because I've heard you only use basic sword skills. That's not enough anymore."
"Argon's swordsmanship is truly admirable," Rafel said.
"If you learn from him, it will be a huge advantage for your future."
"Alright," Zack replied.
"But tell me—why has my father reached out to me now, after all this time?"
He silently thought to himself:
In my previous life… he never contacted me. Not even until my death.
Rafel looked serious.
"Listen, Zack. Your father is fighting a war... a war where danger is always lurking."
"Because the battle we're in isn't just against monsters. It's against the most powerful awakeners in the world—some of whom rule entire nations. But many of them are so corrupt, their very names send chills down spines."
"All you need to know for now is this—your father, Kalthok the Destroyer, Nova O'Leo—your ancestor—and Nova's allies once stood together. But some of those allies turned corrupt and betrayed him. And their descendants still exist today... controlling the filthiest parts of this world."
"Your father, I, and a few of the strongest awakeners from different countries... we're fighting them in the shadows."
"And that's why your father left you behind. To keep you safe."
"He once told me he would never meet you—not to protect you, but because the war would never allow it."
"But time... time has changed that. And now, you'll finally meet him."
Zack: "How do you know about Kalthok?"
Rafel (with a calm smile): Your father .
"If you want answers, ask him yourself when you meet."
"For now, focus on the task I've given you. Complete it, and then I'll tell you what comes next."
"Until then... goodbye."
As Rafel finished his words, he vanished into thin air.
Moments later, a notification popped up in front of Zack:
---
New Quest Unlocked
Title: Master Argon's Swordsmanship
Reward: Rank Level Up
---
Zack (sighs, muttering to himself):
"So now even you are taking advantage of the situation..."
"This damn status window... when I need it, it's nowhere to be found. But when I don't expect it, there it is..."
Zack (thinking to himself):
> "So if I piece everything together now...
My father and Mr. Rafel — they're working together.
And my father knows about the powerful, corrupt awakeners...
And even about Kalthok the Destroyer... but how?"
> "Yeah… Kalthok did tell me that in my previous life, my father contacted him.
But still... how? How did he even manage that?"
> "And now I have to win the tournament, take first place…
But before that, I need to master Instructor Argon's swordsmanship."
> "Hmm... But where do I even find Argon?
Zack clenched his fists, his mechanical arm softly humming as it activated.
> "And after that… comes the blood-soaked dance of revenge.
For my brother... Albus."
He looked up, eyes burning with fury and determination.
> "Just a little longer, brother… Just a little more."
"But… does Father even know that I'm a descendant of Kalthok?"
"I guess I'll only find out when I finally meet him."
Zack let out a half-smile, his eyes filled with resolve.
> "Well then… I'll be waiting for you, Father .
To be continue...