The two giant men stood in front of Yui, smirking mockingly, their hands tightening on her shoulder.
Yui (in a low, sharp voice):
"I said… take your hand off me. For your own safety."
But one of them burst into laughter, speaking with disdain:
"You really think a little girl like you can scare us?"
Yui didn't reply. Just one cold glance from her icy blue eyes made their hearts skip a beat... but they ignored the warning.
The second man:
"How about we take the gold... then sell you to the slave market? No one's gonna look for a girl alone."
Suddenly, all expression vanished from Yui's face, and silence took over. Slowly… her eyes began to glow with a bright blue light. Her expression shifted from sweet girl to cold-blooded warrior.
Yui (with deadly calm):
"You've just dug your own graves."
In a blink, she raised her right hand — the ground beneath their feet froze instantly. Their muscles locked, and ice crawled from their boots up to their chests.
First Man (screaming):
"W-What did you do?!"
Yui:
"Ice Magic — Fourth Layer: Cold Soul Prison."
One scream echoed... before they were completely frozen inside two clear blocks of pure blue ice.
Yui steadied her breath, looked at them with emotionless eyes, and said:
"You'd better learn to respect women... if your soul survives to learn."
She picked up the gold from the ground and walked away calmly, as if nothing had happened.
---
At Ren and Ryo's House
Ryo was sitting in the corner, scribbling dramatic words on the wall like "Goodbye, food" and "I shall never forget this betrayal."
Ren sighed:
"You're overreacting... It was just one meal."
Ryo (in a depressed tone):
"One meal… can save lives… can build dreams… can—"
The door suddenly burst open. Yui entered, holding a huge bag of coins, her eyes sparkling with joy and a bright grin on her face.
Yui (cheerfully):
"Ryo… get ready. I just earned ten thousand gold coins today."
Ryo jumped up like lightning struck him and dashed to her.
Ryo:
"Does that mean… lunch?!"
Yui:
"No, it means… a royal dinner."
---
That night, the trio sat around a table in one of Valorie's finest restaurants.
Candlelight glowed warmly, and food was served on silver plates.
Yui (giggling softly):
"This is how you're forgiven for being late."
Ren:
"So what now? Are we taking a break?"
Ryo (looking out the window at the moon):
"No… it's time for the next journey. Someone out there needs us… and there's a past we must uncover."
A short silence filled the air... then Ren spoke:
Ren:
"What about Valorie?"
Ryo (seriously):
"This kingdom… is going to fall soon. There's something happening in the shadows — something far greater than just monsters."
Yui:
"If you're planning to drag us into another mess… just know I'll make you do the dishes for life."
The three burst out laughing — but in their hearts… they all knew:
Something bigger was coming.
---
Far away, in a dark castle beyond Valorie...
A man clad in a black cloak sat on a throne made of bones. In front of him, a dark mirror reflected the scene of Ryo, Ren, and Yui laughing.
The man (whispering):
"So… the boy has started moving. The heir of Thanis, huh? I'll be waiting…"
His eyes glowed blood red.
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