The garden behind the mansion was quiet, bathed in soft moonlight that filtered gently through the swaying trees. Gravel crunched lightly beneath their feet as Myth and Sira walked side by side, a calm silence hanging between them.
After a while, Sira glanced sideways at him.
"You seem… a little happy today. No—more like relieved. What happened?" she asked, her voice low, genuine.
Myth blinked, caught off guard. He turned his head slightly to look at her.
"Really?" he said. "I've always been happy."
Sira looked away, lips pressing into a faint smile.
"I've known you since we were kids, Myth," she said. "And for the past three or four years, I don't think I've ever seen you truly happy. It always felt like you were… faking it. Smiling, joking—but never really there."
She paused, her gaze fixed ahead.
"Maybe I'm wrong. I don't know." said Sira
Myth kept his eyes on her for a second longer, then exhaled softly.
"I got accepted into college," he said. "Of course I'm happy… and relieved. I was worried I wouldn't get in, and then what? I didn't have a backup. I feel… a bit free now."
His voice was steady, but something subtle had shifted in his tone.
Sira nodded slowly. "Yeah. That makes sense."
He shifted quickly, clearly trying to change the subject.
"So, I wanted to ask you something. Can I?"
Sira looked at him curiously. "Yeah, of course. You can ask."
Myth met her eyes, a playful spark in his own.
"Tell me everything—how you became a seeker"
She rolled her eyes. "I've told you before. Don't tell me you weren't listening."
"Yeah, well… most of the time I'm not listening because I'm too mesmerized by your beautiful face," Myth said with a grin. "But I did listen that time. I just want to confirm everything again."
Sira scoffed, shaking her head, but a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. She let out a long sigh.
"Fine. Last year, when I was sixteen, something weird happened. Out of nowhere, information just… appeared in my head. Like it was planted there."
She paused, then continued, her tone growing quieter:
[ Story Grade : 7 ]
[ "An angel walks upon a land tainted with malice, hatred, and corruption.
She heals humans, insects, monsters, and even corrupt souls, never asking for anything in return.
Without a trace of malice, she walks the earth, and the earth rejoices.
The sun shines brighter.
People smile more. Laugh more.
Her kindness doesn't go unnoticed. Karma watches.
And now, it is time—karma will return the favor. She will be gifted with great luck."]
Myth was shocked to hear her Story Grade—because this was the first time he'd heard about it.
And what shocked him more was how insanely high it was.
It didn't add up.
"So I guess… I helped a lot of people. Maybe that's why I became a Seeker," Sira said, her eyes on Myth.
Myth didn't respond immediately.
His thoughts stirred.
'She's helped plenty of people—humans, definitely. And she's always been sincere, no hidden motives. But monsters? Corrupt souls?'
'Why call her angel? Why use the word "healed"? What does it mean for the earth to rejoice?
And can someone really have luck as a power?
More importantly… what exactly is Karma? A force? A being? And how does this luck-based ability even function?
He blinked those questions away as silence settled between them.
"That is a beautiful description" said Myth continued with giving her chance to speak
Then Myth asked, "Have you ever helped monsters or corrupt souls?"
Sira tilted her head slightly. "No... not that I know of." She looked at him curiously. "You think that story is mine?"
"What do you think?" Myth countered, deflecting the question.
Sira took a moment before answering. "I don't think it's my story. It sounds... similar, but I feel like it belongs to someone else. That angel. Maybe the powers originally belonged to her."
Myth nodded slowly. "That's possible. But it could still be your story. You match the description in so many ways—it's strange how close it is."
He leaned back, eyes narrowing.
"And if what you're saying is true... that would mean Karma isn't metaphorical—it's an actual entity. I'm not sure I can believe that."
Sira fell quiet, visibly turning the thought over.
Myth glanced at his phone.
'It's been about thirty minutes since she smelled the rose. She should've been unconscious by now.'
'It is as i expected . The drug doesn't work on her because of that luck power...'
'She can't control it. She doesn't even notice it happening. Danger just... slips past her.'
"Hey, dunce," Myth said suddenly.
"What?" Sira snapped, annoyed by the interruption.
Myth turned to her, his expression unusually serious.
"I really, really need your help this time. My life depends on it. And don't worry—it's nothing illegal. No murders, no one's trying to kill me."
Sira's irritation melted away. She stepped closer, concern flickering in her eyes.
"What's wrong? What do you need?"
"I need you to come with me. To the edge of country. The part that borders the Lawless Lands—place called Ashfall Ridge. For one week. After this week ends" Myth trailed off.
Sira narrowed her eyes.
"Why are you going there? And what do you mean your life depends on it? Myth, tell me everything. Right now."
Myth held her gaze, calm but firm.
"I can't tell you yet. Only after the week's over." He hesitated, then added, "So... will you help me? I'll owe you. Big time."
Sira groaned and threw her head back.
"Ughhh... fine. Okay, okay. I'll come."
There was a pause.
Then Myth added casually,
"The rose I gave you earlier? It was laced with a drug that should've knocked you out."
Sira blinked.
"Wait. What?"
Her face froze, and her voice rose an octave.
"You're joking, right? Right?"
Myth just smiled, far too amused.
"Nope. I wanted to test your powers before asking for a favor."
Sira's eyes flared with disbelief.
"You drugged me?! You... you crossed the line, Myth!"
"Oh, come on," he said with a dismissive wave. "Friends do this kind of thing all the time."
"Drugging your frien—!" she started, but he cut her off.
"See, your power's weird. No one can directly force you to do anything. You can't be threatened or blackmailed—your luck just won't allow it. The only way to get you to do something is to make you think it's your own idea. Indirect manipulation. You're way too naïve to notice how powerful that makes you."
Sira's anger hadn't entirely faded, but she was listening now, her jaw clenched.
Myth stopped walking and turned to face her. She stopped too, watching him with cautious eyes.
He pulled another rose from his coat pocket.
"Here. This one's laced too. Different drug, though. Nothing harmful. I want you to sniff it."
"Myth," she said in a low, threatening tone, "what exactly are you trying to do?"
"I want your help," he said plainly. "I need to understand the limits of your powers—because you can't. You don't know what they really are. You won't see the dangers until it's too late, and that means you'll always be in the dark about how your power actually works."
He looked at her seriously.
"With powers like yours, people will want to use you. All it takes is someone smart enough to find a loophole. I'm asking for your help… so that you can understand it before they do."
She hesitated, then took the rose from his hand with a grimace.
"Remember—you want to fall asleep," Myth reminded her, half-teasing.
She sniffed the flower, handed it back, and stared at him with narrowed eyes.
"This drug knocks out an average girl in five minutes," he said thoughtfully. "But since you're tall and a little on the... uh, sturdier side, let's say seven." He smiled.
Sira looked ready to slap him.
She was not fat—just tall and slightly meaty. But she'd always been insecure about it.
Without a word, she turned on her heel and stormed ahead, fuming but saying nothing.
Myth followed a few steps behind, chuckling to himself.
She hadn't denied helping him. That was a start.
Three minutes passed.
Sira's steps began to slow. Her posture softened, her shoulders drooping ever so slightly. She blinked a few times, sluggishly, like she was trying to fight something off.
Myth glanced at her, noting the signs.
"Hah. Kicking in already," he murmured under his breath.
'This is good, really good .... '