Life Gallery 10 - The Eagle and The Gold

Scene: Limits of Inner Strength

EXT. GGG EXPERIMENT LAB COURTYARD – DAY

The sun casts long shadows across the courtyard, where Alexei is hard at work, sprinting across the reinforced ground, pushing his body to its limits. The courtyard, surrounded by sleek, high-tech equipment from GGG's experimental labs, hums with energy. Alexei's breath comes in sharp gasps as he attempts another round of acrobatic flips, trying to replicate the blinding speed he saw Kimhyun display. His face is set in determination, but the frustration is clear as he stumbles slightly on a landing, barely catching himself.

Alexei (gritting his teeth, muttering to himself): "Damn it... I can do better than this. I know I can."

He clenches his fists, his confidence wavering just for a moment as he glares at the ground, replaying Kimhyun's effortless speed in his mind.

Floria, standing nearby with her hands folded, watches him quietly. She senses his growing frustration but doesn't step in right away, knowing how much Alexei hates to feel like he's being coddled. But after his third failed attempt, she steps closer, her voice soft but comforting.

Floria (gently): "Alex..hon... You don't need to keep pushing like this."

Alexei turns to her, his jaw tight, still bristling with the weight of his own expectations.

Alexei (shaking his head): "Yeah, but it's not enough. I should be faster. If Kimhyun can do it, so can I. I just need to focus more—believe more."

Floria steps closer, placing a hand on his arm, her touch light and reassuring.

Floria (softly, smiling a bit): "You don't have to be like him, you know. Kimhyun's strong, sure... but you don't need to be perfect."

Alexei runs a hand through his hair, still catching his breath, his face filled with a mix of anger and determination.

Alexei: "Yes... but I can be perfect. My power is supposed to make me perfect!"

He turns sharply, voice growing more frustrated.

Alexei (bitterly): "Big bro Lysander has his teleportation niche, big sis Angela has her charm. You have your healing power and your plants…"

His fists clench, and his tone turns even sharper.

Alexei (angrily): "And that bastard, Hugo, has the strongest destructive power..."

Floria steps closer, placing a hand on his arm, her touch calm and grounding.

Alexei (determined) "If I can't make my physical prowess better than someone who can control an external force like Kimhyun's electromagnetism, then my internal power of Self Suggestion is useless compared to all of your niches."

Floria's eyes soften as she listens. She knows Alexei's pride, his need to prove himself, but her voice remains warm, filled with love.

Floria (softly): "You're not useless, Alex. No one's stronger than you in their own skin. Kimhyun might have his speed, but strength? I'd bet anything you're stronger than him."

Alexei's eyes meet hers, and though the frustration still lingers, Floria's words seem to calm him, even just a little.

Alexei (sighing, quieter): "Maybe... but I need to be more."

Floria smiles and steps in closer, wrapping her arms around him.

Floria (whispering): "You're already more, Alex."

Scene: The Jack's Power

INT. GGG RESEARCH LAB – HALLWAY – DAY

Alexei and Floria walk side by side through the sleek, sterile halls of the GGG Research Lab. The atmosphere is crisp and clinical, with bright lights reflecting off the glossy, white floors. The faint hum of machines can be heard in the background. As they approach a set of glass doors, Alexei looks slightly uncomfortable, while Floria remains calm, her gaze focused ahead.

Alexei (grinning, but with a hint of unease): "Why is it that every time I come here, it feels like I'm walking into a science fiction movie?"

Floria (smiling softly): "Nice line, mister. Did you forget that your family owns this place and your aunt runs it?"

Alexei (raising an eyebrow): "Yeah, aunt Anya."

As they reach the doors, they slide open automatically, revealing a large room filled with holographic screens and stacks of research reports. At the far end, Anya stands in her usual lab coat, typing swiftly into a floating keyboard, her back to them.

INT. GGG RESEARCH LAB – RESEARCH OFFICE – DAY

The moment Alexei and Floria step into the room, Anya turns, her sharp eyes landing on them. She sets down her work, offering a small smile—one that's more polite than warm.

Anya (curtly, but not unkind): "Alexei, Floria. What brings you here during the week? Skipping class today?"

Alexei (shrugging, with a playful grin): "Well, I came to pick your brain. Figured my favorite aunt might help with a little... research."

Anya (tilting her head): "Research? About what?"

Alexei (raising one eyebrow, slyly): "Kimhyun Narukami. You know, your favorite sponsored student? The one with the lightning ability?"

Anya folds her arms, eyeing her nephew with a mixture of curiosity and mild amusement.

Anya (teasing, but with a knowing smile): "You know that's a privacy invasion, right? His files are restricted."

Alexei (mock innocent): "Aunt Anya, since when did our family start caring about the privacy of lab rats?"

Anya (laughing): "Right. Good point."

She taps a few commands into her tablet, compressing a series of files before sending them directly to Alexei's inbox.

Anya (grinning): "Check your inbox, you should have everything you need there."

INT. GGG LAB LOUNGE – LATER

The sleek, modern lounge is quiet, illuminated by the soft glow of Alexei's tablet. The more Alexei reads, the deeper his frown becomes. Floria watches him carefully, her eyes scanning the information on the screen.

Floria (curious, reading out loud):"Pseudo Mana. Electromagnetism. Electromagnetic Radar..." (She pauses, her brow furrowing) "His control over electromagnetic fields seems pretty advanced."

Alexei (whistling): "Yeah, and look at this—Electromagnetic Radar. Big bro Lysander said he used it to detect us, surpassing big sis Angela's technique. He's basically got no blind spots."

Floria (thinking, fascinated): "He's... kind of a complete package."

Alexei (frustrated): "Tch. He's like a fighting machine."

Floria (surprised): "He also practices martial arts, a Japanese sword art, Jigen-ryū."

Alexei: "I heard about it. Jigen-ryū has an interesting idea of a quick and decisive first strike. Since the sword is hiding in the scabbard before use, a technique was developed for a quick first strike that quickly draw the sword out of its scabbard, it's called Battoujutsu."

Floria (wide-eyed): "And his signature move, Thunderous Slash, is the combination of it with his electromagnetism where he creates a powerful magnetic field around the blade and scabbard then shoots the blade out… It's basically a melee railgun."

Alexei: "That sword of his… Narukami? His mom gave it to him before she ditched him."

Floria (reading): "An ancient magical sword… We have no idea how strong it is but it has an amazing affinity with Kimhyun's lightning ability."

Alexei (serious yet grinning): "Damn, he's more than just a superpowered student. He's a trained warrior. More dangerous than most… How did Yue beat him again?"

A sudden shift in the air, almost imperceptible. Then, a familiar voice, cool and confident.

Yue "Because I am stronger."

Suddenly, a boy came in with golden hair and green eyes yet those eyes are different from that of his fellow kins, Alexei, they are like dead fished eyes.

Alexei (surprise): "Yue, you're here?"

Yue (nonchalant): "Lysander seems to have some new interests in the Jack, Kimhyun. Angela wants to gossip... and you know how much I hate those superpower gorillas in my branch."

Floria's brows twitch slightly at the derogatory term "gorillas" used to describe the other students, but she remains silent, choosing not to comment.

Alexei (smirking, teasing): "So... skipping class?"

Yue (smirking back): "Skipping class!"

The two exchange amused glances.

Yue (grinning): "Are you also having some weird obsession with the Jack? What's so good about that golden dog that's drawn you brothers in?"

Alexei shrugs, his expression shifting to one of contemplation.

Alexei: "No idea about big bro, but... don't you see Kimhyun's strength? He's super strong and fast."

Yue tilts his head, his expression remaining unimpressed.

Yue: "Yes, in melee range. You can still overwhelm him from a distance. His power doesn't extend that far, and you don't exactly need to be up close to hit him where it hurts."

Alexei (frustrated): "So, no hope for me and my physical-augmented power?"

Yue chuckles, shaking his head.

Yue: "Not really. You read about Jigen-ryū, right? His Thunderous Slash is powerful, but you can dodge it. He has to reload the sword into the scabbard after each strike, which leaves him open. So, dodge the first hit, then beat him down before he resets."

Alexei's brows furrow as he processes the advice, nodding slowly but still unsure.

Alexei: "Hmmm... How did you beat him, bro?"

Yue rolls his eyes, clearly finding the question trivial.

Yue (dryly): "Me? I threw stuff at him to overwhelm him. The dude's fast and adaptable but his power doesn't give him the raw strength edge—unlike mine."

Yue's telekinesis was known for being brutally efficient. He doesn't need fancy sword techniques or lightning speed. He simply overwhelms his enemies with sheer force.

Yue glances at Alexei, his tone shifting slightly as he appraises his younger brother.

Yue: "But you have one very strong advantage against him though, Alexei."

Alexei blinks, a bit confused.

Alexei: "Huh?"

Yue (seriously, yet amused): "Your resilience and regeneration. Just believe your wounds will heal quickly, and your body will automatically regenerate. I'm pretty sure you could tank his Thunderous Slash forever. Lmao."

Alexei's eyes widen, and for a moment, he looks both surprised and hopeful.

Alexei (incredulous): "Wait, I can do that?!"

Yue stares at him, his expression deadpan, as if the answer was obvious all along.

Yue (raising an eyebrow): "Isn't it... obvious?"

Alexei glances at Floria, who is just as surprised as him. Realization dawns on his face as Yue's words start to make sense.

Alexei (thinking, realization dawning): "I've been focused on what I can do—like sports, speed, or learning stuff. But I've been ignoring what my body already does... like healing."

Floria (surprised): "So you've had the ability to regenerate all along, you just didn't think to use it?"

Alexei: "Yeah... it's biological. I guess I just never thought about using self-suggestion for things like that."

Alexei's expression shifts from surprise to determination. Now that he realizes he's been limiting himself by not exploring the full potential of his power, his confidence returns.

Alexei (grinning): "Looks like I've got some new tricks to try."

Scene: Doggo with a Sword

INT. LYSANDER'S APARTMENT – AFTERNOON

Lysander's apartment is clean and minimalist, a reflection of his controlled personality. Sunlight streams through the large windows, casting a golden hue over the sleek furniture. Lysander is seated on the sofa, casually sipping tea, while Kimhyun, in his half-wolf form, sits on the floor, looking visibly frustrated. His golden wolf ears twitch atop his head, and his golden wolf tail, tipped with black, flicks in annoyance. Lysander, nonchalantly, pets Kimhyun's head, running his fingers through the soft fur of his wolf ears.

Kimhyun (grumbling, frustrated): "Ugh... agh..."

Lysander (sighing, amused): "Can you please not moan like that? It's weird."

Kimhyun (angry, ears twitching): "Well yeah! My ears are super sensitive!"

Lysander chuckles but continues, undeterred. Kimhyun shifts uncomfortably, his wolf instincts at odds with his human side, making the whole situation more awkward for him. He glares up at Lysander, who seems annoyingly calm.

Kimhyun (frustrated): "Seriously, do you rich kids have some kind of weird kinks? When you said you wanted me to do something, this wasn't what I expected."

Lysander (smirking, casually petting): "Bruh. I've always wanted a golden retriever or a corgi. Petting them like this... it's so satisfying."

Kimhyun's ears twitch again, this time from both annoyance and surprise.

Kimhyun (grumbling, pulling away slightly): "Then buy one, young sir. You're rich."

Lysander rolls his eyes, but his response is unexpectedly thoughtful, catching Kimhyun off guard.

Lysander (calmly): "Nah, too much responsibility. Dogs or cats, they're lives, you know. Buying one is easy, but taking responsibility for their lives... that's hard."

Kimhyun blinks, his anger momentarily replaced with surprise. He wasn't expecting Lysander to actually care about something so mundane. In his mind, wealthy people didn't have these kinds of worries.

Kimhyun (still frustrated, but quieter): "Hmm..."

For a moment, the atmosphere changes. Kimhyun watches Lysander, silently wondering if he's misunderstood this cold, calculating person. Before he can think too deeply about it, a soft moan escapes him as Lysander absentmindedly scratches a sensitive spot behind his ear.

Kimhyun (moaning): "Ahh..."

Lysander (snapping): "Hey, no moaning!"

Kimhyun groans, half-annoyed, half-defeated. Though their banter remains light, an odd sense of trust has grown between them—one where both of them hide their vulnerabilities in plain sight.

Kimhyun (hesitant, shifting): "Come to think of it—Ahh—"

Lysander (snapping): "No moaning!"

Kimhyun exhales sharply, trying to focus through the embarrassment.

Kimhyun (determined): "You know about Mona? Isn't it weird... someone without any superpower or special talent like her getting sponsored into the superpower branch?"

Lysander's hand pauses for a moment, but his expression remains disturbingly casual.

Lysander (calmly): "Oh yeah, she's Hendrickson's toy."

Kimhyun's ears perk up, his body freezing in shock.

Kimhyun (eyes widening, surprised): "She's what?"

Lysander's fingers absentmindedly glide to Kimhyun's tail, his voice unnervingly nonchalant.

Lysander (curiously): "Can I touch your tail too?"

Kimhyun, still reeling from the previous comment, offers his tail to Lysander without protest, feeling defeated by the bizarre situation.

Kimhyun (sighing, resigned): "Sure..."

His tail rolls into Lysander's lap, and Lysander's face lights up as he strokes it gently.

Lysander (genuinely impressed): "Woah, so soft..."

For a moment, they both sit in silence, Lysander admiring the texture of Kimhyun's tail, but the weight of their previous conversation presses down on Kimhyun.

Lysander (suddenly recalling, casually): "Where were we? Oh right, Hendrickson. You see, some sponsored students aren't sponsored because they're talented. Some are... well, victims."

Kimhyun stiffens at Lysander's words, and his tail twitches involuntarily. His golden ears flicker with unease as he senses the conversation turning darker.

Lysander (calmly, almost absentmindedly): "Some of them are rape victims of rich men. You'd be surprised how many wealthy people have perverted tastes... really dangerous ones. Mona and Hendrickson? She was raped."

Kimhyun's body tightens with anger and disbelief.

Kimhyun (serious, voice low): "Why didn't she report him?"

Lysander keeps petting Kimhyun's head as if they're discussing a mundane topic.

Lysander (calmly): "Because of money. Hendrickson—the old man—offered her a deal. He said he'd sponsor her, let her study magic under Professor Roderick... if she gave him her virginity."

Kimhyun's fists clench, his teeth grinding in frustration.

Kimhyun (angry, but conflicted): "So she just... let him?"

Lysander gently rubs the sensitive spot behind Kimhyun's ear, his tone coldly detached.

Lysander (calm, almost amused): "What choice did she have? What was she supposed to say? 'That man raped me! Help! But please still sponsor me, I want to study magic under Roderick!'"

Kimhyun remains silent, his wolf ears twitching from a mix of anger and helplessness.

Lysander (calmly, continuing to pet): "It's a trade deal... a perverted one, sure, but both sides got what they wanted. No one's going to complain."

Kimhyun's body tenses even further. The casual way Lysander speaks about something so horrific makes the atmosphere heavy. Despite the comfortable room and the casual petting, the sinister truth about the system they're living in hangs like a dark cloud over the apartment.

Kimhyun remains silent, grappling with the harsh reality Lysander just laid out, his frustration and sense of justice clashing with the brutal pragmatism of the situation.

Scene: Influence of Gossip

INT. ST. ALARIC ACADEMY – ACADEMIC BRANCH – PRIVATE TEA LOUNGE – AFTERNOON

The private tea lounge, reserved for the academy's wealthier and more influential students, is a picture of opulence. Golden sunlight streams in through large windows, casting a warm glow over the antique furniture and porcelain tea sets. The scent of fresh flowers mingles with the delicate aroma of fine tea.

Angela sits gracefully at the head of the table, her presence calm yet commanding. She gently lifts a teacup to her lips, her smile serene as two of her fellow students, Eloise Diesel, a delicate blonde with a penchant for gossip, and Vivienne Devereux, a sharp-eyed brunette from a well-to-do family, sit across from her. They chat animatedly, but there's an undercurrent to their conversation—whispers of the Eagle Step scandal.

Eloise (sighing dramatically): "The protests... I've never seen such chaos in all my years here. It's all anyone's been talking about since that scandal broke."

Vivienne (nodding): "Well, of course! A guild like Eagle Step, involved in corruption? I heard half the superpower branch is refusing to attend classes."

Angela, with a graceful tilt of her head, sets down her teacup. Her eyes gleam, though her voice remains soft and calculated.

Angela (smiling coyly): "Oh, ladies~ you have no idea."

Eloise and Vivienne pause, their curiosity piqued instantly by Angela's tone. They lean in, eager for more, though Angela remains deliberately languid, drawing out the suspense.

Vivienne (eyes widening): "What do you mean, Angela?"

Angela leans back slightly, allowing a moment of silence to settle, ensuring that her words would have the desired effect.

Angela (delicately): "It seems that the corruption runs much deeper than anyone expected. You've heard about the guild hoarding loot for the higher-ups, yes? Well, apparently... some of that loot includes illegal, cursed artifacts."

Vivienne gasps, her eyes widening in disbelief.

Vivienne (stunned): "Cursed artifacts? No!"

Angela's smile widens slightly, but her expression remains perfectly composed, as though she's simply discussing the weather.

Angela (lowering her voice): "Oh, yes. Artifacts with terrible consequences upon use... They've been caught using illegal, cursed artifacts in their hunts—stuff that can backfire on hunters. Rumor has it, some of those 'accidents' where hunters don't make it back? Not so accidental."

Eloise (horrified, whispering): "How awful! I had no idea..."

Vivienne and Eloise exchange glances, the wheels in their minds already turning as they envision the fallout of the latest rumor. Angela watches them closely, pleased with how easily the conversation had shifted in her favor.

Angela smiles, her plan already in motion, as the conversation drifts seamlessly into more trivial matters, the scandal firmly embedded in her companions' minds.

Scene: The Eagle and the Gold

INT. EAGLE STEP HEADQUARTERS – PRIVATE OFFICE – EVENING

The mood in Wilhelm's office is cold and oppressive. The room, dimly lit with dark mahogany furnishings, is adorned with battle trophies and weapons from countless dungeons. Wilhelm Königsberg sits at his large, imposing desk, staring at a holographic screen in front of him. His face is twisted in quiet rage as he watches a news broadcast about the Eagle Step scandal.

News Anchor (on screen): "Breaking news from the ongoing Eagle Step scandal: Top hunter Arys Balten has reportedly died while using a cursed artifact during a recent raid. Sources claim Arys, known for his stealth and argon air manipulation, succumbed to the artifact's backfire effects. This tragic loss comes amid increasing calls for further investigation into the guild's practices."

Wilhelm clenches his jaw as the footage shows Arys's face, followed by images of protests outside the academy gates. Protesters wave signs, demanding Eagle Step's removal from the academy and an end to their "exploitation" of hunters.

The door to the office opens, and Allenstein enters, her usual calm demeanor intact. Following her is Memel, the dwarf tank. She pauses at the sight of Wilhelm's darkened expression.

Allenstein (softly): "Master, the reports just came in. The situation with Arys is… spreading faster than anticipated."

Wilhelm doesn't respond immediately, his eyes still locked on the screen. His voice is low and dangerous when he finally speaks.

Wilhelm (coldly): "They've turned Arys's death into a scandal, using it to undermine us. Blaming illegal artifacts—cursed weapons. Now the public believes we're running a black market operation, selling our own men short."

Memel (stoutly): "Master, who do you think is behind this? Arys is among our best fighters so who could defeat him, and when?"

Allenstein (softly, concerned): "We also have no idea about Arys's reason for death since his corpse was taken away by the National Power Registry for investigation."

Wilhelm (silent) "We did not see Arys again after that day… 

Memel (surprised) "The day he kidnapped the demon eyed kid's brother and fought the demon eyed? Something must have gone wrong after that. But who could target Arys immediately after the fight? And how could we not detect them when we were so near?"

Wilhelm (coldly, contemplating): "Someone moved against us swiftly, and they knew exactly what they were doing. Arys wasn't an easy target, even weakened. Whoever did this is either well-prepared or really strong or both."

He stops pacing, his gaze narrowing as he watches the holographic screen replay the protests and accusations against Eagle Step.

Wilhelm (snarling): "The National Power Registry might be in on this too—conveniently taking his corpse before we could examine it ourselves. They could be covering something up."

Memel crosses his arms, his stout frame radiating tension as he considers Wilhelm's words.

Memel (grumbling): "So who could it be? The Dusk Exit? OverEdge? Knights of Orléans?"

Allenstein's eyes widen slightly, but she maintains her composure as a thought crosses her mind.

Allenstein (high voice): "Or… perhaps it's the GGG."

Memel frowns, clearly taken aback.

Memel (surprised): "The Gentoshi family? What would they gain from this? Isn't the long-legged demon their outcast?"

Allenstein (high voice): "True, they disowned him, but think about it. Hugo didn't contact the police, or any major Hunter Guilds. Instead, he rushed straight to a warehouse where Arys was waiting. Someone had to have helped him get there, and who else would have the resources and foresight to assist him quietly, if not his family?"

Wilhelm turned sharply, his interest piqued.

Wilhelm (surprised): "That…"

Memel (grumbling): "What about his friends? The vampire boy is sure to come from an influential lineage."

Allenstein (calmly): "Vampires don't meddle in these affairs, not for a youngster like Fenix. And the Sea Witch? Her own clan detests her for being a half-elf. No, it's not them. If anyone had the resources to pull this off discreetly, it would be the Gentoshi family. They might have used their influence to weaponize Arys's death against us."

Wilhelm stands still for a moment, processing Allenstein's words. His eyes slowly widen as the realization hits him.

Wilhelm (laugh out loud): "That… Oh my god… So this is it? I have been playing against them all this time without even knowing?"

Allenstein (careful): "Master?"

Wilhelm (laugh out loud): "Haha… Hahahahaha… How ironic. How fucking ironic!! I have been planning to shoot them yet I was the one who got shot first?!"

The air in the room grows thick with tension, as Wilhelm's laughter fades into a menacing growl. A red aura of fury erupts around him, crackling with dangerous energy. The television screen shatters from the pressure, and the entire room seems to darken.

Wilhelm (shout): "Unacceptable!!!"

The force of his shout shakes the room, causing Memel and Allenstein to flinch in fear. Glass shatters, and the walls tremble as Wilhelm's rage fills the space.

Memel (a bit scared): "Guild… master…"

Wilhelm (furious): "Fucking parasites!!! Using us as their meat shield against monsters and now, they are backstabbing us?! Unacceptable!!!"

He turns to Allenstein, his eyes blazing with determination.

Wilhelm (commanding, furious): "Allenstein! Summon the demon-eyed boy immediately. If we're going down, we'll take them with us. I'll make sure the Gentoshi family regrets ever crossing Eagle Step."

Allenstein nods quickly, her voice trembling slightly.

Allenstein (nervously): "Yes… sir!"

Scene: Eagle's Broken Wings

INT. EAGLE STEP HEADQUARTERS – PRIVATE OFFICE – NIGHT

Hugo stands before Wilhelm, along with Fenix and Shizuka. The room feels heavy with tension. Wilhelm's usual cold demeanor is overshadowed by the barely-contained fury in his eyes.

Wilhelm (calm, but dangerous): "I invited you into my guild, offered you a way to harness your power… and this is how you repay me?"

Hugo shifts uncomfortably, glancing at his friends, unsure of what Wilhelm is talking about.

Hugo (confused): "What… what do you mean?"

Wilhelm (sneering, voice rising): "Don't play dumb! You've been feeding your family information, haven't you? The Gentoshi have been watching us, waiting for us to fall! You—you're nothing but a spy!"

Hugo (stunned): "What? No! I—"

Before Hugo can finish, Wilhelm steps forward, his expression twisted in anger.

Wilhelm (glaring): "I gave you a chance! I trusted you! And all along, you were just a pawn in their game."

Hugo's mind races with guilt and surprise. 

Hugo (thinking): "What did I do? Why is Mr. Wilhelm so angry? Did I do something wrong?"

Hugo (desperate): "That's not true, sir. I didn't—"

Wilhelm (furious): "Shut up! You think I can't see the truth? You used us as your family's puppets, pretending to be exiled while they pulled our strings. We're on the verge of collapse because of you!"

As Wilhelm continues his tirade, Fenix and Shizuka exchange worried glances.

Fenix (cool but defensive): "Hold on, old man. That's a bit of a stretch. Hugo didn't—"

Before Fenix can finish, Wilhelm snaps his fingers, and thick metal chains erupt from the floor, quickly binding the trio. Hugo, Fenix, and Shizuka struggle, but the chains are infused with magic, suppressing their powers.

Wilhelm (coldly): "You won't be able to talk your way out of this. You've already doomed this guild. Now, you'll watch as I bring down your precious family with me."

Hugo, bound and struggling, can only look at Wilhelm in horror as the full scope of the situation begins to sink in.