Chapter 21: Conflict of memories

After spending hours wandering around Darkova and gathering information, Akio, Ken, and Ann finally found a small inn and rented a tiny room that barely fit them. The room was cold, the wooden walls looked old, and the bed was anything but comfortable.

The three left their room and sat in the inn's restaurant, gathering around an old wooden table, trying some of the local food.

Ken quietly sipped his black tea, Ann was enjoying a bowl of soup, while Akio took a big bite of a strange-looking piece of meat.

At first, he seemed excited… but after a few moments…

His face completely changed color.

Akio (eyes wide, voice shaking): "W-Wait… something tastes weird…"

Ann (raising an eyebrow): "What's wrong now?"

Akio (silent for a second, then screams): "AAAHHHHHH!!! THIS ISN'T NORMAL MEAT!! THEY'RE CANNIBALS!!"

He threw the fork, gasping for breath, clutching his stomach as if he was poisoned.

Ken raised an eyebrow, looked at Akio's plate, and spoke calmly:

Ken: "It's just deer meat… stop acting like a child."

Akio (shocked, pointing at his plate randomly): "W-What?! Deer?! SINCE WHEN DO PEOPLE EAT DEER?!"

Ann (facepalming, then sighing sarcastically): "You idiot… Deer meat is the most popular dish in Darkova."

Akio (disgusted): "That's gross!! I can't eat this!! I want soufflé!!"

Ann (laughing): "Akio's love story with soufflé never ends! But my love story with Ken is something else entirely!"

Akio ignored his deer meat and decided to take a sip from his cup…

But he didn't realize—

He took the wrong cup.

It was Ken's cup.

Inside? Black tea.

The moment Akio tasted it…

He froze.

His eyes widened to the maximum, and then—

SPLAT!

He spat out the tea—

Straight onto Ken's face.

For the first time ever, Ken was shocked.

His face and clothes were completely drenched in hot tea.

For a few seconds, he just sat there, processing what had just happened.

Then—

His face turned red with fury in the most comedic way possible.

Ken punched Akio's face, sending him flying to the ground.

Then, without hesitation, he grabbed Akio by his collar, lifting him up.

Akio (almost crying): "W-Wait! WAIT!! It was an accident!! I'm sorry, but that stuff tasted disgusting!!!"

Ken (eyes burning with rage): "Accident?! You spat hot tea all over my face!!! DO YOU KNOW HOW HOT IT IS?!"

Ann, who had been watching the scene while eating, suddenly covered her mouth, trying to hold back her laughter.

But she couldn't resist.

Ann: "Oh… my… god… this is the best thing I've ever seen! Ken-san is angry! I never thought I'd see him like this!!"

Ken, still furious, lifted Akio higher, then—

SLAM!!

He threw him directly onto the wooden table!

BOOOOOOM!!

A part of the table broke, dishes shook, and cups fell to the ground.

Everyone in the restaurant turned to stare at them in shock.

But Ken wasn't done yet.

He walked over, grabbed Akio again, then—

BOOOOOOM!!

A second punch, this time straight to Akio's head, sending him flying into the air for a few seconds—

Before crashing back down onto the ground.

Now, Akio's face was swollen in the most hilarious way possible.

Akio (barely able to speak, swollen face): "I-I… I'm not okay…"

Ann, who was now holding her stomach from laughing too much, could barely breathe.

Ann (gasping between laughs): "Akio… I think you just… woke up the sleeping monster inside Ken san!"

After Ken finished punishing Akio, he pulled out a cigarette, placed it in his mouth, and lit it up.

Without saying another word, he turned around and started walking away, leaving Akio and Ann behind.

Ken (coldly): "I'm going to take a shower."

Inside her gothic throne room, Terrakula sat on her throne, holding a glass filled with blood, sipping it casually as she observed her three loyal guards.

Akira leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, lost in thought.

Nyoro sat on a luxurious chair, playing with his dagger in boredom.

Steve stood near the door, his arms folded, watching Terrakula in silence.

Taking another sip from her glass, Terrakula's red eyes gleamed, and she spoke in a smooth yet intimidating tone:

"Boys… tomorrow night, we're hosting a ball in the palace."

Akira, who had been deep in thought, suddenly snapped to attention as if something shocked him awake.

Akira: "A ball?! You mean a real ball? With music… and women?!"

Terrakula smirked, swirling her glass slowly.

"Of course, dear Akira. Nobles from all over Darkova will attend… which means… plenty of beautiful ladies."

Akira clenched his fist in excitement, his energy completely revived.

Nyoro (mockingly): "Oh, of course. The moment women are involved, suddenly Akira has something to be excited about."

Akira placed a hand on his chest, pretending to be dramatic, and replied:

"Of course! My friend, women are life! How could anyone live without them?"

Then, closing his eyes, he lifted his head and spoke in an overly poetic tone:

"They are the flowers that decorate this cruel world… the stars that light up the darkness in our hearts…"

Nyoro burst into laughter, while Terrakula watched in amusement.

Meanwhile, Steve, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke for the first time in a while.

Steve: "A ball, huh…"

Terrakula: "Yes, Steve. There will be nobles, businessmen, and important people… and I want you there too."

Steve: "If you want me there, I'll be there."

Akira looked at him in surprise, then grinned mischievously.

Akira: "Steve, man, don't you ever get excited?! I mean, do you even have emotions?"

Steve (calmly, deep voice): "I have no interest in shallow parties, dancing, or pointless conversations with fake people."

Akira froze, then stroked his chin in thought.

Akira: "Hmmm… then what does interest you, Mr. Mysterious?"

Steve paused, then simply answered:

"Silence."

Nyoro burst into laughter, slamming his hand on the table.

Nyoro: "Oh, this is amazing! Steve, man, you are officially the most boring person in this castle!"

Akira laughed as well, shaking his head.

Akira: "Alright, alright! At least try to have some fun! Maybe you'll find a quiet girl just like you, and you two can sit in the corner, staring at each other without saying a single word!"

Steve didn't respond, only giving Akira a cold stare, as if waiting for him to realize the absurdity of his words.

Terrakula, amused by the entire exchange, stood gracefully from her throne, speaking in a light but commanding tone.

"Tomorrow night… I want all of you at your best. Don't ruin the party, and don't cause any unnecessary trouble."

Then, she turned towards Akira, raising an eyebrow slightly.

"And you, Akira… try not to break the furniture while chasing after women."

With that, Terrakula exited the room, the sound of her heels echoing as she left.

Akira turned to Nyoro, clapping his hands together with excitement.

Akira: "So… are you ready? I, personally, am going to be the king of this party!"

Nyoro smirked.

Nyoro: "Oh, don't worry, Akira. We'll see who truly steals the spotlight that night."

Meanwhile, Steve sighed quietly, muttering to himself.

Steve: "What a pain…"

Hours later…

As the castle bustled with party preparations, Akira found himself wandering aimlessly through the castle halls.

Without much thought, his feet led him up the staircase to the upper floors, where the child's cell was located.

He reached the cell door and unlocked it.

Upon entering, he saw the child huddled in the corner of the cell, wrapped in a thin blanket that barely kept him warm.

His tiny body trembled, his pale face showing exhaustion and fear.

The moment he heard the door creak open, the child's golden eyes widened with terror.

However, what caught Akira's attention the most…

Was the sound of the boy's stomach growling from hunger.

Akira: "You're starving, aren't you?"

The child didn't respond, only staring at him in fear, but unable to stop himself from placing his tiny hand on his stomach, as if trying to silence the sound.

Akira sighed audibly, running a hand through his black hair.

Akira: "Seriously… even Terrakula didn't think to feed you? Are they expecting you to die here slowly?"

The child didn't speak, only listened quietly.

Akira stared at him for a moment, then suddenly turned around and exited the cell, locking the door behind him.

Minutes later…

Akira returned, holding a piece of bread and some dried meat that he had stolen from the castle kitchen.

He unlocked the door, stepped inside, and tossed the food towards the child.

Akira: "Eat."

The child stared at the food, then slowly lifted his eyes towards Akira.

Child: "Is… is this for me?"

Akira raised an eyebrow.

Akira: "No, it's for decoration. Of course, it's for you, you little idiot."

The child didn't care about Akira's sarcasm—he immediately grabbed the food and began eating desperately, as if he hadn't seen a meal in days.

After finishing half of it, Akira spoke again.

Akira: "What's your name?"

The child hesitated before answering nervously.

Child: "U-uh… My name is Lionel. Thank you, Mister Werewolf!"

Akira froze for a moment. He wasn't used to hearing words of gratitude. He turned his head away, pretending not to care, but something unfamiliar stirred in his chest—something he didn't want to acknowledge.

Akira (dryly): "You shouldn't thank me… I was the one who brought you here."

Lionel simply stared at Akira with his wide golden eyes, as if those words meant nothing to him. There was something strange in the child's gaze—it wasn't just fear, but something else… something Akira couldn't explain.

Lionel (softly): "But… you didn't hurt me."

Akira frowned, letting out a sigh of frustration as he ran a hand through his black hair.

Akira: "That doesn't mean I won't do it later. So don't go thinking I'm some good guy or anything."

Lionel didn't respond, simply watching him in silence. Then, after a moment, he gave a small smile—not mocking, not challenging, just purely innocent.

Lionel (innocently): "But… you are a good person."

Akira froze. For a moment, it was as if he hadn't heard those words before.

Akira (grumbling, looking away): "Good god… are all kids this annoying?"

He sat on the floor in front of the cell, leaning his back against the cold stone wall, absentmindedly playing with his claws, acting as if he didn't care.

Lionel: "Are you a real werewolf?"

Akira (resting his head back): "Not fully."

Lionel (curious): "What do you mean?"

Akira: "I mean I'm not fully human, but I'm not fully werewolf either. I'm stuck in between… like a monster."

Lionel didn't fully understand, but he nodded as if he did.

Akira: "Listen, Lionel. I have to leave now."

Lionel (hopeful): "Will you come back tomorrow?"

Akira froze again. He wasn't prepared for that question. He looked at Lionel for a moment, then slowly stood up and turned toward the door.

But just before he left…

He paused, standing at the doorway.

Without looking back, he spoke in a low voice:

"Yeah… and I promise, I'll set you free."

Then, he closed the door behind him, leaving Lionel alone.

But this time—

Lionel wasn't as scared as he was the first night.

Because for the first time since he arrived in this place…

He felt that someone might actually care.

Meanwhile…

As Akira walked through the castle corridors, his breathing became heavier.

It was as if that child reminded him of something—

Something buried deep inside him.

Suddenly, his mind was flooded with memories.

A dark alleyway…

A seven-year-old boy, sitting on the cold ground, curled into himself as if trying to disappear.

His clothes were torn, his knees bruised, his face pale, and his lips dry from hunger.

He couldn't remember the last time he ate.

Two days ago?

Three?

Everything was a blur.

And in front of him—

A group of delinquent kids, older and stronger.

Their mocking laughter echoed around him.

They surrounded him, looking down as if he were a worthless bug.

"Look who we found today! The worthless freak who's been missing from school for a week!"

"It's Akira the monster! Does he think studying will make him more human?"

"He doesn't belong anywhere!"

Akira stayed silent. He didn't have the strength to talk back.

But he felt tears sting his eyes…

Not because he was scared—

But because he knew they were right.

He never belonged anywhere.

Humans didn't accept him—because he wasn't fully human.

Werewolves didn't accept him—because he wasn't fully werewolf.

He was just a strange mix… without a place to call home.

One of the kids kicked him in the stomach, making his thin body curl from the pain.

"Oh, sorry! I just wanted to see if he had claws like a real werewolf!"

They all laughed, while Akira struggled to breathe.

Another kid grabbed him by his torn shirt, lifting him slightly off the ground—

Before spitting on his face.

"You're pathetic… even if you try to fight, you'll never win."

Then, he shoved him down hard, making Akira's face slam against the cold ground.

Pain shot through his jaw, but he didn't move.

The scene began to fade…

The memory dissolving…

Akira was walking through the castle halls, his expression blank, but his mind—

Was anything but empty.

Because no matter how much time passed—

The past never truly disappears.

It only waits… to haunt you later.

To be continued…