…

The thing behind him asked in a questioning tone, "Hmm? Why don't you turn around?"

Nam frowned, "Do I have to look?"

His body moved against his will and turned around. His eyes widened—he was facing himself.

Was this the spirit Luth had told him about? Or was it something else?

The spirit in front of him had a smirk on his face.

It was as if the spirit represented the yang in the yin-yang symbol, while Nam was the yin.

The spirit floated in the air, holding a lollipop in his hand. He was wearing a white suit, but his tie was black.

Nam, startled and slightly afraid, spoke, "What... what are you?"

The spirit removed the lollipop from his mouth and answered calmly, "What am I? Come on, didn't Luth tell you anything about spirits?"

After a short pause, he continued, "Right... Luth told you about inner and outer spirits."

Nam's eyes widened even more. How did he know Luth?

Nam pointed his finger at the spirit. "How do you know Luth?" His voice was loud.

The spirit gazed into the black void and spoke in a relaxed manner, "How do I know him? Come on, we've been through so many adventures together, and this is what you ask?"

Nam didn't understand. What did he mean by 'adventures'?

"It's like we've been together since the day I was born," Nam thought to himself.

The spirit snapped his fingers. "Bingo, correct guess."

Nam was shocked. "What?!"

The spirit moved behind Nam and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Come on, we share the same body. The only reason you're in control is that your soul is the dominant one."

Nam couldn't even react. When had he moved behind him?

The spirit's smirk turned into a mocking grin.

"Do you remember Risa? The girl you used to be friends with?"

His grip tightened. "Ah, right. I'm sorry... she died, didn't she?"

He started laughing.

"She was your second friend—the one who made you laugh, who entertained you, who was always by your side!"

His mocking tone grew even sharper.

"She was bound to die anyway. She was like an angel who had descended from heaven, wasn't she?"

His grip tightened even more.

"Oh, that reminds me… HER DEATH!"

Nam was furious. He clenched his fist, ready to throw a punch at any moment.

The spirit spoke normally, "Are you planning to kill me?"

His voice was firm. "You can't kill me. Even if you manage to, you will die too, Nam."

Nam was still angry. His fists were clenched, his brows furrowed, veins visible. He had never fought anyone before, but right now, he felt like he could. His voice came out serious.

"How can you be so sure?"

The spirit didn't seem fazed by Nam's state.

"I just told you—two souls, one body. Think of it like yin and yang. If one ceases to exist, so does the other."

After a short pause, he continued,

"Why do you think my tie is black? Not because I want it to be… but because I have no choice."

Nam loosened his fist.

Sweat dripped down his forehead. "Then... where is the white part of me?"

The spirit looked at Nam with disdain.

"You still don't get it, idiot? Look at your necklace!"

Nam didn't understand what the spirit meant, but he was right—there was something in his pocket.

He reached in and pulled out a necklace. Unlike before, he didn't tremble or collapse in fear.

Nam examined the necklace. "Why is this in my pocket?"

The spirit floated in a sleeping position. "Why? Man, you really are dumb. Who would leave their master?"

Nam was shocked. "M-Master?"

The spirit muttered under his breath, "I was supposed to be in control of this body… Damn, neither the Asiria Kingdom nor the Bardion Kingdom would've stood a chance."

Nam didn't hear what the spirit said, nor did he care. He locked eyes with him. "What's your name?"

The spirit let out a sigh. "Do you think an ordinary spirit like me would have a name?"

Nam pointed downward. "Do you think I'm an idiot? You're not an ordinary spirit. You have a shadow."

The spirit smirked slightly. "I deliberately hid my shadow, but you noticed, huh? Fine, my name is Larod."

Nam's eyes widened. "L-Larod? But... Larod is my surname!"

A short dagger appeared in the spirit's hand. "If that's the case, then my surname is Nam."

Nam stared at Larod. "You're neither an inner spirit nor an outer spirit! What are you!?"

Larod spoke calmly. "I am a joint spirit."

Nam was shocked. What was a joint spirit? Had Luth never heard of it? Or were joint spirits extremely rare?

Larod tossed the dagger into the air and caught it repeatedly. "Joint spirits are almost nonexistent. But that doesn't mean they're strong… or that they have any special abilities."

He caught the dagger one last time. "My power is just a passive ability."

Nam couldn't respond at first but then asked, "Then how many people have joint spirits? And what is your passive ability?"

Larod landed on the ground and sat down. "Why do you think I would tell you that?"

Nam locked eyes with Larod. "If joint spirits are so rare, there must be a reason for it, right?"

After a pause, he added, "And the most logical reason would be a war among joint spirits, wouldn't it?"

Larod stuck out his tongue. "Wrong."

He stood up. "Actually, there is a reason… but it's not war. If it were, we would've been dead long ago, don't you think?"

He stepped closer. "The real reason is to determine the next sovereign… or the one who will change fate itself"

Nam didn't understand what Larod had just said. "What?!"

Larod responded, "Of course you wouldn't understand. But I can do you a favor."

Nam asked calmly, "What kind of favor?"

Larod answered proudly, "Find the journal writer. They have information that will be useful to you."

Nam nodded. "There must be a time limit to our conversation. When will it end?"

The spirit quickly turned to Nam. "In 20 seconds."

Nam nodded again and asked, "Give me a lollipop."

Larod placed his hand on his forehead. "You never change."

After a short pause, he added, "I can't give you one. Even if I did, it would disappear."

Nam nodded in understanding.

Just as Larod was about to say something, Nam suddenly woke up.

He looked around—he had returned. There was a chair next to him, and someone was sitting on it.

It was Elara. She had fallen asleep.

It was probably evening. Nam felt extremely exhausted.

He tried to get up but couldn't.

This must have been a side effect.

Since there was nothing else he could do, he went back to sleep.

-Author note:English or Spanish?