Leaving

Naomi watched closely as Ronan stood anxiously before her desk. The timer on his wrist counted down steadily, and Ronan's heart thumped louder with every passing second.

"Ten minutes," Ronan murmured, glancing nervously at Naomi.

Naomi tilted her head slightly, her hazel eyes calm yet intrigued. "Fascinating. There's roughly a 59% chance something extraordinary happens here, and I'm inclined to see it through. But, first, your requested items."

She gestured toward a table behind her, where several objects were neatly arranged. "A specialized combat suit with reinforced plating, capable of withstanding significant physical damage and reducing impact from blade or projectile attacks by approximately 85%. Next, a military-grade electromagnetic pistol, prototype model X-17—it fires armor-piercing rounds capable of penetrating advanced armor or tough hides. Lastly, three advanced Healing Potions, laboratory-certified to heal severe injuries within moments."

Ronan approached the table and carefully inspected each item. He felt reassured

"Thank you," Ronan said sincerely, turning to Naomi. "Are you really sure about helping me?"

"About 59% sure," Naomi replied, lips curling into a subtle smirk. "And, it's not like your going somewhere else... If you be back in a second then what's harm letting you hold these items for few minutes."

Ronan nodded and glanced at the countdown timer on his wrist.

"Focus on surviving," Naomi advised, leaning back in her chair with curiosity evident in her expression.

Ronan nodded, equipping himself quickly. He checked his gear one last time, tension building in his chest as the timer continued counting down.

Ten seconds.

Ronan's breath quickened.

Five seconds.

Naomi leaned forward, intrigued.

Two seconds.

Ronan closed his eyes.

Zero.

Ronan blinked, and in the span of a single heartbeat, he was back in the Spiritual World. The acrid smell of smoke and the metallic tang of blood assaulted his senses, picking up exactly where he'd left off. The two robbers in front of him—one with the short axe, the other wielding a spear.

Behind him, Noctis still knelt on the ground, her hand pressed against her bleeding waist, while Elvana hovered over her mother, eyes frantic.

But Ronan had changed.

Gone were his old clothes, replaced by the reinforced combat suit Naomi had given him. It fit snugly across his body—black, segmented plating covering his torso and limbs. A military-grade electromagnetic pistol was holstered at his side, and three vials of advanced Healing Potion were strapped against his belt.

The two robbers hesitated, their eyes narrowing at the sight.

"Ray…?" Elvana's voice trembled with confusion.

Ronan drew the electromagnetic pistol in a fluid motion. "Stay back."

The robber with the axe bared his teeth, lunging forward. Ronan squeezed the trigger—a sharp crack cut through the air as an armor-piercing round blasted from the barrel. The robber's momentum halted mid-step, a surprised gurgle escaping his lips. The bullet tore straight through the thin scrap of armor he wore, dropping him instantly. He fell to the ground, blood pooling beneath him.

The spear-wielding robber snarled, rushing at Ronan with a wild thrust. Ronan sidestepped, letting the spear's tip scrape across his armor. Sparks flew, but the plating held firm, merely scuffed by the impact. Before the robber could recover, Ronan jammed the pistol under the man's chin and fired another shot.

A strangled gasp—then the spear clattered to the ground, its owner collapsing in a crumpled heap.

In mere seconds, both robbers lay dead.

Ronan spun around, holstering the pistol. He hurried to Noctis, who was still bleeding heavily from the deep slash in her waist. Elvana cradled her mother's head, pressing down on the wound with trembling hands.

"What… how did you…?" Elvana's voice shook as she took in Ronan's new gear.

Noctis lifted her head, pained but alert, her eyes widening in shock. "Ray, your… your clothes…"

Ronan quickly unclasped one of the healing vials from his belt, popping the cap. "No time to explain," he said firmly. "Here, drink this."

He gently lifted Noctis's head and poured the shimmering liquid into her mouth. For a moment, she coughed, struggling against the bitter taste. Then her eyes fluttered closed as the potion took effect. The blood flow slowed, and the torn flesh along her waist began to knit itself back together.

Elvana's breath caught in her throat. "That's… incredible."

Within a minute, Noctis's wound sealed, leaving only a faint scar behind. Her gaze flicked from the bloodstains on the ground to the futuristic plating on Ronan's arms.

"Ray," Noctis whispered. "What is all this?"

Ronan helped her to her feet, relief flooding him as he saw color return to her cheeks. "It's a secret," he said, "one I can't share. Not yet, at least. Please, trust me—don't tell anyone what you've seen."

Noctis and Elvana exchanged a glance. Their eyes held confusion, curiosity, but also gratitude for the life-saving miracle they'd just witnessed.

"…Alright," Noctis said at last, leaning on Elvana but standing upright. "We won't say a word."

Elvana nodded.

Ronan listened for any more cries or metal clashing in the distance. The village was in chaos—fires still crackled in the northern side, and shouts echoed among the huts.

"Stay with your mother," Ronan told Elvana. "I'm ending this now."

Without waiting for a response, he took off at a sprint, his new armor lending strength to each stride. He slipped through the smoke-filled alleys and ruins, scanning for movement.

Up ahead, three bandits huddled behind a collapsed tent, each armed with crude weapons. One spotted Ronan, barking a warning to the others but he was too late.

Ronan raised the electromagnetic pistol. Bang! Bang! Two quick shots took the first bandit in the chest, the second in the forehead. Their bodies hit the ground in a tangle of limbs. The third one shouted in panic, scrambling to escape. Ronan fired once more, the bullet tearing into the robber's back.

Then he looked through the village, while hiding himself. After he was sure that everything was alright, he returned to where Noctis and Elvana waited.

The fires in the north had died down, and the few surviving robbers seemed to have fled. Zyrris and the other villagers would soon secure the area and tend to the wounded.

But Ronan's part was finished. He had done what he could to keep them safe.

He gazed at Elvana, standing beside her mother. Even from a distance, he could see the relief on her face. He looked at her and said, "I need to leave right now... With items I have, I will be safe."

Elvana held his hands and gripped tightly for a moment before letting it go.

"Can you wait for few minutes?" Noctis asked. Suddenly Ronan with this new look and items would make villager questions him, so it better to leave now, but she wants to give him some things.

Ronan nodded and he and Elvana went to other side, to hide from villagers, and waited for a while. They didn't talk, just held hands, and after a while, Noctis came.

She had a cloths bag, and handed to Ronan, "Inside are money... You will need it if you're going alone."

Ronan didn't refuse, "I will came back," He said and then hugged Elvana and Noctis also hugged him, and after that he left.

He already knew which way was near by city, and he just need to ask around to know the way of Karjat City.