Sense of Danger

[ALERT]

[CURRENT STATUS: NUMBER 8: LEVEL- 5/100 XP.

MANA CONTROL: 15

DRAGON MANA POOL: 205/ 5000

PHYSICAL STRENGTH: 160

STAMINA: 160

DRAGON AURA: 25

SKILL PROFICIENCY: ACTIVE 1

—Swordsmanship: 70%

FAMILIAR TRUST: 102%

—Linked Familiar: WHITE DRAGON 

CONTRACTS: ACTIVE 2.

—Name: [ASH]

—Bond Type: Sealed Pact.

—Name: [LEVI]

—Bond Type: Binding Oath.

NEW ABILITIES:

—Soul of Dragon: 2%

—Invisibility 

—Others Locked.]

[Something bad, Papa,] Ash said, watching Raiden with her puppy eyes.

Raiden dropped to his knees and pulled her into his arms, holding her close to his chest. His expression was calm and reassuring as he tried to comfort Ash. He had been feeling something similar earlier—subtle, not strong enough to act on. But now, he was somewhat certain.

He gave Ash a faint smile. "You think so?"

They stood in the center of their new training room. The walls were lined with bookshelves, but with the flip of a switch, they revealed the weapons needed for their training. The space was dimly lit, the ceiling painted with the soft glow of thousands of star-like lights—just like the tunnel-like corridors that led to it.

"It's getting late, Ash," Raiden said as he began walking out of the room with her in his arms. "I don't think the others will be coming anytime soon… and I'm very tired." He let out a yawn.

The moment he stepped out of the room, he bumped into Leo.

"Sorry, Raiden," Leo said, brushing a hand through his white hair awkwardly.

Raiden stood still, watching him, wondering what it was that Leo was struggling so much to say.

"It was getting late, so I prepared something for us," Leo said with an awkward smile.

Raiden began to walk past him. "Nice… let us have a bite then."

They both began walking to the living room, Leo going on and on about the magic spells he'd read and was eager to try. Raiden, however, was lost in thought—the feeling he'd had earlier now felt closer than before, yet he still couldn't sense any real danger. It was nothing more than instinct… a gut feeling.

Still, they headed behind the staircase and through a door that led to a massive hall housing both the kitchen and the dining room, its design matching the style of the rest of the interior.

They took their seats and got served, but Leo kept going on about the spells. Wanting to clear his mind a little, Raiden joined in, offering the occasional nod and "aha." Before long, they were done, and both Raiden and Ash returned to their room upstairs—opposite the fake storeroom that hid the book. 

The room was essentially a replica of the one downstairs, though this one was decorated with small statues scattered around.

The moment he entered, he hurled himself onto the bed with Ash. "Let's sleep, Ash…" he mumbled, placing her on the other side of the bed as he yawned, his eyes heavy with drowsiness.

"I don't think whatever it is is close… or even has any killing intent." He gave her a faint smile as sleep slowly overtook him.

[Okay, Papa,] Ash said as she watched Raiden abruptly fall asleep. She sat there for a while, her blue puppy eyes fixed on his slumbering face. 

The concern and fear in her gaze were unmistakable. But soon, she wore a warm smile, snuggled up close to Raiden, and drifted off to sleep.

Before long, an electric sensation shot through their bodies at the same time, jolting them both to their feet.

[Something bad,] Papa, she whispered softly, her voice barely audible.

Raiden felt it too; this time, he could sense the danger. His heartbeat quickened as he swallowed nervously, sweat forming on his forehead. For something to make Ash this paranoid… it could only mean one thing: whoever—or whatever—it was, they were far stronger. And he might be in real trouble.

Still, he put on a mask for Ash. "Don't worry, Ash," he said, gently patting her head. "Let's go check it out."

They both began leaving the room, but Raiden's heart wouldn't stop pounding, faster with each passing second. Still, he steeled himself and grabbed his sword. Yet as they neared the entrance, the feeling grew more intense, causing Ash to hesitate.

Raiden knelt beside her on the floor, gently brushing his hand over her scales. "If you're scared, you can stay, Ash," he said, wearing that same masked expression. "I'll handle him. Don't worry…"

He rose to his feet and began walking toward the entrance, taking slow, steady breaths as he gripped his sword tightly.

The moment he opened the door to the outside, he saw a man dressed in cream. His silver hair was gently brushed back, giving him an elegant and confident appearance. He sat by the fountain, one leg casually crossed over the other, a cigar resting between his lips.

''Gold Crest? Have I really gotten to that point?'' he muttered, worry evident in his eyes.

The majority of Gold Crest bearers worked in organized packs, like guilds unto themselves, and the select few who remained independent either served the kingdoms directly, had consumed the devil's milk, or had perished. So to face a gold crest bearer in this moment only compounded his troubles.

Raiden swallowed nervously as he approached him. The man's presence was overwhelming, his aura radiated gold.

Raiden's mind raced, running through every possible way to avoid certain death if intimidation didn't work. But after a long moment, he let out a quiet sigh.

"I wouldn't know if I don't try, would I?" he muttered, then quickly shifted into a cold, blunt expression. Raising his sword and resting it on his shoulder, he began to take careful steps toward the man.

After taking a few steps closer, Raiden paused, putting some distance between them. In that instant, the man turned to him, feigning surprise, as if he hadn't sensed Raiden's presence all along.

"Hey… you're here," he said with a smile, his voice tender and calm.

Raiden narrowed his eyes slightly. "What do you want, old man?" he asked, his tone bold and unmistakably threatening.

"Come on," the man said with a playful smile. "Do I really look that old?" He gave himself a quick glance. "I'm only 24… I thought I looked young, and kinda hot, honestly."

Raiden let out a sigh, his voice growing bolder. "What do you want?"

The way he said it, firm, unwavering, made it clear to anyone listening: there wasn't a trace of fear in him, and it wasn't a question he intended to repeat.

But beneath the mask stood a trembling boy.

The man's eyes narrowed, and his expression abruptly turned cold.

"I want the book," he said, his words firm, clear, and without room for negotiation.

Raiden smirked. "You really think I'll just hand it over to you?"

His smile widened. "Come get it, old man."

The man smirked as well, pulled the cigar from his lips, and tossed it to the ground, crushing it under his heel.

"Just as I'd expect from the Bookkeeper…"

He began to take slow, steady steps forward, while Raiden remained perfectly still.

"By the way," he said, "my name is Mack."