Kernal and Karry walked through the long metallic hallway in silence.
Dim lights flickered above them while distant footsteps echoed through the underground base.
As they turned the corner, they noticed someone leaning against the wall ahead.
A young man.
He wore a dark hat pulled low over his eyes, and at his waist rested a polished katana that reflected the hallway lights like silver water.
Karry glanced at him briefly.
Kernal didn't even react.
He simply walked past him.
Karry followed behind.
Then—
A voice echoed through the corridor.
Elegant.
Young.
Yet filled with irritating arrogance.
Person: "How rude."
Kernal stopped.
Slowly, he turned his head.
Person: "Ignoring me like that… bastard."
Kernal sighed in annoyance.
Kernal: "You talking to me?"
The man smirked.
Person: "Who else would I be talking to?"
He looked directly at Karry.
Person: "You think I'd waste my time speaking to a baby rookie?"
Karry frowned slightly.
Kernal's eyes sharpened.
Kernal: "Brothik."
His voice became colder.
Kernal: "I already warned you."
Kernal: "Don't involve yourself in my business."
A pause.
Kernal: "And don't disrespect my junior."
Brothik laughed softly.
Brothik: "Still acting tough?"
He slowly stepped closer.
Brothik: "You stole something that belonged to Sir Santa."
The atmosphere suddenly became heavier.
Even nearby workers quietly stopped moving.
Brothik: "You know what he's capable of."
His smile widened.
Brothik: "You'll never live peacefully again."
Then his gaze shifted toward Karry.
Cold.
Sharp.
Predatory.
Brothik: "Kid… I don't know why you're involved with him."
He leaned closer.
Brothik: "But if you stay near Kernal…"
His voice lowered.
Brothik: "The Winter Lord will crush you without even touching you."
Karry blinked.
Karry: "Wait… Santa?"
He tilted his head.
Karry: "You mean Santa Claus?"
Silence.
Then suddenly—
Brothik grabbed Karry by the collar and lifted him into the air.
People nearby immediately panicked.
Worker: "Brothik, stop!"
Another voice: "He's just a rookie!"
Worker: "He doesn't know anything about the foreign nations!"
Brothik ignored them.
His eyes burned with irritation.
Brothik: "Don't compare that monster to a children's story."
He tightened his grip slightly.
Brothik: "The current Santa…"
His voice became darker.
Brothik: "Is the ruler of Winterland."
Brothik: "The Winter Lord himself."
Before Karry could respond—
BOOM!
Kernal's fist slammed directly into Brothik's face.
Brothik crashed sideways into the wall.
The hallway shook violently.
Kernal stepped forward coldly.
Kernal: "I told you to mind your own business."
His aura slowly leaked into the corridor.
Kernal: "Or are you too stupid to understand simple words?"
Brothik slowly stood back up, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth.
The smile on his face disappeared completely.
He grabbed the handle of his katana.
Brothik: "Looks like you really want to die today."
The atmosphere instantly became dangerous.
People nearby quickly backed away.
Then—
Brothik suddenly froze.
A new presence had entered the hallway.
Footsteps echoed calmly through the corridor.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
A man walked toward them.
The moment he appeared—
pure aura flooded the hallway.
The pressure alone silenced everyone present.
Karry immediately noticed something unusual.
His ears.
Long.
Different from humans.
The people nearby widened their eyes.
Whispers spread instantly.
"Is that…?"
"No way…"
"Why is he here?"
The figure stopped between Kernal and Brothik.
His emerald-colored eyes calmly stared at Brothik.
Figure: "Brothik."
The hallway became silent.
Figure: "If you continue harassing my friend and his junior…"
A faint smile appeared on his face.
But somehow—
that smile felt terrifying.
Figure: "You'll enter a world of pain."
Brothik clicked his tongue in irritation.
Brothik: "You're lucky, Kernal."
He wiped the blood from his face.
Brothik: "He saved you."
The figure sighed softly.
Figure: "And if you still wish to fight…"
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Figure: "Then tell Santa this."
The aura in the hallway intensified.
Figure: "If he wants war…"
A brief silence followed.
Figure: "He will get one."
Brothik stared at him for several seconds.
Then finally—
he turned away angrily and walked off without another word.
The pressure in the hallway slowly disappeared.
The mysterious figure then looked toward Karry.
His expression softened slightly.
Figure: "Are you alright, young man?"
Karry slowly nodded.
Karry: "I'm fine…"
He hesitated for a moment.
Karry: "But… who are you?"
The man smiled politely.
Figure: "I am Killian."
A pause.
Figure: "One of the rulers of the U.S.E."
Karry blinked.
Killian: "The Elf King of the Green Mist."
Karry's eyes widened instantly.
Karry: "What the…"
[End of chapter ]