The roar of magic engines shattered the silence above the vast forest.
A dozen royal magic helicopters streaked across the bright daytime sky.
Inside one of them, two men sat facing each other.
One was a young man wearing glasses, handing a small monitor screen to the older man before him.
The older man had neatly combed white hair. His black eyes reflected years of experience, and a scar across his cheek gave him a hardened presence. A white cloak rested over his shoulders.
The monitor displayed a train engulfed in flames at both the front and rear carriages.
"This is the latest image from the train carrying the artifact, the Bone of Malakar. Unfortunately, Princess Katarina is also on board."
The young man adjusted his glasses.
"Our estimated arrival time is ten minutes. We will prioritize securing the artifact along with rescuing Her Highness."
The older man exhaled slowly, his gaze fixed on the screen.
"No. Focus on rescuing the Princess and the civilians."
The young man hesitated.
"But what about—"
His words were cut off.
"Just follow my orders."
The young man swallowed.
"Y-Yes, sir."
From the rear carriage of the train came a desperate scream.
"UWAAAHHH!"
Alex shouted, forcing adrenaline and courage into his exhausted body.
The clones charging toward him attacked relentlessly, ignoring everything around them.
Alex retaliated with even greater brutality, pouring every ounce of strength he had into each strike.
Every clone destroyed was replaced by another.
And with each exchange, new wounds appeared across Alex's body.
He unleashed everything he had—every skill, every instinct—just to survive.
His breathing grew heavier. His injuries piled up. His vision blurred.
Only determination and experience kept him moving.
Alex glanced sideways.
Ilyas was in far worse condition. He was being completely overwhelmed.
Several times, Alex had to cut down clones attacking Ilyas from behind—even if it meant receiving more wounds himself.
Alex briefly looked toward the attacker's real body.
The man simply stood there, watching them.
A smile spread across his face.
He was enjoying their suffering.
Alex swallowed.
At least… if he keeps watching, we can stall for time until help arrives… or maybe escape.
He spoke to Krystal.
'Krystal, keep an eye on the attacker's real body. If he decides to join the fight, tell me immediately. I need to end this quickly.'
'Understood, Alex,'
Krystal replied shortly.
Alex pushed himself further, forcing his weakened new body beyond its limits, squeezing every last drop of strength, muscle memory, and experience he possessed.
Time passed.
Finally—the last clone.
Alex cut it cleanly in half.
Ilyas had collapsed, clinging weakly to a seat for support.
Chaos surrounded them. Blood stains from both Alex and Ilyas covered the carriage.
Their clothes were torn apart, exposing wounds that continued to bleed.
Alex stood barely upright, breathing heavily as he stared at the attacker. His vision wavered.
The attacker spoke.
But Alex could no longer hear him. Only ringing filled his ears.
It was a miracle he was still standing.
The attacker's hands began to change—turning black as sharp claws formed at his fingertips.
The only thing Alex could clearly see was that terrifying smile.
'Krystal… I know I can't properly use this world's power yet. And I can't activate my old power without preparation. Can you channel the energy inside my body? Help me control it… just for a moment?'
Silence followed.
'It's possible, Alex. But in my current state, I can't channel it into your weapon. I can only direct it into your hands… for five seconds. Do you accept?'
Alex smiled faintly.
'Yeah. Five extra seconds to live… is more than enough.'
Seeing Alex smile, the attacker lunged forward.
Alex released the Changing Sword, letting it vanish into nothingness.
His hearing slowly returned.
His vision sharpened.
A cold sensation flowed from his abdomen into both of his hands.
The attacker slashed forward with his clawed right hand.
Alex tilted his head left to evade.
'1…'
As the attacker's balance broke, Alex drove a fist into his right ribs, coated in that unfamiliar power.
Crack.
A satisfying sound reached Alex's ears.
'2…'
The attacker staggered slightly before striking again with his left hand.
Alex leaned back to dodge.
'3…'
The missed attack created another opening.
Alex punched him square in the face.
'4…'
The attacker stumbled again. Though his face remained partly hidden, Alex knew he was truly angry now.
Suddenly, the man rushed forward at far greater speed.
A straight claw strike shot toward Alex.
Alex could only raise his left arm to shield his chest.
Crack.
This time, it was a sound Alex didn't want to hear.
'5…'
Alex was thrown several meters back, landing while staring at the carriage ceiling.
Pain screamed through his body. His vision blurred again. His hearing faded.
But faintly—he saw someone.
Not the clone user.
Someone with long dark-red hair and blue eyes.
Alex opened his mouth, but blood came out first.
With the last of his strength, he spoke.
"The attacker… that young man… carried… something important…"
He hoped the words reached them.
Darkness slowly consumed his vision.
Moments Earlier — Middle Carriage
Cries of pain echoed everywhere, painting a picture of chaos.
Katarina distributed healing potions to the wounded.
In this emergency, no one paid attention to her status as a princess, allowing her to move freely.
She searched for someone—a boy with short black hair and black eyes.
But she couldn't find him.
Her breathing grew heavier.
"Has anyone seen a boy with short black hair and black eyes?" she asked urgently.
A guard approached.
"I know him. He ran toward the rear carriage to save people. He told me to escort the injured here."
Katarina raised an eyebrow.
'Helping others? That shouldn't be like him…'
A small smile appeared on her lips.
"Thank you."
She turned toward Reva.
"We're going to the rear carriage."
"But Princess, it's dangerous—"
Katarina ignored the warning.
"We need to check on him. He's Captain Sander's son."
Reva blinked in surprise.
"Captain Sander's son?"
They ran through damaged carriages filled with destruction and bodies.
Katarina forced herself not to look and kept moving.
Reaching the last two carriages, she slowed down and opened the door.
The smell of blood hit instantly.
She froze.
Blood was everywhere.
Two young men in torn clothes.
One had already collapsed, clutching a bag.
The other was still fighting a monster.
Katarina whispered unconsciously.
"That fight… it's like a veteran battling a monster."
Her throat tightened.
'Is that… Alex? That shouldn't be possible.'
'Those movements… calm even under pressure.'
'He should already be dead. Yet he's still standing.'
Before she could react—
Alex was thrown and landed directly before her.
Their eyes met.
His black eyes had lost focus.
Katarina knelt beside him.
"Alex… are you okay?"
Reva vanished into the shadows to attack the enemy.
Alex didn't respond.
"Alex… Alex…"
He opened his mouth. Blood came out first.
"The attacker… carried… something important…"
His eyes closed.
Katarina immediately forced a healing potion into his mouth, knowing it wouldn't fully heal such severe injuries.
A loud impact sounded.
Reva lay on the ground, groaning.
"Reva!"
The attacker approached the fallen youth carrying the bag.
Remembering Alex's words, Katarina gathered mana into her palms.
Cold energy spread through her hands.
She unleashed a massive wave of blue flames.
The attacker erased it with one hand.
Katarina rushed forward anyway, Reva following from the side.
The attacker smiled.
He clapped his hands—
A shockwave blasted them backward.
Slash.
He pierced the young man's heart with his claw and took the bag.
Katarina tried to move again.
The attacker smiled.
"Goodbye, fools."
His body dissolved into ash.
Silence remained.
'What… just happened? In my previous life… this never happened.
Is there something behind this attack… something even I never knew?'
Wind suddenly swept through the carriage.
A man in a white cloak entered—the white-haired man with a scar across his cheek.
"Are you alright, Prin—"
"You're late, Uncle Adan."
He lowered his head.
"My apologies, Your Highness."
Katarina ignored him and pointed at Alex.
"Carry him. Treat him immediately."
Then she pointed at the dead youth.
Tears slipped from her eyes.
"If you had come sooner… or if I were stronger… he wouldn't have died."
Her quiet sobs filled the carriage.
After a moment, she wiped her tears and stepped outside.
Fresh air greeted her. The sun still stood high in the sky.
All that bloodshed had lasted only minutes.
She looked at the blazing sun.
At least… casualties were minimized. Reva and Alex are alive.
But one question remained heavy in her heart—
the true reason behind the inciden