Sometimes, having neighbors could be a blessing... or a complete curse. In ninety percent of cases, it was the latter. That’s what ran through Candado’s mind, who, in just four years, had three different neighbors—each one worse than the last.

  The first had been a family of four: dad, mom, a baby, and a teenager—the latter particularly disastrous. A hormone-fueled time bomb on legs who used to harass Gabriela when Candado was only five years old. The boy’s parents did nothing to stop the harassment, and things only escalated. The Barret family didn’t sit idly by. With methods far from legal, they provoked a small fire in the newcomers’ living room—and just like that, they got rid of them.

  The second group was even larger: a family of seven—two parents and five children. Three of the kids were four years older than Candado, who was nine at the time. They used to bully him every time he stepped into the garden to lie under the tree. They threw water at him, eggs, and on one occasion, even firecrackers. One of them exploded too close, causing minor burns on his arm and eyes. After countless warnings from the police, things finally crossed a line. Clementina and Gabriela decided to take matters into their own hands. They climbed over the wall and gave them a “lesson” so terrifying that the entire family moved away. To this day, that episode remains a closely guarded secret—on Clementina’s part, of course. Candado never found out exactly what they did to those boys.

  The third and final neighbor was a forty-year-old widower, a carpenter whose only talent seemed to be making noise. Arrogant, rude, and violent, not a single day went by without him disturbing the neighborhood. One day, “accidentally,” a circular saw fell on his head. Everyone knew it hadn’t been an accident. The deceased’s brother filed criminal charges against another resident of the block, who had witnessed the deceased’s affair with his wife. The case was eventually dropped due to lack of evidence. The accused divorced his wife and moved to Uruguay. A disturbing tale.

  "At this point, I don't know whether to be surprised or just cry," said Candado, watching the new neighbors move in. "It’s always good to have someone to hate."

  "I’m going in first," Hammya announced.

  "Understood," replied Europa and Clementina in unison.

  Candado extended his hand to the "new" neighbor.

  "Congratulations, and welcome to the neighborhood," he greeted.

  Pak Sun-hwa refused to shake his hand. Instead, she bowed politely.

  "I hope I can be of assistance to you."

  "...What?"

  Pak straightened up firmly.

  "What I mean is, I’d like to join your guild."

  "I refuse."

  "I’m sorry, but I must insist."

  "No."

  "I’m sorry, but I must insist."

  "...No."

  "I’m sorry, but I must insist."

  Candado began to develop a nervous tic in his right eye.

  "N... no, I don’t want to. Stop insisting."

  "I’m sorry, but I must insist."

  "Look, I select people who stand out. Until you show me something that surprises me, you’re not in."

  Pak brought a hand to her chin, thoughtful.

  "Understood. I’ll make sure I earn my place in your guild."

  "I hope so... Anyway, how did you find this place?"

  "I came with Mr. Héctor Ramírez."

  "Ah... now it makes sense."

  "He’s the reason I’m here."

  "I have a thousand questions, but I’m going to stop myself here."

  Candado turned his gaze toward Hammya and walked slowly over to her.

  "Is something wrong?" Hammya asked, noticing his closeness.

  Candado kept walking, stopping only when he stood uncomfortably close.

  “…”

  “Is something wrong?” she asked again, this time with a hint of nervousness.

  In that moment, Candado recalled Hachipusaq’s words: “It won’t matter if you ask her my name or whether she knows me—she’ll say no and look at you like you’re crazy. And even if you investigate her, you’ll get nothing. But I’ll tell you this: she’ll be your savior in many ways… I envy you.”

  After a brief moment of thought, Candado simply embraced her.

  “Eh?” she exclaimed, her eyes briefly lighting up.

  Clementina gasped, covering her mouth in shock. Declan raised an eyebrow. Pak Sun-hwa tilted her head in confusion. Europa, on the other hand, felt a strange mix of jealousy and pride.

  “There’s something going on, isn’t there?”

  “Shut up for a moment.”

  Candado felt a light flutter in his chest. He wondered, seriously, if there was any kind of hostile feeling between him and her... and vice versa.

  “Nothing… Apparently I can’t do it after all.”

  “Do what?”

  Candado slowly let go of the hug.

  “It’s just as I feared… I’m starting to like you.”

  “...!”

  “Sir, do you realize you’ve just said something quite serious?” Declan remarked, raising a brow.

  Hammya blushed instantly.

  “To be honest, I… I don’t think I said anything strange,” Candado replied calmly.

  Clementina grinned mischievously.

  “Pardon me, sir… I didn’t hear that quite right. Could you repeat it?”

  “Fine,” Candado said, looking at Hammya, who was still trying to regain her composure. “Hammya, I’m starting to like you.”

  Clementina burst out laughing. Declan was left speechless. Europa stared at him with a mix of envy and awe. Pak Sun-hwa clapped softly. Candado had no idea what was happening… and Hammya died. Well—almost.

  Candado turned to his mother.

  “Anyway, let’s go home. I’m hungry.”

  “I’ll join you,” said Pak.

  “No,” Candado refused flatly.

  “We agree,” added Clementina and Europa in unison.

  “…What about you, Declan?” Candado asked, hoping for backup.

  “Maybe next time. I promised Anzor I’d visit his house.”

  “Have fun.”

  SOME TIME LATER

  Sunday had arrived, and with it, the traditional family barbecue. In the backyard, beneath the shade of the big tree, Arturo and Candado stood at the grill while Clementina and ever-loyal Hipólito set up a table and several chairs.

  “According to Mom, you’ve got to let the fatty parts brown nicely to bring out the flavor,” Candado commented, flipping the meat.

  “Got it,” Arturo replied, eyes fixed on the grill.

  “Good thing Mrs. Barret got plenty of meat for the occasion.”

  “I still can’t believe the young master came up with this wonderful idea.”

  Candado poked a sausage, and hot juice burst out, splashing right onto Clementina’s face.

  “Oops! It slipped. Sometimes this hand acts on its own,” he said with a mischievous grin, then poked another one. Same result. “I’m such a klutz… Don’t you think this young master needs you to go back inside and clean up?”

  Clementina kept her sly smile as she wiped her face with a handkerchief.

  “I understand. I need to change. I want to be presentable when Pak’s parents arrive.”

  “Please do.”

  Clementina walked away.

  “You two get along well,” Arturo observed. “But I’d rather you not mess around with the food. Especially not doing that to Clem. Robot or human, she deserves respect.”

  “Respect? You’ve no idea how picky she is about that!”

  Still, he watched her walk inside. Candado sighed, placed the fork down on the table, and removed his apron.

  “Where are you going?”

  “To apologize to Clementina. Even if she knows it bothers me, that doesn’t excuse me acting like that. And even less so doing what I just did. If she were human, that juice could’ve burned her face and eyes,” he sighed again. “Set those sausages aside for me, I don’t want Mom getting mad.”

  “Alright…”

  Candado walked away.

  “Darling, have you noticed our son seems… different?”

  “Yes. It’s because of that girl.”

  “Hammya?”

  “That’s right.”

  Candado stepped into the kitchen. He found Clementina humming softly as she washed her face and carefully scrubbed the collar of her shirt and tie, both stained with chorizo.

  “Clem.”

  She turned around with her usual charming smile.

  “Oh, how can I help you?”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “For what? Oh! For this? Don’t worry. It was just a game to me.”

  Candado stepped closer, dampened a handkerchief with a bit of detergent, and began gently cleaning the collar of her shirt.

  “You can be really annoying sometimes.”

  “I know.”

  “But even so… I like having you by my side.”

  “It’s my job.”

  “You’re not getting paid for it.”

  “I know.”

  Clementina placed her hand gently on Candado’s head.

  “You’ll always be a little boy to me.”

  “Don’t do that, okay?”

  “I don’t want to. And don’t worry… I know very well who Candado is… my young master.”

  “Please don’t call me that.”

  Clementina laughed sweetly.

  At that moment, Hammya appeared at the doorway.

  “Ahem.”

  “Oh, hello, Miss Hammya.”

  “Hi, Clem. Candado, I need your help at the grill.”

  Candado finished blotting the stain and set the handkerchief aside.

  “Well, I have to go. Sorry.”

  “All right.”

  Candado left the kitchen.

  “What happened?” Hammya asked.

  “Just another one of the young master’s phases. That’s all.”

  “Really?”

  “Of course.”

  Clementina smiled as she finished straightening her tie.

  “So… what do you think of her?”

  “Her? Oh, Miss Pak Sun-hwa? I think she’s not a bad person. She’s just… like Candado: determined and always smiling.”

  “The way she smiled while holding Declan’s sword… it was like looking at Candado.”

  “Yes. I think Mr. Kennedy should start to calm down.”

  “Kennedy?”

  “That’s young Declan’s surname. Kennedy.”

  “Oh…”

  “Anyway, you should head back outside.”

  “R-right. And what about you?”

  “I need to change my tie. You didn’t think I’d greet the new neighbors looking like this, did you?”

  “No, you’re right. See you later.”

  Hammya left the kitchen with a spring in her step. Clementina watched her go and smiled as she gazed out the window. Outside, she saw Hammya running to help Candado with the barbecue.

  “It’d be nice if they’d just kiss already,” she murmured with a playful grin.

  Leaving the kitchen behind, Clementina headed to her room—a space she used almost exclusively for changing clothes. It was located directly across from Candado’s. Both doors bore signs: his in Latin; hers in Spanish read, “To love, serve, and protect.”

  She opened the door and stepped inside.

  “Phew… I’d better close the window unless I want the whole room full of smoke.”

  Her room was the same size as Candado’s, decorated in green and pink—her favorite colors. Only two pictures hung on the walls: one, an oil portrait of the Barret family; the other, a child’s drawing—the first gift Candado ever gave her, back when he was just five. He always said it was awful and embarrassing, but she treasured it deeply.

  A massive wardrobe covered an entire wall, with a mirror built into the door. The violet carpet on the floor was just as she had requested years ago.

  She shut the window, removed her tie, rolled it neatly, and placed it in a separate drawer for laundry. Then she opened the wardrobe and examined the rows of nearly identical garments, save for a few drawers filled with different styles.

  “Which one shall it be…?” she whispered, amused.

  She opened one of the drawers and pulled out a tie. It was identical to the previous one.

  “Fufu… looks like you’re the chosen one.”

  As she fastened the tie in front of the mirror, she smiled. But suddenly, her eyes gleamed with intensity.

  “I know you’re there. I sensed you the moment I walked in.”

  She finished adjusting the knot and turned around, smiling with her eyes closed.

  “Clementine.”

  At the sound of her name, the figure revealed herself, dissolving the camouflage with a subtle shimmer across her skin as it shifted from blending into the room. Her appearance mirrored Clementina’s—even her hairstyle—except for one detail: her entire body was a deep, vivid red, and she wore yellow gloves. Her face bore no expression; she was cold, still, and serious.

  “I see you’re not outdated, V02,” the visitor said.

  “Please, call me Clementina.”

  “V02.”

  “Clem.”

  “V02.”

  “Why?”

  “Until you pay me for those seven years, V02.”

  “Heh… I already told you I’m sorry. I lost part of my memory—I didn’t know.”

  “Excuses.”

  “Still cold and fast, as always. But tell me… what are you doing here? And sneaking around, no less.”

  “We’ve received reports of agents surveying this house.”

  Clementina’s expression turned serious.

  “When?”

  “Yesterday and today.”

  “How did you find out?”

  “Because of your insistence on removing Grivna’s cameras from the house, we were forced to install new ones outside… and in the abandoned house next door.”

  “That old man’s a voyeur. I don’t like him placing cameras in the Barret household.”

  “You must protect Mr. Catriel, V02.”

  “That’s exactly what I’m doing.”

  “Your threat assessments have been subpar. You’ve defied multiple orders, offered services to third parties, and, on top of it all, failed to prevent Mr. Catriel from nearly tearing out his own throat with a sharp object.”

  “That was prevented—thanks to Miss Hammya.”

  “I don’t think you understand, V02. You have a duty that cannot be compromised. Protecting the Barrets is one of our most critical missions. The fact that a third party saved your top priority says a lot—and not in a good way.”

  “What are you trying to say?”

  “That the person you call Miss Hammya was one possibility among thousands. I don’t deny her talent or reflexes, but… What if she hadn’t been standing next to Candado? Better yet, what if she had been just a centimeter farther back? That object would’ve pierced his trachea. He would’ve died instantly.”

  “But he didn’t.”

  “V02.”

  “Clementina,” she corrected firmly.

  Then the visitor stepped closer. She placed her left hand on Clementina’s shoulder and gently reached for her tie with the right.

  “Red... I like it. You’ve got good taste, sister.”

  “I request that V02 speak clearly and concisely about what she wishes to communicate.”

  “You’re right,” Clementina replied, her tone now more serious. “Luck was a major factor that day... for the young one—for Candado—to have survived. It was thanks to a third party, Hammya Saillim, my best friend, who managed to jump in just in time to save him.”

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  She then touched her tie with a pensive gesture.

  “Your version of the events remains pitiful for someone who calls herself a protector.”

  “We can’t do it all. You and I are not so different.”

  “I disagree. We’re very different. I follow rules, laws, and protocols. You, on the other hand… you only obey the Three Codes when it suits you. And you interpret them in your own way to justify your actions. I, however, am more efficient, more pragmatic, and more obedient than you. Efficiency. Pragmatism. Obedience.”

  Clementina smiled and raised her left hand.

  “That’s not true.”

  She gently patted her sister’s shoulder and walked toward the door. When her fingers touched the doorknob, she added:

  “I’ll give you some advice... sister to sister.”

  “Irrelevant. But I’ll listen.”

  “Your tie is on backwards.”

  Clementine looked down to check.

  “That’s not true.”

  “But you hesitated. And that—even for just a second—says a lot. Even you, who think yourself perfect, can make mistakes.”

  Clementina smiled and left the room. Clementine, for her part, showed no reaction to what had been said.

  Once the door closed, Clementina calmly began adjusting her tie.

  Garden

  “Hammya, you’re holding the fork wrong,” said Candado as he watched her.

  “How can someone even hold a fork wrong?”

  “I don’t know, Hammya. Why don’t you explain it to me?”

  Europa gently took Hammya’s hand and corrected her grip.

  “Like this, darling, like this. Not like that, or the meat’s going to fall.”

  “Mom, where’s Karen?”

  “She’s playing over there, behind the house.”

  “Good, I’ll go with her.”

  Candado walked over to where Karen was sitting on the grass with her favorite stuffed animal—a little plush camel.

  “Canda.”

  “Hey, sunshine.”

  Karen stood up and ran to meet him.

  “Can Karen help with something?”

  “Karen is fine just as she is. You are strictly forbidden from going near the fire.”

  “Karen is sorry. It was just once…” she said, lowering her gaze.

  “Karen made Canda feel fear and pain when he saw her with first-degree burns.”

  “Karen will stay still, playing.”

  “That's more like it.”

  House

  There was a knock at the door. Or at least, Clementina heard it.

  “Right on time.”

  She adjusted her gloves and walked confidently toward the entrance.

  “One moment.”

  She opened the door.

  “Oh... Mr. Pak and his wife, correct?”

  In front of her stood two adults and two children. The woman wore traditional clothing from her country, while the man was dressed in a military uniform. The son was in formal attire; his sister wore a uniform similar to their father’s.

  “That’s right,” the man answered firmly.

  “Please, come in.”

  Clementina led them toward the garden.

  Garden

  Candado was lifting his sister in his arms when he noticed a figure in front of him.

  “For Isidro’s sake...”

  “Incorrect phrase for an informal greeting,” Pak Sun-hwa corrected him seriously.

  “Hello. I see you must be Pak’s father.”

  “I’m honored to meet Candado Barret.”

  “The pleasure is mine, sir...?”

  “Pak Yong-nam.”

  At that moment, Europa and Arturo approached.

  “Looks like we’ve got new neighbors,” Europa said with a warm smile.

  “Welcome to Cerrito Island,” Arturo greeted, extending his hand.

  Mr. Kim hesitated for a moment, then returned the gesture.

  “Very pleased to meet you, Mr. Barret.”

  He gently placed a hand on his wife’s back.

  “This is my wife, Shin Mi-sun.”

  “Very pleased to meet you,” said Europa with a slight bow and a smile.

  “And our children: Pak Sun-hwa and Pak Jin-wook.”

  “A pleasure,” both young ones said politely.

  “So well-mannered. I’m sure you already know my name, but I’ll introduce myself again.”

  “No problem at all,” Mr. Pak responded courteously.

  “I’m Arturo Francisco Barret, this is my wife, Europa J?n Barret, and our children: Candado Ernést Barret and Karen Florencia Barret,” he said in a cordial tone.

  “A pleasure, Mrs. Barret. Your wife carries a noble surname,” Mr. Pak greeted with a slight nod.

  “Yes, in fact, it’s her surname,” Arturo clarified with a smile.

  “Could you elaborate?”

  “I was the one who took her name when we married,” Europa chimed in naturally.

  “Well, that’s certainly an interesting arrangement,” Mrs. Pak remarked.

  “Please, have a seat and enjoy our food,” Europa invited, gesturing toward the large garden table.

  The initial conversation came to an end, and both families made their way to the table to begin lunch.

  “By Isidro,” exclaimed Candado as he took his seat.

  Hammya sat to his left, Clementina to his right.

  “I must admit I’m a little surprised by your visit,” Arturo said as he poured himself a glass of water.

  “We are honored to be able to visit the Barret family,” replied Mr. Pak with a kind expression.

  “Well, I’m very glad,” Arturo said, raising his glass in a welcoming gesture.

  As the adults’ conversation proceeded slowly, Hammya and Clementina carried on their own side chats. Only Candado seemed fully focused on enjoying the meal.

  “May I ask something?” Pak Sun-hwa suddenly interrupted, cutting through the multiple conversations at the table.

  “Go ahead, miss,” Clementina replied politely.

  “Oh, thank you… Mr. Candado, when will you be willing to accept me?”

  Candado brought a piece of meat to his mouth. He chewed slowly, swallowed, and answered:

  “I believe I’ve already been quite clear on that, haven’t I?”

  “I don’t recall. Would you be so kind as to repeat it?”

  “Of course. I said that not in this life nor the next would I accept Pak Sun-hwa into my guild,” he replied with biting sarcasm.

  “You said you would, if I proved myself worthy.”

  “I’m not interested in having someone from your government in my guild.”

  The smile faded from Pak’s face.

  “What are you implying?”

  Candado paused mid-cut with his knife, then raised his gaze.

  “I said,” he repeated firmly, “that I have no interest in having someone from your government in my guild.”

  Pak sighed, visibly holding back frustration.

  “I thought you were intelligent… I see I was mistaken.”

  Candado closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them slowly.

  “Pak Sun-hwa,” he said with a steady tone, “that comment was out of line. You’re in my home, eating the food my parents prepared, and insulting my intelligence here is not something I’ll overlook.”

  Pak hesitated for a few seconds, then lowered her head.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “And I accept your apology. Once we finish eating, we’ll discuss your matter further.”

  Europa and Arturo exchanged looks of relief as Candado returned to his meal.

  After lunch, the Barret family lingered at the table, chatting, while the young ones gathered under the large tree in the garden. There stood Hammya, Clementina, Pak, and Candado.

  “Tell me something, girl... Why do you think joining my guild would make any difference for you?”

  “Because I’ll grow stronger. And when the time comes, Kanghar will have a seat reserved for my homeland, beside that of the locks.”

  “Candado?” Hammya repeated with a frown.

  “Oh no… not this again,” Candado muttered, a bit exasperated. “Listen, Hammya: in Kanghar, the representatives are called 'locks'. It’s like saying ‘president’. The ones you saw in that hall—those beneath them—are called 'chains'. They’re the general representatives of the country’s guilds. And the leaders of them all, including the chains, are us: the locks or presidents. The name varies by language. It doesn’t really matter.”

  “Ah… just like you,” she said, slowly nodding.

  “It’s different. My name comes from a gift Rosa gave to her husband Jack: a padlock made of gemstones, a symbol of their love.”

  “How… romantic?” Pak said with a trace of irony.

  “Keep your comments to yourself and go on,” Candado replied.

  “I want my homeland to have a seat in Kanghar.”

  “That’s honorable, but you’ll need more than ambition.”

  “That’s why I want to be in your guild.”

  “You could reach your goals in other guilds—even within your own homeland.”

  “No. I need yours, Mr. Candado.”

  “Why?”

  “Because the Barrets have always done incredible things. And that includes you. You saved your capital from an attack by the Witnesses.”

  “To be honest… I didn’t do much. I just saved one person. That’s all.”

  “You’ve done more than you think. At least, from my perspective.”

  “Well then… congratulations.”

  Hammya and Clementina let out a synchronized sigh.

  "I get it from you, Hammya… but you, Clementina, you don’t even have lungs," Candado said, raising an eyebrow.

  Clementina turned to him and blew at his face with the force of a fan.

  "Okay, okay. Got it, show-off," Candado grumbled.

  "Ahem..." Pak cleared her throat.

  "Oh, sorry. Go on."

  "Sir, I only ask that you test me. If I’m not good enough, then I’ll give up."

  "A risky move."

  "I want you to test me. No one else."

  "That’s even riskier, dear Pak. Because the chances of me beating you are... quite high."

  "I know I could never defeat you—not with my current experience," Pak Sun-hwa replied, her voice steady but calm. "But if I can at least display my skills to you, it’ll be worth it."

  "You’re pushing yourself too hard," Candado said, crossing his arms. "And you’re putting me on a pedestal. It's true—you can’t win."

  "I know."

  "Nothing will change that outcome. You’ll lose."

  "I know."

  "You’d still have a chance to showcase your abilities if you fought one of my colleagues."

  "I didn’t come all this way just to fight someone from your team."

  "Even so, your chances of winning would be much higher."

  "The easy path won’t lead me to my goal."

  Candado sighed, resigned.

  "Fine. But remember your promise: if you lose, forget about joining the guild."

  Pak Sun-hwa gave a small smile.

  A few days earlier

  "I know you’re Candado’s closest friend. I need your help," Pak said, her voice tinged with urgency.

  Héctor Ramírez wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.

  "I see… you want to join the guild," he said, scanning her from head to toe. "Dressed like that."

  "That? Ah, you mean my outfit. I’m proud of it."

  "You’re well aware of how your country is seen by the world, right?"

  "I’m not na?ve, Mr. Ramírez. I know many see my nation as a dictatorship, ruled by a cruel and merciless leader."

  "I’m glad you understand that."

  "But it’s not true."

  Héctor let out a long sigh.

  "Listen, here’s some advice: don’t do it."

  "I’m sorry, but I can’t accept that."

  "You don’t get it… it’s Candado who picks the members, not me."

  "I know that."

  "Then?"

  "I want to join the guild. I’ve heard rumors… that if you challenge a leader to any kind of competition and win, you might get accepted. It’s a rule many guilds use."

  "You’re wasting your time. Candado’s good at every kind of challenge. Many have tried. All have failed. You’ll be no different."

  "Still, tell me—what can I do to at least have a shot?"

  Héctor paused, thoughtful. He looked her up and down before replying.

  "I’ve met plenty of people who asked me for help. But every single one of them gave up halfway. Always the same story—at first there’s fire in their eyes… then only despair once they face Candado."

  "I’m different."

  "That’s what they all said."

  "No. I truly am."

  "They all said that too."

  "I’m telling you—I’m not like them."

  "Sorry. I don’t believe you."

  "How many people have told you the same thing for you to be this skeptical?"

  "Ninety-eight. Every one of them said exactly what you’re saying now."

  "But you still helped those ninety-eight. Why should it be any different with me?"

  "It just is. That’s all."

  "Please… at least tell me what you told them."

  Héctor sighed again.

  "Candado admires unusual people. Because he himself is unusual—whether it’s his strength or his very being. You lack both. If you want him to accept you, you have to show him how vast your ambition is. Craft a defining trait. He’ll notice—even if it’s something small. He’ll value it."

  "So... what I need is determination."

  "You could say that."

  "Tell me—are you disappointed in the ninety-eight?"

  "Yes."

  "Because they didn’t make it in?"

  "No. Because they gave up on their dreams and ambitions instead of fighting for them. Candado showed me they were cowards. He forced me to see their true faces… beneath the masks they wore. Although, sometimes… it's not so bad to believe the mask is the real face."

  "I promise you, Mr. Ramírez. I won’t disappoint you."

  "…"

  "Did they say that too?"

  "Yep."

  Present Day

  After finishing the conversation, Candado, Pak, Hammya, and Clementina bid farewell to the parents and headed toward the guild. Luckily, the place was nearly empty. Only Lucas and Anzor were there.

  "Hey," Lucas greeted as he saw them walk in.

  "Guest?" asked Anzor, raising an eyebrow.

  "Nope. Recruitment attempt," Candado replied bluntly.

  "Oh..." Lucas leaned forward slightly to get a better look at Pak. "Well, good luck."

  "And you two? Already done with work?" Candado asked.

  "I'm experimenting," Lucas clarified, lifting a strange-looking tool.

  "And I'm just killing time," added Anzor, arms crossed.

  "Okay, Lucas... if you're making something explosive again—"

  "Relax, this time I'm perfecting a coat."

  "...Right. Anzor, be a pal and take us downstairs."

  "Sure," Anzor said, already leading the way.

  The group followed him to the underground training hall of the guild. There, the usual exercise field awaited them—wide and silent, as though it already sensed the coming confrontation.

  "I hate stairs," Hammya grumbled, slowly making her descent.

  ...Or something like that.

  "You'll get used to it, my friend," Anzor replied with a teasing tone.

  The group stopped at the railing that overlooked the underground training field.

  "Look, it's padded now," said Hammya with a grin.

  "Yeah, that was Hector's idea," Anzor explained. "After seeing how those three ended up post-fight, he requested it as a safety measure."

  "Interesting..."

  "Pak, take off your shoes," Candado instructed as he casually removed his own loafers.

  "Oh, yes, I'm on it," she said quickly, untying her laces.

  Candado walked toward a wooden gate that led to the field. But Pak, thinking it was just a low fence, leapt over it gracefully. When Candado calmly unlatched and opened the gate, he gave her a look of subtle pity and sarcasm that didn’t go unnoticed. Pak felt a sting of embarrassment... and a bit of anger.

  "Alright," said Candado. "Want me to explain the rules?"

  "Go ahead."

  "There are three. One: if you step out of the field, you lose. Two: if you surrender, you lose. And three: if you’re knocked out, you lose."

  "Wow, I’m not sure what to say to that."

  "Anzor—begin."

  With a grin, Anzor struck a bell hanging on the wall with the hilt of his sword.

  "Fight!" he announced theatrically.

  Pak lunged straight at Candado.

  "Ooh, this is looking good," murmured Lucas from the stands beside Hammya.

  Candado leaned his torso back, casually dodging the first strike.

  "Flashy move, Pak. But slow."

  He then grabbed her by the waist and hurled her through the air. As she was still airborne, he readied a punch. However, Pak caught his fist with both hands, stopping it just in time.

  "Good reflexes," Candado acknowledged as she landed.

  Her eyes lit up with a fierce red glow.

  "That’s not all."

  She vanished from his sight.

  "Predictable," Candado muttered.

  He drew his dagger and, without turning around, blocked an attack coming from behind.

  "I'm going to fight for real now, sir."

  "Please do. Otherwise, you won’t stand a chance."

  Pak leapt back, then dashed forward again, delivering a flurry of quick, basic strikes. Candado, though composed, wasn’t underestimating her—and with good reason.

  "Now... ready," Pak whispered.

  Her eyes flared even brighter, and for a brief second, even Candado was caught off guard.

  "I can do that too," he said with a half-smile.

  Pak lunged once more. But in Candado’s mind, over thirty-seven different attack scenarios had already played out.

  "Decent forecast," he muttered to himself.

  The blows came fast, one after another, but he blocked every single one with surgical precision. Everything was going as expected... until it wasn’t.

  "...!?"

  Candado lifted his right leg and rested his elbow on the knee, stopping a direct blow aimed at his ribs. The impact was so strong that his bones cracked and splintered under the pressure.

  His face showed an ambiguous expression—somewhere between seriousness and astonishment—a mix no one could quite decipher.

  “Murderous intent… Impressive,” Candado said, his gaze locked onto her.

  “Sorry. I told you I was going all in.”

  “Five percent… ten percent… no,” he mused. “For you, it'll be twelve.”

  “I object! That’s way too much!” Lucas shouted from the edge of the field.

  “It won’t be for her,” Candado replied, his calm voice almost mocking the tense atmosphere.

  He adjusted his beret, straightened his vest with unhurried ease, and smoothed his tie, as if preparing for a formal event rather than a fight.

  “My turn.”

  His eyes began to glow a vivid violet, and the tattoos that snaked across his skin surged with intensity. He kept his poise… but the catastrophe came a second later. The ground trembled with his first step.

  “Bring it on,” Pak said without flinching, not a trace of fear in her voice.

  Candado vanished before her eyes.

  “What the—?”

  Pak reacted just in time. She ducked when she sensed his fist near her waist, rolling to the right as the punch still pursued her.

  “Asinóh.”

  Two hounds made of raw energy erupted from the ground and lunged at her, biting and slamming into her with savage force.

  “Itóh.”

  Violet flames burst out around her. She barely escaped before a tongue of fire could fully engulf her.

  Pak bolted from the inferno and, upon seeing Candado before her, didn’t hesitate. She leapt, wrapping her legs around his neck in an attempt to throw him off balance. But Candado, with inhuman reflexes, used his hands like springs to launch himself backward. In midair, he grabbed one of her legs and twisted, trying to break it.

  Pak pulled a knife from her belt and hurled it at his face. Candado let go of her just in time, dodging the blade with a slight movement.

  “That was close,” Pak panted.

  Candado stared at her, his expression unchanged.

  “My apologies. I forgot to mention the damage might be reversible… or permanent.”

  “I know,” she answered firmly.

  With a simple snap of his fingers, Candado made the flames, tattoos, and dogs vanish.

  “Looks like twelve percent wasn’t enough. How about thirteen?”

  “Candado, that’s enough! You’re going too far!” Lucas shouted from the stands.

  “Stay out of this. And shut up.”

  “Pak, give up! You can’t win! If he keeps raising that percentage, you’ll suffer physical and mental damage!”

  “I appreciate your concern, Doctor? But I came prepared.”

  “First of all, I’m a genius scientist and inventor. Second… you’re going to regret this.”

  Pak charged toward Candado again.

  “Oh… she’s dead,” Lucas muttered, covering his face with one hand.

  Candado caught her mid-air by the neck.

  “Three seconds. That’s it. Surrender now, or I’ll end this fight.”

  Pak struggled, but it was useless.

  “No one’s ever made it past twelve percent. But you… you reached thirteen. And for that—I admire you. End this. You’re not fit to stand beside me.”

  “I’m sorry, sir. But I don’t plan on giving up. My training was hell… a hell I chose, to prove I’m qualified.”

  “Hell?”

  “Clementina, cover Hammya’s eyes!” Anzor barked suddenly.

  “Right away!”

  “Wait—hey! Let me go! I can’t see anything!”

  “That’s the idea.”

  Pak looked at the audience, bewildered by their reaction.

  "You're seriously going to talk to me about a ‘training hell’? What a pathetic joke. Those two words... they make my blood boil with rage and hate."

  “Candado, Candado, Candado…” Lucas hurried down to the field, nervous, forcing a smile. “She didn’t mean it like that. Really, Pak, just say you surrender.”

  “I refuse. I’m sorry.”

  “Listen… I’ve got pride too, but sometimes it’s better not to ski into an avalanche, you know what I mean?”

  “I’m sorry. My answer’s still no.”

  “Whatever.” Lucas pulled a whistle from his pocket and blew it hard. “I declare Candado the winner! Ta-ta-ta! It’s over!”

  “I disagree,” said Pak, standing her ground.

  “I side with Miss Pak,” added Anzor. “She has to say it herself.”

  “Well guess what, Candado: I’m the judge, and I proclaim you the winner.”

  “Step away,” Candado ordered without even looking at him.

  “You're mad because she said her training was hell. Maybe it was, by her own standards. Try to understand.”

  “She’s right!” Pak shouted. “My training was hell! Much worse than yours! And that’s why I’m going to beat you!”

  “Shhh! Shhh! Shut up! You’re going to make him angrier!” Lucas yelled, waving his arms.

  “It’s too late, Lucas… I’m already angry.”

  “Can I look now, Clem?” Hammya whispered.

  “No,” Clementina replied firmly.

  “Candado, you should—”

  “Show me. Show me how cruel your training was. But I warn you: it won’t impress me. I’ve seen things that erased my fear. Not even your fierce face intimidates me, Pak.”

  Lucas sighed, defeated.

  “I’m sorry, Pak. You’re an idiot. And honestly, I think you deserve whatever’s coming.”

  With that, he turned around and walked off the field.

  “You may proceed,” Anzor concluded, lowering his sword to his side in resignation.

  “I see you’re brave and bold… but truthfully, you’re one of the people I despise the most,” Candado said coldly. “Not only do you insult your own effort, but you also have the audacity to be arrogant, comparing your training to someone else’s.”

  “Isn’t that exactly what you’re doing now?”

  “The difference is that mine is true. You will never know hell the way I knew it.”

  Candado was slowly revealing his darker side—the one even he preferred to keep locked away.

  “What... what are you, exactly?”

  Kanghar.

  “With that said, I only need to win.”

  Héctor, silent, scratched the back of his neck.

  “I don’t think you will.”

  “I will.”

  “As you wish,” he sighed, then stood and offered his hand. “Just promise me one thing.”

  Pak shook it firmly.

  “Whatever it is. Tell me.”

  “Please… don’t make him angry.”

  “That worries you? It’s fine. I’m not afraid of people who get angry.”

  “That’s the problem... he’s not ‘people’. He’s Candado.”

  “All right. I promise.”

  Now.

  (Now I understand… I’m sorry, Héctor.)

  “This looks bad.”

  “Bad? That word doesn’t do justice to what you’re about to experience,” Candado replied.

  His eyes turned pitch black. Empty. And without warning… he smiled.

  “Let’s begin.”

  Pak felt a shiver run down her spine. Before she could react, Candado struck her with a brutal headbutt to the forehead, slamming her into the ground.

  “Live my nightmare, Pak Sun-hwa.”

  She clutched her head with one hand while trying to push herself up with the other. Her brain throbbed violently. Then, everything went dark.

  “I hope you enjoy what I’ve seen.”

  And then… the visions began.

  Pak screamed with a blood-curdling cry, both hands gripping her head. She saw herself being torn apart by a bear. Then drowning. Then swimming in lava. Then decapitated. She felt her oxygen ripped away, her body sucked into a black hole. She felt the absolute cold of space, and other forms of torment no human mind should ever comprehend. Physical pain, mental agony, cosmic suffering. Pain from other worlds.

  Candado watched in complete silence.

  “? ?! ?? ??? ???!” ("No! I told you not to do that!")

  An invisible voice shouted beside him. Candado frowned.

  “…? What was that?”

  Still trembling, Pak managed to get back on her feet. Her legs wobbled like paper. And yet, she stood.

  Candado smiled, admiring her resilience.

  “What a pitiful… yet beautiful spectacle.”

  Pak lifted her head. Her face showed fear, but also resolve. She ran toward him once more.

  “This ends now.”

  Candado twisted his face into a grotesque, savage grin. His companions shut their eyes as though witnessing an execution.

  This was no longer a fight. It was a massacre.

  Pak could no longer defend herself, frozen in terror. But even afraid, she kept fighting. She fought against her own body, against the trembling, against the pain.

  “Surrender.”

  Pak’s eyes glowed red. In an instant, she was nearly at his level again.

  “Still fighting? What a shame. Time for something drastic.”

  Candado caught her left arm. He was about to snap it, but Pak reacted—she wrapped her leg around his neck and knocked him off balance.

  “I knew it,” Candado whispered.

  Then he struck his chest with his open palm. A dull, echoing sound filled the arena.

  Pak fell to her knees. Blood spilled from her mouth as she crashed into the ground.

  Lucas closed his eyes.

  “Idiot,” he muttered.

  Candado’s grin faded, replaced by his usual expression. He slid his hands into his pockets and watched in silence.

  “Interesting… you endured thirteen percent. Admirable—and foolish. But it seems you can’t hear anymore.”

  At that moment, Clementina removed her hands from Hammya’s eyes.

  “Finally… Oh my God! Is she okay?”

  “No. But she’s alive,” Clementina answered with a sigh of relief.

  Candado placed a hand on her shoulder, with that disturbing calm that always accompanied him.

  “I declare Candado Barret the winner… undefeated,” Lucas announced.

  Just as Candado turned his back, an attack burst from the sky—blinding light, too fast for even him to react… but not faster than Tínbari, who intercepted what looked like a spear with a single hand.

  Candado froze. He stared at Tínbari—for the first time, he saw him truly serious.

  “You are a disgrace to the rules of Yanmabaray, Mother of Wisdom,” he said, voice firm. “To be honest… the worst choice possible for this profession.”

  The light faded, revealing a female figure in armor—one not recorded in any history book. Her mere presence disturbed everyone present. Immediately, some stepped in front of Candado, becoming human shields.

  “You’ve come for him, haven’t you?” Anzor asked, drawing his sword.

  Yanmabaray lowered hers with elegance.

  “Tínbari… the derailed Bari, who unjustly bears my sister’s title.”

  “We are all siblings,” Tínbari replied calmly.

  “By blood.”

  “Answer the question,” Anzor snapped, blade raised.

  “Put that away, little Russian. You won’t hurt her with blades while she’s wearing that armor,” Tínbari said, lowering Anzor’s weapon with firm control.

  Yanmabaray stepped toward Pak. She clapped twice. Pak jolted awake.

  “??? ? ????” (“What happened?”)

  “??? ??.” (“You lost.”)

  Pak struck the ground with her fist, frustrated. Without another word, Yanmabaray wrapped her in her cloak.

  "I see the human you chose has changed," she said.

  "He passed away," Tínbari clarified in a somber tone.

  Candado stared intently at the spear Yanmabaray held.

  "So, you have something against me," he interrupted.

  "This young woman traveled thousands of kilometers just to find you. And the only thing she received was a beating… from the person she respects the most."

  "Life isn't fair," he replied coldly.

  “Candado…” murmured Hammya, reproachfully.

  “In my defense, I didn’t want this.”

  “If she asked you to throw her into a volcano, would you do it?”

  “That depends.”

  “On what?”

  “On my mood.”

  Tínbari let out a short laugh.

  "You find that funny? It's serious that he thinks like that," Yanmabaray scolded.

  “Oh, come on…”

  Clementina and Hammya cut him off, covering his mouth.

  "We know you always say something clever to win the argument," said Clementina.

  "But now's not the time," Hammya finished.

  “Mrrbhhh!”

  “Ahhh, we love you too,” they said in unison, bumping fists.

  Yanmabaray turned her face toward Tínbari.

  “When I heard you had taken part of Truenbari, I knew right away you were mad.”

  “I love you too, Yanmabaray.”

  “I’m serious,” she said, removing her helmet. “Tínbari, of all the Baris… I never thought you would choose to side with someone you didn’t even know.”

  Her face was now fully revealed: pink skin, violet eyes, white hair, and a U-shaped scar on her forehead.

  “I smell envy. Genebaray would’ve laughed at this.”

  “It’s not envy. Just frustration. If you hadn’t said that, the Baris wouldn’t have split, and they’d still support the cause.”

  “First: they were all divided long before I was born. Second: I just repeated what that old man told me in dreams. Not my fault.”

  Candado, still with his mouth covered by Clementina and Hammya, stared at Tínbari.

  “I don’t know why Amabaray trusted you until the end,” said Yanmabaray.

  “She’s awake now,” Tínbari replied, ignoring the remark.

  “...!”

  Candado gently took the girls’ hands and pulled them away from his face.

  “It’s true. Amabaray is in my house right now. If you hurry, you might catch her.”

  He then looked at Tínbari, who nodded in agreement.

  “That’s right. Your beloved sister is at the House of Barret. You can see her if you want.”

  “If this is a lie… I swear I’ll—”

  “I’ve never lied to you,” Tínbari interrupted seriously.

  Yanmabaray vanished the moment she heard those words.

  “???!” (“Wait!”) Pak called out weakly, trying to stop her.

  “Well, that’s that,” Tínbari said with a sigh.

  “I’ve lost…” murmured Pak Sun-hwa, her voice heavy with sorrow.

  “That’s right. Like a total dumbass,” Lucas pointed out, utterly lacking compassion.

  Pak slowly stood up, her head bowed in humiliation. But then, she felt a warm hand on her shoulder.

  It was him.

  “But this dumbass doesn’t even follow his own rules,” Lucas added with a half-smile.

  Pak looked up, confused. To her left stood Candado, looking at her with a more neutral expression… perhaps even a hint of respect.

  “You lost, yes. But you surprised me. You’ve got a lot to work on… well, a lot. That hidden potential of yours—if you ever learn to control it, it’ll be something big. And your companion is… annoying, but interesting.”

  “Does that mean…?” she began, unable to finish the sentence.

  Candado patted her on the shoulder and said:

  “??? ??????.” (“You have passed.”)

  “WHAT?!” everyone shouted, utterly baffled and on the brink of logical collapse.

  “What? I speak Korean.”

  Pak’s face crumpled with emotion. Tears burst from her eyes as a wide smile bloomed on her lips.

  “I diiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiid it!” she screamed, releasing all her built-up tension in one joyful cry.

  Without turning around, Candado had already taken a few steps away.

  “Lucas, clean up this mess.”

  “What…?” Lucas said, still trying to make sense of what had just happened.

  Pak Sun-hwa has joined the Brotherhood (Current members: 18).