Journey to the Path of Knowledge

Kale hesitated for only a moment before deciding to act. The Moon Bloom flower was too significant to leave behind—it could be the key to unlocking deeper insights or even surviving whatever dangers lay ahead. He planned to take it now, intending to study it later using his active seeking state or perhaps accessing the Ocean in the traditional way to fully understand its purpose.

Just as Kale reached out toward the glowing petals, the silence of the clearing shattered. A sudden snapping of twigs and branches echoed from behind him.

Kale froze, his hand inches away from the flower. His grip tightened on his spear, knuckles whitening. His vision, still influenced by the Ocean of Knowledge, remained filled with threads and motes of golden light. They swirled lazily around him, unaffected by the tension crackling in the air.

He turned slowly, his eyes narrowing as he spotted Alden stepping into view through the mist.

Alden stopped a few paces away, scratching the back of his head nervously. "Uh… hey," he said, feigning ignorance.

Kale's suspicion flared instantly. "What are you doing here?" he demanded, his voice sharp and accusatory.

Alden shrugged, forcing a sheepish smile. "I'm here because of you, obviously. I couldn't just leave you behind, right?"

Kale didn't respond immediately. Instead, he studied Alden carefully, letting the golden threads guide his focus. Pieces of fragmented knowledge surfaced in his mind—memories glimpsed during their journey together. Memories that revealed truths Alden had tried so hard to hide.

"You're a hunter," Kale stated flatly, cutting straight to the point.

Alden's forced smile faltered, replaced by wide-eyed shock. "W-what? How did you—"

Kale interrupted him, his tone cold and unyielding. "Don't bother lying anymore. What's your real purpose here?"

For a moment, Alden said nothing. His expression shifted subtly, the mask of friendliness slipping away to reveal something darker beneath. Finally, he sighed, shoulders slumping slightly.

"Fine," Alden admitted, his voice dropping to a low growl. "You caught me. I need the Moon Bloom flower. Hand it over, and maybe—if you're lucky—I'll let you walk away."

Kale's jaw tightened. "You think I'd believe that? You've been lying this whole time."

Alden smirked, unsheathing his sword with a metallic ring. The blade gleamed faintly under the moonlight, catching the dim glow of the Moon Bloom flower. "It doesn't matter what you believe," Alden said, raising the weapon. "Hand over the flower, or face the consequences."

Both men stood motionless for a heartbeat, gripping their respective weapons tightly. Tension hung heavy in the air, thick enough to choke on.

The clearing, once serene and illuminated by the ethereal glow of the Moon Bloom, now felt like a battlefield waiting to ignite. Golden threads flickered faintly between them, pulsing with anticipation—as if the Ocean itself knew bloodshed was imminent.

Kale took a step back, positioning himself between Alden and the flower. His gaze hardened, resolve burning in his chest.

"I won't let you have it," Kale said firmly, his voice steady despite the storm brewing inside him.

Alden's smirk widened, though there was no warmth in it—only malice. "Then you leave me no choice."

With that, Alden lunged forward, his sword slicing through the air with deadly precision. Kale barely managed to block the strike with his spear, the clash of metal ringing out into the night.

The fight had begun.