Shameless One

Shun and the others remained motionless after October had vanished, instinctively sensing that their troubles weren't over. Although October was gone, his warning echoed in their minds—a shadowy force was planning an attack on Lordrixis, a revelation that left many uneasy.

Yet, Shun felt differently. He didn't care about Lordrixis's safety, nor did he need to. His true fascination lay in October's formidable abilities. The encounter had left Shun wondering if others shared his power to wield multiple ethereal arms. Could there be an organization of such individuals? The more he uncovered, the deeper the mysteries grew, drawing him further into the world's hidden, dark secrets. These enigmas didn't just beckon him—they seemed to revolve around him, an irony he found more grating than thrilling.

"What was that all about? And since when did you become so powerful, Shun?" Emilia broke the silence, her brow furrowed from the weight of October's words and the recent confrontation.

"You kicked that guy's ass, dude!" Joe exclaimed, giving Shun a thumbs-up.

"Yeah, he bolted like a rat," Kris chimed in. "I thought you were just an ascended ethereal warrior."

Shun shook his head, his thoughts racing. "It's difficult to explain. This power is confusing to me as well. Think of it as a second awakening."

Otto, unimpressed, interjected, "There's no such thing as a 'second awakening' for an ethereal arm. Once awakened, its nature remains unchanged."

Ignoring Otto, Shun continued, "There's an organization behind that guy. He mentioned that 'the chief' sent him on this mission. There's a hidden force plotting an attack on Lordrixis."

Olivia nodded in agreement. "We must inform the king immediately. One of us needs to return with this urgent message. We can't afford to wait another moment."

"But we only have one car, and it would take days to return on foot," Shun countered. "None of us have movement ethereal abilities, especially out here in the middle of nowhere."

"We need to abort this mission immediately. The kingdom's safety is a far more pressing matter," Otto stated coldly.

Shun met his gaze with a frosty stare. "Absolutely not. We've already wasted enough time waiting for Noah's return. We can simply instruct Alexander to send a letter to the king once we reach Sila."

"The kingdom's safety is paramount. Did I not make that clear?" Otto's hostility was unmistakable.

Shun froze, the words striking a painful chord deep within him. It had been a long time since he had faced such direct confrontation, and Otto's tone dredged up memories of his tragic childhood.

"Who do you think you are?" Shun's voice trembled with suppressed fury. "You may think you're important in the army, but this is a mission sanctioned by the king, and I am the appointed leader. Either heed my orders or piss off." With that, the black dagger materialized in his hand, radiating a palpable sense of danger.

Silver, well aware of Shun's volatile temperament, shook her head gently, signaling him to rein in his anger. Despite his frustration, he didn't want to resort to violence in front of Silver and Emilia. Using the Eye of Perception, he could read the emotions of the ascended ethereal warriors around him; they were a mix of surprise and fear. Otto, however, as a complete ethereal warrior, was immune to Shun's ability, and the unwavering look on his face revealed no sign of hesitation.

"Very well, I will take my leave," Otto declared slowly. "I'm a soldier by birth, but that doesn't mean I'll heed every command I hear, especially from a fool."

"Enough!" Emilia exclaimed, her fear lingering but her voice resolute. "Put your egos aside, both of you. This is a discussion, not a debate."

"No no, let him go," Shun insisted.

If Shun were to admit it, he cared little about the direction this argument might take. But once it had begun, he could not afford to back down. Throughout his childhood, he had been denied many things—luxury, love, and stability. Yet, more than any of these things, he had longed for dignity. Now, anyone who dared to tread upon that dignity will face dire consequences, no exceptions. 

Otto was no different; his pride, both as a soldier and a complete ethereal warrior, bound him to the kingdom's safety above all else and forbade him from following the orders of someone without a complete ethereal arm. Yet Shun's words had struck something in him. They did not carry mere anger but instead an undeniable authority, one rooted in a truth Otto hadn't anticipated. Even the formal way Shun addressed the king had told him a lot of things already.

"Even if I'm executed, I will still bring the message to the king," Otto sneered, contempt dripping from his voice. "You think I'm afraid of you, Shun Xshasi?"

Shun's fury dissipated, replaced by an icy calm. Understanding Shun's nature, Silver shrugged silently, aware that Otto's fate was sealed. Yet, she knew she had to resolve the situation.

"As the ninth complete ethereal warrior, I will make the final decision," Silver said, her tone firm yet gentle. Despite the apparent discord between Otto and Shun, she ultimately held the highest rank among them. "Let's think logically. If October is merely gathering information, it implies the kingdom is not in immediate danger. Even if there were a threat, delaying the message by a few days wouldn't change much."

Kris, Joe, Emilia, and Olivia nodded in agreement. Silver's rationale was straightforward and effective, providing a neutral ground to diffuse the tension between Otto and Shun.

"Sounds good to me," Kris replied awkwardly, attempting to lighten the mood.

"Let's get back in the car and go," Silver smiled, "If you are truly in a rush, then standing here arguing will only slow us down."

Shun laughed, approaching Otto with an outstretched hand. "Just an amusing disagreement, no hard feelings, right? We're still comrades after all." His smile radiated warmth, yet it sent a chill down Otto's spine. Reluctantly, Otto extended his hand for a shake. Shun's grip was surprisingly gentle and friendly.

But as their hands met, Shun's smile vanished momentarily. He leaned in close, whispering coldly, "You should thank Silver, Otto Morphy."

"And trust me, you'll still be thanking her in your hundreds—if you're even alive by then."