[Scene – Orphanage Bedroom, Night]
Night had fallen over the orphanage. The upper room was drowned in heavy silence, broken only by the quiet breath of a sleeping child. His head was buried beneath the blanket, a strand of black hair stretched across the pillow.
What he didn't know… was that death was creeping toward him.
From behind the bed, a human-shaped shadow crept forward. His face was hidden beneath a dark scarf, his hand clutching a trembling knife. His eyes were uneasy, but his steps were steady.
Suddenly, a voice whispered from the darkness:
"Stop… I'm the one you're looking for."
The shadow froze. He turned slowly—and saw a boy standing in the corner, strangely calm.
"Who...?"
"Rami." He pointed toward the bed. "The boy sleeping there is Tom. I asked him to take my place tonight."
The killer didn't move, but his grip tightened.
"Aren't you curious how we knew?" Rami continued, his tone calm—but piercing.
Before he could respond, the door opened. A girl stepped in silently. Her long hair swayed, her expression tense.
"Selina? You're early," he said without looking.
"Don't worry. Everything's under control," she whispered, her eyes fixed on the killer.
The shadow trembled. Then… the darkness around him thickened, like his body was pulling the night into itself.
"Stop, Mortex," Rami said, voice low—commanding.
"We know your plan. Ryan didn't hide anything."
Mortex froze.
Then suddenly, the darkness exploded from him, surging toward Selina.
She didn't move. Sweat trickled down her face, her chest rising and falling.
But he stopped… just half a meter away. Then collapsed to the floor.
Unconscious.
"The incense worked…" Selina muttered, trying to catch her breath.
"Strange that he chose you to attack," Rami said.
"When you told me someone tried to assassinate you, I didn't believe you... That's really Mortex?" Her tone sharpened. "How did you know? Why?"
"The reason? We'll get it from him. As for how I knew…" He shot her a cryptic look. "Let that stay my secret. And thank you for helping, Selina."
"No, I should be thanking you… Without you, I couldn't have tested this incense."
He nodded quietly.
"Why didn't you give the antidote to the boy?" she asked, pointing at Tom. "He could've helped us."
"I don't trust him. You know… Yan may be strong, but he's a fool."
After tying Mortex up, he carried Tom and left.
"I'll bring him back. Watch over him, and keep a staff nearby."
He returned… and brought Yan this time.
Selina didn't ask anything.
The door closed.
Stillness returned.
Rami sat down, Selina beside him. The room seemed to hold its breath.
Mortex remained still… but color was returning to his face.
"When will he wake up?" Rami whispered.
"I don't know. This is my first time using these herbs on someone with mana."
"Give him the antidote."
She stepped closer—but suddenly, his eyelids twitched.
She stepped back.
"He's waking up…" she whispered.
Rami didn't move.
Mortex opened his eyes.
Stunned.
Then he began struggling.
He pulled at his body, tried to summon mana.
Nothing.
Like his body was empty.
Then… he stopped fighting.
"I don't recall any grudge between us," Rami said. "So why did you try to kill me?"
Mortex stayed silent.
"Did Ryan send you? Or one of his friends?" Rami's voice sharpened.
Selina gasped.
"Rami? What are you saying? Ryan? The adventurers?! They raised us! Taught us!"
Mortex exhaled slowly, then said:
"No, young master. No one sent me. Not Ryan… not anyone. They know nothing."
Selina looked at him.
"Wait… why are you calling him 'young master'?"
He swallowed hard.
Then sighed, defeated:
"You… Rami, Selina, and Yan… you're not from here. You belong to a noble family from another world."
Silence.
Selina gave a short, disbelieving laugh.
"Another world? We're orphans. Ryan saved us from a destroyed village. That's the story."
Rami didn't laugh.
He drew his dagger.
Mortex gasped.
"I can prove it. Please."
Rami didn't blink.
"Start."