(Chapter starts)
The moment the old man spoke, Kairo froze.
"Could you be... Kairo Solmaria?"
His heart pounded. No one in Eldoria should have known who he was.
Kairo whispered cautiously, "How do you know my name?"
The old man looked around before stepping closer. His voice was quiet but firm.
"I'm a spy. I work for Sirius."
Kairo's eyes widened. He knew Sirius had power, but having spies inside Eldoria? That was unexpected.
"Just how strong has he become...?" Kairo thought.
The old man motioned for him to follow. "Come with me. It's not safe to talk here."
Kairo hesitated for a moment, then nodded and followed him through the narrow alleys. They stopped at a small, run-down house squeezed between larger buildings.
Once inside, the old man locked the door and walked toward the back. He moved a wooden panel on the floor, revealing a hidden tunnel.
Kairo stared in surprise. "What is this?"
The old man smirked. "This tunnel leads directly under the room where the documents are stored. It's the safest way in."
Kairo nodded, impressed. "This will save me a lot of trouble. Thanks, old man."
The old man gave him a serious look. "Be careful. If you're caught, even this tunnel won't save you."
With that warning, Kairo climbed down into the tunnel, his footsteps echoing in the darkness.
---
Infiltrating Eldoria's Secrets
The tunnel was damp, with torches lighting the path at intervals. Kairo moved silently, staying alert.
After a few minutes, he reached a wooden tile above him—the entrance to the storage room. Carefully, he pushed it open and climbed up.
The room was large, filled with shelves packed with files and scrolls.
"This must be where Eldoria keeps its secret documents," Kairo thought.
He quickly searched, scanning the labels on the files. He needed to find the one Sirius wanted.
Minutes passed as he flipped through pages. Then—
"Got it."
He held the document in his hands. It contained Eldoria's future plans.
But just as he was about to leave, curiosity struck him.
"What if there's something here about me?"
He turned back and began searching again, hoping to find any files about himself.
Then—
"Hey! Who are you?!"
Kairo turned sharply. Two guards had spotted him.
Without hesitation, he drew his sword.
Before the guards could react, he moved.
His blade cut through the air, and in a flash—
Their heads hit the ground.
But before dying, one of the guards managed to press the emergency alarm.
A loud siren echoed through the room.
"Damn it!" Kairo clenched his teeth.
The doors burst open. More guards stormed in, weapons ready.
Kairo gripped his sword tighter.
"If you stand in my way... I'll cut you all down!"
The fight began.
---
A Bloody Escape
Kairo moved like a shadow, his sword cutting through the guards. They were skilled, but against him, they stood no chance.
One by one, they fell, unable to react in time.
Just as he was about to escape, a gunshot rang out.
Kairo felt a sharp pain in his arm. Blood dripped from the wound.
"Tch... I was careless."
Ignoring the pain, he ran toward the tunnel, barely making it inside before more guards arrived.
Breathing heavily, he made his way back through the underground passage, holding his wounded arm.
By the time he emerged in the old man's house, his vision was starting to blur.
The old man gasped. "You're injured!"
"It's just a bullet wound," Kairo muttered, covering it with his cloak.
But the old man shook his head. "Sit down. I'll heal you."
Before Kairo could argue, the old man placed his hands over the wound and began chanting.
A soft glow surrounded his hands, and Kairo felt a warm energy spread through his arm. Within moments, the pain faded, and the wound closed completely.
Kairo stared in disbelief. "...You can use magic?"
The old man nodded. "Eldoria has developed spells to heal wounds. It's part of their military research."
Kairo flexed his arm. It felt as if he was never injured.
"That's... impressive," Kairo admitted. "Thanks, old man."
The old man smiled. "Now, you should leave before they come looking for you."
Kairo nodded. Without wasting any time, he grabbed the documents and made his way toward the border of Varinth and Solmaria.
His mission was complete.
(Chapter ends)