Chapter 12: A Lucky Eavesdropper

  Ray

  Maki’s eyes lit up as she stepped toward Theodore, hands outstretched iement. “Ray’s friend? He’s so awesome and strong!” she excimed. “My name is Maki, Zeying Maki!”

  Theodore hesitated for a moment before awkwardly shaking her hand. “o meet you,” he replied, his tone measured.

  I interrupted their exge, my voice cutting through the moment. “What are you doing here, and how did you end up in this world?”

  Theodore’s expression turned serious. “There’s a lot I o tell you, boss.”

  I raised an eyebrow and corrected him. “I’m not your boss anymore. I’m just Ray now. Start talking.”

  He g Taki, who coughed weakly, prompting Selia to guide her away for food a. Then Theodore began. “Brody, the man who wanted Selia, is here too. He’s not ihias Kingdom, but it seems he followed you to this world.”

  A fsh of anger surged withihat bastard… he’s obsessed with her.” My voice trailed off, and I ged the subject. “How did you die? What happehat night?”

  Theodore’s gaze hardened. “You assigned Cir ao make sure Selia reached Brody. After Selia joined him, everything ged. Cir betrayed me—she attacked me from behind without hesitation. As I y there, barely alive, I overheard their versation. Cir decred she wahe honor of killing you herself. Brody agreed, saying, ‘I have Selia. That’s all that matters.’ Then she left me to die. The st thing I remember is a blinding light and distant voices before I awoke in this world.”

  I stared at the ground, processing his words. “It seems like you died before me.”

  He hesitated. “Does that mean… she killed you?”

  I met his gaze, my voice cold. “No. I killed her, and then someone else attacked me.”

  After a long silence, I asked, “What are you doing ihias Kingdom?”

  “I was summoned nearby. They took us to the capital, and after rigorous tests of our blessings and strength, I became part of the kingdom’s special forces. But things aren’t going well here. Prince Marshall left with many soldiers, including five from the special forces, and they were all attacked retly.”

  Maki interrupted with a dramatic sigh. “And only Marshall survived because of his stolen blessing, bh bh bh. We’ve heard this story a million times.”

  Theodore blinked in surprise. “How do you know about that? I just found out ho.”

  Akira poi me. “Because he’s the one who wiped out the city.”

  Theodore’s jaw dropped. “You… destroyed the city? That means you went easy on me during ht?”

  I nodded. “Yes, and yes. Now tell me, what ged after that?”

  The the darkening sky. “It’s getting te. Let’s tihis versation at my house.”

  Selia gasped as we eheodore’s home. “Your house is amazing! Do you live alone?”

  He nodded. “Yes. Special forces members are given privileges like this. I got in because I picked a strong blessing and knew how to use it.”

  The house was grand, tucked among trees with balies, a pool, and even a gazebo. It looked like something out of a dream.

  Theodore handed us drinks and tinued. “You’ve just arrived in this world, a you’re already the most wanted man in the kingdom.”

  I sipped my drink. “I had no choice but to kill them.”

  He frowned. “I also heard they caught someone suspected to be the criminal. Is he ected to you?”

  “Big, muscur guy?” I asked.

  “Yes. He’ll be executed in a few days.”

  “I tried to kill him, but he escaped. He’s the only one alive who knows the full story.”

  Theodore’s tone grew grim. “Your as have put the kingdom in a precarious position. Other royal families are pnning to invade and kill the king.”

  “What’s the king’s blessing?” I asked.

  He expined, “Each royal family has a unique blessing. If aside the family obtains ohey’re either killed or sold to that kingdom. The Elthias family’s blessing revolves around power-stealing. None of you have that blessing, right?”

  I smiled faintly. “Let’s not talk about my blessing.” Behihe others fidgeted nervously.

  Theodore shrugged. “So, what are your pns now?”

  “I o find Brody,” I said, my voice hardening. “He betrayed me and pyed a role in my death. I’ll uhe truth and make him pay for what he did.”

  Theodore’s face darkened. “I’m ing with you. I want revenge on Brody and Cir for their betrayal.”

  Ray’s expression shifted, his thoughts turning. “Cir... Do you think she’s here too? Does everyone who dies end up in this world?”

  Theodore shook his head. “I don’t know about Cir,” he admitted. “But I’m certain not everyone who dies es here. It’s... selective, though I don’t know the criteria.”

  The m, Theodore and I sat in a tavern, discussing strategies. A wiry young man approached, his eyes bright with curiosity. "Excuse me," he begaantly. "My blessing is Luck, and, well, people call me Lucky. You both seem... different. Would you mind sharing what's special about you?"

  We ignored him, preparing to leave, but he persisted. “I overheard your versation. Pay for my drink, and I’ll share valuable information.”

  Theodore sighed and reached for his pouch, but I stopped him. “Aren’t you supposed to be lucky?” Just then, someone’s wallet fell to the ground near Lucky.

  Ign the otion, we left. Lucky followed, blurting, “I know when and how the capital will be attacked.”

  I stopped and faced him. “Your blessing is Luck? Prove it.” Without hesitation, I swung my fist at him. The punded squarely on his face, catg him off guard. He staggered back, holding his cheek, his expression a mix of surprise and frustration.

  Theodore frowned. “Luck? That’s a lie.”

  Just then, a knife sailed through the air, seemingly out of nowhere, a stray result of the chaotic fight iaverhe missing wallet Lucky had vely found earlier. The bde narrowly missed his head, passing through the space he had just occupied.

  Theodore blinked, fused. “What’s going on?”

  I stared at Lucky and chuckled. “Looks like my punch just saved your life by pushing you out of the way.”

  Lucky rubbed his cheek. “My blessing gives me a set amount of luck each day. I saved it for years, and today, I used it all to meet you.”

  I ughed. “You really are lucky. Tell us what you know.”

  “Let me join you first,” Lucky demanded. “All my luck is spent on you anyway.”

  I agreed, auro Theodore’s house. There, Lucky revealed the pn.

  “In three days, someone will drop from the sky and kill thousands as a distra to draw soldiers away from the king. This is how the city will be attacked.”

  Theodore frowned. “How will they break the aerial shield?”

  “The spellcaster is colborating with them,” Lucky expined.

  I nodded. "We’ll prepare for this. Lucky, you’ll stay with us for now."

  Akira crossed his arms and asked, "What’s the pn, Ray?"

  I smirked, my eyes narrowing with determination. "If the kingdom is going down, we’re taking it over."