* * *

Don shot to his feet at Jerry's claim, unable to hold his tongue. He was still reeling from the loss of his friend, and the gravity of those words hit him hard.

"What the hell do you mean targeted?! They're smart enough to do that?" he demanded, fear threading through his voice as his hand slammed against the table.

Three pairs of eyes snapped to him at his sudden outburst. Under their scrutiny, Don felt exposed, his pulse quickening as he met each of their stares.

Dorian Varn (Level ???; ???) - Human

Jerry Lorn (Level ???; ???) - Human

Ves Hallow (Level ???; ???) - Human

Realizing he had drawn more attention than intended, Don muttered, "Sorry… that's just—if that's true, it's insane," before sinking back into his seat.

Jerry waved off his apology as if it was nothing. "Believe me, I understand the confusion," he said, his gaze flicking between Dorian and Ves. "It's just a theory, but Colm—like I mentioned—has had some… interesting experiences. And there's one particular fact about him that sets him apart from everyone else."

Don's curiosity piqued. His brow furrowed as he leaned forward, trying to guess what could possibly make Colm so unique—aside from his raw strength.

Jerry met his gaze, his next words carrying weight.

"He's not of this world."

Don blinked, the statement hanging in the air like an impossible riddle. "How is that even possible?" he muttered.

Jerry locked eyes with him, his voice steady. "That's the question, isn't it? I've been thinking about it ever since he told me."

Ves rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "Interesting," she mused. "Do you know how he got here, then? And do you have any proof his claim is valid?"

Jerry nodded. "He seems like an honest man. And frankly, when I first met him, he was a complete wreck—you should've seen his sorry state," he chuckled.

"And how I met him in the first place lends credibility to his words," Jerry continued. "He told a similar story to my granddaughter, Joss—you remember her Truthseeker passive, right?"

Dorian and Ves nodded in unison.

"Well, Colm told her his version of the story first, and she validated the truth in his words. Now, that's not to say he couldn't be lying—only that he believes he's telling the truth. But based on everything so far… the claim holds weight."

Ves nodded in understanding as Jerry presented the facts, while Dorian remained quiet, his fingers tapping idly against the table as he let his thoughts simmer.

Silence hung heavy in the room as everyone processed the revelation. Minutes passed before Ves finally spoke, locking eyes with Jerry.

"So, you believe Colm was targeted by her? How do you reach that conclusion?"

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Jerry exhaled, leaning forward slightly. "A few reasons. First—he's not from here. Second—he has an incredibly powerful class. And third..." he paused for emphasis, "he's now a Morvyn."

Both Ves and Dorian's expressions sharpened at that.

"A Morvyn sighting?" Dorian muttered, his voice laced with intrigue. "I haven't seen one in years… maybe even decades."

Jerry nodded. "I was just as surprised. We all know how deadly the infection can be—how it ignores level differences and eats away at your health percentage-based. If you don't have some form of strong healing to counteract the drain, well... we all understand the outcome." He shook his head. "But Colm—he survived. And from what I've seen, he has abilities that make him damn near impossible to kill. Like a cockroach."

He raised a hand before anyone could comment. "No insult intended, but let's be honest—that's the best way to put it. His sheer ability to survive long enough to become a Morvyn is proof of that."

Jerry's expression darkened as he leaned back, his fingers drumming lightly on the table. "I've been trying to piece it together ever since. What brought him to this world? According to him, he was literally pulled from his own reality—lifted out and dragged through what I can only describe as an Echo Rift when it appeared in front of him."

A tense stillness followed his words.

"Everyone understands Echoes can appear at random, manifesting wherever they please, but what caused one to bridge the gap between our world and his?" Jerry shook his head. "I feel like I've been chasing shadows trying to make sense of it. But now, after this—" he gestured toward Don, referencing the recent escort mission. "With everything that just happened, combined with the fact that Colm first appeared in the Undead Zone… I can't shake the feeling that she had something to do with it."

His expression hardened.

"And now, she's after her prize."

* * *

Don sat on a bench in the plaza before the guild, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. Was the entire reason we saw all those undead because of Colm?

A surge of anger flared in his chest, directed at the man who had saved his life. He exhaled sharply, pushing the feeling aside. Sounded like he couldn't have known... He sighed, forcing himself not to condemn or judge Colm too harshly. But still, the frustration lingered, simmering beneath the surface.

The meeting between the three powerhouses had continued, leaving Don feeling like little more than a spectator. Eventually, they dismissed him, their discussion carrying on without him.

The last thing he caught before leaving stuck with him: Colm was a target. They planned to find him and talk—hopefully, he was still in town. I knew he mentioned needing to get stronger, Don thought with another sigh. For everyone's sake, I hoped he would.

This whole situation felt far beyond him. He had no idea how he'd gotten wrapped up in something so massive—so utterly catastrophic. And truthfully, he wanted no part in it.

He stood, brushing off his pants out of habit. I just wanted to see my family.

With that, he turned and headed toward home.

Navigating through the crowded streets of Brimhope, he wove between bustling merchants and lively townsfolk, gradually making his way out of the central district. Before long, the familiar sights near his home came into view.

A few minutes later, he stepped onto a well-worn street, his house appearing in the distance. A small smile tugged at his lips as a delicious aroma drifted through the air. Someone was cooking something good, he thought, licking his lips. The scent seemed to be coming from Keith's place. Maybe I'll stop by later.

But right now, home was all that mattered.

As he reached his doorstep and pushed the door open, a familiar sight greeted him—one that made all the tension in his body dissolve.

"Daddy!"

A shriek of joy rang through the air as his little one bolted toward him, leaping into his arms. Don caught them effortlessly, a wide smile breaking across his face.

For the first time all day, he felt at peace.

* * *

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