"So what do you think buddy, with this move, will Evergreen n be debated by me?" I asked my shadow, which of course didn''t respond anything other than starting back at me.


    "Right, you can''t talk. Hahaha"


    Man, this is depressing, talking with my shadow. But anyway what I came here for is done.


    I don''t know what consensus will save Isabe''s older sister, Alice Evergreen but I''m sure that this move will benefit me a lot.


    So I don''t have to worry about anything else other than my benefits...


    Now let''s start some of my mercenary work. Taking out my I typed Jonathan''s number.


    -Ring!, -Ring!, -Ring!


    -Tak!


    "Hello?"


    "Ah, Jonathan, it''s me, Lucas. I will be sending three files of people. I want any information regarding those three people, ASAP, Do you understand?"


    Jonathan''s voice crackled through the phone, "Sure thing, send over the files, and I''ll get started on the intel. What kind of information are you looking for?"


    I leaned back in my chair, ncing at the files on my desk. "I need everything – backgrounds, affiliations, recent activities. You know the drill. And Jonathan, make it quick. Time is of the essence."


    "No worries. I''ll have my best people on it. Anything else you need?"


    "Just the usual. Keep it discreet, and let me know as soon as you have something concrete."


    Jonathan chuckled,  "Alright, Lucas, consider it done. I''ll be in touch."


    As the call ended, I pondered the uing task...


    The people I asked Jonathan to search were the ones I intended to let them join the Shadow Reapers but before that happened I wanted to know everything about them.


    For example, one of the three people on the list is Ryen, the hacker. He can hack into any database and no one can catch him sadly that was true until he was caught by the Hero Association and he is in Jail at the moment.


    And let me rify That Ryen is just a 14-year-old kid, yup everyone heard right he is a kid, a genius prodigy.


    The reason he got caught was because he couldn''t resist the challenge thrown by the Hero Association. They deliberately leaked a fake database, tempting him with the prospect of breaking into a highly secured system. Little did Ryen know, they had set a trap.


    As I delved into Ryen''s file, I couldn''t help but appreciate the audacity and skill the kid possessed. It was a shame that such talent got entangled with the wrong side of thew.


    "Anyway, first I have to free him from jail and have to make sure that he joined my group," I muttered to myself as I saw the kid''s file.


    But for now, let''s sleep.


    ncing at my smart bracelet, I saw time.


    12:52 a.m.


    Yup, it''s time to sleep.


    Closing the file, I got from the desk and walked toward the king-size bed that was arranged for me to rest by Evergreen n.


    I have to say, even their guest house isparable to those seven-star hotels.


    "I wonder how their main residence looks," I thought, chuckling at the irony of evaluating the amodations while being involved in high-stakes operations.


    As I settled into thefortable bed, my mind raced with thoughts about the uing challenges. The Evergreen n''s situation, the newly initiated n, and the recruits for the Shadow Reapers—all demanded my attention.


    Closing my eyes, I let the events of the day rey in my mind. Dereck''s desperation, Isabe''s trust, and the subtle dynamics within the Evergreen n all swirled in a chaotic dance. The Healberry, a fruit with the potential to change lives, was now in Isabe''s possession.


    The rhythmic ticking of a clock echoed in the quiet room, and gradually, my consciousness sumbed to the embrace of sleep.


    ***


    In the private chamber of the Evergreen n, where no one is allowed to enter besides himself and his daughter.


    The reason? Because it''s in this very chamber body of Alice is ced. For more protection, Dereck had ced numerous amounts of defensive magic and attack magic all around the room, no one dared to enter it aside from Dereck and Isabe.


    At the moment Isabe was standing outside of the private chamber room of her father.


    Raising her hand, she knocked on the door.


    To Tok—


    "Come in."


    A deep voice spoke up as soon as Isabe knocked on the door.


    Getting confirmation from her dad, Isabe entered the room where the first thing she saw was her father standing beside the capsule her sister was resting in.


    With his hand over the capsule, Dereck stared at Alice with sadness in his eyes.


    Then, turning his head to look at Isabe, he smiled.


    "You''re finally here."


    "Mhm."


    Isabe responded, her gaze shifting from her father to the capsule containing heratose sister.


    Dereck sighed, the weight of his concern evident in the lines on his face. "Isabe, can we truly trust Lucas?" Dereck asked,  He had heard the rumours of how ''Healberry'' can truly save anyone with any curse and illness but that we were just rumours.


    As a father, he couldn''t help but worry even if he strongest mage on the continent it doesn''t matter shit if he can''t save his daughter who was slowly dying in front of him.


    Isabe''s expression softened. She is always cold in front of others but in front of her father, she is just 17 years old girl. "Dad, I believe in Lucas. He may be weird, in fact when I first met him I thought of him as a weirdo but knew hot say but there was something different about him. He saved my life before remember? So let''s trust him and give him a chance."


    Dereck nodded, his gaze returning to the capsule. "I want to believe too, Isabe. For Alice''s sake, I''m willing to take the chance. But we must tread carefully. If this doesn''t work, it might be harder for me to keep hope alive."


    Isabe ced aforting hand on her father''s arm. "We''re doing everything we can, Dad. Let''s stay hopeful."


    Dereck managed a small smile, appreciating his daughter''s support. "You''ve grown into a strong and wise woman, Isabe. Your faith gives me strength."


    As father and daughter stood in the private chamber, the delicate bnce between hope and uncertainty lingered in the air. The fate of Alice Evergreen rested on the sess of Lucas''s n and the healing properties of the mysterious Healberry.


    Meanwhile, in the guest house, Lucas drifted into a deep sleep, unaware of the intricate dynamics unfolding within the Evergreen n. The night pressed on, bringing with it dreams, hopes, and the weight of promises yet to be fulfilled.