Hope

Ethan took the full force of Byung's attack, blood spilling from his mouth. Yet, with determination burning in his eyes, he wiped away the blood and firmly positioned himself in front of Seojin, refusing to back down. In his mind, Ethan thought, I can't back down now. I won't let Seojin die; I have to protect him. Having never had friends before, Seojin's friendship meant everything to him.

Seojin's eyes widened in shock, his voice breaking with frustration as he yelled, "Ethan, get out of here!" He never expected anyone would protect him like this, and anger bubbled within him, his eyes turning red as he realized Ethan wasn't listening to him.

Byung laughed mockingly at the sight of their desperation. "What a heartwarming friendship," he taunted, "but both of you are going to die together."

Inside Ethan's mind, Oliver and Shadow spoke urgently. "Hold on just a little longer, Ethan. I can sense the five clans getting closer. Jinwoo's aura is nearby."

A flicker of hope ignited within Ethan at their words. He looked at Byung with quiet confidence and said, "Your time is running out, Byung. I'm not leaving."

Byung's expression darkened as he, too, felt the presence of the approaching clans. The fight was closing in on him. With a roar of fury, he lunged at Ethan again, this time shattering Ethan's arm with a vicious blow. Ethan cried out in pain but still managed to stand his ground, his resolve unyielding.

Dong Hae had seen enough. He laughed bitterly, "It's better to die trying than to be a coward."

Unable to watch Ethan suffer any longer, Dong Hae charged toward Byung, delivering a powerful strike that sent Byung staggering back, blood flying from his mouth. "Annoying kids," Byung spat, his fury rising. "I can't let you live to grow any stronger."

Panic surged through Ethan as he realized they were running out of options. His eyes scanned the chaotic scene, and suddenly he noticed a large pool of water pooling on the ground, a remnant of Professor Jinmin's ongoing battle nearby. A desperate plan formed in his mind. He quickly called out to Oliver and Shadow in his thoughts, "Is there any way I can use my power one last time?"

There was a long pause before they finally answered. "You can… but forcing it when you're this drained could be dangerous. You've just awakened; there's still so much you need to learn. If you push too hard, it might cause permanent damage. You may never be able to use your power again."

After a brief hesitation, they added, "But we're here. If the damage isn't too severe, we can heal you."

Ethan glanced around, desperate. He had no other choice. I'm doing it, he resolved.

Without wasting a second, he shouted to Dong Hae, "Throw him into the water!"

Dong Hae didn't fully understand Ethan's plan, but he trusted him completely. Before Byung could react, Dong Hae seized him and hurled him into the water.

"Get back, now!" Ethan shouted, urgency lacing his voice.

Dong Hae quickly retreated, and with all the strength he had left, Ethan unleashed a massive electric shock, sending currents of electricity surging through the water. The energy struck Byung with full force, causing his body to convulse violently before he fell still. Byung's life ended in that moment, a victim of underestimating his opponent. As the final spark of electricity left Ethan's body, he collapsed, completely drained.

Seojin rushed to Ethan's side, his heart pounding with fear. "Ethan, wake up!" he called, his voice trembling with panic. As he leaned closer, he noticed Ethan was still breathing, albeit faintly. A wave of relief washed over him, calming his frantic thoughts, if only for a moment. He took a deep breath, steadying himself, and vowed to stay by Ethan's side until he opened his eyes again.

At the same time, Oliver and Shadow moved closer to Ethan, settling beside him. They closed their eyes, their expressions shifting to one of deep concentration as they poured all their energy into healing him from within. A shimmering aura enveloped Ethan, their power flowing into him like a gentle stream, hidden from everyone else amidst the chaos surrounding them.

Dong Hae observed this peculiar scene unfold with a mixture of awe and confusion. "Who is this kid?" he wondered, still in disbelief at the extraordinary sight before him. Only Seojin sensed something different in the atmosphere; it felt charged, as if the very air around them was vibrating with raw power. This heightened awareness ignited a flicker of realization in Seojin, making him acutely aware that there was far more to Ethan and his companions than he had initially understood. As he watched the shimmering light surrounding Ethan, a sense of hope began to blossom in his heart, alongside the urgent need to protect his friend.

Moments later, Jaemin and the shadows of the five clans stormed into the stadium, and Jinwoo's commanding voice boomed across the battlefield. "Kill every last one of the intruders!"

Seeing his father's arrival, Seojin felt the weight of exhaustion crash over him. With one last look at Ethan, he collapsed, succumbing to fatigue. Dong Hae hurried over to the two who had fainted, positioning himself protectively beside them, ready to shield them as the chaotic situation unfolded around them.