Bound By Fury:The Forced Path

Sylara's voice thundered through the room, her tone sharp and unyielding.

"Damn it, Imzar!" She snapped, her fury barely restrained.

"You will take full responsibility for this once we've dealt with the consequences of your recklessness."

"That dungeon is under our jurisdiction, and as Guildmaster, I will not let this slide."

Imzar's head hung low, his body trembling under the weight of her words.

"Y-Yes, Guildmaster… I understand."

Sylara turned her steely gaze to Grido, her sharp mind already calculating.

"Grido, assemble a party of the best STARS currently free in our guild."

"I will lead them myself."

Grido stiffened, his hand instinctively moving to the hilt of his weapon as he nodded.

"Understood, Guildmaster."

"But…" He hesitated briefly, his voice laced with concern.

"Are you certain about joining the raid personally?"

"A Demonic Human is—"

Sylara silenced him with a glare.

"I don't need you to question me, Grido."

"I need you to act."

"We don't have the luxury of waiting for outside assistance."

"Gather the team and we will prepare and depart as soon as possible"

"If there's truly a Demonic Human inside that dungeon, the situation demands immediate action."

"Since Imzar got out of the dungeon because of his teammate skill it means that until the dungeon is cleared he is stuck there so he can't get out without clearing it"

Grido bowed , though worry lingered in his eyes.

"Yes, Guildmaster."

"I'll gather the team."

As he left the room, Sylara turned her focus back to Imzar, her tone colder now.

"Imzar, you're not done."

"Tell me everything"

"I want every detail you can give about that person"

"Weaknesses?"

"Patterns?"

Imzar shook his head, his voice trembling.

"N-No."

"He didn't give us time to analyze anything."

"His attacks were… merciless."

"I'm so sorry, Guildmaster."

"I… I never expected this…"

Sylara let her breath out in a sharp hiss, reigning in her anger with great effort.

"Tchh"

"Save your apologies for later."

"Right now, we focus on survival and to clear it"

"We're cleaning up your mess, Imzar."

"You'd better pray we all make it out alive."

Meanwhile at the Park

Akira walked hand in hand with Yuna, holding hers softly as they strolled at a leisurely pace through the park.

The late afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the playground jammed full of kids.

Children were bubbling over with laughter, and leaves fluttered, making the scene, for a short time, appear almost wholly bereft of the troubles of the outside world.

And for that, Akira allowed himself that peace.

"Onii-chan Akira!"

Yuna said tugging on his hand.

"Look at that slide!"

"It's so high!"

"Can we go there first?"

Akira raised an eyebrow and smiled mischievously.

"That one?"

"Are you sure you are brave enough for it?"

Yuna stood straight, hands on her hips.

"I'm really brave!"

"I'm not scared of anything!"

"Okay, brave one,"

Akira said, softly chuckling.

"Let's see you do it."

Yuna ran off, little legs moving fast with excitement as she mounted the ladder up to the tall slide.

Akira followed behind a little more slowly, his arms crossed as he watched her go up.

"Don't look down, Yuna!"

He shouted, teasing.

"You might get scared!"

"I'm not afraid!"

She yelled back, her voice sailing above the murmur of the park.

She reached the top and sat, holding on tight to the sides of the slide.

"Okay, Big Bro, I'm coming down!"

"Catch me!"

Akira planted himself at the base, casual, but eyes watchful.

"Alright then, let's see what you've got."

Yuna launched herself off and squealed as she flew down the slide. Akira caught her with ease, swinging her around once before setting her feet onto the floor.

"See?"

"I told you I wasn't afraid!" she exclaimed, her face crimson with pride.

Akira dropped to a crouch, being at her level, and tapped her nose lightly.

"Yeah, yeah."

"You are the bravest kid."

Yuna giggled and clutched his hand once more.

"Okay, now let's go to the swings!"

"I want to fly higher than the clouds!"

On the swings, Yuna hopped on in a second, feet only inches above the ground.

"Push me, Big Bro!"

"Higher!"

"Higher!

Akira was behind her, holding the chains.

"Okay, but don't cry if you go too high."

"I won't cry!"

Yuna said, laughing happily.

"I'm really brave, remember?"

Akira laughed and began to push her lightly, the swing creaking with a protesting groan as it went higher.

"Hold on tight, kid."

"I won't carry you back if you fall."

"I won't fall!"

Yuna said happily as the swing went up higher.

"This is so fun!"

"You're the best, Big Bro Akira!"

Akira's eyes softened as he watched her, her carefree laughter the only sound in the air.

The world around him blurred for a moment, and there was that memory.

He was a boy again, crossing a stretch of green field, his mother's voice calling after him.

"Akira, slow down!"

"You're going to trip!"

A deep, reassuring laugh from his father followed right after.

"Let him go."

"Boys need to run wild."

Minutes later, strong hands placed him on a swing.

"Okay, champ,"his father said with a warm and sure smile.

"Let's see how high we can go."

"Don't look down, Akira!" - his dad said, pushing the swing higher.

"Always look at the horizon!"

The memory remained, bitter-sweet, as it slowly faded to burrow its way back to the present.

"Big Bro?"

Yuna's timorous voice cut through his thoughts.

Apparently, the swing had slowed, and she looked up at him with concern.

"Are you okay?"

Akira blinked and shook the memory away. He gave her a small smile, but a hint of sadness was in his eyes.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking too much."

Yuna got off the swing, a little unsteady, and took his hand; the concern in her eyes turned into excitement. "

"Let's go to the jungle gym next!"

"I bet I can climb faster than you!"

Akira smiled, full of confidence as he stood tall.

"Oh, you want to challenge me now?"

"Alright, let's see what you can do."

At the jungle gym, Yuna climbed up the ropes and bars, giggling as Akira faked struggling behind her.

"Wow, you're fast,"

He said, acting out of breath as he climbed.

"Of course!"

Yuna said proudly.

"I'm the best climber in the whole park!"

Akira reached the top and sat down next to her, looking out at the park.

"Not bad."

"You might beat me someday."

Yuna giggled.

"Someday?"

"I already did!"

Akira laughed and ruffled her hair.

"Alright, I'll give you this round."

1 Hour Later, when the sun had dipped below the horizon and painted the park shades of orange and pink, Akira and Yuna sat on a nearby bench, sharing an ice cream cone.

Yuna had insisted that she couldn't finish hers on her own, and Akira had obliged reluctantly.

"You have to take little bites, Big Bro,"

She said, waving her finger at him.

"Or you'll eat all the good parts!"

"Alright, boss,"

Akira said, laughing.

Back at Cha-Jong's house, Akira found Yuna sleeping softly in his arms as they arrived.

The soft rise and fall of her little body with each breath was a nice sound against his chest.

"Why i think im looking when i hold her like im like an old man when i just passed adolescence" 

He said while smiling 

"But it's not a bad feeling"