MMORPG: REBORN MARK ADVENTURE IN ONLINE GAME

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Mist Low's expression shifted the moment he turned back to Raven. The playful glint in his eyes vanished, replaced by something colder—calculating. His smirk was gone, his posture sharpened, and when he spoke, his voice carried none of its previous warmth.

"You're in my way."

The air between them tensed instantly. Raven didn't flinch, his grip on his dagger tightening slightly.

"So what?" he replied, his tone just as cool.

Mist Low's eyes narrowed. "I don't like loose ends."

Raven understood the unspoken threat. Mist Low had no intention of being tracked or remembered. He was testing Raven, seeing if he was worth eliminating now or later.

Before either could make another move, Daniel clapped a hand on Mist Low's shoulder. "Hey, hey, let's not get all broody here. This was just a friendly spar, right?"

Mist Low barely glanced at him, his usual smirk absent. "Take your hand off me, archer."

Daniel raised an eyebrow. "Ooooh, scary." He leaned in slightly, voice dropping to a whisper. "You weren't this cold a second ago. What happened to 'legendary magician, breaker of hearts'?"

Mist Low's gaze flickered with irritation, but before he could respond—

"Dan," Ana called, amused. "You're not gonna let him one-up you, are you?"

Daniel immediately straightened, his demeanor flipping on command. He turned to Liz and Ana with a roguish grin, running a hand through his hair. "Please, Ana. One-up me? No one does 'charming rogue' better than me."

Liz smirked. "Oh? Prove it."

Daniel placed a hand over his heart, striking a dramatic pose. "Ladies, what fate has brought us together in this dangerous place? Was it the call of adventure? The thrill of battle? Or perhaps…" He leaned in slightly. "Something more?"

Ana giggled. "Oh no. He's serious."

Liz tilted her head, amused. "Hate to break it to you, but Mist Low had the better delivery."

Daniel gasped, clutching his chest like he'd been mortally wounded. "Et tu, Liz?"

Mist Low, who had turned his attention back to Raven, finally let out a quiet exhale, as if Daniel's antics weren't worth his time. "Pathetic."

Daniel smirked, not missing a beat. "Jealous I've got the real charm?"

Mist Low shot him a sharp glare. "You? A child playing at charisma? Don't make me laugh."

Daniel grinned. "You just did."

Mist Low clicked his tongue, clearly done with the nonsense. "Hmph." He turned back to Raven, his cold demeanor settling in once more. "Our business isn't over. Watch yourself."

And with that, his form flickered—vanishing into thin air.

Raven exhaled, tension lingering in his shoulders. Mist Low wasn't done with them. Not by a long shot.

Daniel, on the other hand, turned back to Liz and Ana, flashing another grin. "So, be honest. On a scale from one to ten, how charming was I?"

Liz smirked. "Solid four."

Ana giggled. "I'll give you a six for effort."

Daniel groaned. "You wound me."

Raven rubbed his temples. "We're leaving. Now."

Mist Low had vanished into the shadows, but his presence still lingered. And Raven had no doubt—this wasn't the last time they'd cross paths.

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Mist Low leaned against a nearby rock, his smirk returning in full force. The cold demeanor from before was gone, replaced by an amused glint in his eyes. He dusted off his robe as if the fight had never happened.

"You know, Raven," he mused, "you've got quite the temper."

Raven's jaw tightened. "Why are you following us?"

Mist Low grinned. "Ah, such hostility! Here I thought we were bonding."

Raven's patience was wearing thin. "We're not."

Mist Low placed a hand over his heart, gasping in mock pain. "Such cruelty! And after I so graciously introduced myself."

Daniel snorted. "Graciously? You tried to kill us."

Mist Low waved a hand dismissively. "Details, details. A little conflict builds character." His gaze flicked to Raven again, and his smirk deepened. "Besides, I find you fascinating."

Raven's eyes narrowed. "I don't care what you think."

Mist Low chuckled, ignoring the growing annoyance in Raven's tone. "Oh, but I care. You move like someone who's seen things they shouldn't have. Like someone… who already knows how this all plays out."

Raven's fists clenched.

Mist Low tapped his chin, pretending to think. "Now, how would that be possible? Unless…" His grin sharpened. "Nah. That'd be ridiculous, wouldn't it?"

Raven stepped forward, his voice low and dangerous. "Leave. Now."

Mist Low met his glare, unbothered. "Hmm… no, I don't think I will."

Daniel sighed dramatically. "Great. We've got a stalker now."

Ana giggled. "At least he's entertaining."

Liz smirked. "Yeah, and better at flirting than you."

Daniel groaned. "Not you too!" He turned to Mist Low, throwing up his hands. "Fine. If you're gonna follow us, at least make yourself useful. Got any skills that don't involve being annoying?"

Mist Low grinned. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Raven exhaled sharply. He could already feel the headache forming.

This was going to be a long day.

A Magician's Mischief

The dimly lit cavern stretched before them, its eerie silence broken only by the faint dripping of water. Despite the tension, Mist Low had made himself comfortable—too comfortable.

With a dramatic flourish, he turned to Liz and Ana, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "You know," he mused, stepping between them, "it's not every day that fate blesses me with the company of two extraordinary beauties."

Ana blinked. "Uh—"

Before she could react, Mist Low took her hand, bringing it up as if about to place a kiss upon it. "A moment of your time, dear Ana? A small price to pay for the privilege of basking in your radiance."

Ana's face turned an unmistakable shade of red. "W-Wait—!"

Liz burst into laughter. "Oh, this is good."

But Mist Low wasn't done. With a graceful pivot, he turned to Liz, taking her hand as well. "And you, my dear Liz… Such wit, such charm. Truly, I fear my heart may not survive this encounter."

Liz, caught off guard, felt a faint heat rise to her cheeks. "I—? Pfft—okay, okay, calm down, Casanova."

Daniel, who had been watching all of this in increasing horror, snapped. His entire body radiated fury as he stepped forward, eyes burning like a man possessed. "Oi, oi, oi—WHAT do you think you're doing?!"

Mist Low blinked innocently. "Simply appreciating the finer things in life, my dear archer."

Daniel's hands shook as he pointed a trembling finger. "I will put an arrow through your smug face, you—"

Raven, meanwhile, had reached his breaking point. His dagger was sheathed, his stance was relaxed, but his spirit? Broken.

He dragged a hand down his face, shoulders slumping. "Why am I here?" he muttered, his soul visibly leaving his body. "What did I do to deserve this?"

Mist Low, still holding Liz's hand, smirked at Raven. "Perhaps, my dear friend, it is fate."

Raven deadpanned. "Fate hates me."

Liz and Ana, still slightly flustered, exchanged glances.

Ana cleared her throat. "S-So, uh… are we moving forward, or…?"

Daniel growled, still not over it. "Not until this clown steps at least ten feet away from them."

Mist Low sighed dramatically. "So cruel, dear Daniel." He let go of their hands, stepping back. "But very well. I shall give them space—for now."

Daniel crossed his arms, still fuming.

Raven took a deep breath. "Let's just move before I stab myself to make this stop."