Dragna Empire.

The morning came quite peacefully, but there was great tension in the capital. The reason?

The emperor had vanished without a sight!

The person who discovered this was Sasha, who came to check up on her son. However, when she got to his room he was nowhere to be found, the only thing that was there was a disk. After having a bad feeling, she took the disc and went around searching for Miko.

Something inside of her was telling her not to play the disk, if she did then she’ll lose something very important to her. As such, she first searched for her son before doing anything else.

She checked the palace, he wasn’t there. She checked all five worlds belonging to each branch, he wasn’t there. She tried walking around the capital, he wasn’t there. If her mother hadn’t notice her weird behavior, she might’ve went to search the entire empire, which was literally the entire continent.

When Kimiko asked her what had her behaving like that. Sasha answered that she couldn’t find Miko anywhere and only found the disk on his bed.

After hearing this Kimiko immediately knew that something had happened and summoned the rest of the clan to watch the disk together.

When the disk played in front of them, everyone were shocked. On the disk was Miko sitting up on his bed with a bright smile on his face. Despite the brightness of his smile, they only got negative emotions from it.

Miko started talking.

“I think I did something similar to this a while back.”

He said with a laugh.

“Well, anyway let’s get to the point.”

He smiled and said-

“I’m leaving the Dragna Clan as well as the empire for good.”

When he said that, various reactions were seen on everyone’s face, but the most common one was shock.

He went on to say-

“Let me say this first, this decision isn’t urgent. It’s an agreement I made with Tia from I was a child. The agreement was that I would rebuild the country and make it prosperous. As you can see, I took it a step further and turned it into a Powerhouse to ensure its survival.”

He continued.

“All my plans that I thought up as a kid, has all been put in place and succeeded. As such, according to our agreement I am free from all obligations towards the clan and the country.”

A lot of people frowned and even got upset when they heard that.

“I know that what I have said must’ve upset all of you, but let me finish. What I told you was the agreement I made over a decade ago. There was a point where I didn’t want to follow the agreement and stay with my love ones.”

“Then just do that.”

Said Luka.

“However, as time went on it was clear that I couldn’t do. It’s not that I physically can’t do it, it’s just that I foresaw the fate that awaits all of you if I did.”

The viewers were confused when they heard him say that.

“I’ve said it once before, I’m an abomination.”

When those close to him heard him refer to himself in such a nasty way, it felt like a hammer had struck their hearts. It was obviously painful for them to hear.

“You all might not think so, but that’s only because you don’t know me as well as you think you do.”

Miko placed his hand on his chest.

“I know myself, and I can say without a doubt that if I stay around any of you for too long, I’ll end up devouring you and everything you’re worth. I will bring you only destruction and death. Hell, I might even become mortal enemies with some of you.”

He said with certainty.

“It’s not that I planned on doing so from a long time ago. It’s just the way I am. A scorpion will always be a scorpion no matter how much it tries to act like a butterfly.”

He said.

“This is the reason why I’m leaving you all now. It might sound stupid, crazy, or even retarded, but this is what I believe. My will is to reach the top. That will is so embedded in me, that I’ll do anything to reach it. Even stepping over your corpses with a tear smeared face.”

Everyone was silent when Miko was talking. To them it seemed like he was pleading with them to let him go and not go after him.

His next words however, struck them like a bolt of lightning.

“I’m advising you for your own good. Do not waste your time searching me, because the moment I sense any of you even miles away from me, I’ll purposely avoid you. Instead of focusing on me, focus on your own goals. You all have them, so there’s no need to give them up just to let me achieve mine.”

These words were straight telling them to live for themselves and stopping living for him. They all came to slowly realize that they have at some point or the other given up on their own dreams just to help Miko achieve his.

They’ve given up on their individuality, just to become a part of Miko’s life. Whenever they were remembered, Miko would be first thing to pop up on the person’s mind, and them second.

They all started to wonder the same thing.

“When did I become such a shallow character?”

Miko’s family, Miko’s friends, Miko’s lovers, Miko’s rivals….

Since when have they become so shallow that the most redeeming thing about them involved Miko?

They slow began to understand what Miko meant by him devouring them. He meant devouring their lives and sense of self. There was none who were close to him that could deny that they wouldn’t think for a second and die if they had to die for Miko’s goals.

That was how deep he was in their heart and soul. As they realized this, they began to shiver.

Was dying for Miko or letting him devour them really a bad thing? Of course it was. Miko wouldn’t want them dying for him, so what purpose did he have to stick around with them if that was their fate if they stayed together?

The more they thought about it, the more they realized how much they were devoted to Miko, and how much control he had over them.

Whether it was intentional or not, Miko dictated their lives like he was a puppeteer putting on a show, and they were his puppets.

“I think you all should realize what I’m getting at by now.”

Miko spoke after a long time. It seemed like he purposely gave them some time to digest what he was saying to them.

“That’s right. The main reason why I can’t allow you to walk the same path as me is because I would devour you and continue down the road leaving your bones behind. In other words, we’re not on the same level so you can’t walk beside me.”

“?!”

His words ignited anger inside them, which was reasonable.

Miko’s words were harsh and cruel, but also true. Miko was in a league of his own and everyone knew this. So if he walked with people inferior to him, they would only become bones on his path.

Suddenly Miko smiled.

“I don’t need to be there to know how you all are feeling right now.”

His smile turned into a smirk.

“You’re angry aren’t you?”

Everyone nodded as if he was really in front of them.

“Then do you know what you all need to do?”

He paused and then said-

“Prove me wrong.”

Everyone was surprised to hear him say that.

“Prove to me that I was wrong to abandon you, and that you are indeed on my level. That you can indeed walk beside me as equals.”

He went from stepping on their feelings to egging them on. Everyone started to get confused.

Did he want to leave them behind, or did he just wanted them to try and catch up to him?

“If you wish to prove me wrong then good luck to you. As for me, I’m not going to stop and wait for you. No, I’m going ahead. I’ll probably meet and devour more people until I come across those that I can truly consider as my equals. Whether it will be any of you or people I haven’t met yet, I don’t know.”

He smiled.

“Also, even though I don’t want you to, if you wish to find me then do as you wish. But remember that I won’t just allow myself to be found. You can even think of it as a competition between you and me if you like.”

He said.

“There’s no duration. No matter where I’m at in life, if you’re able to stand on the same stage as me, then I’ll stay with you. That’s if you still want to be around me that is. In this world it isn’t strange for family, friends, or even lovers to become enemies. So whatever you become when we stand on the same stage, I’ll accept it without complaint. Even if you’re coming for my head.”

There was a hint of excitement in Miko’s eyes. It was as if he couldn’t wait for the future, where he’ll fight against those he once shared a strong bond with.

It was that moment that everyone realized something.

They had lost the Miko who was their family, friend, or even lover. The Miko in front of them was a stranger who was just excited to for a possible rivalry. It was then they all had a thought.

“Was Miko really this lonely? Did he really wanted to meet someone on his level so much that he was willing to throw away all his happiness to search for it?”

But was their definition of happiness the same as Miko’s? It was not. Miko said it himself.

“The further I walk down this road the more people I’ll lose. What’s the point of all this then? Just what am I fighting for? Tia, I’m scared. Not only because of what I’ll lose, but because even though I know what awaits me I can’t stop myself from taking the journey. I can’t stop myself from walking down the path of bones and blood.”

He knew what type of person he was, and he knew that normal happiness could never satisfy him. He knew this not recently but from along time ago.

He even said this before even joining the Dragna Clan-

"What I seek is excitement and total liberation. Whether I suffer or not in the future, at least I can say I died trying to tackle what most people wouldn't dare to dream of. To me the sole purpose of my existence is to shake the world to its core, and enjoy the aftershocks."

This was just the type of person he was, even he couldn’t do anything about it.

“Anyway, I have said all I’ve wished to say. I’ve already made my request to be left alone. Whether you wish to listen to it or ignore it, its your decision to make. So what will it be?”

Everyone looked at each other as if trying to confirm something in the others eyes. After coming to a mute agreement, they all spoke at the same time.

“We refuse!”

The image of Miko smiled at that moment. It was as if he already anticipated their response.

“I see. Then if this is last time we meet, then farewell. If it is not, then I’ll be going ahead. Oh, one last thing. You don’t need to worry about my limited life span, I’ll figure something out.”

He suddenly looked like he remembered something.

“Now that I think about it, Mayumi’s prophesy is supposed to happen any day now.”

He smiled.

“Well, I’ll deal with that as it comes as well.”

After that he looked like he wanted to leave. So he said-

“Thank you for everything that you’ve done for me from the bottom of my heart. I will always cherish these memories no matter what we become or our relationship in the future.”

He smiled one last time.

“Good bye.”

“………..”

The room was silent for a long time as everyone stared at the screen.

“What the fuck was that?!”

The one who broke the silence by cursing was unexpectedly Sasha.

“What do you mean ‘Thank you for everything, goodbye’?! You think I would just say you’re welcome and carry on with my life?!”

She was trembling with anger. She was so angry that everyone else forgot to be angry themselves.

She even started to leak out death aura which caused flowers in a vase near her to wither and die. Others started to back away from her.

“First it was Leon and Kristen, and now this! Why is my family filled with selfish men?!”

She shouted towards the ceiling.

“I’m going to find him. I don’t care if he’s going to hide, I’m gonna find him and whoop his ass!”

“?!”

When Sasha said that even her mother looked at her as if she didn’t know if she heard her right.

“That’s right. I’m gonna whoop his ass! All I’ve done since giving birth to him is pamper and spoil him and look what happened. ‘You’re not on my level’? The disrespect!”

It seemed that the more she spoke the angrier she became.

“Not only him, I’m gonna find that good for nothing husband of mine and whoop his ass too! And let’s not forget that other ungrateful brat of a son!”

She then looked at Tessa.

“You better not take after your father and brothers, or I’ll have to beat your ass too.”

She said with a sharp gaze, which sent a chill up Tessa’s spine.

“No, Ma’am! Tessa is a good girl! I’ll even help you discipline them if you want!”

Said Tessa, who gave a salute for some reason.

“I appreciate the offer, but I wanna beat them myself.”

Sasha said.

She then look at her mother.

“Mama, as I am I don’t possess the ability to beat some sense into those three idiots of mine, so I’m begging you.”

She bowed her head.

“Take me to Niflheim, break me and rebuild me again. I’ll even take up your offer to become your heir to inherit the clan. I will use their connections to find that brat of mine so that I can discipline him when the time is right!”

She spoke solemnly.

Her words shocked everyone because of how aggressive she was being. They wanted to say that it was out of character but it actually wasn’t.

Sasha has always been aggressive, it’s just that she tends to depend on others too much that made it look like she was passive. Even though she was still depending on others, the way she did it was different.

It more like she was finally using her privileges to become stronger. This is because she now has a goal.

Beat some sense in her overpowered sons and husband!

After seeing Sasha’s resolve, Kimiko nodded.

“We will leave once your father, brother and everyone else has awaken and everything here as stabilized.”

She said.

“Fine by me.”

Seeing Sasha taking steps to meet Miko, everyone else felt like they too needed to improve upon themselves. They couldn’t take Miko disregarding them as people who would be devoured by him or just one of the countless bones on his path.

They will become they’re own persons and improve themselves not to catch up to Miko, but to make him eat their dust. If Miko was to see their faces now, he would probably have a big grin on it and eyes beaming with excitement.

The same day, Momo stood in front someone with a solemn expression and spoke.

“Please, give me your guidance!”

The person, Rihan Dragna smiled.

“Anything for my flesh and blood.”