The first thing I noticed was the sound of my own heartbeat.
Thumpâ!
It felt the same as usual, yet the vibrations seemed heavier.
I unconsciously clutched my chest.
The manâs back appeared ordinary at first glance.
But the longer I stared, the more something about him bothered me.
Thumpâ! Thumpâ!
The pounding grew stronger, loud enough to feel even without focusing.
âHa.â
A hollow laugh escaped me.
âOf course. It was too easy.â
Things had been going too smoothlyâalmost suspiciously so.
I shouldâve known my life was never meant to be simple.
I clenched my chest harder and furrowed my brow.
Thumpâ!
The sound kept growing louder, and something deep within me began to stir.
Vrrrrâ!
An inaudible hum rang through my earsâsomething only I could hear.
âHoo...â
I held my breath, desperate to keep any sound from escaping.
Even my heavy breathing might alert him.
ââThe Divine Dragon Commander?â
ââIs that the new Divine Dragon Commanderâ¦?â
ââWhat about the Martial Tournament, then?â
The commander was supposed to be the winner of the tournament.
So who the hell was this man?
As murmurs of doubt rippled through the crowd, the Sword Saint spoke up to explain.
âI understand your surprise. But trust meâthis new Divine Dragon Commander is an extraordinary figure.â
No identity.
No proper explanation.
Just a vague request for trust.
It was hardly reassuringâand the crowdâs reactions made that clear.
Doubt, suspicion, andâoddly enoughâanticipation.
âWhatâs with that excitement?â
Was it just blind faith in the title of Divine Dragon Commander?
While the Sword Saint continued speaking, I tuned him out.
I was too focused on the so-called commander.
Thumpâ!
The pounding in my chest wouldnât stop.
A primal sense of unease prickled at me.
And then I felt itâfaint but unmistakable.