The training grounds were silent.
Not peaceful— but heavy.
The kind of silence that pressed down on the chest, making every breath feel sharper than usual.
After days of relentless training, exhaustion should have been the only thing left behind.
But tonight— something was different.
Út 2 stood in the center of the field.
Her breathing was steady, but her eyes were no longer the same as before.
They were clearer.
Sharper.
As if something inside her had finally begun to take shape.
Across from her, Bướm watched quietly, arms folded, her expression unreadable.
“…You’re ready,” she said.
Út 2 didn’t respond.
She simply stepped forward.
The moment she moved— the air shifted.
A blur of motion.
Bướm disappeared from sight, reappearing behind her like a flicker of light.
A strike.
Fast.
Precise.
Deadly.
But—
CLANG!
Út 2 blocked it.
Not perfectly.
But enough.
Bướm’s eyes flickered.
“Again.”
They collided once more.
This time faster.
Harder.
Each strike carried more intent than before.
Bướm moved like a butterfly—graceful, unpredictable, untouchable.
Every step seemed light.
Every attack impossible to read.
But Út 2— was changing.
She began to adapt.
Her movements grew steadier.
Her reactions sharper.
Her instincts— awakening.
The Spark
Then— something shifted.
A strange heat spread from deep within her chest.
Not pain.
Not exhaustion.
Something else.
Something… alive.
Her vision blurred for a split second.
Then sharpened again.
The world slowed.
Every movement.
Every breath.
Every sound— became clear.
“I…”
Her fingers tightened.
“…I can feel it.”
The heat surged.
Stronger.
Wilder.
Like something trying to break free.
Bướm noticed immediately.
“…So it’s finally happening.”
Flame
A faint glow flickered around Út 2’s body.
At first— barely noticeable.
Then— growing.
Her aura trembled.
Distorted.
Like air shimmering above fire.
Without thinking— she reached to the side.
Her hand grabbed the nearest object.
A pan.
Bướm blinked. Find the original chapter at g.com.
“…Wait.”
Too late.
BAM!!!
The pan slammed straight into Bướm’s face.
A clean.
Solid.
Unapologetic hit.
The sound echoed across the training ground.
Bướm was sent flying backward, her body skidding across the ground before finally stopping.
Silence followed.
Complete silence.
A few seconds passed.
Then—
“…Hah.”
Bướm let out a laugh.
She sat up slowly, wiping the corner of her lip.
“…Not bad.”
Her eyes gleamed with something new.
Approval.
“You’ve grown.”
The Eldest
Út 2 stood still.
Her chest rose and fell slowly.
The faint glow around her body faded—but the warmth remained.
Deep inside.
She looked at her hand.
Then spoke.
Softly.
But with certainty.
“Someday…”
“I’ll understand it.”
Bướm tilted her head slightly.
“…Understand what?”
Út 2 raised her gaze.
Her eyes steady.
“The truth of the Út family.”
The wind stirred.
“Because enlightenment…”
“…is what makes us stronger.”
She paused.
Just for a moment.
“I don’t even know where I came from.”
Her voice dropped slightly.
Not weak— but distant.
“But I remember one thing.”
Her hand clenched.
“I have to protect my little sibling.”
A breath.
“And…”
Her gaze sharpened.
“I am the eldest.”
Bướm didn’t speak right away.
She simply watched her.
Carefully.
Then— she nodded.
“…Yeah.”
Her voice was quieter now.
More serious.
“Finding your own truth…”
“…that’s what makes people strong.”
She pushed herself up, brushing off the dust.
“You’ve taken your first step.”
A small smile appeared.
“Don’t stop now.”
Not everyone had taken a step forward.
Far away— another part of the training grounds.
A small figure stood alone.
The little worker girl.
Her fists were clenched tightly.
Her breathing uneven.
“I want to understand…”
She tried again.
And again.
And again.
But nothing happened.
No power.
No awakening.
No response.
Her shoulders trembled.
“…Why…”
Her voice cracked.
“…why can’t I do it?”
Her knees weakened.
“I’m…”
She looked at her hands.
“…just a burden.”
Comfort
“Hey.”
Ki’s voice cut through the silence.
The girl flinched slightly.
Trụ walked over as well, placing a hand gently on her shoulder.
“You’re not a burden.”
The girl shook her head.
“But I can’t do anything—”
“You’re trying.”
Ki interrupted.
“That’s enough for now.”
The girl froze.
“…What?”
Ki smiled faintly.
“Everyone has their own timing.”
“You just haven’t found yours yet.”
Trụ nodded.
“And when you do…”
“…you won’t be the same anymore.”
Silence.
The girl looked up.
Her eyes still wet— but something inside them had changed.
Not strength.
Not yet.
But— resolve.
“…I’ll keep trying.”
Night fell slowly.
The training grounds grew colder.
A faint wind passed through the area.
No one noticed— but the atmosphere had shifted.
Something was coming.
Somewhere in the Dark
Far away.
Hidden from all sight.
A chamber without light.
A figure stood in the shadows.
Watching.
Waiting.
Then— a pair of eyes opened.
Cold.
Sharp.
Unfeeling.
“…So.”
A faint smile formed.
“She’s awakened.”
Silence followed.
Then— a voice echoed.
“Prepare everything.”
No hesitation.
No doubt.
“We move now.”
A pause.
And then—
“Initiate Operation: Capture Út.” Final Echo
At that exact moment—
Út 2’s body stiffened.
The warmth inside her— the flame— flickered violently.
Her heart skipped a beat.
“…Why…”
She slowly turned her head.
Looking into the distance.
“…do I feel like something is watching us?”
The wind stopped.
The world held its breath.
And somewhere— something had already begun to move.~End~