Even after a day filled with unexpected yet heartwarming moments with Evelyn, Lucien never lost sight of his true purpose.
Their investigation led them to an old man who seemed to recognize the name Falkner.
The man, initially hesitant, finally relented. "There's someone… someone who might know more. But he lives far away, on the outskirts of town. Hardly anyone goes there anymore."
Lucien exchanged glances with Evelyn. This was their last shot at uncovering the truth.
"We're going," Lucien said, his voice firm.
---
The bus ride to the secluded village was long and quiet.
Evelyn stole a glance at Lucien. For the first time, he looked… uneasy. His usually unshakable demeanor was slightly off.
She reached out, intertwining her fingers with his. "No matter what the answer is… you're still Lucien. That won't change."
Lucien didn't respond at first. Then, with a small squeeze of her hand, he whispered, "Yeah… I know."
They stayed like that for the rest of the trip.
---
The village was nearly forgotten by time, surrounded by endless fields and towering trees.
They followed the directions until they reached an old wooden house.
As they approached, a man in his 50s stepped outside. The moment his eyes landed on Lucien, he froze.
"You…" The man's voice trembled. His expression was a mix of disbelief and something else—something deeper. "You look just like him…"
Lucien's muscles tensed.
"Him?"
The man swallowed hard before finally whispering—
"Your father."
---
4. A Past Buried in Shadows
Seated inside the dimly lit house, the man finally revealed the truth.
The Falkner family was no ordinary bloodline. They were once elite soldiers—part of a classified experiment that aimed to create the perfect warrior.
Lucien's father, Darius Falkner, was one of the first and most powerful subjects of the project.
"You weren't the first," the man said grimly. "You were the perfected version of something that already existed."
Lucien sat still, absorbing the words. The weight of the revelation pressed down on him, but he remained silent.
Evelyn, sitting beside him, felt his fingers twitch slightly. Without hesitation, she held his hand, offering silent support.
---
The man exhaled deeply. "Do you understand now?"
Lucien clenched his jaw. "The Red Fang… they mentioned something. Genetics don't lie."
The man nodded. "That's because you're living proof of what your father was. His strength, his abilities… they live on in you."
Evelyn felt Lucien's grip tighten around her hand.
She turned to him, her voice soft but steady. "Lucien… whatever your past is, it doesn't define you. You do."
For the first time in a long time, Lucien didn't know what to say.
---
Before they could continue, the sound of gunfire shattered the stillness.
BANG!
The old man's face turned pale. His lips trembled as he whispered, "They found me…"
Lucien moved instantly, pulling Evelyn behind him. His instincts screamed danger.
From the darkness outside, figures emerged. Armed. Silent.
A familiar emblem glowed under the moonlight—Red Fang.
Then, a man stepped forward, his voice laced with amusement.
"We've been waiting for you, Lucien Falkner."
Lucien's expression remained unreadable.
Evelyn, standing behind him, barely had time to react before—
---
Lucien vanished.
Before the Red Fang soldiers could even blink, the first one was already down—his throat crushed under Lucien's grip.
The next two barely managed to lift their weapons before their arms were snapped backward at inhuman angles.
The leader staggered back, eyes wide in horror. "What the—"
CRACK!
Lucien's fist caved his ribs in. The man gasped, dropping to his knees before Lucien delivered a final, merciless blow to his temple.
Within seconds—
They were all dead.
Not a single one stood.
Lucien exhaled slowly, his sharp gaze scanning the bodies. It wasn't even a fight.
Just a massacre.
As he turned to check on Evelyn, a new voice rang through the air.
"That's enough, Lucien."
Lucien froze.
From the shadows, a tall figure emerged. Clad in black, exuding an aura of absolute authority.
Evelyn could feel the shift in Lucien's presence. It wasn't caution or fear.
It was recognition.
Lucien's expression darkened. His lips parted as he uttered a single word—
"…You."
[End of Chapter 55]