The world blurred. Every sound, every breath felt distant—like she was watching it all happen from outside her own body.

Juno lay curled on the cold wooden floor, her arms wrapped around her ribs as sharp pain shot through her side. The taste of blood lingered on her tongue, metallic and bitter. Her father stood over her, his heavy boots scuffing against the floor as he exhaled sharply, shaking his head in disappointment.

“Useless,” he muttered, his voice like a blade against her skin. “You can't do anything right.”

Juno winced as his shadow loomed over her again. Her mother sat nearby, legs crossed, lazily tapping her nails against the arm of the chair. She didn’t move to help, didn’t flinch at the sight of her daughter on the floor. Instead, she sighed, looking down at Juno as if she were nothing more than a mess to be cleaned up.

“A worthless little bitch,” her mother scoffed, swirling the wine in her glass. “Why did we even bother keeping you?”

Juno wanted to scream, to fight back, to say anything—but she didn’t. She never did. She just stayed still, waiting for it to be over.

The memory faded, dissolving into nothingness like smoke.

Juno gasped awake, her body trembling, sweat clinging to her skin. She sat up, pressing a hand to her chest, trying to steady her breathing.

Just a dream. Just a memory.

But no matter how many times she told herself that, it never truly faded.

She looked around the dimly lit room, the quiet hum of the house reminding her she wasn’t there anymore—she was with Buddy and Sarah. Safe. But was she really? Could she ever be?

She hugged her knees to her chest, staring at the floor.

Why did Kaisler even care?

That question had haunted her ever since their last conversation. He acted like he understood, like he saw something in her worth saving. But he didn’t know. He didn’t know the monster she truly was.

Five Days Later

The morning air was crisp as Kaisler woke before dawn, stretching his sore limbs. He had been pushing himself harder every day, and today was no different.

Summoning 200 invisible threads, he expanded them in every direction, using them like anchors to launch himself high into the air. As he reached the peak of his jump, he materialized more threads beneath his feet, walking on air as if the sky itself were his battlefield.

The technique was powerful, but the drawback was brutal—the sheer strain sent waves of searing pain through his body. His stamina had improved, but his mind still lagged behind. No matter how hard he trained, he felt like he was fighting the same way—throwing reckless punches, relying on brute force instead of true precision.

That had to change.

Instead of charging head-on, he was refining a new method: using his threads as both a mobility tool and a weapon. He would bounce between opponents, unpredictable and untouchable, slicing through them before they could react.

Speed. Precision. Lethality.

That was his goal. And he wouldn’t stop until he reached it

Kaisler stood still for a moment, staring at the sky. How long has it been since I did anything but train? He sighed, his stomach growling. Man, I need to eat.

Before he could move, a sudden force slammed into his side.

Buddy.

Kaisler (tumbled to the ground, groaning): “WHY DO YOU HAVE TO RUIN EVERYTHING?!”

Buddy (grinned down at him, completely unbothered): “Aww, you missed me, didn’t you?”

Kaisler (glared at him): “Kill yourself. DIE. DIE. DIE. I just want you to drop dead already.”

Buddy (smirked): “You done your run yet?”

Kaisler (exhaled sharply): “Nah.”

Buddy (clapped his hands together): “Then let’s go.”

Kaisler (groaned, rubbing his stomach): “Dude, I need to eat first.”

Buddy’s (expression hardened): “NO EATING UNTIL YOU’VE DONE YOUR FUCKING RUN.”

Kaisler (whined, dragging his feet): “I hate you. I hate this.” His voice cracked slightly as he wiped his face, trying to stop the tears from forming.

Buddy (smirks, sarcastic): “Aw, love you too, bro. Now get to running.”

Still, he started running. Because deep down, he knew Buddy wasn’t letting him quit.

one hour later

Buddy(smriks): wait that was 1 hour you know what that means right

Kaisler (panting): what does that mean?

Buddy: wait where you running at full speed

Kaisler: No? i was running at about 50 percent of my full speed

Buddy (grinning): whoa thats a missive improvement you where running at 12% the speed of light at 50 percent of your speed meaning your max speed is like 24 percent the speed of light Kaisler: kinda cool but i need to be able create my own fighting sytle

Buddy (groaning): just shut up lets run home and eat

Kaisler: my home or your home

Buddy: you high my home obiously

Kaisler: ight

In an instant, they take off—disappearing into the city at impossible speeds.

Sarah: "Whoa, you’re here already? You’ll need to wait for the food to be ready."

Kaisler: "Aw man, really? How long do I have to wait?"

Sarah: "Like one more hour."

Kaisler: "Seriously? An entire hour?"

Sarah (snaps): "YES! JUST FREAKING WAIT!"

Kaisler (whispers to Buddy): "Uh… is she mad? That’s the first time I’ve ever heard her swear."

Buddy: "Oh yeah, you pissed her off. You’re dead. Just stay quiet and try to disappear."

Kaisler: "Wow. Real helpful advice."

Buddy (grinning): "Thanks, happy to be of service."

Kaisler: "I hate you. Just drop dead DIE."

Buddy (sarcastic): Love you to bro

Kaisler: Anyway, forget about your stupidity—where's Juno?

Buddy: Ever since you brought her back, she's been really quiet. Even Sarah can't get her to talk.

Buddy: I don’t think you should talk to her right now, bro.

Kaisler: Why not?

Buddy: Cause it’s kinda your fault she’s like this.

Kaisler: What? Putting the blame on me is crazy. What did I do?

Buddy: She woke up today in a cold sweat, like she’d just fought her inner hollow.

Kaisler: Stop with the bleach references. Just tell me what happened.

Buddy: Fine, fine. She’s been struggling with her past memories. Where was she when you last saw her?

Kaisler: She was in a cemetery, crying.

Buddy: Yeah, she was definitely fighting those memories in her sleep. I think if you go in there, it might trigger a panic attack or something worse.

Kaisler: She’ll be fine. Stop overreacting.

Buddy: Just... don’t go in there, okay?

Sarah (looking carefully): Food’s ready.

Kaisler: YES! I’m so starving!

Buddy: "I’m so in—wait... who’s gonna give Juno her food?"

Sarah: "I’ll do—"

Kaisler (cuts her off): "I’ll do it."

Sarah: "Stop cutting me off, you big meanie!"

Kaisler: "Just let me do it."

Sarah: "No, I’ll do it!"

Kaisler: "Let me do it."

Sarah: "Oh my god, why do you always have to get involved? Do you like her or something?"

Kaisler (looking away, embarrassed): "Why would you even think that? I could never like her."

Sarah: "OH MY GOD, YOU DO LIKE HER!"

Buddy: (smirking) "I knew it. Your dumbass likes snow bunnies."

Sarah (kicks Buddy in the stomach and starts beating on him) "SHUT UP!"

Buddy: "I’m sorry! STOP! I’M SORRRRYYYYY!"

Kaisler: "You guys should just eat. Give me the food—I’ll hand it to her."

Sarah (grumbling): "Fine. Only because I have to finish beating this idiot."

Kaisler walks through the dimly lit hallway, plate in hand. Each step feels heavier as he approaches Juno’s room. He exhales sharply before knocking on the door.

Kaisler (softly): "Juno? I got your food."

No response. The silence is thick, pressing against him like a wall. He waits a few seconds before sighing and slowly pushing the door open. Inside, Juno sits on the bed, knees to her chest, staring blankly at the wall.

Kaisler: "I know you're awake."

Juno doesn’t move. Her fingers grip her sleeves tightly, knuckles white. Kaisler steps closer, setting the plate down on a nearby desk.

Kaisler (sitting down on the floor, back against the bed): "You haven’t eaten all day. Sarah’s gonna kill me if you starve."

Still nothing. Kaisler leans his head back, staring at the ceiling.

Kaisler: "You know, back when I was alone, I used to skip meals too. Thought maybe if I stayed hungry long enough, it’d just stop hurting."

Juno flinches slightly at his words but keeps quiet. Kaisler glances at her from the corner of his eye, noticing the way her shoulders tense.

Kaisler (softly): "It never worked."

A long pause. Then, finally, Juno speaks—her voice barely above a whisper.

Juno: "I’m not hungry."

Kaisler scoffs.

Kaisler: "Liar. Your stomach growled like five seconds ago."

Juno’s face flushes slightly, and she pulls her knees in tighter. Kaisler smirks a little, but it fades just as quickly.

Kaisler (serious): "Look, I get it. Eating… existing… it feels like a chore sometimes. Like you don’t deserve it."

Juno’s breath catches, but she still doesn’t look at him. Kaisler shifts, resting his arms on his knees.

Kaisler: "But you do."

Another silence. This time, Juno hesitates before slowly turning her head toward the plate of food. Kaisler notices and doesn’t push her—he just waits. After a long pause, she finally reaches for it, picking up the fork with shaky hands.

Juno (whispering): "…Only a little."

Kaisler shrugs, leaning back with a small grin.

Kaisler: "Good enough for me."

He doesn’t watch her eat. He just stays there, quiet, making sure she doesn’t feel alone.

10 Minutes Later

Kaisler (exhausted, rubbing his temples): "You still have my portion of the meal?"

Sarah (gesturing to the counter): "Yeah, it’s right there."

Kaisler glanced down—only to find Buddy on his knees, hands clasped together like he was praying, tears practically streaming down his face.

Buddy (desperate, pleading): "Please, please—I was joking! Don’t give him my food! Please!"

Sarah (arms crossed, unimpressed): "NO. NO FOOD. THE FOOD IS NOW FOR KAISLER."

Buddy (sobbing dramatically): "Why are you like this…?"

Kaisler (laughing as he takes a bite): "Damn, this tastes even better when it’s stolen."

Grinning, he reached over and grabbed Buddy’s coat off the chair, slinging it over his shoulder as he stood up.

Buddy (snapping out of his misery): "HEY, MAN! You can’t just take my coat!"

Sarah (shrugging, smirking): "Let him have it."

Buddy (mouth hanging open): "But… but…"

Sarah (cutting him off): "No buts."

Realizing he had no hope, Buddy let out a defeated whimper before scrambling upstairs. Moments later, muffled crying could be heard from his room.

Meanwhile, Kaisler (still laughing as he walked out) pulled the coat tighter around himself.

Kaisler (grinning): "This might be the best meal I’ve ever had."

10 Seconds Later…

Kaisler pushes open the glass doors of Multiverse Explorer HQ, a blast of cold air rushing past him as he steps inside. The place is the same as always—bright, sterile lights, the hum of machinery, and the distant chatter of explorers preparing for their missions.

This time, he’s alone. No teammates. No splitting rewards. The money is all his.

At the front desk, a bored-looking worker scrolls through a holographic screen, barely sparing him a glance.

Explorer Worker: "What mission do you want?"

Kaisler: "Uh… can I get a mid-class mission?"

The worker finally looks up, raising an eyebrow. "You doing this alone or with a team?"

Kaisler: "By myself."

The worker lets out a short laugh. "Your funeral."

Kaisler doesn’t respond. He just takes the mission slip and the Nexus Ticket from the counter and walks away. As he flips the small metallic card between his fingers, a question gnaws at him.

"What even is this? Last time I was here, Buddy didn’t get one… but then again, he’s the second-strongest explorer. Maybe he doesn’t need it?"

He’s so lost in thought that he nearly bumps into someone.

Explorer Worker: "Uh, hey, man—it’s this way."

Kaisler: "Oh—right. My bad."

He follows the worker toward the Nexus Gate, still staring at the ticket.

Kaisler: "So… what do I do with this?"

Explorer Worker: "You just put it in. It’s that easy."

Kaisler: "Oh."

With a shrug, he slides the card into the glowing slot.

The machine hums. The air crackles with energy.

A split second later, a surge of light engulfs him—blinding, weightless, like being swallowed by the stars.

Then—

Heat.

Blazing, suffocating heat.

(will contune to part three of the chapter)