Jack stared at him for a moment, then signaled the group.

"Pick him up. We're heading back to SteelWall."

They thought it was over.

But deep in the forest, something stirred. Heavy footsteps echoed in the darkness—creatures returning home. And all they found was ruin.

Their den, destroyed.

Their kin, dead.

Blackness.

Daion's body burned. Muscles twitching, moving against his will.

Was he awake? Or trapped in a damn nightmare?

A voice echoed in his mind.

Laughter. Mocking.

He recognized it instantly.

He tried to scream, to curse—but he couldn't.

That god's image flickered in his mind like a phantom.

"Don't tell me… you actually thought you'd be the hero?"

The images shattered.

"Keep this up, and you'll just die."

The voice vanished.

Daion was left in the void. Alone. For what felt like hours, trapped between dreams and reality… until a searing pain tore through his arm.

His rest was over.

Gasping, he shot upright.

His right arm burned, like someone had poured acid over his skin.

Looking down, he saw them—dark veins, creeping up his arm from the glove. Thin, unnatural lines spreading like corruption beneath his skin.

The crackle of fire pulled him from his thoughts. The sun was fading, bleeding into the horizon.

The metallic stench of blood clung to the air, mixing with the bitter taste of medicine still in his mouth.

"That wound looks nasty."

Jack's voice.

Daion hadn't even noticed him sitting there. Jack watched his arm, a flicker of interest in his eyes—and unease.

"It showed up after I transferred the Hellseeker's energy into you."

Daion stiffened.

"You… what?"

Daion swallowed, his throat suddenly dry.

Instinctively, he opened his interface.

Omega Energy Absorbed: 140Ω

His glove looked… darker. No other changes. But he felt different.

Jack continued. "First transformation happens at 250 points. You've been out for hours. We already claimed the reward and were about to leave, but…"

Daion grabbed him by the collar.

"How the hell can you talk to me like nothing happened?"

Jack blinked. "What?"

Daion's grip tightened.

"You made me let a man die!"

Jack's expression hardened. "That was your choice."

The words hit like a gut punch.

Daion's jaw clenched. Rage. Frustration.

"Because you threatened to leave me behind! I don't want to die, but I can't stop hearing his screams. What kind of leader does that?!"

Jack exhaled sharply.

"Listen—without me, you'd already be dead. You're just a rookie who knows nothing."

Daion's fists shook.

Jack shoved him—hard.

Daion hit the ground with a painful thud.

The gap in strength was undeniable.

The air grew heavy.

Haruka and Finn shifted uncomfortably.

From the sidelines, Minjae watched, amused.

"You left him to die."

"Yeah. To survive."

Jack didn't hesitate.

A chill crawled up Daion's spine.

"You didn't even hesitate…" he whispered. "I was a coward. I let him die. But you… you never doubted, did you?"

He was shaking.

Despite the warmth of the fire, he felt cold.

Jack crossed his arms.

"This world has one rule: survive."

Daion squeezed his eyes shut.

"Did you hesitate when you told Haruka to collapse the cave?"

Jack went quiet for a moment.

"Of course. But it was either you or—"

Daion's stomach twisted.

"So you'd leave any of us behind if it meant surviving."

It wasn't a question.

Jack froze.

Daion stepped closer, voice rising. "You wouldn't, right?!"

"I WOULD DO EVERYTHING TO AVOID IT!"

For the first time, Jack snapped.

"But if I have to choose between a stranger and the people under my command—my decision is clear."

Silence.

Jack turned away, walking toward the fire. Conversation over.

Haruka pulled her knees to her chest, curling into herself.

Finn stared at Jack, his expression unreadable. Anger? Pity? Maybe both.

Daion swallowed.

"If it was an entire town… if we had to risk our lives to save them. What would you do?"

Jack barely glanced over his shoulder.

"The right thing."

Daion felt his chest tighten.

That… wasn't an answer.

But he didn't push further.

With his body still weak, he sank down next to Finn and Haruka.

His sword was strapped to his back.

"I thought I lost it…"

Finn didn't take his eyes off the fire. "If you have a sheath, your weapon returns after some time."

His voice was tired.

Haruka absently traced patterns in the dirt, lost in thought.

Daion stared into the flames. The screams still echoed in his head.

"Why didn't that thing die when I blew its head off? And… how the hell did I even do that?"

Finn glanced at him—not with pity, but understanding. He was a rookie too. Maybe he'd been through this already.

"Hellseekers are scouts," he explained. "They move ahead of an attack to gather intel, so they're built tougher."

He shrugged. "As for what you did… no idea. Never seen anything like it."

His tone wasn't convinced. More like he was trying to reassure Daion.

But then—

Click.

Something in Daion's mind clicked into place.

"Wait. You said Hellseekers come before an attack?" His voice was tense.

Finn frowned. "Yeah… why?"

Haruka met his gaze, equally confused.

Then—Finn realized it.

His face paled.

"That means… SteelWall—"

He didn't get to finish.

DONG.

The city's bells rang.

Loud. Urgent.

Echoing through the trees.

Finn and Haruka shot to their feet.

"The bells…" Haruka whispered.

Daion frowned. "So what?"

A figure emerged from the shadows—Minjae.

His expression said everything.

Jack stood abruptly, turning toward the city. His jaw tightened.

"They only ring when—"

BOOOOOOM.

The ground shook.

A deafening roar split the air.

Fire. Smoke. Explosions.

SteelWall was under attack.

Daion's heart dropped.

He spun toward his team. Everyone reached for their weapons.

He took a step forward, ready to run—

But no one followed.

He turned.

They were all watching Jack.

Waiting.

Jack stood still, eyes locked on the rising smoke. His fists clenched.

Daion met his gaze.

For a split second, Jack's expression flickered.

'Right after I said I'd do the right thing… What are the fucking odds?'

Jack inhaled deeply.

His expression hardened.

And then, he spoke.

"We're leaving."