An Unfamiliar Ceiling
A stranger ceiling.
'Omega's dead?'
Hex could sense it.
The moment Omega's life signs cut off.
He accepted the conclusion for now. But the process? That defied all logic.
It wasn't like they'd failed to settle things before the drug wore off, rendering his escape route pointless.
No, Omega hadn't even managed to flee—he'd had his lifeline severed outright.
'An incomprehensible puzzle.'
Knowing Omega's obsessive grip on life and the effort he'd poured into this showdown, Hex's face—rarely one for surprise—betrayed a flicker of shock.
'The chance he lost due to a simple mistake is far too slim. Even if he slipped up, that body of his could shrug it off.'
Either way, with their linchpin Omega shattered, Juyeon was free.
And the monsters rampaging on the uninhabited island were swiftly entering extinction protocols.
"Hmmm..."
Hex polished his glasses and slid them back on.
Deep in thought.
'Where did the gap come from? What did I miss? With our current tech, we can't evolve that resilience any further.'
The urge to retrieve Omega's corpse for autopsy surged, but getting close now would mean facing a hyper-vigilant Juyeon.
'Have to let it go.'
Juyeon wasn't the type to leave an enemy's body intact in the first place.
She'd probably incinerated it already.
—Shrrrr...
Hex commanded the sea monster he rode, widening the distance further.
Then fixed his gaze on the uninhabited island.
'Has Juyeon been hiding her true power all this time? Or some special artifact?'
The data he'd compiled over years might have holes.
"..."
Too many hypotheses, no answers.
He needed more intel.
Which left only one option.
'Time to visit the Black Hand.'
The Black Hand, the organization that ruled the underworld alongside the Reverse Praise Society.
Hex resolved to meet its leaders.
The two groups coexisted symbiotically.
Massive powers splitting the shadows, yet no conflicts as they dominated the underbelly.
Unusual, sure—but the reason these profit-obsessed, stake-your-life-on-shares kingpins avoided clashes was simple.
The heads of the Reverse Praise Society and the Black Hand both revered one being like a faith.
Devotees worshiping the same entity, chasing the same goal—they understood each other.
Anything that aided that one, they shared without haggling.
Less a syndicate, more a religious order.
Rohan felt his consciousness drifting, floating in a swim through somewhere—space? Water? He couldn't tell.
Eyes closed, in pitch-black awareness.
Then, as if demanding he look, info slammed in.
Judged the Human Traitor Omega.
Point Pouch acquired.
'Dead, huh. Stupid bastard... good riddance.'
First achievement he'd seen. Clear meaning—nice.
Main story probably derailed hard, but for now, relief.
That ease lasted a heartbeat.
Then the alert windows spazzed out, like don't get comfy.
Omega croaking on the uninhabited island must've twisted all the upcoming events.
Glitching this bad screamed broken.
If Rohan were solid, he'd probably punch the alerts—bang bang!
'...'
Finally, the frenzy stopped.
Letters recombined into a normal window.
One step closer to salvation.
A heavy, grandiose phrase.
First time seeing this cryptic alert.
Restricted Video #3 (Authorized Personnel Only) now playable.
'Video... yeah, not processing that right now.'
Last alert faded; Rohan lifted his eyelids.
"..."
An unfamiliar ceiling.
But right beside him sat a familiar face.
IV drip dangling, fluids seeping into his body.
"Instructor...?"
"You're lucid. Any discomfort? Pain?"
"My friends...?"
"All three safe. Focus on yourself first."
"I'm... fine."
Not because she was Juyeon—anyone could see Rohan wasn't fine.
His gaze wandered, no usual spark. Voice a weak mumble, drained of power.
'Mental strength's hit rock bottom.'
From Ichinose and Noah's accounts, he'd endured torture-like ordeal.
No wonder his spirit snapped.
'Letting a cadet suffer something so horrific...'
Juyeon swallowed rising self-loathing and a sigh, imprinting facts first.
"This is the med bay on the transport ship. Got it?"
"Ah, right... transport ship med bay..."
"..."
Rohan's vacant stare made words stick in her throat.
Apologize for failing as instructor? Relief he's alive?
Seeing her turmoil, Rohan spoke.
"Instructor."
"Yeah, speak."
"You look tired."
"..."
His faint smile choked her.
Rohan called again.
"Instructor."
"...Yeah."
"Don't think bad thoughts."
"Bad thoughts...?"
"This wasn't... your fault."
"!"
His feeble murmur pierced deeper than any shout.
Late arrival? Or old unfinished business?
From his view, the former—but it felt like it covered everything.
Pathetic, but that one line lightened her heart.
"Thanks for saying that. And... sorry I was late."
"You weren't late. I'm alive, aren't I?"
"..."
Staring at him, Juyeon thought fleetingly:
Saying that so well in a haze.'
"Rohan."
"Yes...?"
"Heard the testimony. Why charge a foe like that head-on? No thought to stall with talk?"
Not blame.
She just wanted his truth.
"Ugh..."
Rohan groaned at her question.
Then, eyes drifting ceiling-ward like recalling something, he murmured.
"That monster of a man... he got off on tormenting, breaking people."
"..."
"Seen that raw face plenty. The more I thrashed, the more he wanted to see me bend. Killing without that? He'd call it defeat."
No need to ask where he'd seen it.
Didn't know his past, but his origins? Checked.
"So you knew what he'd do... and rushed in anyway?"
"Half gamble mindset."
No denial. He even smirked, satisfied with the outcome.
Couldn't praise that.
He looked precarious, like tightrope-walking.
Feared it'd lead to bad ends overnight.
"Rohan. Funny coming from me, who couldn't prevent this... but value your life."
Chatting sharpened his mind.
His voice gained conviction.
"Instructor. I don't wanna die either."
"Hard to buy that when your actions say otherwise. One misstep, and you'd be gone."
Her stern tone rang with genuine worry.
This feeling—precious. Glad I stepped up. No regrets.
"Instructor. There's something I hate more than dying."
"..."
"Can't bear seeing my friends hurt. And with what I can do... ugh!!!"
Juyeon's hand yanked his cheek.
Admirable. But no fanning sacrificial flames.
"Think an instructor hearing that from a cadet feels proud?"
His attitude screamed death wish lite.
Back in Academy City, he'd dive into every crisis. Worry mountain.
"In, Instructor! I'm a patient! Patient!"
"Ha..."
Sigh, hand released.
Knew she couldn't stop him—more hopeless. Folks like this moved on instinct.
Words like "don't do dangerous shit" wouldn't stick.
'...'
Just like her dearly missed little brother.
"Rest more. Once the other cadets' treatments and checks wrap, we head straight to Academy City."
"Everyone okay?"
"No deaths, no criticals. All minor injuries. Our med team's better than most hospitals—done quick."
"Oh! Good."
"Details later."
As she rose to leave, something hit Rohan—he grabbed her.
"Instructor."
"Hm?"
"That... I knew what was coming and went anyway? Don't mention to my friends."
"Why?"
Saw her lips curve.
That pretty smile felt ominous, but he spilled.
"Stuff like this ties straight to pride once the motive's out."
Ichinose, for one.
Hated being babied on the island. Wanted to be seen as a full warrior.
Noah? Stronger pride, guaranteed.
Facing Omega.
Even if he'd explained, no buy-in.
Surviving on sacrifice? Shameful to them.
Juyeon nodded, impressed by his rundown.
"You really get Ichinose Yui and Noah Frozenheart. Fine friendship."
"Please."
Brief silence.
Juyeon chuckled softly, giving the reluctant answer.
"Good intent, and I'd love to zip it... but can't promise that."
"...?"
"Still hazy, huh? Didn't notice even this."
Smile steady, she pointed.
Pressed his cheek, turning his head.
Through fluttering curtain.
Corin slept soundly in the next bed.
And beside her: Ichinose and Noah, watching clear as day.