"Being the vessel of what was once the strongest God made you a target," the man spoke.
Won tried to act as if he wasn't scared, though turmoil raged inside him. He felt like he had lost the ability to speak. He had never been this terrified in his life—not even when he encountered the God of Emptiness. Well, not exactly saw Him, but heard His voice.
The man glanced at him once more and sat casually on the edge of Won's bed, crossing his legs.
He had an intense aura. He was dressed in a white turtleneck shirt, matching white pants, and a white overcoat, all of which seemed to emit a soft glow.
"By any chance, are you scared?" the man in front of him asked.
Won didn't even dare to shake his head. It felt as though time itself—and his muscles and nerves along with it—had frozen.
"Don't be scared of me, please. I'm just here to meet you. Nothing serious, I promise."
Summoning all his courage, Won managed to ask, "You killed the monster, right? How did that appear? There wasn't any—"
The man interrupted before Won could finish. "It followed me. I apologize for that. My only intention was to meet the vessel. But it seems that while I was crossing the dimension, that monster slipped through."
"Is there something you want with me?" Won asked, raising his brows. He added, "Look, I don't want any trouble. I didn't even want to be a vessel at first. But that old man…" Won paused, realizing what he'd just said.
The man let out a scoff of laughter but didn't interrupt. He gestured for Won to continue.
Clearing his throat, Won went on, "Sorry, I mean the God of Emptiness. He was dying—well, He said He was running out of time—so He wanted someone to be His vessel. He didn't want someone weak like me, but… He wasn't in a position to be picky. Neither was I."
The man nodded without saying anything.
Won added, "So, if you're here to take the God's power from me, just… take it. But without killing me," he stuttered a little. "I've just started dreaming of living. I can't die now."
The man finally rose to his feet, making Won instinctively step back, stiffening. The man laughed again.
"Why are you so paranoid about me? Don't worry. I'm not here to kill you. I came to wish you luck—because the trials ahead won't be easy."
Won silently absorbed everything.
"I'll try to come by and see you sometimes. So, try to stay alive."
"Wait… may I ask your name?" Won asked.
"Call me Wynn," the man replied, smiling fondly at him. "You'll meet my messenger soon. Make sure to get along with him—he'll be a handful."
With that, the man vanished into thin air.
And everything returned to normal. The world was back in motion.
Orson stretched his arms, cracked his neck, and muttered, "Why does my body feel so numb all of a sudden?"
Won was still in shock. He couldn't grasp reality yet. Quietly, he turned back to the window, gazing outside. He needed time to process.
***
Both Won and Orson jolted awake at the blaring alarm. Red light flashed across their room, casting eerie shadows. Hurried footsteps echoed from outside. It was past midnight.
"What is it?" Won asked groggily.
Orson was already on his feet, yanking open his closet. "Get ready! Looks like our first test is here."
"What? A test at midnight?" Won asked, now fully awake.
"Judging by that alarm—this definitely wasn't planned. Something's happened. They'd never summon the students otherwise. Which means they need us," Orson replied, quickly pulling on the black raid uniform issued by the academy.
Won followed suit without another word, dressing hurriedly. He wasn't sure if he was ready. He hadn't even stepped inside a classroom yet, and already the first test had arrived.
As they stepped out, they saw almost everyone had gathered, all looking tense yet determined, ready for whatever was coming.
"Attention, students!" the loudspeaker blared. Madam Natt's voice echoed through the massive hallway.
"Seven large veyne have broken out simultaneously within the main campus boundary. You are all to join the raid with caution. Think of it as a test. And to the first-year students: observe the raid and watch how your seniors operate. Do not take any risks that may endanger your life. Those of you who wish to sit out are permitted to do so. This is not a mandatory raid for first-years. Now, report to the training ground."
Everyone began hurrying downstairs. Orson muttered beside Won, "The warning's pointless. First-years are always the most eager to prove themselves."
"How can a raid be exciting?" Won muttered, frowning.
"Won, listen—no matter what, stay close to me. Raids are dangerous. We don't know how long we'll be out there."
Won shook his head. "Don't worry about me. Just focus on staying alive."
With that, Won moved ahead of Orson.
He wasn't used to anyone worrying about him. First General Benjamin, and now Orson. Both were general-ranked Ashens. Won wondered if all generals had similar personalities. He'd only met Orson a few hours ago, and the guy was already acting overly familiar. It felt like a burden.
The professional Ashens were already on-site, preparing to enter. It turned out all the veyne were Sith-ranked—the fourth rank in terms of danger. More formidable than the Master-ranked veyne Won had faced before.
In the veyne hierarchy, there were eleven ranks:
Varn, Drex, Morl, Sith, Master, Grak, Throl, Bryn, Kesh, Lumn, and Pith.
Isn't it too risky to send students into something like this? Won thought. What can we possibly do? We'll just be in their way.
Each veyne was staffed with equal Ashens of all ranks. The first-years were grouped and sent inside, but no one seemed to depend on them for anything.
As Won stepped through the hollow door of the veyne, he overheard one first-year asking another, "What happens if a student dies in here?"
A voice, calm and oddly serene, answered, "Then they die. What else would happen?"
What kind of joke is that? Won thought grimly, turning to see who had spoken.
It was a striking girl with brown hair and piercing green eyes.
She looked at Won almost instantly, as if sensing his gaze.
Won scowled and turned away.
The curious student pressed again, "Wouldn't the academy be held responsible if a student dies?"
"Why?" the girl muttered. "Didn't you read the admission form? It clearly said that if any student dies during a test or mission, the academy holds no responsibility. You chose this life—you should be ready to accept its consequences."
The student fell silent after that.
Won knew the rules. He'd read them—and he hadn't cared. What was there to care about, anyway?
A beast's roar erupted as it lunged forward. Everyone shifted into position. The first years stood behind the others, clutching their weapons tightly, ready—just like every Ashen in front of them.
"Hey, Won," Orson whispered beside him. "What's your bearing?"
Won shrugged and said, "Sensari."
He decided not to mention the other two. He still wasn't sure if it was normal to have more than one bearing.
"Sensari? What's that? Something to do with senses?"
"You could say that."
"Never heard of it… Mine's combat strength."
Won didn't have time to respond. Suddenly, a creature leaped out in front of them, shaking the ground. It took Won no time at all to recognize it. A drull—just like the one he'd killed in his Master Veyne.
The Ashen launched their assault immediately, swarming the creature, but it didn't even falter.
Is it really that strong? Won thought, bewildered. A bunch of professional Ashen and seniors can't even bring it down together. He remembered killing it within minutes. Though, the handsome guy had helped him.
How did we kill it so easily?
The drull wasn't attacking anyone, as if oblivious to the chaos. Gunshots, swords, even spell attacks—nothing slowed its advance toward the people at the back.
For a fleeting moment, Won felt like the creature made eye contact with him. He knew there was something more to it. He couldn't just shake it off.
With each step, the drull came closer. Then, out of nowhere, a figure soared above, katana flashing as it slashed across the drull's neck.
It was that girl from before. Gasps rippled through the crowd as she landed smoothly, the creature collapsing behind her.
One strike. That was all it took.
"That's insane," Won whispered. "What is she?"
Orson sighed beside him, running a hand through his hair, and muttered under his breath, "I didn't tell you, did I?"
"What?" Won asked, confused.
"Unfortunately, that's my spoiled twin, Blossom. General rank." Orson smirked.
Won stared at the girl again, searching for the similarities. Same hair. Same eyes.
"She ran away from home a week ago, came straight to the academy, and just… started living here," Orson added. "She's avoiding me now. Honestly, I'm not sure how to deal with her."
Won replied quietly, "Orson, I don't really get the whole family thing. You don't have to tell me."
Orson gave him a bewildered look, tilting his head. To him, Won was as unreadable as a person could possibly be. He wasn't someone who seemed to care about anyone's life. He believed in surviving alone—that's what he had done his entire life.
As if to snap him out of his thoughts, a hulking figure lunged right in front of them, making nearby students stumble backward, while some immediately launched attacks.
It looked like a drull—no, not exactly. There was something different. It resembled a drull but had three heads.
And before Won could process anything—
The creature raised its leg and brought it crashing down toward Won.
"No… Won! Watch out!"
Only Orson's voice rang out before everything went eerily silent.