The man let out a low, amused chuckle...
"Ohhh… you're a troublesome teenage boy...I truly like you. Honestly."
He slowly paced around the restrained body of (Raym)...
"You defeated two of my subordinates, and I am certain you played a role—direct or indirect—in the death of four others. One of them was even exposed to your Light Element. I had assumed it vanished from this world… yet your existence denies that completely."
His sharp gaze narrowed...
"I wonder where you have been all this time… But believe me, the Commander will be delighted with you. Thanks to you, he might finally regain his sanity."
A sinister smile spread across his scarred face...
"And I—Number Four—will rise even higher because of this achievement."
He stared intensely at (Raym), turning his head slowly from side to side, as if observing a rare specimen...
At that moment, (Raym) was injured, bound, barely conscious.The air was unbearably heavy—thick with the stench of rust and dried blood. Breathing itself felt like torture. He had barely processed the man's words.
Looking around, realization struck him hard...
This was a place no one should ever enter...
As his awareness returned fully, (Raym) lifted his head, his eyes burning with rage.
"You…!" he shouted furiously..."Those men in the forest—were they your subordinates?! You despicable trash!!!"
His voice trembled with fury...
"I lost someone because of you. Someone dearer to me than most. When I break free, I will kill you. I swear it—slowly and painfully!!!"
Number Four blinked in surprise… then laughed...
"Hahaha! How amusing. Screaming in such a miserable state—do you even comprehend your position???"
He leaned closer...
"Your hopes reach the heavens, boy. Do you even know who I am???"
He straightened proudly...
"I am" Number Four"—the Fourth-ranking officer in the entire (SI Army). I clawed my way to this position through blood and effort. My end will not come at the hands of a nobody like you… nor at the hands of anyone on this world!!!."
His voice grew colder...
"I am invincible. I have imprisoned hundreds—perhaps thousands—who believed themselves my equals. Every single one of them tasted absolute defeat."
A pause...
"But you… you are different."
A grin crept across his face...
"You are my key to the highest ranks. I may even replace that fool (Nero)."
He turned away...
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I must prepare myself. Capturing you was never meant to be this simple... Of course, some idiots will surely try to retrieve you."
He scoffed...
"You people are all the same—foolishly clinging to one another. Though I doubt you matter much to them."
He laughed again...
"Who am I kidding? I am stronger than all of you."
Then he stopped and glanced back...
"Oh, one more thing… I will consider you my prize. Whoever attempts to reclaim you will be the obstacle."
His red eyes gleamed...
"So I will wait here."
A wave of unease washed over (Raym).
What if his allies didn't know where he was???And even if they did… this man was right.
A terrifying aura radiated from him—unlike anything (Raym) had ever felt before.
Please, (Vail)… don't risk yourself.
Elsewhere, (Vail) sprinted relentlessly through the darkness...
There was no time to return to base.No time to call for reinforcements...
Those bastards… was this their plan from the beginning? To separate us? Do they know where our base is?!
A sound cut through his thoughts.
Voices.
He lunged without hesitation—slaughtering the man standing among his soldiers before shock could even register. Turning to the rest, (Vail) barked urgently:
"No time to explain! We retrieve the remaining squads—and most importantly… we get (Raym) back!!!"
One by one, (Vail) hunted down the traitors...Another squad—eliminated.Another—rescued...
Elsewhere, (Zack) had already dealt with those accompanying him. He had sensed the betrayal early.
At last, the remaining members regrouped.
(Vail) spoke, rage blazing in his eyes.
"We were lured into a trap. (Raym) has been captured and imprisoned in the fortress nearby."
Murmurs of fear erupted.
"That prison?! Are you insane?! That place is hell itself!"
(Vail) inhaled deeply.
"I know the risk. But (Raym) must be saved—no matter the cost."
Silence fell...
"There's no point hiding it anymore," he continued."(Raym) is the last wielder of the Light Element."
Shock froze every face...
"So it was true…"
(Vail) lowered his head...
"I won't force any of you—"
Laughter interrupted him...
"You've always gambled your life with us, (Vail). You think we'd abandon you now?"
Their voices hardened...
"We stand with you—until the last man."
Emotion flickered across (Vail)'s face.
"Thank you… Truly."
He raised his head...
"Then let's move. Our goal is clear—free (Raym)."
Back in the depths of the prison, Number Four smiled.
A twisted, terrifying smile!!!—perfectly matching the scars carved across his face!!! and his sharp crimson eyes!!!...
"The countdown has begun," he whispered calmly!!!..."My prize...!!!"