The sky stopped behaving like a sky.
Clouds hung motionless as fractures of light split the heavens, glowing in colors that hurt to look at. The sun that had once been there flickered, dimmed, and vanished, leaving behind a pale, foreign glow that leaked from above. Stars went out one by one, swallowed by widening voids that felt less like darkness and more like open, indescribable mouths.
Then the portals opened.
They tore through the sky like spirals, jagged tears, each one spilling something different. Creatures fell screaming, crawling, gliding. Some were vast and boneless, traveling through the air. Others were made of scorching stone, writhing dark light, or wings stitched from flesh and bones.
They emerged, as if the sky itself was releasing them.
Fire followed
Meteors rained down between the portals, akin to a rainfall, displaying a sea of falling fire. Striking earth as if to mark its territory, the wind carried shrill, alien cries.
All of them had one common thing.
Everything was falling.
'It looks like the end of the world.'
As everyone's attention was above the skies, Leonhart snapped out of his reverie and directed his attention to the school's building.
A scene that was once filled with blood had become a distant memory.
A memory that only he will know in this world.
"Fuck, is it the end of the world?"
Yuri couldn't help but curse as the sight he was currently witnessing was just unbelievable.
Leonhart shrugged as he saw Yuri looking at him. He also didn't know what was going on, but his life and his grandparents are top priorities.
Leonhart motioned his fingers. "Let's exit this university."
Detective Yuri, who was still half doubtful about Leonhart, nodded and started grouping up the professors, workers, and firefighters with the help of his men.
Since they were still in the unknown and alert to what would happen next, Detective Yuri was the first one to exit the university gates, volunteering to be the front. Along with a few firefighters and workers, they left the school premises.
One by one, people left the exit until it was only Leonhart with his grandparents.
"Pa, Ma. I'll follow you around." Leonhart smiled.
Sarah was hesitant at first, but agreed when Lloyd joined hands with her. Soon, the two of them exited the university.
Leonhart glanced back at the university that was slowly crumbling due to the number of monsters pouring out from the portals, destroying the buildings along the way.
Then, in the corner of his eyes, a familiar monster appeared.
Obviously, the monster didn't recognize him, but Leonhart remembered it clearly.
The entity that had given him his first death.
Yet instead of feeling fear of his murderer, Leonhart couldn't help but reveal a smirk that reached ear to ear as if to flaunt his victory.
"I told you I'll be back."
Leonhart then turned his back around, looked at the exit, and gave the monster one last goodbye wave as he stepped inside the gate.
…
[Crisis: Escape the Hansok University
Status: Completed]
[Calculating rewards…
Calculation done!]
[Total lives inside Hansok University: 23
Total deaths: 0]
[Unimaginable feat! Unimaginable feat!
Congratulations on completing the scenario.]
[Status Window is now open!
Please check your status window at any time!]
[Preparing next scenario…
Scenario found!]
[Next Crisis: The Library That Predicts You]
[Countdown: 11:59:59…]
…
Leonhart quickly prepared himself for the upcoming fight, bracing himself in case he needed to make a move. Yet to his surprise, everyone from the university is contained in a safe space.
Quite literally, since there was a hovering screen that says [Safe Zone] and its area was enough for everyone to comfortably fit in.
"A [Comfort Room] is even provided. How thoughtful."
Leonhart muttered amusedly, his eyes moved around before walking towards where his grandparents decided to rest.
"Ma, Pa."
Leonhart called out to them, but instantly halted his steps when Detective Yuri approached him first.
"Leonhart, we should talk about how we will proceed at this point."
Leonhart looked at Yuri's eyes before darting towards the other adults inside the safe zone, seeing most of them looking at him.
Leonhart scratched his head and replied. "Can't you adults just do it yourselves? I'm sure they won't like a kid would give out opinions if he had one."
'Besides, it's not like I have any idea what is happening as well.' Leonhart added inwardly.
Even though Leonhart had already given out a valid reason, Yuri didn't stop trying and instead reassured him by saying.
"Don't worry, I made sure that everyone knew that you're the reason we're still alive. Some might not believe it, but I've got your back. That's why I'm going to ask your opinion every time."
Leonhart couldn't help but raise a brow and chuckled. "Just half an hour ago, you were arresting me. Now you're full on support? A little bit suspicious, isn't it?"
Detective Yuri humored back by replying. "It's not suspicious if I have to guess what made you start the fire in the first place. Besides, before I arrested you, the information I've gathered from the school didn't involve a delinquent personality but a smart and liked individual."
Leonhart couldn't help but be slightly impressed.
Judging by what he had gathered with the detective, he isn't someone influenced by biases or outside factors. He gathers facts, formulates solutions from them, and uses them to take the right action.
"You are a true detective, sir."
Leonhart commented with a sigh as he looked at his grandparents, only for him to catch them looking back.
Lloyd was motioning his hands as if to say, "you do what you have to do," while Sarah was smiling as always.
Leonhart lightly smiled back before following Yuri behind to go meet with the other survivors.
As if they were only waiting for him, Leonhart quietly sat down on the floor where a space was given to him, with Yuri sitting beside.
"Ahem."
Yuri was about to speak after that fake cough when Leonhart interrupted him.
"Let's not get into formalities. First, let's be honest with each other. I want all the Holders in this circle to raise their hands. We need every power we can use at this moment."
Leonhart waited for a moment before raising his hand, seeing that no one was moving an inch, before declaring.
"I'm a second-generation Holder. The reason I was able to save everyone in the university is related to my ability."
Leonhart coldly continued. "Let's not waste a second, so please raise your fucking hands. Respectfully."
Even though cursing adults and saying respectfully didn't mesh that well, a few people raised their hands up.
The meeting between adults and one kid finally began.