When Ezra opened his eyes, dizziness hit him like a wave—teleportation always took its toll. Vision blurred, then sharpened. The air was heavy, thick with ash and the bite of rusted steel. Around him lay the bones of a ruined settlement—twisted girders, shattered stone, charred earth. A place abandoned by time, maybe erased by monsters.
A lone man stood amidst the wreckage.
Armored head to toe. Saber at his hip. His stance loose, almost casual—but the air bent around him. Oppressive. Lethal.
Ezra stepped back, instincts flaring.
"Who are you?" he asked, voice steady but cold.
The man looked up, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
"Ryun Jae-suk. Vice Leader of the Crimson Guild," he said. "I'm here to kill you."
Ezra's eyes narrowed. "You really think you'll walk away from that?"
"The Academy might try to kill me. Whatever. Doesn't matter," Ryun said, rolling his neck. "The people above me said they'll handle it."
"Who?"
Ryun didn't answer.
