Three years later...
The once fragile boy from Amber was now a trained killer. At just sixteen, Rudra had earned his place in Division 7's Stealth Force — known across the empire as the feared Shadow Soldiers. They gathered intelligence, sabotaged enemies, and erased threats before the public ever heard a whisper.
In the heart of Wolgun City, at the 7th Division Headquarters...
---
Alex: (irritably)
"Where the hell is that brat Rudra? I've got an assignment for him."
Bonita: (calmly flipping through papers)
"Please wait in your office, Captain. I'll have someone call him right away."
Alex:
"Do it fast."
She waved over a young courier.
"Tell Rudra the Captain is looking for him. Now."
---
Later at HQ Entrance
Rudra strolled in, his black combat coat swaying behind him, a half-grin on his lips.
Rudra:
"Hey Bonita. Where's that old geezer? Don't tell me he dropped dead waiting."
Bonita didn't skip a beat—she drove her knee into his gut.
Bonita: (smirking)
"Maybe you should try respecting your superior, 'soldier'."
Rudra: (coughing)
"Okay, okay! Damn… where is he?"
Bonita:
"Office. Go before he really dies of old age yelling your name."
---
Inside the Captain's Office
Rudra kicked the door open with a smirk.
"Yo, old man. What's the big deal? I've got better things to—"
Before he could finish, Alex's fist buried itself in Rudra's gut.
Rudra: (gasping)
"Ugh—what the hell?!"
Alex: (pouring wine over Rudra's face)
"Wake up, slowpoke. You'll never beat me if you stay this soft."
Rudra: (gritting his teeth, wiping his face)
"You're still tough... but one day, you'll be the one eating dust."
Alex:
"Keep dreaming. Now listen up—this is important. Fail this mission, and it's your last day in Division 7."
Rudra:
"Wait... you're serious?"
Alex:
"Dead serious."
Alex tossed a folder on the desk. A crimson wax seal marked it as "Priority Black."
Alex:
"There's a city called Thornhelm. The Duke reported a series of disappearances. I want you to dig up intel and report back. Quietly. Understood?"
Rudra: (snatching the folder)
"Yeah, yeah. Just another slave smuggler or rogue syndicate. Nothing big."
Alex: (sternly)
"I said be careful. Something feels off about this one."
---
Later, walking out of HQ...
Rudra muttered under his breath.
"Geez... that old man always makes a storm out of drizzle. Like this is anything new."
Just then, a hand clapped firmly onto his shoulder.
Rudra: (turning sharply)
"Huh—oh, it's you... Elden Virel. What now? Did Alex send you to babysit me too?"
Elden: (smiling faintly)
"No, Rudra. But I heard the mission brief. I just wanted to say—don't underestimate it."
Rudra:
"Wow. Look at you getting all friendly. What's next, a tea party? Or are you just part of the old geezer's plan to get me thrown out?"
Elden: (seriously)
"You really think Alex wants you gone?"
Rudra:
"Tch. Of course. He's been cold to me since day one. Like he's got something personal against me."
Elden: (quietly)
"It's not what you think. Alex... he wasn't always like this."
Rudra: (narrowing eyes)
"What are you talking about?"
Elden:
"There was an incident. Years ago. One that changed him completely