Ren discovered he could use PAACC at the age of twelve.
It happened on his birthday, when he was given a ring. It didn't fit on any of his fingers, so he slipped it onto his thumb without much thought. A week later, three of his classmates were blown to pieces—along with a massive crater torn into the ground.
Ren never understood what went wrong.
When the GMP arrived, his parents didn't defend him. They didn't even look at him. Instead, they forced him outside, leaving him in the cold without food or water. For three days, he waited alone, replaying the moment over and over in his head, trying to understand what he had done.
When the GMP finally took him, they threw him into a cell with others—children and adults alike. Three days later, he was loaded onto a ship with other PAACC users and cargo, sent away without explanation.
In a blink, his childhood ended.
He was pushed into a life of bounty hunting—of fighting, surviving, and protecting the weak.
After screaming for Carmen and Zee to run, Ren heard Bom's body hit the ground. He made the mistake of glancing at it—just for a second.
When he looked up, the White Reaper was gone.
A sharp exhale sounded behind him.
Then pain.
Something slammed into Ren's back, knocking the air from his lungs and sending him flying into the side of a building. The wall cracked as he hit it.
This isn't good, Ren thought desperately. I need to—
His thoughts were cut short as he was yanked up by the back of his clothes and hurled through the air.
How… how can he move that fast?
Ren struggled to breathe, his body refusing to respond.
Think. I need to think…
That's it. I need to contact Koco.
A brutal kick slammed into his stomach, forcing blood from his mouth.
"Why who—" Ren tried to speak.
"You know who I am," the Reaper interrupted calmly. "Fortunately for you, it isn't your time yet. I only wanted to see what you could do firsthand."
Ren's vision blurred.
"You're not a threat," the Reaper continued. "So you get to live a little longer."
"Carmen—call K—" Ren tried again.
He was slammed into the ground before he could finish.
When Ren opened his eyes, everything hurt.
Bright lights burned above him. He was in the Academy's medical bay. Beside him stood Carmen, Zee, and Koco.
"Wh… what happened?" Ren muttered.
"REN!" Carmen and Zee shouted together.
"Glad to see you're awake," Koco said quietly.
"Did you catch the White Reaper?" Ren asked immediately.
Koco shook his head. "No. Unfortunately."
His expression darkened. "Let me explain."
"After you lost consciousness, Carmen tried to rush to you, but Zee stopped her and told her to call me. When I answered, all I heard was screaming. By the time I arrived, the Reaper was gone. Carmen's arm was broken."
Ren clenched his teeth.
"The only thing he left behind was a note," Koco continued. "It said: You all will be dead in 5 months."
Koco sighed. "Looks like we will see each other in 5 months. Honestly… I don't want to."
Silence filled the room.
"I'll give you three some time," Koco said softly before leaving.
Carmen and Zee immediately jumped onto Ren, nearly knocking the breath out of him again.
"I'm so glad you're okay!" Zee cried. "You were really messed up!"
"I knew you'd pull through," Carmen said, smiling weakly. "But it was terrifying."
Ren winced. "How's your arm?"
"Compared to you?" Carmen joked. "Totally fine."
Ren relaxed slightly. "Can… can you two give me a moment alone?"
"Of course," Carmen said.
"Okay," Zee agreed—but before leaving, she rushed back and hugged Ren tightly, then dashed out.
Ren stared at the ceiling.
I'm so weak, he thought bitterly.
I knew he was strong… but not like that.
His hands clenched.
I need more power. I want more power. I'll erase that man.
But what did he mean " you know who I am"
Sudden exhaustion swallowed him.
Outside the room, Zee hesitated.
"Carmen… do you think that was Professor Marshall?" she asked quietly.
"No," Carmen said firmly. "The timing doesn't match. He was still training his students when we were attacked. I checked first."
Zee nodded, but unease lingered in her eyes.
"Still… it doesn't feel right."