The office was quiet.
The windows were closed.
Light from inside reflected faintly on the glass.
The desk was neat.
Files were stacked in several piles.
Edges aligned.
A simple map hung on the wall.
Clear lines.
Very few markings.
Iosef Kain stood beside the desk.
His posture was natural.
Shoulders relaxed.
Gaze steady.
Mike stood across from him.
He had just entered.
The door closed slowly behind him,
making a soft click.
The air paused for a moment.
Iosef spoke.
"Deputy platoon leader."
His voice was low.
Mike raised his head slightly.
Iosef continued,
"In a few days, I'll be taking a post in the newly formed Ability User Company."
His tone was steady.
No pause.
Mike froze for a moment.
His eyes widened slightly.
Then he quickly smiled.
"Oh!"
His voice lifted.
"Congratulations!"
He leaned forward a little as he spoke.
His tone carried obvious ease.
Iosef looked at him.
He didn't respond immediately.
The room fell silent again.
"I'll be direct," Iosef said.
His tone remained calm.
Mike's smile faded slightly.
He looked at him.
"Do you want to come with me?"
Iosef's gaze didn't move.
"I can recommend you as deputy company commander."
Silence returned.
Mike didn't answer right away.
His expression slowly grew complicated.
His brows tightened slightly.
The smile lingered at the edge of his lips.
He stood still.
Didn't move.
Time seemed stretched.
A few seconds passed.
Mike took a breath.
"I'm glad to hear that," he said quietly.
"But… it's not very appropriate, is it?"
His gaze shifted slightly.
"They're all ability users there."
He added.
Iosef looked at him.
No change.
"Aren't you one too?"
Same calm tone.
Mike froze.
"Uh?"
A short sound slipped out.
His eyes flickered.
"How did you know?"
His speech slowed.
Iosef didn't move.
"I knew three years ago, in the primeval forest."
Direct.
No explanation.
Mike paused.
Then his expression turned awkward.
"Heh…"
A dry laugh.
His hand scratched the back of his head.
"Guess I slipped."
His voice was low.
Iosef looked at him.
Didn't smile.
"You staying here is a loss for the country."
His tone remained flat.
"Think about it seriously."
Silence again.
Mike stood there.
His hand slowly lowered.
His gaze dropped to the desk.
He didn't look at Iosef again.
The air was still.
Faint footsteps echoed from outside.
Then faded.
Time passed.
——
A few days later.
Same courtyard.
The morning air was still cool.
The ground had dried somewhat.
Footsteps no longer left marks.
Mike stood in the yard.
He didn't sit.
Just stood there.
Hands in his pockets.
Fingers moved slightly inside.
His gaze rested in the distance.
Beyond the fence, the forest was silent.
Wind brushed across the treetops.
Leaves rubbed together,
making a low continuous sound.
He stood for a while.
Didn't move.
His breathing was steady.
But slower than usual.
He glanced down.
His shoe lightly scraped the ground.
Then stopped.
Scattered footsteps passed near the edge of the yard.
No one stopped.
He raised his head again.
His gaze returned to the gate.
The door was half open.
Wind slipped through the gap.
Carrying a trace of cool air.
His hand tightened in his pocket.
Then loosened.
He paused.
Then turned.
Walked toward the office.
His steps were slow.
Soft sounds echoed on the ground.
The door opened.
Iosef stood inside.
Same as before.
Same position.
Mike walked in.
The door closed behind him.
He stopped.
Didn't speak immediately.
They looked at each other for a moment.
Silence.
"I'll go," Mike said.
His voice was low.
No extra emotion.
Iosef nodded.
Said nothing more.
Mike stood there.
Didn't explain further.
His hands left his pockets.
Hung at his sides.
No one spoke again.
——
Ability User Company base.
The ground was a hardened training field.
Flattened by repeated use.
No weeds.
White lines marked the edges.
Some already faded.
The air was drier than the border.
The sun harsher.
Light struck the ground directly,
reflecting a glaring white.
Iosef stood at the center.
Soldiers were scattered.
Postures uneven.
Some leaned.
Some stood straight.
Some looked down.
Some lightly kicked the ground.
Some had hands in pockets.
The air was loose.
No unified rhythm.
Iosef's gaze swept across them.
Didn't linger.
He walked to the side.
Picked up a file.
Flipped through it briefly.
Pages rustled softly.
He looked up.
Set it down.
"Form up."
His voice wasn't loud.
But clear.
The group began to move.
Footsteps messy.
Some fast.
Some slow.
Some glanced at others while walking.
Soon they formed a line.
Not neat.
Spacing uneven.
Iosef glanced at them.
Said nothing.
He began outlining training.
Voice steady.
Not fast.
Items listed one by one.
No extra explanation.
Some frowned.
Some exhaled quietly.
Someone pressed their tongue to the roof of their mouth.
First item.
Physical training.
A subtle stir spread.
Some shifted posture.
Some pulled hands from pockets.
A faint chuckle sounded.
"We're ability users."
Someone muttered.
"What's the point of physical training?"
Low voice.
Not fully hidden.
Iosef heard it.
Didn't respond immediately.
He took off his coat.
Clean motion.
Set it aside.
The cloth hit the ground softly.
He stepped forward.
"Keep up."
Then he started running.
Steady steps.
Even rhythm.
Step one.
Step two.
No pause.
The soldiers exchanged glances.
Some frowned.
Some sighed.
They followed.
Footsteps increased.
From scattered to continuous.
Breathing grew heavier.
The field filled with running sounds.
The rhythm broke quickly.
Some faster.
Some slower.
The line stretched.
Iosef's pace didn't change.
Breathing stable.
Steps consistent.
Footfalls evenly spaced.
Sweat slid down his forehead.
Along his cheek.
He didn't wipe it.
Kept moving.
Some slowed.
Steps grew heavy.
Some gasped.
Chests heaving.
Some clenched their teeth.
Kept going.
The gap widened.
Some stopped.
Bent over.
Hands on knees.
Sweat dripped to the ground.
Evaporated quickly.
Iosef stopped.
Turned.
Looked at them.
Said nothing.
A few seconds passed.
"Continue."
His voice was low.
No room for refusal.
——
Combat training.
Footprints covered the ground.
The air smelled of sweat.
Several stepped forward.
Loosening wrists.
Feet shifted.
Soles scraped lightly.
Iosef stood in the center.
Relaxed posture.
Hands hanging naturally.
No tension in his shoulders.
The first rushed in.
Fast steps.
Weight forward.
A straight punch.
Cutting through air.
A sharp whoosh.
Iosef tilted slightly.
Minimal movement.
Just enough.
The punch brushed past.
He raised a hand.
Palm dropped.
Fast.
No wind-up.
The man's body halted.
Movement cut off.
He stumbled forward.
Thrown off balance.
Steps broke.
The second followed.
Attacking from the side.
Lateral movement.
Punch from the flank.
Iosef turned.
Light footwork.
Stable center.
A short backhand.
Direct path.
The attack broke.
Shoulder jolted.
He stepped back.
Breathing disrupted.
Several charged together.
Steps overlapped.
Movements stacked.
Vision obstructed.
Punches crisscrossed.
Iosef didn't stop.
He moved between them.
Every strike short.
No wasted motion.
No pause.
Rhythm unchanged.
Seconds later—
They all stopped.
Breathing heavy.
Some held their waists.
Some looked down.
Arms trembling slightly.
Silence settled.
Then—
Someone in the crowd moved slightly.
Very small motion.
Almost invisible.
Fingers tightened.
Breath paused.
The air shifted—just a little.
Iosef's gaze turned.
He said nothing.
Before the man could act—
Snap.
A crisp finger snap.
Light.
Clear.
As if it landed right beside the ear.
Next instant—
The man's body froze.
Like something pressed down on him.
Shoulders sank first.
Spine followed.
His whole body collapsed.
Knees hit the ground.
A dull thud.
Then he fell.
No struggle.
No extra movement.
Unconscious.
A heavy impact echoed faintly.
Everyone stopped.
Silence.
No one spoke.
Even breathing quieted.
Iosef stood there.
Hand already lowered.
Expression unchanged.
As if nothing had happened.
Wind brushed the edge of the field.
Lifting a trace of dust.
The soldiers looked at the fallen man.
Then at Iosef.
Their eyes tightened.
No one spoke.
One word appeared in all their minds at the same time.
Monster.