Lam Huy Truong froze.
I'm dead.
This is really over.
Damn it, professorrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
This feeling… it was exactly like hearing the proctor announce there were only five minutes left—
while he had barely written his name.
In the distance, with the cocoon at the center—
waves of crimson destruction surged outward.
They rose and crashed like tidal waves, sweeping everything in their path.
The ground split open.
Stone shattered. Fine dust lifted into the air, suspended like ash.
A deep tremor pulsed through the earth—
like the heartbeat of something massive.
What the hell… Professor, what is this?
What is happening?
Behind him, Lyra and Kai stared, panic written all over their faces.
Lam Huy Trường clenched his fists.
Can I still save her…?
A weak thought crept in.
Then it flared.
Run…
If I run now… I can still make it, right?
His heartbeat stuttered. His body trembled.
…
He shook his head.
How many times already?
His gaze dropped to his own hands.
Don't lose your nerve now.
You already made your choice.
His teeth ground together.
Ninety percent… or ninety-nine—
Who cares?
I'm not giving up.
My "gamer mode"—
He stepped forward—
A hand slammed onto his shoulder and gripped tight.
Lam Huy Trường stopped.
He turned.
Kai stood behind him, staring straight at him—
without a trace of fear.
"…You really plan to save… that thing?"
Lam Huy Trường brushed his hand off.
"Yeah, well—"
Before he could finish—
the AI's voice cut in.
"Right now, both of you can head somewhere safe. Do you seriously need the professor to babysit you?"
Kai glanced down at the watch on Lam Huy Trường's wrist.
"Tch…"
His expression darkened.
Lam Huy Trường understood.
Hearing that… he could only sigh.
Then—
a faint smirk curled at the corner of his lips.
"Yeah."
He raised a hand and pointed straight at Kai's forehead—
then gave him a light push.
"Go home, kid."
"This place…"
He paused.
No need to drag more people into this.
No one else should die here for nothing.
"…isn't somewhere you come for a stroll."
With that—
he turned his back.
And walked.
The wind behind him seemed to compress, pressing in.
A chill crawled up his spine.
Lam Huy Trường glanced back.
Then stopped.
Purple energy… was gathering.
All of it—flowing toward Kai.
No—
more precisely—
toward the black sword in his hand.
Dark energy spiraled around the blade.
A low growl echoed—
as if something was trapped inside.
Kai raised his sword.
Pointed it straight at Lam Huy Trường.
His eyes—
had turned violet.
"I don't know… what you're about to do."
His voice dropped.
"But I've got a debt… I need to settle with that monster myself."
He lowered his stance.
Perfect form.
Then—
he swung.
A violet slash tore through the air, grazing past Lam Huy Trường.
It stretched forward, ripping open the space ahead—
then vanished into the distance.
"This battlefield…"
Kai spoke quietly.
"…is mine."
Lam Huy Trường stood still.
His eyes locked onto Kai's face.
Sharp. Cold. Absolute.
Kai flicked his wrist.
The sword traced a clean arc through the air.
No hesitation—
He turned his back.
And walked straight toward the AMV.
Lyra stood between them.
Two directions.
Two choices.
Lam Huy Trường watched him go.
That figure—
a lone swordsman.
And that movement just now…
Familiar.
Very familiar.
A spark flashed in his mind.
Lam Huy Trường let out a soft chuckle.
Then raised his voice:
"Suit yourself."
"But—"
His eyes narrowed.
"Don't get in my way."
Kai didn't answer.
He climbed onto the vehicle.
The engine roared to life.
His gaze remained cold—locked onto Lam Huy Trường.
For a brief moment, Lam Huy Trường's gaze met his.
Between them, an invisible force pressed back and forth—like two wills colliding.
Then—
the vehicle shot forward.
The engine tore through the rain.
Lam Huy Trường inhaled a lungful of exhaust—
and burst into coughing.
"Kid—"
"What kind of driving is that—"
"Kai—wait—!"
Lyra's voice rang out behind him.
Too late.
The headlights flickered—
then vanished into the heavy rain.
Gone without a trace.
Lam Huy Trường sighed.
He turned—
ready to move again—
when a hand grabbed his arm.
He stopped.
Slowly turned back.
…
This was getting exhausting.
Seriously.
If he had to stand here listening to everyone pour their hearts out—
he'd end up a philosopher.
Or a saint.
His eyes met Lyra's.
She was staring at him.
That look—
like she was pleading.
"What now…"
Before he could finish—
Lyra spoke.
"Please… stop Kai."
Lam Huy Trường narrowed his eyes.
"Huh?"
"He… wants to fight that monster to the death."
Her voice trembled.
"Because… because he said…"
Lam Huy Trường stayed silent.
Listening.
Every word.
His heart sank.
"When he saved me from that serpent…"
Lyra clenched her hands.
"He wasn't trying to run to safety."
"He… wanted to risk his life."
Her voice choked.
"He said…"
"…that monster killed everyone important to him."
"His brothers."
"He… is going to make it pay."
Each word fell—
heavy.
Unsettling.
Lam Huy Trường glanced into the distance.
The rain swallowed everything.
A man blinded by hatred…
ready to throw his life away.
The corner of his lips lifted slightly.
A fleeting smile.
"Yeah… that's not how the script goes."
He muttered.
"…chosen one."
Lam Huy Trường placed a hand on Lyra's shoulder.
"Relax."
His voice was calm.
"I'm not letting the protagonist die."
Lyra's eyes widened.
She froze.
"Find somewhere safe."
"This time…"
"Don't get dragged in again."
With that—
Lam Huy Trường turned.
And walked.
Search long enough and you won't find it—
turn back, and suddenly it's right in front of you.
The boss…
and the protagonist—
of course they can't be separated.
Lam Huy Trường took a deep breath.
His gaze sharpened.
"Then…"
"Let's fight."
Begin.