The air around the meeting point felt wrong.
Too still. Too controlled.
Like the city itself was holding its breath.
Axel stood close to Kai. "They're definitely coming, right?"
Leo checked his device. "Multiple signatures. Armored units. Helicopters. They're not ignoring this."
Kai didn't answer.
His eyes stayed fixed on the road ahead. Cold. Focused. Ready.
Then—
Headlights appeared in the distance.
Slow at first. Then more.
A convoy.
Axel swallowed. "…Here we go."
The vehicles stopped a few meters away.
Doors opened.
Soldiers stepped out first. Forming a line.
Then officers.
Then—
A senior commander stepped forward.
"…Kai," he said firmly.
Kai stepped forward slightly.
"…You came."
The commander didn't move closer.
"You made a public threat against the government."
Kai nodded once.
"I made a demand."
Silence.
Leo spoke quietly behind him. "This is it… don't lose control."
Axel whispered, "Just talk. Please."
Kai didn't look back.
The commander narrowed his eyes.
"You want information about Dragon."
Kai's voice was calm.
"I want the truth."
A pause.
The commander studied him carefully.
"…And if we refuse?"
Kai's expression didn't change.
But the air around him shifted slightly.
Cold pressure.
Faint red glow deep in his eyes.
"…Then you already made your choice," Kai said.
The soldiers tensed immediately. Weapons raised slightly.
Axel stepped forward fast. "Wait—nobody needs to fight!"
Leo added, "We're not here to destroy anything!"
The commander raised a hand. "Stand down."
The soldiers hesitated… then lowered weapons slightly.
The commander looked back at Kai.
"…You're not acting like a criminal."
Kai replied immediately.
"I'm not one."
Another pause.
Then the commander said something unexpected.
"…We know about Dragon."
Silence hit instantly.
Axel blinked. "…Wait… what?"
Leo froze. "You knew?"
Kai's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…So it's true."
The commander continued.
"But it's not as simple as you think."
Kai stepped forward half a step.
"Then explain it."
The commander's expression hardened.
"Not here."
Axel frowned. "Of course not here…"
Leo whispered, "This is either a setup or the truth."
Kai looked at the commander for a long moment.
Then nodded once.
"…Take us."
Axel turned sharply. "Kai—are you serious?"
Kai finally glanced at him.
Calm. Cold. Certain.
"…We're done guessing."
The convoy doors opened again.
The commander spoke quietly.
"If you come with us… there's no going back."
Kai stepped forward.
"…There never was."
And just like that—
They got in.
The vehicles closed.
Engines started.
And the convoy moved into the darkness.