Morning had fallen at the academy…
It was too quiet.
It felt all wrong.
As if yesterday's massacre had been nothing more than a bad dream.
But the blood on the stone…
Hadn't disappeared.
---
I walked down the corridor, feeling eyes on me.
Fear.
Whispers.
Retreating footsteps.
'It's him…'
'The one…'
'He killed…'
I stopped.
…
I don't care.
I'm used to it now.
Or… I was trying to get used to it.
---
'Ha Jin.'
A familiar voice.
I turned round.
So A.
She came closer, looking at me intently.
'You weren't asleep.'
'Were you?'
'Me neither.'
…
An awkward silence.
But not quite the same as before.
Now there was… more between us.
---
'Are you… all right?' she asked quietly.
I wanted to reply.
But I didn't get the chance.
'He's not all right.'
A soft voice from behind.
Mrs Aki.
She came over and, without asking, touched my hand.
A warm glow.
'You've been pushing yourself too hard again,' she said.
'I'm fine—'
'No.'
She looked me straight in the eye.
'You're just ignoring it.'
…
I fell silent.
---
So A was watching.
And that very feeling flashed across her face again.
Jealousy.
But…
She didn't look away.
On the contrary — she moved closer.
'Then treat him quickly. We don't have time.'
…
Aki smiled slightly.
'Are you worried about him?'
'Obviously.'
'Good.'
…
And at that moment—
They were both…
Close together.
Too close.
---
I exhaled.
'Are you serious…?'
'Yes,' they replied in unison.
…
I couldn't help but smile.
'I see.'
---
But the calm didn't last long.
---
A scream.
Loud.
Too close.
We spun round.
'From over there,' said So A.
'Let's go,' added Aki.
---
When we ran over—
I froze.
The student was lying on the floor.
Alive.
But…
Empty.
Glassy eyes.
A lifeless body.
'What on earth…'
I crouched down beside him.
There was a pulse.
But energy…
None.
At all.
---
'This isn't a normal attack,' Aki said quietly.
'Someone… took everything,' added So A.
…
I clenched my fist.
So he's already here.
---
'Ha Jin.'
I looked up.
Min-jae.
He stood to one side, calm as ever.
'You've noticed it too.'
'Yes.'
'Then listen carefully.'
…
He stepped closer.
'This is only the beginning.'
'Explain.'
'There are people…'
His gaze grew colder.
'Who don't just fight.'
'They take.'
---
Silence.
'Like me?' I asked quietly.
…
Min-jae looked me straight in the eye.
'Worse.'
---
At that moment, the ground shook.
A roar.
Again.
But different.
More… organised.
---
We ran outside.
And saw it.
Monsters.
Dozens of them.
But they…
Weren't attacking chaotically.
They were standing.
Like an army.
---
'That's impossible…' whispered So-ah.
"It is possible," Min Jae said calmly.
"Someone is controlling them."
---
A young man stepped out of the crowd.
Slowly.
Confidently.
"I've finally found you."
…
He raised his hand.
And the monsters moved.
All at once.
---
'Back!' shouted So-ah.
'No,' I said.
I took a step forward.
'This time…'
The blade flashed.
Lightning ran along the edge.
'I'll handle this myself.'
---
'Not just one,' said Aki.
The whip whipped round.
'And not alone,' added So A.
Her magic began to gather in her palms.
---
I looked at them.
And… smiled.
'Then…'
…
'Let's go.'
---
The monsters charged.
And the battle began.
---
But somewhere off to the side…
Another one was watching.
The very same one.
With empty eyes.
'Interesting…'
He smiled.
'How much power do you have, Ha Jin?'
---
And for the first time ever—
THE SCAR inside me…
Answered.