—FWOOOSH—
Light swallowed everything.
Kael shut his eyes—
Then—
Silence.
Warm light.
Soft ground.
No screams.
No monsters.
"…Huh."
He stood in a circular plaza.
White stone. Floating lanterns. A quiet fountain in the center.
[Floor Cleared]
[Welcome to the Rest Nexus]
[Combat Disabled]
"…Finally," Kael muttered. "A place where I won't die for breathing wrong."
Around him—
Survivors appeared one by one.
—POP— POP— POP—
Some collapsed immediately.
Others cried.
A few just stared into nothing.
"…Seventeen," Kael whispered.
"…That's it."
Then—
—TING—
[All injuries partially restored]
[Mental fatigue NOT recovered]
Kael blinked.
"…Of course it isn't."
His head throbbed.
Fragments flashed—
Fire.
Fear.
Different voices.
Different bodies.
"…Yeah."
"…That's new."
// FIRST SIGN OF STRAIN //
A voice echoed in his mind—
"Don't leave me…"
Kael froze.
"…That wasn't me."
He rubbed his temples.
"…Side effect of the skill?"
——
"Hey."
Kael turned.
Ronan Hale.
Still standing strong.
"You made it."
Kael shrugged.
"…Hard to die when nothing wants to kill you."
Ronan frowned.
"…That's not normal."
"…You're not normal."
"Fair."
—TAP… TAP… TAP…
A third voice joined.
Lyra Vale.
Arms crossed.
Eyes sharp.
"I saw you."
Kael tilted his head.
"…Which part?"
"The part where you weren't attacked."
"…Ah."
She stepped closer.
"You're hiding something."
Kael smiled.
"…Everyone is."
———
A bell rang.
—DING—
A small shop materialized.
Wooden counter.
Old lantern.
A hooded figure inside.
"…Welcome," the figure said.
"…to my humble shop."
[NPC Detected: Merchant]
Kael froze.
"…No way."
He stepped closer.
"…You're an NPC."
The merchant tilted his head.
"…And you are… what, exactly?"
Kael's smile faded.
"…Good question."