Chapter 18 — Ice and Steel
Aken didn't wait for the sirens to reach him. He bent down, grabbed Jae-Min by the arm, and pulled him up carefully. Jae-Min groaned in pain but didn't resist. "…Easy," Aken muttered. "You're not dying after all that just to complain."
"…I'm not complaining," Jae-Min breathed weakly. ."
Aken shifted his weight, lifting Jae-Min over his shoulder. It wasn't easy, his body hurt immensely, his ribs screamed, his muscles trembled, but he forced himself forward anyway. Step by step, they left the ruins behind. The city ahead looked untouched, normal, almost—alive. It felt insulting, especially after everything that just happened. Miokuo spoke quietly in his mind. "Master, your condition is unstable."
"…I know." Aken responded.
"Continuing like this may worsen your injuries." Miokuo insisted.
"…Still better than staying there." He said in his mind.
They moved quietly. For a while, only the distant sound of sirens filled the air. Then— Aken stopped, not because he wanted too, but because something ahead made him. Three figures stood in the middle of the road, behind them—several Union workers dressed in black uniforms, already setting up a perimeter. But it wasn't them that mattered, it was the two in front. Even before the system confirmed it… Aken could feel it, pressure—heavy, cold and sharp.
The system flickered into existence.
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[PLAYER DETECTED]
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Name: Soo-ah Ming
Level: 90
Title: Ice Player
Contract: Milynan — Goddess of Frost [11th Ranked Constellation]
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Aken's eyes narrowed slightly. So this was her, even without the system, it was obvious. Her presence alone dropped the temperature of the entire street. Frost gathered faintly at her feet, spreading slowly across the cracked road. Her long coat moved gently despite the still air, and her eyes… cold, and measuring. Beside her stood a man, calm, still, but at the same time dangerous.
The system updated again.
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[PLAYER DETECTED]
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Name: Jin Wong
Level: 86
Title: Swordmaster
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His hand rested lightly on the hilt of his blade. Not gripping it, neither tense, just—ready. Aken exhaled. "…Of course we had to run into them."
Jae-Min lifted his head weakly. "…Why do I feel like we're in trouble…"
"…well, because we are." Aken said.
They stepped forward, the distance closed, then—
"Stop right there." Soo-ah's voice was calm, yet absolute. Aken stopped, not because he obeyed, but because he chose to. Her gaze moved over him slowly, from his bloodied clothes… to Miokuo…to the faint aura of cursed energy still leaking from his body.
Her eyes sharpened. "…You."
Aken met her gaze. "…Me?."
A brief silence stretched between them, then she spoke again. "You were at the center of the rupture."
Not a question but a statement. Aken didn't deny it. "…Yeah."
"And the entity?." Her voice dropped slightly. "…What happened to it?"
Aken shifted Jae-Min slightly on his shoulder. "…It's gone."
Jin Wong's eyes flickered slightly. "Gone?" he repeated.
Aken looked at him briefly. "…Dead, dissolved. Pick one."
The air grew colder, Soo-ah stepped forward slightly, frost spread further along the ground.
"That creature," she said, voice tightening just a fraction, "wiped out an entire response unit."
Her eyes locked onto his. "And you expect me to believe you simply… survived?"
Aken's gaze didn't waver. "I don't care what you believe."
The temperature dropped instantly. Jae-Min whispered. "…Bro… maybe don't say it like that…"
Too late, Jin Wong's hand tightened slightly on his sword. Not drawn but close, very close. Soo-ah's expression hardened. "…Watch your tone."
Aken tilted his head slightly. "…Or what?"
That was enough, In a flash— Jin Wong moved. His blade was halfway drawn before the sound even registered. Aken's instincts screamed. Miokuo reacted instantly. "MASTER—"
Aken shifted fast, despite his injuries, despite his exhaustion. Miokuo met the blade, steel clashed. The impact sent a sharp shock through Aken's arm, his body nearly gave out, but he held, barely. Jin Wong's eyes narrowed. "…Impressive."
Aken pushed back slightly. "…Try me when I'm not half-dead."
For a split second—the air turned lethal, killing intent, thick and heavy. Then—
"That's enough Jin." Soo-ah's voice cut through everything. Instantly—Jin Wong stepped back, blade returning to its sheath smoothly, like nothing happened. The pressure eased, but didn't disappear. Soo-ah stared at Aken, long and carefully. Then—
"You're hiding something." Soo-ah spoke.
Aken didn't answer, didn't need to. The silence said enough. Her gaze shifted briefly to Miokuo.
"…That weapon." she said. Miokuo pulsed faintly, almost… aware. "It's quite interesting."
Aken's grip tightened slightly. "…Sorry, but it's taken."
Her eyes flicked back to him. "…We'll see."
Jae-Min coughed weakly. "…Can we do this later… preferably when I'm not dying…"
One of the Union workers stepped forward nervously. "Ma'am… medical teams are ready…"
Soo-ah didn't look away from Aken. "…Take him in."
Two workers rushed forward, carefully lifting Jae-Min off Aken. He winced but didn't complain this time. Before they moved him away, he glanced at Aken. "…Don't get arrested please."
Aken gave a small nod. "…Try not to die."
"…No promises." Jae-Min smiled.
They carried him off, leaving Aken alone, facing them. Soo-ah stepped closer, close enough that the cold around her was suffocating. "…You're coming with us."
Aken met her gaze. "…Wasn't planning on running away."
Jin Wong smirked faintly. "…Good to know."
Aken glanced between them, then exhaled slowly. "…But next time your guy swings at me…"
His eyes sharpened slightly. "…I won't hold back."
Jin Wong's smile widened just a fraction. "…I'd like to see that."
Soo-ah turned. "…Move."
No more discussion, no more questions, just authority. Aken followed, not because he trusted them, but because right now— He didn't have the strength to fight another battle. Still… as they walked toward the Union vehicles… he could feel it. Their attention, their suspicion and something else— Curiosity. Whatever happened today, had placed him on the board, and players like them— Didn't ignore pieces like him. Miokuo whispered softly. "Master, this is only the beginning."
Aken looked ahead, at the path waiting for him. "…Yeah, I know."
END OF CHAPTER 18