The hooded boy grabbed Jayden by the collar and dragged him through a maze of cold, dim corridors. Each step echoed against the metal floor—a hollow, ominous sound blending with the flickering lights overhead. Shadows stretched and twisted along the walls like restless specters.
Jayden, breath unsteady, heart pounding, wondered if this mysterious assailant even knew where he was going.
After a long stretch, they finally reached a massive metal door.
The boy knocked.
The door creaked open slowly, releasing a wave of icy air that brushed against Jayden's skin.
Without a word, he shoved him inside.
The room was wide and austere.
Cold gray walls, worn by time.
A harsh light illuminated the center, where three figures stood waiting:
the principal, a guard… and a tall hooded man.
Only a narrow slit revealed the man's mouth.
His voice echoed—calm, controlled, yet imposing.
"Jayden Cross… we owe you an apology. We were mistaken. You are not a hybrid. Your energy is indeed blue, just as you claimed. However… we have a request."
Jayden frowned, fists tightening.
"Oh yeah? Then say it already—before I come over there and show you what I can do."
The masked man remained unmoved, though a trace of irritation slipped into his tone.
"Watch your language. There are many here who would gladly see your head removed."
Jayden let out a short, defiant laugh.
"Fine. Then tell me what you want."
A faint smile, barely visible, touched the man's lips.
His request came—quiet, but absurd.
"I want you to bring me your dear friend… Kim."
Jayden's expression hardened instantly.
He lunged forward—
—but the hooded boy struck him hard in the stomach.
Jayden choked, saliva spilling as he doubled over in pain, teeth clenched.
"Leave her out of this! She has nothing to do with it!"
The masked man spoke again, unfazed.
"On the contrary. She is the reason this concerns you."
He explained.
Kimberly was a hybrid.
A being that should not exist.
To him, eliminating her was no different than erasing a parasite.
He spoke of society—of Blue Stylers, despised and rejected… of experimental hybrids… of the one who opened the gate to the Fallen and became something else entirely, creating the possibility of forbidden bloodlines.
Jayden sighed, clearly unimpressed.
"Yeah… yeah. I hate long, useless explanations."
The man's voice remained cold.
"I am protecting you. I am giving you a reason not to grow attached to that creature—and not to hesitate when the time comes to kill her. She is no different from a demon."
A pause.
"Jayden… if you want to become an S.S.S… this is your chance."
Jayden clenched his jaw.
His eyes sharpened.
His body tensed like a drawn bow.
Slowly, he drew in a deep breath, channeling his blue energy into his fists.
Then—
a faint smile formed on his lips.
Subtle.
Controlled.
Invisible to everyone in the room.
Everyone…
except the unseen observer as the scene pulled back.
"I accept."
The camera drifted farther away.
The room dissolved into darkness—
leaving only silence…
and tension hanging in the void.