The night of sorrow partnered by a pitch-black sky and icy wind began to embrace the misery that everyone felt. The rain began to pour on the ground as if the heavens were crying for their loss.
King Lee, who's still on the ground, continued crying and bowing down because of his unforgivable sin to the villagers. At the same time, he has recalled his memories while teaching them martial arts and all the good times he had with them in the dojo.
Jin Chow got on his knees and touched King Lee's back to show his sympathy. He wants to say something but can't think of anything. He cried with King Lee as he could no longer bear that King Lee's taking all the blame. No one wanted what happened.
Sergio Von Croy also sat quietly nearby, recalling the scenarios in his head. He took charge first without asking for permission. Even if the plan is to drag the Giant Bugs, somebody may assume that there's a possibility that the Giant Cursed Tree's range changed and rearrange the plan.
Yet that didn't happen because of what he did. He is always moving based on his guts and not using his head that much. That's why he can't lead a squad properly, and he played a huge part in another failure mission that cost other people's lives.
Liu Kai is observing everyone with his poker face and has a nostalgic feeling about it.
'Why am I feeling like this?'
Liu Kai is so sure that in his whole life, the sadness and sorrow that he's feeling right now is a first. Yet somehow, it didn't seem like it was the first time. His sight is becoming blurry, so he closed his eyes.
He tried to think of something he could that almost has the same feeling. His father abandoned him and left him when he was still young. The reason is his mother died when she gave birth to him.
Of course, he felt sad those days and so lonely about it. But he's too young at that time, and he moved on and accepted the situation a long time ago for him to remember that feeling, so it's not it.
He observed the villager's faces and can feel their pain in his heart. He knew himself as a person who can't empathize with people in this kind of situation, but it's like he can because of the nostalgia he's feeling right now.
Liu Kai clenched his fist and made sure to remember his feelings right now to make sure that it won't happen again.
Eventually, everyone grew tired of talking about it and calmed down. Despite what happened, they still respectfully bid a farewell to King Lee and Chief Brashford as they went to their houses, soaked from the heavy rain.
"Go on without me," told Liu Kai.
Chief Brashford nodded while King Lee didn't respond, still thinking about what happened. Sergio and Jin Chow narrowed their eyes as they looked at him, puzzled about where he should go that late at night.
"You're wet. You'll catch a cold if you don't take a shower right away," mumbled Jin Chow. Sergio didn't bother to say anything and just silently looked at him, trying to assess what he's thinking.
"I'm fine. Thanks for that Chow. I just... need to be alone for a while and... think about some stuff," Liu Kai explained before he waved his hand and continued to walk far from Chief Brashford's house.
He strolled the empty streets while the rain continued to pour in. He doesn't know where he should go, so he let his feet take him anywhere, wandering without any destination.
He saw a bench on the side of the streets and decided to sit there to rest.
He rubbed his knees before he held his hands together, staring at the street floor, wondering about what happened to him.
'Who's that guy who had the same face as mine?' The guy in the mirror flashed back on his head, saying a lot of crazy stuff he couldn't understand. The feeling is so real that he felt the guy's presence was different from his. He can't focus on just one thing as he also thought about the raid.
He can't even imagine how frustrating it is for those who are waiting for their family member to come home, only to receive the news that they didn't make it. Wang Xiu Ying's mom and the wife of one of the students flashed to his mind. He squeezed his hand together as he closed his eyes, feeling their grief and despair.
Liu Kai's so lost in thought that he didn't realize the raindrops stopped falling on his skin even with his improved perception. He raised his head and saw a woman standing in front of him, wearing a familiar outfit and holding an umbrella to cover him from the rain.
"You are..."
"It's good to see you again. Are you waiting for me outside of the hot spring?"
Liu Kai took a peek at the establishment across the street. He saw some people going out of the hot spring where Choi Nayeon came from.
"I'm not."
"I'm kidding. I know you wouldn't do that, and... I think I also know why you're here," Choi Nayeon gently smiled at Liu Kai, looking at him with a confused look on his face.
"Is it okay to accompany you?"
Liu Kai looked down and didn't bother to respond.
"I'll take that as a yes." Choi Nayeon sat on the damp surface of the balcony beside him. She just held the umbrella and covered Liu Kai from the rainfall.
"I heard the news. I'm not gonna ask or talk about it but... If you want to say something, I'm here to listen," she carefully said, sweating despite the cold breeze because she's worried that she might irritate Liu Kai.
Liu Kai ignored her and just remained silent. Since he's looking down, he saw the sandals he was wearing and remembered who gave them. He thought it was unfair to neglect her again, so he tilted his head and took a glance at Choi Nayeon, who flinched from his sudden gaze.