Pain, betrayal...

"You know, Kieran, I think we should do you a favor. How about we help you get rid of your pathetic life?"

Frank's voice slithered through the cool air like poison, each word a dagger meant to cut Kieran down where he stood.

The sneering faces of Frank and his lackeys—Ben and Jacob—loomed before him, radiating menace.

Kieran clenched his fists tightly, the sting of humiliation still fresh from the awakening ceremony.

His glare met Frank's, unyielding despite the mocking tone.

"You really talk too much," Kieran spat, his voice low but trembling with restrained fury. "Even when no one asks for your opinion."

Frank's smirk faltered, a flicker of irritation crossing his face before he quickly masked it.

Kieran's defiance always struck a nerve. No matter how dire Kieran's circumstances, he never bowed, never begged.

It enraged Frank, who thrived on dominance and submission.

'Why can't he just crumble like the others?' Frank thought, his face darkening with anger.

'Why must he always act like he's better than me?'

But then, an idea wormed its way into Frank's mind, his lips curling into a sinister grin. Kieran was vulnerable now, more than ever.

The awakening ceremony had stripped him of any protection—a talent locked behind an impossible condition, an SSS rank that was nothing more than an empty promise.

"Guys, let's teach him a lesson," Frank ordered, his voice brimming with malice.

Without hesitation, Ben and Jacob lunged at Kieran. Despite the odds, Kieran stood his ground.

He sidestepped Ben's wild punch with practiced ease, hooking his foot around Ben's ankle and sending him sprawling to the ground.

Jacob charged next, his movements clumsy in his haste. Kieran caught Jacob's incoming kick midair, twisting his opponent's leg sharply.

Jacob yelped as he crashed to the ground, clutching his ankle in pain.

Frank watched the exchange, his anger bubbling beneath the surface.

His lackeys, defeated so easily, only fueled his resentment. Kieran turned to Frank, a smug grin tugging at his lips.

The sight made Frank's blood boil.

"So," Kieran said, his voice laced with mockery, "is that all your lapdogs have got? Pathetic."

Frank's fists clenched, his knuckles turning white. He could feel the eyes of the onlookers around them.

He would not allow this humiliation to stand.

"Ben, Jacob," Frank growled, "stop holding back. Use your talents."

Ben staggered to his feet, his eyes blazing with newfound determination.

Jacob followed suit, wiping the dirt from his face.

Frank raised his hand, a flicker of fire igniting in his palm. The flames danced and crackled, casting ominous shadows across his face.

"Let's see how cocky you are now," Frank sneered, hurling the fireball toward Kieran.

Kieran barely had time to react. He moved to dodge, but a wall of stone erupted in front of him, blocking his escape.

His eyes darted to Ben, who stood with his hand outstretched, a smug expression plastered across his face.

The fireball struck Kieran's arm, searing his flesh.

"ARGH!" Kieran screamed, clutching his burnt arm as the scent of charred skin filled the air. His vision blurred from the pain, but he refused to give Frank the satisfaction of seeing him fall.

Frank and his lackeys erupted into laughter.

"What's the matter, Kieran?" Frank taunted. "Where's that bravado now?"

Kieran's mind raced, a haze of agony and fury clouding his thoughts. He glared at his tormentors, his vision tinged with red.

"I'll make you pay for this," he growled through gritted teeth.

Frank stepped closer, his face inches from Kieran's.

"Oh, really?" he mocked, grabbing Kieran by the collar and lifting him off the ground.

"And how exactly are you going to do that, huh? With your nonexistent talent?"

Kieran spat at Frank, the glob of saliva landing squarely on his cheek.

"You'll see," Kieran hissed, his voice low and venomous.

Frank wiped his cheek, his expression twisting into one of pure rage.

"You little—"

Before Frank could finish, a cold voice cut through the air.

"Enough."

The group froze.

The authoritative tone sent a chill down their spines. Turning, they saw her—Miss Jane, her figure framed by the dim glow of the hall's entrance.

A cigarette hung loosely from her lips, and her piercing gaze swept over the scene with disdain.

Frank's arrogance evaporated instantly. He dropped Kieran, who crumpled to the ground, clutching his arm.

"M-Miss Jane," Frank stammered, stepping back.

"This isn't what it looks like—"

Jane's expression remained unreadable as she exhaled a plume of smoke.

She walked toward them, her heels clicking ominously against the pavement. Stopping a few steps away, she tilted her head slightly, her eyes locking onto Frank's.

"You're right," she said, her voice dripping with cold indifference.

"This isn't what it looks like. It's worse."

Frank swallowed hard, his bravado completely gone.

Behind him, Ben and Jacob stood frozen, their faces pale.

Jane's gaze shifted to Kieran, who lay on the ground, bloodied and battered. For a fleeting moment, something unreadable flashed in her eyes.

But then, she turned away, her voice colder than ever.

"Dispose of him if you want," she said. "Throw his body into a realm gate. Just make sure the authorities don't trace it back to me."

Kieran's heart sank. Her words hit harder than any physical blow. He stared after her, his vision blurred by tears.

"Miss... Jane..." he choked out, his voice barely audible.

Jane didn't look back. She continued up the stairs, pausing only to take another drag from her cigarette.

"This world isn't for the weak," she muttered, her words hanging in the air like a death sentence.

Frank, emboldened by her indifference, grinned wickedly.

"You heard her," he said, turning back to Kieran. "Time to finish this."

Before Kieran could react, Jacob's foot slammed down on his ankle with a sickening crunch.

Pain shot through his body, and he screamed, his voice raw and filled with agony.

Frank leaned down, his flaming hand hovering dangerously close to Kieran's face.

"Goodbye, Kieran," he said, his voice dripping with mockery.

"Don't worry—this world won't miss you."

As the flames crept closer, Kieran's vision darkened. The last thing he saw was Jane disappearing into the hall, her back turned to him, as if he were already dead.

Then, everything went black.