Famous

Sezel stepped inside, an opulent fragrance enveloped the spacious room the moment he stepped through the threshold. The door whispered shut behind him, sealing him in a sanctum of luxury.

His crimson eyes roamed in wonder, heart thudding restlessly against his ribs. The room unfolded: a grand bed draped in immaculate white sheets, windows half-veiled by silken curtains, their folds catching the city's faint glow. This place was certainly above Sezel's value.

'So this is what being a slayer earns you?' Sezel thought, lips twitching at the corners as he launched himself onto the bed.

It was like living inside a dream. The mattress swallowed him whole, as if trying to erase the weight he'd carried all his life.

It was absurd. Surreal. And yet comforting. Just some time ago, he'd faced death in the Spirit Realm, and now this.

For the first time in days, sleep came easily. Sezel sank into a deep, dreamless slumber within minutes, his tired body yielding to the bed's allure. In that moment, Sezel let himself believe—maybe surviving had been worth something.

Who knew for how long this would continue? Sezel wanted to enjoy this for as long as he could.

**

Sunlight seeped through the slits in the curtains, streaking across the bed like searchlights. The facility's walls outside glowed beneath the rising sun.

A relentless buzz stirred Sezel from sleep—his assessment device he received yesterday. He faintly opened his eyes, blinking a few times to adjust, still feeling drowsy. He picked up the assessment device; it had already been set up in his language.

"Captain?" He read the words aloud and then pressed the green button floating beneath the name.

"Good morning," Raelion's familiar tone filtered through the speaker with a grin. "So you do know how to answer a phone."

Sezel frowned, his lips twitching. "I am not some ancient being. I know how to use a mobile phone," he snapped.

Mobile phones had been around for many years. Even Sezel, living in the outskirts, in the slums, once had a mobile phone. However broken it may be, he knew how to use one. It was the most common technology around, and rich people throw away anything useful they don't like.

Raelion chuckled. "Sure, sure. Submit your key to reception in an hour. They'll show you what comes next."

Sezel nodded—not like anyone could see him do so.

"You alive or not? Say something, damn it."

"…Yes," he muttered before dismissing the line.

He got off the bed and went inside the bathroom—his own personal bathroom, a thing that would have been impossible for him just a few days ago. The bathroom lights flickered on with a hiss. Steam rose around him as he washed away yesterday's grime beneath hot water.

He paused before the mirror. The tired boy he used to be was not there anymore. It was not the Sezel he knew.

He slid into some fresh clothes offered to him, already arranged inside the cupboard. He donned his translating device and left the room. Descending the stairs, he passed students like himself and some older men, probably already registered slayers, walking out of their rooms towards the reception.

'So these buildings are for slayers. That means that they are not military officials but some facility of a corporation.'

He halted mid-step.

Fingers flew across the assessment device interface. It didn't take long. There it was. 'So I was right.'

Issuer: Blood Bound Corporation

The name of the issuer clearly showed the name of the corporation. Sezel was not in some public or military facility for awakened ones, but a corporation named 'Blood Bound.'

Sezel had suspected much—didn't pay much attention to it. Awakened people have to register themselves up with a corporation to become an official slayer and obtain the assessment device, not to mention the food and the room.

Sezel was registered with the Blood Bound Corporation, he wanted it or not. It was already done.

"A bunch of smart pants," he muttered. But deep down, he wasn't angry. He was… grateful. Even with a Rank-zero awakening, someone had taken him in. He had no hope that some corporation would even spit in his direction.

'Perfect,' he thought, biting back a grin.

He proceeded to go down the stairs. The reception was flocked with slayers, submitting their room keys and getting scanned by the machine.

He placed his in a machine's tray; it sealed, scanning his eyes with a soft hum. Efficient. The device would return the correct key upon his return, a marvel of modern technology.

Outside, he joined a line of Slayers, guards in crisp uniforms guiding them toward the classroom facility. But instead of classrooms, they were led to the vast garden, joining more slayers. Hundreds. Veterans and rookies. The garden buzzed with confusion.

Sezel looked around, puzzled. 'What's going on now?' He tried to deduce the question by listening to the other people around, but they were also as confused as he was. So he waited.

Captain Raelion and the other taller man from yesterday stood at the front with 4 other men, each having the same single crescent moon badge on their uniforms.

'Is something special going on today?' Sezel wondered.

And his questions were soon answered. The tall man stepped forward. A small, fly-like mic hovered before his lips. His voice rang out—low and commanding.

"Good morning, fellow slayers," he began, silencing the crowd. "Today, we announce what you've all anticipated."

The garden fell silent, everyone looking straight ahead. The man spoke again, "The world currently holds forty-nine Rank-5 slayers. Today, we welcome our fiftieth: Krono Silvia."

Murmurs ignited, rising like sparks.

The boy in question stepped onto the floor, his blonde hair flowing like silken threads, his raven-black outfit of exquisite fabric clinging tightly to his lean, sturdy frame.

It was no surprise to him.

Sezel's lips quirked. 'So Mr. Richrat is now famous.' He'd overheard Krono's Rank 5 claim yesterday in the class. He mused, lips curling upward. But his gaze lingered longer than expected.