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Chapter 22 - Chapter 22 - Blame and Duty

Chapter 22 - "Blame and Duty"

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The training field was quiet at night. Only the soft hum of security lights and the occasional rustle of wind through the trees.

Rei was there—alone, as always.

She moved like water and steel at the same time. Each strike precise. Each step deliberate. Sweat glistened on her bare arms, silver hair tied high, sticking slightly to her neck.

I stood at the edge of the field, half-hidden by a pillar, just watching.

She was beautiful in a way that hurt to look at. Not flashy. Just… determined. Like nothing could stop her, even if the whole world tried.

After a while she stopped. Lowered her blades. Turned.

"You're acting like a stalker," she said, voice calm but pointed. "Watching me."

I stepped out, rubbing the back of my neck.

"Sorry. I wasn't— I mean, I was just… seeing how determined you are. Fighting alone like that."

She sheathed her blades and walked over.

Stopped right beside me.

Close enough that I could smell the faint sweat and night air on her.

"Everything we do now," she said quietly, "is manipulated by the past."

I looked at her.

She didn't meet my eyes—just stared out at the empty field.

I started walking slowly along the path.

She fell into step beside me.

"But how long are we going to keep blaming the past for our current condition?" I said. "I think the best we can do is keep moving forward… for the people right now."

Rei laughed—soft, surprised.

"Baka."

I glanced at her.

She didn't explain.

We just walked side by side.

No rush.

No words needed.

Her arm brushed mine once—accidental.

She didn't pull away.

Neither did I.

The night felt a little warmer.

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Later that night I was in my room, half-asleep, shirt off, sprawled on the bed.

The door slid open.

I jolted upright.

Akane stood there.

I shouted.

"Why do you enter without knocking?!"

She bowed slightly.

"Sorry. But I have something important to tell."

I scrambled, grabbed my pants from the floor, pulled them on fast—almost tripped.

Sat on the edge of the bed.

"What?"

Akane closed the door behind her.

"Minister Aiko has been monitoring your performance. You haven't mated with anyone. So she's giving you a task. To prove yourself. Otherwise they can't continue providing these resources."

I blinked.

"Now what task? Fight or something?"

"Yes. In the Southern Prefecture, the caves broke out again. The soldiers stationed there were killed. The monsters are heading here. Our task is to go and stop them."

I stared.

"What? How can I alone fight them?"

Akane shook her head.

"Not alone. You. Mio. Rei. And Ren."

I frowned.

"Why Ren?"

"Because he broke the rules. He mate with his personal assistant. So he's being punished too."

I pulled on my shirt while talking.

"When did the Japanese government capture the western peninsula? I mean… the Korean islands."

Akane paused.

"I don't know the full details. But it wasn't supposed to be that long. There was a man—Yoon Taehyuk—who protected that peninsula alone for years. Because they were trapped in chinese debt trap"

I looked up.

"A man? Without any powers?"

She nodded.

"Yes."

I exhaled.

"So… one guy held it by himself."

Akane didn't answer.

We both knew what that meant.

The monsters were coming.

And now we had to stop them.

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*End*

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