Morning came quietly.
Too quietly.
Sunlight slipped through the narrow window, casting a pale glow across the room. It felt… normal.
Too normal.
Kael sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the light.
"…It's peaceful."
But he didn't trust it.
Because nothing about his situation was peaceful.
A facility.
Surrounded by S-Rank Hunters.
Watched.
Studied.
And yet—
Free.
"…For now."
A knock came at the door.
Three short taps.
Kael didn't answer.
"…Come in."
The door opened.
Han Seojun stepped inside.
Same calm expression.
Same controlled presence.
But this time—
He wasn't alone.
Two others followed behind him.
Kael glanced at them once.
And immediately understood.
"…More S-Ranks."
One was a tall man with silver hair and a cold gaze.
The other—
A woman.
Sharp eyes.
Quiet.
Both of them—
Watching him.
Measuring him.
Han Seojun spoke first.
"…How are you feeling?"
Kael smirked slightly.
"…Like I'm being babysat."
The silver-haired man scoffed.
"…You should be grateful you're not being restrained."
Kael looked at him.
Slowly.
"…You want to try?"
Silence.
Tension snapped instantly.
The air grew heavy.
The woman stepped forward slightly.
"…Enough."
Her voice was calm.
But firm.
"…We're not here to fight."
Kael leaned back slightly.
"…Then talk."
Han Seojun nodded.
"…We're setting terms."
That caught Kael's attention.
"…Terms?"
"…For your stay here."
Kael raised an eyebrow.
"…So I'm not a prisoner…"
A pause.
"…But I still have rules?"
Han Seojun didn't deny it.
"…Yes."
Silence filled the room.
Then—
Kael laughed softly.
"…Alright."
He stood up.
"…Let's hear them."
Han Seojun raised one finger.
"…First rule."
A pause.
"…No unnecessary use of your power inside the facility."
Kael nodded.
"…Makes sense."
Second finger.
"…You will undergo regular evaluations."
Kael didn't respond.
But he didn't refuse either.
Third finger.
"…If a Gate anomaly occurs—"
He stopped for a moment.
"…You will assist."
That—
Made Kael smile.
"…So that's what this is."
Han Seojun's gaze didn't waver.
"…We need you."
Honest.
Direct.
Kael walked closer.
Step by step.
"…You don't even know what I am."
"…No."
"…And you still want to use me?"
"…Yes."
Silence.
Kael stared at him.
Then—
He chuckled.
"…You're either brave…"
A pause.
"…Or stupid."
The silver-haired man stepped forward instantly.
"…Watch your tone—"
Before he could finish—
The room changed.
The shadows moved.
Just slightly.
But that was enough.
A pressure filled the space.
Heavy.
Cold.
Wrong.
Everyone felt it.
The silver-haired man froze.
His instincts screaming.
Danger.
Not from an attack.
But from existence itself.
Kael didn't even look at him.
"…Relax."
The pressure vanished.
Like it was never there.
Silence.
The woman narrowed her eyes.
"…You did that on purpose."
Kael shrugged.
"…Just a reminder."
Han Seojun exhaled slowly.
"…Noted."
He lowered his hand.
"…Final rule."
A pause.
"…Do not leave the facility without permission."
Kael smiled.
"…That one…"
He turned slightly toward the window.
"…Might be hard."
The air grew tense again.
"…Is that a refusal?"
Kael looked back.
"…No."
A pause.
"…It's a warning."
Silence.
Han Seojun nodded once.
"…Understood."
The tension settled.
But didn't disappear.
"…Anything else?" Kael asked.
Han Seojun shook his head.
"…That's all."
The silver-haired man turned toward the door.
Clearly annoyed.
The woman followed.
But before leaving—
She glanced back at Kael.
"…You're not the only dangerous thing here."
Kael met her gaze.
"…I hope not."
Because if he was—
That would be boring.
The door closed.
Kael stood alone again.
"…Rules, huh…"
He muttered quietly.
Then—
He laughed.
Because rules—
Only mattered—
If you chose to follow them.
Elsewhere in the facility—
Deep underground—
A sealed chamber trembled slightly.
Darkness filled the space.
Thick.
Heavy.
Contained.
Barely.
A voice echoed.
Faint.
"…He's here…"
Something responded.
"…Finally…"
The seals flickered.
Just for a moment.
Then stabilized.
But it was enough.
Because now—
Something inside the facility—
Had noticed Kael.
And unlike the others—
It wasn't observing him.
It was waiting.