Night slowly settled over Eclipse Dominion University.
The towering campus buildings sank into deep blue shadow as rows of path lights flickered to life across the quiet grounds.
Jin walked alone along the stone path leading toward the student dormitories.
His pace was steady.
But his mind wasn't.
The events from earlier replayed quietly in his thoughts.
The assassin.
Veron.
The message.
And Mira.
Then he exhaled slowly.
"It's been a long day…"
But the day hadn't ended yet.
His phone vibrated.
The sudden sound cut through the silence of the campus.
He glanced down.
Caller ID: William Hayes
Jin answered.
"Yeah."
William's voice came through immediately.
"You forgot, didn't you?"
Jin frowned slightly.
"Forgot what?"
William laughed.
"The descent."
Jin stopped walking.
Right.
For a moment, he had completely forgotten.
Tonight.
William had been preparing another private descent.
And Jin had agreed to join him.
Jin immediately broke into a run toward the dormitory.
"I'll be ready."
William sounded satisfied.
"Good."
A short pause.
"We leave in an hour."
The call ended.
Jin was already moving.
He pushed through the dorm entrance and climbed the stairs two at a time.
Within seconds, he reached his room.
The door opened.
Lights flicked on.
Moments later—
steam filled the bathroom.
Hot water poured over Jin's shoulders as he stood beneath the shower.
His thoughts were already shifting.
Assassin.
Ethan.
And now—
another Abyss descent.
Interesting timing.
Minutes later—
the water shut off.
The bathroom door opened.
Jin stepped out, droplets still running down his skin.
Dark training pants hung low on his waist.
A towel rested loosely around his neck as he dried his hair.
He walked into the room—
—and stopped.
Someone was lying comfortably on his bed.
A girl.
Long black hair spilled over her shoulders.
Bright green eyes watched him with open amusement.
Jin blinked once.
"…When did you get here, Min Ji?"
The girl smiled widely.
"Well."
She tilted her head slightly.
"You could start with hello. I missed you."
Jin walked calmly toward the wardrobe.
"You broke into my room."
Min Ji raised an eyebrow.
"'Broke in' sounds dramatic."
She gestured lazily toward the door.
"It wasn't exactly difficult."
Jin pulled out a shirt.
"You didn't answer the question."
Min Ji rested her chin on her hand.
"I arrived today."
Her eyes wandered around the dorm room.
"The most prestigious university in the world."
Then they returned to him.
"So of course I came."
Jin gave her a sideways glance.
"That the only reason?"
She grinned.
"It really is."
Then she added playfully,
"Though with you here… things should be much more interesting."
Jin slipped the shirt over his head.
It was a fitted training shirt, the fabric tightening across his shoulders and back as he pulled it down.
Min Ji's eyes followed the movement.
"…Wow."
Jin ignored the comment and grabbed his jacket.
"How did you find my room?"
Min Ji shrugged.
"The student database wasn't that hard to access."
She lazily twirled a strand of her hair.
"Your university security is impressive… for normal people."
Jin paused slightly.
That reminded him of something.
The night Veron had slipped inside.
The door had been unlocked then too.
He glanced toward the lock.
"…The university should really upgrade these doors."
Min Ji laughed.
"Or maybe you should stop attracting strange visitors."
Jin walked toward the door.
"I'll deal with you later."
Min Ji blinked.
"Wait, that's it?"
He opened the door.
"I have somewhere to be."
She stared at him.
"You're kicking me out after I traveled all this way?"
Jin stepped into the hallway.
"You're not escaping that easily."
Min Ji narrowed her eyes.
"You sound like a corrupt mafia boss."
Jin paused for half a second.
A faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Then he walked away.
Min Ji remained sitting on the bed.
Watching the door.
Then she laughed quietly.
"…He hasn't changed at all."