The blade stopped inches from Kael's face.
Silence.
For a split second—
Everything froze.
Kael's breath trembled.
His heart pounded violently in his chest.
—I… actually dodged it…
The man didn't move.
Didn't blink.
He simply stared.
Watching.
Analyzing.
—That's new.
…
Kael stepped back slowly.
Trying to control his breathing.
—If I can dodge it once…
His hands trembled.
—Then I can survive.
…
The man straightened.
His grip on the knife relaxed slightly.
Not careless.
Just… confident.
—You're not supposed to fight back.
…
Kael's eyes narrowed.
—Who decided that?
…
A pause.
Then—
A faint smile.
Cold.
Amused.
—You did.
…
Kael's mind shook.
—What…?
The man stepped forward.
Slow.
Measured.
—Every time.
…
Kael clenched his fists.
—Stop saying that like you know me!
…
The man tilted his head.
—You still don't understand.
…
Step.
Another step.
Kael didn't run.
Didn't turn away.
He stayed.
—Then explain it!
…
The man stopped in front of him.
Close enough to kill him again.
—You begged for this.
…
Silence.
Kael's body stiffened.
—That's… not true…
…
The man leaned closer.
—You wanted to go back.
—You wanted another chance.
—You wanted to fix everything.
…
Each word hit harder than the last.
Kael's breathing became unstable.
—No…
Fragments.
Images.
Something broken.
Something distant.
Flashing in his mind.
—Stop…
The man's voice dropped.
Almost a whisper.
—So I gave it to you.
…
Kael's eyes widened.
—You… what…?
…
The blade moved again.
Faster.
Sharper.
This time—
Kael reacted.
He twisted his body—
The blade grazed his arm.
—AGH—!
Pain exploded through him.
But he didn't fall.
Didn't panic.
He stepped back.
Breathing hard.
—I… didn't die…
…
The man stopped.
Watching him.
Carefully.
—You survived.
…
Kael looked at his arm.
Blood.
But not fatal.
—This is different…
…
His eyes slowly lifted.
Locking onto the man.
—This time…
His voice shook.
But there was something new.
—I'm not dying so easily.
…
Silence.
For the first time—
The man's expression changed.
Just slightly.
Interest.
—So the loop is starting to break.
…
Kael froze.
—Loop…?
…
The man stepped back.
Calm.
Almost relaxed.
—Good.
…
Kael's heart pounded.
—Wait—!
But—
The man turned away.
Walking into the shadows.
Like he was never there.
—We'll see how long you last.
…
He disappeared.
Just like that.
…
Silence.
Kael stood there.
Breathing heavily.
Alive.
Actually alive.
…
—What… the hell is happening…?
…
A voice answered behind him.
—You survived longer.
…
Kael froze.
Slowly turning.
Airi.
Standing there.
Watching him.
—You saw him.
…
Kael's voice trembled.
—You knew.
…
Airi didn't deny it.
—Of course.
…
His fists clenched.
—Then tell me what this is!
…
Airi walked closer.
Calm.
Unafraid.
—It's your punishment.
…
Silence.
—Punishment…?
…
She nodded.
—For something you did.
…
Kael's mind spun.
—What did I do…?
…
Airi stopped in front of him.
Looking directly into his eyes.
—That's the problem.
…
A pause.
Then she whispered—
—You don't remember anymore.