Silence.
The battlefield was gone.
Or rather—
It had become something else.
Ruins.
Collapsed buildings.
Cracked streets.
Dust still hanging in the air.
At the center of it all—
Arka lay unconscious.
Blood dried across his body.
Breathing—
Barely stable.
[System Stabilizing…]
The faint glow above him flickered.
Unstable.
[Override Aftereffect Detected]Body Condition: CriticalEnergy Core: Damaged
Everything had a price.
And Arka—
Had paid it.
Somewhere Nearby
Footsteps echoed.
Soft.
Careful.
Lyra stepped into the destroyed area.
Her eyes widened.
"…What the hell…"
The damage—
Was unreal.
"…This was just one fight?"
Her gaze shifted.
And then—
She saw him.
"…Arka."
She rushed forward.
Kneeling beside him.
"…Idiot…"
Her hand hovered slightly—
Before finally touching his shoulder.
"…You're still alive…"
Relief.
Just a little.
Then—
BEEP! BEEP!
Lyra's expression changed.
"…Too late."
From the distance—
Multiple presences approached.
Stronger.
More organized.
"…They're here."
Sky Above
A massive aircraft hovered.
Silent.
Cold.
Inside—
Men in uniform watched the scene below.
"Target confirmed."
"Subject Arka located."
A pause.
"Status?"
"…Barely alive."
Silence.
Then—
"Secure him."
No hesitation.
Back on the Ground
Lyra clenched her teeth.
"…Damn it…"
She looked at Arka.
Unconscious.
Defenseless.
"…If they take you now…"
A pause.
"…you're done."
Her grip tightened.
A choice.
Guild.
Or—
Him.
Footsteps grew closer.
"Target in sight!"
Voices echoed.
Lyra stood up.
Slowly.
"…I hate this."
She drew her weapon.
And stepped forward.
Blocking their path.
"…No one touches him."
Silence.
The hunters froze.
"…Lyra?"
"…Move."
"…No."
Tension filled the air.
"You're betraying the guild?"
Lyra's eyes hardened.
"…I'm making my own decision."
A long pause.
Then—
Weapons were raised.
"…Then you're an enemy too."
Lyra exhaled slowly.
"…Yeah."
Her aura ignited.
"…Guess so."
Behind Her
Arka lay still.
Unaware.
But above him—
The system flickered again.
[New Function Stabilizing…]
Something—
Was changing.
Not just his power.
But the system itself.
And this time—
It wasn't just reacting.
It was evolving.
🔥 END OF CHAPTER 16