Ex rank talent Awakening: 100% Dodge rate

"Hahahaha!" Chris laughed, his voice echoing in the sterile hospital room as he doubled over, clutching his sides.

Brian stared at him, utterly bewildered. "Why are you laughing?" he asked, confusion creasing his brows. The grin on Chris's face wasn't helping. Brian's heart tightened—was this it? Had the trauma pushed his friend past the edge into insanity?

But Chris's eyes gleamed with clarity, not madness.

"Because…" Chris trailed with suspense, the corner of his mouth twitching mischievously.

In the blink of an eye, he vanished from the bed and reappeared beside Brian, sitting casually like nothing had happened.

"I'm completely fine," he said with a satisfied smile, clearly amused by Brian's stunned expression. "It worked. Gotcha."

Brian stared, mouth slightly agape. "You're… fine?" His voice was a mixture of relief, irritation, and disbelief. Deep inside, he wanted to punch Chris and hug him at the same time. The prank had worked, and Brian had fallen for it.

Suppressing a groan, Brian crossed his arms. "That's nice to know," he said dryly, burying the storm of emotion swirling inside him.

"Chill, bro. You look like you're about to cut me into pieces," Chris said with a chuckle. He stretched his arms and legs, rolling his shoulders with exaggerated relief. "Anyway, I've had enough of being cooped up in this damn hospital. Let's get outta here."

Without waiting for a response, Chris headed toward the door, eager to breathe the outside air again. Brian followed, still a little dazed but happy nonetheless.

The two stepped out of the hospital building together. The city streets, however, were anything but peaceful.

Screams rang through the air. People ran in panic. Fires flickered in the distance, the smell of smoke biting at their noses. Vehicles were overturned, and shattered glass littered the sidewalks.

"What the hell is going on?" Chris muttered, taking in the chaotic scene unfolding before them.

"I have no idea," Brian replied. "It wasn't like this when I came in."

Just then, a thunderous voice called out.

"You there! Hand over all your belongings!" A massive man approached them, his face twisted with aggression. His height easily surpassed seven feet, and thick slabs of muscle bulged beneath the battered metal armor covering his frame. A greatsword rested on his shoulder like a toy, its edge stained dark with dried blood.

"I advise you not to play smart if you don't want to forfeit your life," the man growled, eyeing the duo like prey.

Chris blinked, unimpressed. "Is this guy roleplaying or something?"

Brian shrugged, just as confused.

"You dare mock me?!" the brute roared, veins bulging across his neck. Enraged, he leapt into the air, his sword raised high above his head as he prepared to cleave them in two.

"You know," Chris said calmly, his voice now just a whisper in the air beside the man. "You should really look at someone's face before making your move."

The bandit's eyes widened in shock—Chris was right in front of him midair, having teleported without warning.

"How did you—!?"

The man swung his sword out of instinct, but he was too slow.

In a fluid motion, Chris appeared behind him, gripping a sleek dagger in his hand—one he'd kept in his inventory. With a precise stab to the neck, the fight was over before it had begun. Blood sprayed midair as the massive man's body went limp, crashing to the ground like a felled tree.

Chris reappeared next to Brian, brushing nonchalantly at his jacket like he'd just swatted a fly.

"Let's go."

Brian glanced at the corpse, a frown tugging at his lips. "You know… he's not coming back to life, right?"

"I know," Chris replied coldly. "And I'm fine with that. If someone like him has no problem trying to kill strangers for no reason, then he's better off gone. Next time, his victim might not be able to fight back."

Brian didn't reply immediately. The logic was there, harsh but rational. After a moment, he simply nodded.

Chris noticed the silence. "Don't tell me you'd have spared him?"

"Maybe," Brian admitted. "Probably would've just crippled him. Enough to make sure he couldn't hurt anyone again."

Chris clicked his tongue. "Tsk. Always the goody two shoes. Some things never change."

They walked on through the ruined city, Chris enjoying his long-denied freedom with each step. Though the streets were chaotic, there was an odd tranquility in the way the two moved—one alert and kind, the other ruthless and confident. People occasionally tried to attack them, but they never got far. Either Chris would act first, or Brian would step in like a silent guardian.

Eventually, Chris exhaled deeply, looking up at the darkening sky. "Well, that was fun. Now that we've stretched our legs, I guess it's time to contact Nemesis."

"Yeah," Brian agreed, then paused. Their eyes met.

They both realized at the same moment—they had no way of reaching Greg.

Just as they were about to give up, Brian's phone rang.

He glanced at the screen. Unknown number.

"…Hello?"

"Brian." The voice was calm, commanding, and unmistakable.

"Greg?" Brian straightened instinctively. "You're calling?"

"I assume you're with Chris."

"Yeah, he's right here."

"Good. Pin your location and stay where you are. Pegasus will be arriving shortly to pick you up," Greg said, then ended the call without another word.

Chris tilted his head. "Who was that?"

"Greg," Brian replied slowly, still processing. "He said… he's sending a Pegasus to pick us up."

Chris blinked. "Pegasus? Like, the flying horse?"

Brian nodded. "Apparently."

They both stood in silence for a moment, glancing around with visible doubt.

But then, the wind shifted.

"Uhm… Brian. Are those…?"

"Pegasus," Brian finished as majestic creatures descended from the skies above. Their wings stretched wide like banners of light, hooves touching the ground with regal grace.

"Holy crap," Chris muttered. "You weren't joking."

A few reckless people tried to intercept the winged beasts, drawn by greed or confusion. They didn't live long enough to regret it.

Brian and Chris climbed onto one of the Pegasi, gripping its mane as it launched into the sky with a powerful gust of wind. The world below shrank rapidly.

Soon, they landed on a floating island that defied all reason.

Castles dotted the landscape like crowns upon a god's head. Waterfalls spilled into the void from impossible heights. The sky here was brighter, freer—unreal.

They dismounted slowly, gazing in awe.

"Close your mouths, you're embarrassing yourselves," a familiar voice called out.

Cain approached from the opposite side, dismounting his own Pegasus with casual flair.

"You," Chris said, irritation bubbling in his chest. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Cain smirked. "What makes you think you deserve to be here more than I do?"

Chris clenched his fists. He hadn't forgotten the way Cain once insulted Brian. The hatred lingered like a bitter aftertaste.

"Enough!" Greg's voice thundered through the air as he walked toward them, calm but exuding authority. "I didn't bring you here to fight. If that's your plan, I'll gladly throw you all off this floating island right now."

"Tell him that," Cain said with a shrug, raising both hands innocently. "I'm just here to sleep."

Greg ignored the sarcasm and turned to all of them. "Pick a castle. It's yours. Everything you'll need is inside. When you're done settling in, meet me in the central castle. We have much to discuss."

With that, he walked away.