The city skyline burned crimson under the warning flare.
Monsters had breached the sector.
And at the heart of it stood Juwon—Hero No.1.
The black-and-red mask covered half his face, the sharp lines of his jaw hidden under the reinforced suit. His presence was calm. Silent. Deadly.
He moved like a ghost between the shadows, taking down the aberrations that crawled from the alley cracks. His gloves pulsed with energy, blades of force slicing through tendrils and bone.
From a rooftop nearby, Taerim landed lightly, her cloak fluttering behind her.
"You're late," Juwon said, without turning.
"Didn't know you missed me," she replied, sarcasm lacing her tone.
"Not really," he said. "The monsters missed you more."
Taerim's lips twitched. Not quite a smile.
Siyoon landed beside her, expression dark. "You act like this is a game."
"It's survival," Juwon answered. "And I always win."
Siyoon stepped forward, fists clenched. "You think you're untouchable just because you wear that mask?"
"No," Juwon said, looking straight at Taerim this time. "I wear it because I lost the right to show my real face."
Taerim's breath caught.
That voice—clear now, no distortion.
That gaze—soft beneath the sharpness.
Her heart twisted.
"…Juwon?"
He turned away quickly, activating his comm. "Team Two, clear the perimeter. Team Three, assist from north sector. Reinforcements will arrive in three minutes."
She stepped toward him. "It's really you."
Juwon didn't answer.
Taerim removed her mask too, letting her identity show under the streetlight's pale glow.
Their eyes met.
And for a moment—time folded back ten years.
---
Back in the lab.
He was seven. She was six.
She cried in the dark cell.
He crawled over, small and thin, and wrapped his arms around her shoulders.
"I'll protect you," he whispered. "Even if I die."
And he did.
Again and again.
Until the fire.
Until the separation.
Until the pain erased everything but survival.
---
"You survived," she whispered now, voice breaking.
"You too," he said softly.
She moved toward him—slowly.
And he let her.
Let her hug him tight around the waist, trembling.
"I thought I lost you."
"You didn't," he said, resting his hand lightly on her head.
"But you forgot."
She stiffened.
Juwon pulled back. Just enough.
"I never forgot you, Taerim."
"Then why…?"
"Because I didn't want you to see what I became."
She looked up at him—really looked.
He had the same eyes.
Haunted. Kind. Broken.
"You're still you," she said.
"You wouldn't say that if you saw what I did to survive."
"Then show me."
He looked away. "I'm not ready."
Siyoon cleared his throat behind them. "Hate to break your moment, but there's still a demon rampaging."
Taerim nodded. "Right. Back to work."
Together, they rejoined the fight.
---
Meanwhile, at the Guild HQ, the three Commanders stood before the main screen.
Joonbyul's brows furrowed. "She's reconnected with Juwon."
Joonhyuk leaned forward. "And Siyoon. Looks like she's remembering."
Joonseok turned to the side. "Should we tell her the rest?"
"Not yet," Joonbyul replied. "Not until she's ready."
Joonhyuk cracked his knuckles. "But the scientists—Project Echelon—they're moving again."
Joonseok's voice was ice. "Then we prepare for war."
---
Back at school, the danger passed. The sky returned to its usual dull grey.
But everything had changed.
Taerim sat in the greenhouse again, fingers brushing the old drawing.
This time, she read the names clearly:
Taerim. Juwon. Siyoon. Harin. Hajoon. Yulseung. Gyeongho.
Joonbyul. Joonseok. Joonhyuk.
A tear slid down her cheek.
"My family," she whispered.
"I remember you all."
Behind her, Juwon stepped into the moonlight.
And removed his mask.
---