The Night Deepens.
Rain began to fall, but it didn't touch Jiwoon.
Around him, a barrier of sin energy flickered faintly — instinctive, unconscious.
He stood still on the temple roof, the words repeating in his mind:
"Find the one whose name was erased."
Flash Memory – A Burning Cradle
A boy crying.
A temple in flames.
Hands reaching toward him — then vanishing into smoke.
And a voice…
"Protect the other."
Jiwoon snapped awake. The vision had felt… real.
Downstairs – In the Vault
Kaelya and Vera stood beside the ancient terminal.
"There's no record of the second name," Kaelya said.
"The system buried it too deep."
"But not completely," Vera murmured.
"Look. A string of corrupted code… it loops."
They played it back.
A distorted voice. Genderless. Mechanical.
["Name redacted. Subject deemed too unstable. Memory burn complete."]
Qilin's Theory
In the hall, Qilin crossed his arms.
"If there was another… then maybe the system didn't pick Jiwoon by chance."
"You're saying he was the fallback?" Vera asked.
"Or the backup. Or the weapon left behind."
Jiwoon's Quiet Resolve
Jiwoon didn't argue. He already knew.
His life hadn't been written — it had been rewritten.
"They erased someone."
"And made me forget."
His fingers closed tightly around the lotus coin.
"Then I'll rewrite the system again… with blood if I have to."
The Coin Glows Again
Without warning, the black lotus in Jiwoon's hand shone.
A beam of light pointed toward the east — not random. Deliberate.
System Directive Unlocked
Path to Forgotten Data Vault: Available
Warning: Contents May Corrupt Host Stability
Decision Point
Jiwoon turned to the others.
"I'm going."
"Alone?" Vera said sharply.
"It started with me," he answered.
"I'll be the one to end it."
Kaelya frowned.
"You mean to finish it, right?"
Jiwoon didn't reply.
Final Panel
Jiwoon, still in his child form, walks alone into the storm — black lotus coin glowing in his palm.
Behind him, Qilin, Vera, and Kaelya watch in silence.
System Note:
Unknown Data Signature Detected
Coordinates locked: Vault of the Erased Name
Target: Reclamation of the Lost Contract