Isaac shifted lazily in his hospital bed, clothes still damp from Maya's tears. He stretched a hand toward the nightstand, fingers brushing the remote. With a click, the television lit up, voices filling the quiet room as he flipped through channels until stopping at the news.
"...The city is still recovering from the attack that targeted the Hunter's Academy three days ago..."
Isaac froze mid-recline. His brows furrowed. Three days...? He knew he had been unconscious, but three whole days? That was excessive, even for him.
He raised the volume, eyes glued to the screen.
"Authorities confirm that around two hundred students and faculty members lost their lives during the assault. Among the dead was Blade, a well-known B-rank awakener and instructor. Reports state he died heroically, holding off intruders to protect the students—"
Pfft—
A sharp laugh escaped Isaac before he could stop it. He pressed a hand to his forehead, shaking his head.
"Heroic, my ass," he muttered, sarcasm dripping from his voice. "Oh, this is rich... What did I expect? Those higher-ups must be trying to bury the truth again."
"Indeed. What a waste of time."
The familiar voice made Isaac jolt upright, heart slamming in his chest. His head snapped to the side—and there he was.
The Trader. Leaning casually against the wall, a fruit basket dangling from his arm as if this were some leisurely visit.
Isaac's throat went dry. His voice came out shaking.
"...Why. Why are you here?"
The Trader tilted his head, eyes glinting mischievously.
"Hmmm, what do you mean why? Dear customer—" He paused, lips curling into a smirk. "No, no... I mean, dear son-in-law."
The remote slipped from Isaac's hand, clattering to the floor. His face paled, while the Trader's grin widened with cruel satisfaction. He drank in Isaac's choking expression as if it were fine wine.
"There's nothing wrong with a father-in-law visiting his son-in-law in the hospital, is there?" His voice was playful, mockery woven into every syllable. "Especially after such a traumatic experience."
Isaac scowled, venom dripping in his reply.
"You've grown quite the twisted sense of humor since we last met."
The Trader only chuckled, unfazed.
Isaac exhaled sharply, pushing the subject away. "Forget it. Tell me—what happened while I was out?"
The Trader's smirk twitched, annoyance flashing briefly before he shrugged.
"Well, as you heard, some students died... some got 'kidnapped.' At least, that's what the authorities are calling it."
Isaac's eyes narrowed. "And by 'kidnapped,' I assume you mean they joined hands with the System Believers?"
The Trader raised a brow, feigning innocence.
"Who knows? It's not like a humble merchant such as myself could possibly understand the complicated schemes of our great leaders."
Isaac rolled his eyes. "Yeah. Right."
"Oh, damn." The Trader's gaze flicked out the window, his smirk curling again. "It seems you're about to have another guest. My cue to leave." Purple smoke began to seep from his body, curling upward.
Isaac leaned back on his pillow, watching the mist consume him. His voice was casual, almost lazy.
"I guess you're right. We'll talk next time trader.. Or should I say—"
His eyes sharpened, lips tugging into a smirk.
"Sir Maverick."
The Trader froze mid-fade. For the first time, his face went completely blank.
Then, with a flash of teeth that was more irritation than amusement, he vanished into the smoke.
Isaac snorted. "Who told you to act like a smart-ass," he muttered to himself, adjusting his pillow and settling back down. He didn't have long to rest before—
Knock. Knock.
"Come in," Isaac called.
The door opened. A nurse stepped inside, followed by a man and woman in sleek black suits. The man adjusted his glasses, his gaze sharp, professional.
"Hello. My name is Roderick, Awakening Management Office," he said crisply. He gestured to the woman beside him. "This is my assistant, Miss Kim. We're here to record your testimony about the incident at the Academy."
Roderick pulled up a chair, flipping open a notebook and uncapping a pen. His eyes scanned Isaac with unnerving precision.
"Your name is Isaac, correct? According to our files, you were not awakened prior to this incident. Yet now..." He squinted, his tone measured. "...I sense mana within you. Care to explain?"
Isaac leaned back, expression bored, tone laced with disrespect.
"Yeah. Got awakened when some lunatic tried to smash my head in with a hammer. Lucky me."
Roderick scribbled something down, lips pressing into a thin line. He asked again.
"Did you happen to see a student named Kaine?"
Isaac shook his head. "Nope. Probably ran off with the rest when the barrier fell."
Roderick's pen scratched the page again.
"And the barrier itself—do you know how it fell?"
"Malfunction. Or sabotage. Who knows." Isaac's shrug was deliberately casual.
The questions continued, each one sharper, each of Isaac's answers a carefully wrapped lie. Finally, Roderick closed his notebook and rose from his chair. He slipped a card from his suit pocket, placing it on the nightstand.
"This is my number. If you remember anything... call me."
With that, he left, Miss Kim following quietly. Isaac leaned back, exhaling deeply as he watched them climb into a sleek black car from his window.
Inside the vehicle, silence hung heavy until Miss Kim spoke.
"That kid... he's something else."
Roderick tapped the notebook against his knee, eyes narrowing.
"My awakening ability lets me force the truth out of anyone as long as I'm looking at them." Her brows furrowed, unease creeping into her tone. "But with him... I couldn't tell. I don't know if he got lucky, or if he's hiding something far more dangerous."
Roderick shut his notebook, eyes still locked on the hospital growing smaller in the rear-view mirror. His voice was low, weighted with thought