Just before stepping out of the bar, Blaze suddenly stopped.
SK was already halfway outside when she noticed.
"Sir?" she called.
Blaze turned back.
For a brief moment, his eyes met the bartender's.
The man behind the counter was smiling.
Not a polite smile.
Not a professional one.
A knowing smile.
The bartender leaned slightly forward and murmured under his breath—
"Found you."
Blaze's brow furrowed.
Something stirred deep in his chest—an echo of familiarity, sharp and fleeting—but before he could grasp it, SK grabbed his sleeve.
"Sir, move! We're already behind schedule."
Blaze allowed himself to be pulled out, casting one last glance at the bar before the door closed behind them.
Back on the streets of the Empire capital, neon lights washed over them as they returned to their patrol route.
"Sir," SK said firmly, breaking the silence, "you really need to stop disappearing like that."
Blaze let out a small laugh, rubbing the back of his head. "Sorry. Got a little distracted."
SK sighed, clearly relieved he was back but still annoyed.
They continued sweeping through the city, boots echoing softly against polished stone. For a while, neither of them spoke.
Eventually, SK broke the silence.
"Sir… what are you going to do about Ryze's situation?"
Blaze glanced at her sideways. "Oh? I can't believe you care about Ryze."
His tone was teasing, light.
SK stiffened immediately. "It's not like that, sir. She's still a Resistance soldier. I just want her out of the Empire."
"Out of concern?" Blaze asked casually.
"No," SK replied quickly. "Because the Resistance is a menace to the Empire."
Blaze chuckled softly. "The Resistance, huh? Is the Resistance really a problem for the great Empire?"
SK opened her mouth—then stopped.
She hesitated.
"…Sir," she said carefully, "the Empire's goal is to bring law and order to all games."
Blaze nodded slowly. "And if Ryze were here, she'd probably counter that with her own view of the Empire."
SK frowned. "Well, she's not here."
Blaze laughed quietly. "Exactly."
SK glanced at him, still uneasy.
"Don't worry," Blaze said calmly. "I've got this covered."
SK wasn't entirely convinced—but she trusted him.
And that was enough.
By the end of the day, the patrol finally concluded.
They stopped at a quiet intersection where their paths would split.
"Sir," SK said, straightening. "I'll take my leave now. I need to send my report. Just call me if you need anything."
Blaze waved her off. "Don't worry. Go ahead. I'll be fine."
SK nodded and turned away.
Inside the Empire facility, SK walked through the long metallic halls. Soldiers moved aside instinctively, forming a clear path for her.
Whispers followed in her wake.
"That's SK the Reaper…"
"She's insanely strong…"
"She's the one who captured the Resistance sniper, right?"
"The Starlink Sniper…"
SK's steps slowed just slightly.
"…Starlink Sniper," she murmured under her breath.
The title echoed uncomfortably in her chest.
She continued down the corridor until she stopped before a guarded door.
Two elite soldiers stood watch.
High-level guards?
Her unease grew.
SK stepped forward.
The guards immediately opened the door for her.
Inside, the room was dim and cold.
A single figure sat at the table.
"Commander?" SK said, surprised.
Commander Frostbyte looked up, fingers laced together, his expression unreadable.
"Ah… SK the Reaper," he said smoothly. "You finally arrived."
SK felt it immediately.
Something was wrong.
"I was just about to submit my report," she said carefully. "What are you doing here, sir? Aren't you supposed to be at the command center?"
Frostbyte smiled faintly.
"The command center can wait," he replied. "There's something I need to discuss with you."
The door slid shut behind her.
And the lock clicked.