Reyan walked out of the classroom as soon as the bell rang.
His face was blank.
Not the same emptiness he used to carry before.
This one was colder. Heavier.
Students passed by him, laughing and talking about graduation, military placement, abilities. Reyan didn't hear any of it. His senses were sharper now. Too sharp.
Footsteps echoed behind him.
One set.
Then another.
He didn't turn around.
They're following me, Reyan thought calmly.
And I already know who sent them.
He walked faster through the corridor, heading toward the school exit. The closer he got to the doors, the stronger the pressure in his chest became.
Before he could step outside, someone blocked his path.
"Hey, Fool."
A boy stood in front of him. One of Kaisav's people.
"Kaisav wants to talk to you."
Reyan looked at him. His eyes were dull, emotionless.
"I don't want to meet him," Reyan said.
His voice sounded empty even to himself.
The boy laughed. "You don't have a choice."
He grabbed Reyan's arm.
Reyan didn't resist.
He was dragged through the side corridor, past old storage rooms, until they reached the back of the school. The place was hidden from most cameras. A dirty, unused yard surrounded by cracked walls and weeds.
Three boys were already there.
In the middle stood Kaisav.
His arms were crossed. His eyes were sharp. Angry.
"You came," Kaisav said. "Good."
Reyan was pushed forward.
Kaisav stepped closer. "You really made the worst mistake, you know that?"
Reyan said nothing.
"You should've stayed dead," Kaisav continued. "You embarrassed me. You scared people. And now…"
His lips curled into a grin.
"…now I can kill you properly."
Reyan finally spoke.
"I don't think so."
Kaisav laughed. "Oh? Still pretending to be brave?"
His eyes glowed faintly violet.
Psychic pressure flooded the air.
Kaisav reached into Reyan's mind.
Or at least—he tried to.
[Warning: External mental control detected.]
[Undead resistance activated.]
[Effect nullified.]
Kaisav froze.
"What?" he muttered.
He pushed harder. The pressure increased.
Nothing happened.
Reyan's mind stayed still. Silent. Empty.
Kaisav stepped back. Confusion crossed his face.
"How did you block it?" he demanded. "No one can block me!"
Reyan didn't answer.
Kaisav clenched his fist. "Fine."
He pointed at a rock near his feet.
The rock lifted into the air.
With a sharp motion of his hand, he sent it flying.
Two boys grabbed Reyan's arms from behind, holding him in place.
The rock slammed into Reyan's chest.
Pain didn't come.
But damage did.
Blood burst from his mouth.
[Health: 4 / 5]
Reyan staggered, held upright only by the boys gripping him.
That was strong, he thought.
If he does that a few more times…
Kaisav didn't wait.
Another rock lifted.
It struck again.
And again.
And again.
Each hit crushed deeper into his chest.
Bones cracked.
His body bent inward slightly.
[Health: 2 / 5]
[Warning: Critical damage detected.]
[Hunger increasing.]
[Control stability dropping.]
Reyan's vision blurred.
His pupils began to turn pale.
White.
The world around him shifted.
He could see it now.
Souls.
Faint lights inside the bodies around him.
The two boys holding him…
They shone.
[Emergency Option Available.]
[Forceful extraction of soul resonance possible.]
[Warning: Soul Lust will increase.]
Reyan barely processed the words.
Instinct answered first.
His hand touched the boy on his left.
The boy suddenly felt weak.
"Hey…" he muttered. "What's happening?"
At first, he thought it was the heat.
Then his legs shook.
His breathing grew shallow.
His skin turned pale.
Reyan felt something flow into him.
Warm.
Heavy.
Addictive.
The boy's body started to sink inward. His face aged rapidly. His eyes lost focus.
"What the hell—?!" the other boy shouted.
The boy pulled himself away from Reyan with the last of his strength.
He collapsed to the ground.
Not dead.
But close.
Kaisav stepped back.
Fear flashed across his face.
"What… what did you do?"
Reyan's mind cleared slightly.
The hunger eased.
[Partial soul resonance consumed: 75%]
[Hunger reduced.]
[Soul Lust increased.]
[Health restored: +2]
[You have consumed your first soul resonance.]
[Free Stat Point acquired.]
[Experience gained: +10]
Reyan straightened.
Blood still stained his lips, but his body felt… better.
Stronger.
He looked at Kaisav.
"So this is real," Reyan said quietly.
Kaisav swallowed. "What did you do to him?"
Reyan glanced at the collapsed boy.
"Nothing much," he said. "He's sleeping."
Then his eyes hardened.
"But if you don't take him to a doctor… he'll sleep forever."
Kaisav's fear turned into rage.
"I'll kill you!" he shouted.
A larger rock lifted into the air.
Before it could fly—
A voice cut through the tension.
"Do you really think you can do that?"
Everyone turned.
A boy stood near the wall.
Long black hair tied into a loose ponytail.
Green jacket over a black t-shirt.
Hands in his pockets.
He looked annoyed.
He walked forward slowly.
"Well, Kaisav," the boy said, stopping beside Reyan, "do you really think you can kill someone while I'm here?"
He placed a hand on Reyan's shoulder.
Kaisav's face twisted. "Why are you here? This has nothing to do with you."
The boy tilted his head.
"I don't like people who show off their power by beating weaker ones," he said casually.
Kaisav sneered. "And what are you going to do about it?"
The boy shrugged. "Me? Nothing."
Then he pointed upward.
"But he might."
Everyone looked toward the back window on the first floor.
The boy leaned closer to Reyan.
"Why are you looking up there, you fool?" he whispered. "No one's there. Run."
He grabbed Reyan's hand.
And ran.
Reyan ran with him.
Behind them, Kaisav shouted, "He tricked us! Catch them!"
One boy stayed behind to help the collapsed one.
The others chased.
The boy pulled Reyan through narrow paths, between buildings, over broken fences. Reyan's body moved faster than before, keeping up.
They didn't stop until they were far from the school.
The boy finally slowed down.
He let go of Reyan's hand.
"…Damn," he said, breathing lightly. "You're heavier than you look, Corpse Boy."
Reyan looked at him.
"…Why did you help me?"
The boy smiled crookedly.
"Because things were about to get messy," he said. "And I hate cleaning up blood."
He turned to leave.
"Oh," he added, glancing back, "name's Dev."
Reyan watched him walk away.
For the first time since dying…
Something inside him shifted.
Not emotion.
But something close.
Reyan and Dev ran straight into the crowd of students leaving the school grounds.
Laughter, shouting, and chatter filled the air. Bags swung over shoulders. Some students waved goodbye. Others talked excitedly about the future.
Reyan blended into the crowd easily.
Behind them, Kaisav and one other boy reached the edge of the yard.
Kaisav scanned the area.
Too many people.
Too many eyes.
He clicked his tongue in irritation.
"Tch… forget it," Kaisav said coldly. "We'll deal with him in military school."
The boy beside him hesitated. "You sure?"
Kaisav's eyes narrowed. "Everyone goes to the academy. He won't be able to hide forever. Let him go—for now."
They turned back, disappearing into the school building.
Reyan finally slowed down once they were far enough away.
Dev leaned against a wall, stretching his arms lazily like nothing serious had happened.
"…You know," Reyan said, "I thought you were a mad person."
Dev blinked, then burst out laughing.
"Mad?" he said. "Man, you're the one walking around with dead eyes and no heartbeat. And you're calling me mad?"
Reyan stared at him. "…Am I that obvious?"
Dev smirked. "Cold. Real cold. Like a freezer with legs."
Reyan didn't reply.
After a moment, he spoke again. "He won't leave me alone. You know that, right?"
Dev shrugged. "Yeah. Probably not."
Reyan looked at him.
Dev continued casually, "But hey, you, me, and that psychic idiot—we're all going to military school anyway."
Reyan frowned slightly. "And?"
"If I end up in the same academy as you," Dev said, pushing off the wall, "don't worry. I won't let him hurt you."
Reyan paused.
"…And if you're not?"
Dev tilted his head, smiling in that annoying, half-serious way.
"Then I can't promise anything."
Reyan stared at him for a second.
"…That was really reassuring."
Dev laughed. "I know. I'm great at emotional support."
He stepped back and waved a hand.
"So, Corpse Boy," he said, turning around, "we'll meet again."
He walked away into the crowd.
Reyan watched him disappear.
"…What kind of nickname is that?" Reyan muttered.
He looked down at his hands.
Am I already that popular?
The thought didn't make him smile.
But it didn't bother him either.