"Man, those Index grunts were easy. Hope they don't hunt me down."
I chuckled to myself as I walked through the empty streets.
Then the world turned white.
Not bright.
Not glowing.
Just white.
It erased the night in an instant.
"What the fuck…?" I muttered, stopping mid-step as my eyes burned from the sudden glare.
I turned toward the source.
In the distance, a gigantic pillar of blinding light rose from the ground, piercing straight through the clouds and disappearing into the sky above. The air felt wrong heavy, buzzing like reality itself was holding its breath.
I stared at it for a long moment.
"…Aight, brah," I said finally, rubbing the back of my neck. "This world's just getting crazier. Hope it doesn't do something bad."
With that deeply responsible conclusion, I turned around and continued walking back toward the clinic
Completely ignoring the massive, sky-splitting pillar of light blazing behind me.
By the time I reached the clinic, Nannie was already outside.
He stood under the dim lights, hands in his coat pockets, eyes locked on the distant white pillar like he was trying to diagnose reality itself.
"Yo, Nannie!" I waved as I approached. "You didn't say anything about them being Index grunts!"
He adjusted his long black hair and straightened his white coat before looking at me.
"Well," he said calmly, "the contractor didn't mention anything about the Index."
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"If you can prove they were Index members, you might get promoted. Grade 5… maybe even Grade 4, if you're lucky."
"Welp, I do."
I pulled out my phone and showed him the shaky photos robes, symbols, blood. Enough evidence for anyone who knew what to look for.
Nannie nodded.
"That counts. Send them to me. I'll start the report."
Then he turned and went back inside the clinic.
No panic.
No reaction.
And not a single glance at the gigantic pillar of light.
Honestly?
Same.
I followed him inside, collapsed onto my bed, and knocked out almost instantly.
Tomorrow, I was supposed to meet Roland.
KNOCK.
KNOCK!
The door rattled violently.
"Yeah, yeah I'm up!" I groaned.
I dragged myself out of bed and shuffled to the bathroom, deciding to take a bath before facing the world again.
Some time later, I walked back into my room with nothing but a towel wrapped around my waist.
I stopped in front of the mirror.
"…Damn."
The body staring back at me was solid muscular, clean, covered in sharp-looking tattoos that somehow fit perfectly.
"God, man, I look hot," I said proudly, striking a pose or two.
Satisfied, I got dressed in my usual fit: long black pants, a white shirt, and my red coat.
"Time to hit Hamhampangpang and meet Roland."
The clinic was quiet. Nannie was deep into paperwork, eyes glued to a report.
Didn't wanna bother him.
I stepped outside and headed toward my favorite sandwich shop, practically whistling as I walked.
As soon as I entered, I went straight to the counter.
"The usual, Derrick."
He nodded without even looking up. Regular treatment.
I grabbed my food and scanned the shop.
There he was Roland.
And for once… he wasn't alone.
A woman sat across from him. Beautiful. Calm. White hair that looked natural unlike mine.
I froze.
Then realization hit.
"…Oh. That's his wife."
Not wanting to interrupt, I leaned against the counter and ate while Derrick stood behind me.
"They're being all lovey-dovey," I scoffed.
"Don't get jealous," Derrick muttered.
"Im not jealous."I replied. "How much?"
"You ask every time."
"Prices change. The future is uncertain."
I slid 2,000 Ahn onto the counter.
"By the way pizza yet?"
"Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow!?" I snapped. "I waited a whole month!"
"Don't yell."
Fair enough.
I looked back at Roland and the woman, then grabbed my tray and walked over.
"Yo, what's good, Roland!"
"Oh hey, Dante!" Roland waved, then turned to the woman. "Angelica, this is Dante. A friend of mine."
He looked back at me.
"Dante, this is Angelica. My wife."
"Yo," I said, pulling up a chair.
Angelica smiled politely.
"How long have you known Roland, Mister Dante?"
"Two months and a half," I answered between bites.
I blinked.
"…Wait. Roland you never told me you had a wife."
Angelica's smile vanished.
She turned slowly toward Roland.
"Haha…" he laughed nervously. "I, uh… didn't have time."
"Sure you didn't," I said, standing up.
"Well, I'm heading out. By the way about that woman ah, never mind. Have a nice day!"
I walked away giggling.
Behind me
"Ow..OW! He's lying!"
"Roland," Angelica said coldly, "who is this woman?"
"There is no woman!"
Worth it.
Back at the clinic, I burst through the door.
"Yo, Nannie! Promotion yet?"
He looked exhausted, holding a mug that read Best Doctor.
"Yes," he said. "You're officially Grade 4."
Lucky as hell.
"Nannie really is the best," I muttered.
"Any missions?" I asked.
He sighed, eyes tired as he sat behind the counter.
"You should rest," he said. "It's been nine months. Nine months of you taking contracts every single day."
I listened.
"All the jobs I gave you weren't Grade 9 to 7. They were Grade 6 to 4. And somehow… you pulled it off."
He looked at me seriously.
"You're getting attention now. From people you don't want noticing you."
He paused.
"Lay low for a bit."
I leaned back, grinning slightly.
"…Guess even fixers need a vacation."
The City outside buzzed softly.
And somewhere far away
That pillar of light still burned.