The train sped toward the capital, Northam.
Outside the window, the scenery stretched endlessly. Forest after forest blurred into a sea of green, and Sila found himself mesmerized by the view.
It looked peaceful.
Too peaceful.
If only every day could be like this. Wouldn't that be nice?
No one stared at him.
That alone felt strange.
It was because of Axil. People were clearly intimidated by the high-ranking officer, far more than Sila had expected. Normally, strangers would whisper, throw remarks, sometimes even objects. But the moment Axil stepped onto the train, most people simply looked away.
One man had tried to confront him.
Axil shut him down instantly.
Sila sank slightly into his seat. He had never sat on anything this soft before. The fabric felt indulgent, almost unreal, like he could disappear into it if he relaxed enough.
Across from him, Axil appeared to be asleep.
Eyes half-closed, posture loose, yet somehow still alert. Like a resting predator that could wake at any moment.
Maybe humans and halves were not that different after all.
The thought surprised him.
What bothered him more was how impossible Axil was to read. There was something beneath that calm surface, something deliberate, but Sila could not grasp it.
They did not know each other well enough.
"Attention, passengers. We will now pass the Dead Zone. Please remain seated, even if you notice something unusual."
The Dead Zone.
Cities consumed by corruption. Overrun by Tars. Declared impossible to reclaim.
And yet, the only person who had ever come close to saving one sat right in front of him.
The gap between them felt painfully clear.
A man who could defeat monsters that brought entire cities to ruin.
And Sila, who had never even seen one in person.
Tars.
Creatures formed from a strange, shifting liquid. Difficult to damage. Nearly impossible to destroy through normal means. That was why the Executors existed. Humans who had gained abilities capable of killing them.
Skeleton-like figures. Twisted shapes. Limbs stretched beyond reason.
Sila had only heard stories, but they were enough.
Enough to make his skin crawl.
No one knew where Tars came from.
But one thing was certain.
They were the reason he existed.
Half Tar. Half human.
A combination people considered taboo.
Most halves did not survive past twelve.
He had.
That alone made him both a miracle and a mistake.
Lost in thought, Sila noticed the world outside begin to change.
The green faded.
Gray took its place.
The light dimmed, turning the landscape into something lifeless, like a memory drained of color.
Then he saw it.
A Tar stood in the ruins.
It wasn't moving.
It was staring.
Directly at him.
Sila froze.
Cold sweat slid down his back. His lungs tightened, each breath harder than the last. No matter how much he tried to look away, the image clung to him.
His hands burned.
Not warmth.
Heat.
Sharp, rising, uncontrollable.
His Stigma was reacting.
Reaching toward it.
Why?
This had never happened before.
This was bad.
If it spiraled, he would lose control.
The train plunged into a tunnel.
Darkness swallowed the window.
The Tar vanished.
Relief hit him all at once.
But it did not last.
If a single glance caused this…
What would happen if he faced one directly?
This was his future.
He would have to learn to control it.
Or it would destroy him.
Across from him, Axil remained still.
Asleep.
Or pretending to be.
Sila hesitated.
Should he say something?
No.
If Axil really was asleep, waking him would be humiliating.
And if he wasn't…
Then he already knew.
Sila looked away and focused on the black tunnel outside, letting the darkness settle his thoughts.
Time passed.
Eventually, Axil stirred.
He blinked slowly, stretching his arms with a quiet sigh.
"That was a good sleep."
He rubbed the back of his neck. "It's been a while since I managed to finish one."
His gaze drifted lazily toward Sila.
"Once you're registered at headquarters, forget about proper rest. They treat you like livestock. Honestly, why am I still working? It's a miracle."
He kept talking, casually complaining about the job, almost like he was trying to scare him on purpose.
Did he think Sila would panic?
He wasn't a child.
"Anyway…"
Axil paused mid-sentence.
His eyes shifted toward the window.
"I just noticed something. Why is that window frame burnt?"
His gaze narrowed slightly.
"I paid a lot for this cabin, and they give me a defect? I'll have to complain. This is unacceptable."
Sila flinched.
So much for not noticing.
Heat crept up his neck, this time from embarrassment. He looked away quickly.
"Maybe they didn't know," Sila muttered. "It's just melted. Not a big deal."
"I suppose," Axil replied. "Still, they should have checked."
Then he went quiet.
That was strange.
He had been talking non-stop.
Sila glanced up.
Axil was smiling.
Not casually.
Smugly.
He knew.
He had known the entire time.
Sila's face warmed further.
That was… embarrassing.
Thankfully, Axil let it go.
"We're arriving soon," he said, his tone shifting. "So listen carefully."
He leaned back again, relaxed.
"First, everything is provided. Room, equipment, basic necessities. Your salary depends on the jobs you take. I've already assigned you to a team."
He paused briefly.
"They're good kids. You should get along… assuming they're not scared of you."
Sila nodded quietly.
Special treatment.
Was this what it felt like?
It was… nice.
He almost smiled.
Almost.
"I also arranged reading and writing classes," Axil continued. "You'll need them. I don't know your level, but it's better to fix that early."
Jackpot.
"And lastly…"
The shift was immediate.
No smile.
No laziness.
His gaze sharpened.
"Your Stigma."
The air felt different.
Quieter.
"What attribute is it?"
Sila stilled.
He really didn't know?
Then why recruit him?
As if sensing the question, Axil added calmly,
"I can tell you have a lot of energy. But checking without permission would be rude."
Polite.
Too polite.
Suspicious.
Sila hesitated for a brief moment. The memory of melted metal flashed through his mind.
"It's fire."
Silence followed.
Axil studied him carefully.
Not his face.
His hands.
Then, slowly, he smiled.
"Definitely suits you."
Just like that, the tension disappeared.
He leaned back again, as if nothing important had happened.
But Sila felt it.
Something had just been measured.
Something important.
He said nothing.
He simply turned back to the window, watching the darkness of the tunnel give way to the artificial lights of the capital's outskirts.