Inside the tent where they had first met the man in black, six Towers stood facing him.
"One day to regain consciousness… and still you haven't delivered the evonium," Clint said, seated stiffly, his posture composed, his tone cold and controlled. "But given your condition—and what happened—I chose to overlook it."
Frost stepped forward, mirroring his detachment.
"The contract made no mention of a Tier 2" she said calmly. "I believe a revision of our compensation is necessary."
The mana ring containing the precious mineral rested in the palm of her hand.
"I see…" Clint replied, folding his hands before his face, thinking.
"My brother is dead!" River burst out.
His eyes were still red from a night of tears, his voice raw with anger.
"If your evox detectors had worked—if they had found that thing—he'd still be here!"
"And I'd still have two arms," Far added, his tone flat, resigned.
Clint remained silent for a moment before responding.
"I am sorry for your losses. The presence of evonium likely interfered with our scanners…" he said, though a faint trace of doubt lingered even within him.
"Each of you will receive five times the agreed compensation. Ferrum will cover the funeral costs for Icarus, and Raider Far will be put in contact with a Tower capable of regenerating his lost limb."
Then his gaze shifted to Seran.
"From what Shockwave told me, your weapons were lost inside Frost's ice construct. Within three days, you will receive a new set of blades—ones that will meet your expectations."
Seran blinked, caught off guard. He had already resigned himself to replacing them on his own.
Frost remained silent for a moment, weighing the offer.
Then—
"Seven times the agreed compensation. And Icarus' share goes to River."
She placed the ring on Clint's desk.
Clint studied her briefly… then nodded.
"Agreed. You are dismissed."
"Before we go," Seran interrupted, stepping forward slightly, "we found another team's bodies. They'd been there at least seven days before we arrived."
For a fraction of a second, Clint's composure cracked.
"I wasn't aware of that" he replied. "Our team only located the deposit three days before your operation."
With a small gesture of his hand, he dismissed them.
Five minutes later, in the silence of his private office, Clint retrieved a different phone from his mana ring—not the one he had set on the desk.
He dialed a number.
"Subject 23 eliminated. Initial progress on compound E04 confirmed. Ferrum operations delayed by two days."
He didn't wait for a reply.
The device was crushed in his hand, the remnants disappearing back into the ring.
Meanwhile, the team made their way back toward civilization—toward the fragile sense of safety the modern world provided.
Their mood was heavy, weighed down by loss. Yet the promised compensation and bonuses gave them reason to keep moving.
"Hey kid, give me your number," Shockwave said to Seran. "You still owe me a drink… and maybe we can line up another hunt."
"Sure, old man. Maybe I'll even teach you something," Seran replied with a faint smile.
Unexpectedly—
"Lag. Your number."
Frost's voice cut in, cold as ever.
"Your skill… and your audacity. I might have use for you one day."
Caught slightly off guard, Seran handed over his credentials. A quiet sense of pride settled in his chest.
He had been acknowledged… by veterans.
After a few minutes, the imposing walls of Patrol Block Epsilon came into view.
They had made it back.
Inside the safe zone, before parting ways—
"I'd like to say it was a pleasure" Far said with a dry laugh, "but I can't. Let's just hope next time we meet, I don't lose another arm."
Despite the joke, his eyes carried genuine gratitude—lingering especially on Seran, Frost, and Shockwave.
"Thank you… truly" Dune added softly. "I wouldn't be alive without you."
The two of them left.
River turned to go, but Seran stopped him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"I can't understand what you're going through" he said quietly. "But your brother… he'll live on through you."
River said nothing.
Before the tears could return, he gave a short nod and walked away.
After parting from the others, Seran returned to his apartment.
The moment he stepped inside, the tension he had been holding together collapsed all at once. His body still ached from the brutal strain of his technique.
The water from the shower felt like salvation against his battered muscles.
His bed… a cloud waiting to claim him.
He didn't even bother dressing.
Sleep took him instantly.
Fifteen hours later.
Inside a floating taxi, Seran scrolled through the news on his phone.
"Increase in criminal activity across the city?"
"New clothing store opening in the city center…"
"Breaking: Ferrum to be replaced as the city's primary weapons supplier by the Trusk Conglomerate."
"New Storm movie released—now in theaters…"
More headlines passed by until the vehicle finally came to a stop.
The Presidium.
Seran stepped out and, without hesitation, joined the line.
The same line.
The same one that, for a month now, had stood between him and a small, sweet habit