Zain stood up and stretched his arms with a sharp exhale.
"Alright. Let’s go eat."
"My sister’s probably been waiting long enough."
Savra rose from her seat.
"Sure."
They began walking side by side.
Just before they reached the dining zone, Savra suddenly slowed her steps.
"One last thing," she said.
Zain glanced over. "Hm?"
"I hope you really get what you’re after."
He smirked.
"Of course I am. I never walk away empty-handed."
Savra gave a slight shake of her head but didn’t argue.
"Just don’t choke on it when it cos."
Zain chuckled.
"If I choke, I’ll just hack my throat open and fix it."
They stepped into the dining space.
Zelia was already sitting at the far end.
Legs crossed on the bench, plates covering the entire table.
Skewers, noodles, dumplings, at wraps, sizzling hotpots.
She had ordered everything.
"There you are!"
She called, waving a half-eaten skewer.
"I got impatient."
Zain slid into the seat next to her and imdiately started picking at the food.
Savra raised an eyebrow.
"Did you even chew that?"
Zain shrugged, mouth full.
"Delicious."
Zelia smacked his arm. "Hey! I was saving that one!"
Zain grinned. "Too slow."
They kept eating, bickering the entire al as the plates slowly vanished one by one.
Mostly into Zain’s mouth.
---
They finished their food and returned to their cabin.
Zain opened the door first, letting both won in.
Zelia kicked off her shoes and dropped face-first onto the bed.
"I’m dead. Too much food. Too much walking."
"You didn’t even carry anything, Zain said, pulling off his jacket.
"Doesn’t matter," she mumbled into the pillow.
"I’m still dead."
Savra stretched her arms overhead.
"You go ahead and sleep, Zelia."
"Zain’s got a bit of work left tonight."
Zelia rolled onto her back, looking at her brother.
"Work?"
Savra nodded.
"Since we’re arriving tomorrow, he needs to prepare. Just in case."
Zelia yawned and rubbed her eyes.
"Okay. Then I’ll sleep with you tonight."
Savra nodded once. "Co on."
The two walked over to the side bed.
Zelia pulled the covers over herself and curled close to Savra’s side.
As the lights dimd, Savra glanced once at Zain.
"You better pray tonight."
Zain gave her a lazy grin.
"Just sleep."
"I’m awakening my Mid-Tier ability tomorrow."
"No prayer needed."
Savra scoffed but said nothing.
She wrapped her arm around Zelia as the girl drifted off.
Once the room fell silent, Zain moved to the window, smirking.
Mid-Tier ability, huh?
I don’t need anything flashy or complicated.
I need sothing that defines .
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Heavenly Demon.
That na should an sothing. I already picked it.
I already checked the system. It’s possible.
He opened his hand, fingers slowly curling into a fist.
The ability I want... It’ll combine domination, fear, and power.
Sothing no one else would even dare request.
The cost’s the sa as the others.
Zain smirked.
Tomorrow, I’ll awaken sothing that’ll scare even Savra.
Let them all watch. Let them all guess.
And then I’ll show them who I really am.
---
Velra stepped into the crumbling remains of a house deep within BD-3.
The walls were half-collapsed and the roof torn open.
She moved cautiously, boots crunching over broken glass and shattered tiles.
This was the drop point. The mission’s end.
It had to be here.
Remote, broken, and buried in lawless territory.
A villain’s zone.
But soone was already inside.
Her eyes narrowed.
A tall figure stood near the center, lean but muscular, coated in shaggy gray fur.
Clawed hands, a lupine snout, and yellow eyes that glead through the dark.
Wolf Shift.
The beast-man turned slowly.
"You’re... Razorwaltz?"
Velra paused, her hand briefly brushing over her hip.
"Yeah. I’m Razorwaltz."
He tilted his head, studying her.
"You look... different."
She kept her expression calm, lips curling faintly.
"Different how?"
He scratched his chin with a claw.
"Clothes are off. Taller than expected."
"Way more beautiful than in the photos."
He squinted.
"And what’s with the collar?"
Velra’s hand lightly brushed the black-and-pink collar around her throat.
She smiled.
"That? It’s a choker. Fashion trend."
He blinked.
"Fashion... trend?"
"Yeah." She shrugged.
"My usual outfit got ripped during a chase."
"I had to steal sothing nearby. The collar’s just style."
He let out a low grunt.
"Didn’t think villains kept up with trends."
Velra stepped closer, keeping her posture relaxed but alert.
"Maybe you’re just behind."
The wolfman snorted.
"Tch. Maybe."
His yellow eyes narrowed slightly.
"Then where’s your partner? Impakto was supposed to be with you."
Velra’s smirk faded just a bit. "He’s dead."
The wolfman straightened up. "Dead?"
"Yeah," Velra said casually.
"The professor had so kind of hidden weapon."
"Hit him with a syringe out of nowhere."
"Whatever was inside... it triggered sothing."
The wolfman growled low.
"Mutation?"
Velra nodded.
"Yeah. It twisted Impakto fast. His body lted, stretched, turned into this roaring thing."
"Strong, but mindless. I couldn’t even talk to him."
She crossed her arms.
"It went berserk. Took out half the train section."
The wolfman’s frown deepened.
"Damn it... figures. He was a professor."
"He got careless," Velra said.
"But it worked out."
"While the monster rampaged, I slipped in and stole the briefcase."
"Risky," the wolfman muttered.
Velra gave a shrug. "Worked."
"Still," he said, scratching behind his ear.
"I didn’t think the professor would actually carry a working mutagen."
He took a step forward.
"So... where’s the item?"
She put the briefcase onto the dusty table between them.
"Here it is. Still locked. I couldn’t crack it."
"So kind of encrypted biotric seal."
She tilted her head.
"What the hell is this thing?"
The wolfman’s smile widened, sharp teeth visible beneath his muzzle.
"If you want to know that... you’d better rank up."
Velra narrowed her eyes.
"What’s that supposed to an?"
He tapped the case lightly with one claw.
"This item isn’t the kind of thing shared with just any low-tier villain."
"Not even with a na like Razorwaltz."
She frowned, her eyes scanning the case again.
"It’s connected to the mutagen, isn’t it?"
The wolfman gave a low chuckle.
"Smart. I’ll give you that."
He leaned in slightly.
"You’re right."
"According to the rumors, this case contains the almost perfect version of the mutagen."
"Refined, stable. Not the volatile junk that turned Impakto into a howling ss."
Velra’s jaw clenched.
"So what he got injected with..."
"A flawed prototype," the wolfman confird.
"Dangerous. But unstable. This one... this one could change the balance."
Velra nodded slowly. "I see."
The wolfman leaned back.
"You did good, Razorwaltz."
"That collar might look strange, but it seems your bite’s still sharp."
Velra didn’t smile.
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