Golden light spilled across the round tables, catching the edges of glittering plates and polished silverware. The soft clink of cups and the murmur of quiet conversation filled the air. A signboard above the entrance marked this place clearly — an executive restaurant for the wealthy class of the Mid-Spires.
Kael had never been anywhere like this.
He walked through the pathways in a black hoodie and face mask, joggers on his legs, boots silent against the polished floor. His hands were buried in his pockets. His eyes scanned the room — crowded, but calm. Elegant. The kind of place where people whispered instead of spoke.
A soft music hummed through the speakers. Enticing. Welcoming. Sweet.
Nothing like this had ever existed in the Deep Slums.
His eyes found her.
Percy sat at a corner table, her back straight, her fingers wrapped around a glass of dark wine. She smiled when she saw him — but the smile faded quickly.
He took a seat across from her.
"Your comrade is sure causing me a lot of trouble," she said.
Kael's eyes dimmed. He thought of Calvin. He pretended to be bored.
"I haven't heard from him recently."
He paused. A heartbeat. Then another.
"Did something bad happen?"
Percy hissed through her teeth.
"Recently traumatized," she said. "He tried to save a kid from detonation. Ended up in a car accident. The boy didn't make it."
Kael's fingers twitched.
His heart pounded.
The words struck like a blade. The memory surfaced — Mara's face, her small body still and silent on the ground, the fire around her — before he shoved it down. His eyes widened, just slightly, just for a moment. Then he forced them back to normal.
Percy's eyes narrowed.
"Kael," she said, interrupting his thoughts.
His face fell back to calm. Quiet. Controlled.
"I have a job for you," she continued, sliding two ID cards across the table. "But first — it's time you acquired a new beast soul. At least a low elemental class type."
Kael stared at her.
"I still have lots of grinding to do," he said. "Not sure my body can support it."
"I don't care." Her voice was flat. Final. "I'll give you a lead on a new hunt. You have a week."
Her fingers hit the table. Tap. Tap. Tap.
Kael gazed at them. Beautiful. But deadly.
His eyes moved to her face.
"What is your motive?" he asked. "Why use me as a pawn?"
Percy gazed at him. She leaned forward.
"A word of advice," she said. "Do not be consumed by selfish curiosity. Do not dive past the limit of what you should know. If you want to avoid attention, be calm. And be patient."
She paused.
"All the details are provided. You'll be notified about the hunt at the Orbital Station market tomorrow."
She rose from her seat.
"Make sure you do your best."
She smiled. Cold. Sharp.
"Manipulating devil."
Kael's eyes widened. The name struck him again.
"Huh?"
Percy clapped her hands. A server appeared, placing a plate and a glass of wine before him.
"I'll be taking my leave now," she said. "Enjoy your meal."
She turned and walked away.
Kael sat in silence.
Calvin groaned as he turned his head.
Again. The same room. The same beeping machines. The same white walls and fluorescent lights.
His vision blurred. Shapes slowly came into focus. This time, Tracy wasn't there.
But someone else was.
A boy sat on a bench next to his bed. Red hair. Head lowered. Hands folded. A headset glowed faintly around his neck.
Calvin peered through the haze.
Keith.
He stared at his brother in silence. His throat tightened. He wanted to speak — but the words wouldn't come. He was too weak. Too tired. Too ashamed.
Keith slowly raised his head.
Their eyes met.
He lowered the volume on his headset.
"I guess I'm a horrible brother," Calvin finally said.
His voice was cracked. Hoarse.
"I can't even save a kid because of my bad luck. I'm just useless."
He laughed. It was hollow. Dead.
There was silence.
It lingered. Stretched through seconds. Then minutes.
Keith didn't respond at first. He just stared.
Then —
"Of course you are."
Calvin swallowed.
Shocked. But expectant.
Keith's sentence was clear, like water. He looked straight into Calvin's eyes.
"Am I not right?" he asked.
Calvin blinked. His lips parted.
"Look," he said, his voice trembling. "I know you hate me. And I'm a total loser to you and to everyone and to myself. I can never amount to anything in life. But please — I want — "
"There is no point," Keith interrupted.
Calvin stared at him. Confused.
"Am I not right?" Keith asked again.
"What do you mean?"
End of Chapter Twenty-Four.