A loud red alert had rung inside an enormous building. Everyone inside, whether espers, guides, or any normal personnel, immediately took on their position and prepared to evacuate. 

For the first time since the establishment of the association, their headquarters had been breached. One of the most secured zones of today's federation was suddenly on the brink of collapse. 

Only because... of someone.

Loud exclamations were soon followed by piercing screams and cries from normal citizens. 

"Ahhh!"

"Help! Help me—ahhhh!" 

"My mom! Dad..."

"Save me!" 

As far as one could see, chaos was beginning to spread. Aside from cries and shouts, the roars of monsters started to overwhelm the crowd. 

Not far from them, a crowd of people wearing black uniforms stood on one of the rooftop buildings as they looked in front of them in despair.

At the center of the city, a colossal gate had appeared, not losing size at any gate in the forbidden black zones. Waves after waves of monsters and beasts poured out of the gate and excitedly came after their prey. 

"What the hell?" Someone exclaimed, unable to stop his jaw from dropping. 

"Guild Leader..." A man with thick glasses turned at the man in their center, who was also glancing at the enormous gate. "What... What should we do?" 

Even for him, this situation... seemed hopeless. 

Everyone had the same thought about this; evacuation appeared to be the only solution. However, no one voiced it out; they could only wait for the instructions of the person they trusted the most. 

The Guild Leader. 

His gray eyes flickered, and then he soon lowered his gaze. The chaos, the deaths... He ignored it. His gaze was only focused on one thing. 

To that person who betrayed humanity, Rise Lee. 

His gaze appeared to be sensed by the other, as they almost made eye contact. Yet, that was only an illusion, as no one of them could see the other clearly. 

He took a deep breath and raised his hand. 

"Anyone who will fight... Follow me." He then turned his head and looked behind him. Looking at everyone's faces and at his comrades, he gave out a smile. "Don't worry, I won't force you. Everyone... Let's meet alive after this!" 

Immediately, he returned his focus forward, his face returning to a serious expression. Without waiting for an answer, he skillfully jumped down a building, the air gathered around him as if it were his natural companion as he flew in one direction. 

Not far away from him... To the center of the gate stood a man with a sinister smile, watching the people get swallowed by the monsters he unleased himself. 

The chaos seemed to be a wonderful spectacle for him. 

His eyes glinted blood red, and the monsters would occasionally stumble where he was before being smashed into pieces, unable to get near him. 

Rise Lee... one of the best A-rank espers in history. Despite his A-rank, one could even say he was almost on par with an S-rank. This was not an exaggeration; his ability made it happen. 

In his usually soft features, a kind of distinctly evil aura could be seen. It was as if... Other than the insanity his whole being exuded, he didn't appear real. 

Or perhaps he already lost his mind from the chaotic energy that poisoned his mind after surrendering to the creatures beyond the gates. 

While witnessing the devastating scene, Rise Lee stood as the sole human at the center. Suddenly, he almost stumbled before quickly collecting himself. His bloodred eyes also flickered, his expressions twisting to those of laughter and a cry. 

Someone seemed to also want to take over him, his body twitching from two personas. 

Why... why... Why is it like this? 

Am I... Did I do this? 

All of this... Is it my doing? 

Rise Lee, like a robot, cocked his head, and blood tears slowly trickled down his cheeks. 

"A...Ah..." Rise's mouth opened, but only gurgling sounds came out. His body could not even follow what he wanted anymore. 

Rise did not know what happened. His memories were hazy; from the moment when he was exiled because of that two-faced bitch, Rise seemed to always see himself in this kind of situation. 

In a situation where he could not control himself, his consciousness was between a dream and reality. It was as though he was acting on purpose. On a purpose he did not know. 

His memory gaps only grew until he was eventually confused about whether what he experienced was real. 

Damn! Fuck you, Epsilon! 

Rise had his greatest hunch, he or something related to that slut did this to him. Rise tried to open his mouth and scream... to someone save him. 

He was aware that something would happen to him. Rise was perceptive enough to know that his end was near. His subconscious rang alarm bells, and yet, even if he was aware of that, what could he do? 

Bastard! Epsilon, you slut! I'll tear you to pieces and smash your head until it explodes. 

Rise's headache increased, and his violent outburst in his mind continued. That was the only thing he could do, and he was helpless to find any solution. 

Sure enough, what he expected arrived. Amidst the chaos from the monsters, the powerful espers cut through the barricade of his field. The executioners are here... and Rise only stared at them with a smile on his face. 

Inside, he screamed and cursed for them to wake him up, but his outward appearance was that of a devil. 

"Traitor..." 

For some reason, as Rise heard this voice, his eyes quickly focused on the speaker, and the bloodshot eyes quickly gained clarity. There were not any dramatics about it, and evident anger immediately filled his eyes. 

A laugh similar to that of a roar rang. 

"Ep... you..." bitch!

Rise did not care if he would die. At least he would bring the two-faced bitch to his grave! He managed to summon his every last bit of ability… wanting to flatten the earth with him. 

However, again... like other encounters. It was as if Epsilon had heavenly luck. Rise's abilities, no matter how powerful, would immediately be quelled. Like... Epsilon was his natural enemy.

With a final roar, Rise coughed up blood, his gaze not leaving the irritatingly handsome face of Epsilon. 

He wanted to remember him. That face seemed fated to kill him. 

Rise did not know where this thought came from; he would only often suspect it as such. And now, it is basically confirmed. 

As Rise's body collapsed to the ground, his gaze somehow glanced at the side, to someone who had also become part of his life once. 

A chuckle subconsciously left his lips. 

Guild Leader... 

If only... Epsilon didn't become part of the team. Perhaps, even with so much criticism, I'll still be part of the guild. 

However, there was no second chance; his death was inevitable. 

Rise's consciousness was fading at a fast rate, and before he did, he seemed to feel a firm embrace before a familiar voice whispered his name. 

He wanted to open his eyes to see if his guess was right, but, ah, Rise was completely engulfed in darkness.