Akhlys carried Hyun-Jin into the hospital, his expression unreadable as his beloved lay pale and motionless in his arms. Blood stained Hyun-Jin's clothes, his wounds deep, but he was alive. That was enough—for now.
The hospital staff rushed forward, but when they saw Akhlys's piercing gaze, they hesitated. The aura surrounding him was suffocating, his very presence a warning. Carefully, he placed Hyun-Jin on the bed, his fingertips barely brushing against his skin. A faint glow flickered at his touch, but the healing was minimal. He was the God of Poison—his power was destruction, not restoration. Still, he forced what little healing he could before stepping back.
Hyun-Jin's men arrived in droves, their faces etched with fear and anger. These were warriors, men who had fought and killed for their leader, yet now, they stood helpless. Their eyes reflected their loyalty, their worry.
All except for one.
Batriyan.
Akhlys's crimson gaze locked onto him. Unlike the others, Batriyan's face lacked concern. He wasn't tense, wasn't fidgeting like the rest. Instead, he stood unnaturally still, his gaze flickering toward Hyun-Jin—not with worry, but with something colder.
And then, Akhlys noticed the subtle movements.
Batriyan's fingers twitched at his side, as if itching to grab something. His feet shifted slightly, positioning himself near the door. His body, though outwardly calm, was prepared—for what? To run? To attack?
Akhlys's eyes narrowed.
Just then, a small device slipped from Batriyan's sleeve, so quick and precise that an ordinary eye might have missed it. A silent, silver tracker barely larger than a coin rolled between his fingers. The way he moved—it was professional. Effortless. This wasn't just a man who had infiltrated Hyun-Jin's group. He was trained for this.
He had been watching. Reporting.
A spy.
A traitor.
Akhlys took a step forward, his voice dangerously low. "You're too quiet."
Batriyan's head snapped up, his fingers freezing over the tracker. His pupils shrank for a fraction of a second before his mask of indifference returned.
"What?" he asked, feigning confusion.
Akhlys's lips curled into a slow, knowing smile.
He chose the wrong god to deceive.