The hospital room was quiet, save for the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor. Kael stared at the white ceiling, his mind unable to settle. His body ached, but it was nothing compared to the weight pressing against his chest. The images of the battle replayed in his head—the ten S-rank Ascendants standing against that monstrous dragon, the so-called "Tyrant."
And then, one by one… they fell.
Kael squeezed his fists, his nails digging into his palm. He had seen death before, but never like that. Never so absolute. The strongest warriors humanity had to offer, reduced to nothing in the face of an overwhelming force. He should have died there too.
But then—those two men.
He could still hear the whispers of the doctors and nurses when he first woke up.
> "After the ten S-ranks fell, two unknown figures appeared…"."They fought the Tyrant head-on and… They won."
It didn't make sense.
The world's strongest had just perished, yet two people—mere two—managed to kill that monster?
He turned to the television mounted on the wall. The news anchor was speaking in a hushed yet urgent tone.
> "Authorities are still investigating the identities of the two individuals who successfully slew the Black Gate boss, Tyrant. The Philippine Ascendant Association has refused to comment—"
Static.
The news continued, but Kael couldn't hear the rest. His heart was hammering. He needed to know.
But just as the anchor was about to say something important, the door creaked open.
Kael blinked as Ara stepped inside.
Ara looked the same as ever—her long dark hair neatly tied back, her sharp yet concerned gaze scanning the room before settling on him. She wasn't dressed in her usual battle-ready gear but instead wore casual clothes, a simple jacket over a fitted shirt and jeans.
"Yo," she greeted, her tone neutral.
Kael let out a small chuckle. "You're acting like I just got out of bed instead of surviving a massacre."
Ara exhaled through her nose, crossing her arms. "I heard what happened. I had to check if you were still breathing."
She didn't sit down, instead standing at the foot of his bed, studying him like he might disappear if she looked away.
"I'm fine," Kael muttered, though he wasn't sure if he was convincing himself or her.
Silence stretched between them.
Then, Ara sighed. "What were you even doing there?"
Kael didn't answer immediately. His gaze wandered to the window. The sun was setting, casting golden light across the sky. "I don't know," he admitted.
That was a lie. He knew exactly why he had been there. Because deep down, he had been hoping for something.
Something that never came.
Ara didn't press further. Instead, she placed a small bag of fruits on the table beside him. "Eat," she ordered. "You look like crap."
Kael huffed. "Thanks."
She turned to leave but hesitated at the door. "Get some rest," she said without looking back. "The Association is coming."
Then she was gone.
Kael closed his eyes.
The Association. That meant questions, reports, maybe even suspicion. But more than that, it meant facing reality.
His mind drifted back to before the Black Gates appeared.
He had once dreamed of a quiet life. A normal life. He wanted to become an engineer, like his father. He had studied hard, planned for his future.
Then his siblings awakened as Ascendants.
S-rank. The strongest humanity had seen.
The world changed overnight. Suddenly, they were no longer just his brother and sister—they were humanity's saviors.
And him? He remained normal. Powerless.
For years, he had convinced himself it didn't matter. That he was happy for them. That he didn't need to be strong.
But when the Black Gate appeared at his school… when he saw the difference between those with power and those without…
It mattered.
Kael opened his eyes. His hands trembled slightly.
Then—
A knock on the door.
The handle turned.
And the Philippine Ascendant Association stepped inside.
To Be Continued…