The room remained quiet after the door closed.
Kai sat on the edge of the hospital bed.
Absentmindedly rubbing the bandages around his forearm.
The conversation with Raya and Lin lingered in Kai's mind.
Regressor.
Someone who had reached humanity's end and returned with memories of a future that no longer existed.
"If that was true—"
"Then meeting the Director is an opportunity to know more about whats going on this world."
"Its an opportunity to learn truths no one else possessed."
As Kai organized his thoughts—
A translucent blue window unfolded before him.
[JOB]
Nightmare Hunter (Rare)
"Pursue Nightmares, don't leave single one alive."
• Enhanced tracking and perception.
• Excels in solo hunting.
Knight (Rare)
"The one who hold the sword that won't yield."
• Greatly increased attack.
• Exceptional endurance during prolonged battles.
White Flame Warrior (Epic)
"One who wields the flame of purification."
• White Flames become stronger against corrupted and nightmares.
• Corruption resistance increases.
Kai remembered Raya's conversation regarding to the [Job] function.
"In certain level the [Job] function would unlock."
"It will help you boost your stats and gain new skill regardless on what you choose."
"My [Job] is related to the wind [Wind Guard (Epic)]."
"The [Job] is different in each individuals life experience."
"So you better choose on what seems you like."
That's whay Raya told me.
"Hmmm."
"Nightmare Hunter... A profession built for surviving alone."
"Knight... Maybe for long fight."
Reliable and it seems strong.
Then Kai's gaze settled upon the final list.
"White Flame Warrior... A [Job] excel on killing Nightmares."
"And it resist corruption too."
Kai quietly whispered.
"As of now."
"I've been dependent on potion on reducing my corruption rate."
"If corruption and the nightmares is the enemy..."
"Then this job could increase my survival."
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Without hesitation—
Kai picked.
White Flame Warrior.
[SYSTEM]
Job Acquired:
Epic Class — White Flame Warrior
Synchronization Complete.
Skills Obtained:
Burning Passion Lv. 1 (Passive) NEW
Regen - Regeneration Lv. 1 (Passive) (Evolved) NEW
A gentle warmth spread through Kai's body.
Unlike ordinary fire...
It carried no heat.
Only serenity.
For the briefest instant—
An unfamiliar voice echoed inside Kai's mind.
May this flame light your journey.
The sensation vanished as quickly as it appeared.
Kai frowned.
"...What was that?"
Before Kai could think further—
Three gentle knocks echoed through the room.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
"Kai are you ready?"
Lin's cheerful voice came from outside.
Kai glanced toward the window.
Empty gray sky.
"...An hour already passed."
Kai stood, stretched his sore muscles, and opened the door.
Lin greeted Kai with her usual bright smile.
While Raya gave a simple nod.
"Feeling better?" Lin asked.
"Enough to walk."
"Good."
Lin clapped her hands once.
"Let's not wait the director any longer."
"Let's go."
───
As they walk.
Kai noticed, how lively and peaceful the hospital was.
The feeling of being protected.
The feeling of without fear from Nightmare.
Children chased one another through the hallways.
Doctors and nurses peacefully doing their job.
Several survivors repaired broken windows.
While armed guards patrolled every corridor.
Hope.
It still existed.
Kai quietly observed everyone.
"This place feels different."
Raya glanced around.
"It wasn't always like this."
Lin nodded.
"Most people here lost someone dear."
"At first it was chaos, full of panic and anxiety."
"But the Director gave us reason to keep moving."
"She saved us."
Kai watched an elderly man teaching children how to carve wooden figures.
Nearby, nurses laughed while organizing medicine.
Even surrounded by ruins, life still continues.
"It's amazing..."
Kai murmured.
Lin smiled proudly.
"That's why everyone protects this hospital."
"Our home."
"So don't be shy, this hospital will be your home too.
As they continued upward, security noticeably tightened.
Armed guards stood at every intersection.
Finally...
They reached the highest level.
Only one hallway remained.
At its end stood a reinforced metal door.
"That's the Director's office."
Lin's playful smile softened.
Skipping as she walk.
"The Director is probably expecting us by now."
Kai took a slow breath.
Kai's heartbeat quickened ever so slightly.
As they approached the door.
Ten meter.
Eight.
Five.
Then—
Drip.
Something flowed down from the metal door.
Kai instinctively looked down.
A crimson liquid.
Slowly.
Flowing freely.
...
Blood.
Fresh blood slowly seeped from beneath the Director's office door.
Lin's smile disappeared instantly.
"Raya!"
Without a word—
Raya's expression hardened.
Raya hand raised.
"WIND BLOW!"
"Kai, stay back!"
BANG!
The metallic door crashed against the wall.
The smell struck them.
An overwhelming stench of fresh blood.
The office...
Was drenched in crimson.
Blood coated the floor.
Blood splattered across the walls.
Blood dripped from the ceiling.
The room looked more like a slaughterhouse than an office.
At the center of it all...
A lone silhouette stood silently beneath the dim light.
Its back faced the entrance.
One pale hand loosely held a blood-soaked scalpel.
Drip.
Drip.
Fresh blood slid from the blade onto the floor.
Raya immediately raised his hand.
"Don't move!"
The silhouette slowly tilted its head.
Then...
It began turning toward them.
To Be Continued...