Michael grabs James by the neck again, squeezing tightly.
In a harsh, stern tone, he says,
"Don't you know when to stop? You're starting to get annoying."
Still holding James by the neck, Michael turns to Sunny.
"Excuse me, I'll be back shortly."
He looks back at James, now suspended midair by his powerful grip.
James smirks provocatively.
"Come on, make me explode like before."
Michael tightens his grip, and James bursts into pieces.
Sunny can't comprehend what he just witnessed—a person exploded before his eyes, then somehow came back and exploded again.
Michael doesn't glance at Sunny. He stands ready, alert.
Suddenly, four versions of James leap at him—two seize his arms, one holds him from behind, and the last punches him in the face.
Michael, his expression cold, bleeds from his nose, yet the air of superiority never leaves his face.
"I made you explode, and the best you can do is make me bleed? How disappointing."
James grins wickedly, as if he's gained the upper hand.
"Don't think I'm finished."
A fifth James appears behind Michael, wielding a metal rod. He strikes the back of Michael's head, sending blood streaming down.
Michael takes the hit without a sound, as if it were nothing more than a passing breeze before the might of his prideful gaze.
That arrogance makes James smile.
"Let's see how long it takes before that expression breaks."
Before the fifth version can strike again, Michael moves. He grabs the two holding his arms and causes them to explode.
He turns to the one at his waist, seizes him by the collar, and detonates him as well.
The blast at his side forces the rod-wielding James to stagger back, but the last clone charges forward, fist aimed at Michael's face.
Michael catches him by the neck.
"You've really got a bad habit of grabbing people by the neck, don't you?" James snarls.
Michael replies calmly,
"I just wanted to show you your gentle touches don't affect me. But I don't have time to play with you."
And with that, this version of James explodes too.
The clone with the iron rod backs away, then hurls the rod at Michael.
Michael effortlessly bats it aside with one hand.
"Seriously?"
The clone smiles.
"At least let me do something before I die."
Michael approaches him, places a hand on his shoulder—and makes him explode.
He then turns to Sunny and Lilith, both frozen in shock at what they've just witnessed.
He walks toward them, his steps heavy, each one shaking something deep inside them.
He reaches Sunny and extends his hand for a handshake.
But Sunny hesitates—this man just made six people disappear.
Michael notices and pulls his hand back.
"Sorry. I know you're uncomfortable right now."
Sunny's body trembles. One wrong word, one wrong move—and he might vanish in an instant.
After rehearsing his words in his head a hundred times, he finally says,
"...W-What do you want?"
Michael falls silent, placing one hand behind his back.
"I thought it was obvious. I want to return you all to prison, so please, be obedient and—"
Sunny interrupts him.
"Liar. You want something else from us. What is it?"
Michael goes quiet again. He scratches the back of his neck.
"You know... you're really sharp. I don't want to tell you. And I won't. But... you and your sister—how about you both return to prison quietly, and I'll help you? You'll get a special reward. If you want that reward, go back."
That smug tone and arrogant gaze were more insulting than anything else.
Sunny burns with anger but dares not utter a word.
This man erased six people like it was nothing. What could he do to a trembling boy and his frightened, even weaker, sister?
---
Meanwhile, on the second floor, Eva and Rex stare at the gaping hole before them.
Rex says,
"So... should I go down or what?"
Eva turns to him like he's the dumbest creature alive.
"What kind of idiot are you? After everything we've been through, you think it's safe?"
Rex's anxiety spikes.
"So..."
"Yes, they're probably in critical condition right now. Instead of jumping in and ending up like them, how about we stick to the plan?"
Rex nods quietly, and they turn away from the hole toward a nearby wall.
Before they can reach it, a group of armed soldiers emerges.
They begin surveying the area and immediately raise their weapons at the prisoners.
One soldier shouts,
"To all inmates: we've received orders from prison management to return as many inmates as possible to their cells. If anyone resists, we are authorized to take all necessary measures!"
Everyone understands exactly what that means—and they raise their hands in surrender.
Eva swallows her anger and lifts her hands like the others.
She struggles to come up with a plan to reach the door.
Then, an idea strikes.
She leans toward Rex and whispers the plan in his ear.
Rex nods once she finishes.
The leader orders the prisoners to line up and begins walking past them one by one.
When he reaches Eva and Rex, Eva suddenly collapses in the most delicate, feminine way possible, clutching her knee.
"Ouch, I hurt my knee!"
The man instinctively leans down, concerned.
Eva explains she got injured during the explosion.
While talking, she wraps her arms around his neck and, in the softest, most helpless voice, whispers,
"I was so scared..."
The man blushes but tries to maintain his composure.
With a swift motion, Eva releases a sticky substance from her hand onto his neck and whispers in his ear,
"Take me, that guy beside me, and yourself to that door—just us. Make sure no one else follows."
Everyone sees this.
Their stares are filled with scorn.
They're all thinking the same thing:
"What a whore."
"How did a guy like him fall for someone like her?"
But Eva doesn't care—not one bit.
The plan is working.
The soldier stands and looks at Rex.
"You and the girl. Come with me."
Eva rises like nothing's wrong with her leg.
"I'll take them myself," the soldier adds. "No one else is to follow."
Another soldier steps forward.
"But sir—"
The leader glares at him.
"Did I just hear an objection?"
The soldier immediately looks down.
"N-No, sir."
Rex and Eva follow the man through the door.
As soon as they're alone, Rex strikes the man in the back of the head, knocking him out cold.
They both take off running.
Rex glances at Eva, mimicking her earlier act.
"I-I was scared."
She punches him.
"Let's move in silence."
After a while, Rex asks,
"Quick question: do you even know where we're going?"
Eva stays quiet for a few seconds, then says,
"No."
Rex freezes.
"What?! Then where are we going?"
Eva turns to him, equally confused.
"Wait... don't you know the way?"
"Yes!! I thought YOU did!"
"And why would I!? I'm not Yona or something!"
"Then why was I following you!?"
"You were following ME!? I was following YOU!!"
Silence falls.
Then both sigh deeply.
Rex mutters,
"So we're screwed?"
Eva responds, deadpan,
"...Yeah."
As despair creeps in, footsteps echo from the end of the hallway.
A figure approaches—messy black hair, a black coat, lifeless black eyes, and a calm smile.
His hands rest behind his back.
In a soft voice, he says,
"Oh... runaway prisoners. I must deal with them."
He's barely visible in the dark, but as he draws near, the shadows fade.
The moment Eva and Rex see him clearly, fear grips them.
It's Lex.
Lex—the ruler of the city and deputy to Judge Hall.
Their silence isn't a choice. It's fear wrapped in awe.
Lex notices and says,
"Oh, sorry. I guess I made things awkward. Please, carry on."
Of course, they don't utter a word.
Lex shrugs.
"Alright then. I suppose you've finished your chat. Would you return to your cells now, quietly? I've got somewhere to be."
Silence.
Rex finally speaks, choosing his words carefully.
"O-Okay. We'll return to prison."
They turn and take a few steps—
But a loud crack above them makes them stop and look up.
A vent cover breaks open as someone repeatedly kicks it.
It flies off, and someone drops down.
A man with long, slicked-back brown hair.
He once looked gentle—but not now.
Eva gasps.
"K-Khaled!??"
Khaled turns to her, then smiles brightly.
"Eva, Rex—good to see you."
Eva stammers,
"What are you doing here??"
Khaled thinks for a moment.
"I got lost."
Lex looks at Khaled.
"Nice. Haven't seen each other in a while, huh?"
Khaled responds,
"No, it's only been two days."
Lex chuckles.
"So that's what they call 'friends who miss each other.'"
Khaled scratches the back of his head.
"Hehe... I guess so."
Eva and Rex are stunned.
How could Khaled speak to Lex like they're old friends?
Lex says,
"Well then, excuse me. I have somewhere to be. I'm no longer interested in returning you to your cells."
Just as he's about to leave, Khaled's tone turns serious.
"Wait. Stop."
Lex turns back, surprised.
"Excuse me? Did you say something?"
Eva and Rex panic.
"W-Wait! That's Lex! Don't you know!?"
"Of course I know."
Lex eyes Khaled.
"I thought you didn't know me, so I ignored your boldness. But now you say you do? You're a brave cat."
"I like cats. I'll take that as a compliment."
Lex studies him for a moment.
"You're really bold. So what do you want? Why'd you stop me?"
Khaled replies,
"I know you're Nier's target. He wants to kill you. But I can't let him. Every time your name is mentioned, his fury rises. His eyes burn with hatred."
Lex responds with sarcasm,
"So, you know Nier. How awkward. You see, our relationship is... special."
Khaled continues,
"What I'm saying is—Nier shouldn't be the one to kill you. If he does, revenge will consume him. It'll leave him hollow."
"So what's your solution?"
Khaled hesitates, then says,
"I have to kill you myself."