After returning to the Central Building, as the bodies of the fallen were carried away, everyone stood in silence and offered their highest salute.
"Rest well, brave warriors."
After collecting themselves, the squad dispersed to resume their usual routines. The dead would not return, but life had to move forward.
Tyia followed the injured to the infirmary on the nineteenth floor. Although she had avoided being splashed by the Corrosion fluid, she was showing mild symptoms of Force exhaustion.
"Tyia, could you stop giving me every last bit of your Force whenever I use my Concept Release? It's seriously dangerous."
Having finished his own treatment, Poseus walked over to her. Both of his arms were wrapped in bandages.
"And aren't you the same? Your concept is meant to support everyone from the rear, yet you're always the first one charging in. Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
"Have you ever seen a hero hiding behind everyone else?"
"What hero? All I see is an idiot running straight toward his own death."
"If charging ahead can lift everyone's spirits and lead us to victory, then I'm perfectly happy to be that idiot."
"You protect everyone... except yourself."
"I didn't protect everyone."
For the first time, the smile on Poseus's face looked hollow.
"Buddy... Luck..."
"I'll never see them again."
Although he continued smiling, the weight in his voice spoke louder than any expression.
"That wasn't your fault."
"It doesn't matter anymore."
"All I can do now is try to do better next time."
"If only I had a concept that could predict incoming attacks."
His gaze lingered on the two empty chairs in the corner, as if he could still see his fallen comrades waving at him.
"Anyway, Tyia."
"Don't ever give me all of your remaining Force again."
"If I fail to defeat the demon, you'll lose even your chance to escape."
"I believe you'll defeat it."
"Tyia."
His tone suddenly became stern.
"Listen to me."
He had always given the same order to every member of the squad—always save enough Force to retreat. Never entrust absolutely everything to him.
That was why he worried about Tyia more than anyone else.
Every single time, she poured every last drop of her strength into him without hesitation.
If one day an enemy appeared that even his Concept Release couldn't defeat...
...he wanted Tyia to still have enough strength left to run.
If someone had to die...
...then let it be him alone.
"Understood, Captain."
"Good."
"Then..."
"Don't."
Poseus smiled wryly.
"Don't tell me to stay in the rear again."
"The thought of standing safely behind while all of you fight..."
"I couldn't do it."
Normally, the concept Hero strengthened everyone except its wielder.
Tyia wasn't the only one who disagreed with him. Saifo and the others felt exactly the same.
Even so, they all understood.
To Poseus, watching his teammates risk their lives while he remained safe behind them would be worse than death.
Just as he had once said—
he would rather be an idiot than a coward.
"I've always known what the correct choice is."
He smiled gently.
"But more than anything..."
"I want to fight alongside my teammates."
"So let's not have this conversation again, alright?"
He gently patted Tyia's head, just as he had done on the night he saved her.
Watching his departing figure, Tyia once again chose to believe in the hero she admired above all else.
Another ordinary afternoon.
With the First Squad on standby duty, its members lounged lazily around the common room.
"Did you hear?"
"The Captain of Necro Sanctuary passed away."
"He died in battle?"
"No."
"He died peacefully of old age."
"Oh..."
Tyia tilted her head.
"Isn't that... a good thing?"
Angela stared at her in disbelief.
"Wait... you're not surprised?"
"Why should I be?"
"Isn't dying of old age normal?"
"For ordinary people, yes."
Without lifting his head from the paperwork in front of him, Saifo joined the conversation.
"But it's different for captains."
"How so?"
"So far, around ninety percent of all captains across the Seven Cities have been replaced because they were killed in battle."
"The remaining ten percent retired because of age or permanent injuries."
"Someone like the Captain of Necro Sanctuary, who actually lived out his natural lifespan..."
"...is almost unheard of."
"So he must've been really strong."
"He was an exceptionally skilled Force User."
"I heard his concept could bring people back to life."
"Is that true?"
Angela asked excitedly.
Only then did Saifo finally look up.
"I know what you're thinking."
"But I don't believe any concept can truly resurrect the dead."
"Concept Users may ignore the laws of nature..."
"...but death isn't merely a law."
"It's an absolute truth."
"No concept should be capable of overturning it."
"As for your question..."
"He could accomplish something that looked similar."
"So what happens to them now?"
"Will they appoint a new captain?"
"They're the largest of the Seven Cities."
"They also have the highest number of Perfected Ones."
"My guess is that their Second Squad Captain will take over."
"The one with the concept Seal, if I remember correctly."
Tyia leaned over and looked at the endless stack of papers covering Saifo's desk.
"You've been working on those forever."
"What are you even doing?"
"Financial reports."
Saifo sighed.
"They're not even supposed to be my responsibility."
"But a certain someone keeps dumping them on me."
"Well, you're the one who's actually good at this."
Right on cue, the culprit himself walked in, showing not the slightest hint of guilt.
"Hard to believe you call yourself a hero."
"A hero's job is to become everyone's hope."
Poseus answered with complete seriousness.
"And financial reports are definitely not part of 'everyone.'"
The ridiculous logic made the veins on Saifo's forehead twitch.
Just as he was about to punch his captain—
the Red Alert siren echoed throughout the building.
"Everyone."
Poseus immediately stood up.
"Let's move."
ns216.73.217.139da2
and then Add to home screen.