"Yes, but…"

"We defeated Gerome, the strongest of the Lords, and captured Imai Kazuki. This is the best outcome there is."

Surha couldn't help but accept it. They were so desperate. It wasn't a matter of winning or losing, but a matter of survival. And they were successful. They also gained a foothold to fight against Rupture as Pierre and the 7th site decided to back them up.

'Yeah. I guess it's good for now,' Surha thought as she sighed.

"So, did you contact Karavan?"

"Oh, him. We can't get ahold of him."

"Huh? Why?"

"I dunno. Jaehwan tried earlier, but the communication Setting was a mess."

"…Something might be up. I heard the 2nd site's war is almost over."

Chunghuh shrugged at the concerned voice.

"Well, he should be okay. If Droyan and Ignis are together, there will no one to fight against them in ."

"Who knows? We are lacking hands. Karavan can be a great help. If something happened to him…"

"Hey."

"…What."

"You're too worried. Are you putting all the pressure on yourself even after you left Rupture?"

"…"

"Take time to rest. Take a breath. Rus.h.i.+ng things doesn't always work out."

Chunghuh spoke and they went out of their way to find more women Followers to flirt with. Surha bit her lips as she looked at Chunghuh going off with his stupid smile.

Chunghuh was right. She knew he was right, but that didn't mean it made her feel relieved. Take a breath? That was impossible. She was even more concerned and worried than when she was in Rupture.

It was maybe because she found a sign of hope that wasn't ready.

She knew her choice was right, but that made her become concerned. She was afraid that hope will be lost, and that she would mess it up.

"Hey, Surha," Chunghuh called out to her. "Isn't that Jaehwan?"

There was Jaehwan, standing with a few of the 'Fallbringers' outside the corridor. Surha became curious.

"What? Why are they gathered…"

"Oh, come to think of it, today was…"

Chunghuh spoke next, but Surha couldn't hear. Her thought process made her freeze in shock.

"W-W-What are they doing right now!"

Outside of .

"Jaehwan, are you really okay?" Runald asked Jaehwan. The question wasn't solely coming from Runald alone. Karlton and Sirwen who were standing next to them also wanted to ask the same question. Jaehwan nodded.

"It doesn't matter."

Jaehwan looked at the man in front of him.

"Go."

As he said that, people turned to the man. Everyone knew who he was. This man was the one who came to this site and ma.s.sacred countless Vicegerents.

The one who was holding onto the broken katana. 3rd Captain of Rupture. Imai Kazuki.

"Heh… hehe…"

The man laughed hollowly with his empty self without world power. A few Vicegerents taunted him from afar, and some even threw rocks. A rock struck his forehead, making him bleed with silver powder.

"What are you doing! Why are you letting him go?!"

Surha came with a shout. Imai's disappointed look turned toward Surha momentarily and Surha swallowed as she faced Imai. And in the next moment, Surha pulled out her weapon.

"I'll kill him then."

"No. Don't."

Jaehwan stopped her.

"Why?! We have to kill him! He'll become a powerful foe if he returns to Myad!"

It was a cold decision, making it hard to believe that he was once Surha's comrade. As Jaehwan tried to speak, someone interrupted, "No, Surha. Imai can't fight anymore."

It was Chunghuh.

"He has lost his world."

Surha then increased her senses to check upon Imai. The world power that was hard to even be considered a power was felt. It did not contain the familiar energy that she knew.

"Imai… you…"

Imai looked away. Everything was certain now.

'He's lost [Sea of Blood, Mountain of Corpses]!'

Imai's unique world had been destroyed. It was probably Jaehwan and his [Fall].

So… Imai could no longer fight. Chunghuh was right. An Awakener without a unique world couldn't fight anymore. That's when Jaehwan spoke.

"You're wrong, old man."

"What? What do you mean?"

"He can fight."

"…What?"