Finally, he spoke. "That wasn't S-rank output."

Lucen's grin sharpened. "Observant. That's why they pay you the big money."

Varik's expression didn't change. "You're going to get noticed."

Lucen leaned back, lacing his fingers behind his head. "Noticed by who? The soldiers out there? They won't say a word. You saw their faces. They'll tell themselves it was all you."

Silence.

'And that silence, that's the part that digs.' Lucen tilted his head, watching him. 'Because he doesn't buy it. He knows exactly what he saw — and he's not the type to let it slide forever.'

The system flickered faintly at the edge of Lucen's vision:

[Hidden Stat]

[76%]

Lucen's smirk faltered a fraction.

'Great. Like I needed a stat line to tell me that.'

He sat forward, elbows on knees, eyes narrowing. "You're not gonna run to the Council or whatever about this, are you?"

Varik's gaze didn't waver. "If I did, you'd already be in chains."

Lucen barked a short laugh. "Chains. Cute. I'd melt 'em before they touched my wrists."

The silence stretched again.

This time, Lucen filled it. "So what's your angle, then? You know what I am. You're keeping it quiet. Why?"

Varik didn't answer immediately. He moved instead, pulling a chair across the floor and sitting opposite. The scrape of metal legs against concrete echoed sharp in the stillness.

When he finally spoke, it was low. Controlled. "Because I want to see what you'll do with it."

Lucen blinked. Then a grin split his face, wide and wolfish. "Now that's interesting."

—

Hours passed. The bunker quieted as soldiers filtered out to debriefs or sleep shifts. Lucen found himself pacing the common room, restless. The events of the break replayed behind his eyelids each time he blinked, the light, the spear, the way the monster had crumpled.

The system chimed softly as he walked:

[Hidden Ability Progression: 42%]

[Requirement for Unlock: ???]

'Tease.' Lucen flexed his hands, mana flickering faintly at his fingertips. 'Always dangling the carrot.'

A door opened behind him. Varik stepped out from one of the side rooms, fresh shirt, hair damp from a wash. Even in downtime, he looked like he belonged in a battlefield, not a bunker.

Lucen leaned against the wall, arms folded. "So, what's the verdict? Am I grounded? Detention? Extra laps around the city?"

Varik just watched him. Then: "You're reckless."

Lucen smirked. "You say that like it's news."

"You can't keep hiding it," Varik continued, voice flat. "Not forever. Someone else will notice."

Lucen's smirk softened into something thinner, sharper. "But they haven't. Because you're covering it."

Varik didn't confirm, didn't deny. He simply stepped past, pouring water into a glass at the side counter. The faint clink of ice against the rim was the only sound.

Lucen pushed off the wall, closing the distance with an easy swagger. "Tell me, Varik… why protect me at all? What do you gain?"

The man turned just enough to look at him. His eyes were steady, unreadable, but there was something under the surface, some calculation Lucen couldn't quite touch.

Finally, Varik said: "Because if you lose control, I'll be the only one standing in your way."

Lucen's grin froze, just for a heartbeat.

Then he laughed, loud, sharp, genuine. He threw his head back. "Gods, you're dramatic. You think you could stop me?"

Varik didn't smile. Didn't blink. "Yes."

The system pulsed again.

[Warning: Suspicion Increased]

[Varik — 82%]

Lucen's laugh cut off. He studied him, the grin fading into something smaller, darker. "Careful. You're starting to sound like you want to try."

Varik set the glass down, turning fully toward him now. "Not yet."

The air between them hung heavy, sharp enough to cut.

Lucen's heart beat hard against his ribs. But he smirked anyway, tilting his head. "'Not yet,' huh? Guess I'll keep giving you a reason."

—

The rest of the night bled slow.

Lucen finally crashed on the cot, tossing his jacket aside, the hum of the ventilation lulling him into something halfway between sleep and awareness. The system hovered faintly in his vision, unreadable text scrolling he couldn't quite make out.

He muttered to himself, words too soft for anyone else to hear. "'Not yet,' he says. I'll make sure you never get the chance."

The text flickered.

[New Objective Unlocked]

[Objective: Conceal True Rank — 0/∞]

[Penalty on Failure: Termination]

Lucen's smirk twitched. "Figures."

Sleep took him at last, though it was uneasy, shadows of crimson light flashing behind his eyelids.

—

Morning came harsh. The bunker doors opened to gray light and the distant hum of helicopters overhead. Soldiers already bustled with reports, shipments, repair orders.

Varik stood near the exit, fully dressed, sword strapped, unreadable as ever. Lucen dragged himself out, yawning, hood up.

"You look cheerful," Lucen muttered, rubbing his eyes.

"Another breach," Varik said simply.

Lucen groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Gods damn it. Do they ever stop?"

Varik didn't answer. He simply started walking.

Lucen followed, smirk returning slowly. "'Not yet,' huh? Fine. Let's see what today throws at us."

The system pulsed like a heartbeat.

[Quest Updated: Chain of Breaches — 2/7]

Lucen licked his teeth, grin sharpening.

'This is just getting fun.'

—

The morning air was sharp enough to sting. Clouds dragged low across the skyline, hanging over the city like bruises that hadn't faded.

Lucen stuffed his hands into his coat pockets and tilted his head back to breathe in the cold. Smoke still smeared the air from yesterday's break, faint but sour enough to catch in his throat. He coughed once, dry, and muttered, "Lovely weather for another apocalypse."

Varik, walking a few steps ahead, didn't respond. His stride was measured, precise. Like the ground itself wouldn't dare shift under him without permission.

Lucen smirked faintly. "You know, you could at least pretend to be bothered. Make me feel better about dragging my ass out here again."

Varik's reply was flat. "If it bothered me, I wouldn't be here."

'Straight to the point, as always.' Lucen rolled his eyes but didn't press.

The two of them moved through streets that were still half-blocked with rubble and barricades. Soldiers were scattered at intersections, shifting crates, rerouting traffic, scanning mana signatures. Each one stiffened as soon as Varik passed. None of them dared meet his eyes.

Lucen noticed the difference in glances, how the soldiers looked at him like he was just extra weight. 'Good. Let them think that. Easier to keep the act when they're all so sure Varik's carrying everything.'

They reached the transport staging ground by the edge of the city. A cluster of armored trucks idled there, engines rumbling low. The insignia of the Hunter Association gleamed on the sides, stylized silver wings wrapping a shield.

A soldier hurried forward, saluting. "Sir Varik. The report says the breach is holding steady. Containment perimeter hasn't been compromised yet."

Varik nodded once. "We'll take point."

The soldier hesitated, eyes flicking to Lucen. "Will you… require a squad?"

"No." The answer was immediate. Firm enough to cut the air.

The soldier nodded quickly, retreating without another word.

Lucen let out a quiet whistle. "You know, the way you scare people without even trying? That's a talent."

Varik climbed into the back of the truck without answering.

Lucen sighed, dragged himself in after him, and let the engine's vibrations buzz against his boots as they pulled away.

—

The ride out was long. Out past the last clustered towers, out where the city bled into broken countryside.

Lucen leaned his head against the cold metal wall of the truck, eyes half-lidded, watching trees and gutted farmland whip by through the slit window. He drummed his fingers idly against his thigh, humming a faint, tuneless rhythm.

Varik sat across from him, sword laid across his knees, posture so still he could've been carved from stone.

Lucen finally cracked one eye. "You ever get bored of being a statue?"

Varik's gaze slid to him. "You ever get tired of running your mouth?"

Lucen chuckled softly. "Touché."

Silence. Only the engine's steady growl and the occasional jolt when the wheels hit uneven ground.

Then, as if remembering something, Lucen tilted his head. "Back in the city, when you said you're the only one who could stand in my way. You mean that?"

"Yes." No hesitation.

Lucen studied him for a long moment. Then a grin pulled at his mouth. "'Not yet,' you said. Still standing by that?"

Varik didn't answer. He didn't need to.

Lucen leaned back again, grin sharpening. 'Gods, he's serious. He actually thinks he could take me. Part of me wants to see him try.'

The system chimed faintly.

[Relationship Stat — Varik]

[Trust: 68%]

[Hostility: 14%]

[? Hidden Factor: Active]

Lucen smirked. "Guess we'll find out one day, huh?"

The truck jolted suddenly, brakes hissing. The driver's voice carried back. "End of the line. Breach perimeter ahead."

Varik stood in one smooth motion. Lucen followed, rolling his shoulders loose.

—

The perimeter was grim.

They stepped down into an open stretch of farmland where the soil had blackened, cracked like it had been scorched from the inside out. Makeshift barricades of steel plating and mana wards ringed the breach, a swirling rift hovering just above the earth, light bleeding outward in pulses that made the ground tremble faintly.

Soldiers clustered near the edges, tense, rifles raised though everyone knew they wouldn't matter if the breach really collapsed.

Lucen's gaze caught on the shimmer of the portal. Red-black energy bled across its surface, rippling like an oil slick.

'Ugly one. Looks hungry.'

Varik studied it for a moment, then turned to the nearest officer. "Report."

"Crimson-class reading," the officer said quickly. Sweat beaded his forehead despite the chill air. "No incursions yet. Energy is unstable. We estimate collapse within the hour."