Shion’s eyes crack open, a groan escaping her lips. She turns her head, spotting Patience’s head laid out on the edge of her bed. Her gaze drifts to the ceiling.

  “I failed the mission, huh…” A low chuckle rumbles from her chest. “Life’s full of surprises.”

  Patience stirs, raising her head with a yawn. “Oh! You’re awake.”

  Shion cracks a faint smile. “Thank you.”

  “What the— I should be thanking you instead, lady.”

  “Don’t worry,” Shion says. “Just call me Shion.”

  Patience blinks. “Seriously? You’ll let me call you by your name?”

  “Yeah. Only the boss is supposed to say it like that,” Shion shrugs. “But the crew’s never cared much for rules. You’re fine.”

  Patience exhales in relief. “Thank goodness… I’m really glad you’re okay.”

  Shion’s expression softens, something distant flickering behind her eyes. “You know… I had a sister too. Her name was Mary.”

  Patience’s eyes widen. “Really?”

  Shion nods. “There was this innocence I felt from you. Haven’t felt that in a long time.” Her hand brushes Patience’s cheek. “I’m sorry for punching you.”

  “No—please don’t,” Patience says quickly. “You took a knife for me. You almost died. And now you’re apologizing for that?”

  Stolen story; please report.

  She hesitates, then asks quietly, “What happened to your sister Mary?”

  Shion’s eyelids lower. Her voice steadies, practiced. “She died from sickness. I was eleven. After that, home didn’t feel like home anymore. I left. I hated her for leaving me… hated myself for surviving.”

  She pauses.

  Shion leans back slightly, eyes distant. “In the far south where I grew up, nobody knew my real name. Just another street girl dragging a sick sister around, scavenging to eat.”

  She exhales slowly.

  “I joined a cult-gang. All men. Fought dirty. Learned fast. Guns came later. I didn’t like them at first… until I realized distance kept you alive.”

  Patience shivers. “What about the man at the fortress? Why does he want you dead so badly?”

  Shion exhales, amused. “That was Venus Graham, leader of Da-Venus Day. A Mid-tier boss with regional pull. He offered me rank, protection, contracts.”

  “And?”

  “I challenged him instead.” Her smile turns thin. “Beat him clean. Told him I don’t serve men who bleed that easy.”

  Night settles in. Footsteps approach.

  Nina returns, pausing when she spots Shion dressed, sitting upright, Patience’s hands clasped in hers.

  “Nina’s back!” Patience says.

  Nina scans Shion head to toe. “You’re on your feet already?”

  “I’m better,” Shion replies evenly.

  Nina exhales. “Good. Then we move. The Master's waiting. And when he waits, people answer.”

  They step into the street, heading toward the hideout.

  Patience glances at Nina. “Where are you from?”

  “Centre City.” Nina says.

  “How’d you get so strong?”

  Nina’s smile fades. “Johnny. He trained me. Guns. Discipline. Distance kills cleaner than rage.”

  They walk in silence until Nina stops.

  She turns to Shion. “What are your intentions with the girl?”

  Shion answers without hesitation. “If the master allows it, I’ll vouch for her. She joins under my responsibility.”

  Nina’s hand rises slowly, the sniper already aligned. “Then you should know this.”

  Her voice hardens.

  “Direct order from the Master. No debate. No appeal.”

  She locks the scope on Patience.

  “The girl dies.”

  Patience freezes, staring down the barrel. She gasps.

  In a single step, Shion moves—placing herself between them, eyes sharp.

  “Nina,” she says quietly. “Stand down.”

  Nina’s finger tightens—but doesn’t pull.