"Are you pleased with the design, Mr. Knat?" a black frog with horns spoke.

  Hezekiah never specified its appearance, but it seems that this Rule of Suffering would just create whatever.

  "No doubt. I'm surprised the Custom Boundary allows me to walk out like this."

  The frog croaked. "Indeed. But do you not fear the consequences for misusing its intentions?"

  Hezekiah tugged his black jacket, replaying their conversation.

  "I'm not misusing it, and besides, as long as I'm not doing anything too drastic, the aftereffects will be minimal, correct?"

  "That may be. But take heed, there is no such thing as an oversight when it comes to the Rule of Suffering."

  "Yeah, I know. But since I'm doing its dirty work, I might as well get something out of it."

  After inspecting his jeans and making the bloody gown disappear in the boundary, he summoned the rules sheet, crossing out each rule.

  "Ehh—ummm, about what we spoke about before. Did you change your mind?" it asked, weary in its tone.

  "Don't worry. I decided to recreate you in the future. I'm sure to you it will feel like a split second."

  Its heartbeat quickened. "That's impossible, Mr. Knat. I can only exist inside this boundary. If you try to create me anywhere else, it wouldn't be me, even if it possessed all my memories."

  Hezekiah halted before erasing its existence.

  "Seriously? Even if I recreate you in another boundary?"

  "I can only exist in this specific Custom Boundary . Nowhere else."

  That's problematic. I'd rather not have to leave this Custom Boundary behind. I discovered I could dissolve it by crossing out its name, but now that's no longer an option.

  Seeing his troubled expression, the frog made a suggestion. "Mr. Knat, perhaps make the circle blend in with the concrete usingthe rules, and hide my visibility."

  "Seems like the only way. You know I may not return, right?" He began adding a couple more rules.

  "Compared to fading to nothingness, might as well be a paradise."

  After finishing the rules, the circle vanished but he could still feel its presence, along with the frog.

  Now then, time to pay them a visit.

  He exited the alley, flipping his hood. After cautiously observing his surroundings, he walked away from the hospital.

  Damn, what a mess. Fyinn, Abnas, Hyonda, the Unity Council, and of course, the Organization. It's like I came back just to deal with more problems.

  He stopped at a crosswalk, gazing at the cars flying by. Phones rang while people hastily maneuvered by, occupied by their idle chatter or the time on their watch.

  "I'm sure the accident I was involved in made headlines."

  The stoplight turned red, the walking icon signaled, prompting the wave of pedestrians. Some didn't even wait for the cars to stop and proceeded anyway.

  "They're probably wondering how I'm alive. I'm sure Kiann took a photo of me after turning my brains into paste. If I still hope for a barely manageable life, getting that photo might be good. If Fyinn is still investigating the Organization, the last thing I want is for that to be discovered."

  The crowd began to thin several minutes after, and the Headquarters was still about half an hour away. Hezekiah occasionally peeked behind him, noticing three familiar faces.

  Speak of the devil. Old allies? If they found me this quickly, they must've been waiting outside the hospital. They probably planned to assassinate me while I was still resting, but were delayed for obvious reasons. This dumb power is already making me careless.

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  He turned off into a narrow pathway. Sided by brick buildings, he traced an oval shape against the ground.

  Friends or not, I hope I don't have to use this.

  Three tall men peered into view moments after, eyes sparking after meeting his gaze. A black flower emblem was printed on their cloaks.

  "Yikes! And here I was hoping this was just a look-alike," the bulkier of the three voiced.

  "Don't be dumb, Agnas. We all saw for ourselves." The thin one withdrew a blade, a blue vibrant light tracing its edges.

  What is that? Did I wake up in a different timeline or something? We didn't have that when I was around.

  "I was hoping this was a friendly check-up among comrades, but that would be too optimistic, wouldn't it, Tivian?"

  Tivian narrowed his sight, shooting a questionable look at the other two. "Since when were traitors comrades? But that's far from the point. How stupid do you have to be to disguise yourself as a dead man?"

  Hezekiah still had the pen tucked in his pocket, contemplating his next action. Noticing a holster on the last individual, direct confrontation would be a bit risky.

  "No disguises here. But still, I found it a bit ironic they sent you three after me."

  The last man with metal gauntlets spoke. "Two weeks passed since Tank was killed. There's no connection between you and us."

  Two weeks!? It wasn’t just for a day!?

  "Is she still alive?" he uncertainty voiced.

  "You're even asking about her? Stop trying to sell the act!" Tivian dashed ahead and swung the blade toward Hezekiah's neck.

  He stepped back. A brush of heat stung his skin. He dodged another swing and caught his wrist. Before he could counter, Tivian threw a punch with his free hand, forcing Hezekiah to let go and evade again.

  "For someone who plays pretend, you sure are scared to act the part," Tivian examined. "The real Tank would've taken the hit head-on."

  Hezekiah lightly laughed, drawing attention to his hand.

  "As if. And get hit by those strange rings you're wearing?"

  A blue light traced around his five silver rings, emitting a vibrant—dangerous glow.

  Agnas arched his back. "Yuvis, don't yank my leg here, but this is no doubt Hezekiah. I mean, just look at him."

  Yuvis hardened his expression, flexing his gauntlets. Reminded of what Kiann showed them.

  "Deal with reality, Agnas. We went to the forest and saw the corpse ourselves. Quit your stupid denialism," he sharply responded. Blue lights flickered in the gauntlets until a steady glow radiated brilliantly.

  "Well, given your limited understanding, I suppose that is the most logical conclusion," Hezekiah added. "It's a shame for Black Flowers to turn the blade against each other."

  "You still don't get it." Tivian fired another attack. Hezekiah slightly moved, quickly springing a kick to his gut.

  Tivian dropped, releasing the knife after coughing several times.

  "Shouldn't all three of you be helping? Why the delay?" Hezekiah questioned.

  "Don't play dumb with us. You deliberately led us into this tight space. Looks like you studied our tactics ahead of time." Yuvis observed Tivian's pitiful state. "This reckless one, however..."

  Agnas cackled at his silence. "Let's be real. This was to be expected. Hey Tivian, you also struggled taking a hit against the Tank, right? Convinced yet!?"

  "Shut up, would you!?" he barked. "Real or not, it changes nothing. Falina jeopardized all of our lives! And her stupid brother just had to cover for her."

  He turned toward Hezekiah. "He's pathetic. He doesn't deserve to be a Black Flower. It was those two who turned the blade against us first!"

  Hezekiah’s fingers tensed. "Well, here's your opportunity to kill me. That was always your goal, right?"

  Tivian cleaved his nails into his palms, curving a smile. "Why chase something that doesn't exist? Instead, I found something more enjoyable."

  "Ohh, you moved on? Good for you."

  "I made sure that b*tch got exactly what she deserved."

  Hezekiah clasped his neck and rammed him against the wall. Bones popped as dark clouds smudged his sight. Tivian writhed, rushing to pry his grip.

  "You touched her?" Hezekiah whispered, his fingers digging into his skin.

  "Drop him." A mechanical sound clicked.

  Yuvis had his firearm aimed at Hezekiah, his finger already on the trigger.

  "And if I don't?" His pressure grew around Tivian's neck, whose movements began to wane, desperately shifting his focus to the other two.

  Agnas rested his hand on the gun, gently lowering it. "See? Didn't I tell you guys? Who else would respond like that?"

  Yuvis remained silent for a moment before smacking his hand away. "Keep your hands to yourself." He lowered the pistol. "Don't think for a second I'm convinced yet. He better explain how he's suddenly alive."

  "Sounds like good news to me. You still awake, Tivian? Just apologize already. You only said that because you still think it's him, right?" Agnas called while waving.

  Hezekiah snapped back to Tivian. It was all a provocation? No... I know this guy well enough. But I wouldn't mind knowing how he really feels.

  Hezekiah dropped him toward the ground. A sharp pain shot up his spine as he gasped for air.

  Th—this is definitely him. No spy would go that far and risk trashing the mission like this. There were would've been safer ways to handle that. Tivian's thoughts raced, soothing his neck as his breathing stabilized.

  "Explain yourself."

  A jolt of shock rippled through him. He felt his lips moving on their own. Before he could process what was going on, he was already speaking.