I turned toward the insidious bastard who’d just watched a maiden fight alone. Technically, he was condensing his last core, but that didn’t excuse him.


    And there he was, standing all smug, as if the battle didn’t just nearly level the facility. His energy felt entirely different now — oppressive, suffocating. He had broken through.


    “Congratulations… you actually reached Planetoid Rank,” I muttered, still processing the absurd speed of his growth. Seven days. Seven goddamn days, and he had reached a level most people spent their entire lives striving for.


    He grinned, brushing his now slightly glossier hair back. “Thanks, but you smell like charred meat. You should clean up.”


    “…Excuse me?”


    Without a second’s hesitation, he snapped his fingers. In an instant, his entire body underwent a spatial cleanse — his sweat, blood, and grime washed away as if reality bent to his whim. His clothes shifted into pristine condition, like he just walked out of a high-end spa.


    I blinked. “…Did you just instant shower yourself?”


    “Yeah. Cosmic energy perks.” He smirked.


    I hate him. I really do. Actually I hate every new gen kid because of their minor cosmic energy manipulation. You don''t get how useful these little perks are.


    But goddamn, did he turn out exactly as I envisioned. His already sharp features — the piercing eyes, razor jawline, and defined cheekbones — had only gotten more pronounced. His hair was thicker, darker, and glossier, perfectly contrasting his pale complexion. His physique was still lean but deceptively strong, his muscles perfectly defined without crossing into grotesque bulk.


    “He''s still a bit skinny, though.”


    Still, seeing how far he’d come… I guess I could forgive him for being an insufferable bastard. For like… two minutes.


    “Thanks for keeping me inside your dome,” he suddenly said.


    Frowning, I folded my arms. “How did you even know about the dome?”


    Drying his hair lazily with his hands, he casually replied, “Oh, I condensed my seventh core the moment that ugly beast showed up. Didn’t attack me instantly because it could sense I was ascending.”


    I froze. “Wait… you’re telling me you could’ve fought but chose to watch me struggle?”


    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    He grinned like a demon. “Yeah. But seeing you fight so fiercely was a delight. You really know how to put on a show, Junia.”


    …This motherfucker.


    My face heated. “YOU LET A MAIDEN FIGHT ALONE WHILE YOU SAT BACK LIKE SOME DAMN AUDIENCE!?”


    Laughing, he casually stepped toward me. “If the maiden is as entrancing as you, can you blame me?”


    W-What…? Was he flirting now!?


    I took a reflexive step back, face heating. “D-Don’t get cocky, you piece of shit.”


    Smirking, he let it slide. “By the way, when I come back from my home, I’ll ask you to open the portal again. Be ready.”


    His abrupt seriousness shifted the atmosphere. I swallowed my growing anger and nodded. “Fine. I’ll be waiting.”


    He gave a faint, almost tired smile. “…Thanks.”


    “…How will you contact me, though?”


    “Oh, I’ll ask my brother for your contact. You guys work together, right?”


    “…Why not just ask me directly?”


    He let out a dry chuckle. “Mainly because I don’t have a cellphone.”


    “…You don’t have a phone?”


    “Yeah. Don’t like relying on people. I’ll buy one eventually, but until then—no phone.”


    I stared at him, caught between amazement and disbelief. “God, you really hate reliance, don’t you?”


    “Fair assumption.”


    I sighed. “Fine. You’ll join the association, won’t you?”


    “That’s the plan. It’s why I rushed to Planetoid Rank.”


    I froze.


    Wait.


    That whole “theory” about nourishing his body and growing stronger — all of it — was just a cover? He planned this from the start?


    I glared daggers at him. “…You manipulative bastard.”


    “Flattery will get you nowhere, Junia.”


    ……


    Around 2 PM, Arc finally arrived — Azrael’s older brother and the association’s strongest member. Tall, tan-skinned, with medium-length black hair and sharp brown eyes, Arc looked like the walking definition of mature masculine beauty.


    Dressed in a formal black suit, he carried himself like a born leader. His presence alone commanded respect.


    I grinned maliciously. “Ohhh, Arc, you’re in for a huge surprise.”


    He frowned. “Azrael did something stupid?”


    “Oh no, no. It’s a good surprise.”


    And right on cue — Azrael walked into the room. His all-black attire perfectly complemented his newly ascended physique. His energy now radiated oppressive, Planetoid-tier pressure, something Arc immediately noticed.


    His eyes bulged. “H-Hold on—HOW is he already at Planetoid Rank!?”


    I grinned smugly. “Surprised, huh?”


    Arc looked between me and Azrael, utterly dumbfounded. “…He was dead a week ago. How the hell did he—”


    “Raw talent, I guess,” I smirked, savoring the moment.


    Azrael casually strolled in, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Yo.”


    Arc’s voice cracked. “You— You reached Planetoid Rank in seven days!?”


    “Yup. Can I join your association now?”


    Arc blinked, his brain still processing the absurdity. “…You little shit. You planned this, didn’t you?”


    Azrael’s smirk widened. “Kinda obvious, wasn’t it?”


    Arc sighed heavily. “You know, most people would milk my position to get perks. You, on the other hand, will get punished for being my brother. You will have to take a test before joining Blue Fright.”


    Azrael’s expression deadpanned. “…That’s so backwards.”


    “Life’s tough, kid.”


    I snickered. This was gold. Watching the ‘genius little brother’ get humbled by his older sibling was my new favorite hobby.


    Azrael turned to glare at me. “Enjoying yourself, Junia?”


    “Immensely,” I said with a blinding smile.


    “…Bitch.”


    I gasped mockingly. “Language, Azrael!”


    ……


    As Arc and Azrael finished discussing his joining process, my attention drifted. I caught myself… smiling. Actually smiling.


    Then, Azrael’s voice softened.


    “…You’re an orphan, aren’t you?”


    I froze. “…Huh?”


    “I just noticed. You avoid talking about family. You always deflect when people ask about your home. Figured it out. And also the way you looked at me and Arc.”


    “…Tch. You’re observant. Annoyingly so.”


    Azrael’s gaze darkened, his tone unusually soft. “…I’m sorry.”


    I almost laughed bitterly. “Don’t be. I’ve gotten over it.”


    He paused, studying my face like he was trying to read between the lines. “…No, you haven’t.”


    Silence hung between us. I hated it. I hated how easily he saw through me.


    “…Seriously, stop looking at me like that.”


    “…Like what?”


    “Like you care.”


    “…I do, though.”


    My stomach twisted painfully. I turned away. “…Don’t. It’s easier that way.”


    “…I get it.”


    And he meant it. That was the worst part. He genuinely understood.


    “…I’ll see you when I come back,” he finally said, voice heavy.


    “…Yeah. I’ll be waiting.”