Red. In his blurred vision, only red stood out with vivid intensity.
Bodies lay scattered across the shattered mansion—not just one or two, but countless forms, mounds of flesh, and rivers of blood.
Corpses littered the floor, twisted in agony. Yet the boy remained unmoved. His heart was shackled by slaughter, shattered by its intoxicating rush.
Besides, he knew—these weren’t humans. They were Apostles disguised as people!
But... were they *all* Apostles? Could any truly be human?
*Kill.*
*Kill her!*
*Kill. Kill. Kill. I’ll kill her!*
*Anyone blocking my path must die!*
*This isn’t my sister. Not my sister!*
*She’s the enemy. An Apostle! A monster!*
Strolling down blood-painted corridors, Empty City’s face glowed with delight. He was the world’s strongest. The first to awaken a Meta Ability. Yet right now—he was just a fourteen-year-old boy.
“Brother…”
A girl’s voice trembled from the deepest corner of the room.
Empty City didn’t flinch.
His bloodstained hand reached toward her.
...
“Ah—!”
Empty City jolted awake past seven in the evening.
He surged upright, swallowing a roar and the icy killing intent clawing up his throat. The nightmare had faded, but the frenzy hadn’t—it burned hotter. Sweat soaked his clothes, clinging and suffocating. Frustration flared as he rummaged for clean clothes… only to remember he had none. A storm of emotions tore through him, each pulse gripping his heart like ice. Cold sweat drenched his skin as a low groan escaped his lips. Finally, he forced the savage aura back down. His hand grabbed the pillow—where his phone glowed.
Night Zero’s text blinked on the screen: *Dinner later?*
His spirit lifted instantly. He shook off the dark thoughts, eager to accept this date. But—damn it—the message was an hour old.
Still, he had to reply.
“Ugh… sorry! Fell asleep back at the dorm. Didn’t see your text right away! *So* sorry! Hands-up apology!”
He dropped the phone, sinking back onto the bed. Waiting for Night Zero’s reply, his mind wandered—searching for something to do.
Slowly, his gaze dimmed. A shadow crossed his face, heavy with unspoken sorrow.
*I should visit soon.*
*Visit my sister’s grave…*
Just as drowsiness pulled him under again, the phone rang.
*“Call from Miss Night Zero! Miss Night Zero! Don’t answer, and I’ll spank your bottom~!”*
*That* ringtone. Night Zero must’ve set it herself. Cringing at the cringe-worthy tune, Empty City answered.
...
**Faculty Dormitory, Room 505**
Steam curled around Night Zero’s silhouette in the bathroom. White foam clung to her curves, revealing flushed skin beneath the hot spray.
She held her phone, waiting for Empty City to pick up.
*He must’ve been exhausted,* she thought. She’d eaten dinner alone, returned to her dorm alone—letting him rest. All evening, she’d waited for his message. Waited to hear his voice.
“Hey… Night Zero?”
His voice sounded deeper over the line. So serious. Night Zero pressed the earpiece to her ear, submerged in the bathtub. *He has my contact saved. Why ask?* Silly boy.
She giggled, light and teasing.
“Mhm. Finally awake?”
“Ah—sorry, sorry! Dozed off. Wanted to grab dinner with you too.”
“Hmph. I’ll forgive you… since you worked so hard today. Heard about your fight with Teacher Hamlet~”
“Eh? Think I was cool?”
“Not at all! I wasn’t there to see it.”
“Next time.”
“Hm?”
“Next time… I’ll let you see *everything*. Every angle.”
*Plop plop.* Bubbles burst as Night Zero sank deeper into the water. Heat flooded her cheeks—like she’d been scalded—but she didn’t move.
*This guy… was he flirting?*
Determined not to be led around, she rallied. Her voice dropped to a whisper against the phone:
“Idiot… you still haven’t explained this morning.”
She’d pictured him leaping out of bed, stammering in panic. That’s what she’d wanted to hear. But his reply was eerily calm.
“You want to know?”
Unexpected. But she did. Night Zero nodded—then froze. *Stupid! He can’t see me!*
Clearing her throat, she masked her fluster with mock severity:
“Yes. And if your explanation’s bad… you’ll regret it.”
“Got it. Wait there. I’m coming.”
“Wait—”
*Beep beep beep…*
Wait? *Coming?* What did that mean?
*Coming here? In the middle of the night?!*
A face-to-face talk would be fine… but at this hour? Her mind spun with embarrassing possibilities. She’d just showered—no hiding the scent of her skin now…
*Should I… let him stay over tonight?*
Night Zero’s thoughts raced ahead—assuming he’d take time to arrive. But Empty City’s “wait there” meant *seconds*.
...
Spatial Shift was simple. Visualize a place clearly, and you’d appear there. For unfamiliar locations? Lock onto someone’s energy signature. And Night Zero’s presence? That was burned into his senses.
The moment he hung up, the retired B-Rank Hero activated his Meta Ability.
He vanished.
