In the dimly lit command center of the Third Division base, Captain Soo-jin Lee stared at his encrypted communicator, the message from his insider at IRON—a fortified global prison for the world's most dangerous mana criminals—glowing ominously. *"Genesis isn't just a normal terrorist group anymore. Their goal isn't Exodus alone—their goal is Genesis itself, the creation. I can't risk explaining; it means... THAT PERSON has received full rights to be released tomorrow by noon. And 4 out of the 10 Pillars of IRON have made alliances with Genesis."*
Lee's water affinity rippled the air around him as he squeezed the device, his mind racing. *We haven't finished dealing with Genesis, or even figured out how to counter them, and now THAT PERSON is getting released? This is spiraling out of control. I can smell the blood coming.* The weight of it pressed on him—IRON's Pillars were legends, mana titans locked away for crimes that shattered nations. Four allying with Genesis? And "the creation"... it hinted at something apocalyptic, beyond mere terror.
A knock interrupted his thoughts. The vice-captain poked his head in. "Min-jun Park is here to see you."
"Let him in," Lee replied, composing himself.
Min-jun entered, his posture sharp, eyes burning with resolve. "What do you want now, kid?" Lee asked, his gaze fierce.
"I want to end this program," Min-jun said flatly. "I want out of this madness you're planning."
Lee stood, an intense aura surging—water pressure thickening the air like an ocean crush. "You think you have a choice? Leave the SDF, and you lose all rights and privileges as captain. The government will target you again—and this time, we might not save you."
The aura bore down, but Min-jun didn't flinch. His Black Heart pulsed steadily as he unpinned his SDF badge, dropping it—with his communicator and insignia—onto the desk. "As of this moment, the Recruit Program ends. Min-jun Squad disbands." He turned to leave.
Before he reached the door, Lee's aura locked him in place, an invisible tide pinning his limbs. "Don't think you're special just because we pulled strings to save your ass. You're no threat to us now, but step out there and do something stupid? Every eye will be on you."
"You're right—I'm nothing special," Min-jun shot back, voice strained but unbroken. "That's why I'm walking out. I never planned on being in this."
The pressure vanished. Min-jun strode out without looking back.
*I had hopes for you, kid,* Lee thought, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face.
"Is this the right thing to do, Captain?" the vice-captain asked.
"Honestly? I don't know. Send his request to headquarters—they decide."
Minutes later, the vice-captain burst back in. "It was approved. Immediately."
*What?! Did the commander anticipate this? This is weird,* Lee mused inwardly, his water mana swirling in unease.
---
Hours later, the news rippled through the SDF like a shockwave: Min-jun Park had disbanded his squad and quit the program. Whispers turned to buzz—recruits in awe, captains in disbelief. Ji-hoon Kim punched a locker in frustration, Hye-jin Moon's sound waves amplifying the echo of his curses, while Soo-jin Han stared at her phone, illusions flickering with worry.
At home, Min-jun sat on the rooftop, gazing at the star-scattered Neo-Seoul sky. Shadows danced lazily at his fingertips. *Is this the right thing? No use overthinking—what's done is done.*
His phone buzzed—Ji-hoon. "Hey, bro, what the hell's going on in that damn mind of yours? Hope it's not what I'm thinking. Meet up tomorrow during break."
Min-jun smirked faintly, the Black Heart quiet for once. Freedom tasted uncertain, but it was his. Genesis's message, the SDF's web, IRON's shadows—they loomed, but now he'd face them on his terms.