“I will not be marked.” Neo said.

He turned his neck to look at Bryce. “Step back.”

The threat in his tone was clear. “Or I’ll make you step back.”


~


Neo was betrayed and left to die in the most important mission of his life. 

When he opened his eyes again, it was ten years later and the world had moved on without him. He, who was once the strongest hunter on Mars, suddenly became a civilian without any of his abilities.

Neo has to build himself up from scratch but his sync partners—the people who are supposed to be his soulmates—are set on holding him back and controlling him.

In addition, Mars has become something else and is no longer the home he dearly remembers. Neo’s return stirs up forces that are greater than anything imaginable as he takes it upon himself to rectify things.

His righteous actions gain him more enemies than friends. And somehow, his soulmates seem to be among those enemies.

"Don't you have work to attend to?" Bryce immediately lashed at Armin's offer.


"That's none of your business." Armin glanced at Bryce sharply. "I'm going."


"... But I don't want you to come." Neo spoke up slowly, looking at Armin with narrowed eyes.


"It's not a matter of want." Armin said with a straight tone. "You'll be safer with me. Especially since school is not and you're not under the safety of the academy's security. He's still out there, I hope you remember."


"No, you can't." Armin countered. "You think you can but you can't. Not anymore at least."


Neo's features crumbled at those words. Armin had spoken with that tone wherein he wouldn't listen to anything else and had already made his final decision on something regarding Neo's life.


The rest of breakfast didn't go sweetly as no one was willing to speak and dampen the already wet mood. The delicious food tasted somewhat bland in Neo's mouth.


Chapter 169 - Death sentence