The grand ballroom remained as lively as ever.
Music drifted through the air while elegant chandeliers bathed the hall in warm golden light. Newly awakened Initiates laughed, talked, and celebrated the beginning of a new chapter in their lives, completely unaware that, somewhere within the enormous building, one of their own had vanished.
Aaron, however, could not enjoy the celebration.
He stood before a towering mirror, his silver eyes fixed on his own reflection.
"...Jade."
Something felt wrong.
Jade had never been the type to disappear without saying a word. Even if he needed some fresh air, he would have informed someone—especially after what had happened the previous night.
Aaron slowly raised his hand.
His reflection did the same.
The smooth surface of the mirror rippled like calm water.
Without hesitation, Aaron stepped forward.
His body passed through the mirror as though it did not exist.
The Mirror Realm welcomed him once again.
It was a strange world made entirely of reflections.
Countless mirrors floated endlessly in the darkness, each displaying a different part of the ballroom.
Guests danced.
Waiters served drinks.
Children laughed.
None of them knew Aaron was watching from between reflections.
He moved swiftly, jumping from one mirror to another.
The world outside blurred as he searched every hallway.
No sign of Jade.
"...Where did you go?"
Aaron frowned.
He immediately exited another mirror near the dining section.
That was when he spotted Blake.
Blake sat lazily with a drink in one hand while watching everyone around him with amusement.
Aaron walked over immediately.
"Blake."
Blake turned.
"Aaron? Aren't you supposed to be with Jade?"
"I can't find him."
Blake's expression immediately became serious.
"What happened?"
"I don't know."
Aaron shook his head.
"He looked sick after drinking that water. Now he's gone."
Blake slowly placed his glass on the table.
"...You want me to ask them?"
Aaron nodded.
"The dead see things we don't."
Blake sighed.
"I was hoping tonight would be peaceful."
He closed his eyes.
His breathing slowed.
The bustling ballroom gradually faded from his senses.
Instead...
Silence.
An endless gray world unfolded before him.
Countless translucent figures wandered through the empty landscape.
Some looked ancient.
Some looked like children.
Some wore armor from forgotten eras.
Others simply drifted aimlessly, unable to move on.
None of the living guests noticed them.
To ordinary people, they did not exist.
But Blake could always see them.
One elderly spirit floated closer.
"You seek someone."
"I do."
"A boy."
"Yes."
"Black hair."
"Yes."
The spirit smiled.
"He climbed upstairs."
Blake opened his eyes.
"They're right."
Aaron's heart skipped a beat.
"Upstairs?"
"He isn't in the ballroom anymore."
Aaron didn't waste another second.
The mirror beside him rippled.
He stepped through it once more.
Within moments, his figure disappeared.
...
Meanwhile...
On the upper floor...
Jade staggered through an empty corridor.
Every step felt heavier than the last.
His vision blurred.
The heat inside his body had become unbearable.
It felt as though molten lava flowed through his veins instead of blood.
Sweat rolled down his forehead.
His breathing grew increasingly uneven.
People walking nearby glanced at him strangely as he accidentally bumped into them.
A waiter carrying expensive drinks stumbled.
Red wine splashed across Jade's white shirt.
"...Sorry..."
Jade barely managed to mutter the apology before continuing forward.
He could no longer think clearly.
His instincts screamed for one thing.
Water.
Cold water.
Finally, he reached the washroom.
Without hesitation, he turned on the tap.
Ice-cold water rushed over his hands.
He cupped it quickly before splashing it across his face.
Again.
Again.
Again.
The cold spread across his burning skin.
Slowly...
The unbearable heat began to retreat.
Jade leaned against the sink, breathing heavily.
"...Much better..."
Then...
Something unusual happened.
A gentle blue light illuminated the room.
Jade froze.
The glow came from beneath his shirt.
His heartbeat quickened.
Slowly, he unbuttoned the stained shirt.
There...
Upon his chest...
The mark left behind by the Beast God shimmered brilliantly.
The divine symbol pulsed like a living heart.
Each pulse released cool energy that spread throughout his body.
The burning sensation disappeared almost instantly.
Jade stared in amazement.
"So... this isn't just a tattoo..."
He gently touched the glowing mark.
"It can protect me..."
A faint smile appeared on his face for the first time that evening.
He had underestimated the Beast God's blessing.
Far more power rested within it than he had imagined.
Just then, his eyes fell upon a neatly folded receptionist's uniform resting inside a nearby locker.
His own shirt was stained beyond saving.
"...Guess I don't have much of a choice."
He quickly changed into the spare uniform.
As he adjusted the collar—
Click.
The washroom door opened.
A slow pair of footsteps echoed behind him.
Jade's smile vanished.
A familiar voice spoke.
"So..."
"I see you're feeling much better now."
Jade slowly turned around.
Standing at the entrance...
With a calm smile on his face...
Was Mason.