Jared didn't slow down.
He recalculated.
"…they changed the variable," he said.
"…I KNOW. IT'S ME," Iris replied.
"…yes."
"…can you stop confirming that so casually?"
"…accuracy matters."
"…NOT RIGHT NOW."
They walked in silence.
But not peacefully.
Every step—
Measured.
Every movement—
Observed.
Jared's eyes scanned everything.
Angles.
Distances.
People.
Threat probability increasing.
"…we need to change approach," he said.
"…finally."
"…passive observation is no longer effective."
"…translation?"
"…we stop reacting."
"…and?"
A pause.
His eyes sharpened.
"…we escalate."
Silence.
Iris stared at him.
"…you're serious."
"…yes."
"…like actually serious."
"…yes."
"…this is where things get worse, right?"
"…yes."
"…I KNEW IT."
Jared stopped walking.
Turned slightly.
Facing her.
"…they increased pressure."
"…yeah???"
"…so we match it."
Silence.
"…you're fighting back."
"…yes."
"…against WHO exactly?"
"…unknown."
"…GREAT."
Jared pulled out his phone.
Opened the last message.
"You will learn."
He stared at it.
Then—
Typed.
Iris grabbed his wrist.
"…NO."
"…necessary."
"…you already challenged them once!"
"…insufficient response."
"…JARED—"
SEND.
Silence.
"…what did you send."
Jared turned the screen.
"Begin."
Silence.
Iris froze.
"…you just invited them."
"…yes."
"…YOU INVITED THEM."
"…controlled escalation."
"…THIS IS NOT CONTROLLED."
"…it will be."
Jared lowered the phone.
Eyes steady.
Because now—
He wasn't waiting anymore.
He triggered the next stage.