The Skygate Tower sliced through the storm-gray sky like a blade, its silver spires lost in clouds. Only S-ranks and above earned the privilege to ascend past the 50th floor, and today's clearance ceremony was a rare opening for elite guilds.
Cain moved silently among the crowd, draped in the Crimson Dawn's uniform—borrowed but flawless. This climb was a formality; he'd crushed these floors before, in another life. Today, it was about more than power or rank. It was about her.
Selene.
She stood by the teleport array, an unyielding pillar of frost. Her silver coat shimmered faintly, hair pulled back to reveal her sharp, guarded gaze. Her eyes scanned the newcomers like a hawk, but when they settled on Cain, something flickered—a hesitation, a shadow of recognition.
Their eyes locked for a heartbeat.
Then Selene stepped forward, voice low but edged with steel.
"Cain."
He bowed his head slightly.
"Commander."
She didn't waste time on pleasantries.
"I reviewed your raid history. Too clean. Too perfect. Like it's been… rewritten."
Cain smiled—cold, faint.
"Isn't that what we all want? A fresh start?"
Selene's eyes narrowed, and without warning, she reached out, fingertips glowing faintly with mana, testing the air between them.
Cain's muscles tensed, but he didn't pull away.
"Have we met before?" Selene asked, voice barely above a whisper. "Somewhere beyond all this?"
He hesitated, the weight of memories pressing down. Her laughter, her fury, the day he died—etched deep beneath the surface.
"Maybe," Cain said softly. "In another life."
Selene's gaze sharpened, suspicion mixing with something unspoken. Then, before Cain could respond, she shifted—an abrupt, fluid movement—and in one swift motion, pressed her palm against his chest, a flicker of mana sparking at the contact.
"You're holding back," she said, eyes locked on his.
Cain caught the mana, refusing to flinch.
"I expect nothing less from you," he replied, voice low and steady.
She pulled back, stepping away, the faintest trace of a smile ghosting her lips.
"I'll be watching you, Cain. One mistake, and I'll make sure you don't get a second chance."
Her words hung heavy in the air as she turned, leaving Cain standing alone in the vast hall.
His fist clenched.
She's close. Closer than ever.
But not ready. Not yet.
There were still betrayers to hunt. Gods to kill. And a throne waiting at the top of the Tower.
The game was only just beginning.