The corridors were surrounded by cold metal walls, as were the floor and ceiling.
Many of those walls had massive, heavy metal doors reinforced with multiple complex mechanical locks and biometric scanners.
Some even had guards stationed in front of them.
Occasionally, the doors would slide open, allowing people in white lab coats to enter or exit. Some passed by Azriel and Celestina as they followed the bodyguard who had greeted them at the entrance, listening intently to his words.
“Currently, we are on Floor 0. The facility has three containment wings. Floor 0, where we are now, is the standard containment area, where we keep the lower-risk void creatures. The other two wings are underground—Floor -1 is the High-Risk Containment Chambers, where we store much deadlier ones, ranging from beast-ranked to demon-ranked void creatures. And then there’s Floor -2. We call it the Black Zone.
Unfortunately, I have no clue what’s down there. Only the highest-ranking chiefs, commanders, and the director himself have access to Floor -2. But there’s no need to worry—most containment units and reinforced glass are made from the highest-quality mana stones, and commanders personally sedate all void creatures by the hour.”
Azriel remained silent as he listened to the lengthy explanation. So did Celestina.
Yet, as he looked around, an unsettling feeling crept through him.
The more he listened.
The more he saw those white lab coats.
The colder his insides felt.
“Right now, we’re heading up to Floor 2. Floor 1 holds the Research & Experimentation Labs, while Floor 2 has the offices of all high-ranking members and the Security & Control Centers.”
“…I see. That was very informative. Thank you for going out of your way to explain, sir…”
“You can just call me Gavin, Your Highness.”
“Then, Sir Gavin it is.”
Gavin glanced back at Celestina as they walked, offering her a kind smile.
Then, his gaze shifted toward Azriel. The warmth in his expression disappeared, replaced by something more serious—his eyes narrowing slightly before he looked ahead again.
‘…Did I do something?’
Azriel couldn’t help but feel that Sir Gavin held some sort of animosity toward him.
Nevertheless, he didn’t dwell on it for long. He focused on observing everything around him, memorizing the corners they turned and every detail of the facility.
Until, finally, they arrived in front of an elevator.
*****
Edge’s head throbbed as he slumped forward, resting his head on his arms, his elbows propped on the desk.
Rubbing his forehead, he let out a long, tired sigh.
“I can’t do this much longer…”
How much more?
How many more?
He wanted it to end. Let it all finally be done.
A frustrated expression twisted his face as he gripped his hair with both hands.
“Gods… what do I do…”
Edge clenched his eyes shut.
“…It can’t get worse than this…”
The moment he muttered those words, three consecutive knocks echoed from the door, making him flinch and straighten his back.
“Director, there are visitors here to see you. It’s extremely important.”
The low voice from behind the door made him flinch again. He stood up hurriedly, smoothing his hair, straightening his shirt, and wiping the fatigue from his face.
Then, slowly, Edge walked toward the door, his body trembling slightly. He bit his fingernails nervously.
‘What should I do? What should I say? …There’s no other way now, is there?’
It’s finally time.
Cold sweat slid down his face. His fingers tightened around the doorknob, and with a deep breath, he twisted it open.
The door swung wide.
And before his weary blue eyes, three figures stood.
The first was a man clad in a black suit, a pair of dark shades covering his eyes—clearly a guard.
The other two…
They were young. Kids? No, young adults. Looks could be deceiving these days, Edge reminded himself.
One was a tall, sharp-eyed boy with blood-red irises and obsidian-black hair. The other was a breathtakingly beautiful girl, her moon-silver hair cascading down her shoulders, her diamond-grey eyes gleaming under the dim light. His heart skipped a beat.
Both wore pristine white uniforms.
‘The Hero Academy…’
Then, as he got a better look—especially at the silver-haired girl—his breath hitched.
Before he could think, before he could even form words, his mouth fell open. He staggered a step back, his trembling finger pointing at her.
“P-Princess Celestina…!”
His face turned deathly pale.
Excitement, joy—any kind of positive emotion—should have been the natural reaction to meeting someone as elite as her.
Yet all he felt was fear.
Dread.
Horror.
Every inch of his body tensed under the weight of the Frost Heiress’s gaze.
Before he or she could say anything, the guard stepped forward, his expression dark with displeasure. He frowned, peering into the office.
The sight alone terrified Edge a thousand times over.
But the next words made his terror multiply.
“You… why are you in the director’s office? I thought he hadn’t left this room, buried in work for the past three days. Where is he, Edge?”
Edge’s heart froze.
For a moment, panic clawed at his throat, threatening to consume him. But he bit his lip, forcing himself to breathe. In. Out.
‘Calm down.’
A cold mask settled over his face.
“…As you said, Gavin. There’s something extremely important to discuss.”
The three of them wasted no time and followed Edge into the office, taking their seats—except for Gavin, who remained standing behind Celestina.
Edge narrowed his eyes slightly, doing his best to steady his racing heart as he observed the ones seated before him.
On the right sat Celestina Frost. Even fools living under a rock would recognize her name and face.
Behind her stood one of the facility’s well-known and respected guards—Gavin himself, a close friend of the director.
Then, Edge’s gaze shifted to the one seated on Celestina’s left.
The red-eyed boy simply observed his surroundings with a neutral expression. Unlike the other two, who carried an air of seriousness, he remained composed—almost uninterested.
Yet, for some reason, Edge felt goosebumps rise along his arms.
‘I don’t recognize him… Considering they’re both wearing the academy uniform, this must be official business from the Hero Academy. This kid… is he her Highness’s servant? Or perhaps something more?’
A quiet sigh escaped his lips. He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again.
The silence was broken by Gavin.
“Speak, Edge. Everyone knew the director had locked himself in his office for the past three days and wasn’t supposed to leave until the end of the week. So why are you, a research chief assistant, sitting here instead of him? When I asked earlier, I was told the director was still inside.”
Edge’s expression darkened. His jaw clenched as he lowered his gaze. A few seconds passed before he finally spoke.
“…He’s dead.”