At that moment, Sophia’s grandfather couldn’t hold it in any longer. His face was red with frustration, his brows knotted so tightly it looked like they might never loosen again. He stepped forward, eyes blazing, and pointed toward the TV as if trying to stab through the screen with his bare finger.He turned sharply to face Sophia.“Just look at him, Sophia! Just look! He ran he actually ran away!” His voice cracked with disbelief, echoing through the living room.“So tell me, who is going to deal with this enemy now? That monster is still out there, tearing things apart like it owns the land. Is this how a soldier behaves? Is this the kind of man you’re still defending?”He let out a sharp scoff, his hands flying into the air in disbelief.“Oh, I see it now. He must’ve realized the enemy was too strong for him, and instead of standing his ground or even trying to buy time—he ran! He ran with the Brain in his arms like a frightened child hugging his teddy bear. He didn’t want to die,

Sophia’s father immediately raised his voice, unable to hide his confusion and disbelief. “Why didn’t he dodge? Why didn’t he even lift a finger to defend himself? He just stood there and took that hit like a statue! What kind of fool doesn’t try to protect himself from something like that?”Before anyone could respond, However Sophia’s grandfather let out a slow, mocking laugh. Then he seated and leaned back in his chair, shaking his head with the smugness of someone convinced he knew everything. “You’re asking why he didn’t dodge? Please… it’s because he’s not strong. That’s all there is to it. He didn’t even see the punch coming. Didn’t you catch his face earlier before the hit landed? The boy didn’t even blink. No flinch. No reaction. That’s not the face of a man prepared for a fight. That’s the face of someone completely blind to danger.”He scoffed again. “He didn’t dodge because he couldn’t. He didn’t see it. He’s weak.”Sophia, standing nearby, felt her heart jolt. Her knees

Then both men leaned forward subconsciously, their bodies tense, as if the closer they got to the screen, the more they could understand what kind of power Damien was truly holding back. Their gazes didn’t shift, not even for a second. The room was dead silent now, save for the hum of the television and the quiet crackle of the surrounding energy being broadcasted live.And then—it happened.The Circle Operative lunged forward with monstrous speed, but Damien didn’t flinch. In a split second, like a man who’d finally had enough, Damien caught him.By the neck.Not the arm. Not the chest. Not the shoulder.He caught the Circle Operative by the neck like a man would lift a child throwing a tantrum.And without hesitation, Damien raised him up, one arm extended, the monster kicking and twitching violently in the air. And then—“SLAM!”Once.“SLAM!!”Twice.“SLAM!!!!”Thrice.The ground shook violently with each impact as cracks shot through the battlefield like lightning bolts, each slam

At that moment, hearing her father’s soft but pleading voice, Sophia froze. Her legs wanted to keep moving, to walk out of the room and out of their lives just like they had pushed Damien out of hers. But something deeper held her back. It wasn’t weakness it was respect. For all their mistakes, they were still her family. She may be hurt, disappointed, and furious, but she wasn’t raised to disrespect her elders. So she stood still, her shoulders rising and falling as she tried to contain the whirlwind of emotions inside her.Slowly, she turned around. Her face was unreadable no longer fiery and angry, but calm and serious. She folded her arms and looked directly at her grandfather, waiting. She didn’t need to say anything. Her silence alone told him that he had one chance. One.Seeing that, her grandfather took a step forward, clearing his throat. His tone was steadier now, almost calculating, but laced with urgency.“Good,” he said. “Now that I see you’re ready to listen, I want you

At that moment, upon hearing what his father just said, Sophia’s father stood still, his gaze fixed on the closed door his daughter had just walked out from. His jaw clenched slightly, but not out of anger out of disappointment, mostly in himself and the mess that was now unfolding in their family. He took a slow breath, and then gently nodded his head.“Well,” he finally said in a calm, deep voice, “I don’t blame Sophia for the action she’s taking. I really don’t. Even though, yes, she’s taking it a little too far... walking out of the house like that, carrying her bags as if we no longer mean anything to her... but still, I can’t blame her one bit.”His voice trembled faintly, emotion hiding behind his composed tone. “Father, let’s not lie to ourselves. You and I both know... you’re the one who caused all of this.” He slowly turned to face his father. “Everything we’re going through, everything that just happened Sophia’s anger, her coldness, her decision to walk away from the famil