The alarm clock rings, waking me up.The morning air was still chilly, but the sunlight streaming through my window made my body feel warmer than it should. My muscles ached from yesterday’s work and school, and every fiber of my being longed to stay in bed just a little longer.With a groggy sigh, I pushed myself up and stumbled toward the window, pulling the curtain shut. The room dimmed instantly, the invading light replaced by soothing darkness. Satisfied, I collapsed back onto my bed, burying myself under the sheets.I didn’t want to get up. I wanted to stay home and sleep. Just for today, I wanted a day off.Almost a month had passed since I met Amber and the other girls, and my life had changed in ways I hadn’t expected. Rest had become a luxury. I wasn’t even an official part of their team yet, which meant I wasn’t going on missions with them. Instead, I was stuck doing menial work—cleaning, running errands, and whatever odd jobs they assigned to me.It annoyed me.And yet, de

A normal day had just ended at Valley Technological High School. Most of the students were on their way home. Some stayed behind for club activities. Others walked with friends, laughing and enjoying youth, while a few strolled hand in hand with their lovers.From the window of her classroom, Amber gazed out, admiring the peaceful view.She always wished every day could be like this—quiet, beautiful, untouched by chaos.Today, Amber remained in the classroom because she was on cleaning duty.Normally, another student would be paired with her, but they had to leave early due to an emergency, leaving her alone with the task.Amber played the role of the kind, model student. Always polite, always friendly.Cleaning the classroom was easy work, so she didn’t mind. But what weighed on her heart was something far more serious—the threat of another terrorist attack. Rumors said it would be much bigger than before.If the terrorists attacked again, this peaceful city would be thrown into chao

A few hours after the incident, police officers swarmed the ruins of the school, their flashing lights painting the night in alternating red and blue.The air still carried the acrid scent of smoke, and the remnants of the battle smoldered in the darkness.Amber and I lingered just long enough to assess the damage before slipping away unnoticed.As agents of the Dark Side, drawing the attention of law enforcement was the last thing we needed.Investigations meant scrutiny, and scrutiny meant risking exposure—something our organization couldn’t afford.The damage that Amber created to the school was expensive for sure.By the time the authorities pieced together their report, the incident was labeled another terrorist attack.I couldn’t help but scoff at the official statement.Technically, they weren’twrong... However, it was Amber who had reduced the school to rubble.After arriving back to Amber’s apartment, Amber collapsed into bed without even bothering to eat. Exhaustion clung to

The whole place was dark and silent.But as I stared into the pitch-black corridor, I couldn't help but feel something was staring back at me.A bead of cold sweat slid down my cheek, and I swallowed hard."Are you feeling scared?"The voice came from the girl beside me, dressed in a black military outfit, her knife gleaming faintly in the dim light.Her name was Sion, the most agile member of the Flames organization."There’s no way I’m feeling scared."I replied, shaking off the chill crawling up my spine.We were in the middle of a mission: to capture a rogue scientist conducting illegal experiments in this abandoned building. The information we received was vague, but the risk level was high. Sion didn’t seem bothered at all."That’s good."Sion murmured.Suddenly, the ceiling above us groaned and then collapsed.From the shadows above, our target dropped down with a loud crash, landing with two monstrous, wolf-like beasts by his side. The floor trembled slightly beneath their wei

“You’ve got a deep cut… Still, you're fortunate that you're near the hospital.”The doctor said.I glanced down at my arm—it was fully healed. Not a trace of pain or a scar remained. Medical technology had truly advanced in Neo Silicon Valley.“Thank you very much.”I said with a bow of gratitude.“No problem… Helping people in need is a doctor’s job.”The doctor turned to the window, his gaze distant as if looking beyond the horizon.“Neo Silicon Valley is in a constant state of threat. Terrifying things happen left and right in this city. I hate that some people blessed with abilities can just hurt others without consequence.”“Then, doctor… would you prefer a world without ability users?” I asked, my voice calm but curious.He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he gave a heavy sigh.“I wouldn’t say I hate that kind of world… Ability users have their pros and cons. Even without them, the world would still be a mess. It’s just… Ability users make the dividing lines in society more v