’Why am I here...?’
He thought inwardly.
’How should I answer?’
It was kind of complicated.
He was just taking the exam...?
Then suddenly, not taking the exam?
It was hard to explain.
He was just about to open his mouth, when Yi Jihyeon spoke first, her bloodied hand caressing his cheek.
"Where is.... Leon? You should’ve left him with him. Don’t tell me...."
Her breathing grew ragged with anxiety.
"Calm down, Miss Jihyeon. Easy breaths, easy...."
"Huu.... I’m fine...."
"I don’t know anything about this.... Leon, but do know there’s no other cadets left besides me."
"You were.... abandoned?"
"I believe so. But that’s not important right now—"
All of a sudden, Yi Jihyeon’s hand on his cheek began emitting a pure–white glow.
At that moment, Brandon felt the pain in his body soothe to a certain degree.
"You’re hurt...."
"...."
Brandon was speechless.
Instead of healing herself, despite her seemingly fatal injuries, she could have at least alleviated her own pain rather than focusing on him.
Yi Jihyeon looked like she wanted to curse, to berate this Leon guy, but held back as she drew another breath in.
Then, he looked around, scrutinizing at the gruesome sight before turning back towards her.
Staring at her blue sky–blue eyes intently, Brandon asked.
"Miss Jihyeon, tell me everything that’s happened here."
Yi Jihyeon stared lifelessly at him, her mouth hanging agape.
Brandon could hear small breaths drawing in—Yi Jihyeon—trying to muster up her courage to recall whatever tragedy befell.
Shortly after, the words she could barely suppress flowed out of her mouth gradually.
"They left me.... alive.... I watched my men die one after.... another.... I.... It hurts.
Cough...!"
Yi Jihyeon twitched slightly as she coughed, blood sputtered out of her mouth and stained the ground.
"They? Who? And why are you here? You should’ve been conducting the exams."
Brandon questioned one after another, but stopped at his third question, realizing it might’ve been too much for Yi Jihyeon to answer all at once.
However, to his surprise, she answered each of his questions to the best of her capabilities.
"We came here.... to save.... you.... But were intercepted by.... Cough! ....Two people."
"Save me? How did you know I was here in the first place?"
It might’ve been imptertinent to ask a dying person everything, but Brandon needed to know all the facts.
He had to.
For her sake.
So Yi Jihyeon’s life wouldn’t be in vain.
"They found an error.... That.... Alan Ross.... They concluded.... Cough! ....That it was highly likely you were thrusted in the tower....
Reasons unknown.... unthinkable...."
Indeed, it was obvious to Brandon by now that the exam had been tampered with.
But to be able to redirect a simulation’s portal inside the tower?
It was unheard of.
And in the first place, the 27th floor!?
It was truly insane.
"I understand. Thank you for telling me as best as you can."
Yi Jihyeon nodded her head lifelessly, her expression blank, and her face completely pale.
"About those.... two people.... Please, don’t.... Fight them.... Save yourself...."
Brandon only had one thought that came to mind when he heard her words.
"Milis, right?"
"...."
For the first time, Yi Jihyeon showed a reaction, her eyes widening.
"Milis.... How did you know?"
After all, in fear of a mass panic, the cold war between Milis, and the upcoming war had never been disseminated to the public.
Even if the cadets refuse to join the war, it wouldn’t hurt to arm the youth the necessary weapons to fight their adversaries.
Brandon closed his eyes. Then, opening them, he looked at her seriously
"I’m the secret benefactor responsible for Twilight Syndicate’s downfall."
She smiled a cumbersome smile as the tears started pouring down.
"She.... She would always forget her birthday.... calling it a regular day—Hic."
"...."
"Now who’s going to remind her...?"
To remind her that she mattered.
For Evelyn, her birthday might’ve been a painful reminder.
A reminder that she had parents.
And most probably the reason why she had never wanted to celebrate it.
But for the people around her, it was a reminder that Evelyn Cessna existed.
To the public, she was their hope.
But to the people close to her, though she was blind to see it, she was a blessing, a mentor, and a friend.
"Do me a favor.... will you?"
"Anything."
Brandon nodded his head, holding onto Yi Jihyeon’s hand.
"Please be kind to her."
"Of course."
To think that in her dying moments, Yi Jihyeon prioritized her loved ones instead of her own self.
Brandon could only imagine how much it tormented her the moment Lucian’s death became public.
Silence.
"Hic."
Nothing but silence amidst the carnage around the vicinity.
"Miss Jihyeon."
Brandon whispered.
He couldn’t bear it any longer.
Even if it meant that things would end in vain, he didn’t want Yi Jihyeon’s death to be for naught.
"Pass your burdens onto me."
"W–What?"
Yi Jiheyon stared at him with raised brows, tears trickling down, but her crying paused.
"I solemnly swear to you I’ll avenge you—No, that’s not right."
He shook his head.
"I’ll avenge Blood Crescent Moon."
"No.... Didn’t you hear what I told you? It’s not worth it.... It’s no—"
However, seeing the determined look in Brandon’s eyes, Yi Jihyeon stared at him baffled.
"You look.... just like him.... The same eyes when he begged me to mentor him...."
Brandon solemnly nodded his head.
"I don’t know what you mean by.... burden...."
"Your ability."
"Yes...?"
"Pass it onto me. Your struggles, your burdens, your sorrow.... I’ll carry it all."
"Is that even.... possible?"
It was unheard of.
But for Brandon, it was possible.
He knew it was possible.
Because he had first–hand experience in it.
"Just repeat after me."
A binding vow, mixed with his ability, [Retribution].
And so, rather confused by everything, Yi Jihyeon followed his words.
And by the end of it.....
——————————
[Special Affinities]
∟[Permafrost]
——————————
His very own affinity—correlating to [Ice].
No, it was Yi Jihyeon’s will.
And he planned on carrying that will until the end.
By now, Yi Jihyeon looked drained, even more so than before.
"Brandon Locke.... Please see it till the end."
Her voice started to fade, growing weaker in the passing seconds.
"Please win this war."