Flogga stepped forward, her voice shaking.
"Zzok… Zzok is dead."
I froze.
I already knew. I'd felt it in my arms—the absence of breath, the chilling stillness in his body. But hearing it spoken aloud struck deeper. It wasn't just a sinking feeling anymore. It was reality.
Pain bloomed in my chest as I looked down at Zzok's lifeless form. His eyes were closed, and his once-proud shoulders had gone slack.
I sighed, long and slow.
This was my fault.
If I'd done the daily quest earlier… If I had returned just a little faster… If I'd been here during the emergency—maybe he'd still be alive. My absence had forced the others to fight without a proper leader. To take unnecessary risks.
And now Zzok was gone.
I exhaled again, then rose to my feet with effort, like the weight of guilt had tripled.
"Flogga," I said quietly, turning toward her. "When exactly did he die?"
"Not long after you left," she replied, her voice hushed.
