The infirmary was too bright.
Too quiet.
Too clean.
Charles blinked awake on a hospital bed, eyelids heavy, entire body aching like he'd been hit by a freight truck made of claws and darkness.
For a moment, he couldn't move—
every muscle screamed,
his chest throbbed,
and his mana core felt scraped hollow.
The Rift chimed softly:
[Host Body Condition: 41%]
[Holy Regeneration Active: Slow Recovery]
Midnight lay curled on his stomach, purring anxiously.
Charles stroked his fur with weak fingers.
"…Sorry. I worried you again."
Midnight gently bit his finger in scolding.
Charles winced. "Okay, okay, I get it…"
---
The Room Isn't Empty
"You're awake."
Charles nearly jumped out of the bed.
Arianna sat in the corner—arms crossed, eyes sharp.
Beside her, Lance held an energy drink with trembling hands.
Both of them looked like they hadn't slept.
Arianna stood and walked straight to Charles.
"You almost died."
Her voice wavered for a second—just a second—before she hid it behind her usual icy calm.
Lance rubbed the back of his neck.
"Bro… for real… what the hell happened in there?"
Charles inhaled slowly.
This was the first interrogation.
More would come.
He had to choose every word carefully.
"…Dark monsters," he said quietly. "And the mist. It knocked everyone out."
Arianna narrowed her eyes.
"And yet YOU walked out alive… beaten, bleeding, but alive."
Charles forced a weak smile.
"Light affinity, remember? That's all."
Arianna stared at him for a long, silent moment.
Lance whispered, "Ari… relax. Charles is safe."
Finally, Arianna sat back down.
But her gaze didn't soften.
Not even a little.
---
Team Echo Arrives
The door burst open.
"CHARLES!!"
Jonah rushed in like he'd sprinted through a warzone.
Mira followed, clutching a fruit basket like a survival tool.
Liam strode in with calm relief.
And Kyren entered last—arms crossed, face unreadable.
Jonah crashed into Charles's bedside.
"YOU SAVED US, DIDN'T YOU?! YOU FOUGHT THAT MONSTER!"
Charles quickly shook his head.
"No! No, I swear! I didn't do anything special—!"
Kyren cut in sharply.
"Charles. Don't lie."
The room fell silent.
Kyren stepped closer.
"The rescue team fainted. We fainted. You didn't. And the boss died."
His eyes narrowed like a soldier analyzing a battlefield.
"Explain that."
Mira's eyes shimmered with worry.
Liam looked troubled.
Jonah looked terrified and impressed at the same time.
Charles gripped the blanket, choosing his words.
"…Light attribute gives me advantage. Darkness weakens under light. It's a natural counter."
Kyren studied him longer, then turned away.
"That… is reasonable."
Jonah sighed dramatically. "Dude, you should've told us you had cool abilities!"
Mira smiled gently. "We're all just glad you're safe."
Liam nodded. "If your affinity helped us survive, then we owe you."
One by one, they calmed down.
Suspicion existed—yes.
But none of them thought he was anything more than a lucky Light Bishop.
For now.
---
After They Leave
Eventually, Team Echo trickled out.
Jonah saying "WE'RE BROS FOR LIFE NOW!"
Mira leaving homemade cookies.
Liam giving a reassuring nod.
Kyren giving a final analyzing stare.
Arianna stood last.
"Charles."
He looked up.
"You're hiding something."
His heart stopped.
Arianna continued:
"…But you'll tell us when you're ready. Right?"
Charles swallowed.
"…Right."
She nodded once.
Then left with Lance.
---
Alone Again
The door clicked shut.
Charles exhaled.
Finally alone.
Midnight curled up beside him again.
"…This is getting harder," Charles whispered.
The Rift chimed:
[Host's social environment: Increasing suspicion]
[Concealment efficiency: Stable]
[Host should increase power immediately]
Charles blinked.
"Power…?"
A new window appeared.
[System Points: 54]
[Summon Condition Met: 50 Points]
[Do you wish to unlock: Valkyrie Astrid?]
Charles's heart skipped a beat.
"Astrid…"
His first summon.
A divine warrior.
A Valkyrie of Judgement.
His hidden subclass—Valkyrie Commander—finally ready.
But he couldn't summon her here.
Too risky.
Too visible.
Too many eyes.
"…I need a rift," he whispered.
A weak one.
Unregistered.
Unauthorized.
He needed solitude.
He needed secrecy.
He needed to see Astrid with his own eyes.
The Rift pulsed:
[Recommendation: Host should find an isolated rift]
[Warning: Unauthorized Rift Entry is Illegal]
[Warning: Bureau surveillance rising]
Charles grinned weakly.
"When did any of this become legal?"
Midnight slapped him with his tail.
Charles groaned. "Okay, okay… I'll be careful."
He slowly stood up.
His body ached, but the Apostle Passive was slowly healing him.
He changed clothes quietly.
Put on a hoodie.
Grabbed his backpack.
Midnight hopped onto his shoulder.
The Rift chimed:
[New Quest]
"Step Into the Shadows — Summon Valkyrie Astrid"
Difficulty: High
Risk: Very High
Reward: Astrid's Summon
Penalty for Failure: Unknown
Charles tightened his fist.
"Let's do this."
He pushed open the window.
Cold air rushed in.
And he climbed out—
vanishing into the night.
---