Chapter 9: Cards on the Table
1031 Words
We stood at the entrance—I and Jace. He knocked politely, always the courteous one.
There was no reply. He glanced at me, then pushed the door open.
Inside, the office stretched wider than expected. Shelves lined with old tomes pressed against one wall, while maps of continents were pinned with neat precision on another. A faint smell of ink and dust floated through the air.
And there he was.
The man behind the desk sat with arms crossed, his posture so firm it seemed space itself bent around him. His presence pressed against the air like a hidden weight. It wasn’t intimidation, not exactly. But every instinct warned me he was someone no ordinary man could ignore.
Not me, though. I never bend.
“Good afternoon, sir. You sent for us,” Jace began, his tone formal.
The man didn’t waste words. His voice was steady, clipped, the kind that cut through silence without effort.
“No need for pleasantries. I’ll hit the nail on the head. I have a classified mission that will determine the future of our world. For that, I’m setting up a special squad.”
A special mission? And he was picking new recruits? Either he was insane, or he knew something we didn’t.
I narrowed my gaze. “What’s the mission about? What’s your endgame? Doesn’t make sense to choose people you’ve never met instead of your own personnel.”
His eyes flicked to me, unblinking. “Let me explain, and you’ll understand the gravity. Are you aware of Caeloria and Obryss?”
“Of course,” Jace answered quickly, ever eager. “Two continents. Caeloria for the Virtueborn, Obryss for the Sinborn. Each with seven major nations.”
The man nodded. “Correct. And Central?”
“It’s the only land that accommodates both Virtueborn and Sinborn. Quite the anomaly,” I said flatly.
He leaned back in his chair. “Over the years, they’ve waged war, but that ceased with Central’s creation. The purpose of this land was to prove both sides could coexist. And for a while… it worked.” He paused, his gaze measuring us. “But now, war unlike any before is coming. Each side seeks to unite their seven nations. Do you understand?”
The air shifted, heavier.
So this was bigger than anything we’d been told.
I pressed. “That explains the situation. Not why it concerns us.”
He let out a thin breath. “Because I’ve proposed something. A school.”
Jace blinked. “…A school?”
“Yes.” His glasses caught the light as he adjusted them. “Representatives from Caeloria, Obryss, and Central. A symbolic attempt at peace. There’s a treaty: no war until the decision date, when leaders will meet to decide. On the surface, it’s a school. In truth? It will be a battlefield. Sabotage, espionage, assassinations—the true game will play out there. And you will play it for us.”
I crossed my arms. “I see. A frigid situation indeed. But unfortunately for you, I work alone.”
He smiled faintly—the kind of smile that hid knives. “Not this time. I chose my cards carefully. And now… you’re all here.”
The doors flung open with a metallic creak.
She entered. Umar. But this time she wasn’t alone.
The woman she dragged with her had her wrists bound in iron restraints, chains rattling with each step. Crimson hair fell to her jaw in a neat wolf cut, eyes glowing a deep red. She carried herself like a predator held by leash—her presence wasn’t just power, it was instinct. The air thickened, almost suffocating, and for a heartbeat my body tensed as though preparing for battle.
“I’ve brought her, boss.” Umar smirked.
“You’re early. Again,” he replied dryly.
Jace blinked twice, then blurted out, “Umar? Doctor Umar is a lady!?”
His hands flew to his mouth as if to shove the words back in, but the damage was done.
Umar turned her head, smirk widening. “That’s Instructor Umar to you, brat. It’s an honorific—you’ll learn soon enough. If you survive.”
“Cheeky little punk,” I muttered, but couldn’t hide my grin.
The crimson-haired girl’s gaze slid to me then, sharp as a blade. She didn’t speak, but the chain links creaked as her arms flexed ever so slightly. There was no doubt—this one was dangerous.
I broke the silence. “I don’t mean to interrupt, but… all you need for this mission is me.”
The boss actually chuckled, low and cold. “The three of you were the only ones foolish enough to attempt fighting an instructor. Unlike both of you, she actually killed hers.”
Time seemed to stop.
The chains rattled as she tilted her head slightly, lips quirking upward in something between a grin and a snarl. Unlike me, who had merely toyed with my fight… she had ended hers.
“A mission for S-rankers,” Umar added, tone mocking but her eyes sharp.
My pulse quickened. Excitement thrummed in my veins. I never worked with others. I never followed orders. But this—this was different. My pride itched to test itself against the storm gathering in this room.
I turned to Jace, frowning. “You never told me you fought an instructor. Care to explain?”
He scratched the back of his neck. “Didn’t get the chance. I was stuck with slimes. Instructor showed up, and… I lost.”
Pathetic. But at least he admitted it.
The boss leaned forward, pushing his glasses up again. His voice was final, absolute.
“Lysar Vayne—the special card. Amano Zorion—the secret card. Sachi Hiro—the wild card. Dr. Umar—the trump card. And I… the last card. Together, we’ll secure a peaceful future.
Whether you like it or not.”
His words fell like iron chains around us.
And though every bone in me screamed that I would never be bound—my blood still pounded with anticipation.
This squad was going to be hell.
And I couldn’t wait.
- Writer
