Whispers spread like wildfire through the halls of the Author Police headquarters. Sai's name was on every tongue, his feat echoing in every conversation. Eyes widened, voices hushed—he had done the impossible, erasing hundreds of thousands of monsters in the simulation, something no one had even come close to achieving.
Crowds lingered outside the medical wing, murmuring, waiting, desperate for a glimpse of the man who defied reality. Some were awed, others envious, but all were drawn to him. Girls giggled behind their hands, their faces flushed, while the guys spoke in low voices, speculating on his strength.
In contrast, four figures stood in the background, barely acknowledged—Owl, Dread, Loss, and Fall. They carried their own reputations, but theirs were whispers rather than shouts. Infamous yet unknown to most, they moved through the headquarters without the weight of admiration clinging to them.
Sai, however, felt their presence. Unlike the frantic, wide-eyed onlookers, these four were steady, watching, measuring. They weren't here to gawk—they understood power, and they knew Sai wasn't just a man to admire. He was someone to reckon with.
"He's definitely popular with the girls. Honestly, I can see why—he's got that charm."
"Agreed. There's something about him—handsome, strong, and downright terrifying to his enemies."
Fall and Loss exchanged glances, taking in the swarm of admirers surrounding Sai. Whispers and excited chatter filled the air, eyes lingering on him longer than they ever had on them. Fall crossed her arms, amused, while Loss simply chuckled.
Before Sai could react, Owl clapped a hand on his shoulder, his aged voice carrying a casual excuse. "Alright, enough of the fan club. Borrowing him for a bit."
With that, he led Sai away toward their secluded lounge, the so-called lobby.
"I haven't seen this place before, why are we here?" Sai glanced around before turning to them.
"We are in the waiting lobby, this is the place, the center and close of the heart of the Author Police headquarters where they create their creations."
"We have to keep in check if our creations or companions are okay and better than last time." As their words settled, Sai's gaze drifted across the grand hall, its towering walls adorned with ancient insignias. The weight of history lingered in the air, each detail hinting at a legacy far older than he had imagined.
"So this is how the ranking system works, or is there more to it?" Sai asks once more.
"If our companions or creations fall, they can be revived. However, be warned—if you die, every creation linked to you perishes as well."
A cold weight settled in Sai's chest. The woman's words echoed in his mind—if Paige died, everything would end. His existence, his purpose, his fight. Without her, he was nothing. His grip tightened, nails digging into his palm. The thought of losing her felt like a slow, crushing void swallowing him whole. And worse, without him, who would stop that person? He exhaled sharply, forcing the fear down. No, he wouldn't let it happen. Paige would live. He would make sure of it, no matter what it took. Failure was not an option.
"Hello? You are spacing out. It's your turn. All companions must step forward towards this statis pod." Owl's firm grip landed on Sai's shoulder, grounding him. "Think, boy," his voice was rough but steady. Sai's breath hitched, his thoughts a storm of worry, but something in Owl's gaze forced him to focus.
The hum of machinery filled the chamber as he stepped forward. The stasis pod loomed before him, its glass fogged with icy condensation. His heartbeat pounded in his ears. As he reached out, a surge of energy coursed through him, his vision sharpening, body tingling. A faint glow pulsed around him—his strength rising, his very essence shifting.
He had leveled up again. Wait you aren't human?!!" The air grew thick with silence, the weight of realization pressing down on the room. Sai stood still, staring at the faint reflection of himself in the stasis pod. His existence—his very being—was now in question.
Owl's usual sharp demeanor cracked, his eyes narrowing in disbelief. Fall took a hesitant step back, confusion flickering across her face. Loss remained still, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
"He's… not real?" Fall finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.
Not an official officer. Not a soldier who climbed the ranks. A creation—someone's companion, crafted with a purpose they didn't yet understand.
Owl let out a slow breath. "Then… who made you?"
Sai didn't answer. His mind reeled, searching for memories that weren't there. His fists tightened at his sides. For the first time, doubt seeped into his very being.