"Heh…"
Soldier 11 covered her stomach with one hand and braced herself on the ground with the other. Cold sweat had started to bead on her forehead.
It hurts...
Hearing Zane's voice, she forced herself to lift her arm, grabbed the long blade in front of her, and used it to push herself upright—though she remained kneeling on one knee.
Seeing her in such a vulnerable, pitiful state, Zane raised an eyebrow and said,
"What, can't even keep fighting?"
"You really are fragile."
The mockery stung. Soldier 11 gritted her teeth, lifted her head, and glared at him with fury.
"Don't look at me like that. If you softened up a bit, maybe I'd stick around and play for a while."
"After all, we've only exchanged a few blows. You didn't get anything out of this, did you?"
Zane casually tossed his sword aside. The moment it left his hand, it dissolved into the air.
He moved with such ease, as if that sword had existed solely for the move he just made.
He walked slowly over and crouched in front of her, completely unconcerned about whether she might strike back. He chuckled.
"If I'm right, you planned to use me as your whetstone, didn't you?"
"Interesting idea... but now I'm curious—are you clever or just dumb?"
He tapped her forehead, ignoring the anger in her eyes.
"What makes you think I wouldn't kill you?"
Zane raised one hand, now covered in a thin layer of Ether crystals like a black, crystalline glove. It shimmered, eerie and dangerous.
His eyes gleamed like polished sapphire, his expression calm—completely different from the teasing grin just moments ago.
His smile faded. He gently placed his hand against Soldier 11's face, slowly dragging it downward.
A cold chill spread across her skin. She could feel it—not just the physical cold, but a sharp, unhidden killing intent.
Any sudden move, and she'd die.
That was the first thought that crossed her mind.
By then, Zane's hand had already slid down to her throat, forcing her to tilt her head back.
His fingers tightened slowly.
"Do I look like a good guy to you?"
He stood, lifting her by the neck. The Ether crystals had spread, now completely covering his forearm, sharp protrusions forming at the elbows.
The night was ink-dark. Clouds loomed like clawed devils, blotting out what little moonlight remained.
In the dim clearing, Soldier 11's blade clattered to the ground. She clutched Zane's arm with both hands, feet dangling, struggling in vain.
The pressure in her chest surged. Her face began to change color—Zane noticed and loosened his grip.
She collapsed, catching herself with one arm and gasping in mouthfuls of fresh air. Gradually, her color returned.
Zane stood motionless, watching her. The Ether crystals on his arm began to flake away, piece by piece.
After several seconds, he spoke.
"What made you think this was a good idea? Don't tell me it was some weird sixth sense—I don't buy it."
"Similar."
Soldier 11 raised her head and looked at him.
Her voice interrupted his thoughts, and he blinked, puzzled for a moment before realizing she was answering his earlier question.
She thought... he looked like a good person?
Zane opened his mouth, but no words came out.
He'd originally planned to use this encounter to probe the Defense Army's current stance. They'd been oddly silent for days.
There had been no follow-up to the Cret Hollow incident. Even the Mars District base attack had drawn no reaction.
He hadn't forgotten how eerily empty the Dead End Hollow had been. If they were clearing it to find him, why hadn't he seen a single soldier?
It didn't add up.
The enemy he considered his greatest threat was suddenly keeping quiet...
"I know what you're thinking."
Soldier 11's tone had settled. She looked him in the eye and spoke slowly.
"The Defense Army has already issued a notice. All seventeen districts in New Eridu received the same top-down command."
"'Fire Pickers' are now classified as military secrets and have been removed from the Defense Army's jurisdiction."
"In other words, from that moment on, the Defense Army is no longer involved with anything related to the Fire Pickers."
Her eyes flickered slightly.
Delivering that message to Zane was one of the reasons she had come to the Janus District.
The Fire Pickers were tied to rebel activity. Not just her team, but the entire Obsidian Regiment had been dragged into it. She wanted to act—and she happened to know who Zane really was.
Of course, attacking him the moment they met... that was driven by personal reasons.
As Soldier 11 finished, a thoughtful light passed through Zane's eyes.
"So, was this order from someone high up?"
"I don't know."
She shook her head.
She belonged to the Staff Army. While technically under the Defense Force, there was a significant divide between them.
"Sounds nice on paper. But whether or not they take action against me isn't something a single order can stop."
"Large-scale movements need top-level approval. Those officers who came after you in Cret Hollow? They've already been replaced."
"As for small-scale units…"
Soldier 11 paused, then added,
"Do they really matter to you?"
She knew Zane's strength. A few squads meant nothing to him. They couldn't touch him.
"True, but you can't say it like that…"
Zane frowned. He was starting to lose track of the authorities' stance toward him.
It felt like staring at the tip of an iceberg—while everything beneath remained hidden, out of sight.
"So after all that, you came just to make nice with me? That's... weird."
His frown deepened. He was sure she hadn't told him everything. Something was missing.
"If that's what you want to believe, go ahead."
Soldier 11 had mostly recovered. She picked up her long blade and stood, her desire to fight completely gone.
If she knew Zane's combat style, maybe she'd stand a chance. But in her current state, she was in the dark. There was no way to win.
"Not fighting anymore?"
Seeing her put the Fire Blade away, Zane raised an eyebrow.
Giving up already?
Didn't seem like her style.
"Next time,"
Soldier 11 said softly.
Then she turned to leave. Strangely, her pace was a little hurried.
"Wait, aren't I the winner here?"
"I'm not killing you—shouldn't I at least get some interest?"
"Be more proactive."
Hearing his voice, Soldier 11 had no choice but to stop in her tracks.