When the recruits returned, there were no welcome banquets, only coffins waiting for them. Everyone there had a coffin prepared with their name.

It just went to show how difficult the ride was. No one was exempt from death. Those who survived one round would inevitably die in some other round.

Apart from the coffins, caretakers from various mental institutions were there as well. Every survivor had to undergo mandatory counseling sessions with a designated therapist.

Once the professional determined that no long-term mental issues had occurred with the recruits were they allowed to head to the infirmary for a complete checkup.

Those with serious injuries were admitted, while those without were sent away to be interrogated to give the organization information about the incident.

Unfortunately, Zaen's entire group was in the hospital. Ben was still unconscious, but he would heal up soon. As for Mimi, it seemed she was too shocked after seeing Nuang and refused treatment until the old man showed up.

However, from her cries and yells in the next room, Zaen knew the meeting didn't go well. In the end, the old man left to check on Ben, his head hung low.

What's the point in acting now?

Zaen didn't know what the Cho's had done to Nuang or her brother, but she knew it wasn't a superficial matter between the two. The icy rage he witnessed in Nuang's actions proved it. She was thirsty for revenge.

Well, none of it was his concern anymore. He was merely worried because, whether he liked it or not, the ring on his finger would inevitably associate him with the Chos.

Just thinking about it gave him a headache, or maybe it was because of the dozen stitches he had on his head. Besides that, he had other things to worry about.

"What was the goal Nuang wanted to accomplish?"

From what he knew, although they had lost a lot of recruits, Zaen didn't think it was the first time something like that had happened. After all, they lost an entire forward base full of capable officers and didn't bat an eye. So, losing out on a few recruits shouldn't faze them either.

The other thing that had him worried was the system. Before it gave him detailed information about an anomaly when he spotted it, however, this time Zaen had no information regarding the strange goo.

It was like the system couldn't recognize it, yet his perception did. This meant that the thing was clearly an anomaly. As for why the system didn't recognize it, Zaen had a hunch.

The system didn't tell him anything because there wasn't anything to tell. In simple words, the system most likely depended on a database. Since the goo wasn't in the database, it didn't give him any information.

As for the database, it was most likely the organization's actual database. Since the system was designed by his father, who worked with the organization, it made the most sense.

"So does that mean there's a new entry in the database?"

As soon as he said those words, the doors to his ward room were opened. Eira walked in, with Ann following her close behind. There were a couple of others, but Zaen didn't recognize their silhouettes.

"Director, can I help you?" he asked.

Instead of answering, Eira walked to his side and grabbed his hand. It was strangely cold as if she was nervous about something. It should've been something big for her to be worried like that. Thankfully, he didn't have to wait long to learn what.

"I… heard the cult offered you to join their ranks?" she asked, her fingers fidgeting nervously.

Zaen waited for a few moments, scanning the people within the room. After a moment, he chuckled and turned towards the two suited strangers.

"If you're here to throw me back in confinement, then I'd like to apologize to you," he said. "I have no intention of joining the cult."

After the last time, Zaen had learned his lesson. He'd rather not speak his mind. After all, while he didn't view the organization in a better light, they were the only link to his parents, so he didn't want to antagonize them anymore.

But that didn't mean he would take their hits without biting back.

Even if the bite is a mosquito bite.

Albeit not as painful as a dog bite, it was still irritating.

After hearing his answer, the two men left the room. Zaen didn't realize Eira had been holding her breath until then. Once they left, both Ann and Eira took either side of his bed.

Ann had the excuse of checking his wound and other indicators, while Eira was just worried about her little 'brother'. But instead of their affection, Zaen only felt annoyance.

"Don't you two have others to check on?" he asked, seeking an excuse to set them away.

"Why do you think I only came here now?" Eira rolled her eyes. "I've already checked in with the rest of the recruits."

Suddenly, an idea struck her, and she jumped onto the chair next to the bed.

"I was so busy I forgot to rest," she said and made herself comfortable. "I'd just take a nap here."

"Ahem," Ann cleared her throat, getting Eira's attention. "Director, it would be against protocol to let you stay here while a low-rank subordinate enjoys the comfort of my quarters."

Eira knew where Ann was heading with her words, but before she could interject, Ann had already produced a set of keys and handed them to Eira.

"I can stay back to help Zaen," Ann said, not even concealing her motives. "Besides, as a doctor, it makes sense for me to stay here rather than you."

Even Eira was rendered speechless by the twisted, yet convincing argument.

"Fine then," Eira scowled, walking towards the door, but then turned towards Zaen. "You can call me if you need anything, alright? It's the least I can do after everything… Good night, rest well."

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