The duel had ended—temporarily.
Aven had withdrawn, not in defeat, but in recognition. Jiwoon had not only endured the divine assault—he had shattered its meaning.
But even as the arena emptied, the aftershocks remained.
Backstage – Recovery Hall
Jiwoon sat on the edge of a stone bench, arm still wrapped in flickering shadows from the Sinbound Gauntlet. He hadn't said a word since the fight.
Across the room, Vera leaned against the wall, watching him in silence. Her silver-marked eye glowed faintly—not to analyze, but because it couldn't stop reacting to him.
"You let him live," she finally said.
Jiwoon nodded. "He wasn't my enemy. Just… misguided."
Vera stepped closer. "You held back."
"Not enough," Jiwoon said with a faint smirk. "The ground cracked."
Elsewhere – On the rooftop
Kaelya sat alone, wind sweeping through her white military coat. Her gaze was sharp, but her hands were clenched.
"He walked away… with that much power."
She remembered Jiwoon's words. The silence. The weight behind his punch—not fueled by hatred, but by something deeper. Something… unresolved.
"He's carrying something none of us understand."
Later that night – Jiwoon's dorm
Kaelya and Vera stood outside his room, both hesitating.
"You can go in first," Vera said coolly.
"No, no," Kaelya crossed her arms. "You're the one who watches him from behind trees."
"I'm analyzing," Vera snapped.
"With longing eyes?"
Before their bickering could continue, the door creaked open.
Jiwoon stood there, blinking at the two of them.
"…You both look like you lost a duel."
Kaelya glanced away. Vera remained silent.
Jiwoon stepped aside. "Come in."
They entered without another word.
The three of them sat in silence.
But it wasn't empty.
It was heavy.
With memory.
With fear.
With something unnamed… yet growing.
"You both watched me fight," Jiwoon said quietly.
"But what did you really see?"
Neither answered.
Because in truth, what they saw wasn't just strength…
It was loneliness too deep for words.