The hallway leading to Jun's office was quiet. The kind of quiet that made your skin crawl, like something heavy was in the air. Jaden walked steadily, his boots tapping against the marble floor, each step echoing slightly in the silence. His expression was unreadable, eyes sharp and cold.
He reached the office door and pushed it open.
The sight stopped him in his tracks.
Inside, Jun sat at his usual place behind the desk, stacks of papers and mission files around him. But he wasn't alone.
Luca was there too.
Jaden's eyes locked with him immediately.
That smug face. That lazy posture. And most of all—that smirk. The same smirk Jaden hated. The same one that made his blood boil the last time they spoke.
Luca slowly turned the chair, facing him fully, his smirk widening like he'd been waiting for this exact moment.
"Well, look who finally showed up," Luca said, his tone playful but sharp.
Jaden didn't reply.
Jun stood up slightly from his chair. "You're here. Good. Come sit with us, Jaden. We need to talk."
Jaden remained by the door for a moment, staring at the two men in front of him. It was clear now—this wasn't just a regular meeting. If Jun had called Luca in, then things were worse than he thought. Because Jun never brought in Luca unless the situation was spiraling out of control.
After a few seconds, Jaden stepped in and pulled out the chair beside Jun. He didn't look at Luca. Not even once.
Luca, of course, didn't stop staring. That little smile stayed at the corner of his mouth like it lived there.
Jun folded his hands on the table and leaned forward slightly.
"I'm guessing your last mission took more time than usual," Jun said calmly. "You usually don't stay away this long."
Jaden's eyes narrowed a bit but his face stayed cold.
"I had some personal matters to attend to," he said.
Jun nodded, not pressing further. "I went to see you at Master Shang's. But he said you hadn't returned yet."
There was a short silence.
Jaden didn't say anything back, just kept staring at Jun like he was reading between the lines. Like he was waiting to hear the real reason he'd been called here.
Jun finally exhaled and said, "Levi."
That one word filled the room with weight.
Jaden's eyes shifted slightly.
"I'm sure Master Shang told you already," Jun continued. "He's not a rumor. He's not hiding anymore."
Luca leaned forward, elbows on the table. "Word is, he's in the city now. Watching. Waiting."
Jaden's jaw tensed.
Jun looked serious. "He's preparing something big. We've already noticed areas in the city where crops are dying. Animals fleeing. Families falling sick with no explanation."
Luca added, "If we don't act fast, he's going to gather a demon army before we blink. And if that happens… this city will burn."
Jun nodded. "There are children here. Women. Families. DC can't afford to be silent. And we won't."
Jaden leaned back in his chair, his face still calm but his eyes focused.
"I've heard enough," he said. "Just tell me where he is."
Jun sighed. "That's the problem. He's hiding in plain sight. He knows how we work. He knows DC inside and out. He's been preparing."
Jaden nodded slowly. "Then we make sure he doesn't finish what he started."
Luca spoke again, his voice more serious now. "You and I may not get along, Jaden, but if we don't work together on this… a lot of people will die."
Jaden finally looked at him. Just for a second. And the look in his eyes was enough to silence the room.
It wasn't anger. It wasn't hate.
It was determination.
"I don't care about working together," Jaden said quietly. "I care about ending him."
He stood up from his chair, brushing off his jacket.
"When the time comes… I'll be ready."
Jun nodded, relief on his face.
Luca's smirk faded. He could see it now—this wasn't the same Jaden from before.
This Jaden wasn't just angry.
He was focused.
And Levi had no idea what was coming.