[Evening – Dormitory Roof]
The stars hung heavy above, their glow faint beneath the weight of thoughts.
Lohan sat at the edge of the roof, staring out into the night, his fingers absentmindedly flipping a coin—one that shimmered faintly with magical residue. The System's latest reward.
Behind him, soft footsteps approached.
He didn't turn.
"I figured you'd come."
Winter's voice was sharp but low. "What the hell was that, Lohan?"
He sighed. "A lesson."
"She called you Master. And you didn't deny it."
Lohan flicked the coin into the air.
"She was once my student."
---
[Winter's Frustration]
Winter folded her arms. "Was?"
"She's a god now. I'm not."
Silence.
Then—
"Are you in danger?"
Lohan finally looked at her. "Aren't we all?"
Winter sat beside him, her voice quieter now. "She's powerful. You're hiding your strength. And it feels like… you're preparing for something."
He looked up at the stars.
"I died once, Winter. I'm not planning to die again."
---
[Meanwhile – Celestial Plane]
Divine energy surged in a council chamber built from starlight.
A towering figure sat at its center. One of the True Gods, robed in galaxies.
A lesser deity knelt before him.
"My lord… the mortal, Lohan Ardyn, has resurfaced."
The god's voice rumbled like collapsing worlds. "The Phoenix has returned."
"But he is still human."
The god's eyes narrowed.
"For now."
He turned to a shadow in the corner.
"Send the Pale Seraphim to observe. If he breaches Floor 10… eliminate him."
---
[Back on Earth – Justine's Quarters]
Justine stood before a mirror, slowly brushing her hair.
Behind her, a phantom of golden flame flickered—an echo of her divine energy.
She touched her chest, where her heart once beat for her teacher.
"He returned to me."
She smiled faintly, but her eyes held madness.
"And I'll never lose him again."
---
[Late Night – Lohan's System Update]
> [System Notification – Passive Skill Evolved]
[Battle Instincts (B) → War God's Intuition (A)]
[Effect: Predict enemy attacks within 0.8 seconds. Boost reaction speed by 60%.]
> [New Trait Unlocked – Divine Bane]
[Effect: Increases damage dealt to divine beings by 15%. Reduces their influence over host.]
Lohan blinked.
"So you're helping me fight gods now?" he muttered.
> [System Response: Affirmative. Vengeance Path Authorized.]
He grinned faintly.
"Good."
---