The scene outside the collapsed dungeon was still a mess—agents shouting orders, criminals being hauled off, investigators scrambling to stabilize the mana distortion.
But Tessa Vorn wasn't looking at any of that.
Her eyes were fixed on Drax, who simply kept walking away as if he hadn't just killed an awakened two-headed serpent and dismantled a murder scheme.
She jogged a few steps to catch up.
"Drax," she called out, breath steady but cautious. "Please wait."
His steps slowed—barely.
Tessa took it as permission.
"The President of the Inner World Association wants to meet you," she said. "He's… requesting you come to headquarters. It won't take long."
Drax glanced at her from the corner of his eye.
A silent look that said: If this is pointless, I'm leaving.
Tessa didn't flinch.
"This isn't an interrogation. It's a recognition of your achievement. And a rank evaluation follow-up."
He turned fully toward her, expression unreadable.
"What if I'm not interested?"
"We won't force you," she replied firmly. "But the President asked for you personally. And he already knows your evaluation read as 'Unmeasurable.' He wants to understand who you are."
Drax exhaled softly.
"…Fine. Lead the way."
Behind him, Isis brightened instantly and hurried to his side—almost tripping over the large bag of serpent loot still slung over his shoulder.
"I'm coming too," Isis said.
Tessa blinked.
"Oh—yes, of course. Witnesses are allowed, and you're the second survivor."
Drax didn't look at Isis, but he didn't object either.
As they walked toward the black association vehicles, Drax noticed something.
Isis wasn't trembling anymore.
Wasn't stuttering.
Wasn't looking around like prey.
His posture was straight.
His eyes sharp.
His breathing calm.
Drax watched him out of the corner of his eye.
"Your personality," Drax muttered. "It flipped."
Isis smirked—an expression completely unlike the shy, anxious boy from before.
"Yeah. It happens sometimes."
Tessa overheard.
"Oh—you're one of those users."
Isis nodded.
"Dual-Aspect Inner World."
She whistled under her breath.
"That's rare… and dangerous."
Drax raised an eyebrow.
"Explain."
Isis shrugged, as if talking about the weather.
"My inner world has two cores instead of one. My spirit split into two personas—two consciousnesses, two instincts, two ways of thinking. Whoever is dominant controls the body. Sometimes we switch. Sometimes it happens because of stress, sometimes because of mana flow."
He tapped his temple.
"One side is timid, nervous, overthinking everything.
The other side…"
He smiled slightly.
Sharp. Confident. Almost daring.
"Likes chaos."
Drax looked him up and down.
"And which side listens to me?"
"Both," Isis said without hesitation. "Doesn't matter which one's active—I obey you."
Drax paused.
"Why?"
Isis shrugged lightly.
"Because you're stronger. Simple."
That answer…
was honest.
Pure.
Without ulterior motives.
Which made Drax tolerate him.
Barely.
Black skyscrapers.
Mana-reinforced walls.
Giant screens tracking global portal shifts.
This was the Inner World Association Headquarters—the most fortified structure on the continent.
Agents moved in perfect formation.
Sensors scanned everything—heat signatures, essence signatures, psychic fluctuations.
When Drax stepped inside—
The machines glitched.
Lights flickered.
A scanning tower sparked, smoke rising.
Technicians stared at the screen as it tried to read Drax's essence:
> [Essence Signature Detected…]
[Unknown.]
[Error.]
[Error.]
[UNMEASURABLE.]
Someone gasped.
Tessa only sighed.
"Yeah. That's why the president wants to see you."
Isis whistled.
"See? They're scared of you already."
Drax rolled his shoulders lazily.
"Good."
Tessa led them into a massive circular elevator.
As it ascended, the windows displayed the entire complex.
"Try not to antagonize the President," she said quietly. "He's trying to help you."
Drax looked at her flatly.
"Hasn't anyone realized I don't need help?"
Isis snorted.
"She's trying to be polite, Drax."
"I don't need politeness either."
The elevator dinged.
Tessa stepped aside.
"The President is inside. He's been expecting you."
Drax walked forward without hesitation.
Isis followed—quiet now, but not scared.
His dominant personality was still the confident one.
And as they entered the top floor—
Isis whispered,
"Whatever happens…
you lead, I follow."
Drax didn't respond.
He didn't need to.
But the faint smirk on his lips said enough.