The room was quiet enough for heartbeat echoes.
Agilan sat frozen on the edge of the bed, eyes sharp yet tired, while Ananya stood at the doorway — one hand still on the knob, breathing carefully like she was afraid of breaking something fragile.
Normally, she spoke like steel.
But right now, her voice was softer than he had ever heard it.
"I'll ask only once."
"What are you?"
Not an accusation.
Not fear.
Just… truth.
Agilan didn't look away. His stare stayed dead ahead — as if looking at her might break something inside him.
He answered slowly.
"I don't know what I am anymore. But… I'm not the same person I was."
Ananya took one step inside.
Then another.
She closed the door gently behind her — not trapping him, but shielding him from the world outside.
"You're shaking."
Agilan didn't respond, but his fists tightened on the bedsheet.
She sat at the small table across from him — not too close, not too far — just close enough that he could talk if he wanted.
"Agilan… people like us aren't allowed to show weakness. I get that."
"But right now, you don't have to act strong."
Silence filled the room again — heavy, suffocating.
Agilan finally spoke.
"There's something inside me. Not a demon. Not a parasite. Something that used to be… a king."
"It turned me into this."
He expected disgust.
Instead, Ananya leaned forward, elbows on her knees, expression unwavering.
"You think I'll run? You think I'll look at you like a monster?"
She let out a breath — shaky, but sincere.
"I've seen monsters. Real ones. You're not one of them."
Agilan didn't reply, but something in his eyes softened — barely.
Then Ananya glanced at the door, making sure no one was near.
"I need to tell you something. Something no one else in the team knows."
Her voice lowered to a whisper.
"Apex has been hiding records — ancient ones. About beings called Viral Gods. Entities that travel between worlds… leaving infection behind."
Agilan's heartbeat stalled.
Ananya continued slowly, watching his reaction.
"Three months ago, Apex recovered a tablet from an S-rank dungeon. It said a prophecy:"
> A god of infection will seek a king born from pain.
Agilan's breath hitched — only once.
Ananya continued, voice barely audible:
"Raiden thinks that prophecy is about you."
He stared at her — not angry, not scared… just tired.
"So that's why I'm still alive. They're waiting to use me."
She shook her head sharply.
"No. Raiden is trying to protect you from the Council. They want to take you apart — experiment on you."
Agilan's gaze sharpened.
"And you? Whose side are you on?"
She swallowed, fighting the words — the hardest thing she's ever said.
"I'm on your side."
He blinked — only once — but that was enough to reveal shock.
She continued, voice trembling for the first time since he met her.
"I don't care what you are. I don't care if something ancient is inside you. You saved me — not because you had to, but because you chose to."
She leaned closer, eyes unwavering.
"So listen carefully."
"If the Council tries to take you… I'll stand against them. Even if I have to face the entire Apex."
Agilan felt something fill his chest — not fear, not rage… something completely unfamiliar.
Being protected.
He whispered — almost too soft to hear:
"Why? Why risk everything for me?"
Ananya didn't hesitate.
"Because you fight for people you care about. And no one fights for you."
Silence again — but this time, not painful.
Then a knock hit the door.
Three sharp taps — cold, official.
"Hunter Agilan Shaktivel. Report to the Council chamber immediately."
Ananya's eyes widened — she stood instantly.
"They're moving too fast… Damn it."
She grabbed his wrist — not romantically, not weak — like someone holding onto a comrade on the edge of a cliff.
"Listen to me. Don't react. Don't transform. Don't show anything. I'll buy you time."
Agilan looked at her — really looked at her — and for the first time, he answered without distance.
"…Thank you."
She squeezed his wrist once — firm, reassuring — then released.
"Whatever they're planning… I won't let them take you."
The door opened.
Standing outside wasn't a guard.
It was Raiden Jang.
Expression unreadable.
Eyes locked on Agilan.
"Kid… you need to come with me."
Not a demand.
Not a warning.
But something heavy — something no one could predict.
And the chapter ends.