I didn't understand why.
Mingkong's gaze from earlier replayed in my mind again and again.
I shook my head slightly and turned to Rion.
"Let them pass by," I said quietly, nodding toward the front where the three heroes were moving ahead.
Rion glanced at them, then at me, and gave a small nod.
"Thanks," he replied softly.
The three heroes stepped forward without anyone daring to block their way. Conversations around us lowered instantly.
Even the seniors seemed to give them space. They stood in line, received their breakfast without delay, and walked off calmly, as if the entire dining hall belonged to them.
I watched Mingkong closely.
After receiving her tray, she paused for a brief moment.
"I'm gonna get some fresh air," Mingkong said suddenly to one of her companions.
"Huh?" her friend responded, surprised. "Right now?"
But Mingkong was already walking away.
She didn't wait for a reply.
Instead of heading outside, she turned sharply down the corridor leading to the bathrooms.
The moment she reached the ladies' bathroom, she pushed the door open and rushed inside.
She leaned over the sink and turned the tap on fully.
Cold water splashed against her face.
Again.
And again.
Her breathing was uneven.
(Calm down…)
(Calm down…)
She gripped the edge of the sink tightly, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her face looked pale. Her eyes were trembling.
"Calm down," she whispered to herself, forcing the words out. "You're safe… for now."
Though much of the future was hazy to her—events blurred by time and broken memories—there were some things she could never forget.
One of them was Tatsuki's face.
The other was his overwhelming strength.
Her hand began to tremble as she kept the water running. Droplets splashed onto her uniform, but she didn't care.
(That strength…)
(That monster…)
(Even the heroes… even all of us together…)
Her fingers curled slowly.
The sound of the bathroom door slamming open shattered her thoughts.
BOOM!
Mingkong flinched violently, her heart jumping into her throat. She turned around instantly, instincts screaming danger.
But it wasn't Tatsuki.
It was a group of senior comrades—three women, all wearing advanced badges on their uniforms.
They looked relaxed, confident, and clearly experienced.
When they saw Mingkong, they froze for a second.
Then they smiled.
"Well," one of them said lightly. "Didn't expect to see you here."
Mingkong forced herself to breathe.
She straightened her back, calmed her racing heart, and put on a faint smile.
"Oh… good morning," she replied politely.
The seniors exchanged glances, clearly amused.
"She looks nervous," one of them whispered, not quietly enough.
"Probably pressure," another said with a shrug. "Top hero and all."
Mingkong didn't respond. She bowed her head slightly, turned off the water, and walked past them.
The moment she exited the bathroom, her expression hardened again.
She returned to the dining hall and rejoined her friends at the table.
"Are you alright, Mingkong?" one of them asked, concern obvious in her voice.
"Mingkong?" the other repeated when she didn't answer right away.
"Oh—yes, yes…" Mingkong replied, snapping back to the present. She gave a small smile. "I'm fine. Just… didn't sleep well."
Her friends nodded, accepting the excuse.
But Mingkong's eyes drifted unconsciously toward the corner of the hall.
Toward him.
Meanwhile, Rion and I finally reached the front of the line.
The kitchen staff glanced at us briefly—only briefly.
"Are you guys new here?" one of them asked, already sounding uninterested.
"Yes," I replied.
"Oh… here."
The man scooped food onto the tray quickly and without care. A small portion of rice. Thin soup.
Then—
He placed only one piece of bacon onto my plate.
Just one.
I stared at it.
My jaw tightened.
I looked to the side and saw others receiving much more—two, sometimes three pieces of meat, larger portions, thicker soup.
Anger rose in my chest.
"What the hell is this?"
Before I could speak, Rion nudged me sharply from behind.
"Let's leave fast," he whispered urgently. "Don't argue."
I clenched my teeth but stayed silent.
"Arguing here would only cause trouble."
We walked away and sat down at one of the empty tables in the far corner of the dining hall.
The noise of clanking trays and chatter filled the room.
I stared at my plate.
"This is ridiculous," I muttered under my breath.
Rion sighed and lowered his voice.
"Look around," he said quietly.
I did.
At the center tables, people wore bright-colored clothes, neatly pressed.
Some had shining insignias on their chests—topper badges. Others wore rings, accessories, or cloaks that radiated faint energy.
"They're rich," Rion continued. "And strong."
I watched as kitchen staff greeted them with smiles, even bows.
"They use their resources—money, connections," Rion said.
"That's why the kitchen staff noticed them. As soon as they see the badge, the treatment changes."
I frowned.
"So this place isn't fair either," I said.
Rion gave a bitter smile. "No place ever is."
I looked around again, absorbing everything.
(This wasn't mentioned in the novel.) I thought.
The book only talked about battles. Training arcs. Heroes rising through sheer effort and destiny.
But not this.
Not favoritism. No class difference. Not silent oppression hidden behind rules.
"So even here… the world is crooked."
I slowly picked up my fork.
Across the hall, Mingkong sat with her friends, pretending to eat calmly.
But her hands trembled slightly.
Her eyes flicked toward me again.
(He doesn't even realize it…) she thought.
(That calm face… that patience…)
(That's exactly how he was before everything fell apart.)
She swallowed hard.
(I must make sure he never reaches that point.)
I took a bite of the bland food.
And for the first time since arriving here—
I ate silently.
Just as we were in the middle of breakfast, the noisy dining hall suddenly grew quiet.
The captain's voice echoed clearly through the entire area, firm and commanding, leaving no room for refusal.
"All comrades, gather at Ground One immediately," he announced.
"You will find it clearly marked. The words GROUND ONE are written in large letters on the board."
His gaze swept across the hall before he continued, his tone sharp and authoritative.
"Senior comrades as well—join them without exception."
At once, murmurs spread through the hall. Trays were pushed aside, and everyone hurried to stand, knowing that when the captain called, it was never for something trivial.