Several minutes passed—
Though to Rey, it felt like an eternity.
His body still wouldn't stop trembling.
He had already thrown up everything in his stomach.
Even so, the urge to vomit remained.
His body kept trying to expel something that no longer existed.
His legs wobbled beneath him.
Weakness consumed every muscle.
Sweat clung to his clothes, while the night wind felt colder than usual.
Little by little, a small crowd began to gather.
Onlookers.
People trying to understand what had happened.
Meanwhile, Lennon walked slowly toward Ruben's body.
Blood from his wounds ran down his arm, dripping onto the ground.
Drop by drop.
Like red paint spilled across a black canvas.
When he finally got close, he confirmed it.
Ruben was truly dead.
On that day…
A new Fallen Angel was born into the world.
Lennon stared at the body for a few seconds.
Then he spoke.
"You weren't a good senior."
He pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket.
Lit one.
Smoke rose slowly toward the blackened sky above the massive city.
"But you weren't the worst either."
He stepped closer and tossed a cigarette onto Ruben's body.
His way of saying goodbye.
After that, Lennon walked toward Rey.
The boy was still on his knees, trembling with weakness.
When he got close, Lennon took a long drag.
"You'll have to come with me."
Rey raised his head.
Confusion filled his eyes.
It was practically a question mark.
Lennon answered before the question was even asked.
"Every Bearer has to register with Euphrates."
He exhaled slowly.
"Of course… there are exceptions."
"But you're not one of them."
In the distance, a police car had arrived.
Lennon began walking toward it.
Rey let out a tired sigh.
"What kind of mess did I get myself into…"
he muttered.
Then, quietly:
"Hey… Nammu?"
Silence.
No answer.
Rey slowly got to his feet.
His stomach still hurt badly.
Anyone looking at him would think he had just been beaten senseless.
He walked toward the scattered bodies.
Checked them one by one.
Fortunately…
None of them were Henry.
Rey let out a small sigh of relief.
"That guy's like a cockroach…"
he muttered, trying to joke.
But there was something strange.
Rey avoided looking at Ruben's body.
At all costs.
Even he didn't realize it.
After that, he simply waited while Lennon spoke with the police.
"Am I even getting paid after all this?" Rey grumbled to himself.
"Probably not…"
"Damn it."
After what felt like forever, Lennon finally finished talking to one of the officers.
He gestured with his head.
"Let's go."
Pointing toward the car.
Rey walked over unsteadily and sat down in the back seat.
After a few seconds of silence, he spoke.
"Hey."
Lennon glanced back.
"What is it?"
Rey took a deep breath.
"There's someone who's sick."
"I want you to treat her."
He paused briefly before adding:
"After all… I got dragged into your mess."
Lennon answered calmly.
"Euphrates' medical facilities are exclusive to agents."
"And their families."
Rey thought for a few seconds.
Then asked:
"How do I join Euphrates?"
There was no hesitation in his voice.
For Sther.
Lennon replied:
"First, you'll go through some medical exams."
"Then answer a few questions."
Rey frowned slightly.
"Will it take long?"
"I have a relative who's really sick."
Lennon shook his head.
"It won't."
Rey let out a small breath of relief.
Then asked again:
"What will I do there?"
Lennon answered:
"First, you'll learn how to control prana."
"Then, given your age, you'll probably be sent to the academy."
Rey frowned.
"Is it hard to learn?"
"And what exactly is prana?"
Lennon shrugged.
"Prana is a kind of imaginary energy."
"It's toxic—but it can also strengthen the body."
He took another drag from his cigarette.
"People usually overcomplicate the explanation."
"But that's enough."
Then he added, casually:
"And it takes time to learn."
"So much so that I still haven't mastered it myself."
Rey looked surprised.
"How long have you been a Bearer?"
Lennon thought for a moment.
"About three months… I think."
Rey fell silent.
With his questions answered, he leaned back against the seat.
His gaze drifted toward the window.
Berlin's nightscape moved slowly outside.
But his mind was elsewhere.
He thought about everything that had happened that day.
In just a few hours…
His entire world had changed.