Grey Pov
The moment Grey stepped inside—
The air changed.
He felt it instantly.
Heavier.
Denser.
Like walking into deep water where every movement became slower… watched.
His eyes adjusted to the dim amber light.
And then—
His eyes locked onto her.
Elsa.
Exactly as before.
Sitting lazily, one leg over the arm of the chair, the other resting against the table as if this was nothing more than a casual meeting.
As if the world outside wasn't preparing for war.
A faint trail of smoke curled between her fingers.
And she was smiling.
Across from her—
The man.
Marcus.
Seated now, Grey can tell with just one glance he was strong...
The man has an aura that make him difficult to ignore
The moment Grey entered, their eyes met—
And the man was glaring at him.
Curiously.
Grey felt his body go numb.
As the man look him up and down...
Then Elsa spoke.
"Are you feeling well?"
Grey gave a small nod.
"…Yeah."
His voice was calm, but his mind wasn't.
That thing.
Those eyes.
That presence—
"…What kind of monster was that?"
For a brief second—
Elsa's smile flickered.
Then it grew wider.
Her gaze shifted toward Marcus.
As if handing him the answer.
Marcus didn't look away from Grey.
"That was a Calamity-ranked monster."
Grey frowned.
Calamity…?
He had never heard that term before.
Even in the memories of the original Grey—
From what Elsa had told him, monsters were ranked from F to A.
That was it.
So what was this?
Elsa noticed immediately.
"You remember what I told you, right?"
"Monsters are divided into ranks from F to A, just like us."
Grey nodded.
"…Yeah."
She leaned forward slightly.
"But those are just the normal ones."
Her eyes sharpened.
"The ones above that… are different."
"S-Rank monsters."
"We call them Disasters."
Grey stayed silent, listening.
"And the one we faced…"
Her smile turned faintly dangerous.
"…was above even that."
"An SS-Rank."
"A Calamity."
This time—
Grey understood.
His gaze shifted back to her.
She is S-Rank…
That thing was SS-Rank…
He still remembers the fear in Elsa eyes at that time...
"…Are we inside the volcano?" he asked.
Elsa nodded casually.
"Yup."
Grey's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Won't it attack us?"
"You don't have to worry about that."
Marcus answered this time.
Flat.
Certain.
Grey didn't ask further.
There was no point.
If something like that came—
He wouldn't be able to stop it.
Wouldn't be able to run either.
So thinking about it…
Was meaningless.
His gaze returned to Elsa.
"…Then why did you call me here?"
Elsa smiled brightly.
"First—introductions."
She gestured lazily toward the man beside her.
"Meet him. This is my friend, Marcus."
Marcus didn't react.
Elsa continued.
"Now as to why we are here it's because, We're going to conquer this realm."
She pause.
"...And you're coming with us."
Grey's brows drew together slightly.
Conquer… the realm?
There was too much he didn't know.
Too many gaps.
But one thing was clear—
Whatever they were planning…
It wasn't normal.
And it was going to be extremly dangerous...
"…Is that why there are so many Awakeners outside?"
Elsa shook her head.
"No."
"They're not coming."
"They'll stay here."
A small, dismissive shrug.
"They're too weak."
Grey's eyes narrowed.
Weak?
From what he had seen on his way—
Most of them were at least D-Rank.
Many were C-Rank.
And yet she call them—
Weak?
Elsa continued casually.
"It'll be me, Marcus… and eight others."
Then—
She smiled.
"And you."
Grey's frown deepened.
"…Then why bring me?"
He pause.
"Aren't I the weakest here?"
Elsa's smile didn't change.
"Yes."
She didn't deny it...
Grey's eyes narrowed further.
"…Then why?"
Her smile turned sharper.
"Because you're my servant."
"..."
Silence.
Grey stared at her.
His face went completely still.
Expressionless.
Empty.
But his eyes—
They hardened.
Locked onto her.
Yet—
He said nothing.
Elsa's smile grew more mocking.
"So get enough rest."
"We leave in a week."
Then—
Marcus spoke.
"I still don't agree."
Elsa frowned, turning toward him.
"What?"
Marcus didn't look at her.
His eyes were still on Grey.
"You said I'd change my mind when I saw him."
A pause.
"I don't see anything special."
His voice was calm.
Blunt.
"Marcus—" Elsa's tone sharpened.
"Let me finish."
He cut her off.
Then looked directly at Grey.
"If you want to join us—"
"You have to prove yourself."
The air grew slightly heavier.
"The minimum rank required for our party is B-Rank.
"Defeat a B-Rank Awakener."
"And I'll let you take his spot."
He leaned back slightly.
"That's my condition."
He finally looked at Elsa.
Unyielding.
The temperature in the tent dropped instantly.
Elsa stood, her expression darkening.
"What kind of condition is that—"
Before she could continue—
Grey spoke.
"Fine."
Both of them turned toward him.
Grey's expression didn't change.
"I just have to defeat a B-Rank Awakener… right?"
Marcus looked him up and down.
Slowly.
"…You think you can defeat a B-Rank?"
He said with an raised brow
His tone wasn't curious.
It was mocking and amusing
A B-Rank isn't just "strong." A B-Rank is a professional veteran — someone who has survived fights that would kill 99% of Awakeners. They've been through real battles, not just training or lucky breaks.
So when Marcus heard the brat in front of him say, "I just have to defeat a B-Rank," he wasn't angry. He was simply amused — because the kid clearly had no idea what he was talking about.
If you were B-Rank, you were set for life. Even if the Seven Houses wouldn't take you in — and some of them might — a branch guild would accept you in a heartbeat. Any decent guild would. You'd live in luxury. No worries. No struggle.
That's what B-Rank meant.
Grey nodded.
"Yes."
He pause for a second.
"Give me five days."
Silence.
Marcus stared at him.
He hadn't expected that.
Not even slightly.
This was supposed to shut Elsa down.
Yet…
This.
His gaze shifted briefly to Elsa—
Who was now sitting back on her chair quietly.
Smiling.
Watching the whole scene with interest
'…Of course.'
Marcus he thought for a second before exhaling quietly.
"…Fine."
"In five days—"
"You'll fight a B-Rank Awakener."
"If you win…"
he slight pause.
"You take his place."
His eyes hardened slightly.
"If you lose—"
He didn't finish.
He didn't need to.
"You can leave."
The meaning was clear.
Grey turned without another word.
The conversation was over.
The moment he stepped out—
A presence appeared behind him.
Silent.
Effortless.
Eryx.
"Come."
He said quietly.
Grey didn't respond.
He simply followed—
Back toward the tent that now felt less like shelter…
And more like the beginning of something far worse.
[Author Note]
Hey everyone,
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