The alarm was still screaming through the building.
Red emergency lights flashed along the corridor ceiling, painting everything in pulses of crimson.
Mira stood at the far end of the hall.
Her eyes were locked on the floor—
the exact spot where the body had been.
Seconds earlier… a corpse had been there.
Now there was nothing.
Slowly—
she raised her gaze.
First to Jin.
Then to Veron.
The silence in the corridor felt heavier than the alarm itself.
Veron was the first to break it.
A faint smile curved across his lips.
"…Well."
His voice was calm.
Almost amused.
"This just became interesting."
Mira didn't move.
When she finally spoke, her voice was low—controlled, but tight.
"What… was that?"
Jin didn't answer.
He simply looked at her.
Cold.
Unreadable.
Veron tilted his head slightly, as if genuinely considering the question.
"That," he said lightly, "is actually a very good question."
He took a step forward.
Casual.
Curious.
But Jin moved immediately.
One smooth step—
blocking the space between Veron and Mira.
Veron stopped.
For a moment, he studied Jin.
Then his smile widened slightly.
"Relax."
"I'm not going to hurt her."
Mira's gaze shifted between them.
Confusion deepened across her expression.
"A body… was there."
Her eyes dropped back to the floor.
"Someone died."
Silence.
Then she looked directly at Jin.
"I saw it."
Veron chuckled quietly.
"Of course you did."
His gaze slid back to Jin.
"Congratulations."
He gestured loosely toward Mira.
"Your secret just became a shared experience."
Footsteps echoed in the distance.
Fast.
Security.
Jin finally spoke.
"Leave."
Mira frowned.
"What?"
Jin didn't blink.
"Leave the building."
"Now."
Her brows drew together.
"But—"
His gaze didn't change.
Cold.
Absolute.
For a moment, she hesitated.
Then she exhaled slowly.
"…Fine."
She turned toward the stairwell.
But just before disappearing—
she stopped.
Her hand tightened slightly around the strap of her bag.
Then she looked back.
"Jin."
Silence lingered.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Someone tried to kill you."
Jin didn't respond.
Her gaze sharpened.
"And you didn't look surprised."
A brief pause.
Then she spoke quietly.
"…That scares me the most."
The alarm echoed again.
Mira turned and disappeared down the stairs.
Her footsteps faded quickly.
Silence returned to the corridor.
Veron let out a soft whistle.
"She's smart."
Jin didn't respond.
The sound of approaching security grew louder.
Boots.
Voices.
Veron sighed lightly.
"Well."
"Time to go."
But he didn't move.
Instead, he looked back at Jin.
His expression had shifted.
Less amused.
More curious.
"Ethan is impatient."
Jin's eyes lifted toward him.
Veron smiled faintly.
"Testing you with disposable assassins…"
He shrugged.
"Not very original."
Jin's gaze turned colder.
"Stay out of my way, Veron."
Veron's brow twitched slightly.
A brief shadow crossed his expression.
Then he gestured toward the empty floor—
the place where the body had vanished.
"I'm not like him."
The footsteps were close now.
Almost at the corridor.
Veron walked toward the window.
He pushed it open.
Cold night air rushed into the hall.
He placed one hand on the frame—
then paused.
Looking back at Jin one last time.
"Careful."
His voice was quieter now.
Almost thoughtful.
Then—
he stepped out.
And disappeared into the darkness below.
Two seconds later—
security burst into the corridor.
Two officers rushed toward Jin.
"Hey!"
"Student!"
"Why are you still here?!"
Jin looked at them calmly.
"Alarm."
He spoke simply.
"Everyone is evacuating."
One officer glanced around the corridor.
Red lights flashing.
Empty hall.
"Did you see anything unusual?"
A brief pause.
Jin shook his head.
"No."
The second officer exhaled.
"Probably a false alarm."
The two officers moved further down the hall, checking the rooms.
The corridor slowly emptied again.
Jin remained where he stood.
Silent.
Still.
Then he turned—
and walked toward the exit.
Outside
Students crowded near the university gates.
Confused voices filled the air.
Security vehicles had begun to arrive.
Flashing blue lights reflected across the campus buildings.
But farther away—
past the edge of the crowd—
someone stood quietly near the gate.
A lone figure beneath a streetlight.
A school bag hung from one shoulder.
Their face was hidden in shadow.
Slowly—
the figure lifted a phone.
On the screen—
a photo.
Jin.
The same image from the university database.
A quiet voice broke the silence.
"So… this is where you are."