The bloody scent of the rainy night seemed to have been diluted by the morning sun, but the undercurrents within the academy grew even more turbulent. As the first ray of sunlight pierced the dorm, Rin found that Ye Xue had calmed down from her extreme confusion. Though still tired, her cold eyes held a clarity and pain he had never seen before. She no longer questioned the strange mark, nor did she mention the fragmented memories; she simply leaned silently against Rin, as if only then could she find a sliver of peace.
Rin knew she was undergoing a silent metamorphosis. And he, he had to create a safe, or rather, a counter-attacking environment for her complete awakening.
Just as Rin was deep in thought, the academy's alarm blared!
"Buzzzzz—!"
The piercing alarm echoed throughout the entire academy; all cadets and instructors were urgently summoned. Rin's heart sank. He knew their counterattack had been effective.
In a hidden corner of a deserted training ground, a corpse dressed in black tight-fitting clothing and wearing a half-moon mask was discovered—it was precisely "Shadow Serpent," who had attempted to manipulate Ye Xue last night! Her throat had been precisely severed by a dagger, a clean and swift kill, leaving no trace.
This was Rin and Ye Xue's handiwork. After Ye Xue lost control, Rin didn't let any of the hunters escape. He used the chaos created by Ye Xue's rampage, and her absolute trust in him, to successfully counter-kill Shadow Serpent. They left no direct evidence, but in the organization's eyes, this was undoubtedly an open provocation.
The entire academy plunged into unprecedented panic and vigilance. One of the three "exchange instructors" had been killed, which was absolutely intolerable for the mysterious organization that had always controlled everything. They swiftly sealed all access points and conducted a rigorous sweep of all cadets and instructors within the academy.
Rin and Ye Xue blended into the crowd, outwardly composed, but internally, Rin's mind was racing. He knew this was merely the calm before the storm.
Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, in the Central Adjudicator's office.
"Adjudicator-sama! 'Shadow Serpent' confirmed dead! On-site analysis indicates it was highly likely a joint effort by Target Subject 47 and 'Cold Moon'!" The technician's voice trembled with disbelief.
On the Central Adjudicator's face, there was no anger, but rather a nearly frenzied smile. He slammed his hand on the desk, his eyes gleaming with almost pathological excitement.
"Excellent! 'Blade of Demise' truly didn't disappoint me!" His hoarse voice echoed in the empty office. "He's not only awakened, but he also possesses counter-hunting capabilities! Even 'Cold Moon' has been influenced by him to this extent!"
He abruptly stood up and walked to the holographic projection screen, which once again displayed the global map interwoven with countless red lines.
"Issue my command!" The Adjudicator's voice was as cold and murderous as a death sentence. "The Central Organization officially initiates the operation codenamed 'Blade of Demise: Re-emergence'!"
"Immediately mobilize all relevant 'Executors' and 'Hunters' sequences! Spare no expense, seal all access routes, and completely surround the academy! I want 'Blade of Demise' captured alive, and 'Cold Moon' recovered! If they resist, lethal force is authorized!"
"Yes! Adjudicator-sama!" The communication terminal echoed with a unified response.
A top-secret capture operation targeting Rin and Ye Xue, involving the entire organization's forces, was thus officially launched.
And within the academy dorm, night fell once more.
After falling asleep, Ye Xue plunged into an unprecedentedly chaotic dream.
It was no longer scattered fragments, but a continuous and painful memory.
She dreamed she was in a pool of blood, surrounded by fallen comrades, with a raging sea of fire in the distance. She held someone tightly in her arms, their body gradually growing cold in her embrace—it was Rin.
She had personally taken a bullet for him, the projectile piercing her chest. Blood stained her thin clothes, and Rin's face.
Her consciousness was gradually blurring, life force ebbing like a tide. She raised a trembling hand, trying to caress Rin's cheek, but it finally fell weakly. Her gaze was fixed on Rin, her cold eyes now filled with infinite tenderness and sorrow.
She used the last of her life's strength, her voice weak and hoarse, carrying a hint of release, a touch of helplessness, and a deep, profound love, as she painstakingly whispered a few words to Rin in her arms:
"In this life… please… forget me…"
Before the words fully left her lips, her head slumped weakly to the side, and the snow owl wooden carving slipped from her palm, falling to the ground with a soft "clink."
"No—!"
Ye Xue suddenly awoke from her dream with a pained cry. Her body curled into a ball, drenched in cold sweat, and a tearing pain shot through her chest, as if that bullet had truly pierced her heart.
She gasped for air, her eyes filled with unprecedented pain and confusion. The memory was so real, so deeply etched, that she could no longer deceive herself.
She… had truly died once for him.
She… had truly begged him to forget her.
Just as she was in extreme pain and struggle, a warm and steady hand gently took her cold and trembling one.
Ye Xue sharply raised her head, seeing Rin's deep and complex eyes beside her. He said nothing, just tightly held her hand, slowly transferring his warmth to her.
Tears streamed from Ye Xue's eyes. She looked at Rin, her voice filled with endless grievance and confusion, whispering tremblingly:
"I… I dreamed… I… I took a bullet… for you…"
Rin's gaze was deep and gentle. He tightened his grip on Ye Xue's trembling hand, his voice low and powerful, carrying an undeniable promise:
"I won't."
Three simple words, yet they were branded deep into Ye Xue's soul.
He wouldn't forget her.
He had never forgotten her.
He pulled her tightly into his embrace, feeling her cold and trembling body. Outside the window, the night was dark, and the wind howled.
The "Blade of Demise: Re-emergence" operation had begun; the hunters' footsteps were drawing closer. But in this darkness, Rin and Ye Xue held each other tightly, their destinies, their memories, their love and hatred, completely intertwined at this moment.
In desperation, their bond would be their only hope.