Kapteyn's Star Metaverse, Year 110, October 11
Shawn returned to school, but the student apartment felt emptier than usual.
Weekends usually meant laughter in the hallways, music leaking from dorm rooms, and the occasional group cramming for exams in the lounge.
But now, the silence was unnerving.
He stood by the dormitory window, fingers wrapped around the Central Palace Spirit Key.
Cold Jade meteorite pressed against his palm, its weight far heavier than it should be.
It wasn't just a key.
It was history—a thousand years of Meta Origin Society's legacy, condensed into a single object. The responsibility felt suffocating.
Outside, the world continued as if nothing had changed.
On the basketball court below, a group of students played an intense game, sneakers squeaking on the pavement, shouts of victory and frustration rising into the air.
A couple walked past the court, laughing, their hands brushing against each other's in an unspoken connection.
For a brief moment, Shawn wished he could be them—just a normal student with normal worries.
Exams, relationships, weekend plans.
Instead, his world had shattered within a single phone call.
The voice had been cold. Unforgiving. Inhuman.
"If you hand over the Central Palace Spirit Key to the Chairman of CP-Hub, your family will disappear. Permanently."
The words replayed in his mind, hammering against his skull.
He had tried to feign ignorance, pretending not to understand. But the caller had only laughed—a dry, humorless sound that sent chills down his spine.
"We're watching you, Shawn. Every step."
His eyes flicked downward, scanning the street.
Three figures stood near the entrance to Birch Court.
Black suits.
Dark sunglasses.
Unmoving.
They weren't students.
They weren't here to play basketball.
Shawn's stomach twisted.
How long had they been watching?
How much did they already know?
Before he could process his next move, his phone vibrated.
Kent's name flashed on the screen, along with Ranzi's icon—a three-way call.
Shawn hesitated for only a second before answering.
"Shawn."
Kent's voice was tight. Urgent.
"We have a problem. Grace is missing."
His pulse spiked. "What do you mean, missing?"
"Last night. Her home in Hang City was empty. No sign of a struggle, but she's gone." Kent's tone was grim. "We think it's connected to the unsealing plan."
Ranzi's voice cut in, sharp and controlled.
"We need to move fast. Elder Pingzi and Ket are secured, but the others are vulnerable.Kennedy is mobilizing the Wyrm Guardians to protect the other Spirit Key holders—Lara, Dora, York, and Jordan. We can't afford to lose anyone."
Shawn's grip tightened on the phone. "I've got a situation here too. Someone just threatened me. They know about the Central Palace Spirit Key. They're watching me—right now."
Silence.
Then Ranzi spoke, his voice quieter but urgent. "Kennedy's sending a team to extract you. Stay put."
"There's no time." Kent's voice was clipped. "If they're already on you, extraction could take too long. We need to coordinate with local security. Shawn, can you hold out until they arrive?"
Shawn's gaze flicked to the door. His heart pounded. "I don't know. There are men downstairs. They're blocking the exit."
A pause. Then Kent again, firmer. "Then you need to hide. Don't engage. We'll get you out."
"The Central Palace Spirit Keys are too important. If they fall into the wrong hands—"
"I know!" Shawn snapped.
He inhaled sharply, forcing himself to calm down.
Ranzi's tone was steady. "We're aware of the stakes. That's why we're moving fast. Kennedy's team is already en route to protect the others. But the Central Palace Spirit Key is the linchpin. Without it, the rest is useless."
Shawn clenched his jaw.
The unsealing plan had only been finalized yesterday. Only a select few knew the details. How had the enemy moved so fast?
His thoughts spiraled. There was a leak.
Someone inside the Society had betrayed them.
His fingers brushed the Zhen Palace Spirit Key hanging around his neck.
Two keys. Two burdens. If he failed, the entire plan would crumble.
A noise.
His breath caught. Footsteps. Heavy. Deliberate.
They were inside the building.
"Kent, Ranzi," Shawn whispered, pressing the phone closer to his ear. "They're here.at the door of the room.."
"Stay put," Kent ordered. "I'm contacting local security now."
The footsteps stopped right outside his door.
A beat of silence. Then—
A knock. Sharp. Forceful.
"Shawn? Open up. We need to talk."
His blood turned to ice.
The voice was unfamiliar, but the tone left no room for misinterpretation.
This wasn't a casual dorm check. This was a hunt. And he was the prey.
He didn't answer. His mind raced. Call for help? Alert the other students?
No. He couldn't risk drawing anyone else into this. And what if security had already been compromised?
"Shawn," Kent's voice was tense. "Stay silent. Don't engage. Help is coming."
The knocking turned to pounding. "We know you're in there. Open up, or we'll break it down."
Shawn's heart slammed against his ribs.
He didn't have time.
His eyes darted to the window. The ground was a ten-foot drop. Manageable—but risky.
The door shuddered under a heavy blow.
No choice.
Shawn shoved the Central Palace Spirit Key into a hidden pocket of his backpack, along with his laptop, a few books, and a hoodie. He slung the bag over his shoulder, every motion calculated.
"Shawn!" Ranzi's voice was sharp. "What are you doing?"
"I have to go," he whispered.
"Wait—" Kent's voice was cut off as Shawn ended the call.
The door splintered.
He pushed the window open. Cool night air hit his face.
One deep breath.
Then he jumped.
The impact jolted through his body. He rolled, absorbing the force, but pain shot up his legs. He gritted his teeth. No time to stop.
He ran.
Shouts rang out behind him. The men had seen him.
He didn't look back.
At present his mind raced ahead.
Lara. Dora. York. Jordan.
Were they safe? Or were they already being hunted?
If the enemy had found him this quickly—how long until they reached the others?
His chest tightened.
He couldn't let that happen.
No matter what, he had to protect the Spirit Keys.
All of them.
Even if it cost him everything.