The next morning, Ares woke up earlier than usual. His body felt heavy, not from exhaustion, but from the weight of the unknown path ahead. Today, he would leave behind the small life he had built for himself.
He didn't know where the government planned to take him. He didn't know what awaited him. But none of that mattered.
If this was his chance to escape the shame of being a D-rank failure, he would take it.
Ares took one final look around his small, barely furnished apartment before sighing. He had already packed the essentials—food, clothing, and whatever necessity he needed.
By the time he finished checking everything, the clock read 7:00 AM.
"Still some time left," he muttered. "Might as well say my goodbyes."
The restaurant was just opening when Ares walked in. The familiar scent of freshly baked bread filled the air, and the faint sound of utensils clattering in the kitchen brought a strange sense of nostalgia.
Behind the counter, Ricko was wiping down tables when he noticed Ares stepping in. His eyes immediately landed on the bag slung over Ares's shoulder.
"Morning, kid," Ricko greeted, his usual warm smile faltering slightly. "Why are you up so early?"
Ares opened his mouth to reply, but before he could, Ricko's gaze hardened with realization.
"...You're leaving, aren't you?"
Ares hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yeah. I have a few things I need to take care of. I'll be gone for a few months, but—"
"Don't lie to me, brat," Ricko cut in, his voice quiet but firm. "This isn't just some errand, is it?"
Ares sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "No. But I can't really talk about it."
Ricko stared at him for a long moment before shaking his head with a wry chuckle. "Tch. Figures. You always had that stubborn streak."
Before Ares could respond, a small voice cut through the conversation.
"Brother Ares…?"
A little girl peeked out from the kitchen doorway—Riley, Ricko's daughter. Her sleepy eyes blinked up at him in confusion before she noticed his bag. Her face instantly fell.
"You're leaving?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ares crouched down as Riley ran straight into his arms, burying her face in his chest. "Take Riley with you too" she pleaded, her tiny hands clutching his jacket tightly.
Ricko tries to comfort but she keeps clenching onto Ares, waiting for an answer.
Ares chuckled softly, ruffling her hair. "I can't, Riley. But I promise I'll come back soon, okay?"
Riley sniffled, pulling away slightly to lock eyes with him. "Promise?"
Ares held out his pinky finger.
"I promise."
Riley hesitated before hooking her pinky with his, sealing their promise.
The moment was short-lived.
A sudden blare of a car horn cut through the morning air.
Ares turned toward the entrance, spotting a sleek black car with tinted windows parked just outside. A sinking feeling settled in his stomach.
His ride had arrived.
"I guess this is it," he muttered.
Ricko sighed but forced a smirk. "You better bring back souvenirs, brat."
Riley hugged him tightly one last time before Ares stepped out of the restaurant and into the unknown.
The tinted passenger-side window of the black car rolled down, revealing Kendrick. His cold gaze landed on Ares, scrutinizing him from head to toe before clicking his tongue in disapproval.
"So this is what the bastard of the Roshin Clan looks like?"
Ares froze.
Bastard?
A vein popped on his forehead, but he swallowed down the anger. Picking a fight here wouldn't do him any favors.
Instead, he forced a stiff smile.
"Good morning, sir," he greeted, his tone flat.
Kendrick raised an eyebrow before smirking. "Get in the back."
Ares clenched his fists, but he didn't argue. He threw his bag into the trunk before sliding into the back seat.
Through the rear window, he caught one final glimpse of Ricko and Riley standing outside, watching him leave.
Then, the doors shut, and the car sped off.
His new life had begun.
The ride was silent—uncomfortably so.
For the first hour, Ares simply stared out the window, watching as the city buildings gradually gave way to long stretches of road and endless trees.
After two hours, he sighed.
"Excuse me," he said, glancing toward the front. "Could you tell me where we're going?"
Kendrick didn't even look at him.
"I don't answer to lower ranks," he scoffed. "Especially not a D-rank."
Ares's jaw tightened, but he took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm.
"Well, at least be nice about it," he muttered.
Kendrick let out a low chuckle before pressing a button on his side.
A black-tinted glassslid up, completely separating Ares from the front of the car.
"...Seriously?" Ares deadpanned.
He flopped back against the seat, letting out a loud sigh. "Crazy bastard. How the hell did the government even let someone like him work for them?"
The car ride dragged on.
Four hours passed. Midday.
Ares was starting to doze off when the tinted glass suddenly slid down.
"We're here," Kendrick announced.
Ares blinked blearily, sitting up as the scenery outside finally came into view.
A massive military base stretched out before him—armed soldiers patrolling, helicopters hovering, jets streaking across the sky, and even tanks moving in the distance.
"...What the hell is this place?" he thought in awe.
Before he could ask, something small and metallic flew into the back seat.
Psssst—
Ares's eyes widened as gas started leaking out of the object.
"Son of a—"
He covered his mouth, trying to hold his breath, but it was no use.
His vision blurred. His lungs burned.
The last thing he saw was Kendrick's smug face behind a gas mask, giving him a thumbs up.
"That bastard…"
Darkness swallowed him whole.
Outside, the driver glanced at Kendrick.
"Sir… was that really necessary?"
Kendrick shrugged. "He talks too much. Besides, we can't have him asking questions. Too many eyes watching."
The driver sighed but didn't argue.
As they drove through the heavily-guarded gates, a tall, broad-shouldered man with scars on his arms stood waiting for them.
Colonel Brown.
The moment Kendrick and the driver stepped out, the driver saluted.
"Greetings, sir!"
"At ease," Brown replied before shifting his gaze toward the unconscious Ares in Kendrick's arms. His expression darkened.
"What did you do to him?"
Kendrick smirked. "Just gave him a little taste of my special gas. Knocked him right out."
Brown's jaw tightened. "If anything happens to him, it's on you."
"He'll be fine," Kendrick scoffed, carelessly tossing Ares to two nearby guards.
As they carried Ares away, Brown crossed his arms, staring after them.
"...Why him?" Kendrick asked. "There are over a hundred recruits, including A and B-ranks. What makes this kid so special?"
Brown's lips curled into a small, knowing smile.
"Instincts."
Kendrick raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? Since when do you trust 'instincts'?"
Brown simply looked up at the sky.
"I wonder what fate has planned for you, Ares."
A new life had begun.
To Be Continued…