Ever since joining Twilight Crown, Alvin interactions had been limited to two people—Exile and Moon.
The latter was dead now. Eliminated to keep his secret buried.
He felt nothing for her. No sympathy. No regret.
But today was different.
For the first time, he would be meeting two other operatives—his companions for his first Elite-rank mission.
Twilight Crown's mission hierarchy was simple but absolute:
1. Common
2. Elite
3. Master
4. Noble
5. King
Alvin put on black pants, a white t-shirt, and a black hoodie, a simple yet unassuming look.
He gathered his long black hair and tied it into a ponytail. Then, he clipped the earring onto his left ear.
Then his black hair turned to show-white and blue eyes into purple.
He didn't check the mirror.
Not because he forgot, there was no mirror in his room.
Over time, he had developed an aversion to his own reflection.
Or rather… a trauma.
Alvin walked toward the meeting spot.
It was a few miles away. He could've taken a cab, but he preferred walking.
The city felt livelier than usual.
'Hm… why is there so much crowd today?'
As he weaved through the bustling streets, his sharp ears picked up fragments of conversation,
"The academies are on holiday."
"Did you hear? Everbright Academy opened admissions!"
"Yeah… I envy those who get selected."
"Tch, don't be stupid. This year's competition is insane."
"I heard members from Great Seven Families will attend."
"No way, then we can't miss the entrance exam broadcast!"
"Agreed! It'll be legendary!"
Alvin nodded to himself.
'I see… so that's what's going on.'
'It's finally starting… hah. The plot.'
Alvin shook his head. Not that it mattered.
The Twilight Crown had taught him things the game never showed—never even hinted at.
By now, he didn't see this world as a game. Not even for a second.
This world strangely called Earth, just like his past life, was far too real.
And like a coin, it had two sides.
Most people never crossed from one side to the other. Even if they hated their reality, even if they were given the chance to leave… they wouldn't.
Not because they were comfortable,
But because they were afraid.
Afraid of the unknown.
If Alvin had never learned about the changes and variables, he would've been just like them.
But here he was, walking through the unknown, seeking the unknown.
'It's quite ironic.'
A smirk tugged at his lips as he stopped, feeling the wind's embrace.
It rushed past, pulling his hoodie down.
For a brief moment, his face was fully exposed—and people noticed.
Passersby paused in their tracks.
"Whoa… so handsome."
"Is he a celebrity?"
"Damn it. Guys like him ruin our chances at getting a girlfriend."
Some girls even raised their phones, snapping pictures.
The sharp clicks of cameras jolted Alvin from his thoughts.
Tch.
He quickly pulled his hoodie back up and picked up his pace.
Inside Cafeteria.
The café was quiet, filled with the soft hum of conversation and the occasional clink of cups.
Alvin's sharp gaze swept over the area.
Then, he spotted her.
Seated on the balcony, sipping coffee as she took in the city view—a girl with jet-black hair and equally dark eyes.
He approached, pulling down his hoodie.
"Hello, would you happen to be Lesley?"
But instead of a simple yes or no, her response caught him off guard.
"That depends," she mused, not even turning to face him. "Are you here to kill me, owe me money, or just ruin my day?"
Alvin blinked. "No—no, I'm just asking."
'Shit. Why can't anybody act normal?'
At his reaction, Lesley chuckled, finally glancing at him.
"Relax, I was just joking… or was I?"
Then, flashing a smirk, she added, "Anyway, I'm Lesley. Nice to meet you—unless you plan on making my life difficult, in which case, not so nice."
"Tell me," Lesley leaned forward, her black eyes glinting with amusement.
"Are you Whisper, or am I just harassing some poor bystander for no reason?"
Alvin exhaled sharply. "Hah… yes, I am Whisper."
Lesley's lips curled into a smirk. "Good. Take a seat, order some coffee—unless you're one of those 'tea is superior' people, in which case, we might have a problem."
"I'm okay with anything," Alvin replied, unfazed.
'Quite some personality she's got.'
He ordered the first coffee on the menu and took a sip. It was bitter.
Lesley watched him, her expression turning calculating. "Who are you, Whisper?" she asked, voice quieter but sharp.
"Never saw you in the training program, but your record says you're from Twilight Crown. Same age as me, too. Either you're a ghost… or someone's been covering for you."
Alvin said nothing. He had been personally trained by a seated king, Exile—but that wasn't something he could just reveal.
Before he could come up with a convincing answer,
Lesley waved a hand dismissively. "Eh, whatever. Not interested in weaklings. I'm more curious about our other companion—the one from Moonlight Nightmare."
Alvin frowned slightly. "Moonlight Nightmare?"
Lesley arched an eyebrow. "Eh? You don't know about Moonlight Nightmare?"
Alvin simply shook his head.
She scoffed. "Hmph. Moonlight Nightmare is an organization like ours, but they've got their own special little philosophy. You know, the kind that makes them think they're better than everyone else."
'Philosophy… and others?'
Alvin leaned in slightly. "So, you're saying there are more organizations besides ours and Moonlight Nightmare?"
Lesley rolled her eyes. "Wow, you catch on quick. Yeah, there are more. And since I forgot to mention it earlier—I hate ignorant people. But since you're a newbie, I'll let it slide. This time."
Alvin ignored her nonsense and got straight to the point. "Then what's our philosophy?"
Lesley tilted her head, smirking. "Do you really wanna know?"
Alvin nodded.
She let out an exaggerated sigh. "Ah, well, no helping it then."
Then, her expression shifted.
Her tone dropped, turning eerily calm.
"Look into my eyes."
Alvin met her gaze.
And then,
The world changed colors.
Alvin stood on water—an endless, glassy expanse stretching beyond sight.
Above, the sun dipped toward the horizon, its golden hues bleeding into the sky. The moon rose in tandem, casting a silver glow.
It was Twilight—a perfect, fleeting balance between day and night.
It was beautiful.
He couldn't look away. Couldn't think. Couldn't move.
He simply stood there, watching.
The water shimmered, reflecting both sun and moon, their colors melting together into a glowing orange haze.
Then,
Something rose from the depths.
An obsidian slate, smooth and unyielding, emerged from the water's surface, crimson words bleeding across it like fresh wounds.
Alvin had never seen this language before—yet somehow…
He could read it.
-------------
Hope is but a fragile thing,
Crushed beneath the weight of truth.
We do what others cannot, so they may dream.
We bear the crown of sin, so no one else must.
We are the silent rulers, the ones who stain their hands so the world may remain clean.
To them, kindness alone cannot shape a world—it must be tempered by cruelty.
To rule is not to seek glory, but to accept damnation.
— The Twilight Monarch.
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The words pulsed, as if alive, sinking into his mind, his soul.
Alvin exhaled, a strange weight settling on his chest.
Then the world shattered.