The base was eerily quiet. Only the faint rustling of wind and the distant clatter of weapons being sharpened broke the silence. Inside the barracks, a thick tension hung in the air—one that everyone could feel but no one dared to acknowledge.

Takeda stood by the doorway, his grizzled face twisted in thought. He had seen this look in Shin’s eyes before—the look of a man who didn’t care about the consequences, as long as the mission was accomplished. It made Takeda uneasy.

Takeda (gruffly): “Captain, they’re supposed to handle this alone. If you go, the council—”

Before Takeda could finish, Shin passed by him without a word. , the faint gleam of his glasses reflecting the dim light. He was already set on what he was going to do. Takeda clenched his fists, feeling the weight of the captain’s resolve like a heavy stone.

Takeda (sighing): “So, that’s how it’s going to be, huh?”

Shin didn’t even glance his way. His footsteps echoed in the silence of the room, each step heavier than the last.

Across the room, Daigo leaned against a pillar, arms crossed, watching Shin walk toward the exit. A sly grin spread across his face, though there was a nervous edge to it.

Daigo (smirking): “You really know how to piss them off, huh, Captain? Going out there without saying anything... If I were you—”

Before he could finish, Shin’s eyes shifted toward Daigo, a piercing glare that could cut through steel. The air around them thickened, the oppressive weight of Shin’s presence crashing down like a tidal wave. The very walls of the base seemed to tremble under the force of his restrained power.

Shin (coldly): “Daigo, if I were you, I wouldn’t say another word.”

The force of Shin’s killing intent slammed into Daigo like a physical blow. Daigo stumbled back, his breath caught in his throat as his legs gave out beneath him. He fell to the floor, his body trembling as if every cell in his body was screaming to run. The pressure in the air was so thick that the walls of the base cracked slightly, the wood groaning under the weight of Shin’s power.

Daigo (trembling): “C-Captain— I—”

But no words came out. Daigo’s face turned pale, his heart racing wildly in his chest. He could feel it—death. He had never felt Shin’s presence this intensely before. For a moment, Daigo truly believed Shin was going to kill him.

Mira, who had been quietly watching from the corner, stepped forward in a panic, her face pale and her voice trembling with urgency.

Mira (pleading): “Captain, please… forgive him this time. He didn’t mean it!”

Shin’s gaze lingered on Daigo for a moment longer before he slowly turned his back, ceasing the pressure in an instant. The room became still again, but the weight of his power left a lasting impression. Daigo, still shaken, didn’t dare to move, his breath coming out in ragged gasps. He clutched his chest, trying to steady his racing heart.

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Daigo (shaken): “Man... I... I thought he was really going to...”

Mira rushed to Daigo’s side, her hands trembling as she placed them on his arm, her worry evident in her voice.

Mira (angry and scared): “Are you insane, Daigo?! What were you thinking? You can’t just say things like that to the Captain! He could have killed you—he almost did!”

Her eyes were wide with fear, her voice wavering. She had never seen Shin so close to snapping. She had felt it too—his killing intent, the cold, suffocating presence that made her stomach churn. For a second, she was convinced Shin wouldn’t stop.

Daigo forced a weak smile, trying to mask the fear that still gripped him.

Daigo (nervous chuckle): “Heh... I was just messing around. Didn’t think he’d take it so seriously...”

Mira’s expression hardened, her voice rising.

Mira (furious): “This isn’t a joke, Daigo! He wasn’t just ‘taking it seriously,’ he was ready to kill you! You don’t understand how close you came to dying. Do you think your life’s a game?!”

Daigo flinched at her words, the gravity of what had just happened finally sinking in. His bravado faded, replaced by the chilling realization that Shin could have ended him without a second thought. His heart pounded in his chest, and for once, he had no snarky comeback.

Takeda, who had been silently watching the exchange, stepped forward. His stern gaze bore into Daigo as he spoke.

Takeda (gruffly): “Daigo, you need to learn when to shut your mouth if you value your life.”

There was no humor in Takeda’s tone—just cold, hard truth. He had seen Shin like this before. The captain wasn’t one to be trifled with, especially when he was in this state. Daigo had narrowly escaped death, and Takeda made sure he knew it.

Daigo swallowed hard, the weight of Takeda’s words pressing down on him. He had always pushed boundaries, always liked to joke, but this time... this time, he had gone too far.

Daigo (quietly): “I... I get it.”

Mira’s anger slowly faded into worry. She knelt beside Daigo, checking his arm where the pressure had been so intense that it left a bruise. Her voice softened, though the edge of fear remained.

Mira (softly): “I know you like to push buttons, but this isn’t the time. The Captain’s... different right now. You need to be careful. Please.”

Daigo nodded, his expression sober.

Daigo (seriously): “Yeah... I won’t push it again. I... didn’t think he’d snap like that.”

Mira shook her head, her voice quiet and trembling with worry.

Mira (softly): “He didn’t snap, Daigo... that’s what makes it even scarier. He was completely calm the whole time.”

Her words sent a chill down Daigo’s spine. She was right—Shin hadn’t lost control. He had chosen to let Daigo live. The thought made Daigo’s blood run cold.

Takeda crossed his arms, his grizzled face showing a rare hint of concern.

Takeda (grimly): “He’s got that look in his eyes again... like back when he became Captain. Something’s changed in him.”

Mira’s gaze shifted to the door where Shin had disappeared. Her heart tightened in her chest. She could feel it too—the cold distance, the icy resolve that radiated from Shin. It wasn’t just anger or determination. It was something deeper, something more dangerous.

Mira (whispering): “What’s he planning...?”

Takeda rubbed his temples but didn’t answer. He knew better than to question the Captain’s decisions—especially now. There was no point in arguing; Shin had already made up his mind.

Mira clenched her fists, but after a moment, she let out a resigned sigh. There was no stopping him.

Mira (softly): “He’ll do what he thinks is right... he always does.”

Takeda simply nodded, his expression grim but understanding. Shin was their captain, and once he set his sights on something, there was no turning him back.

Takeda (gruffly): “Let’s just hope it’s enough.”

No more words were needed. The silence between them spoke volumes.

Outside, the wind howled as Shin disappeared into the night, his figure swallowed by the darkness. There was no turning back now—the calm had settled, but the storm was on its way.

End of Episode