Kai didn’t have to wait long to see who was approaching.

He exhaled sharply, pushing his lingering emotions aside. Then adjusted his posture, brushing off the dirt and ash that clung to his clothes, which do little to better his appearance that was still as ragged as his state of mind.

The approaching figures came into focus—Alfred and Brick. Both looked as battered as the rest of the surviving hunters, their armor and clothing torn, faces pale with exhaustion. They were the only ones left from their squad, having barely managed to slay two towering invaders at the cost of nearly a dozen of their comrades, which is commendable considering making one invader fell took more than thirty plus men to achieve, even then, victory isn't certain if no one is capable of delivering a deadly strike to end its life — if not for Kaiser doing just that, some invaders might still be alive.

So no one could blame them. Kai, even with his beastial strength and the help of over a hundred Hunters and Volunteeres combined drawing most of the invaders’ attention, it had taken everything he had to slay the invaders. The Chief's sharpshooters had taken down three invaders and had assisted with two of Kai’s kills, but even with their aid, he struggled and died in the final confrontation, falling to his own recklessness, which earned him a well deserved tossing and an arm. Still, here he was, alive—despite his best efforts to the contrary.

A shame, Kai felt like he looked so badass in that moment, mercilessly planting weapons on the helpless invader like a beast. Only to hang by his stuck arm and thrashed around on a swinging head of the invader he tormented.

In any case, as the two hunters drew closer, they paused beside Garba’s lifeless body. Brick’s expression shifted into something uneasy, almost reverent, while Alfred offered a curt nod in respect. Then turned to Kai, his deep voice sounding grim.

“You really did come back. We heard news of your commendable deeds from the hunters you saved. Thank you for helping my men in my absence.”

He had expected to be reprimanded for defying their orders to leave. But Alfred, ever pragmatic, seemed to accept what couldn’t be undone. Instead of dwelling on Kai’s disobedience, he focused on what mattered—what had been achieved and showing gratitude he deserved. It was a relief. The last thing Kai needed right now was pointless arguing.

“Stop spacing out,” Alfred then snapped, shaking him from his thoughts. “Prepare a fire funeral for the Tower Keeper. Make it quick.”

Alfred’s tone left no room for questions as he turned to Brick, who flinched under the weight of his leader’s gaze. The younger hunter, who had once carried himself with an air of arrogance, now seemed hollowed out, his movements shaky and hesitant. Without a word, Brick began gathering wood, his hands trembling as he arranged the pyre.

'Poor bastard must be traumatized.'

Kai spared Brick a glance but didn’t speak. He had no objections to Alfred’s decision. A proper burial wasn’t a luxury they could afford in a war-ravaged forest still smoldering with danger with injured soldiers at their disposal who barely survive. Added, burning Garba’s body was not only practical but honorable, allowing the Tower Keeper’s ashes to become part of the land he had fought to protect.

It's not that bad.

Still, something about Alfred’s demeanor unsettled him. There was tension in the big man's voice. Kai can't help but feel Alfred was in a hurry. Sure, the forest fires are harmful to those who linger, but nothing dangerous for anyone who knows how to run out of the harmful area. More so on the three of them whose physicality was superior than most. Additionally, Alfred seems to be in a subtle state of unrest. Which contradicts how victors should act.

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So why's the haste?

Kai frowned.

“I don’t mean to be rude, but could you get straight to the point?”

Alfred hesitated, his jaw tightening as if weighing his words carefully. When he finally spoke, his voice was low, almost reluctant.

“We need to leave now. In our current condition, I’m afraid there’s no hope of resisting anymore, we've done the best that we could, any further engagement will only result in our certain downfall.”

Said Alfred bluntly.

Kai’s eyes narrowed as he studied Alfred’s face, searching for answers which are with him from the beginning of this hopeless battle. He gave out a dry, humorless chuckle.

“Tell me... We never stood a chance… did we?”

As if in response to his words, a faint ripple pulsed through the air in the far horizon on Southern Boundary. It was subtle, barely perceptible, unseen to those who're not observing atop the tower.

Moments later, a piercing howl shattered the quiet—a sound like shards of glass grinding against one another. The noise clawed at Kai’s senses, sharp and dreadfully familiar, making his ears ring despite the origin distance.

Alfred’s face darkened, confirming what Kai already suspected.

Kai’s chuckle faded, replaced by a cold, hollow grin. He shook his head, the weight of realization settling heavily on his shoulders.

“What kind of cruel joke is this?” he asked the world, the bitterness in his voice cutting through the suffocating tension.

The ripple subsided, but the oppressive atmosphere lingered. In the distance, the faint echoes of the screeching howls continued, growing louder with every passing moment.

Garba had stated the situation is hopeless, but to think it literally is unsalvageable? Despite the odds, they miraculously won against twelve invaders, fifteen if adding the first three his mentor had slayed. Each one of those monstrosities were harbingers of death capable of slaughtering hundreds of civilians, yet they won. However, what's the point of winning if another wave will come? Even if they miraculously achieve the impossible by surviving through the upcoming wave, how long could they last?

'We already lost from the start. It's a losing game we'll never win.' he thought somberly.

Everyone will really die and there's no stopping it.

Alfred’s expression tightened, his jaw flexing as he struggled to accept reality, as well. The faint glow of the distant fires reflected in his dark eyes and brown skin, adding a flicker of intensity to his stern features.

"How regrettable... Our time is shorter than expected. We need to go now, Kaiser."

Alfred glanced at Garba's supposed burial, voice low, almost resigned.

But Kai didn’t even blink. "Nah."

Alfred's brow furrowed. "What are you—"

"I won't go."

The words hung heavy in the air. Alfred’s calm demeanor began to crack, replaced with a mix of disbelief and restrained frustration.

"Kaiser," he said sharply, stepping closer, his towering frame radiating authority. "Do you understand what you're saying? There's no point holding them back with so few of us. Even if you're a Player, it won’t be enough. We bought enough time in the best of our capabilities. It's time for us to go."

Kai’s lips curled into a grim smile, but his eyes remained cold. "Yeah, I understand perfectly… I also understand that running won’t save our asses."

Alfred’s hands clenched into fists. "It’s better to try than to face certain death! And your survival is our top priority right now, Kaiser. We can’t afford to lose a Player! Listen to me!"

"And then what? Do you think that’ll save anyone? You know as well as I do that those things could reach the fleeing caravan in under an hour with their speed. What about us? Even if we run at full speed, we’re not going to make it and I never asked to be protected."

The logic cut through Alfred’s protest like a blade. For a moment, silence stretched between them, broken only by the crackling flames and distant, bone-chilling howls.

Alfred’s voice softened, though it carried a desperate edge. "Then what do you suggest we do?"

Kai stepped forward, the flickering firelight casting shadows across his dirty face. "The problem is the invaders. We’re doomed unless someone stops them here... I can do it."

Now that's more illogical than running, at least survival is more believable that way. Studying the lunatic before him, Alfred was speechless.

Missing one arm, covered in dried blood and ash that shrouds countless wounds, bruises and scratches, with the deepest one on his chest which makes him doubt if Kai's heart is still beating or his ribs are whole. He looks like one step away from the grave, to say the least. Although, his aware of Kaiser's potent regenerative ability, everything has a limit.

Alfred’s composure shattered. His voice rose in uncharacteristic anger. "Are you insane? Do you see yourself right now?!"

Kai chuckled, a dry, self-deprecating sound that didn’t reach his eyes.

"Yup. I also feel it in my brain and veins."

Then, as if flipping a switch, his expression hardened into something unyielding, devoid of humor as he said in all seriousness.

"...But believe me just this once. No invader will cross my dead body. I won’t let them get past me."