The Author's POV

"...How pathetic."

Two words that deeply resonated inside Jin's mind.

Staring at his figure which was currently being held by the throat, Jin had mixed feelings about the situation.

'I was supposed to die this day.'

Having seen through Ren's memories, Jin was confused.

Really confused.

He didn't understand a single thing that he was shown. His mind had grown numb at one point, but he was helpless.

He was forced to stare at the memories in spite of the fact that he didn't want to see them.

It wasn't something that he could control.

...To make matters worse. He didn't want to relieve this one scene which he tried his best to remove from his memories.

Jin thought of this day as the most humiliating day of his life.

Who would've thought that on this day, he was supposed to die? Jin had relieved all the different scenarios, and so he knew.

He knew that he was supposed to have died.

'...I didn't know that on that day, Ren saved my life.'

He had mixed feelings about the whole situation.

Slowly, Jin felt his eyes close, and before he knew it, he was back in the black space.

In front of him was a white orb.

With the palm of his hand pressing against it, JIn felt his body slowly move away from it.

Opening his mouth, Jin heard Ren's voice coming out.

"This should settle the matter. Whether he matures through this ordeal, or not, is up to him. Since his death will inevitably result in Kevin possibly regressing, it is best to keep him alive. At least this way, he will have a higher chance of surviving."

Listening to those words, Jin remained silent.

These last words were enough for him to understand everything. A bitter feeling arose within his heart.

'I..was just a pawn wasn't I?'

***

Melissa was a smart child.

She knew this, and everyone around her knew this. It wasn't something that needed to be told to others.

Her comprehensive abilities were something one would be envious of.

With just a glance, she would be able to analyze and deduce a situation.

It seemed as though nothing was out of her mind's grasp.

...At least that was how things were supposed to be.

'I don't get it.'

'I don't understand.'

'What's going on?'

Nothing made sense to her at the moment.

It wasn't too long ago that she was exposed to her life's memories. Being reminded of her failures sent Melissa into a numb state.

By the time she had recovered a bit, she found herself inside of another space, and it was then that she caught a glimpse of Ren's memories.

In that moment, Melissa's mind blanked as all sorts of memories started replaying in her head.

went through a

lot of would be an understatement. She watched him

through what he experienced, her

same was for her mind which numbed considerably.

when scenes of her

the previous theories that Ren

knew so many different theories, but it was only after she watched what was presented in front of her that she realized that all the theories he had given her, including the

things that

She still understood nothing,

'Ha...ha...'

out a hollow

things make more sense

***

'...That's me.'

a pool of red blood. Emma was able to instantly recognize

on one of the battle

the orb, and thin black threads revolved around

give her a wake-up

her mouth, Ren's words echoed out. His eyes locked on the figure that was in the middle

intended

say anything while

too much on you, and you rely too much on him. If you die, then maybe Kevin

single one of the words that Ren spoke deeply resonated inside Emma's heart as she just quietly watched

His words...

Deeply. His words felt like sharp knives that were

about

more

you to make Kevin stronger. Hopefully, you'll mature and you'll stop being

'I...Know.'

Truth sometimes hurts.

***

[Haaaa!]

to die...I want to die...I

echoed throughout the dark space. Reflected on the orb was the image of

whole body was covered in blisters, and his body was shaking

with anxiety when

the core.

fault. He's

that moment that she realized

Ren in the orb was the

heart was currently messed up, and so was her mind. What she saw...she didn't think that she would ever be able to truly get over, but...if there was one thing she understood while she stared at Ren who was currently screaming in

that he was the true victim

your life controlled, from emotions to decisions, Amanda was able to clearly understand just how much Ren went through,

to live...b..but...I really want to

voice echoed once

her heart tighten once

want to watch this

way that he was suffering. Amanda couldn't bring

a choice. Regardless of what

'Please sto—'

through her sentence, she felt her mouth open. Ren's lonely voice echoed throughout the

also want

***

do you

chained figure asked as

words was a

"...What are your plans?"

question. Currently, his expression was dull, making it hard to see

"My plans?"

figure stared at the white orb in front

neither of the two figures in the dark

to take over

the silence was Ren's voice that

his head to stare at Ren, the chained figure

"Are you not angry?

he asked a