Chapter 6: The Fall

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6

"Marcus is lying!"

"I never expected him to be this kind of person!"

"Reporting one or two extra is one thing, but exaggerating by a hundred thousand? Does he take us for fools?"

Everyone present voiced their discontent.

Murmurs built to a roar, anger swirling around me like a tornado on the Kansas plains. Some people looked gleeful, as if my downfall was a sporting event.

Leonard said, "How about this: you apologize to the victim and help calm public opinion."

He sounded like a CEO managing a PR crisis, not a man who once called me his hero. The disconnect stung more than I expected.

Derek added, "I think we need to re-examine Marcus’s loyalty. I don’t feel safe with him guarding the border."

He was laying it on thick, hoping to sway any doubters.

Before he could finish, I raised my voice, "I quit!"

The words rang out, clear and strong. For a second, the whole room froze.

With that, I tore the badge from my chest.

The metal hit the table with a loud clatter, echoing through the chamber. I felt twenty-four years of loyalty slide off my shoulders, leaving nothing but raw, aching emptiness.

The room erupted in chaos.

Shouts overlapped, some trying to reason, others already planning their next move. I saw a few people fist-bump quietly, as if they’d scored a victory.

Leonard and Derek were caught off guard—

Maybe they hadn’t expected me to resign so decisively.

I watched the flicker of uncertainty cross their faces, the realization that their carefully staged confrontation had gone off-script.

"You think you can threaten us like this?"

Leonard’s expression darkened.

His fists clenched, jaw twitching. He was losing control of the narrative, and it scared him.

Derek sneered, "Marcus, do you really think you’re still the only SSS-level powerhouse? We have three SSS-level ability users now."

He spoke loudly, projecting for the gallery. Power, in this world, was a game of numbers.

He exchanged a glance with Leonard.

The two of them instantly released a tremendous aura.

The air thickened, lights flickering overhead. A few of the weaker team members doubled over, clutching their heads.

The pressure was so intense that many in the room couldn’t even open their eyes.

So strong!

This was the first time most had felt such raw power in close quarters. The shock was visible.

"This is the power of an SSS-level ability user?"

"My god—before, one SSS-level was enough to guard the border, but now we have three. Can we finally go on the offensive?"

"With them here, Marcus isn’t so important anymore."

The room buzzed with excitement.

People started whispering about new strategies, eager to shift alliances. It was as if my resignation was the green light they’d been waiting for.

Just then, the third SSS-level powerhouse stepped forward.

Her appearance caught me completely off guard:

The chatter died. Even Derek stopped smirking. For a heartbeat, the only sound was the whir of the old ceiling fan.

A figure stepped out from the shadows at the back of the room—a woman with a familiar stride, hair pulled back in a tight ponytail. My heart skipped a beat as I recognized her face. My past and future collided in that instant, and I knew: the real battle was only beginning.

Her eyes met mine—cold, familiar, and full of secrets. Whatever I’d lost today, she was about to make me fight for the rest.