The team couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude. No matter how strange his methods were, Axel had saved their lives.

"That’s incredible," one team member said, breaking the silence. "Captain, you should bring this kid on board. He’s got the guts for it."

"Yeah, maybe we could offer him a non-staff position."

The tension in the air lightened as the group began to joke around, the relief of surviving making them a little too eager to celebrate.

Freya knew his story—how they had survived in the slums. That kind of life forced him to grow up fast, to harden himself.

"We should reflect on this," Freya said, her voice firm but with a note of concern. "If it weren’t for him, we’d all be dead right now. We should apply for a reward for Axel."

Axel was about to refuse. He didn’t want the attention, staying low was his principle.

Skye studied Axel closely, a glint in his eyes. The kid wasn’t as simple as he appeared. But the good thing was, he hadn’t done anything wrong.

“Axel, I’ve got a question for you,” Skye began, his tone light, as if they were neighbors chatting. “After you took down the Infected, why didn’t you wake us up first? Why go ahead and melt the body? And don’t think I missed the fact that you melted the four bodies on the garbage pile, too.”

Freya had been Skye’s partner long enough to catch the hidden meaning in his words. Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Captain, what’s that supposed to mean?"

"The kid’s barely older than a teenager, and he did all this for us. Are you really worried about your bonus? Okay, I could personally fund it if you’re that concerned.”

When Freya got angry, even Skye didn’t know how to respond. He raised his hands in mock surrender. “I didn’t mean anything by it! I just thought the kid were impressive, that’s all. I was just asking out of curiosity.”

He met Skye’s gaze again, aware of the captain’s subtle scrutiny. Skye might seem like a rough, laid-back guy on the surface, but Axel knew better, underneath that relaxed exterior, Skye was calculating, aware of everything around him.

Axel took a deep breath. “I wasn’t sure it was really dead. So I thought it would be smart to play it safe and keep myself alive first.”

“There’s one more thing,” Axel continued, turning to Freya. “Sister Freya, can I ask you for something? A favor, actually.”

Freya raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”

“I don't want a reward, just need some raw stones.”

“Raw stones?” one of the team asked. “Why would you want those?”

Axel laughed softly, though there was a trace of self-mockery in his tone. “Well, I’m graduating this year. If I have a few raw stones, maybe I can awaken my abilities.”

Graduate, slum, orphan, he was ruthless and cruel after working among criminals.

These factors add up and it seems to make more sense. After all, in this era, there are even crazier people who want to become awakened.

Thinking of this, Skye's brows relaxed and his doubts gradually dissipated.

“Hey, Nash,” Skye called over to one of the team members. “Do you have any raw stones left? I saw you brought some with you.”

Nash pulled out a few stones. Skye took them and handed them to Axel. “Here. Ten good-quality ones. You’ll probably need them if you want to make it.”

The value of these stones was astronomical—easily worth 20,000 dollars. For someone like Axel, who had grown up in the slums, it was a small fortune.

“This is just a gift for meeting,” Skye added, “but we’ll discuss a more formal reward later.”

The team members clapped Axel on the back, offering their thanks. Freya stepped forward, handing him a small vial. “This is a pharmaceutical drug from Deep Space Pharmaceuticals. If you’re injured, it’ll help you avoid infection...”

After Axel handed over the infected tissues he cut off, no one continued to ask about the four bodies. They were all busy salvaging the sunken infected bodies. No one knew that this was actually the most stressful part for Axel.

Feeling the weight of the life crystals in his pocket, with a quiet exhale, Axel turned and made his way home, not looking back.

……

After a few moments of rest, Skye slowly pushed himself to his feet.

Freya frowned. “You’re injured pretty badly, Skye. Don’t take a break?”

“Just a scratch.” He straightened up, flexing his chest muscles, but the movement pulled at the deep wound on his waist. He winced and hissed through clenched teeth.

Freya rolled her eyes. He always have to be the hero. But if he hadn't stepped in, they would've all been dead back there.

Collecting the evidence and carefully inspecting the area,he walked back to the garbage mound, where the last traces of the dissolved infected remained. Pulling a cigarette from his pocket, he lit it and took a long drag, the smoke swirling around him.

“What do you think of that kid, Axel?” he asked, his tone casual.

"He’s got potential," she said after a beat. "If he had a better start in life, a solid foundation, he could probably become an awakener. He’s clever, resourceful. I’d say he’s got a bright future ahead of him."

Skye didn’t respond right away, taking another drag from his cigarette. “Is that all?”

Freya glanced at him. "What else should I say?"

Skye sighed, tossing the cigarette butt to the ground and grinding it out with his boot. “It’s not that simple,” he muttered.

Every detail was neatly in place, with no room for doubt. It was almost as if he had already anticipated every question Skye might ask. For someone so young, Axel had too much composure, too much control.

“Maybe I’m overthinking it,” Skye said with a shrug.

As he spoke, the team fished out the remains of infected No. 2. The body was mostly dissolved, but the upper half remained intact. Mud caked over the decaying flesh, making it look even more grotesque.

“This guy almost killed me,” one of them muttered angrily, taking a knife to the body and stabbing it a few more times, though the blade barely sank in.

"This guy is so tough! I wish I could become an awakener someday." The team member's unintentional words made Skye's pupils shrink.

He pushed past the others and crouched down to examine the infected’s skull. Despite the damage to its face, its skull was nearly intact, with only two bullet holes lodged deep inside. The rest of its body had been dissolved, but the brain—the most vital part—was still in one piece.

He remembered what Axel had said earlier about the shooting, and a chill ran down his spine.

Skye stood up quickly, his expression darkening. He called over Freya, pulling her aside to speak in low tones. Her face twisted in disgust as she listened, and she glared at him.

“You can’t be serious,” Her voice sharp with disbelief.

Skye nodded. Freya hesitated, her eyes searching his face for a moment. Then, with an exasperated sigh. “Fine. But I’m not happy about this.”

.....