MEMELAND

Andrew stretched his shoulders.

"...Well."

"That was fun."

The assassin remained unconscious.

One boot still rested on the head.

Andrew crouched beside the culprit.

Pulled a thick bundle of reinforced restraints from his belt.

"You're not gettin' away."

He tied both wrists.

Then both ankles.

Then added another layer.

And another.

Finally—

He wrapped thick rope around the entire body until the assassin resembled a cocoon.

"...Perfect."

He grabbed an old burlap sack.

Slipped it over the assassin's head.

Then effortlessly hoisted the body over one shoulder.

"...Light."

He began walking.

The streets were a mess.

Destroyed stalls.

Broken carts.

Splintered wooden beams.

Fruit scattered across the road.

Several civilians helped the injured.

City guards rushed to secure the area.

One merchant cried over the ruined food stand.

Andrew looked around.

"..."

"...Whatever."

He kept walking.

Someone else could handle the paperwork.

He had caught the assassin.

That was enough.

Word spread quickly.

"The assassin's been captured!"

"Andrew got them!"

"They're bringing them to the central prison!"

The news reached the training district within minutes.

Kai looked up from the training yard.

"...Already?"

Taai stopped lifting.

"...Andrew actually did it."

He placed the enormous weight back onto its rack.

"Let's go."

Kai nodded.

The two immediately headed toward the prison.

The central prison stood deep within Muscle City's administrative district.

Heavy stone walls.

Steel gates.

Several squads of guards already surrounded the entrance.

Andrew was waiting outside.

The assassin still hung over his shoulder like a sack of grain.

He spotted the two approaching.

"There ya are."

Taai crossed his arms.

"You caught the assassin."

Andrew grinned proudly.

"Told ya I would."

Kai looked at the unconscious figure.

"...That all happened in one night?"

Andrew laughed.

"Nah."

"Made me work for it."

He adjusted the assassin on his shoulder.

"This bitch is strong."

"Real strong."

He smirked.

"..."

"...But I'm stronger."

Taai snorted.

"Your ego's bigger than your muscles."

Andrew pointed a thumb at himself.

"And that's sayin' something."

Kai couldn't argue with that.

Andrew continued,

"Don't worry."

"I tied this bitch up myself."

He patted the layers of rope.

"Ain't escaping."

"Trust me, bro."

Taai gave a single nod.

"I'll hold you to that."

Andrew chuckled.

"You won't have to."

The guards opened the heavy prison doors.

Andrew carried the assassin inside.

The prison was quiet.

Only the distant clanking of chains echoed through the halls.

They reached the reinforced holding cells reserved for dangerous prisoners.

Andrew lowered the assassin onto the floor.

Several guards immediately secured additional chains around the restraints.

Andrew folded his arms proudly.

"There."

"Now this bitch is definitely not going anywhere."

Taai stepped closer.

His eyes remained fixed on the unconscious assassin.

Something...

Felt strange.

The height.

The build.

Even through the ropes...

Something looked...

Familiar.

He slowly reached down.

His fingers hesitated.

Then—

He pulled the burlap sack away.

Long silver hair spilled onto the floor.

The room became silent.

Taai's eyes widened.

His breathing stopped.

His voice barely escaped his lips.

"...A-"

His hand trembled.

"...Akari...?"

The silence that followed felt heavier than stone.