Regression: Reclaiming the End

The conversation drifted after that. We didn’t talk about anything too serious—just the kind of banter two friends fall into when the weight of the world isn’t pressing too hard for a moment. Dumb jokes. Small memories. Some speculations about gear builds and Astral rumors. It was light, easy. For a while, we forgot the pressure hanging over everything.

Eventually, night crept in. The air outside my apartment cooled, and the hum of distant generators buzzed through the open window.

Noel stretched with a yawn, rubbing the back of his neck. "Guess I should head out. Still got a lot to process from today. That Lich fight was insane."

I nodded, standing to walk him to the door. "Take a day off tomorrow."

He paused. "Huh?"

I leaned against the doorframe. "Before you go into the Sixth Floor. Rest. Recover. Let the buzz cool down."

He squinted at me. "Why? We’re on a roll. You said we should build momentum."

"It’s part of the plan."

He frowned slightly, that familiar flicker of concern passing through his eyes. "The one to bait the PK King?"

I nodded once.

He hesitated—just for a moment—but then sighed and gave a tired, crooked grin. "Man, you’re really pulling the strings here, huh?"