Kay decided to skip the rest of his gym session. He wanted to see what would happen when the countdown ended—and of course, he was going to accept the invitation. OMNIX CODEX, huh? Fancy name for a system.
He'd read enough webnovels to recognize the pattern. These things were always called something dramatic. Akashic Records, System, Great Archive, The Script, Guide, Eden Protocol, even Omniscript. But OMNIX CODEX? That one felt new. He hadn't come across it before.
At least it sounded unique.
As he walked toward the men's lockers—where his bag was kept—someone suddenly switched on the rest of the gym lights. Some had already been on, but they were dim. Now, the intensity surged, flooding the hall with stark white light.
His vision flared white. A sharp sting hit behind his eyes as they watered instinctively.
He clenched his jaw, hand flying up to shield his face.
"WHO. THE. F*CK?!" he snapped, each word loud and sharp like a whipcrack.
There was a frantic shuffle as someone rushed to kill the lights again.
Everyone quieted down. Alice looked uneasy. The red ponytailed girl beside her—Bryan—stopped mid-stretch. Even Sheila, the TikToker, stopped recording for a moment.
Her livestream chat lit up: —
— • —
ILoveSheila: What happened?
PussyLover69: Ah damn, is it Kay again?
JiminMyHusbando: Kyaaa, is it Kay oppa?
JiminMyHusbando: Unnie unnie! Show us Kay oppa!!
RandomDude88: Kay who?
— • —
Sheila tilted her phone, angling the camera toward Kay.
The lights dimmed again. Kay lowered his hand, eyes narrowing as he stared at the switchboard—then at the guy who'd flipped the switch.
The poor dude looked confused. A little scared. Definitely regretting his life choices.
Kay scanned him like a pig on a chopping block.
A bald, tanned trainer walked over—Liam.
"Ah, he's new, Kay. We forgot to tell him about the light thing. Sorry 'bout that."
Kay looked at Liam, then back at the guy. He exhaled slowly. "No worries."
He turned away and headed toward the lockers.
Meanwhile, Sheila's chat was exploding:
— • —
JiminMyHusbando: Kyaaaa, those eyes—I'm cummiiinggg!!
Horny4Himboz: Damn girl, take a cold shower.
NotFromHere: Wait, who even is that guy? And why does everyone know him?
Sel3n4Spamz: That's our hottie. Junior at Sheila unnie's college. We catch glimpses whenever she hits the gym. And honestly? I think I'm in LOVE.
HenryCavilReal: He's alright but he ain't me.
ILoveSheila: Honestly? Looks like absolute dogshit.
Sel3n4Spamz: Get this jealous mutt outta here, he's been barking since the stream started.
IamBrainiac: Why are y'all still here thirsting? Are we just ignoring that Ludus Genesis message??
— • —
Sheila gave a small smile and turned the camera back to herself.
"Alright, guys. Enough about Mr. Angry bae—let's get back to the real question. What nickname should I pick for this creation-whatever game?" she said.
Meanwhile, Alice made her way over to Kay—with Claire and Bryan trailing behind her.
* * *
Kay sighed as he stepped into the men's locker room. Rows of identical lockers lined the walls. He made his way to his own, opened it without bothering with the lock, and grabbed his bag along with a pair of FL-41 tinted glasses. They weren't sunglasses—just sleek, amber-lensed frames that took the edge off harsh light without making him look like a lab rat. He slipped them on, feeling the sting in his eyes ease almost instantly.
He knew he'd lost his cool back there. He wasn't someone who got angry easily, but this wasn't the first time it had happened. Once, he'd even kicked a guy clean out through the door. That one had it coming though—unlike this guy, the other had been looking for a fight. And he got it.
His gray eyes were part of the problem. Sure, they made him look good—some even said striking—but the downside was brutal. Unlike most gray-eyed people, who might only squint under sunlight, Kay's eyes were unusually sensitive to harsh light. Bright LEDs, especially when flipped on suddenly, hit him like a punch. His eyes would sting, tear up, and blur until he couldn't see straight.
That's why he always hit the gym early in the morning, when it was quieter and the lights were dimmed. Kass, on the other hand, preferred going after classes or late at night—peak hours, packed with people, lights blazing. It worked for him. But Kay had learned better.
Alice soon caught up to him. "Are you okay, Kay?"
Kay turned, glancing at the trio through his tinted glasses.
"Yeah. I'm used to it now."
Claire muttered under her breath, "Didn't sound like someone who's used to it…"
Bryan—the girl with the build of an actual gym bro—elbowed Claire in the side. She was the only one out of the three who actually took working out seriously. Hell, she even had abs.
Alice shifted focus again. "Um, Kay, are you heading back to your room?"
Kay nodded. "Yeah. Figured I should. Something weird's happening in our heads, right?"
Alice hesitated, then asked, "So… are you going to accept it?"
"Maybe," Kay said. He glanced at Bryan. "By the way, when did you dye your hair red?"
Bryan shrugged. "Few days ago. Thought red suited me better."
Kay gave a small nod. "Hmm. Looks good."
Suddenly, his phone rang. He checked the caller ID and immediately grimaced.
Alice tilted her head. "What is it? Who's calling?"
Kay sighed. "My sister."
Claire perked up. "Oh—Rosa?"
Kay raised a brow. "Why are you getting excited?"
Claire grinned. "Come on, everyone back in college knew her. That time you, she, and senior Kassian barged into the boys' hostel, dragged out those seniors, and had that karate showdown? Absolute legend. She's kind of an idol for us."
Kay ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah, well... I gotta go. Catch you guys later."
Alice quickly called out, "Ah—Kay, about the date?"
He paused. "If nothing crazy happens today... I'll think about it."
Alice immediately lit up. "Alright."
Kay stepped out of the men's locker room, crossed the gym, and pushed through the double doors into the hallway. Instead of taking the stairs down to the street, he turned toward the narrow stairway that led up to the terrace. His sister was calling via video, and Kass was probably already on the line. He just needed a quiet spot to talk before things got chaotic.
Kay soon reached the terrace. Before answering the video call, he connected his earbuds and slid them on. Then he sat near the railing, using it for support.
He took the call. Two video feeds popped up—three, counting his own.
All three of them stared at each other like World War III was about to break out.
First was Rosa Ashveil. Long black hair in a hime cut, tied back with a red ribbon. Sharp blue eyes scanned the screen like she was deciding if this call was even worth her time. She wore a crisp white karate gi and a black belt—fitting, since she used to be a karate champion. Now? She was their guardian. More like the one who smacked them for snoring too loud. Also known as Big Sis.
Next came Kass—short for Kassian Ashveil. He lounged on a balcony recliner, shirtless, wearing just a pair of trunks with his abs out like he was getting paid for it. Long blond hair tied in a short ponytail. Black-brown eyes half-asleep. He was munching on bran flakes—the healthy kind. In the background, a BTS song played. Butter, probably. The music was likely coming from Kelly's room. The balcony was shared between Kass and Kay below, and Kelly and Mia above.
And finally, Kayriz Ashveil. Most just called him Kay. Jet-black, medium-length hair. Amber-framed glasses. Usual lazy expression. He leaned against the railing, eyes flicking between the two like he'd already used up all his energy for the day.
They were the Ashveils. Not blood-related. But their bond? Thicker than blood. The kind that doesn't need explaining.
Honestly? All three of them were objectively good-looking. If you walked into a room and saw the trio, you'd assume they were either a band, a fighting game character select screen, or a dangerously good-looking cult. If you asked a random girl who was the most attractive, she'd probably say, "I don't know, but I want all three."
Even Rosa. Especially Rosa. She was tougher than both of them combined. Girls probably called her more husbando material than Kass and Kay put together.
Rosa looked at the two of them and said, low and dangerous, "DON'T. YOU. DARE."
Of course, Kay—being Kay—immediately betrayed his brother.
"Kass already did it."
"MOTHERF*CKER—!" An undignified shout came through the buds. Kay was a bit too slow to mute the sound.
People thought Rosa Ashveil was the epitome of discipline, kindness, and quiet strength.
The ideal older sister. And she was.
To others.
When it came to her siblings, though? She couldn't care less. She gave them hell like it was her job.
Kay cringed at the echoing curse. Kass, now fully awake, rushed to defend himself.
"Come on, sis. You know me—I just wanted to check if it was a prank or something."
Rosa put a hand to her forehead like she was nursing a migraine. Then looked at Kay.
"What about you, Kay?"
Kay shrugged, half-hearted.
"Well… after this call, I'll probably check it out. Just to satisfy my curiosity."
"F*ck." Rosa groaned again.
Then she switched tactics—her signature move when she knew violence wouldn't work. The guilt trip.
Her blue eyes turned sad. Maybe even a little betrayed.
"I thought you two saw me as family. If something happens to both of you… I'll be all alone. Dad left us too soon. I just… wish my little brothers loved me."
Kass cringed like he'd been physically stabbed.
"Ah stop it, sis. You know damn well you'd accept it too if we both did."
Kay nodded like a wise monk.
Facts were facts.
Rosa's expression snapped.
"Pray to every god you can find, f*ckers. Pray I don't find you after this whatever-the-hell-is-over. Because if I do? You'll wish you were still in that damn orphanage."
Kass shivered.
Kay just nodded along. He'd been beaten up by her so many times, even the trauma got bored.
"So we're all accepting, right?" Kay asked casually.
Rosa glared at them, then let out a slow breath.
"Once an Ashveil—"
Kass and Kay grinned, finishing in unison,
"Always an Ashveil."