All of them stood silently for a moment, their eyes fixed on the page.
Ray frowned and said, "What's this…?"
Rose didn't say anything on this. Her lips were pressed tight, her gaze locked on the ink bottle and quill.
Leo slipped his both hands into his pockets, exhaling through his nose. "Now," he said, his tone was low but steady, "here comes the main part."
He took out one hand out from his pocket and dug his hands deeper and rustling through the torn papers. Then, slowly, he pulled out an ink bottle and a quill.
He carefully placed both items on the table. The quill's feather was dark.
Leo looked toward Ray. "If you want any power," he said, voice was almost like a whisper, "then ink yourself."
Ray blinked like a dumb. His mouth opened slightly, then closed again. For a moment he just stood there, staring at Leo, the words bouncing uselessly inside his head before.
"…Huh?" He finally said.
No one spoke.
Then all eyes turned toward him.
Ray's breathing grew shallow. He didn't know what he was thinking or if he even was thinking. But before he could stop himself, his arm began to rise, slowly, fingers were trembling while reaching out toward Leo.
His thoughts crashed into his head. "What the fuck. What the fuck am I doing?"
Sunny's voice broke the silence, it was uncertain and sharp. "Are you serious on this…?"
And Rose only swallowed hard and gave a small nod.
Leo smiled faintly. "Don't worry," he said, voice was light weighted. "I'm a very good artist."
Ray's throat felt dry. His lips barely moved as he muttered, "Do it."
His voice trembled.
Leo didn't respond at first. He just slipped out his other hand from his pocket, took the ink bottle, and twisted its cap open with a soft click. The faint smell of something like burnt paper and rain filled the air. He dipped the quill into the ink, the dark liquid clinging to its tip.
Then he looked toward Ray.
Without saying anything, he reached forward and began drawing on Ray's wrist. Every stroke of the quill left behind thin, deep-black lines that curved into a shape.
No one spoke.
After a few strokes, Leo finally stopped and leaned back slightly. Around Ray's wrist, a circular pattern had formed. It was a dark bracelet-like design, almost like a kangan.
He set the quill down beside the bottle.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on Ray.
But Nothing happened.
Rose broke the silence first. "Are you… feeling anything?"
Ray didn't reply for a moment. His eyes stayed on the pattern. Then he quietly said, "Not exactly."
Sunny scoffed a little under his breath. "By the way, I still think it's a joke."
Before anyone could respond, a sound rose from outside, it was a sharp sound of footsteps. Not one or two but many.
They were getting closer.
Outside the café, the world moved as usual. People were walking on the road.
But something was off.
In the empty stretch beyond the café's glass windows. Many figures began to appear.
Each of them wore a long grey coat over black shirts and pants and their collars were stiff. They all were wearing a cap, marked with a spread-winged eagle clutching something in its claws.
And in their hands… were shotguns.
Dozens of them.
But no one could see them. All people were just walking on cobblestone road like normal. They all were invisible to normal people.
One man stepped forward from their ranks. His coat was longer and darker. The shape of a blade rested at his hip, and when he spoke, his voice tore through the street like a lion's roar.
"SOLDIERS!" he shouted.
"—HOLD YOUR POSITION!"
Instantly, every figure froze in perfect formation, circling the café like a trap tightening shut.
They all aimed at the cafe.
Inside, Ray felt something cold crawl up his spine. He didn't know why but his wrist suddenly felt heavier.
Outside, the soldiers stood like statues, their weapons locked in position. Then, the head soldier's voice thundered through the air.
"Ray Ash and Leo Brando!" The sound cut through the silence.
Ray's head jerked up instantly. Leo's expression turned still.
But strangely, Rose and Sunny didn't react at all.
Rose frowned. "What happened?"
Ray blinked. "You… didn't hear that?"
"Hear what?" Sunny said, confused.
Ray's throat tightened and heartbeat quickened.
Then the same voice came again. "The Grey has encircled you. You've no path to run on. Don't try to escape and surrender yourself. Your sins cannot be forgiven."
Leo slowly lowered his head, his hair shadowing his eyes. "Here they are, our lovely guests." he muttered under his breath.
Sunny's looked toward him. "What? What the hell are you talking about?"
But Leo didn't answer.
Ray moved toward the window, his step echoing faintly on the wooden floor. He pushed the curtain slightly aside and looked out.
And what he saw was one of the biggest heart beat skip moment for him, yet.
An entire army surrounded the café.
Hundreds of grey-coated soldiers lined the street, their guns aimed directly toward the glass.
"What… what the fuck is going on?" Ray whispered.
Behind him, Rose's voice trembled. "Ray? Ray, what happened?"
He turned toward her, pieces of panic was clearly visible across his face. "Can't you hear it?"
"Hear what?" she said again.
Then the voice outside boomed once more. this time it was sharper and final.
"Surrender yourself… or suffer."
Ray's chest felt tight. His dumbass mind went blank for a moment. Thoughts blurred together like static. "Why the fuck am I here?" he thought wildly. "I was about to have sex with a beautiful girl... Is this my past life karma?"
He looked at Sunny. Then at Rose. His stomach twisted.
"I'm about to die," he thought numbly.
And then the night exploded.
"SHOOT!!!" The head soldier's roar shattered the stillness.
In an instant, chaos erupted outside. Muzzles flared, echoing like thunder. The café's walls splintered. Windows cracked into a web of shattering glass. Wooden tables flipped, all cups broke, and dust filled the air.
For the people walking by, it was complete madness. They couldn't see the soldiers. For them it was only a café ripping itself apart, riddled with holes, glass flying into the street.
Screams rose from the crowd.
People started running and stumbling over each other, shouting, "It's haunted! The café's collapsing!"
The invisible gunfire continued.