Kaivan swallowed hard. "Uh... just now? Maybe? Or... right before you mentioned the, uh... shirt part?" His voice cracked awkwardly.
Felicia spun around, covering her face with the tray she was still somehow holding. "Hyaaah! I-It's not what it sounded like! I mean, it was, but it wasn't, ugh!" Her voice broke into a mix of mortified panic and frustration at herself.
Kaivan scratched the back of his head, trying to act normal. "R-right... Let's just pretend I didn't hear anything."
"But you did hear it!"
"Yeah... but I can pretend I forgot?"
Felicia groaned, punching the wall softly before turning away again. Her hair fell messily over her face, hiding her expression, though a faint blush still lingered. "Fine... even if you remember, I won't get mad. Just... don't tell Radit."
"Got it. Promise. Not a word... uh, wait, you might want to fix your, um... the shirt. It's kinda... red showing."
Felicia blinked, glancing down. "Ah, a button came loose, huh?" she said casually, rebuttoning her blouse like nothing happened.
Then, as if the awkwardness had never existed, she gestured toward a nearby table. "Anyway, the Tome Omnicent. It's here."
Kaivan's eyes widened. He stepped closer, reaching for the book like it was salvation itself. The wooden cover was ancient, yet warm to the touch. As he opened it, glowing letters rose from the pages, their light washing over both of them.
A serene radiance filled the room, soft and almost sacred. But the moment of calm didn't last.
From beyond the door, hurried footsteps echoed closer.
Radit and Ethan appeared in the hallway, breathless and tense.
Ethan pushed the door open. "Kaivan, we, "
"Shh!" Radit yanked him back, eyes sharp with alarm.
CRASH!
A chair flew past them and smashed against the wall, splinters scattering across the floor. Ethan froze, knees weak.
Inside, Felicia stood panting, eyes fierce and locked on the doorway. Her clothes were half-buttoned, her cheeks flushed, but her gaze never wavered.
"Ever heard of knocking? I was changing!"
Ethan stepped back slowly, face pale. Radit patted his shoulder.
"Now do you get why I said not to worry about her?"
Light from the Tome of Omnicent brushed across Kaivan's face, casting steady shadows beneath his eyes. "Stay focused," he said, calm and firm. "Time's running out."
Suddenly, the pages of the Tome began to tremble. Words of light appeared, forming one by one:
"The danger is escalating. Detonate all explosives. Destroy the building. Escape as it collapses, but keep looking back."
Kaivan read the line aloud, then lifted his gaze. "This isn't a choice. It's an order. We have to follow it."
Silence filled the room. Radit tightened his grip on his weapon. Ethan swallowed hard. Felicia stood beside Kaivan, no longer shy, her eyes glowing with resolve.
"I know where the explosives are," Radit said. "Storage room, near the stairwell."
Ethan shifted uneasily. "This is insane... it's suicide."
Kaivan looked down at the map spread on the table, then back up. "If we follow the Tome, we'll survive."
Felicia stepped forward. "Then let's finish this. Once and for all."
Radit raised his phone, snapping a quick photo of the glowing instructions. "Got it."
"Radit, Felicia, Ethan, head to the storage room and set everything up," Kaivan ordered. "I'll find Raphael. Make sure the exit's clear when the blast hits."
The three of them hurried out, footsteps echoing down the corridor. Kaivan watched them go for a moment, then drew a long breath. He knew this mission wasn't just dangerous, it would decide everything.
In the dim, narrow corridor, Kaivan moved cautiously. The cold concrete walls pressed close on either side, while the flickering neon light cast restless shadows that seemed to taunt him. Only one name echoed in his mind, Raphael.
Meanwhile, Radit, Felicia, and Ethan reached the storage hall. A rusted iron door loomed before them like a silent sentinel. Radit twisted the knob carefully to avoid noise. As the door creaked open, rows of explosive crates greeted them.
"Here it is," Radit whispered, quickly prying one open to check the contents. He studied the instructions glowing on his phone screen. Felicia stood by the entrance, her sharp gaze sweeping every corner. Ethan, his hands trembling slightly, helped connect the detonator, checking the red and blue wires.
"Make sure that connection's right," Ethan murmured nervously.