The Heart of Zero

Riyugi suddenly felt a heavy wave of guilt engulf her, tears cascading down her cheeks. She sobbed softly, her voice trembling, "Because the target is me… it cost so many lives from the Revolutionary Party…"

William remained composed, his voice calm yet firm. "Every person who joins the Revolutionary Party knows the price they might pay. The enemy is clever—this attack not only destroyed our base and claimed our comrades' lives, but it also aimed to fracture trust with Shingin while targeting you, young lady."

Riyugi's tears flowed freely as the weight of responsibility and regret settled on her. She had never imagined herself at the center of such a complex and tragic situation.

Placing his coffee cup down with deliberate weight, William's gaze turned sharp and icy. "Perhaps this is only the surface of a larger conspiracy yet to be revealed," he said before turning to Shingin. His voice lowered, carrying a cutting edge. "Tell me—what happened along the way?"

Shingin recounted every detail of their journey, mentioning places they passed and seemingly insignificant events. William listened intently, his sharp eyes narrowing as he pieced together the puzzle.

"The enemy knows your connection to this young lady," William said slowly, "and they've used it to track you. But rather than striking immediately, they manipulated you into thinking her safety was under constant threat. They controlled your every emotion and lured your focus entirely on protecting her, leaving you blind to the true target—the Revolutionary Party itself. You assumed we were strong enough to withstand anything and dismissed the possibility."

Shingin stared at William in stunned silence, the meticulous precision of the enemy's scheme hitting him like a thunderbolt.

"Once you let your guard down, believing the crisis had passed, they made their real move," William continued, his voice as cold as steel. "Their strategy isn't just about physical combat—they excel at psychological manipulation."

Shingin inhaled deeply, a pang of guilt and remorse tearing through him. He hadn't anticipated such calculated tactics, nor how easily he'd been led astray.

"This isn't just about Riyugi," William added, his tone grim. "It's about ensuring your complete emotional collapse. They're playing the long game, and they've marked you both."

Shingin's mind spun as he struggled to make sense of the enemy's deep knowledge of his bond with Riyugi. "Who could know us so well?" he wondered, his thoughts racing.

Breaking the tense silence, William rose from his seat. "We'll meet again," he said casually, as if it were a certainty.

Shingin blinked, startled. "Wait, what?"

William smiled faintly, exuding a calm confidence. "The time isn't right yet, but someday, we'll fight side by side. For now, it's time for you to broaden your horizons and see more of the world. You've already taken the first step by coming here, proving that something within you has already begun to change."

Shingin felt a strange stir in his heart as he watched William. The sight of the Revolutionary Party leader standing tall amidst his comrades sparked an unfamiliar sense of aspiration. Could he one day become someone like William—a leader who inspired trust and loyalty?

Yet doubt crept in. He lacked the charisma, strength, or leadership skills that someone like William embodied. How could he possibly rise to such a position?

As William turned to leave, his eyes briefly landed on Riyugi, who shrank back, tense and uncertain. William's calm smile returned. "What's your name, young lady?"

Riyugi froze, her gaze darting nervously before she stammered, "I-I'm Riyugi…"

William nodded thoughtfully. "Riyugi—a good name," he said warmly, his tone tinged with meaning.

Shingin watched the exchange, feeling a growing complexity within himself. Just as William and his team were about to step out of the café, Shingin called out impulsively, "William, I still don't understand… How do I move forward?"

Pausing at the door, William didn't turn around. His reply was simple yet profound. "You're not alone anymore, Shingin. You already have a remarkable partner by your side."

Shingin froze, his mind racing as he processed the words. His gaze shifted to Riyugi, who blushed slightly, lowering her head. She hadn't thought her presence could mean so much in Shingin's journey, yet William's words seemed to imply just that.

William gave one last glance over his shoulder, his expression unreadable. "The road ahead is long. Don't forget that." With that, he stepped out into the night, vanishing into the shadows.

Shingin stared after him, his emotions churning. He looked at Riyugi beside him, realizing that William's words held more weight than he initially thought. For the first time, he felt the stirrings of responsibility intertwined with the warmth of companionship.

The café's atmosphere gradually returned to normal, but Shingin's thoughts remained in turmoil.

Outside, one of William's subordinates couldn't hold back his frustration any longer. "Leader, our numbers are dwindling fast! What do we have left to fight with?"

William's tone remained calm. "I'm aware, but their sacrifices were not in vain."

The man pressed on, indignant. "And you're placing so much on this so-called eighth leader? He's inexperienced, reckless—barely capable!"

William chuckled softly. "And you, Xiao Ping, weren't exactly a genius yourself when you first joined us, were you?"

The retort silenced the man, who looked down, chastised.

William's gaze grew distant, almost contemplative. "Never forget where you came from, no matter how far you've climbed. As for Shingin… his potential is limitless."

Xiao Ping frowned, still skeptical. "Just because he wields soul magic and possesses the alien soul?"

A glimmer of mystery flickered in William's eyes. "What do you think?"

Standing nearby, Rayl remained silent, though he felt an unspoken understanding begin to crystallize. Shingin's potential wasn't just about his power—it was about what he could become, and perhaps, what he represented for the future of the Revolutionary Party.