The Choice

"The Judge, Candle Bearer," the boy replied.

No. 2's expression turned grave. He knew both names well, especially the latter's strange ability. It had left a deep impression on him during the great battle back then. No. 11 had died at his hands.

Before No. 2 could speak, the boy continued, nodding. "Besides those two old-timers, there was also a masked guy. He was the one who nearly killed No. 3."

"A new S-rank?"

The boy glanced at No. 2 and hesitated before answering slowly, "That person... seemed familiar to No. 3, and he held back against him. He didn't want to kill No. 3."

"Looks like it was No. 1," No. 2 said. "What a pleasant surprise."

No. 2 didn't elaborate on where the pleasure in that surprise came from. The boy fell silent, too. No. 1 was something of an eccentric even among the Crimson. Everyone knew very little about him, and after that incident, he had become even more withdrawn. When he had no missions, he spent his time drinking alone in his room.

At least, no matter how much he drank, he would never get drunk if he didn't want to.

"He's still upset about what happened," No. 2 said, his voice tinged with nostalgia and sorrow. "Back then, he strongly opposed No. 4's plan. He didn't agree with handing Xia Tan's door over to Wu. In his eyes, that door should have been his."

"During that great battle, No. 1 overused his ability to save everyone, and the backlash from the power of space destroyed his appearance and body." Even now, remembering No. 1's wretched state back then made the boy sigh inwardly. "The Mister promised him that he would find him another door, one strong enough to suppress the door inside him."

"But a