The Diamond Extra

— At around 2:10 P.M., a horde of unregistered monsters appeared in Caelus, leaving 512 civilians injured and 10 confirmed dead.

The news anchor's voice cut through the hospital's silence.

In a private room on the top floor, Sebastian Dawn sat beside the pale, unconscious form of his daughter. He held her hand gently, brushing his thumb across her knuckles. Her skin was cold. Too cold.

Though she was nearly an adult, Lila Dawn was still his little girl. The same child who once chased sparrows in their garden. A daughter he had failed to protect once—and swore never to fail again.

> "Lila…"

As if summoned by his voice, her fingers twitched.

"…Mmm."

She stirred.

"Doctor!"

The medical team rushed in as Lila's eyes fluttered open. She blinked slowly, her expression hazy.

"You're awake," Sebastian said, smiling with relief. "How do you feel, sweetheart?"

"…I'm fine."

She slowly sat up, brushing aside the nearest doctor with a soft but firm hand.

"I said I'm fine, Dad."

"Lila—"

"I'm not hurt. The toxins didn't reach my heart. Just… some strain."

She smiled faintly, though her voice cracked.

The doctor hesitated, glancing at Sebastian. The man's presence alone made him sweat.

"Sir, I… I can confirm her vitals are stable. She's recovering fast."

"…Good. You may leave."

The doctors exited without another word.

"Dad…"

"Hm?"

Sebastian looked into her eyes. There was a strange depth there—guilt, anger, and something else.

"…About Sister."

He froze.

"Lila, you don't need to think about that right now."

"I do."

She clenched the sheets.

"They said her name. That guy… his voice. He spoke about her."

Sebastian turned away, his composure cracking.

"I want to see her," Lila said. "When I'm discharged."

"…Of course. Let's do that."

She leaned on his shoulder. Her voice was steady, but her tears welled behind her eyes.

---

In her mind, everything replayed—the two cloaked figures at the museum, the grip around her throat, the burning curse crawling across her chest.

And his voice.

> "I'm sure her older sister will come to comfort her."

He knew. About Lizy. About the coma. About the raid.

But he still said it—mockingly, like a cruel joke.

> Paul Wayne.

She carved the name into her heart.

A name she wouldn't forget.

---

♦

The sky over Caelus glowed orange, but chaos filled the ground. Sirens wailed. Heroes worked to stabilize collapsed buildings. A Seeker mended cracked asphalt with a sweep of his palm. A child sobbed under a broken light post.

At the portal site, Instructor Park Leon waited.

"Paul Wayne. Saul Mayne."

His tone was tight. His coat was stained with dirt and ash.

"We'll take your statements later. For now, the Seekers will handle cleanup. Return to Diamond."

(For the record, Seekers are like heroes—but they don't engage in combat.)

We nodded.

Mira leaned on her staff, exhausted. Jake and Izuki were bruised. No one spoke as we stepped through the portal.

---

The transition always felt strange. Like my body was peeling through dimensions. But I didn't care anymore.

The mission left a bitter taste.

"…Hey."

Saul called as we reached the dorm.

"What."

He looked at me with tired eyes.

"Why'd you say that to her?"

I blinked. "Say what?"

"To Lila. About her sister."

I tilted my head. "I just—"

But I stopped.

> That… wasn't a normal reaction.

Saul stepped closer. His eyes weren't angry. Just deeply confused.

"Every cadet knows what happened. You're seriously saying you didn't?"

"I…"

"You could've said anything else—but you chose that. Why?"

His voice was quiet. But it hit harder than if he'd yelled.

"I didn't mean anything by it," I muttered. "It just… slipped out."

He stared at me for a long moment.

"I used to think you were just quiet," he said. "Detached. But now…"

He didn't finish. Just turned around and walked away.

And somehow, that silence stung more than any accusation.

---

Back in my room, I dropped my bag on the floor and collapsed onto the bed. My mind still buzzed with Saul's words. With Lila's eyes. With that voice in my head that wouldn't shut up.

I sighed and pulled up my smartwatch. The browser flickered to life.

I typed:

> [Lila Dawn – Family]

Search results loaded instantly.

> Family: Sebastian Dawn (Father). Lizy Dawn (Older Sister).

Rank 4 Cadet. Former military hero academy graduate.

"Okay…"

I clicked Lizy's name.

> Rookie Hero Lizy Dawn falls into a coma after Phantom Subjugation Operation 'Firefox.' Currently under critical care at Greneau Medical Center.

"…What?"

Firefox was supposed to be her moment of fame.

She rescued teammates. Earned a medal. Stood beside Diamond's founders.

But now?

She never came back.

---

I opened my status window. I had to be sure.

> [Quest Rewards – Paul Wayne]

You have acquired: 131 SP

Sharpshooter Paradox added to Gift: Master Sharpshooter

Light Attribute Affinity: +2%

Hidden Message from Administrator

A gold message appeared.

---

New Quest Update

⟢ [Timeline Divergence – Recognized]

Lizy Dawn – Originally destined to become Lila Dawn's pillar and a rising S-rank hero.

Current Status: Vessel of the Specters.

Coma-induced possession began 3 years ago.

World Destruction Flag: ACTIVE (Delayed)

> [Administrator Notice: You are now eligible to perceive branching timelines. Proceed accordingly.]

---

My throat tightened.

Lizy Dawn wasn't just in a coma.

She was being used. Her body was a cocoon. A prison. A doorway for something vile.

> A Specter's Vessel… now? This shouldn't be possible yet.

I stood up. My heart pounded.

This wasn't a flag.

It was a catastrophe.

And there was only one way to stop it.

> "She has to die."

Not now.

But before the Specter hatched. Before the world burned.

The Specter's incubation lasted 4–5 years. Three had already passed.

I couldn't hire anyone. No mercenary would take this kind of job. No one would believe me either.

Lizy Dawn is the daughter of one of the richest man in Belester's. Her family was like royalty.

But the truth was…

> I had to kill her.

I sighed deeply. In another timeline, she was kind. Strong. A real hero. The kind of person even I looked up to.

But here?

She became a tragedy that had to be stopped.

My legs felt heavy. My head pounded.

I closed my eyes with a deep sigh. Although Lizy Dawn was an idiot when it came to her sister, she was a reliable friend and helper to people. In this timeline, she had become a character that needed to die. This shocked me, but I didn't have the luxury of not doing anything. I stood up. My body felt heavy. My sense of familiarity towards this world transformed into greater anxiety.

Still, I headed for the shower. The water might help me think. Or at least pretend I still had control.

I had no time to mourn.

> I had to find a way to do something.