Imagination system

The room fell silent as the door closed behind Li Mei and Li Lan. Their worried glances lingered on Lu Fang before they disappeared down the corridor, leaving him alone with Captain Ren Kael.

Ren stood tall, his imposing figure clad in black leather armor adorned with the Crimson Vanguard insignia. His sharp features and piercing gaze radiated authority, but his expression was unreadable.

Lu Fang sat on the hospital bed, his body still weak from the battle that had nearly claimed his life. He met Ren's gaze, his face calm but his mind racing.

Ren broke the silence. "Lu Fang, isn't it?"

Lu nodded. "That's right. What do you want?"

Ren stepped closer, his boots echoing on the tiled floor. "I'll get straight to the point. I want you to join the Crimson Vanguard."

Lu's eyebrows rose slightly, but he said nothing, waiting for Ren to continue.

The captain clasped his hands behind his back, his voice steady and measured. "I've been briefed on what happened out there. My soldiers told me you're a Frank—a civilian with no formal training or enhancements. And yet, you managed to hold your ground, even if briefly, against an E-rank Boss Monster. For reference, that's equivalent to a D-rank normal monster. That's no small feat."

Lu leaned back, his expression neutral. "And?"

Ren's eyes narrowed, his tone sharpening. "And that kind of raw potential is rare. My squad is the only hope for the survival of Wide City. We need people like you—people who can make a difference."

Lu remained silent, his mind processing the captain's words.

Ren continued, his gaze unwavering. "One of my soldiers, Private Jian Xian, was the one who pulled you out of that mess. He's young, but he's an Awakened One—a rare talent. His eyes can measure potential, and he told me he sees something in you."

Lu's eyes flickered with curiosity. "Do you believe him?"

Ren's lips curled into a faint smirk. "If he were an ordinary human, no. But Jian Xian's ability has been the cornerstone of our recruitment process. Every member of my squad was chosen based on his evaluations. He's never been wrong."

The weight of Ren's words hung in the air. Lu looked down at his hands, the memory of the battle flashing through his mind. He had fought with everything he had, but the thought of exposing his power—his true nature—made his stomach churn.

He clenched his fists, his voice low but firm. "I appreciate the offer, but I'll have to decline."

Ren's expression darkened, disappointment flickering across his face. "You're making a mistake, Lu Fang. This isn't just about you. The Vanguard is fighting to protect the city, to protect people like those two girls who've been watching over you. We need every capable fighter we can get."

Lu met Ren's gaze, his eyes steady. "I'm not the person you think I am. If I joined you, I'd only put your squad in danger."

Ren studied him for a long moment, then sighed. "Fine. I won't force you. But let me ask one thing."

"What's that?"

"If the time comes when we need your help—when the city's survival depends on it—will you answer the call?"

Lu hesitated, his thoughts a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. He didn't want to draw attention to himself, but he couldn't ignore the weight of Ren's words. After a long pause, he nodded. "If that time comes, I'll help. But don't expect anything more."

Ren's lips pressed into a thin line, but he nodded. "That's all I can ask for."

He turned on his heel, his cape swishing behind him as he strode toward the door. Just before he left, he glanced back over his shoulder. "Take care of yourself, Lu Fang. You may not see it now, but you have the potential to change everything."

The door closed with a soft click, leaving Lu alone in the room.

---

The silence that followed was deafening. Lu leaned back against the pillows, his mind heavy with the implications of Ren's offer.

He thought about the fight, about the raw power he had unleashed to protect Li Mei and Li Lan. He had barely scratched the surface of his abilities, but even that had been enough to draw attention. If he joined the Vanguard, his secrets would come to light. And that was something he couldn't afford.

His gaze drifted to the window, where the faint glow of the setting sun painted the horizon in hues of orange and red.

"Change everything, huh?" he muttered to himself, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. "I just want to survive."

But even as he spoke the words, a small voice in the back of his mind whispered doubts. Could he really turn his back on the city, on the people who needed him?

The thought lingered as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the room into shadows.

For now, he had made his choice. But deep down, he knew that the fight was far from over.