"KAI!"
Munnu's voice echoed behind him.
Kai didn't stop.
The doctor continued walking.
Not running.
Simply walking through the dim corridor.
As if he had absolute confidence nobody could catch him.
Kai followed.
The sounds of battle slowly faded behind them.
Gunfire.
Magic.
Screams.
All becoming distant.
Eventually—
The doctor entered a circular chamber.
Unlike the rest of the laboratory—
This room remained almost untouched.
Shelves lined the walls.
Books.
Medical journals.
Strange preserved organs floating inside glass containers.
An operating table occupied the center.
Mana lamps cast a pale blue glow.
The doctor finally stopped.
Without turning around, he spoke.
"You've followed me quite far."
Kai steadied his breathing.
"I have questions."
"So does everyone."
The doctor finally turned.
His expression remained calm.
Curious.
Not hostile.
"Let's begin with introductions."
He adjusted his glasses.
"I am called Doctor Z."
Kai blinked.
"So your name really is Doctor."
Dr. Z chuckled.
"No."
"People simply stopped using my real one."
Silence.
Then—
"And you?"
"Kai."
The doctor nodded once.
"Pleasure."
Kai immediately spoke.
"...Magic circuits."
The doctor's eyebrow lifted.