Alone | NCT

Chapter 16

The agents had been training for weeks and soon, the end of the semester was approaching quickly.

During this time, the three sophomores, Jeno, Haechan, and Renjun had been tirelessly preparing for their solo missions, which would take place during their winter break. The rest of the sophomores were still waiting for their own solo missions to be assigned.

The seniors of the academy continued their field trips, visiting a different kingdom each week. Luckily, the teachers and two agents have been carefully watching over their classmates, ensuring that all of them are kept safe.

The leaders and mentors continued to train and prepare the agents for what they may face in the future. The agents were hard at work, working on their agency training while maintaining their academic grades.

Renjun let out a deep sigh as he sat on the floor, legs crossed, inside the simulation room, Jaehyun controlling the room from the outside. His earpiece and microphone allowed him to communicate with the male.

"I'm going to start now, okay?" Jaehyun asked.

"Do I have a choice?" Renjun groaned.

"Nope." Jaehyun replied with a smirk as he turned the simulation on. Jaehyun watched as flames began surrounding Renjun, the room darkening as the only light source was from the flames.

The floor of the simulation room appeared like the inside of a volcano. There were large rocks floating among the surrounding lava, and Renjun felt heat being emitted all around him.

"Don't touch the flames or the lava." Renjun said to himself. Jaehyun chuckled from where he was standing, a reminder to Renjun that be could hear everything. Jaehyun pressed some buttons an representation of the devil appeared.

"Quiz time." Jaehyun sung as the devil opened her mouth, stating the first riddle.

"I am the beginning of everything, the end of everywhere. I'm the beginning of eternity, the end of time and space. What am I?"

Jaehyun watched as the witch roll his eyes before answering.

"The letter 'e.'" Renjun responded confidently. Jaehyun crossed his arms over his chest, impressed by how fast be had answered. He pressed a button, the rock Renjun was standing on began to shaking, making Renjun focus more on his balance.

"What can run but never walks, has a mouth but never talks, has a head but never weeps, has a bed but never sleeps?"

Jaehyun watched as Renjun held his arms out to help keep his balance.

"A river." Renjun's answer was still fast. Too fast. Jaehyun slid his finger on the screen, causing Renjun's rock to sink. Renjun was now hopping from rock to rock, trying to avoid the lava.

"The person who makes it has no need of it; the person who buys it has no use for it. The person who uses it can neither see nor feel it. What is it?"

This time, Jaehyun noticed Renjun's eyes waiver as he focused on his movements. He still answered decently fast though.

"A coffin. Hyung, that's dark." Renjun said. Jaehyun couldn't help but smile as his extra comment as he shut the simulation off.

"That's enough for today, come out." Jaehyun told him as the room returned to normal. Jaehyun opened the door to the room, helping Renjun find the exit.

"You're too confident." Jaehyun said, as Renjun came out. Renjun shrugged his shoulders.

"Riddles are kind of my thing." Renjun told him, running a hand through his hair. Jaehyun shook his head.