As you approach the door, a small tremor takes control of your entire body. Your fingertips grow colder, your heart beats faster, and your mind begins to swim with the realization of the magnitude of the situation.

Whispering "get a grip" to yourself a hundred times, you briskly walk down the corridor. The chief's office is just a few meters away.

Mentally cursing and berating yourself, you resolve to knock on the door with a somewhat "calm" mind in a few seconds.

The chilling "come in" in a male voice pierces like needles, seeping under your skin, sending shivers down your spine. You're truly scared, not just for your job, but for your life.

Your boss sits at the desk, chin resting on hand, eyes tracking your every move in the office, filled with anger. Pure rage, unlike anything you've ever seen. Bloodstains on the wall beside him. You don't know whose.

König stays silent, seemingly choosing his words.

— How did the mission go? — seems like a dumb question. Because if he didn't know how it went, you wouldn't be sitting in front of him. But König sounded calm.

— The mission was accomplished. All objectives were met without delays, although not entirely according to plan, — your memorized response sounded confident. But you know there's much left unsaid beneath it.

— And at what cost? Do you know how many people could have died because of you?! And how many, damn it, did die?! So much crap because of your mistake! Why did you deviate from the mission plan?! — His tone instantly changed. Now you not only saw the anger in his eyes but felt it.

He stood, circled the desk, getting much closer to you. And you became much more frightened. But you couldn't even muster a word.

— Answer me! — His strong fingers grip your neck, not enough to choke you. Not yet.