Genevieve awoke to searing pain from her ring and discovered Grave at the foot of her bed with Umbra unconscious on the floor. Grave admitted he entered via portal and revealed Knox's loophole: only one of the siblings can be released from service per year, meaning if Rowin gains permanent freedom, Knox will not free anyone else and the rest will be trapped in the Hunt indefinitely.

Declaring he would be the one to get out, Grave immobilized Genevieve completely, blocking her magic and voice, and lifted her with overwhelming power. As he prepared to kill her, an explosive surge of power filled the room and darkness roiled; Genevieve glimpsed Rowin with glowing golden eyes amid the shadows.

Ellin burst in, flooded the room with white light, and absorbed Rowin's shadows to clear the scene. Rowin accused Grave of trying to kill Genevieve. Ellin criticized both brothers for escalating violence over someone they had known less than a week, though she apologized to Genevieve and acknowledged the situation.

Grave reiterated the loophole, arguing Rowin's freedom would doom the rest to endless play. Ellin, stunned, told Grave to walk away and stated she would not allow murder outside the game; she said Genevieve had earned her place. After considering, Grave released his hold on Genevieve and teleported away. Ellin warned Rowin to get control if she was to trust him and left.

Rowin confirmed Umbra would heal as a Familiar and unsummoned her to recover. He held Genevieve, checked on her, and assured her the ongoing conflict was not her fault. When Genevieve noted he had again called her his, Rowin apologized but then vowed to stay with her through the night.

Unable to sleep from anticipation, Genevieve savored Rowin's earlier declaration—"She’s mine"—as the chapter closed on their renewed intimacy and the uncovered stakes of Knox's loophole.