episode_0030

The black-haired woman, soaked in bloodstains. She was kneeling, her head bowed towards this side. A shimmering trail of tears sparkled on her cheek. They were unmistakable tears, dripping down. Where had the fierce killing intent that had been present just moments before disappeared to? The atmosphere had softened. A pitifully trembling voice. At the same time, a clear joy suffused it.

“……”

Like the reaction of a young animal reunited with its lost mother. The woman was overcome with emotion. Although her lower face was hidden by a mask, she was undoubtedly smiling brightly.

I let out a small groan. ‘As expected, it’s a bit much.’

It’s good to see her after a long time, but her greeting is a bit excessive, wouldn’t you say? I guess I should accept it for now. Otherwise, she might truly burst into loud sobs.

I struggled to open my mouth. “It’s been a while, Lena Yang.”

“I’ve been waiting. I’m simply happy you’ve returned safely.”

“How did you know I was here?”

“I happened to be patrolling the streets… and suddenly, I was drawn by a familiar aura and rushed here.”

“An aura, you say.”

It seemed she had picked up on the signal I sent. Ever since I entered the city, I had been subtly revealing my presence, but I didn’t expect her to notice it so quickly. Does that mean her skills are still as sharp as ever?

“Not bad.”

“Thank you…!”

Her eyes sparkled at a single word of praise. The woman, who had been frozen in an ecstatic expression, soon collected herself and stood up.

“The other members are also eagerly waiting.”

“I suppose I should show my face.”

“I will escort you. But the Beastkin by your side is……”

“She’s my guest. Treat her with the utmost hospitality.”

“I will do my best.”

The reply came back courteously.

Lena stepped forward. As I followed her, Irene, who was beside me, poked my shoulder.

“……I’m not sure what’s going on.”

“Irene Yang.”

Black eyes, clouded with doubt, wavered. She seemed confused.

‘This is awkward.’

How should I explain this? It’s a very complex and long story. Furthermore, if I say I’m the leader of a criminal organization, it might just cause misunderstandings. Sometimes, silence is better than words.

After a moment of thought, I eventually brushed it off with an ambiguous smile. “Let’s go for now.”

“This is really the right way, right? To where the children are……”

“Of course. You’ll be able to meet them soon, so don’t worry.”

Leaving the brief exchange of words behind. The three of us passed through several alleys, side streets, and shadows. As we leisurely passed through the intricately winding streets, the woman leading the way soon stopped. We had arrived at our destination.

“We’ve arrived.”

Standing before us was a small tavern. It was a decrepit building that looked as if it had been abandoned for at least 10 years.

Without hesitation, we entered. *Creak.* Beyond the old door, an ancient scene awaited us. Dust had thickly accumulated in the tavern, as if no one had stepped foot inside for a long time. Just the appearance of an ordinary closed shop.

Irene furrowed her brow once again. “……Are you sure we’ve come to the right place?”

“Undoubtedly.”

“There’s no one here. I don’t see any signs of life.”

“That’s the core of this space.”

It was important for it to look like an abandoned space. So that it wouldn’t catch the eyes of others. It might look like an empty shell, but… the key was what came next.

“This way.”

Lena stepped in with large strides. She headed to the furthest corner of the tavern floor and pulled up several wooden planks. It was a hidden entrance.

“Stairs…?”

Beneath the planks, stairs were located. A subterranean space, dug so deep that its end was out of sight.

“You may go down.”

*Thud thud.* Without hesitation, I descended the stairs. As I walked along the long, sloping path, the end of the descent eventually came into view. An iron door awaited us.

“It’s been a while.”

“Everyone must be waiting. I already informed them that you have returned.”

“Oh dear.”

That’s a bit worrying. I hesitated for a moment. But there was no turning back now. I slowly pushed the doorknob. A heavy creaking sound echoed.

*Screeeech!* Immediately after, a new scene unfolded. The damp, gloomy air characteristic of underground spaces disappeared, and brightly shining lights pushed away the darkness. It was a spacious yet clean area.

“Ah…”

The fox beside me let out an exclamation. The neatly laid wooden floor, the remarkably spacious area, and the magic lamps shining throughout. It was a facility superior to most high-ranking knight order headquarters.

It was certainly something to be surprised by. She probably never imagined such a place would exist underground. It was a reaction that made me want to tease her just once, but. I soon realized I wasn’t in a position to do so.

“……”

There were gazes focused on this side. At least close to thirty people were standing there, every single one of them looking dazed. As if they had been shocked.

“Ahem.” An embarrassed cough escaped me. With an ominous smile spreading across my lips, I greeted the familiar faces. “It’s been a long time, everyone.”

And then.

“……”

A moment of silence followed. It became awkwardly silent. Just as the cheeky greeting I’d offered was about to become embarrassing.

“……Captain-nim?”

A dazed murmur was heard. Was she dreaming? The voice, which had been stiff for a while, gradually softened, then she immediately knelt down. It was wailing born of emotion.

“Ah… Captain-nim has returned!”

A clear cry echoed. The surging emotions spread and became contagious among those nearby.

“Has Captain-nim really…?”

“Are you saying that person didn’t abandon us?”

“A miracle has happened…”

“Ah, O Snake.”

They seemed to be possessed by something. The members, who had been repeating their mutterings, soon began kneeling on the floor one by one. Some were even shedding tears.

Without a moment to be flustered by such a sight. The members bowed their heads. Placing their clenched right fists over their chests, they simultaneously meditated.

“All things according to your will.”

The space was tinged with a sacred echo. Joy, reverence, wailing, worship, love… countless emotions filled the surroundings. It felt exactly like watching fanatical cultists. My mind involuntarily became hazy.

Why is everyone acting like this? And when did I say we should change that embarrassing slogan? Why is it still the same? It was enough to drive me mad.

“Huhu.” Even amidst all that, the corners of my mouth were slyly smiling, which was due to my damned characteristic. As I closed my mouth with a sense of futility. The fox, with a bewildered expression, threw a question at me.

“You… What exactly is your identity?”

“Well.” *I don’t know either.*

“Not a single one of them seems sane. Are you really raising some kind of cult?”

“What do you think?” *I don’t know, damn it.*

The fox sending wary glances. The members who showed no signs of getting up.

‘Should I have not come?’ It’s overwhelmingly burdensome.

***

Meanwhile.

There was a girl running down a wide hallway. Her steps were anxious, as if something urgent had happened. Her footsteps echoed dryly.

*Clatter clatter clatter!* Following her vigorous movements, her silver hair streamed long behind her. Eyes that held the gentle moonlight. Faint burn marks covered part of her face. She had an infinitely cold impression.

“Haa, haa…!” Astro’s Vice-Captain, Neria Lightni. She had been working alone on paperwork, so she heard the news later than the other members. As her longing was greater than anyone else’s. The girl immediately burst out of her seat.

‘Captain-nim, Captain-nim, Captain-nim…’

Even as she ran through the hallway, she repeated a fervent plea internally. The person she hadn’t been able to find for over half a year. All that was left was a single letter. Perhaps she had been abandoned? Despite trembling with such anxiety, Neria had silently maintained her faith.

‘Finally.’ Faith is rewarded. The news of ‘that person’ whom she had waited for more than anything.

The girl, who had reached the end of the hallway, abruptly opened the last door. And then.

“Huhu, everyone, that’s enough, please raise your heads.”

Dazzling golden hair was visible. His characteristic playful smile. The boy stood there as if by magic. Around him, the members who had knelt earlier were offering sacred worship.

Their gazes met.

“Oh.”

“Ah.”

A brief missed breath. The one who first offered a greeting was none other than the boy.

“Neria Yang! It’s been a long time.”

*Smile.* His eyes narrowed into a crescent shape. The moment that enchanting curve reflected in the scene, a belated sense of reality flooded in. Captain-nim has returned.

‘I wasn’t abandoned.’

Relief, sticky and overwhelming. Her emotions burst forth without her realizing it. Tears of joy dripped down.

Neria struggled to maintain her calm steps.

*Thump.* As she approached the boy, she respectfully knelt on both knees. She bowed her head. “Welcome back.”

She took the snake’s outstretched hand. Despite her ceaseless tears, she kissed the back of his noble hand, showing her respect. A sweet scent wafted past her nose.

“My Master.”

It was dizzying. She wanted to savor the scent immediately, just as she had with the letter last time, but she barely managed to hold back. Because she knew that person would dislike it.

“Hmm~ Has it been about half a year since I disappeared?”

“As of today, it has been exactly 194 days.”

“Quite late, then.”

“I was waiting.”

“Huhu.” The boy smiled as if finding her admirable. “Thank you.”

“I merely held the faith that was natural.”

Neria quietly closed her eyes. With her head bowed, she recited a prayer. “All things according to your will.” Towards the god she served.

***

A storm had passed. The members, who seemed to be calming down little by little, started crying again when Neria appeared. Thanks to that, it was a chaotic time.

‘This is why I hesitated before coming.’

It felt similar half a year ago, but seeing it today, it seemed to have gotten even worse. It was like becoming the leader of true fanatics. I felt like I had aged 10 years.

A faint sigh escaped me. ‘Still, I suppose it’s better this way.’

It’s better to be welcomed like this, rather than. I always just came when I needed them, used them, and this time I disappeared for half a year. Perhaps it’s a miracle that they even treat me as Captain-nim.

‘……Now that I think about it, I only came because I had something to ask for again this time.’

Honestly, my conscience bothers me. I should show my face more often from now on.

Making a vow I probably wouldn’t keep. I called out to the Vice-Captain, who was attending to me by my side. “Neria Yang.”

“Did you call?”

An immediate reply. Was she waiting for me to speak to her? It felt like all her attention was focused on me. Her silver eyes sparkled overwhelmingly.

“Please speak.”

“It’s nothing else, but… the fox Beastkin I asked about last time, are they here?”

“Of course. It was a directive from my Master.”

“I’d like to see them after a long time.”

“I will guide you immediately.”

“Let’s go, Irene Yang.”

“……Ah, yeah.”

We stood up. There were various things to discuss with the Vice-Captain, but. First, for Irene, who looked like she was dying of anxiety, I intended to go to the foxes. She’ll probably be very surprised.

“Huhu.” I walked with a sly smile.

***

“Huhu.” The boy smiled ominously. Irene gazed at him with an uneasy look.

‘What exactly is his identity…? And what is this vast basement?’

It was a suspicious facility. The way space was expanded to the level of a mansion in various places using expensive spatial magic. And those called members. Even the building’s location, nestled in the heart of the slums. There was nothing that didn’t bother her.

‘Are there really children in a place like this…?’

Her imagination began to lean towards unpleasant possibilities. A slum engulfed in thick fog. A criminal organization that seemed insane. A basement located so deep no one could find it. And finally, children.

‘Slums, criminal organization, basement… and children.’ It was a foreboding combination. A chilling tension aimed at her throat.

-Your siblings are in a ‘good place’. I personally sent them there.

Why. That one comment she had dismissed as a joke kept lingering.

*Thump thump thump thump!* Perhaps because of her wildly pounding heart, her agitation wouldn’t easily subside. The fox clenched her lips.

“It seems to be here.”

Suddenly, the snake stopped walking. Before they knew it, the two had reached a massive iron door. The girl held her breath.

“Irene Yang.”

“……”

“It’s my best work, something I’m very confident in. I hope you like it.”

A sinister voice whispered. The golden-haired boy pulled the doorknob without hesitation.

“Welcome. To the ‘paradise’ I have prepared.”

*Screeeech!* Beyond the gracefully opening iron door, a shocking scene unfolded. A blatant smell assailed her nostrils.

“……!” The fox’s expression stiffened.