episode_0188

“……”

Violet left Dorothy’s lab and returned to her own office.

There, she leaned back in her chair, lost in thought.

‘Who could have left that note?’

Violet’s gaze turned to the note placed on her desk.

The very note that had been left in front of her door.

A single line of text that felt like a threat, and an arrangement of letters and numbers like a code in the corner of the paper.

That was the cause of Violet’s worries.

Who on earth left this note, and its intention was entirely beyond her. Violet couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

She had only ever told Number 13 and Dorothy about her younger sister, her sore spot and secret.

That wasn’t to say she suspected them. After all, they were both well-known colleagues. Above all, she didn’t want to suspect her own comrades. More than that, they had no motive to do such a thing.

If so.

If so, who on earth could have left such a note?

No, how on earth, using what method, could they have avoided the cameras and left the note in front of her room?

The more she learned, the more elements that couldn’t be dismissed as a simple prank grew.

Normally, she would have consulted with Number 13, a trusted subordinate and partner, but she couldn’t discuss this with that guy who had recently harbored resentment towards her and tried to distance himself.

Thinking that far, Violet swung her legs like a child throwing a tantrum.

‘…Number 13, that jerk.’

‘He went to District 7 again this morning. That good-for-nothing loafer.’

Even though the boss was in this situation, he had disappeared to District 7 this morning.

Of course, Number 13 didn’t know what situation she was in because she hadn’t told him.

That made her angry for no reason. It pissed her off.

She really wished he would know everything without her saying a word and move to help her immediately.

She knew it was an absurd demand, but she couldn’t help but feel that way.

Really…

‘He said he would only look at me. He said he would dedicate his life to loyalty.’

If that were the case, she wished he would at least be by her side when she needed help like this.

Her worries increased.

Her worries increased.

Her worries increased.

“…I don’t know.”

After worrying and worrying, she came to the conclusion.

She couldn’t make any progress as she was.

There were no clues.

She couldn’t guess anything.

The only clue left was the note left here.

Violet pulled the note on her desk and examined its contents again.

Her younger sister.

A sentence saying that they knew the culprit who killed her beloved sister.

Other than that, there wasn’t even a single request written.

‘I don’t know.’

‘What the other party wants.’

If Number 13 were here, she might have been able to judge more calmly.

If Number 13 were here, he would have led Violet more.

If Number 13 were here.

If Number 13 were here.

If Number 13 were here….

Vibration─

“?!”

Suddenly.

Violet, who had been lost in thought, suddenly raised her head.

The smartphone placed on the edge of the desk began to ring.

For a moment, she thought it was Number 13, but when she looked at the screen, it was an unknown number.

Suddenly, Violet’s consciousness turned to the piece of paper in front of her.

And after taking a light breath, she accepted the call.

A moment later, a voice distorted by a machine came from the smartphone’s speaker.

[Hello, Boss Violet of the villain organization “Abyss.” I have something important to tell you today, so I contacted you.]

“…Who is this?”

[Well, I don’t think that has anything to do with what we’re talking about now? More than that, I haven’t given you permission to ask questions, so please listen to my story quietly.]

Something about the way they spoke was irritating.

Violet frowned and waited for the next words.

Perhaps noticing that, the voice from the speaker laughed and continued.

[Good. It seems like you’re ready to listen. And you don’t have to worry too much about my intentions. After all, I’m doing this out of 100% good faith right now. It’s all because I want to help you.]

“…Shut up and say what you want to say.”

Violet couldn’t stand it and growled, but the voice on the phone was still calm.

[Well, okay. Then that’s all for the introduction. Now for the main point.]

[Violet──I know the culprit who killed your sister.]

* * *

‘I came out a little early.’

Number 13 finished his work in District 7 and was driving back to the hideout in a good mood.

Should I change my car soon? Rahe’s car looked nice~ Thinking such things as he drove, he quickly arrived at the hideout.

Vibration-

When he arrived at the hideout, his smartphone rang.

The caller was Dorothy. Wondering what was going on, he answered the phone.

[Number 13. Where are you?]

“I’m in the hideout basement now. I’m just going to park and go up.”

[…Whether the timing is good or bad… Anyway, come up to the boss room. Quickly!]

Dorothy’s voice was uncharacteristically urgent.

Number 13, feeling uneasy, put the smartphone that had been cut off with only that business in his pocket and quickly pulled out the car key.

* * *

Knock knock

“This is Number 13. I’m coming in.”

He knocked lightly and asked, but there was no answer.

He could feel someone inside, but he wondered what to do, when he heard a click and the door opened.

“(Come in, quickly.)”

It was Dorothy.

Following her, who was beckoning with a hushed voice through the slightly opened door, Number 13 also carefully entered.

The boss’s private office, the boss room.

The room, which seemed to be about seven pyeong, was a mess, unlike its usual neat and tidy atmosphere.

Documents and objects were scattered on the floor, and a heavy-looking chair was lying on its side next to the desk.

In the middle of such a mess, the boss, Violet, was standing.

Her violet hair, which matched her villain name, was disheveled.

Her golden eyes seemed to shine fiercely in the dimly lit room like those of a wild beast.

“…Boss? What’s going on. No, this, like this….”

Number 13, who didn’t know the situation, spread out his hands to show that he had no hostility towards her and approached her.

He asked Dorothy what was going on with a look, but Dorothy shook her head and instead gestured towards the boss.

『Ask her yourself.』

That’s what she seemed to mean.

How am I supposed to ask in this situation? You cheapskate.

“Boss. Boss! Calm down. Just a moment. Put that down!”

Seeing Violet grab a long flower pot placed on a nearby shelf, Number 13 panicked and hurriedly approached Violet.

Number 13 grabbed her wrist to stop her from throwing the flower pot to the floor.

“Why are you doing this all of a sudden, Boss! You’ll get hurt! It’s dangerous!”

“…Number 13?”

Violet’s eyes, looking up at Number 13, shone fiercely.

He could see the light of anger gleaming in those eyes.

Violet opened her mouth as if to say something to Number 13, but then shook her head and lowered her gaze again.

“Number 13… g- get… out… If you stay here… I’m going to say harsh things….”

“……I’ll get out when the boss calms down. So put down this flower pot first.”

“Can’t you hear me? Get out right now!!!”

“I said I’ll get out when the boss calms down! Put down the flower pot!”

There was no way he could leave this state, which looked dangerous at first glance.

From the corner of the room, Dorothy was looking at this side with nervous eyes.

She couldn’t have been worried either, but she had no choice but to watch because she couldn’t do anything in the current situation, as her strength was far less than Violet’s.

“Please, let go…! Let goooooooooo!!!”

“Ugh…!”

While Number 13 held her wrist, Violet screamed and shook her head.

At the same time, the strange pattern engraved on her lips shone with blue light.

Then, Number 13 was pushed away by some invisible force, and his hand was pushed away.

It was the power of the boss’s magic, “Word Spirit.”

Overwhelmed by the power of the Word Spirit, which was released with a lot of magic without adjustment, Number 13 not only let go of Violet, but was also pushed away by an invisible force and flew away.

Number 13’s body crashed violently into a shelf behind him, smashing part of the shelf.

Blood seemed to be flowing down because his head had been broken.

Seeing that, Violet seemed to come to her senses and widened her eyes and froze.

The flower pot, which she had been holding with both hands as if she was about to throw it at any moment, slipped from her hand and landed on the floor.

Fortunately, it fell on a soft carpet and did not break.

“Number 13… I’m sorry… I’m sorry…. I, it wasn’t… intentional….”

“…I know, I know. It’s okay. I’m okay. I’m okay even if my head is broken a few times. Don’t worry.”

To Violet, who was approaching, Number 13 raised his body, reached out his hand, and hugged her as it was.

Blood was still flowing from his torn forehead, but he didn’t care.

“Okay, Boss. Take a deep breath slowly. …And, tell me. What happened. I’ll listen to you as much as you want.”

At Number 13’s words, Violet nodded weakly.