Chapter 42
Countdown (4)
5:00 a.m.
A luxurious ship sliced through the waters of the River Thames.
On the glittering surface illuminated by dazzling lights, a dozen or so guests in dresses and tuxedos were enjoying a lavish yacht party.
“Now, let’s toast!”
When Diana, dressed in a green silk gown, raised her champagne glass, the guests followed her lead.
“Cheers!!!”
Clink—!
The glasses struck one another with a crisp, refreshing sound.
Their carefree laughter, as if they had no worries in the world, filled the entire yacht.
“…Having the time of their lives, huh.”
Sehyun, watching the scene cynically—
Slice—!
…was chopping onions.
“I can’t believe this is what I’m doing here. Hic…”
Tears streamed endlessly down Sehyun’s cheeks, now looking every bit the kitchen assistant.
Of course, it was definitely because of the onions.
Not because he was jealous of those carefree fools.
Slap!
Rattman, disguised as a chef like Sehyun, smacked him hard on the back.
“Focus, rookie! If you’re new, the least you can do is chop onions properly!!”
His scolding tone made him sound like a head chef with twenty years of experience.
Sehyun’s teary eyes twitched irritably.
“…I’ve had enough of this.”
He’d endured being chased through London all night by those “gentlemen.”
He’d put up with trudging endlessly through dark, damp sewers.
He didn’t mind risking his life—
But…
“I cannot stand being the only one suffering while everyone else relaxes!!”
Clang—!
Sehyun threw the kitchen knife aside and shouted.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?!”
Rattman’s eyes bulged.
How dare this young punk throw a knife in front of the head chef?!
“Back in my day— Wait, huh?”
Rattman suddenly froze mid-sentence.
He thought for a moment—
and realized he had absolutely no memory of ever working in a kitchen.
Then it hit him.
‘Ah. Right. It’s just an act.’
He’d gotten so used to disguises that he’d started losing himself in the role.
Rattman shook his head to refocus and calmed Sehyun down.
“Hey, hey, stay in character, will ya? We’re about to reach Tower Bridge!”
“Stay in character? Come on, this whole disguise won’t hold up once the patrols show up!”
Throwing a party like this was bound to draw attention.
Especially now, when the “gentlemen” surely had the bridge under heavy control.
“Relax. You think every citizen obeys a lockdown to the letter?
A bunch of young people having a little fun—who’s gonna stop that?
It’s not like they own the Thames.”
“…You sound like an old man trying too hard to be hip.”
“Still, you gotta admit—there’s no better way to sneak through.”
He wasn’t wrong.
The area around Tower Bridge was under tight surveillance.
Even a mouse scurrying by would’ve triggered an alarm.
‘Still… crossing this openly?’
It was an audacious, almost absurd plan—
and yet somehow, it worked.
Even in a crisis, these Brits never lost their composure.
Sehyun couldn’t help but click his tongue in disbelief.
At that moment, Inha peeked her head into the kitchen.
“Sehyun, two vongoles!”
Dressed as a waiter, she passed along the order and hurried back out.
Sehyun stared after her, speechless.
“…How is she so natural about this?”
“That’s how you act, kid. She’s a pro.”
“She’s not like a pro. She is one.”
Indeed, Inha had worked as a model since high school.
No one could beat her when it came to immersing herself in a role.
Even now, she flitted across the deck with the effortless grace of a true professional—
serving guests as if this were a normal gala, not a covert operation.
‘Yeah… that’s the Inha I know.’
Sehyun smiled faintly.
No matter how good she was with artifacts,
no matter how powerful she’d become as a player,
no matter how extraordinary her life now was—
To him, this—her in her element—was her truest self.
“Alright then.”
Rattman stretched his arms, laying ingredients across the cutting board.
‘…Still in chef mode, huh.’
“If we get through this without a hitch, that’d be great.”
“I thought you said we’d ignore any patrols?”
“Well, yeah, but…”
Even shamelessness had its limits.
If the authorities boarded them, there’d be no stopping it.
When Sehyun pointed out that hiding might be safer, Rattman snorted.
“Try hiding half-assed and you’ll get caught faster.
This disguise? Works better.”
“So you thought this ridiculous outfit would fool them?”
“You still don’t get the English, do ya?
Servants aren’t even treated like people here.
They won’t give us a second glance.”
He clicked his tongue derisively.
In his view, the officials would check the guest list at best,
never bothering with the help.
Still, Sehyun couldn’t shake the worry—
those two “gentlemen” had seen his face in the sewers.
But Rattman dismissed it.
“You met them underground, right?
Doubt they even saw your face properly in that dark mess.
Even if they did, there’s no way they’d remember exactly.”
“…”
“Trust me, kid. We’ve been in this business for years.
You just focus on those onions.”
With a sly grin, Rattman set down two steaming plates of vongole before him.
The mix of clams, olive oil, and chili pepper smelled exquisite—
good enough to pass for a real five-star chef’s dish.
Was Rattman truly this skilled, or just that committed to the role?
‘Well… they’re risking their lives too. Gotta trust them.’
Sehyun picked up the plates, ready to call for Inha—
When suddenly—
“Stop right there!”
A voice boomed over a loudspeaker.
The yacht had been stopped near the bridge.
Moments later, a dozen men boarded—
“police officers,” though clearly disguised gentlemen.
As the guests murmured, Diana stepped forward.
“I’m the host. Is there a problem?”
“There’s a brief inspection.”
“Inspection? For what?
Is having a party at this hour illegal now?”
Her sharp tone made the “officers” flinch.
“There’s a wanted alert for two Asian individuals.
We’re searching the area around the river. Please cooperate.”
“Oh, that’s what this is.”
Diana nodded knowingly.
“‘Asian individuals,’ huh?
Do you take me for a fool? Sure, we’ve got Asians here.
Africans, Arabs—hell, I’m Hispanic myself.
You think that gives you the right to stop us?”
“Uh—excuse me?”
“So what, you just wanted to harass people of color?
Unbelievable. I’m very offended.
Who are you with? I’ll be calling my father—”
“Wait, ma’am, please, this is a misunderstanding—”
They were flustered. Completely thrown off by her fiery performance.
She was nailing the role of an entitled, bratty rich girl.
If not for the danger, Sehyun would’ve applauded.
Overwhelmed, the “gentlemen” exchanged uneasy glances,
clearly debating retreat.
Rattman grinned.
“Looks like we’ll get through just fine.”
Sehyun nodded—
But then—
Step—!
A man and a young officer boarded the yacht.
‘Those two…!’
Sehyun recognized them immediately.
The same ones they’d encountered in the sewers.
“You. I’ve seen you before, haven’t I?”
The young man with his right arm in a cast stared straight at Diana.
Damn it.
So much for smooth sailing.
Tension rose in Sehyun’s chest, but Diana stayed calm.
“Excuse me? Do I know you?”
“…What?”
She acted so naturally that even the young man faltered.
“Don’t play dumb! You saw her too, didn’t you, sir?!”
The older, dark-eyed “gentleman” tilted his head.
“Well, it was dark. Hard to say.”
“I know I saw her! Damn it!”
As the younger man grew agitated, Diana raised her voice indignantly.
“Oh, so you’re saying I look like some random woman?
Because my skin’s darker and my hair’s curly?
That’s racial profiling, you little brat.”
“B-brat…?! Why you—!”
The older man placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Evan.”
“But sir, she’s pretending not to—!”
“Look again.”
“…What?”
The man sniffed slightly, then shook his head and rested a hand on Evan’s head.
“You really think a lady like this could be the grimy sewer woman you saw?”
Crack—!
A faint crack appeared in Diana’s forced smile.
“Grimy…?”
Murmuring through gritted teeth, she managed to hold it together.
“Hmm… maybe you’re right,” Evan admitted weakly.
“See?”
“The other one looked pretty rough…”
“Exactly. Comparing the two would be insulting.”
Evan bowed apologetically.
“I… I’m sorry. I was hasty.”
“Yes, well… as long as you understand now.”
Her expression was tense, but the situation seemed to settle.
“Heh, this is getting entertaining.”
“Yeah. Guess that’s what I get for being stuck here chopping onions.”
Sehyun and Rattman chuckled quietly, careful not to draw attention.
“Signal the bridge. Raise it.”
At the man’s order, one of his subordinates flashed a lantern.
Moments later, the lights atop the bridge blinked in response.
Whirr—
The Tower Bridge began to open.
“Sorry for the disturbance. Enjoy your party.”
The officers filed out, preparing to leave.
Evan turned to follow—
But then—
“…!”
He glanced at one of the waiters seeing them off—
and froze.
Snap!
He grabbed the waiter’s wrist.
It was Inha.
For a moment, everyone held their breath.
But this was Inha—the queen of composure.
As long as she kept her cool, she’d be fine.
Or so everyone thought.
Sehyun, however, tensed.
“…This is bad.”
“What? She’s got this.”
“No. Inha can act—
but she’s not good at lying when the immersion breaks.”
“…?”
“If she loses focus, even for a second—”
Just then, Inha’s voice trembled.
“I-I think you’re mistaken.”
“Mistaken?”
The dark-eyed man stared at her intently.
“…It’s her.”
“What?”
Convinced by her nervous reaction, he flared his starlight energy.
“Lower the bridge! That’s the target!”
“Y-Yes, sir!!”
A subordinate raised the lantern to signal the bridge—
When—
A faint red glow fluttered past.
“…?”
A crimson butterfly drifted into view.
No—
“A fire moth?!”
BOOM—!!!
The boat the officers had arrived in exploded in flames.
“Agents!”
Diana shouted.
“Commence attack!!”
“Aye, ma’am!!”
The party guests—now revealed as operatives—drew their weapons.
Diana lifted her gown—
Shrrrk—!
From beneath the fabric, a swarm of fiery moths burst forth,
sweeping over the yacht.
“Just bugs—!”
The “gentlemen” slashed at them instantly—
BOOM!
—but the moths exploded on contact.
“Don’t touch them! I’ll handle this!”
The older man waved his hand.
The waters of the Thames surged upward,
crashing down on the deck and sweeping away the fiery insects.
Tilt—!
“Wha—?! We’re tipping over!”
The yacht rocked violently.
Evan lost his balance and released Inha’s wrist.
Seizing the chance, Inha darted into the kitchen where Sehyun was hiding.
“You okay?”
He grabbed her hand, checking for injuries.
She nodded silently.
They couldn’t stay still now.
It was time to fight back.
Sehyun reached for Inha’s hidden sword—then paused.
‘If she uses that explosive blade here, the whole yacht will blow apart.’
With the deck already swarming with fire moths,
it was better to use that chaos to their advantage.
Instead, he handed her a short dagger.
Inha recognized it immediately.
“This is… Phantom’s?”
It was an artifact imbued with Phantom’s starlight—
something Sehyun had picked up in the alley’s shadow dimension just in case.
Originally, he’d meant to use it to replenish Dead Ringer’s ability,
but now wasn’t the time to be picky.
“Can you use it?”
“…Yeah. I can feel it.”
Though only a faint trace of starlight remained, it was enough.
Her eyes sharpened—just like Phantom’s.
“Don’t overdo it.”
“Don’t worry.”
Even her tone mirrored Phantom’s now.
“Then let’s go.”
Sehyun tightened his grip on his whip and Dead Ringer—
ready for battle.
