Chapter 31
“…Ah, sorry. It was an urgent message…”
“Is something wrong?”
“……”
Sweat dripped down Bain’s pale forehead.
Memories of the terrible event from 12 years ago haunted him.
The secret lab that was discovered by Bassenberg, the burning of Conrad, all the innocent people who died…
The Duke of Bassenberg said the massacre was caused by someone who just couldn’t control their power.
But Bain didn’t believe that.
He was sure the person who caused the explosion was ordered by the Duke.
‘It was a warning.’
A message saying: don’t ever try anything like ability-transplant experiments again. Don’t challenge their power.
‘What do I do now?’
Gustav Retman had already prepared everything.
So before Bassenberg found out again, Bain had to stop them first. That was the only way.
‘But…’
What if they had already been found out?
How big was the lab? How many people were involved? Could they keep everyone quiet?
How many people should he send to shut it down? Could he even stop his own soldiers from talking afterward?
Could they really hide the fact that after such a warning, they tried the same horrible thing again?
“Brother.”
Nike called him. This time, he used a soft and warm tone.
“Can I see that?”
“……”
Nike nodded toward the letter Bain was holding.
“No, this is…”
Bain slowly closed his eyes.
He already knew.
He knew who could handle this situation quickly and secretly.
The only one who could destroy the lab, deal with anything unexpected, and keep the secret—was Nike.
“Excuse me.”
Nike stepped closer and gently took the letter from Bain’s hands. Bain let it go weakly.
‘I’m ashamed.’
Even though he felt sorry for his younger brother, Bain always relied on his power.
And now, once again…
“……”
Nike’s eyes shook a little as he read the letter. But he quickly regained his calm.
“I’ll take care of this.”
“…No, I’ll find a way—”
“I’m the only one who can do it. I’ll handle everything and leave no trace.”
“……”
Bain covered his face. He couldn’t bear to look at his brother—he felt too ashamed.
He was sending this poor child into danger again…
Instead of kneeling before Bassenberg and asking for help, he kept throwing Nike into battles between monsters and humans…
“I’ll go now.”
Nike bowed and turned to leave.
Bain grabbed his arm.
“I’m sorry, Nike…”
“……”
“I’m so, so sorry. I’m such a useless big brother.”
“It’s okay.”
Bain’s heart ached.
Even after such a weak apology, his little brother gave him a small smile and said,
“…You’re doing your best, brother.”
***
2 AM, at the restaurant “Rambo.”
Everyone was asleep upstairs in the inn.
Luna quietly walked toward Bania’s room without making a sound.
She gently turned the doorknob.
Locked.
‘Good thing I pretended to be a worker here.’
Luna pulled out a key from under her skirt.
It was the master key she had secretly stolen from the owner’s room.
Click.
The door opened, and moonlight lit up the room.
There, under the window, a 12-year-old girl was sleeping peacefully.
“……”
Luna felt guilty for a moment.
The child, who knew nothing, had been kind and always called her “big sis.”
‘No. Focus, Luna. Now’s not the time to feel guilty.’
She took a deep breath and gently shook Bania’s shoulder.
“Little miss, please wake up.”
Bania slowly opened her eyes.
“…Amy?”
“Shh. Sorry for waking you.”
Luna knelt beside the bed and whispered with a sad expression.
“Can you help me with something?”
“What’s wrong?”
“I messed up the ingredients for tomorrow’s food prep. If the owner finds out, I’ll get fired for sure. I need to fix it before morning, but I can’t do it alone.”
“Oh no, that’s terrible!”
Bania looked worried.
She was still just a kid—she didn’t even question why a restaurant worker would come into a guest’s room at 2 AM asking for help.
“Can you help me carry and clean the ingredients from the storage? Just one more pair of hands would be enough. I’m really sorry to ask you this.”
Luna put a finger to her lips.
“Don’t let the owner know, okay? We have to be super quiet.”
“…Of course. I’ll help.”
Bania hesitated for a moment, then got out of bed quietly.
‘That was way too easy.’
Luna sighed as she followed the girl and placed a note on the bed.
It was a message for Ryan.
Something like: If you want to find your daughter, come to this place…
“Should we go to the kitchen?”
“No, we’ll start at the storage outside.”
The two quietly stepped outside.
Only the faint moonlight lit the dark, empty street.
As soon as they turned the corner outside the restaurant—
Luna suddenly covered Bania’s mouth from behind and held a small knife to her throat.
“Sorry. Don’t scream. If you stay quiet, you won’t get hurt.”
“……”
Huh? Luna expected the girl to struggle.
But Bania stood completely still.
‘Frozen in fear?’
That’s what Luna thought—until—
“…?”
She felt something hard press into her stomach.
Then—Bang!
“Ugh!!”
Pain exploded in her stomach.
Luna nearly screamed, but held it in and gritted her teeth.
She dropped the knife and fell backward.
A small rock rolled out—it had hit her.
Still in shock, she clutched her stomach and looked up.
Bania stood there.
‘Did she… just shoot me with that?’
Click.
Bania reloaded the small gun and pointed it at Luna’s head.
‘What… is going on?’
Luna’s mind couldn’t process it.
She reached out, trying to grab her dropped knife.
Tap.
But Bania stepped on it first.
‘What is this kid?!’
Then the girl looked around the alley—left, right—as if searching for something.
Then she came back and looked down at Luna.
“Hmm.”
After thinking for a bit, she asked,
“If you have a real name, can you tell me? And why are you trying to kidnap me? Where were you planning to take me?”
“……?”
Luna was speechless.
Even Bania looked a little embarrassed and mumbled,
“I guess you’re not going to answer that easily…”
She was so calm. Way too calm for a 12-year-old.
“Don’t move.”
Luna tried to shift slightly, but Bania waved the gun.
“This doesn’t kill, but if it hits wrong, it can make you go blind.”
“……”
Luna gave up thinking.
This… this was not a normal 12-year-old…
“Then can you answer one more thing? If you do, I’ll cooperate.”
Still pointing the gun, Bania bent down and picked up the knife.
“Is your real target… my dad, not me?”
“……!”
Luna flinched. Bania nodded.
“Judging from your reaction, I was right.”
Unbelievable.
This 12-year-old just figured that out by watching her reaction?
“Raise your hands and stand up slowly. Trust me, this thing really hurts—you don’t want to get hit again.”
“……”
Luna sighed and followed her orders.
Bania moved behind her and pressed the gun to her back.
“Let’s go.”
“…Where?”
“To the place where you were going to take me.”
“……?”
Wow. That’s a terrible lie to use to get her out to the shed. XD