⌖⨊ Tatsuki Rize ⨞⋅

◬ Origin Year 138, 22th of Hana.

Somewhere in the middle of the endless sky, numerous satellite islands came together to form a floating archipelago. Giant, thick walls surrounded the main island, a reticent castle stood in the centre of the municipality.

An odd city where mediaeval European architecture meets modern stylization—this was Fortress City Fuji.

It functioned as the so-called ‘imperial capital’ of the First Stratum. Orders we receive from the upper strata arrive here first before being relayed to specific checkpoints.

Most if not all of this city’s population live to support the military. Young children work as porters, medical professionals tend to the injured, cooks ensure a supply of nourishment, and business people keep a steady flow of resources.

Whether it be stray demonica or attrition-type Cloud Hive invasions, there was never a day this region wasn’t being attacked by some otherworldly monster. A not-so-friendly city where soldiers had to be stationed everywhere, round the clock, to prevent casualties caused by stray demonica.

The night was cold, our bodies warm. Scraps of light illuminating clouds, the view of the Fortress City in the distance appeared like sparks of a flickering flame.

I turned to Eun-chan who sat beside me.

She stared towards humanity’s stronghold in the distance. Eyes reflecting the twinkling light of the world beyond.

Nothing about her mind was right.

Everything.

This is going to be fun.

I touched her hand.

“Promise me that you won’t do anything harmful without my permission.”

She trembled a little, then turning to me she answered meekly.

“…Okay.”

It was time to leave this place for good.

To start a new life.

◃⊰⊱. ϕ⊹ ⋈⊶⌖⊹⊰⊱▹

Before we could enter the city, we first had to cross a checkpoint.

This created our first problem.

Eun-chan would certainly be caught if we went by this typical entry route. Grabbing her tight by the arm, I led us to a shadowy corner of the port having just disembarked.

“Alright. Let’s rest here for a bit.”

“???”

“Let’s think about how we can get you in.”

“…?”

Alas, our first major hurdle came so soon. I chose midnight thinking it would be easier to sneak in. Who would’ve thought that security was tight no matter the time?

There were no blind spots. Climbing the wall was a no-go. The whole stronghold was completely lit up in alert of imminent attacks. And it was impossible to mimic the abilities of a certain spy.

“Y-You didn’t think things through?”

“Nope.”

I didn’t think thinking things through would help anyways.

“Don’t panic. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

I reached into my pocket and took out sleeping Cinnamon. He was shrunken in his carapace.

“Cinnamon, wake up.”

I tapped on his shell.

“I need your help.”

After some more prodding, a green head popped out. His two eyes glared at me and stared…

“It’s not something dangerous, just help me find someone, anyone from the orphanage who is stationed anywhere near the walls. Please?”

Snap. Snap.

“It’s for Eun-chan you know?”

Snap. Snap.

“Okay, okay.”

Snap—

“I’ll promise you that much. So go.”

Snap.

Cinnamon flew from my hands.

“And now we wait.”

I promised Cinnamon cuttlefish cartilage tomorrow. Lucky for me, I remembered I had some stored in my apartment.

Eun-chan snuggled up into a ball and pressed her head against her knee. I sat down beside her and stroked her head.

Her soft and silky hair… she must be tired.

“Are you cold?”

I asked. She shook her head.

Lair. Your body is freezing even through the clothes.

I took off my outer coat and put it over her.

“How about this? Better?”

“…You didn’t need to do that.”

“Well, I just did. Part of my responsibility, you know?”

Eun-chan raised her head and looked at me once before returning to her shrimp-like state.

“…I’m sorry.”

“Hey, there’s nothing to be sorry about—”

“…”

She said nothing more after that. Figured it wouldn’t be easy caring for a depressed daughter.

We waited a little longer.

And a few minutes later…

“Rize-chan?”

“Eh?! When did you get here?”

…Cinnamon found our man! Mr. Shang!

“I took the night freight. Do you need help?”

He asked.

“Yes! How can we get Eun-chan in without getting found out?”

I said. Mr. Shang scratched his chin in contemplation.

“That’s a tough one. They check basically everyone before entering.”

Snap. Snap.

“What?”

Mr. Shang grabbed the turtle sitting on his head and looked at it.

Snap. Snap.

“Cinnamon, you’re a genius!”

“I can’t understand a word he’s saying…”

“Mr. Shang’s physique is perfect for a job like this. Yes, I totally agree.”

I nodded up and down in complete agreement with Cinnamon’s suggestion.

“I have a bad feeling about this…”

“Mr. Shang, do you have an extra large bag in your bag? One large enough to fit me inside if I were an adult?”

“Yes… no, I mean, no I don’t. Why?”

“We’ll stuff her inside.”

Eun-chan’s shoulders flinch from the corner of my eyes.

“You’re crazy.”

“It’s called being resourceful.”

◃⊰⊱⊹. ⊹⌖Ω ⩏⊹ϑ ⊰⊱▹

“Is it heavy?”

“Marginally.”

We passed through the checkpoint without being caught. Luckily, intimidated by Mr. Shang’s scary face perhaps, they didn’t check our bags.

Eun-chan had this special ability to alter her own weight. It made the whole courier process much easier. So after Mr. Shang passed me the duffle bag, I went to the nearest public bathroom to take her out.

Nothing lewd happened, don’t worry. But her expression was priceless.

“Good?”

Mr. Shang, asked. Can’t believe he took the liberty to wait for us just outside.

“Yes, thank you so much.”

“Alright. I wish you two the best.”

He was about to leave, my curiosity piqued.

“Mr. Shang, random question: where are you rushing off to?”

“Where? That’s a secret.”

“Oh. I see, I see.”

I’ll respect that then.

Saying our farewells, we took the train down to Miriyo district. First order of business was to change Eun-chan’s appearance.

The train itself was quite empty, no note-worthy pick-up artists anywhere onboard. I dragged Eun-chan and the sleeping Cinnamon to a well-known shopping district. Even at night, the place was still somewhat bustling with activity. Not every shop was open, and if they were, those weren’t the ones I was aiming for.

“Here.”

Finally we arrived.

My senpai’s beauty salon. The shop was closed for the night. We moved to the backside alley.

“KeLing-senpai, KeLing-senpai, are you open?!”

I banged on the back door.

“KeLing-senpai! KeLing-senpai! KeLingsenpaiKeLingsenpaiKeLing-senpai!”

A black silhouette appeared overhead.

The hazy expression of the woman who I woke up in the middle of the night looked horrific.

The ground floor and first floor of the building were where the barber shop was located. The second floor was her, and her friend’s living quarters.

“Morning KeLing-senpai!”

She stuck her head back in, saying nothing.

“W-Wait! Wait! KeLing-senpai this is an emergency! Open the door!”

“Shut up and hold on a moment.”

She said, Eun-chan and I waited outside for a good minute before we heard the sound of a chain dropping. The door opened.

“Why this sort of time…”

She groaned. KeLing-senpai looked completely battered in her one-piece cotton nightgown.

“Oh, nothing crazy. Just human trafficking.”

“…I shouldn’t have asked. Get in.”

“Yes.”

I tugged at Eun-chan’s cloak.

Lai KeLing, 38 years old, widowed. A retired soldier turned hairstylist after she lost her husband in battle.

She has 4 children, all of which are currently working in the military. Two of them just entered their final year of cadet school, the other two were already young adults working at Flying Fortress 10 and 3 respectively.

But that’s beside the point.

“Who is this?”

“She’s EiYun-chan, my daughter.”

“Excuse me?”

“Go on and introduce yourself!”

I prodded Eun-chan.

She trembled, stuttering with indecipherable words. KeLing-senpai narrowed her eyes and reached out to tap her shoulder.

“Hey, you alright?”

Eun-chan froze up like a clam. KeLing-senpai turned to me.

“What the hell happened to her?”

“Long story short… I can’t tell you. But I need your expertise to transform her so that she becomes unrecognisable.”

“What do you mean unrecognisable? I can’t decide how to ‘work my magic’ on her if you don’t make it clear.”

“Fine, fine! Simply put, she’s supposed to be dead, but isn’t.”

“Dead? Seriously? can’t you bother me with some other problem some other time…”

“I’d be screwed if I came some other time.”

KeLing-senpai sighed deeply. Then turning to assess Eun-chan’s appearance.

“Anyways. Let’s take a good look at you first. What’s your name?”

“Eun… uh, EiYun…”

“Nevermind. Please take a seat.”

“Y-Yes…”

KeLing-senpai took off Eun-chan’s coat (mine) and sat her down before the mirror.

“So Ms. EiYun, what kind of hairstyle do you want?”

“I uh…”

“Make it black!”

“I didn’t ask you.”

“She needs to look like my daughter! It’ll be suspicious.”

“It’s suspicious enough that a complete virgin like you has a daughter older than yourself.”

“Geh?!”

She hit where it hurt!

“Will brown be alright?”

“Whatever Rize-chan says…”

“I don’t have the typical black dye most salons use, but I do have a natural alternative. That however, doesn’t guarantee a full shade for those with light-colour hair. Will you be alright with that?”

Then I interrupted.

“Eh? Seriously? Not having your most basic item in stock, isn’t that a serious business problem?”

“Look, we advocate for healthy all-natural products here.”

“Then it can’t be helped.”

Really unfortunate.

“This will take an hour, relax.”

EunHa nodded.

My senpai’s skills shone through despite the sleep-deprived look on her face. Long bangs which covered Eun-chan’s face were trimmed, the bundle of smooth flowing hair tidied and curled, finally finishing with a coat of the natural dye left to set.

“You must’ve been through something horrible.”

“…”

Eun-chan didn’t respond to KeLing-senpai.

“Rize-chan, what do you plan to do with her after this?”

“After this? I’m going to bring her to my apartment and sleep.”

“I don’t mean that crap. I mean your future plans with this girl. Drop her off at the orphanage as you do every other kid?”

“No way. I said she’s my daughter right? So she’ll be my daughter.”

“I’m charging you a heavy price for bothering me like this.”

“W-What?! What happened to the discount we promised?!”

I patronise your salon to all the orphans! How could you do this to me!

Ignoring my pleas, KeLing-senpai began rinsing the dye off Eun-chan’s hair. It was followed by treatment, then blow drying.

The blonde shine of her hair was now chestnut-brown. Some parts of her hair had been shorted, and all the washing had allowed her hair to reveal its beautiful curls.

She spun Eun-chan to face me and showed off her masterpiece.

“Hm.”

Her charm had certainly gone up a notch but…

“What’s with your reaction?”

“She still looks like her.”

“Hah?”

“We need to disguise her so people can’t recognize her.”

“Then should I have cut her hair short instead? You told me not to?”

“No, no, no. I want her long hair. I’m just thinking if there’s a better way to go about this. She’s quite a big shot in the Third Stratum.”

“Excuse me?”

“Wait, KeLing-senpai, hold still.”

“W-What?”

I took off her round glasses and placed them on Eun-chan. Senpai blinked as if blind, Eun-chan squinted cutely.

And when she opened her eyes, my heart—oh my heart!

“She’s perfect! How much is this!?”

From a ravishing cool beauty to a virtuous scholar-like girl in AV videos. It completely flipped her demeanour!

“Sorry, this isn’t for sale. I’ll be taking it back.”

KeLing-senpai showed absolutely no mercy.

“The power of my spectacles is quite high. You shouldn’t play around with it.”

She added while wiping her glasses with the skirt of her nightgown.

“Do you know any place with fake glasses we can get then?”

“I don’t know. Maybe you can ask the uncle who runs the glasses shop down the street. I got mine there. Turn right at the junction, but don’t bother him now, do it tomorrow.”

“Eh… then do you have anything I can use to disguise Eun-chan for a bit? Like, your old glasses frame?”

“No.”

Sigh.

What a pity. Eun-chan looked really pretty with a pair of glasses on.

I turned to her, who was quietly admiring her new hairstyle in the mirror.

“Eun-chan, you’ll have to wear glasses even if your vision is completely fine, okay?”

“Okay.”

She answered while continuing to play with her hair. How adorable.

◃⊰⊱ϑ⊹ ⨞⋅⫝⫘⌖ ⊹⊹⊰⊱▹

EunHa followed Rize to her apartment. It was a twenty-minute walk from the hair salon.

This was her first time exploring within the walls of Fuji City. A fusion of European and minimalist designs. The biggest structure, which was the mediaeval castle in the background, created this hard to describe monolithic atmosphere.

The subtly hard ambience suited the conflicting feelings swirling in her heart.

“Here we go.”

Rize turned on the lights, revealing a large triple-room suite.

“Please take off your shoes, thank you.”

A bedroom, kitchen-living quarter combination, and bathroom. The Black Siren’s apartment.

There were many extendable shelves set up packed full of unknown materials. The items ranged from super thick books and journals to glass flasks and metal stands; it’s as if she were some kind of researcher.

In the corner, EunHa noticed a chest full of prana crystal shards. The sight of it made her rub her eyes.

…How in the world did she get her hands on so many of these?

“I don’t have many clothes, so you have to make do with this. You can take a shower first.”

Rize shifted through her box of clothes and took out a loose gown and panty. EunHa received it with much trepidation.

…She was going to wear someone else’s clothes.

“Don’t worry. The panties are new, I actually got them for the orphanage, but I haven’t had the time to pass them to the older kids.”

“Ah… t-thank you.”

“Did you think you were going to wear mine?”

“N-No.”

“Big fat liar. Your face shows it all!”

A misunderstanding. It was pointless to hide anything from her. She was the infamous Black Siren after all.

“You should speak up if you disagree with anything. We can work out a compromise.”

She said. EunHa lowered her head.

“Okay…”

And nodded.

She tied her fragrant-smelling hair and went into the shower. Since her hair had already been treated at the salon earlier, there was no need to wash it again here.

Standing slightly bent over as the water poured down her body, her vision blurred.

Naturally, she had to cry.

It had been like this ever since the day she should’ve died.

◤◢

“You can sleep with me, or you can sleep on this bed while I take the sofa. Pick one.”

EunHa didn’t want to trouble Rize anymore than this. She thought that as long as she had a pillow, blanket and a reasonable space to sleep, the rest didn’t matter.

“I can sleep anywhere, it’s alright.”

“Great! Then you’re sleeping with me tonight.”

Rize, seated on the fluffy bed patted the spot right beside her. EunHa took a while to register Rize’s words.

“Come on—”

“I can sleep on the couch.”

“Sleeping on the couch is not an option. You said you’re fine anywhere, so you’re sleeping with me.”

“…”

Was it too late to take back her words now? EunHa had said she was fine ‘anywhere’.

The time was 3:30 am in the morning by the time Rize turned off the lights. The two of them tucked themselves under the blanket.

“There’s no need to rush for anything tomorrow.”

Rize said gently as she stroked EunHa’s hair. EunHa turned to her.

As their eyes met, a sense of serenity enveloped EunHa’s mind and body.

“We can always do whatever we need the day after. So don’t worry about what will happen and just rest okay Eun-chan? Everything will be alright.”

Everything will be alright. Those were comforting words.

Words that… EunHa didn’t know if she could believe. Not after everything she had been through.

Though… there was probably no need to, because Rize was the embodiment of those words. It must be true, even if it was false.

Rize dozed off much earlier than EunHa. She curled up and buried her small body into EunHa’ bosom.

She’s warm… EunHa thought.

The dark clouds in her mind seemed to just clear whenever Rize was by her side. It made no sense, even when trying to comprehend it in the sense of traumatic attachment.

From today onward, you are my daughter.

Her reassuring words echoed in her mind.

How could a 12-year-old child say something like this to her? Absurd.

EunHa giggled.

But why did it matter anyways? If Rize wanted it, so be it.

Her life belonged to Rize anyways. Was there anything left to live for? And, hadn’t she longed for a mother in the distant past? Wasn’t this fulfilling her lifelong dream?

Sure, it may not be the mother she expected, but wouldn’t it work out somehow? Rize had the qualities.

Truly. Insanity.

EunHa closed her eyes and accepted the reality before her.

Rize was now her ‘mom’.

And like her, they were both…

Her consciousness descended into the dark, relishing in her mother’s warmth.

…Broken.

◃⊰⊱⊹. ⊹⌖Ω ⩏⊹ϑ ⊰⊱▹

The first light of daybreak.

EunHa, who woke up after about four hours of rest, couldn’t return to sleep. She pried herself away from Rize and walked over to the gentle glowing curtains.

Beyond the thin fabric was a sliding door that led to the balcony. And the view of the city in dazzling sunlight was awe-inspiring.

She was surprised by how easily the door opened. Stepping out to the balcony and placing her hands on the rails, a breeze blew against her.

She could hear the hustle and bustle of the city.

Small guppies and angelfish flying overhead, giant warships moving in fleets far out in the distance.

She breathed in the refreshing morning air.

…Free. She felt free.

Everything she had been carrying—left behind. She looked down from the railings.

The open streets below, citizens moving about like busy little shrimps.

A 5-story drop.

Right now, if she wanted to die she could.

This metal frame was the only thing between her and death.

She could end her life here.

She…

◤◢

My arms felt empty when I woke up. With a yawn, I stretched before lifting myself up from the blanket.

I turned to my right.

Eun-chan, who should be sleeping with me, wasn’t there… I rubbed my eyes and scanned my room.

It was probably mid-morning. The interior space was illuminated in a soft warm glow. Light poured in from the curtains, which fluttered from the opened balcony…

…Opened window?

“Eun-chan!”

“Mn?”

Seated by the edge between the door and the veranda, Eun-chan turned her head and looked at me.

“Morning.”

Ah…

“G-Good morning Eun-chan!”

S-she just said good morning! Good girl, I shall reward you with a head pat! But you seriously gave me the scare of my life!

“What are we going to do today?”

She asked while I was still stroking her hair.

“How long have you been awake? Are you sure you don’t want to sleep anymore?”

“I couldn’t sleep.”

Meanwhile, here I was as your mother, sleeping like a freaking log.

“Then at least rest in bed for a while. I’ll make breakfast. What do you want to eat?”

“I don’t feel like sleeping. Anything is fine for breakfast.”

“Then I’ll make kimchi stew.”

I was about to go to the kitchen when I felt a tug against my clothes. I turned around.

“…This feels wrong.”

She was crying.

“I feel… so happy. Why?”

Why?

Was there anything wrong with feeling happy?

“Oh, you…”

I hugged her.

She cried, her arms tightly wrapped around me.

◃⊰⊱ϑ⊹ ⨞⋅⫝⫘⌖ ⊹⊹⊰⊱▹

From creating fire to generating wind; from enchanting materials with unique properties to storing objects in my shadow—they say anything sufficiently explained is no longer magic.

Based on that logic, could one use the word ‘magic’ to term these miracles? After all, I’m sure these phenomena can be explained in the future once humanity reaches a certain depth of understanding in quantum mechanics and its relation to particle physics.

By that justification, my magic isn’t ‘magic’.

Right?

In my first life, I lived as a noble in a mediaeval fantasy. I practised magic, as would a girl of such a culture then.

And during that first life, I specialised in two main types of magic:

Shadow magic and charm magic.

Both self-explanatory, I hope?

Shadow magic allows me to manipulate my shadow. Besides mobility, it opens up a weird new dimension that also allows me to store and take out stuff from the inside. Of course, I could barely use 5% of its original potential in this world.

As for charm magic, nowadays I only use it for therapeutic purposes, or light hypnosis. I used to turn people into my servants, but with the magic suppression in this world, I couldn’t do that even if I wanted to.

The reason why Eun-chan feels happy… it’s because she was able to completely let go of ‘EunHa’s’ trauma in that short moment in time.

The incongruity of bliss she experienced because of the extreme shift is by no means a bad thing. It’s a sign that she’s taking a step towards recovery.

Since the day I took responsibility for her life, I’ve been hypnotising her bit by bit. My intention was to make it easier for her to accept her current circumstances.

I’m afraid of what crazy actions she’d take to end her life.

Though somehow, I feel like the change in her came too fast. I think I should reduce the frequency and intensity of the hypnotherapy sessions.

◤◢

Now, onto some brief world history.

It had been about 138 years since the calamity of the Second Revelation.

This disaster was the first and last of its kind. The fracturing of an unstable fourth-dimensional track created a fissure on Earth, and caused the Solar System to split.

No technology or science had advanced to such a level that people could observe the happenings between dimensional planes. And for the scale of the disaster this was, humanity just wasn’t prepared for it.

With the shock that came with the calamity, Judgement Day was the closest possible explanation to this abomination. The name Second Revelation was given based on historical context.

By some luck of the Gods, the spatial fissure created threw fragments of China, Japan and Korea into this new world we called Second Eden. Perhaps some parts of other countries were sent to otherworlds, it’s a speculation by this point. As for the rest of humanity that remained, nobody knew what happened to them on Earth (as in, they probably died).

The Second Revelation was said to have happened during the year 2024.

But I witnessed humanity integrate with technology and lovingly passed away in 2088.

So I don’t think the Earth in this world is the same as the one I lived on in my second life. This had to be a different world, even though the same, or a similar Earth existed in both.

Another dimension of multiple dimensions.

Either that or I’ve been downloaded into some kind of ultra-realistic life simulation.

◤◢

138 years later, while things had developed much of its technology, many industries still hadn’t recovered.

As mentioned earlier, many fragments of Earth’s cities, suburbs, industrial plants and farmlands were thrown into this paradise-like world. While civilization didn’t have to start from absolute scratch, going through the process of rebuilding society created massive problems in the early years. The lack of social systems and firm governing organisations became the biggest reason for the loss of knowledge.

Things like the smartphone currently don’t exist. Computers were still in their early stages of development, and radio waves were used for the transmission of data. Generations of knowledge gone without being properly passed down.

“Hello, may I help you?”

“Yes, good afternoon sir.”

After brunch, Eun-chan and I went to the glasses shop recommended by KeLing-senpai.

The uncle with the round spectacles was attending to another customer, so his assistant greeted us at the door.

“Can I ask if I can buy fake glasses?”

“Fake glasses?”

“Yes, for this girl.”

I pulled back the hood hiding Eun-chan.

He looked stunned, probably taken aback by my daughter’s amazing beauty.

“Do you want me to check if she needs any adjustments? She could have mild vision correction.”

Eun-chan looked at me. Just as a kid would when they were awaiting their parent’s decision.

“Yes please.”

“Alright, this way please.”

Do you know those small ophthalmic machines where you peep through a dark hole and it scans for myopia, astigmatism and such? This shop has an ophthalmic machine. But it’s an artefact retrieved from the fallen Zeroth Stratum. Surprising how it still works after 138 years.

The current industry hasn’t reached a point where a complex machine like this can be manufactured at scale. Even if some tech-savy engineers knew how to create it, the heavy industry required to manufacture each tiny component to build such a specialised device was absent.

“It seems she has a slight degree on her right eye.”

The optometrist said.

“So what do you recommend?”

“I don’t think there is anything to recommend. There’s no need for glasses. So why does she need a pair of powerless glasses?”

“Because she looks good in them.”

“Come again?”

“She looks pretty in glasses.”

“…?”

For your business and my Eun-chan, just let me buy what I need. Don’t question so much.

“Eun-chan, which do you think you want?”

“Um…”

She picked up the small glasses with a thin titanium frame.

The male receptionist placed a mirror before her.

Surprised by her own beauty, she studied her reflection. Turning her head left and right to check the angles, and even assuming a temporary ponytail using her hands, she reached out to try other pairs.

Until she found the one that fit.

“Um… is this look okay?”

She asked bashfully. Her delicate gesture was so cute I almost wanted to gobble her up.

“Sir, I want this one wrapped.”

“Is that all?”

“Yes.”

I was convinced that this daughter of mine is the kind of person who pays almost too much attention to her own appearance.

“Alright. Hold on a moment while I prepare the lens.”

The receptionist nodded with a confused expression.

With this, Eun-chan’s new identity was complete.

◃⊰⊱⊹. ⊹⌖Ω ⩏⊹ϑ ⊰⊱▹

“Rize-tan is here!”

“Rize-chan?!”

“Where, where!?”

“Rize-sama!”

“How is everybody! I’m back.”

Children of all ages swarmed me from all sides. For the smaller kids, I stroked their heads. For the older ones, I gave them a hug.

“Ah, did I disturb anything?”

Eli-san came out of the orphanage wearing a white frilly kitchen apron. I couldn’t help but stare a little.

“No. We were just about to start cooking, it’s fine. So how did the last mission go?”

“Work is good.”

“You sure? Fortress 13 was left completely ruined when it docked yesterday. The news is all over the papers.”

I ran a nonprofit in my second life. An organization that supported children that suffered from human trafficking and sexual abuse. In this third life, I’m doing something similar.

This is the orphanage I built as the founder of my own children’s welfare movement.

It wasn’t as if orphanages didn’t exist in this city. Simply, the way the kids were being raised here was like livestock.

First Sergeant Hai had once tried to leave me at an orphanage. I managed to screw the staff over and return to his side.

Most families have their homes in the second or third strata. The First Stratum is always under siege, so it isn’t safe to raise children here. Only children that have been abandoned would end up in such a place.

So the orphanage here, owing to military influence, was a rigid system designed to turn them into soldiers. Almost all of them become enlisted in military work when they come of age. And things seldom turn out well for these children.

Was trying to survive enough of an excuse to live? How about their psychological development? Their identity?

Dissatisfied with how young kids were being treated, I built my own foundation to change the way orphans grow up.

I can’t help everyone, I understand that. But I’m sure my actions would inspire bigger changes moving into the future.

All it takes is a start.

Eli-san is one of the male members here. He was an orphan from the first orphanage I went to before I asked him to move here. He, who was once under the care of my welfare organisation, now works in the logistics field as an admin.

He handed me the newspaper for today.

Sure enough, the decimation of Fortress 13 was hot news. I wonder how the journalists got these in-person interviews so fast. Didn’t the beast just land yesterday evening?

“Pst. Who did you bring today?”

Eli-san whispered.

“Oh. Right, guys, please meet my new daughter. EiYun-chan.”

I almost forgot to introduce her.

“A new family member!”

“She’s so cute.”

“U-Uh…? Daughter?”

“Nice to meet you. EiYun-san! I’m…”

Overwhelmed by the children’s reception, Eun-chan stood there completely frozen.

“Rize-sama!”

Suddenly, a girl with freckles and lilac-red hair rushed out from the front entrance.

It was…

“YuNa-tan!”

“Oh my god! You’re actually back! How was everything? You didn’t get hurt anywhere, did you?”

The deputy director of the orphanage, YuNa. She is the one in charge of the organisation whenever I’m away and that being—most of the time. She and I met at that first orphanage we fled, just like Eli-san.

“I broke my forearm.”

“WHAT?! Let me see!”

She grabbed my arm and examined it as if sniffing it.

“Where?”

“Wrong arm.”

“Ugh! Your other arm!”

“It’s fine YuNa-tan, it’s already healed. Thank you.”

“Fracturing your arm at such a young age could be a big problem, you know?!”

She’s around Eun-chan’s age, and likes overreacting to every little thing.

“Slow down puffer fish. Rize-chan is fine.”

“Who are you calling pufferfish?!”

YuNa-tan glared at Eli-san.

“Pufferfish YuNa!”

“Bluup, bluup.”

“Pfft.”

“She simping over Rize-chan again.”

“Mind your words!”

The kids all laughed, YuNa-tan’s face reddened. And her signature pout, the one that gave her the nickname pufferfish surfaced for everyone to see.

“Right, right. Enough with the jokes. YuNa-tan, I’ll see you at the office later, I want a brief report about the current finances, sponsors, and the progress of all projects ongoing.”

“I’ve already prepared those. Are you staying the night?”

“I have some business to do at night, so I might not. Instead, could you guys help watch over her for me?”

I grabbed Eun-chan by the shoulder and pushed her in front.

“Is she another victim?”

YuNa-tan scanned Eun-chan head to toe, a suspicious expression on her face.

“She’s a victim of something a little more dangerous. So I’m thinking of adopting her.”

“Oh, I see. So she’s going to join the welfare.”

“No. What I mean to say is, she’s going to be my daughter.”

“Oh, so she’s your… huh?”

“Chop, chop. I’ll give her a tour of the place, so you guys can get back to preparing dinner. I trust that everyone will treat her with love and kindness alright?”

“No, what do you mean by your daughter—”

“““Yes Rize-sama!”””

◃⊰⊱ϑ⊹ ⨞⋅⫝⫘⌖ ⊹⊹⊰⊱▹

She dug through the cabinet and placed the reports on the table.

“To summarise…”

Money is the lifeblood of any organisation, even in the case of philanthropy.

The two main sources of income for the foundation comes from external donations by generous sponsors, and an income cut of members from the organisation themselves. Of course, it’s a voluntary thing to donate a portion of one’s own income to support the children.

For example, half my monthly salary goes into supporting the organisation. First Sergeant Hai and Mr. Chen also contribute a chunk of their personal earnings to the cause.

As for external sponsors, the mayor of Fuji City was the biggest one.

The children that grow up under the support of welfare will hopefully in the future contribute some of their earnings to this cause to help children like themselves.

So in a sense, it was a charity-driven nonprofit.

There were obvious limitations to that.

So we were looking into how to better stabilise the income moving forward into the future. This is crucial if we want to extend help to the disabled, or even sick children.

Things like partnering with companies that require people with specialised skills, to provide internships for children in fields that could help broaden their knowledge. Or for the more entrepreneurial upstarts, assess and invest in ideas that may have growth potential.

The children and their success means the success of the welfare.

“You’re doing a good job YuNa-tan.”

“Thank you.”

“Well, at this rate, I think I could pass this organisation over to you. You’re doing so much more than I ever could.”

“Isn’t that already happening?”

“In name, I’m still the director. Which doesn’t sound appropriate.”

“Titles are unnecessary. As long as I can continue to help the children, I’m satisfied.”

“That’s what makes you the perfect director.”

“Ugh. Don’t say that, there’s no such thing as perfect.”

“Well, then you’re the best director!”

“Uh. Enough. That EiYun-san, who is she?”

Switching topics on purpose I see, I see.

Does she still deny my decision?

“She’s someone that needs a lot of attention.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“It means that I have to pass over the baton.”

“You’re being indirect again.”

“I’ll be leaving to start a family.”

“And…?”

“So I’ll be leaving the kids here in your care.”

“What do you mean by leaving the kids in my care? You’re starting to scare me!”

“I’ll be leaving the ownership of this organisation in your hands.”

“Leaving? What?! No! Where are you going?!”

She screamed… I gently grabbed her hands.

“That girl can’t stay here. It’s too dangerous. That’s why I’m going to leave for a while.”

“Can’t you just let her stay here like all the other kids you bring here? Why do you need to take care of her personally?”

“Because I want to.”

YuNa-tan’s eyes lost their light for a second.

“Are you serious? Who even is that girl? Do you even know your position?”

“YuNa-tan, relax. I know what I’m doing.”

“But… but why? Are you going to leave all of us just for that girl you barely know?”

“I’ll still stop by to visit. Just because I’m passing the ownership of the foundation to you, doesn’t mean I’m abandoning anyone. Think of it as part of my work in the military. I sometimes go months at a time without returning, right?”

“Work is work, I understand that. But taking care of a single person…”

“Eun-chan is my daughter.”

“You’re insane.”

I moved to stroked her head with a wry smile. I know she’s disappointed.

“You already know how my mind works, so you’re not wrong for calling me insane.”

“I didn’t mean it literally. Okay, fine. If that’s what’s necessary for your happiness, then I won’t say no. Just promise me that you’ll come back and not just disappear.”

“Most definitely my lovely deputy.”

“Can I hug you?”

“Oh! That’s right, we haven’t hugged yet!”

Due to the height difference, my face ended up around her shoulders. In each other’s embrace, we twirled around the spot for a moment.

“How long will you be staying before you leave again?”

“I’ll be staying for a week.”

“How short.”

She sighed.

“Well, it’s not like you can help it can you?”

“That’s just how it is.”

“I miss you already.”

“Then I’ll hug you until you don’t.”

“Ugh…”

YuNa-tan is strict yet delicate. She has always been a weird one.

◃⊰⊱ϑ⊹ ⨞⋅⫝⫘⌖ ⊹⊹⊰⊱▹

All the kids joined hands to recite a prayer of gratitude.

Not dedicated towards God, but one towards the world and themselves.

EunHa opened her eyes after the prayer and stared at the plate of kimchi stew rice in silence. It looked different to the one Rize made.

She then looked around the communal hall that was very much like a repurposed chapel.

The kids were already digging into their meals. How many of them were here? A hundred at least?

And Rize was the person who runs an orphanage this size?

Regardless of Rize’s experience in her past life, suddenly running an orphanage at the age of 12… no, even younger than that… was absurd.

Yet the impossible was set before her eyes.

Just… who is Rize?

She said she would be wrapping up leftover business she had before leaving for their ‘great escapade’, but EunHa didn’t expect her to mean it literally.

With her influence and power, there were much more productive things she could do to help the world so… why would she be doing all of this for her? Why is she leaving behind people that love her for her sake?

More importantly, why was EunHa always getting involved with these special people?

Like XiaoLe…

Like Kenji…

Was it because she was a magnet?

A magnet attracted to these great future leaders to tear them down?

Snap. Snap.

Cinnamon took refuge on her head.

Snap. Snap.

He declared his throne.

EunHa lifted her arm and reached for the turtle. One futile struggle and a mess of her hair later, she put Cinnamon on the table belly side up.

Snap. Snap.

Cinnamon flipped himself over and glared at EunHa.

She stared at him in wonder.

The small creature looked cute.

“Wow, what happened to your hair?”

Eli asked.

“This guy did it.”

“Cinnamon, don’t be a bully.”

Snap. Snap.

Eli remarked. The turtle seemed to disprove.

Cinnamon flew to another table to play with the other kids.

“You okay? Not eating? Don’t worry about the food. We have plenty more where this came from so you can eat to your heart’s content. By the way, do you want some more eel meat?”

“It’s plenty. Sorry, I’ll start eating right away.”

EunHa took small bits of the rice and stew.

Many of the other senior members helping in the distribution were also curious about EunHa. Not because she was someone Rize brought here on a whim, but also because she was a ravishing belle to admire.

It was good.

Rize’s kimchi stew was still better, but the imperfect flavour added to the taste.

She wanted to cry.

Such a thing had already become a habit.

But she held in her tears. It was embarrassing to cry in front of so many people. She would only worry everyone.

“Wow! What is this smell?!”

And then the director made her grand entrance.

“Rize-chan!”

“It’s kimchi lol.”

“Rize-sama, Rize-sama! I got something for you!”

“Your seat is here Rize-chan.”

Rize walked into the hall with YuNa. The children cheered at their arrival.

“Looks like we have some new faces. Bring them here!”

One by one Rize gave the new orphans a warm hug. They were reluctant at first but soon relaxed into her embrace.

“Alright. I’m hungry now, I want a bowl of kimchi. It looks delicious.”

“Here you go.”

“Who cooked this?”

“No single person is cooking in the kitchen nowadays, you know that right Rize-sama?”

“Oh. So it’s the fusion of everyone’s cooking style eh?”

Rize took her seat rightfully by EunHa’s side.

“Heyo. So how is it?”

She asked EunHa.

“It’s really good.”

EunHa replied, her eyes cast downwards.

Everyone had their attention on the two. Like… more than a hundred pairs of eyes fixed upon them.

Rize, a little fed up with the situation, stood up.

“What’s with this attention huh?! Since you guys are all curious, I might as well announce it. This is Eun-chan, and I’ve decided to adopt her as my daughter!”

She decided to put the pin in once and for all.

“““WHHHATTTT!??”””

The whole room fell into chaos.

Snap. Snap.

◃⊰⊱. ϕ⊹ ⋈⊶⌖⊹⊰⊱▹

“I’ll come back tomorrow morning. So take care of yourselves alright?”

Rize said as she wore her shoe at the entrance. She pulled the back with her finger and checked for a snug fit with a light kick.

“Will do.”

YuNa-tan said, bowing respectfully.

“Eun-chan, if you have anything, just ask YuNa-tan, she’ll be there to help.”

“Okay. But, where are you going?”

“To do illegal stuff.”

She made a peace sign before hurrying off. EunHa couldn’t help but think that this had something to do with her.

“You don’t have a change of clothes right?”

YuNa’s question brought EunHa out of a daze.

“No.”

“Then you can borrow mine. It’s almost curfew time, so you better take a bath.”

“Alright…”

Somehow.

Just somehow.

Now that Rize was gone, there was a gnawing feeling that she had lost something important.

A world without light was bleak and dour.

Rize had been the light keeping EunHa alive.

An existence whose new purpose was decided by the one she was being cared for.

Throw away everything about your past. EunHa is dead.

A door had shut behind her. The path before her was a clean slate.

But the scars received from previous battles still remained.

The orphanage was built right on top of a natural cloud reservoir. And because of this, they had running water that allowed the children to take large warm baths without worrying so much about the water supply.

It was long past bath time for the kids. So the only people here were EunHa and YuNa.

EunHa soaked her entire body in the water. She found the temperature slightly too warm, but she thought she’d get used to it soon enough.

“You’re pretty quiet.”

YuNa said.

“…Do you want to talk about something?”

EunHa asked, hesitantly.

“Rize-chan told me not to ask anything, but I’m curious. If you’re comfortable then tell me how you met Rize, otherwise just assume I never said anything.”

“I met Rize-chan at Fortress 13.”

“I can tell that much at least. I’m not that stupid.”

“…Sorry.”

“Rize-chan going to such lengths for you, I really wonder why she’d decide to leave the orphanage behind.”

“…”

Her words prickled EunHa’s heart.

“I’m deputy, she’s the director. We’ve been operating this orphanage for at least four years now. And all of a sudden she told me that she would be leaving because of you. So far, I’m the only one she’s told. I don’t know when she’ll tell the others.”

Rize was an existence with influence on par with Kenji, and XiaoLe.

An anomaly that brought miracles wherever they went.

It was weird.

If Rize was so amazing, why had XiaoLe not mentioned anything about her? She should’ve met Rize in her previous life right?

“Hello?”

YuNa waved her hands in front of her face.

“Um. Yes?”

“I asked a question. Why is Rize going so far just for you? What did you do to incur her sympathy?”

“…”

What exactly did EunHa do?

How did she win her attention?

Because she tried to die?

That she let Staff Sergeant Chu die?

Why exactly was Rize going so far for a single person like her?

“I don’t know…”

Right.

That was the most appropriate answer.

Fate wanted to torment her.

There was no greater explanation than this.

“Come again?”

“It just happened. Just like everything else… huh?!”

YuNa suddenly grabbed EunHa strongly.

“What the hell? Is this what I think it is?”

YuNa scowled. EunHa quickly pulled her arm away and turned away.

“Hey!”

“…”

“I… I didn’t mean that, sorry. Hey…”

YuNa bit her lips. Feelings of guilt bubbled up inside as she recalled fragments of her own past.

She saw it, the scars EunHa inflicted on herself. It covered her arm from the inner side.

“Rize-chan probably saw that too… didn’t she?”

“…”

“Well, you’re not the only one.”

Not the only one?

“Want to see mine?”

YuNa’s lilac-red hair scattered over the water as she leaned her body against EunHa.

The sensation of her bare skin on her own felt uncomfortable.

Does YuNa not feel anything about this sort of close contact?

Unlike EunHa whose wounds were small but numerous, YuNa had one long scar coming down her left upper arm.

“She absolutely hates this.”

True. Rize was really mad when she found out about EunHa’s self-harm tendencies.

“But those who have these scars receive preferential treatment from her.”

“…What?”

“So while I won’t do anything that Rize hates, I don’t regret it.”

“…”

It sounded as if the scar was made with the sole purpose of gaining Rize’s affection.

“…What kind of person is Rize?”

EunHa had been meaning to ask this for a while now.

People were readily influenced by those closest to them.

Knowing that she was going to be spending the rest of her life under Rize’s care, EunHa wanted to learn more about her mother.

“What kind of question is that?”

“I… just want to know.”

Rize was able to grasp her heart. But she was unable to grasp hers. To EunHa, Rize was akin to a deity. One with the bizarre workings of a person too far ‘out there’ to be understood.

YuNa wrapped her arms around EunHa’s shoulders, sticking close to her wet back, the warmth of their raw bodies felt by each other.

“I also wish to know what kind of person she is.”

YuNa confessed.

“The more I learn about her, the more I realise I don’t know.”

“She’s only 12. But she’s much wiser than everyone I’ve met.”

“She knows all sorts of things we don’t know.”

“She’s skilled in business, persuasion, fighting and can even use the magic you read in fantasies.”

“She doesn’t care about humanity’s survival. She only cares about seeing people smile.”

“She’s not scared of death. She doesn’t care if people die. She can take it all with a light heart.”

“She knows how to negotiate, manipulate, control, and mould people to her needs.”

“She’s kind, emphatic, patient, loving, selfless, selfish, cruel, scary, vile and sadistic.”

“If she wanted, she could very easily break us. She could turn us all into her puppets.”

“But she doesn’t.”

“But that makes me want to serve her even more.”

“It’s insane, the things she does to me.”

“I keep falling deeper and deeper.”

EunHa’s body trembled as YuNa tightened her arms around her.

“That’s why I’m jealous.”

“Why did she choose you? Why I’m I going to get left behind? Why does it have to be you? Why didn’t she choose me?”

People are readily influenced by those closest to them.

The shadow of Rize’s insanity.

YuNa had inherited a piece of it.

She reached her arms over and stroked EunHa’s hair.

“Promise me you’ll be a good girl to Rize.”

EunHa felt her throat clog up.

What did it mean to be a good girl? EunHa didn’t know.

She truly didn’t know…

◤◢

“Ah..”

“Are you okay?! Quickly run it under the faucet, I’ll go get a bandage.”

Afternoon, lunch preparation.

EunHa knew how to cook a little. So she volunteered to help in the kitchen. Her assistance was most welcomed because of her culinary knowledge. However, during the preparation of seaweed, she accidentally cut her finger.

The knife was sharper than she thought.

“EiYun-san, here.”

Eli helped apply a plaster to the small wound.

“I didn’t think you’d cut yourself.”

“I lost focus… sorry.”

“Are you sure you don’t need to rest? We can manage it, it’s fine to take it slow. You just got here after all.”

“No. I want to help. There are things I want to take my mind off of…”

“I think it’s dangerous if you continue in the kitchen.”

“Then how about teaching the younger kids mathematics?”

Someone chided.

“Bro, no one wants to learn mathematics.”

“Then just tell her to play with the kids.”

“How about it?”

Eli asked.

“…”

The orphanage was busier than EunHa expected. There were so many things to take into consideration within the limited time given each day. To care for a few hundred young, innocent souls was no easy feat. From cleaning and laundry to food preparation and shopping.

EunHa, who had mostly worked in environments of order and discipline, found the lack of it appalling.

“Cinnamon can fly, no fair!!”

“Get the broom!”

Snap. Snap.

“Yarr!!”

“Akane-unnie, I’m hungry.”

“Yeah, when is the food going to arrive?”

“Come on, don’t just think about food you twerps.”

“I want blueberries.”

“Can someone help with the clothes?”

“Ah! YuNa-anee is here!”

“YuNa-san!”

“Kids gather around. We’ve got laundry.”

The playroom was a mess.

The communal hall where meals were often held was also the place where the kids hung out the most as it was the most spacious area within the whole orphanage. It annexed the bedroom chambers and linked outdoors.

A few dozen seniors taking care of the hundred-something children. Even with some of the older orphans helping out, and external volunteers providing the needed distractions, the work proved to be endless.

EunHa watched as a third of the children gathered around a pile of clothes to be folded, another third following YuNa to the backyard to gather the rest of the clothing from the drying rack, and the remainder doing their own things in disregard of the situation.

EunHa wasn’t confident she could organise the clothes, so she went outside to help with the heavy lifting.

“Wow! You’re so strong!”

“How do you do that?!”

Most of the kids that went out weren’t even there to help. They were just there to cheer.

“Someone help put this rack back. And keep the clips back in the store.”

Letting the voices pass, she brought the basket of dry clothes towards the pile.

“You can put it down here.”

“Is that the last of it?”

“Almost.”

EunHa said.

Once folding was done, the next was to bring them to the bedrooms. EunHa was once again tasked with carrying the load, moving up and down the stairs a couple times.

“So you’re actually from the military?”

YuNa asked, wiping the sweat from her dead tired expression.

“Yes…?”

“No wonder you don’t look tired after all that carrying. Is the training as strict as they say? I can’t imagine having to do a million push ups and squats while crawling through mud.”

EunHa wanted to say that it wasn’t that bad. But recalling herself fainting from G-force training, and accidentally swallowing mud, she thought maybe YuNa was right.

“Do you always do this every day?”

EunHa posed a different question to divert the topic.

“Chores? Yeah, we do it every day.”

“Isn’t it tiring?”

“It is. But what can we do? It’s part of running an orphanage, otherwise, who would do the hard work? Tell you what, it’s worse when there are fewer people not on leave from work.”

While YuNa thought EunHa was amazing for her strength, EunHa thought YuNa was amazing for her patience.

When they returned to the communal hall, lunch was being served.

The kids were jumping for joy at seaweed mashed potatoes and miso rice.

“Here’s your portion.”

Eli gave EunHa extra, that much anyone can tell.

Snap. Snap.

Cinnamon was happily enjoying the side of raw jellyfish prepared. There was even a cuttlefish bone specially prepared on a pilaf leaf.

EunHa took a few bites of her meal and then stopped.

She looked at the seat beside her.

“Rize-chan isn’t back.”

YuNa said, noticing her gaze.

“…”

Didn’t she promise to return in the morning?

◃⊰⊱⊹. ⊹⌖Ω ⩏⊹ϑ ⊰⊱▹

EunHa woke up to an unfamiliar ceiling.

She could hear the snores of nearby children around her.

The sun had yet to rise, her body naturally woke up at this time out of habit.

She raised her body and looked around the dark room, packed with about 20 people sleeping on floor mattresses and blankets.

Rize was nowhere to be seen.

The shadows swayed, forming faces.

Her hands trembled.

She grabbed the sleeve of her dress, biting into her lips.

Dread begins seeping into her mind. Dark emotions take shape.

Die.

The world would be better without you.

Or live.

And watch everyone you love die before you.

“Help me…”

The words came out in a hoarse whisper.

Fear.

She was scared.

Scared to lose herself.

Rize said she would return.

Just bear with it a little longer. A little longer.

Everything will be alright.

◤◢

Another day had passed.

The orphanage was operating as usual. EunHa returned to help in the kitchen.

Today’s dish was stir-fried whale meat in soy sauce with rice, a side of fresh kelp salad, and shark fin soup.

She moved like a robot. A blank expression on her face the whole time.

Cutting the whale meat into cubic chunks. Dicing onions into strips.

The smell and steam from the kitchen numbed her senses.

“EiYun-san, that’s too much.”

“Ah.”

By the time she realised, she had poured too much sesame seed on the kelp salad.

“Sorry…”

“Don’t worry about it. Sesame seed is good for hair growth.”

“…”

“You’re really out of it today.”

“…Sorry.”

“You’re apologising too much.”

“Yeah, all because you’re bullying her Eli.”

“What? When did I ever?”

“Lol. That’s right. You keep telling her this and that like you’re her boss.”

“I’m sure Rize-sama will return soon enough. She’s sometimes like this.”

One of the girls patted EunHa’s shoulders and reassured her.

EunHa nodded meekly.

◤◢

After breakfast, EunHa sat on one of the benches out in the backyard. She stared up towards the sky with a dazed expression.

She observed the streams of sky waterfalls forming vertical pillars, and cloud formations that cluster around smaller islands in the distance.

The serene scene belied the darkness within her heart.

When will Rize return?

What if something happened because of her?

What if another Cloud Hive was attacking the city somewhere?

Could it be that Rize was already dead?

“EiYun-san.”

“U-Uh?”

Someone pinched her cheeks.

“You’re scaring the kids.”

YuNa said. EunHa looked around, realising that everyone was warily looking at her.

“Sorry.”

EunHa lowered her head.

“How about taking a nap? It helps to rest when you’re not feeling good.”

“…Okay.”

Reluctantly, she agreed.

“I’ll guide you. This way.”

Under the concerned gazes of the others, YuNa brought EunHa to the bed chamber.

There a few of the younger kids could be seen sleeping. Some of the cheeky ones were playing tent.

In a world where smartphones didn’t exist, children had become rather creative in entertaining themselves.

YuNa brought some bedding from the corner and laid them on the floor.

“There. Take a short nap, it should help make you feel better.”

EunHa laid her head on the pillow.

The room was cool and dim. It was certainly the perfect environment to doze off.

YuNa laid down beside her.

“Are you worried about Rize-chan?”

She asked quietly.

Yes. So much that EunHa wanted to cry.

“She’ll be sure to come back. Don’t worry.”

EunHa had heard the same thing from so many others. But this fact couldn’t help calm her nerves.

The problem wasn’t about when Rize would be back. It was Rize’s absence.

The reason she was able to easily accept the fact that she was alive when should be dead—it was all because of Rize.

She had an unexplained presence that gave people courage.

The light that kept the dark away; the drug that kept the pain at bay.

Without her, everything returned to reality.

A world where her existence should be forfeit.

EunHa was dead. She no longer existed.

And her current identity was bound to Rize.

If Rize decided to abandon her, she would fall apart completely.

The thought of it scared her.

It scared her more than dying.

Because her resolve to die had already disappeared. She was already scared of dying.

Yet to not die meant to suffer.

Someone stroked her forehead. Someone snuggled close to her.

“Rize used to do this for me.”

YuNa comforted EunHa in her embrace.

“Sometimes when emotions can’t be put into words, the best cure is someone’s touch.”

EunHa buried herself in YuNa’s shoulders.

The tears she hadn’t shed the past two days finally poured out.

In a suppressed whimper, she cried.

And cried.

And cried and cried…

◤◢

YuNa stayed with her until she fell asleep.

Wiping the tears off EiYun’s face, she got up and stretched.

All the kids that weren’t sleeping curiously gathered around, watching. Their faces showed as if they had witnessed something amazing.

“Go to sleep or get out of this room.”

She hissed.

The kids quickly ran and hid themselves under the blankets.

YuNa groaned.

“Why you…? Why did Rize choose you, of all people?”

This girl who Rize made her daughter—she still couldn’t accept it, but she had to. Even if she disliked it, she didn’t want to do anything to harm Rize’s possession.

“…I hope you’ll feel better after your nap. If not then I’ll really have to search the world for Rize-chan.”

Leaving those words behind, YuNa left the bedroom.

When she reached the bottom floor, she found that the orphanage received two unexpected guests.

“Who?”

YuNa asked Eli.

“Um. A soldier by the name Wu XiaoLe…?”

◃⊰⊱ϑ⊹ ⨞⋅⫝⫘⌖ ⊹⊹⊰⊱▹

Why did Rize resign from First Sergeant Hai’s company?

Some say she left because of the shock she received from Staff Sergeant Chu’s death.

Others say something changed about her after killing the cursed girl.

Whatever it was, XiaoLe had to get to the bottom of the issue.

Tatsuki Rize, the Black Siren.

In XiaoLe’s first life, Rize was the 2nd most well-known individual just shy of EunHa’s fame.

XiaoLe had only met her a few times in her first life. But she knew beyond doubt that this girl was a key piece in ensuring humanity’s survival.

About four years ago when XiaoLe met this queen for the first time in her second life, she was completely taken aback when she learned of her true age.

The innocent child with gorgeous black hair and bewitching eyes. The person who would in the future be hailed as the Black Siren… she was only 8 years old.

“Who is Tatsuki Rize?”

Kenji asked.

“Before my regression, she was the one and only queen who ruled over the First Stratum following the first cataclysm. The Black Siren. ”

From the limited knowledge XiaoLe had, she knew that the Tatsuki Rize of her previous life never left First Sergeant Hai’s company.

This meant that the decision of sending EunHa to Fortress 13 had created an unintended butterfly effect.

With so many changes to world history owing to her preemptive actions, predicting the chain of events and consequences was becoming impossible. More and more, her knowledge of the future was losing its edge. XiaoLe felt uneasy.

“So she’s that other God’s Emissary you mentioned besides me.”

“Yes.”

Humanity conquered four strata in XiaoLe’s previous life.

The zeroth, first, second, and third.

And of those four strata, the Second Stratum turned into an uncontrolled demonica spawn after the first cataclysm.

Yet despite this fact, the First Stratum never fell. And the whole reason behind such an absurd reality was owed entirely to the Black Siren.

Receiving pressure from both the lower and upper stratum, the fact that she was able to maintain municipal stability in such a bleak situation spoke a lot about her capabilities. To do so required vast knowledge of various subjects beyond the sphere of military know-how.

“Maybe she knows something about EunHa.”

There was a reason why XiaoLe assigned First Sergeant Hai’s squad for EunHa’s execution.

Secretly, she hoped that the Black Siren would be the judge to determine if EunHa should die or live.

“If it’s true that EunHa is still alive, then the only place she could be is by her side.”

She hoped that the Rize she knew in this world was the same as the one she knew from her past life.

◤◢

The Black Siren was a girl who bathes in the blood of her enemies. A wicked, yet merciful existence embodying contradiction itself.

“Rize-chan? Did she leave the Fortress already?”

“I don’t know, we’ve not seen her.”

“Maybe you can ask that Sergeant that always accompanies her. What’s his name again? I think Sir Chen.”

“Nope, haven’t seen her around here.”

“Have you checked with her boss? She’s usually by his side.”

“I heard she resigned… I’m also curious about the details.”

“Tatsuki Rize? That sunshine of a girl? She could be anywhere. It’s better to get in touch with her comrades first.”

“The Black Siren? Why not ask the people of her orphanage.”

“…She owns an orphanage?”

Why didn’t XiaoLe she know about this?

She knew the Black Siren’s fame and contribution in the military was remarkable. But to think that she had the audacity to run personal businesses and philanthropy at the same time…

“Yeah. You don’t know?”

“I’m ill-informed. Do you know where the orphanage is located?”

“It’s in Miriyo district. I’m not sure how to explain the exact location, but I’m sure you can ask the locals.”

“Alright. Thank you.”

Heeding the advice of the soldiers, XiaoLe and Kenji advanced towards Miriyo district.

“XiaoLe, you know, if she’s so influential, why didn’t you reach out to her much earlier, like you did for me?”

“She’s only 12 years old.”

“What? Twelve…?”

“I didn’t want her experiences to deviate too much from history.”

It had been four years since Kenji’s arrival to this world. Almost a decade since XiaoLe regressed. And perhaps six or seven years for Rize?

“But… it’s because of my oversight that everything’s messed up.”

Rize’s original fate had already deviated from this point onwards. She gritted her teeth, praying that the future of humanity wouldn’t become screwed because of it.

◃⊰⊱⊹. ⊹⌖Ω ⩏⊹ϑ ⊰⊱▹

“…Rize’s Welfare Home for Children. This is probably the place.”

XiaoLe read aloud.

Kenji looked up at the cute, out-of-place signboard displayed in front of the huge cathedral building. It certainly contrasted the imposing, steel black fences that surrounded the estate.

The sounds of children giggling could be heard even from far outside. Visitors came to and from, bringing things like fruits or snacks.

“Let’s enter and see.”

Visiting was open to the public during the day.

“Excuse me.”

“Yes, can I help you with anything?”

Kenji only meant to ask one of the staff here but…

“Wow! You’re wearing a uniform!”

“Wait, isn’t that badge for high-ranking officials?”

“Who is it? Who is it?”

All the kids who noticed quickly surrounded them.

“Nice to meet you. Can I ask if Ms. Tatsuki dropped by here recently?”

XiaoLe asked.

“Ms. Tatsuki? Do you have any business with her?”

The staff was a person by the name of Eli.

“Ah yes. I’m Colonel Wu XiaoLe, and he’s Sergeant Matsushita Kenji. I know it’s sudden, but there’s an urgent matter that requires her presence.”

“O-Oh. Um, actually Tatsuki Rize-chan did drop by. She’s been busy handling matters outside the orphanage. But… she’s currently not here.”

“Did she say anything about where she went?”

“…She didn’t say anything about where she went, so I can’t say I know how you can reach her hm…”

“Will she be returning today?”

“I’m not sure.”

XiaoLe rubbed her fingers together.

“She did mention she’ll be returning by evening however…”

“Then is it possible if we stay for a while until she returns?”

Eli looked behind, at the children with gleaming eyes. It was like this every time one of Rize’s military associates came and visited.

“If you don’t mind the kids, then sure. It’s good for them here to meet with various people so spending time with them could be good for their knowledge. I’m sure Rize would like it too if you could teach them a thing or two.”

Truthfully, Eli didn’t know a thing about their relationship regarding Rize. He simply assumed them as her mates from the military.

“Then please excuse us.”

“Thank you.”

XiaoLe and Kenji thanked him. Eli guided the two to the common room for visitors. There he even prepared some light snacks.

“Oh, it’s our deputy.”

Just then, Eli noticed YuNa climbing down the stairs.

“Hold on, I’ll let her know.”

He went on to explain the situation to her. She showed a funky expression, turning her gaze to the pair.

A sergeant, and a colonel. It was obvious to anyone that they were no normal guests.

“My apologies for Rize’s absence. I’m YuNa. I heard from Eli, but I can’t promise that she’ll definitely return today. If you’re in any rush, I could help leave her a message for you instead?”

“It’s a confidential matter I’m afraid. Meeting Ms. Tatsuki is our only plan for today. If it’s fine with your permission, we actually don’t mind waiting until she returns tonight.”

“Well, that… I can’t be certain if she’ll actually return by that estimate. When she last informed us, she said she was to return yesterday, but we haven’t seen her since two days ago.”

YuNa said with a clumsy laugh.

“Actually, Akane-san said that Rize-chan will return by this evening.”

Eli said.

“Oh. Really?”

“If by night she’s still absent, we’ll come again tomorrow. I only ask that you allow us to meet with her as soon as she arrives.”

XiaoLe reaffirmed her decision to wait here.

“We’ll let you know immediately should she return. I sincerely apologise for the inconvenience.”

“We should be the ones apologising for disturbing your work.”

YuNa and XiaoLe bowed to each other. YuNa and Eli were just about to leave for their respective errands when Kenji spoke.

“Can I ask something?”

“What is it?”

“Recently, did Ms. Tatsuki bring anyone here?”

His sudden question caused Eli and YuNa to look at each other.

“No, why?”

“YuNa?”

Eli was certain Rize brought EiYun—why was YuNa lying?

“No… I’m just wondering if she brought anyone with her with blonde hair and blue eyes…”

“We did have a new orphan that just arrived a few days ago, her name is EiYun, could you be referring to her?”

“No. That’s not who I mean…”

Kenji felt his chest tighten.

“Kenji.”

XiaoLe touched his wrist.

“Let’s wait until Ms. Tatsuki arrives. She may know something.”

“…Right.”

XiaoLe turned to YuNa and lowered her head again.

“I apologise for the misunderstanding.”

YuNa looked at the intimate two with a suspicious gaze.

“Pardon me.”

By the side, Eli had a conflicted expression.

◃⊰⊱ϑ⊹ ⨞⋅⫝⫘⌖ ⊹⊹⊰⊱▹

I had a lot more to do than I expected.

I couldn’t return to the orphanage by midnight because the forger promised me a discount on Eun-chan’s fake ID if I helped him with interrogation.

Of course, nobody was harmed by my torture methods, that much I can promise.

Anyways, by morning when I thought I could finally return, I bumped into Akane-san.

The biologist with the womanly vibe, stylish red hair and big round glasses—Tendou Akane.

She lives in the Second Stratum, and came to visit the orphanage because she missed me. Her speciality in the field of biological studies is marine life bioprana.

So if you have any questions about how to use prana to create infinite energy, or how prana works within the biology of a creature, she’s the person to look for.

I lost track of time and spent the whole morning talking to her at a terrace cafe. She was worried for me after what happened to Fortress 13.

I eventually broke the news to her that Ms. Lili passed away. It shocked her to the core.

“And so because of that, I kinda plan to move to New Hangul City.”

“Then you’re going to stay with us now?”

I own a house in the Second Stratum. Akane-san was one of the renters, alongside some of the older orphans that decided to start a life there.

“Yup. I plan to move there.”

“That’s quite sudden. How are you planning to move your whole collection of chemicals? Or are you going to just leave them behind?”

As expected of a mad scientist. To think the first thing she’d bring up is the safety of the chemical concoctions in my possession.

“Depends. I might have to pick between what’s important and what’s not. The rest I’ll keep locked up in the basement of the orphanage.”

I’ve already fulfilled the 2-year lease of my apartment in Fuji City, I’m free to leave without having to pay the penalty. Though, depending on how soon I can contact the landlord, l might need YuNa-tan to help resolve the tenure.

“I actually planned to stay here for four days. Do you think you can get the move settled within that timeframe? We can travel back together.”

Four days… that’s barely enough time for one trip to the Zeroth Stratum.

“I don’t think it’s possible. ”

“How about one week?”

Since Akane-san was willing to help me out here, I think it would at least be worth a try.

It’d be pretty rushed though.

“Akane-san, can you tell those at the orphanage that I’ll only be able to return by tomorrow?”

Akane-san said she was going to visit the orphanage later. So while she would leave a word to tell the others, I’m going to head over to the courier service office to get a quote.

In the afternoon, I went to look for the landlord to tell him about my vacancy.

Then I spent the entire night packing the items in the apartment.

Come next morning, I woke up to the sound of Akane-san ringing the doorbell nonstop.

“What happened to you? Jee, this is a lot of stuff.”

“I might need help.”

I groaned.

My apartment was still a mess after a whole night of cleaning.

“Wow, when did you get this?”

She picked up a prana crystal shard rolling on the floor at random.

“I brought it back from one of the Zeroth Stratum missions a few months ago.”

“These are… really high purity. Mind if you donated them for my research?”

“I could sell these for a hundred thousand kyon you know?”

Kyon was the name of the currency people used here. It was decided after averaging the names of the three currencies used in China, Korea and Japan. The Yuan, Won and Yen.

Hence ‘Kyon’.

And as someone who read into the economic history of this world, you’d be surprised to find the chaos that ensued trying to establish a proper currency.

“Oh c’mon. Not even one? You’ve got like what, fifty of them here? You even have this large crystal, wow.”

“Do you want breakfast?”

“Don’t switch topics!”

An omurice bribe later, Akane-san helped me sort through the items of the apartment. But it seemed at some point she needed to be fed more. I was forced to pay her back for her efforts in prana crystals.

Her packaging services were impeccably expensive.

By the afternoon, the courier service arrived. We let them carry the items out.

My previously super full apartment now looked like a weeb’s room that got completely ransacked by the FBI.

“Please send these to Rize’s Welfare Home for Children. As for the rest, send them to this address here.”

I handed the logistic handler the address Akane-san wrote down on paper.

And so with that, we have the cargo settled.

The remainder would be this luggage of more intimate belongings and a gun for protection. I suppose now I have the rest of the week free while waiting for Eun-chan’s new identity card.

“You didn’t even need two days to settle the move… that means you can travel back with me in three days right?”

“Well, that depends on how fast I can get the fake ID.”

“Fake ID?”

“Oops. I’m not supposed to tell you that.”

“…”

Akane shook her head as if disproving me.

It’s illegal but I’ll do anything for my daughter!

We arrived at the orphanage by the time the sky had turned orange.

“Hm?”

“Oh. Rize-chan!”

“Rize-chan and Akane-san is bacckkk!!”

“Akane-unnie!”

“Rize-chan, you have a guest. I mean… two guests are waiting for you.”

“Me? Guests? Who?”

Who could it be? Papa? Mr. Chen? Mr. Shang?

Curious, I rushed to the visitor’s room.

There I saw a girl I kinda recognized with curly cherry blossom-pink hair.

“Oh~ it’s you!”

I pointed at the War Saint stuffing her face with the triangle rice ball. What was her name again?

◃⊰⊱. ϕ⊹ ⋈⊶⌖⊹⊰⊱▹

The children of the orphanage were quite welcoming. Annoying, yes, but respectful.

They asked many questions regarding Kenji’s experience as a militant. He had only transmigrated into this world about four years ago. So while he had experienced plenty, he was still a work-in-progress at best.

In fact, most of his skills were not innate. They were borrowed from the ‘system’.

What was a ‘system’?

It was the blue glowing panel which only he could perceive.

The hallmark trait of that which the world deems a ‘Player’.

[DETAILS:▽STATUS: PERSONAL> BORROWED TRAITS

>> [INACTIVE] Hwang EunHa: Deadeye - B

>> [ACTIVE] Cho MinSeo: Peruse - C

>> [ACTIVE] Wu XiaoLe: Calm Grit - C

>> [INACTIVE] Hwang JiSoo: CQC Foundation - B

>> [ACTIVE] Hee JingKai: Intuition - D

>> OPEN LIST…

The limit to the number of traits he can borrow depended on the level of his [BORROWED TRAIT] setting. At level 3, he can have up to 3 skills active at any single time.

Some [UNITS] have more than one [TRAIT], so he can swap between them. However, not every [TRAIT] can be equipped. One of them was EunHa’s [TRAIT: Unknown Constitution - C], which Kenji believed to be the reason why EunHa could fly.

“How long are you going to stay?”

One of the kids asked.

“Until Ms. Tatsuki comes.”

“Then are you going to join us for dinner?”

“Well, we wouldn’t go so far.”

“We have brownies today!”

“YAY!”

“Kids, stop disturbing the guests and help set up the table.”

Kenji observed the dynamics of the orphanage with a wry smile.

“Are you hungry?”

XiaoLe, who had been waiting with Kenji, asked.

“How about you? Are you hungry?”

“A little.”

“Then should I go get something while we wait?”

“…Do you know where the nearest convenience store is?”

“That…”

Certainly, he did not.

XiaoLe giggled at his clumsy reaction.

“Nevermind. I’ll go buy something for us. Wait here for the time being.”

“How about we go together?”

XiaoLe shook her head.

“Just in case Ms. Tatsuki arrives.”

Then the kids chided.

“You can eat with us, you know?”

“Yeah! Ms. Chu and Mr. Chen also eats with us when they come here!”

“Thank you for the kindness. It’s alright. We don’t want to burden you guys…”

XiaoLe stroked the kid’s head.

“How about this? Is there anything you want to eat? This auntie will help you get it.”

“Blueberry!”

“I want sweet tofu!”

“Nori crackers!”

“Alright. I’ll get them if I can find it. Remember to get them from me alright?”

“Yay~”

“Look after the kids.”

XiaoLe left Kenji with those words.

He heaved a sigh.

“I’m not good with kids.”

Fortunately for him, the guest room soon cleared out because the kids went to the communal hall for dinner.

He stared at the system mission board.

[DETAILS:▽MISSION BOARD> ONGOING(1/9)

>MISSION TITLE: HER RECLAMATION

>TASK: Bring EunHa back home alive

>REWARDS:

>>1. +10 GUGP

>>2. Unit: Hwang EunHa (A-Rank -> B-rank)

The mission to save EunHa was still active, which meant that EunHa hadn’t died.

If the proclaimed ‘Black Siren’ saved her, his next question would be why?

The execution order had been signed by Commander Lan, Colonel XiaoLe, EunHa’s brother Hwang JiSoo, and many more. To disobey was a great heresy that could warrant a blacklist.

“Damn it…”

If by some miracle, the Black Siren decided to save EunHa against all sense…

“Please be alive…”

He vowed to not make the same mistake twice.

He, like XiaoLe, thought that marriage was the best option to ensure her safety. It was to guarantee her life, and most importantly her happiness.

Yet it failed to achieve either.

Could it be that the marriage was a mistake? It was honestly the most logical solution though?

Truthfully, nobody could’ve predicted EunHa to wreck their plans by pulling off a stunt as insane as stabbing.

…Logic didn’t always ensure the right choice. Just as emotions didn’t always make a wrong.

He regretted forcing the marriage on her.

He should’ve noticed that she wasn’t ready.

He should’ve noticed her desperation.

The responsibility that came with becoming his wife… the loss of her identity… most of all, the guilt she must’ve felt knowing the truth.

Kenji thought that he could’ve handled the situation better. It didn’t matter who was wrong.

He should’ve talked to her. He shouldn’t have let her go.

“Where did the colonel go?”

YuNa interrupted Kenji in his thoughts.

“She went out to buy some food.”

He responded matter-of-factly.

“Food? Why didn’t you just ask us? We have more than enough for everyone.”

“That would be a little bit intrusive…”

“No it isn’t. Go to the hall and ask for a bowl.”

“…Maybe I’ll do that when XiaoLe returns.”

“Suit yourself.”

“Where are you going with that?”

Kenji noticed a tray in YuNa’s hand.

“This? I’m bringing it to one of the sick kids.”

“Sick?”

“The one I said was sleeping earlier.”

“Oh.”

“Go get something to eat already.”

“…”

Her way of speaking was rather harsh. This was probably her true personality.

[DETAILS:▽STATUS: PERSONAL> BORROWED TRAITS

>> [ACTIVE] Cho MinSeo: Peruse - C

>>>Description: Sharpens observation. Grants ease in noticing subtle cues such as body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions to gain insight into the hidden thoughts and emotions of the other party.

The details for Cho MinSea’s [Peruse - C] trait.

He had been studying the people here for quite some time now. There was definitely something up.

“Can I meet her? The girl, EiYun.”

“What? No.”

“Why?”

“What do you mean why? Like, are you a womaniser or something? Why in Eden’s name would you suddenly want to meet her? She’s sick. Do you want to get infected?”

“…”

The fact that the girl was sick wasn’t a lie. But beneath that claim, there was an intent made to excuse.

EiYun might know him, so they shouldn’t meet.

That reasoning sounded more accurate in Kenji’s head.

“Go to the hall or just wait there.”

“…”

YuNa went up the stairs in disregard to Kenji’s silence. Now he just felt bitter.

[DETAILS:▽STATUS: PERSONAL> BORROWED TRAITS

>> [ACTIVE] Cho MinSeo: Peruse - C

>> [ACTIVE] Hwang JiSoo: CQC Foundation - B

>> [ACTIVE] Hee JingKai: Intuition - D

>> [INACTIVE] Wu XiaoLe: Calm Grit - C

>> [INACTIVE] Hwang EunHa: Deadeye - B

>> OPEN LIST…

Changing his skill loadout, he followed YuNa silently.

CQC involved not only frontward confrontation, but also rear-tail ambushes. So Hwang JiSoo’s [CQC Foundation - B] gave him a light edge in footwork.

Basically speaking, it came with stealth.

“EiYun-chan. I’m coming in.”

YuNa knocked on the door.

A raspy voice responded.

He had his back pressed against the wall. There was a slight gap left open between the corridor and the room.

He listened.

“Where’s mom?”

“She’s not back.”

“Why? When will she be back?”

Mom? The voice was definitely not a kid’s.

He moved his hands to the door handle and widened the gap slowly.

“Where is mom… why is she not here? I didn’t do anything. I didn’t do anything— don’t abandon me…”

“Ugh. What did she do to you seriously? Come on, she’ll definitely be back. Didn’t Akane-san already tell you that she’s just busy?”

He peered into the gap.

Two girls.

Reddish-purple hair.

That was YuNa.

And,

The girl with the chestnut coloured hair…

Their eyes met for that slight fraction of a second.

“…”

“Hm? What is it?”

YuNa waved her hands in front of EiYun’s stare which had gone blank.

“Is there someone out there?”

YuNa turned to look behind, at the door.

Finding her reaction unusual, YuNa quickly checked the hall. There was no sign of anyone having been here.

“Weird…”

She turned back to EiYun.

“…!”

EiYun… no, EunHa had fallen sideways. Fainted.

◃⊰⊱ϑ⊹ ⨞⋅⫝⫘⌖ ⊹⊹⊰⊱▹

“Where were you?”

“N-Nothing.”

“Excuse me?”

Who was that?

She wasn’t EunHa, she wore glasses, but he just couldn’t shake off this feeling of incongruence…

XiaoLe had just returned with store-bought onigiri with egg roe fillings.

“Did you just go upstairs?”

“…I thought EunHa may be there but looks like I saw wrong.”

Wrong person? Then why did she feel so familiar?

“Mn. If I were Ms. Tatsuki, I wouldn’t keep her in such a public place.”

“…Yeah.”

He must be overthinking things… the suspicion kept tugging at him.

“Come on, here.”

“Thanks.”

XiaoLe passed him his share of food. Kenji took his first bite.

And it was also during that time a commotion rose from the communal hall.

“Oh~ it’s you!”

Then from the connecting entrance, a short girl with black hair appeared. The girl wearing casual T and tights pointed at XiaoLe.

XiaoLe continued munching on her onigiri without saying anything. The awkward tension in the room rose to the max as the silence went on for ten seconds.

How long was the black hair girl going to point at the War Saint?

Kenji narrowed his eyes and appraised her.

[STATUS:▽

>UNIT NAME: Tatsuki Rize - SS rank

>TRAITS

>>Magic Knowledge - A

>>Multipotentialite - A

>>Shadow Empress - S

>>Transcendental Consciousness - S

Kenji felt his blood freeze.

He had appraised hundreds, if not close to a thousand people by this point, and none of them were ever graded S. Yet now before him was someone graded not S, but SS? Magical knowledge? Shadow Empress?

Why does her occupation sound like a symptom of eighth-grade syndrome?

More importantly…

She was a reincarnator too?

XiaoLe swallowed the rice.

“It’s been a while Ms. Tatsuki.”

“Ah y-yeah. It’s been a while um… I’m sorry but who are you again?”

“…”

Another period of awkward silence ensued.

[DETAILS:▽STATUS: TATSUKI RIZE> TRAITS

>>Shadow Empress - S

>>>Description: Greatly improves the ease of using shadow magic and charm magic. Personal charm and charisma also increases multiple folds. She’s retired though.

[DETAILS:▽STATUS: TATSUKI RIZE> TITLES

>>Self-Oblation

>>>Description: She died to save the world. In honour of her sacrifice, a second chance was given. ‘Reincarnator’ title is granted with a sharp increase in all aspects of luck and chaos.

[DETAILS:▽STATUS: TATSUKI RIZE> TITLES

>>The Black Siren

>>>Description: A cold-blooded existence whose charm rivals that of a siren. Revered and admired by all, she is the most perfect enchantress of all lands. Deny this simple fact and you shall be met with her disdain. A small increase in all charm effects, influence, luck and positive life outcomes.

“Sorry Ms. XiaoLe. I’ll make sure to keep your name on the top of my mind from now on. Speaking of which, who is the other guy?”

Rize turned to Kenji. Her golden eyes seemed to shimmer, and for a moment, the world seemed to fade away.

“Kenji.”

He recalled what he saw earlier on the status board. There was a mention of increased charm…

“Kenji—”

She was a reincarnator. So did they come from the same world? She looked like she was from Japan, just like him.

But then what was up with magic knowledge? Did XiaoLe know about this…

“KENJI.”

“UGHH…”

XiaoLe knocked his head, he groaned.

“Whoops. Looks like he fell for it.”

Rize giggled.

…Fell for it huh?

“Sorry.”

He rubbed the sore spot on his head and introduced himself.

“I’m Matsushita Kenji. It’s an honour to meet you, Tatsuki-san. I didn’t think you’d be from Japan.”

XiaoLe’s eyes widened at Kenji’s statement. Rize didn’t seem particularly bothered.

“Eh… no wonder you’ve got a different air around you. So I’m not the only reincarnator in this world?”

“What’s a reincarnator?”

Eli asked.

“Hm? I told you before that I came from another world right?”

“Oh, right. A God’s Emissary.”

“Yup.”

“…”

Was she for real? She just told someone her secret so openly.

It was then Kenji understood what XiaoLe’s meant. Without a doubt, the word ‘eccentric’ best described the anomaly this girl was. Her nonchalance gave a mysterious charm and… he couldn’t help find her somewhat beguiling.

“Anyways. Let’s get to the main issue here. Is there any specific reason you two came to see me?”

“Ah, yes. But before that… is there a space we can talk in private?”

XiaoLe asked.

“Eli, you heard them. Go prepare the drawing room!”

“It was prepared hours ago.”

“Eh… seriously?”

Anticlimactic. Her command was unnecessary.

And so they headed forth.

“Some refreshments for the sovereign and saint.”

She hummed as she poured tea into Kenji and XiaoLe’s cup. XiaoLe’s cheeks twitched at her remark, but she didn’t say anything to deny it.

“Okay. So what’s up?”

Rize asked, taking a seat brazenly.

“Yes. I wanted to talk about the girl…”

“No, Kenji, hold on.”

The War Saint interrupted.

“Before that, can I ask why you resigned from First Sergeant Hai’s company?”

XiaoLe apologised to Kenji with a silent gesture, he nodded.

It was best to go about it in a roundabout manner. What if Rize planned to hide the truth from them?

“Why I resigned?

Rize looked at the two, noticing slight features of a pink space going on.

“Because I felt like it, I guess…”

It was an unexpected answer.

“…Because you felt like it?”

“I plan to travel the world. As Matsushita-san said earlier, I’m from another world, Japan. So if you base my life around the typical light novel development, we reincarnators would need an exploration arc, don’t you agree?”

Rize said with a grin.

“W-What do you mean?”

“I… think I can relate?”

“Huh? What? You understand her?”

Kenji kind of understood yet not. Bewildered, XiaoLe demanded an explanation.

“It simply means she wants to visit the other nations.”

“That I get… how about her referencing things like ‘typical developments’ and novels…?”

Wu XiaoLe the regressor. Born to be reborn in this world, she was likely the only existence in the current timeline to have seen humanity die before her eyes.

Tatsuki Rize, living her third life after experiencing two worlds of varying concepts. She, who was once a cardinal of a religious cult in the first world, and an inspirational entrepreneur in the second, was now planning retirement as a soldier in the third.

Matsushita Kenji, the ‘player’ who was thrown into the unfinished indie game world of his own making. He was the only person in the world in possession of a cheat system to support his journey.

XiaoLe, who didn’t read many stories of the past-modern era, struggled to comprehend them. And Kenji… he started to question if the truth he knew was in fact the truth. If Rize was also a reincarnator, the next question would be why and how?

“Was it not because of… Staff Sergeant Chu’s death?”

“That’s part of the reason. You see—I want to see the world before I die in some freak accident, you know? Who doesn’t?”

Rize had a carefree personality. And because of it, she didn’t care for her own safety, or the consequences of her actions to the lives of others.

No.

Forged through years of experience… she saw the world with much more richness and depth than what most wise people could glean in a lifetime. It was exactly because Rize valued life itself that she was willing to let go of a self-made role and responsibility.

Kenji, who read all of it using [Peruse - C] gritted his teeth. Just who the hell is this girl?

“I see…”

XiaoLe muttered.

“Anything else? You also wanted to talk about Ms. EunHa right?”

“Yes, what did…”

“I killed her.”

XiaoLe wasn’t even able to complete her sentence.

“She’s dead. Don’t worry about it.”

[DETAILS:▽MISSION BOARD> MISSION RESULTS

>[FAILED] MISSION TITLE: HER RECLAMATION

>SYSTEM REMARKS:

>> Unlocked New Progression: Love and Hate

…She’s dead.

“No…”

“No?”

Rize tilted her head.

“Wasn’t that what you wanted to know?”

What…?

No.

No.

Her eyes weren’t lying. His eyes weren’t lying.

It told of the fact that taking a life was no different from snapping a wooden branch. The light smile on her lips was one of genuine delight.

He felt himself sink into a deep pit.

He thought she was a reincarnator just like himself.

He thought they could relate with each other.

He thought he finally found someone who understood.

But…

The only thing he gained was the realisation that… the girl before him was not sane.

[DETAILS:▽MISSION BOARD> NEW(4)

>MISSION TITLE: FUNERAL

>> OPEN DETAILS…

>MISSION TITLE: DENIAL

>> OPEN DETAILS…

>MISSION TITLE: ACCEPTANCE

>> OPEN DETAILS…

>MISSION TITLE: BLACK SIREN’S CALL

>> OPEN DETAILS…

◃⊰⊱⊹. ⊹⌖Ω ⩏⊹ϑ ⊰⊱▹

“She’s dead. Don’t worry about it.”

While the original EunHa’s did die. She was still alive in flesh.

So I’m technically not lying.

Wu XiaoLe and Matushita Kenji.

One was the War Saint, the other was EunHa’s fiance.

I could tell them that Eun-chan was still alive and well but… as her mother, I have a responsibility to protect her.

I’m glad to see them here. And while I do pity them for trying to turn things around… what if I hadn’t stepped in? Would they still be hoping for her to be alive somehow?

I may gain their animosity for lying. But for the sake of Eun-chan’s mental health, it was a worthy price to pay. She can meet them again once she can stand firmly on her two feet.

They care about EunHa. But caring for someone, and knowing how to care for someone were two very different things.

The despair on their faces when I told them about EunHa’s death was not a pleasant sight to see.

“Is there anything else you want to know?”

“…Why.”

The War Saint held back Matsushita-san who looked like he was going to kill me.

“I’m sorry.”

“Tell me. Just tell me… where is her body…”

EunHa’s fiance looked… completely despaired.

“It probably fell off Fortress 13.”

Actually. That was a good question.

Where exactly was EunHa’s body? Did they not recognize Eun-chan who should be walking around the orphanage?

Weird. And here I thought they’d catch my lie.

“…I’m sorry for taking your time. We’ll be leaving.”

XiaoLe said with a trembling bow.

“Okay. Please take care.”

The War Saint dragged Matsushita-san out while holding in her own anger.

…Oh well.

The whims of life.

I can’t wait to see their surprised expression when I reveal the fact that Eun-chan is alive.

Just be patient.

“What happened?”

Akane-san, who was waiting outside the drawing room asked.

“Well. They’ve got something to regret so…”

“You didn’t offend them did you? That was the War Saint, you know?”

“They offended me though?”

I crossed my arms and puffed out my cheeks.

And then I noticed a Eun-chan curled up on the floor just beside the entrance of the drawing room.

“Eh? When did she get here?”

“Ever since you entered the room.”

Seriously? She was listening to us? Wow. To think they didn’t even realise the girl they wanted to find was so close.

“Eun-chan.”

I got down to her height.

She was sobbing. I called out to her.

“Eun-chan.”

Like an octopus, she suddenly jumped at me and clung to me tight.

Her entire body quivered, unwilling to let go. From the touch of her skin, I could tell at once that she had a fever.

“Mom… I… don’t want to die… I don’t want to…”

Oh, she… note to self next time not to leave Eun-chan alone for too long.

What should I do about this daughter of mine now hmr, hmr?

◃⊰⊱. ϕ⊹ ⋈⊶⌖⊹⊰⊱▹

…There were so many things she failed to discuss with Rize.

She wanted to make Rize her personal aide.

A person she could depend on to win the war.

To learn more about this girl—her heart, and the things she found important.

She wanted to know why she went so far for the people in her first life.

She wanted to know what drove her.

She wanted knowledge from someone that knew her suffering.

But the difference between knowing and experiencing was too great.

…Rize Tatsuki.

The Black Siren.

She wasn’t sane.

XiaoLe never knew the psychopathic mask behind the hailed hero.

Just like EunHa.

…The semblance between those two.

Why was it that those who rose to power and influence were always broken people?

Even at night. Fuji City was bright.

And from the streetlights poured in streaks of orange rays from the gaps of the curtain.

“Kenji.”

XiaoLe was with him in a dark room.

Calling out his name in a voice not too loud.

You promised her.

You promised that you would always save her.

No matter what.

No matter what that…

You would save her.

“Kenji.”

She called out to him once more.

“What did the system say?”

His reaction back then…

She wanted to know.

If it was a lie.

“Kenji.”

“…e me alone.”

He croaked without as much of a voice.

She rose from the nearby chair and took a seat by his bed.

He had been staring towards the night sky—the narrow gaps of the curtain for a long time now.

XiaoLe grabbed his hand.

“Kenji.”

She didn’t know what kind of emotion he was experiencing.

“Kenji. Look at me.”

She knew too well just how much he loved EunHa.

“You can hate me. You can resent me.”

She brought his hand towards her forehead.

“But don’t waste her sacrifice.”

EunHa chose to die for the world.

So now that she was gone, humanity stood a possible chance.

So many things have changed in this second life.

The Fourth Stratum which had never been touched in the first run was now steadily being colonised.

Cities that should be gone were standing, and fortified.

Technology that existed in the future would now be deployed much earlier.

And key people who died in battle were alive, and growing ever stronger.

So much progress has been made.

The result of their efforts.

Was it enough?

Was this what she wanted?

Pathetic.

She couldn’t even protect the reason why she was doing all of this for the world.

“XiaoLe. Tell me.”

Kenji moved his hands away as if disgusted by her touch.

“What happened during your first life.”

XiaoLe felt a thorn in her heart.

“What happened to my relationship with EunHa?”

Why did she become a demon?

How did humanity fall and what did we lack?

Who is our enemy?

“Tell me…”

XiaoLe interrupted him by placing a finger on his lips.

“…Because.”

The answer to his questions…

The reason why…

How it all started…

She really wanted to say it.

It was my fault.

But in tears, she would keep it from leaking past her lips.

I was the reason she became a demon.

From hereon they would start again.

…All because I chose to become your wife, Kenji.

The beginning of a new story.