“I think of you, Olga, every time I see the vast expanse of Solar City. Your safety, your home, the comfortable armchair where you’d doze—your face as you nap. All my efforts were solely for that. Please understand the years when I couldn’t tell you anything.”The man’s voice was low, calm, even gentle, demanding attention without effort.Though the language was unfamiliar, I caught the meaning. Even though commercial translators exist, I’d once studied this tongue for missions. In hindsight, it made perfect sense—everything «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» the boy had learned was for these trips.Olga, perhaps believing no one else would understand, left the recording playing.“In recent years, things haven’t gone well. I’ve had to assume the worst every time. Didn’t you say humanity now rides the shell of a dangerous creature called the Crystal Blue turtle? Before it sinks, drowning and devouring us, we must learn to stay afloat ourselves. I realize now there was no wiser counsel. You were always right—whether the order of root vegetables in soup or how to pluck an instrument’s strings, I learned it from you.”At the soft voice, Joo-o’s hand twitched. Strange as it was, he too seemed to grasp this final message.“So, Olga Belova—you are a remarkable woman. Even without me, I believe you’ll lead that wonderful life. I wish I could remain part of it, but life rarely goes as we hope. Perhaps after this recording, you should find faith. Better than returning to nothingness is a hope for an afterlife—it would comfort me to think you’re safe there.”“Live without worrying about me—focus only on yourself. Yet, as I remember you, Olga, I hope I remain in your mind as a small point—never too large to disturb your life, but always gently present.”With that concise farewell, the file crackled and ended. A heavy silence filled the café.Olga, unseen, had buried her face in her hands, sitting motionless. Though she didn’t sob, her fingers glistened with tears.Eventually, she lifted her head, wiped every trace of moisture from her cheeks, and let out a soft, fragile smile.“You understood what he said, didn’t you?”“Pardon?”“You—your expression.”Adjusting the bracelet’s fit, Olga wore a wry look.“He was ridiculous. I’d already stolen his files—couldn’t just stand by, watching him skip meals, growing thinner and thinner.”“……”“After that, I needed time to think. I’d left on a whim for a trip, but one morning the hotel TV announced Solar City had vanished.”Her voice cracked again. The moisture in her blue eyes spoke of that youthful shock.After all these years, the pain and loss had never faded.“When you lose your lifelong home and wander, you get quick to notice things. Which brings me to this—your side isn’t the Intelligence Bureau’s, is it?”“Deputy…”“Even that. I know it wasn’t intel from the Bureau. They wouldn’t entrust such a matter to just anyone.”Her flimsy excuse had already unraveled. So Olga wasn’t a government official but had revealed a secret she’d hidden from everyone else.“If you act independently of your agency, you must be on his side. I tossed it out on a whim—but it seems a good choice.”Wiping her face with a handkerchief, she spoke with gravity.My brow twitched. Could Olga also know Cloud?“It’s unusual. Even if I’d come from Solar City, I wouldn’t be in a position to meet someone of that stature.”“Someone of stature?”“Yes. That woman. You once asked me directly about her work. I feigned ignorance, but you clearly knew something.”I raised an eyebrow, picturing Cloud. Though I’d met her only once, her face was etched in my memory.“If it was you, she might have black hair and slightly downturned eyes—”“Oh dear, you don’t know, do you?”As I described her features, Olga cut me off, indicating the woman she’d met wasn’t Cloud.“Strange. There’s nowhere else you’d have access.”After a moment’s thought, Olga glanced at Joo-o and offered an unexpected insight.“Seems you don’t even know whom you really serve.”“What do you mean?”“I mean the true powerhouse—not just a middleman.”…An unfathomable remark. I’d always acted for Returnflight, aided by Cloud—a true power in her own right. If not her, who?Then I recalled what Boss Gil had said: Cloud wasn’t that powerful.“Then this powerhouse you met is—”“The real authority in this city—the one who controls and governs Goryeo City.”Olga whispered so quietly I almost missed it. The answer far exceeded my expectations; my eyes widened.“You must pay for what you’ve asked.”While I stood speechless, Olga steadied herself. Her uneven breath slowed as she rose.“Let’s go. This isn’t a conversation for inside a café.”Following her, I grabbed our two cake boxes and hurried out.‘I couldn’t fully understand his files. It’s outside my field, so I got only the gist.’‘I know Solar City tried to block the crystal zones. They experimented with various research.’‘Clearly not intel from the Bureau. Maybe this info is needed for Blue energy applications?’‘Perhaps to prevent this city from following the same path. That’s my take.’It wasn’t a lie. Returnflight’s ultimate goal is to erase Crystal Blue from this world.Her expression shifted as if recalling the day Solar City fell.‘Alright. Though I can’t guarantee it’ll be used for good, holding onto it won’t help. Records say Solar City developed a substance called “Starch Path.” When combined with Crystal Blue, it triggers a unique reaction. They probably hoped to eliminate or shrink nearby crystal zones.’‘It didn’t go as planned, I take it.’‘Given the records were years old then, they must have persisted with research. The tech was unstable.’Maybe they invited disaster by meddling with unfinished materials. But it was hard to dismiss the long preparation time. Regardless, we gained precious intel: Returnflight had ties with Solar City factions, and my father’s research aided their efforts.So this “Starch Path” likely connects to his work.‘Do you know my father’s role in that project?’Olga hesitated, head shaking. Her face still pale.‘Sorry, I can’t tell you. In hindsight, he wasn’t involved only in benevolent work.’‘It could help prevent a similar catastrophe.’‘Perhaps. But…’She held the bracelet the rest of the journey, as if seeking traces of her lost love.‘It’s shameful, but some things—even for a greater cause—cannot be shared. They protect the flaws of those we cherish, blinding us to bigger truths. If you wish, I can tell you all I remember. It would help—either you or those behind you.’Thus, our mission to Garam District concluded. Returning to Jaegang, I opened the hideout door to cold, empty air.“Jin Muhae, here.”Joo-o rifled through his pocket and produced a tiny gem—round and red as his eyes. From Olga, despite her earlier refusal, he’d pressed another green toy into her hands.“Somumu, sadness is just turned into emotion.”“Not joy?”“No. Something like that.”“It’s yours.”“Keep it, Jin Muhae. Put it in your bag. Or your pocket.”Joo-o grabbed the cake boxes and darted inside. The gem in my pocket felt lukewarm from his touch.If I tossed it, he’d retrieve it later. So I placed it in the bag I carry on missions, then leaned back in the armchair.Having completed the assignment, it was time to contact Cloud. With the “Starch Path” information, she’d be well satisfied.‘The day we rummaged through Solar City’s ruins, I saw a survivor—searching for something like me. Must’ve been a researcher; his link watch bore a special frame given only to select personnel.’But before I left, Olga’s final words would stay between us. No need to report everything, especially if, as she suspected, the city’s true power lies behind the scenes. Better to hold that card close.‘Might be a stretch, but…’I stared at the dark, unlit panel. When reason fails, trust your gut and pause. That rule still guides my survival.

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