Chapter 288

The background of Lars, the Special Operations soldier assigned to me, was similar to mine yet different.  

'First of all, he’s not a cadet from the Imperial Guard.'  

He was a high-ranking soldier trained by a private military corporation within the Empire.  

'At the training facility, Lars performed well, and the Imperial Household selected him as a Special Operations soldier.'  

The traditional Imperial Guard was gradually fading into history.  

"These days, even people from the lower districts are being chosen as high-ranking soldiers or bureaucrats. I'm one of them. It's probably thanks to you, Luka. A lot has changed since that day."  

Lars just had to go and paint me in a golden light. I wanted to shove my fist into his mouth.  

'It's not because of me, you idiot!'  

Lars was just a clueless boy. He didn't even know why we were chasing after Kinuan. He simply placed his faith in the Empire and the Imperial Household and remained loyal.  

'How many of these kinds of kids have died so far…?'  

Tracking Kinuan wasn’t easy.  

Ilay's Special Operations unit must have suffered frequent 'losses' in manpower. Ilay wasn’t the type to be bothered by such things. He wouldn’t have even been attached to his subordinates.  

'The Imperial Household reduced the number of Imperial Guard cadets and outsourced the training of high-ranking soldiers to private military corporations… It’s a scheme to weaken the power of traditional noble families. That’s why they’ve been recruiting high-ranking soldiers and bureaucrats from the lower districts instead of noble houses.'  

It was all just a matter of balancing power and maintaining political checks. I was nothing more than a tool for justification.  

'I’m already sighing. Damn it.'  

I had seen the personnel records of the Special Operations soldiers Ilay brought in. They were all from insignificant families or were Irregulars.  

'People easy to dispose of, whose deaths wouldn’t cause any trouble.'  

Ilay had calculated his subordinates’ survival rate to be very low.  

'The Special Operations soldiers have no idea who Kinuan really is or why I’m even here.'  

They were pure soldiers who simply followed orders.  

'Even though Lars is an Irregular… he’s not exactly exceptional. Just competent.'  

I didn’t want to boast, but back when I was chosen as an Imperial Guard cadet, the Irregulars were truly special. They had to possess such overwhelming talent that it completely overshadowed their disadvantaged backgrounds and origins to even be called Irregulars.  

For generations, Irregulars among the Imperial Guard cadets were rare, but every single one of them graduated at the top of their class.  

'I’m too busy looking after myself to be worrying about anyone else. Get a grip, Luka.'  

Shaking my head slightly, I walked through the labyrinthine alleyways of Border City. Lars followed closely behind me.  

Thud! Bang!

Gunfire continued in the distance, punctuated by occasional explosions.  

Right now, Border City was practically a conflict zone. Loud noises echoed periodically, and the streets were patrolled by corporate private soldiers and mercenaries moving as if on a routine sweep.  

Figures like Jafa, Anguis Regina, and Lapis Lazuli were hiding somewhere in Border City. They had likely set up safe houses all over the city and were holding out however they could.  

'If I want to understand the situation in Border City, it's best to contact Deputy Minister Ismael. But the real question is—would Ismael even trust me right now?'  

After a moment of thought, I decided it was better for Ismael to believe I was either dead or missing.  

The only faction in Border City I could remotely call an ally was Jafa Trading Company. People like Ismael or Son Seok-jae could turn into enemies at any moment.  

'For now, my priority is making contact with Gaya.'  

Don't get your priorities mixed up, Luka. I didn’t come here to help Jafa Trading Company.  

'My goal is Kinuan.'  

I turned into the alley leading to Gaya’s clinic. If I followed the path straight and then turned the corner, his clinic would come into view.  

Gaya’s clinic was situated at the end of the alley, standing like a wall.  

Click.  

Suddenly, Lars drew his pistol and pressed his back and shoulder against the wall.  

"I hear combat noises ahead."  

He signaled with his eyes toward the corner.  

"I know. I have ears, you know."  

"Ah, um. My apologies. I’ll await your orders."  

Lars quickly apologized. Seeing how obediently he reacted made me feel oddly embarrassed.  

Damn it. I was being unnecessarily sarcastic. It only meant I was anxious and on edge.  

Chaos loomed over Border City. And in this chaos, I felt like I was about to lose something. That vague sense of unease left a bitter feeling in my stomach.  

"Lars, support me from the back and stay sharp. If you’ve been properly trained, you shouldn’t need me to give you step-by-step orders."  

"Understood."  

I walked toward the corner and checked the entrance of the clinic.  

'Gaya?'  

The first thing I saw was Gaya.  

Dressed in a white coat, Gaya stood in front of the clinic. His clothing billowed as if repelled by a faint blue aura, and the bracelet on his wrist—used as a catalyst for Force abilities—jingled softly.  

Vrrrnnng.  

Around him, guns, blades, and even small stones floated in midair. It seemed to be a form of telekinesis.  

Near the clinic, eight fallen mercenaries of various species lay scattered about. They appeared to have been wounded, likely by Gaya. Among them were combat-focused species like Crawlers.

"Ugh… ugh, urk."  

The mercenaries who had fallen to Gaya groaned in pain. Gaya looked down at them before biting his lower lip.  

"If you swear to leave Border City right now, I will spare your lives."  

Gaya closed his eyes. It was a merciful offer—so much so that the mercenaries hesitated to believe him.  

They wavered. Only after one of them suddenly scrambled to his feet and bolted did the rest flee in a rush.  

Clap, clap, clap.  

I walked toward Gaya, applauding like some third-rate villain.  

"I knew you had skills, Doctor Gaya."  

The fleeing mercenaries shot wary glances at me and Lars before scattering completely.  

"You are…"  

Gaya tensed. But as soon as I pulled back my hood, he recognized me and eased his stance.  

"It's been a while. You probably didn’t miss me much, but we’re not at the point of pointing guns and swords at each other, are we?"  

"I'm actually quite glad to see you, Luka. Glad enough to serve you my best tea. Who’s the man beside you? He looks like a full-body prosthetic."  

A faint blue glow flickered in Gaya’s eyes. He saw right through Lars in an instant.  

Full-body prosthetics were almost always of Imperial origin—either elite soldiers or nobility.  

"He’s my new subordinate."  

"So, have you returned to the Empire’s ranks?"  

"…For now, yeah. It’s complicated."  

Faint waves of Force shimmered like heat haze over Gaya’s dark skin. He was still in a battle-ready state.  

I glanced behind me. Lars had his gun trained on Gaya.  

"Lars, put the gun down. Gaya is… an acquaintance of mine."  

Hmm, calling him a friend would be a stretch.  

"That man is a Force user. Extremely dangerous."  

Judging by how wary he was of Force users, Lars had been well-trained.  

"Sigh. Put it down before I break your damn fingers."  

Annoyed, I let my irritation show, and only then did Lars nod reluctantly.  

Vrrrnnng.  

The Force reaction around Gaya dissipated. His bracelet and white coat settled.  

"Come inside. I’d rather not keep my guests standing out here, and I’d like to serve you some tea."  

With a slight nod, Gaya turned and walked inside.  

I whistled as I glanced at the alley walls. The scars of recent battles were everywhere.  

'He’s fended off multiple attacks alone.'  

The moment we stepped inside, the clinic’s entrance sealed shut behind us. Metal security shutters slid down over the windows and door.

"Border City is in quite a state of chaos right now. A war has broken out between multiple corporations. It’s happened before, but this time, the scale is much larger."  

I glanced over Gaya. The edges of his shoes and the hem of his coat bore faint traces of blood.  

We arrived at the reception room. When Lars tried to follow us in, I stopped him and pointed down the hallway.  

"Lars, stand guard over there. And let me warn you—don’t question my orders. I may not be your direct superior… but right now, you’re under me. Understood?"  

"Understood. I also apologize for earlier."  

"Good. If you just listen to me, your head will stay attached to your neck until this mission is over."  

I pressed a finger against Lars’ forehead, pushing him back slightly. He hesitated for a moment before stepping away toward the hallway.  

Thud.  

Then, I stepped inside and shut the door behind me.  

"Judging by the attackers earlier, they weren’t just some street thugs or gangsters. Did you manage to piss someone off that badly, Doctor?"  

"It’s hard to imagine anyone going through life without making enemies, but this time, they weren’t after me. They were targeting Jafa. It seems they believed she was hiding in my clinic."  

Gaya poured tea from a thermos and handed me a cup.  

Slurp.  

A pleasant bitterness spread down my throat.  

"Good tea."  

"What brings you all the way here? I hadn’t heard from you in a while, so I assumed you’d left Border City."  

"Well, I had various errands to run. But more importantly… you wouldn’t happen to know where Jafa is, would you?"  

I stopped myself before finishing the question.  

Gaya was an independent figure. He wasn’t Jafa’s subordinate; their relationship was equal. Jafa wouldn’t be hiding under Gaya’s protection.  

"Jafa is somewhere in Border City. Along with Anguis Regina."  

"Setting aside Jafa Trading Company for now, I actually have a request for you, Doctor Gaya."  

Gaya narrowed his eyes.  

"You’re putting Jafa Trading Company second?"  

"I have more urgent matters to deal with."  

"Hah, urgent? Let me guess—it’s an assignment from the Empire, isn’t it?"  

Gaya’s laughter grated against my ears. It was irritating.  

"I’d rather you didn’t misunderstand. The Empire’s goal and my own just happen to align for the time being."  

"Jafa is likely in a dire situation right now. Sonsu Industries even put a bounty on her head."  

…That was news I didn’t particularly want to hear.  

If I didn’t know, I could ignore it. But now that I did, it would weigh on me, even if just a little.  

"You want me to help Jafa?"  

"I’m just telling you the situation."

"If you're so worried about Jafa, why don’t you use that fancy Force of yours to go save her?"  

"I have to protect this clinic. There are people here who can’t defend themselves."  

"There, you see? Just like you have your reasons, I have my own personal matters to take care of."  

I did my best to keep my voice calm.  

Don’t provoke Gaya. After all, I was here to ask for his help.  

Gaya finished his tea, wiping his lips with his sleeve. He closed his eyes briefly, taking a deep breath before exhaling.  

"Then let’s put aside the topic of Jafa. What brings you to me, Luka?"  

"I heard there’s a Corite temple in Border City."  

"To be precise, it’s a temple of Disemism."  

"Same difference to me. Either way, I want to visit it. With your introduction, I figured it’d be possible."  

Gaya gazed at me with a serene expression. Even without Akies Victima, he seemed to see right through me. The man was still as enigmatic as ever.  

Then, he let out a quiet chuckle.  

"That’s a troublesome request. I’m sure you understand how I feel. Even if I’ve turned my back on my nation, one’s loyalties never completely fade. Introducing someone on an Imperial mission to the temple doesn’t sit well with me."  

"I need to find Kinuan. You know who he is. His subordinates were using Corite equipment."  

Gaya had been in charge of Anguis Regina’s psychological treatment. He knew of Kinuan’s existence, at least to some extent.  

"Luka, I have no reason to help you. I owe you nothing."  

"I know. If anything, I owe you. I still appreciate what you did for Gabriel."  

Gaya’s expression softened into a gentle smile.  

"I’m glad you recognize that. I have no obligation to help you, but I will. Because I hope that the kindness and goodwill I offer you will be passed on to someone else through you."  

With that, Gaya stood up.  

I stared at my reflection in the green tea before draining the cup.  

'Damn it. Are all Coritans this insidious?'  

Gaya was as unsettling as ever. He hadn’t tried to bargain with me over Jafa’s safety. Even if I chose not to help Jafa, he still offered his help to me.  

…If I did end up helping Jafa, it wouldn’t be because someone pressured me or made it a condition of a deal. It would be purely my own decision.  

Gaya was trying to make me weak.

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