Chapter 293

Border City had an unseen undercurrent flowing beneath it. People wouldn’t taste the thick, muddy water until it had already risen to their throats.  

The precarious balance of Border City was collapsing.  

Neglect disguised as freedom, chaos wrapped in the guise of progress, indifference mistaken for tolerance.  

The conflicts that had been forcibly suppressed and buried had long since festered, and from them, the flowers of malice had bloomed, reeking of rot.  

‘The inevitable catastrophe is approaching.’  

Border City was a transient city on the verge of vanishing. A city that had served as the boundary between the three nations and their races was now a bomb waiting to explode.  

The ever-expanding nations would soon collide and wage war. Any intellectual or politician could foresee this future.  

Racial conflicts were just as precarious. The social hierarchy and dominance among the species living on Planet Novus were becoming increasingly defined. Whether implicitly or explicitly, certain species would receive preferential treatment, while those deemed less useful would find themselves in dire circumstances.  

"Lapis, once this situation is over… you should leave Border City. Whether you join your kin’s society or head to Bellato City, it doesn’t matter. Wherever you go, you’ll be treated well."  

"Are you worried about me?"  

"Rather than worry, I’m just giving you a heads-up about Border City’s impending destruction."  

Lapis belonged to the Tarfa species, a race that maintained close ties with humanity. As an outstanding engineer, Lapis wouldn’t be mistreated anywhere.  

‘They’ll have a better life than I ever will, no matter where they go.’  

Thinking about it, I wasn’t in a position to worry about Lapis. I was the one in more danger.  

Step. Step.  

Lapis and I navigated through the crowded port.  

I scrutinized every single passerby. To others, it might have looked like my pupils were trembling.  

Swish.  

I lifted my head and looked toward the communications tower where Lars was stationed. His figure was so faint that I had to concentrate intensely just to make out his blurry form.  

Lars was clinging to the very top of the tower—an area no ordinary person could reach. From there, he was scanning the ground below.  

"Lars, we’ve arrived," I said, pressing a hand to my ear.  

-Luka, move about 230 meters to the right. There’s a building ahead, and the crowd around it is being controlled. They’ve noticeably reinforced security over the past while.  

The increased security was likely due to En’s report.  

"It’s confirmed that the one who went inside is Anguis Regina, right?"  

-My cybernetic eyes are the latest model this year. I can count the feathers on a bird mid-flight. Should I join you on the ground?

"Keep watching the surroundings with those fancy eyes of yours. Report any external movements or anomalies immediately."  

-Understood.  

Lars seemed like he had something more to say, but as a soldier, he followed orders without protest. He was probably itching to jump into the field. If I were in his position, I'd feel the same.  

Click.  

I cut off the comms and moved as Lars had directed.  

'Lapis stays with me. It’s safer that way.'  

If my prediction was correct, there weren’t any decent forces around Anguis Regina.  

'The Equessian mercenaries aren’t at the port. They must be deployed on another mission.'  

I was well acquainted with the way En’s mercenary unit operated. If multiple operational zones were active, they always assigned flexible, high-mobility missions to En alone.  

'That means En is handling this area solo.'  

The remaining guards were likely just filler personnel, barely enough to make up numbers.  

'If there were any significant forces or Equessian mercenaries nearby... they would have come as reinforcements when En and I fought.'  

My mind flowed smoothly, processing the situation with ease. Analyzing to this extent wasn’t difficult for me now.  

I was a soldier with ample experience. I had encountered countless situations similar to this. When it came to tactical and strategic assessments, even small clues were enough to reveal the bigger picture.  

I pressed my back against the alley wall, peeking my head out slightly.  

'Ten—no, thirteen.'  

I counted the figures moving around the building. Their faces were obscured by full-body combat suits.  

'The real problem is the patrol drones.'  

There were police drones circling the area. Two of them hovered high above, patrolling.  

'Bellato Federation’s police forces…'  

Things would get complicated if law enforcement got involved. If my identity was exposed to the Bellato Federation, it would be even more of a hassle.  

"Lars, I’ve got a job for you."  

-Listening.  

Lars’ bright voice rang in my ears.  

"There are patrol drones and androids belonging to the police. Attack them to draw attention, then escape. It’d be best if you looked like a terrorist."  

-You want a diversion. My adaptive three-dimensional maneuvering score was an A. Leave it to me.  

Lars was eager to demonstrate his capabilities to me in any way possible.  

Holding my breath, I waited for Lars to make his move. It didn’t take even five minutes before the signal came.  

Boom!  

An explosion erupted in the distance. Flames surged into the sky, sending thick smoke billowing upward.  

I furrowed my brows slightly. He must have blown up a fuel depot somewhere in the docks.

…You're too enthusiastic, Lars.  

But the effect was undeniable. The patrol drones that had been circling the area immediately veered off course, rushing toward the explosion site.  

Watching them leave, I released my cover and stepped forward.  

"Hey, this is a restricted—"  

The nearest armed guard tried to raise his gun and issue a warning.  

I had no time to waste, and taking them down without killing them would be too much of a hassle.  

I closed my eyes for a brief moment before reopening them. The position and appearance of every guard were already imprinted in my mind.  

Click.  

I drew my standard-issue pistol, steadily pulling the trigger with precise, deliberate movements.  

Bang!  

My right arm, gripping the pistol, moved with mechanical precision, like a turret, firing clean and accurate shots.  

Thud. Thud.  

The guards collapsed before they could even fire back. My bullets had pierced through the narrow visors of their helmets and lodged directly into their heads.  

The one-sided slaughter ended in an instant. Even after taking lives, my mind remained calm, as if I were merely out for a stroll.  

Every time I faced weaker opponents instead of equals or stronger foes, I became even more aware—more certain—that I was a skilled killer.  

I gestured for Lapis, who had been hiding, to come out.  

"…You killed them all."  

Lapis followed behind me, glancing down at the fallen guards.  

"I could’ve just subdued them, but that would’ve taken longer and put us at risk."  

"Oh, I wasn’t criticizing you, Luka. I build combat prosthetics, remember? I’m not going to pretend to be innocent and pure."  

Comforting words.  

We entered the building where Anguis Regina was being held. Its exterior walls and windows were locked from the outside. Haphazardly reinforced with metal plates and chains, it looked like a rushed modification.  

'A prison of sorts.'  

It seemed they intended to keep Anguis Regina confined here until just before the concert.  

Crash!  

I broke the locking mechanism and stepped inside.  

"…Anguis Regina."  

The interior was calmer than I expected. Stage props, clothes, and an overwhelming scent filled the space.  

"I had a feeling something was off. Of course, it was you, Detective Luka."  

Anguis Regina was seated at a vanity, facing away from us. She observed us through the mirror.  

I, too, looked into the mirror and saw her face. Her stage makeup was thick and heavy, like a mask.  

I remained silent. Lapis spoke in my place.  

"Luka is here to help us, Regina."  

Anguis Regina continued to brush her face with a makeup brush, painting over her features as if nothing were urgent. Her lips moved with unhurried ease.

"When I desperately wanted you, you were indifferent. And now, at the very end, you suddenly show up like some benevolent savior. Luka, what exactly are Jafa and I to you?"  

"Hah..."  

I let out a burst of laughter. Hearing me laugh, Anguis Regina's hand stiffened.  

Step. Step.  

I walked toward Anguis Regina, speaking as I moved.  

"This reminds me of our first meeting."  

"When you shot me in the leg?"  

"Heh, everyone always wants an answer from me, as if I'm someone important. Jafa? Anguis Regina? Fine, sure! If you're so curious about what I really think, I'll tell you."  

I grabbed Anguis Regina by the hair, yanking her head back, then immediately gripped her chin and forced it upward.  

Crack.  

I tightened my grip. Lapis rushed over, trying to stop me.  

"The reason I came here? If you and Jafa ended up in a mess, I'd probably lose a few nights of sleep over it. Don't expect some grand moral reason or deep connection. I only do what puts my mind at ease. If you act like a brat and piss me off, even better. I’ll just take Lapis and leave you here."  

Even as she gasped for breath, her face flushed red, Anguis Regina let out a laugh.  

"Blunt… I like it. Kahak, kuh…"  

I let go and tossed her onto the floor. Lapis hurried to support her.  

"Luka, you didn’t have to go that far!"  

"Lapis, you don’t really know Anguis Regina. That woman… this is the only way she understands."  

Anguis Regina raised a hand, as if telling Lapis to calm down.  

"It’s fine, Lapis. I wanted to know what Luka really thought. Hm… looks like I'll have a bruise shaped like a handprint. I guess I’ll have to wear a choker during the performance—just like Luka."  

She rubbed her neck before turning her gaze to my own.  

"I've taken an interest in street fashion."  

I tapped my throat guard nonchalantly.  

"Thanks for coming, but it’s too late. The concert will proceed as planned."  

I narrowed my eyes.  

"So you’re going along with Son Seok-jae’s plan?"  

"Everything is for Jafa. My one and only mother. Until now, Jafa has always protected me. No matter how much I strayed or acted recklessly, she endured it all without a single complaint. Now, it’s my turn to protect Jafa."  

Determination shone on Anguis Regina’s face. That expression reminded me of ‘Elize Kwan’ from Jafa’s memories. Elize Kwan—Anguis Regina’s past name.  

"How much of your past memories have returned?"

"Thanks to Doctor Gaya, quite a lot. I can handle it now. My father was a terrible man. I guess I never wanted to accept that such a person was my biological parent. I always blamed the world, blamed others... acting as if I had it the hardest. When in reality, Jafa must have suffered even more."  

There wasn’t the slightest trace of anxiety in Anguis Regina. For someone who had been kidnapped and imprisoned, she was remarkably composed.  

Even I hadn’t expected her to be this kind of person. No, I should say she had grown in the time I hadn’t seen her.  

People change. Just as I have, so do others. No one remains stagnant—whether for the better or the worse.  

…Something felt off.  

I stared at Anguis Regina, letting my thoughts stretch out, examining her as closely as if I were studying her pores.  

Her emotions and intentions weren’t easy to read. Predicting where she would go from here was difficult, as if she were carrying chaos itself within her.  

"I don’t need anyone’s help anymore. It’s time for both Jafa and me to step out of Kinuan’s shadow. And it’s time for me to let go of the fragile part of myself that wanted to rely on you."  

A faint thread of understanding began to weave through my unease.  

The reason the Equessian mercenaries had ended their contract with Jafa Trading Company so easily. Even for a warrior race of mercenaries, why had En never revealed a single clue, maintaining his loyalty until the end?  

"Anguis Regina, what have you done?"  

"I’ve already been legally registered as Son Seok-jae’s daughter. The paperwork is finalized. My ridiculous new name? Elize Son."  

Just one more piece, and I would see the whole picture.  

Anguis Regina took out her terminal. She checked something on the screen, then let out a clear, lighthearted laugh.  

"Huhuhu..."  

With a radiant smile, she turned the screen toward us.  

A single photograph was displayed.  

'Son Seok-jae, and...'  

Son Seok-jae’s head had been cleanly severed. The person holding his hair was someone I knew all too well.  

'...Ragnata Anima.'  

Ragnata had assassinated Son Seok-jae.  

She might not be at her prime anymore, but she was still an exceptional assassin. Most forces wouldn’t be able to stop her.  

'Back when Ragnata was staying at Jafa Trading Company’s headquarters, Anguis Regina took good care of her.'

I had no way of knowing what kind of conversations or bond had formed between the two back then.  

But knowing Ragnata’s personality… it wouldn’t be surprising if she had, at least once, told Anguis Regina how to contact her in case she ever needed help.  

I half-closed my eyes, my emotions tangled. I wasn’t sure what to say.  

"Becoming the queen of Border City doesn’t sound so bad, does it? Luka, it doesn’t really matter, but I appreciate the effort you put into coming all this way."  

Anguis Regina gave me a playful wink.  

Click!  

The unexpected reaction didn’t come from me—it came from Lapis.  

She had drawn her personal defense pistol and aimed it at Anguis Regina.  

"Then… En… En… why?! Why did you let En die to Luka?!"  

Lapis’ voice trembled, thick with tears.

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