Chapter 4

Rité slept like the dead, clutching Nox’s photo and dog tags to her chest. After fighting for her survival in the warehouse all night, her physical wounds were healed, but her mental state was in shambles. 

A long time passed before someone knocked on the door. 

“…Rité Rainhills, are you in there? It’s Benyak.”

When Rité didn’t respond, Benyak cautiously opened the door and came inside. Awakened, Rité slowly turned over and struggled to sit up without looking at him.

“What’s the matter? Is Aster making me train again?”

“No. The Major asked me to take you for a walk after your meal, to help you stretch.”

Benyak placed a meal tray on the table, then paused as he noticed something. His eyes widened slightly.

“Isn’t that Eisen’s?”

Rité’s eyes widened, and she clutched Nox’s dog tags tightly, pulling back. Benyak, puzzled, asked, “Do you know Eisen?”

“…No! No! He has nothing to do with me!” 

Rité screamed suddenly, hugging the photo and dog tags to her chest and curling up like a wounded animal. Benyak, taken aback by her overreaction, reached out but then stopped.

Curled up and trembling, Rité’s wide eyes were filled with fear, making her look pitiful. She resembled a frightened hedgehog, bristling its spines for protection. 

Her heart pounded uncontrollably. She couldn’t bear the thought of losing the items she had managed to obtain, or of putting Nox in danger by letting his existence be known to the enemy again. 

Rité began to hyperventilate, her breaths heavy and labored, almost like she was having a panic attack. 

Benyak, seeing her distress, tried to calm her down, speaking softly, “I’m not going to take them, so relax.”

Rité clasped her hands to her chest, closed her eyes, and took deep breaths to calm herself. This was a technique Commander Maud had taught her to quickly regain composure when she had panic attacks.

Benyak watched her, speechless. He was startled to see her, who always seemed so fearless and arrogant, now so frightened and vulnerable. 

He understood why Aster had suggested taking her for a walk. She wasn’t in a normal state. 

Once somewhat calm, Rité shakily tucked Eisen’s photo into her inner pocket. Benyak asked quietly, “…Are you Eisen’s sister?”

Rité froze. Benyak murmured in amazement, “So that’s why the Major did what he did… I never thought he’d partner with someone he didn’t know, and it always puzzled me why he brought you into the Shadow Unit, but now it makes sense.”

Benyak had often marveled at Aster’s seemingly impulsive actions that later proved to be meticulously calculated. It was why his subordinates followed him without question. Yet, Rité’s recruitment had always been a mystery to him, one that was now clear.

Rité’s quiet voice broke the silence, “…Keep it a secret.”

“What?”

Rité slowly turned her head to look at him, tears brimming in her widened eyes.

“Please, pretend you don’t know. I beg you.”

Her sky-blue eyes, clear and transparent like a lake, left Benyak speechless. Rité mumbled like someone in a trance, “Aster told me… not to mention anything that could be a weakness, even to my brother, for his sake…”

Recalling her conversation with Aster, Rité tightly closed her eyes.

“It’s best to watch what you say here. Don’t tell anyone your brother is in the army. It will become your weakness and be used against you.”

“A weakness?”

“There are many eyes and ears here. Someone you shared meals with yesterday could be your enemy today. With so many people already looking down on you, if more people start threatening you with your brother’s life, it’ll only harm you.”

Rité could endure torture and training, but she couldn’t stand the thought of Nox being in danger because of her. 

Why did she keep making careless mistakes? Why did she always relax as soon as she thought she was out of danger? She couldn’t forgive herself.

“If there had been guards in front of the warehouse, you would have died. Don’t let your guard down just because you succeeded in escaping. People are most vulnerable when they feel the greatest relief.”

There was nothing wrong with what Aster had said in front of the warehouse. He knew her actions better than she did.

Then, Benyak handed something to her. Seeing the chocolate bar right in front of her, Rité hesitated, then looked up at him warily.

“…What’s this?”

Benyak, slightly embarrassed, turned his gaze aside and said, “A tranquilizer.”

“A tranquilizer? I may have lived poorly, but I know this is chocolate.”

Thinking he was mocking her, Rité responded coldly. Benyak, looking more awkward, explained, “It helps calm people down. Take it. It’s hard to come by. I was saving it for myself.”

Rité accepted the chocolate bar without dropping her suspicious glare. As she unwrapped it, thick chocolate emerged. She stared at it in silence before taking a bite. The sweetness and bitterness filled her mouth quickly. Though the taste was contradictory, she liked it.

At that moment, she heard Benyak chuckle. Snapping out of her thoughts, she glared at him.

“Why are you laughing?”

He replied, still smiling, “You looked really naive for a moment.”

“…”

“I told you, it’s a tranquilizer. Eisen used to stop crying instantly whenever he got one of these.”

At the mention of Nox, Rité paused mid-bite. Benyak glanced at her. Her face showed a mix of curiosity and unease, as if she wanted to ask but couldn’t.

“Relax. You can trust me. Despite how I look, I value comradeship the most.”

Rité, still wary, asked, “How did you know Eisen had a sister?”

“How do you think? When he first joined the military, he kept looking for his sister. Of course, I knew.”

Rité’s eyes widened. Benyak sighed softly, “When he first arrived, he used to cry every night, sweating with fever and calling out for his sister.”

Remembering Nox’s frail voice calling her “sister,” Rité felt tears welling up. Imagining how scared he must have been in such a harsh place without her, her heart felt like it was tearing apart.

The air around her began to ripple with the weight of her guilt. Feeling a sense of foreboding, Benyak hurriedly spoke, fearing she might lose control again.

“But even so, he eventually adapted perfectly to military life. So, you can too. Whatever happened between you two, know that as long as you’re in the military, both you and your brother are my comrades.”

He said this with a face full of camaraderie and pride, his muscular chest puffed out, making him look somewhat comical. 

Rité stopped crying and responded dourly, “Do you know that the ones who desperately plead for you to trust them are never truly trustworthy? The moment you believe them, they’ll betray you as if they never said a word.”

Benyak widened his eyes. “Oh, I’ve seen that a lot in plays.”

Rité glared at him, though the wariness in her eyes slightly softened.

“And another thing. No one who lures you with food is normal. No one offers food without some ulterior motive…”

Rité trailed off, realizing that there was one exception. That person was Commander Maud. When she was a child, he had looked at her with a generous and solemn face and said:

“I permit you to consume the rations without restraint.”

Recalling this memory, Rité smiled faintly. She was glad she had repaid his kindness by offering him her meal. 

At that moment, Benyak burst into a friendly laugh. “You make me sound like a villain! You’re the first woman to treat me like this!”

“…That’s another line I’ve heard somewhere. You must really like plays?”

“Caught me,” he admitted with a hearty laugh. 

“But on the battlefield, aren’t we all actors? Each of us performing our assigned roles on the stage of war. It’s easier to think of it that way. Not just anyone can be an assassin. At the moment of assassination, you have to separate your identity from the assassin’s. You have to act like someone else.”

Rité lowered her gaze, pondering his words. Though he spoke jokingly, Benyak was sharing something crucial. His advice was about how to survive as an assassin without losing one’s mind. For the first time, she felt like she might find a way to endure in this place.

Benyak suddenly stood up. “Finish your meal and come out. I’ll show you the path Eisen used to take for his walks. That kid loved walking. He was like a puppy with his antics.”

With that, he closed the door and left, leaving her staring at the chocolate bar he’d given her. She took a big bite, letting the large chunk melt slowly in her mouth. Imagining Nox enjoying the chocolate made her feel a bit better.

After finishing her meal, Rité went for a walk with Benyak. The quiet path seemed surprisingly peaceful for a war zone. As they walked, Rité asked quietly, “Did Eisen really like chocolate?”

“Of course. He was crazy about it. I was his snack supplier. He hadn’t tasted chocolate before, and once he did, he got addicted to it. That’s how heavenly tastes work.”

His casual tone brought a slight smile to Rité’s face. Benyak glanced at her with a softer expression. 

“Sorry. I used to think you were just a crazy woman.”

Rité shot him a glare. Benyak looked away, chuckling. 

“But if my younger sibling were conscripted, I’d probably go mad too. Maybe it’s a blessing they went to heaven without seeing this mess.”

Though he smiled, there was a hint of bitterness. It seemed he had a sibling too. 

Rité pulled out the chocolate bar she’d carefully tucked away. She broke off a piece and handed it to him. When he looked at her in surprise, she said indifferently, “It’s a sedative. You look like you could use it.”

Benyak’s eyes widened before he burst out laughing. “You’re funny. But you eat it. I’m not that into chocolate.”

“You said you were saving it earlier,” Rité pointed out.

Benyak raised an eyebrow playfully. “Seems the Major was right. You’re pretty observant and have a good memory, remembering everything people say.”

“When it comes to my brother, I remember everything. Nothing else is more important to me.”

Despite her stern tone, Benyak spoke gently. “Honestly, I just forgot it was in my pocket.”

“What?”

When she frowned, he explained, “I got into the habit of saving chocolate for Eisen. Even now, I instinctively pocket it when I find some.”

Rité’s eyes widened slightly as she looked at him. Benyak scratched his nose, looking embarrassed. She softened her expression a bit. “You’re a better person than I thought.”

Benyak smiled, pleased. “Glad you finally see me as a person. I wish you’d do the same for the Major.”

Mentioning Aster made Rité frown again. Benyak spoke softly, “Don’t worry. Eisen didn’t have as bloodless and tearless a military life as you imagine. The Major did a lot to take care of him, even in this desperate war.”

Rité found it hard to believe that Aster had been considerate. His level of care was far from ordinary.

Though she wanted to believe the words, even if they were lies, she found solace in thinking that her brother hadn’t spent every moment in despair after their separation. She desperately hoped that, at least in those moments when Nox enjoyed chocolate or went for a walk, he had been happy.

Rité glanced wistfully at the path’s scenery. She wondered if Nox had often come here to catch his breath. Thinking about how many times he must have walked this path, she almost felt like she could see his shadow. The lost ten years of his growth seemed embedded in this path.

Closing her eyes briefly, she inhaled deeply, listening to the sounds of birds chirping, water trickling, and leaves rustling in the wind. Hearing these beautiful sounds of nature instead of gunfire, she felt a bit more at ease. 

Now she understood why Major Aster had ordered her to go for a walk. Following in Nox’s footsteps and experiencing what he had felt was a refreshing change. She clasped her hands together and prayed for Nox, who was out in enemy territory. Though God had never answered her prayers before, something made her want to pray in this moment, for both Nox and herself.

To Benyak, who stood silently watching her, she looked like a saint bathed in sunlight, praying with her hands clasped and head slightly bowed—a figure wholly incongruous with war and assassination. There was an inexplicable sacredness about her, and he waited quietly until she finished her prayer.

After the walk, Benyak had urgent business to attend to, so he left, and Rité returned to her room alone. As she walked down the corridor, she suddenly encountered someone.

A woman with light brown hair in uniform spotted Rité and raised an eyebrow. It was the same woman who had been cowed by Aster during the trial.

“…Hey, where have you been?” Her voice was filled with resentment, but Rité replied calmly, “For a walk.”

The woman snorted derisively. “A walk? And what makes you think you can talk down to me?”

“You spoke informally first,” Rité responded.

“How dare you be so insolent to a superior…!”

“Sorry, but my superior is Aster.” Rité’s firm reply seemed to trigger the woman, whose face twisted in anger.

“Stand with your hands behind your back against the wall. I’m going to teach you military discipline,” the woman demanded, seemingly waiting for this moment to pick a fight. Rité hesitated, knowing she couldn’t afford more trouble after what happened yesterday.

Reluctantly, she put her hands behind her back and asked, “Does Aster know you’re doing this?”

At that, the woman slapped Rité, her head snapping to the side. “Aster? Is Major Cloud your friend?”

Rité turned back, her cheek swelling, and glared defiantly. “I didn’t want to be here either. I didn’t want to be involved with him.”

This time, a fist struck her, and she fell to the side. The woman looked down at her arrogantly. “So, that’s how you really feel. Pretending to be his loving partner in front of him, but you can’t fool me.”

Rité wiped the blood from her mouth with the back of her hand. The woman continued, “You let the Awakened Hunt that Aster worked so hard to capture go free? And he even let you visit him? That’s how you repay his kindness?”

“…”

“Do you even know how much trouble you’ve caused Aster? And yet you went out for a walk so casually?”

Rité stiffened slightly at the mention of causing Aster trouble, but she slowly stood up and replied, “Aster ordered me to go for a walk. I was just following his orders.”

Facing the woman directly, she added, “Do you want to impress Aster? I don’t.”

The woman poked Rité’s chest with her finger, pushing her back against the wall. “It’s Major Cloud. How many times do I have to tell you?”

“You’re wrong. Acting like this won’t make Aster notice you. Even if I disappear from the military, it won’t change that.”

Rité’s blunt words hit the mark, making the woman’s face contort with rage and her body tremble. “…That’s it. I’ll fix your attitude today. You’ll never defy the Major again. Bite down.”

The woman glared, raising her hand high. The sound of slaps echoed sharply down the corridor.

* * *

At that moment, Aster was in his private office, attending to his duties. His desk was cluttered with numerous newspapers, all discussing the political situation of the Luminous Kingdom. Particularly, the headlines detailed the growing and strengthening influence of the once unpromising young king, Shine Luminous.

The royal family’s resurgence was due to Shine Luminous, the last descendant who had emerged from hiding. When the previous king died, it seemed the era of the monarchy would finally end. However, this young man had suddenly appeared, claiming royal lineage and vowing to revive the dying kingdom, causing a significant stir.

Despite the increasing power of the republic, many royalists remained hidden, valuing pure bloodlines highly in this country. Shine’s declaration reawakened their voices, making it difficult for Lieutenant General Russell, the head of the republican faction, to fully transition to a republican government. 

The only solution was clear: assassinate Shine Luminous, extinguishing the royalists’ hope entirely.

Aster studied the man in the newspaper, with his blond hair slicked back and serious brown eyes staring straight ahead, exuding a brilliant light even through the monochrome paper. He then reviewed the intelligence reports from spies about the royal family, his gaze sharp as a blade.

Just then, a knock came at the door.

“… Major, it’s Lieutenant Khalid from the Intelligence Division. May I come in?”

“What is it?”

“It concerns Rité Rainhills.”

Aster paused, setting the documents aside, and interlocked his fingers.

“Come in.”

The man who entered was the memory-scan ability user who had previously delved into Rité’s memories. Aster asked,

“Has she caused another incident?”

“No, sir. Major Melton is currently at her quarters, abusing her. I thought you should be informed.”

Aster’s brow furrowed slightly. He stood up abruptly, grabbing his coat, and walked out.

Khalid, glancing at the piled-up documents, noticed how busy Aster seemed. Yet, he always prioritized news about her, setting everything aside. Khalid followed Aster after closing the door.

As they approached Rité’s quarters, sharp voices echoed down the hallway.

“… Keep your expression in check! Do you want more? Should I make sure you can’t show your face again?”

Rité stood against the wall, her hair disheveled, hands behind her back, while Reyna Melton raised her hand as if to slap her.

“What’s going on here, Major Melton?”

At the cold, heavy voice, Reyna paused, looking to the side to see Aster walking down the hallway with an imposing presence. She was startled by his informal tone, a first for her, but tried to hold her ground.

“I’m conducting an education session.”

“Education?”

“Yes. This woman frequently violates military regulations, even showing defiance to Major Cloud. Her attitude is affecting the soldiers’ morale and discipline. So, I’m teaching her a lesson in obedience.”

Reyna smirked and glanced at Rité. Rité, however, stared blankly at the floor, ignoring both her and Aster.

Aster approached Rité and examined her swollen, bruised cheek and bloodied lip. She still did not look at him, her blue eyes empty.

“… Am I your friend?” he asked.

Reyna interrupted confidently,

“I’ve properly disciplined her, so she won’t act out again.”

Aster slowly turned to Reyna and repeated,

“I asked if I am your friend, Major Melton.”

Reyna, startled by the coldness in his black eyes, mumbled an apology,

“I… I’m sorry.”

Aster stepped closer, looming over her.

“Who told you to do this? Did I ask you to?”

His towering figure cast a menacing shadow.

“That, that’s…”

Reyna looked away, flustered. Aster stared at her and firmly said,

“I have no intention of getting close to you. Let me make it clear, soldier. I have no interest in you, Reyna Melton.”

His calm, yet piercing words struck her deeply. Reyna’s face flushed with humiliation. It was a definitive rejection.

“And remember, no one is allowed to educate my partner without my permission.”

He leaned in, whispering like a demon,

“Don’t touch what’s mine. Understood?”

Reyna was visibly shocked by the possessive term ‘mine.’ 

Was Aster Cloud always this assertive with women?

This was the first time she saw him show such possessiveness over anyone, especially a prisoner. She felt a mix of shame and jealousy that she wasn’t the one he was so fiercely protective over.

Unable to bear the situation any longer, she turned and walked away, her steps heavy with anger. As she reached the corner, she turned and said bitterly,

“… You’ll regret this.”

Aster glanced at her, seeing her wounded pride.

“If you don’t stop her now, that woman you call your partner will eventually destroy you. The more you protect her, the more she’ll become a threat, until she finally stabs you in the back and drives a knife through your heart.”

Aster smiled.

“That sounds intriguing. My goal is to raise a perfect assassin capable of killing me.”

Reyna trembled with frustration, then stormed off around the corner. Silence fell over the hallway.

Aster turned to Rité and spoke calmly,

“Let’s go inside. I’ll treat your injuries.”

When he extended his hand, Rité turned away. Aster paused, his hand in midair. She spoke in a subdued voice,

“This isn’t your business.”

Aster’s expression softened as he replied,

“Why wouldn’t it be? I’m your partner.”

“… Really? But you and that woman are the same. I never know when either of you will decide to torment me.”

He was the man who had tried to drown her and set a warehouse on fire to kill her. Though he rewarded her survival, there was little difference between him and Reyna in terms of cruelty.

Aster seemed affected by her words, staring at her in silence. He then addressed Khalid behind him,

“… Bring her in.”

He entered Rité’s room first. Khalid, feeling conflicted, spoke to Rité.

“Please follow the Major’s orders.”

Rité looked up at him, her resolute blue eyes meeting his. He was the only person here who addressed her with respect.

“Let me assist you.”

Khalid gently guided her without force, respecting her as Aster’s partner.

Lieutenant Khalid supported Rité’s limp body as they walked into the room. Major Aster Cloud was sitting on a folding chair next to the bed, his legs crossed. He gestured toward the bed and said, “Lay her down.”

Khalid gently placed Rité on the bed. She lay still, her hands resting on her stomach, eyes closed as if she were dead.

Aster placed a large hand on her swollen, bruised face and began to heal her wounds. A healthy green light emanated from his hand. In a moment, the injuries disappeared without a trace, but Rité kept her eyes closed. The scars on her heart were not as easily healed as those on her body.

After withdrawing his hand, Aster spoke calmly, “Rest for a few days and then resume training. Everyone doubts you now, but if you train hard, you can improve your reputation. Don’t let anyone bully you again.”

His words sounded so absurd to her that she chuckled softly and asked, “Are you saying that you’re the only one allowed to bully me? How am I supposed to stop you or anyone else?”

“I told you before,” he replied. “You have two options if you want to ensure no one can touch you. One is to prove that you’re a powerful force they can’t challenge, and the other is to become my perfect partner.”

Recalling his words, Rité fell silent. Seeing this, Aster said, “Rest now.” He started to get up from the chair.

“Since coming here, I’ve had a growing thought,” Rité spoke in a faint voice, her eyes still closed.

Aster stopped and turned to look at her. She continued, her voice like a dying flame, “I can’t imagine how that child endured in a place like this. You said my brother is alive, that he’s on a covert mission deep in enemy territory. Honestly, I still can’t believe it. Sometimes I think it’s all just my wishful thinking, that I want to believe he’s alive so badly that I’ve created this terrible nightmare. Maybe when you found me back then, I was already shot and dead, and now I’m in hell, paying for my sins, enduring endless punishment.”

Rité truly believed that. While her abilities could heal physical wounds, they couldn’t mend the ones on her heart. Her outward appearance was fine, but inside, she had long since been rotting away.

The most concrete, horrifying evidence that she was alive and that this wasn’t a dream was the pain. But once that pain vanished as if nothing had happened, the emptiness in her heart grew just as large.

“Am I really alive right now?”

This doubt often consumed her thoughts.

Listening to Rité, Aster recalled something Commander Maud had once said:

“We are already dead from the moment we are captured.”

Aster stood in silence for a long time before finally speaking. “It’s true that Nox is alive. And it’s also true that you are alive right now.”

With that, he walked out of the room. Khalid gave Rité a slightly pitying look before following him.

As Aster walked down the hallway, he asked Khalid, “How does she seem to you?”

“What do you mean?” Khalid replied.

“I mean Rité Rainhills. How does she seem to you right now?”

Khalid thought for a moment before answering seriously, “She seems to be in a serious condition. It looks like she’s under considerable mental strain.”

“…”

Aster also sensed that she was reaching her limit. There was a high possibility she might do something extreme. After some contemplation, he made a decision and said, “We need to attempt a meeting with Eisen.”

“What?” Khalid asked, surprised.

Aster replied with a serious expression, “For effective cooperation, we need to have Rité meet with Eisen at least once. Prepare for it.”

Khalid responded with equal seriousness, “Yes, sir.”

* * *

A man in a suit walked alone along a quiet path, lined with neatly arranged trees and well-kept grass. His steel-colored hair blended naturally with the surrounding greenery. As he walked on the path in his shiny shoes, he stopped by a tree and looked up at a nest. A bluebird popped its head out of the nest and, after a few flaps, landed on his head.

The man laughed innocently as the bird nibbled at his hair, “My head’s not a nest!”

Due to the greenish hue his hair took on in the sunlight, he blended into the scenery near the trees. When the bird flew to his index finger, he gently stroked its head with his other finger and asked, “Is your leg all healed?”

The bird closed its eyes gently, as if nodding. This was a bird he had once found fallen from its nest. He had treated its leg and released it. Although the bird still had a small bandage on its leg, it seemed to fly fine, so he didn’t bother to remove it. It served as a symbol of their connection.

He took some nuts from his pocket and offered them to the bird. While it ate, he reached into the nest and retrieved a small note written in Aster’s handwriting. He placed a small packet of nuts in the nest and said, “I’ll be back again. Stay safe. Don’t get caught.”

The bluebird chirped sweetly in response and slipped back into the nest.

He took a long detour along the path, walking slowly, and entered a building. Once inside, he went straight to the bathroom and opened the note. It contained a series of ciphered words. His expression shifted slightly as he decoded it.

He flushed the note down the toilet and left the bathroom as if nothing had happened. He looked stoic and focused, a stark contrast to the man who had been walking on the path earlier.

* * *

While Aster and Khalid were preparing for their rendezvous with Nox, Benyak gathered the unit members for training. Stamina, endurance, cardiovascular strength, and running speed were crucial not only for mission success but also for the assassins’ survival, so they never neglected physical training.

During the intense session, the soldiers were doing push-ups in unison when Benyak sensed someone’s presence at the entrance. It was Rité, dressed in her training gear.

“I want to join,” she declared resolutely.

Benyak replied, “Major Aster told you to rest for a few days. You’re not in good condition; just go inside and rest.”

“No,” Rité insisted. “That makes me want to do it even more. Let me join.”

Seeing the determination in her eyes, Benyak relented. “Fine, join in.”

Rité took her place at the end of the line and assumed the push-up position. The man next to her sneered. “Don’t be a nuisance, traitor.”

Others around them laughed. Rité’s reputation had plummeted after she helped Commander Maud escape, betraying Aster.

Ignoring the taunts, Rité kept her gaze on the ground. Benyak reiterated the rules. “No using your abilities during training. If anyone uses their powers, the sensor will detect it, and we’ll all be doing extra drills until sunset. Learn to enjoy the pain and survive without your powers.”

The mention of enjoying pain made Rité’s eyes light up. Training was a better reminder that she was alive than lying in bed. She wanted to feel her heart pounding as if it might burst.

Benyak resumed the commands, and Rité followed diligently through push-ups, pull-ups, and dagger drills. With her face contorted and breath heavy, she thrust her dagger forward repeatedly.

As everyone stood in line practicing their dagger thrusts, Benyak approached Rité.

“Try stabbing again.”

Rité glanced at him and thrust her dagger with a shout. Benyak swiftly disarmed her, twisting her arm and wrist until the dagger fell. Rité’s eyes widened.

Catching the falling dagger, Benyak commented, “How do you expect to hurt, let alone kill, your opponent with such a half-hearted stab?”

The surrounding men chuckled, sensing the underlying jab at her inability to seriously harm Aster. Rité scowled, recalling her first encounter with Aster when she barely scratched him.

“Pair up for sparring!” Benyak called.

Everyone paired off for sparring with wooden daggers. Benyak partnered with Rité, demonstrating each move earnestly.

“Disarm your opponent and make them lose their will to fight. That moment is your chance to strike,” he instructed.

Rité, thinking of Aster, matched Benyak’s intensity. They trained for two relentless hours under the scorching sun, leaving everyone exhausted. The training in the Carta army was far harsher than the military training she had experienced in the vigilante corps.

At the start line for the obstacle course, Benyak grinned. “First place gets a water bottle and a sweet rest. The rest of you keep running until someone wins. No slacking.”

He pointed to a table with refreshing water, and everyone’s eyes widened with anticipation.

“Ready? Go!”

They all bolted, driven by desperation for water. The competition was fierce, with each hoping others would drop out. Climbing a rope, Rité was shoved, causing her to slip and fall back to the ground.

“If you can’t keep up, get out of the way!” a man yelled, climbing past her.

Gasping for breath, Rité tried again but fell behind. She knew she wouldn’t finish first. Her throat burned, and her head spun, feeling as though her body wasn’t her own anymore. Struggling to keep running, she overheard a nearby man mutter, “It’s unbearably hot…”

He was the one who had earlier called her a traitor. He looked as if he had given up, knowing he wouldn’t win. Suddenly, she sensed a chill around him, indicating he had used his powers. The sensor near Benyak went off.

“Everyone, gather up!” Benyak ordered.

They assembled, annoyed and expecting extra drills. Benyak’s voice was cold. “Who used their powers?”

The man next to Rité bit his lip in frustration. Before he could speak, Rité raised her hand.

“It was me,” she said calmly.

Benyak looked surprised. “Rité, was it really you?”

“Yes. I twisted my ankle climbing the rope and instinctively used my healing ability.”

Everyone glared at her, but Benyak, noting the tension, hesitated. “Rité Rainhills, step forward.”

Rité did so, while the man next to her watched in shock. Benyak noticed but chose not to pursue it immediately.

He deliberated briefly. Normally, he would order group punishment, but given Rité’s poor standing and Aster’s explicit orders, he reconsidered. Knowing how Aster reacted to Major Reyna Melton’s harsh treatment of Rité, he didn’t want to escalate the situation.

“Fifty push-ups,” he finally said.

Without complaint, Rité began, but her arms trembled after ten. Sweat dripped onto the dirt as she pushed herself to continue. Despite the agony, she kept going, knowing push-ups wouldn’t kill her, a thought that both saddened and motivated her.

‘Prove you have abilities beyond their reach,’ Aster had said. Rité wanted to become stronger, to prove herself, and to be a sister her brother could be proud of. She needed to integrate with her brother’s comrades.

As Rité struggled through the push-ups, the soldiers’ expressions changed. Initially irritated, some began to feel sympathy, watching her fight through the pain with determination.

Watching Rité, who had just joined, endure a punishment that even the male soldiers found hard to bear wasn’t something they were comfortable with. One of the men, clenching his fists, finally raised his hand and shouted, “It was me!”

Everyone turned to look at him, his face twisted in pain. “It wasn’t Rité Rainhills who used her ability. It was me.”

Benyak, who seemed to have anticipated this, responded calmly, “Rité, get up.”

“…No,” Rité’s defiance drew everyone’s gaze back to her as she remained on the ground. “If someone has to take the punishment, it’s better I do it alone. It was my choice, so I should bear the consequences. Isn’t that Aster’s way of teaching?”

Benyak paused before answering, “Fine. Do as you wish.”

He believed that this might actually help improve Rité’s reputation. Rité continued her push-ups, her form deteriorating noticeably. The soldiers watched, feeling uneasy as her struggle continued.

Finally, after completing fifty push-ups, Rité collapsed onto the ground. Benyak looked down at her and asked, “Why did you cover for him?”

With her face pressed to the ground, Rité replied, “…I’m already a nuisance here. It’s better for everyone to hate me than to hate each other. They were probably hoping I’d come in last anyway.”

The soldiers were struck silent by her words because they rang true. Unlike Rité, they had only been thinking of themselves in their fight for survival, realizing the selfishness of their actions.

“Rité Rainhills, get up and drink some water,” Benyak said softly, offering her a water bottle. Struggling, Rité stood and took the bottle, opening it but only taking a single sip before putting it down.

“Why don’t you drink more?” Benyak asked.

“I’m not the first place. If I drink more, the winner won’t get any. A sip is enough for me,” she explained.

The soldiers were touched by her response. Benyak, pleased, said, “Winning isn’t more important than camaraderie. Pass it around.”

The water bottle was passed among the soldiers, each taking just a sip and handing it to the next. When the last soldier received the bottle, he didn’t drink but handed it back to Rité.

“I take back what I said earlier about you being a nuisance. I ended up being the one who disrupted things. I don’t deserve to drink, so you should have my share.”

Rité took the bottle and was surprised to see it was still almost full, save for the amount she had initially drunk. It was clear that the others had only moistened their lips before passing it along.

Confused, she stood holding the bottle as the man grinned. “If we sacrifice a rookie just to save ourselves, what does that say about us as seniors?”

Looking around, Rité saw the soldiers smiling at her with newfound respect. Those who had initially wanted nothing to do with her now regarded her as one of their own.

Realizing they now saw her as a fellow soldier, Rité allowed herself a small smile.

“Those who only look out for themselves are the first to die. Remember that,” Benyak, echoing a line Aster might have said, ended the training session with a stern expression. However, his face quickly softened as he rushed off to share this inspiring story with Aster.

He felt a swelling pride, almost as if he had been personally acknowledged, and he found that he quite liked Rité.

* * *

Rité returned to her room after finishing the training. Although the other soldiers were relieved, thinking she could heal even muscle pain on her own, Rité collapsed onto her bed as soon as she entered her room.

“Ugh…”

Her whole body ached as if her muscles had torn apart. It was a miracle she had managed to walk back without showing any discomfort. The adrenaline that had kept her going now subsided, and her body was assaulted by waves of intense pain.

Rité lay on her bed, drenched in cold sweat, groaning as if she had a severe fever. After some time, there was a knock at the door, and someone entered the room.

“…I knew it,” Aster said.

Rité saw him but had no strength to respond, lying face down as she was. Aster approached and sat at the edge of the bed, gently running his hands over her shoulders, back, thighs, and calves, healing her muscle pain and injuries.

For some reason, Rité felt tense and ticklish. Despite the care in his touch, her body twitched involuntarily every time his hand brushed against her. She was still not used to someone else using their ability to heal her.

“Why are you trembling so much?” Aster asked casually. Rité, trying not to shake, tensed her body.

“Why are you suddenly tensing up?”

“…”

Rité was grateful her face was buried in the pillow. Through her hair, Aster noticed her reddening earlobes and secretly smiled. He said nonchalantly, “You don’t seem to know your body very well.”

“…What do you mean? I know my body better than anyone!”

When Rité lifted her head from the pillow and shouted, Aster leaned in close and said, “Really?”

As he reached out his hand toward her ear and neck, Rité let out a strange sound, her face turning as red as a tomato. Aster laughed softly and tucked her hair behind her ear.

“If you know your body so well, why did you overdo it?”

“…”

Rité had no response. In truth, she had partly relied on the unconscious belief that Aster would heal her later. Aster, sensing her silence, spoke calmly.

“Benyak told me. You were finally acknowledged by everyone. He looked like he was about to cry when he said it.”

Rité recalled Benyak saying that camaraderie was most important to him. She wondered if today’s event had moved him that much. He was indeed a simple man.

With the muscle pain gone, her body felt as light as a feather. Rité closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, feeling alive again. Aster watched her and asked, “Why did you participate in the training? To be honest, I instructed Benyak to let you rest because you didn’t seem in normal condition.”

“…The commander always says that a strong mind resides in a strong body. So I thought I’d try to train my body. Plus, everyone seemed to underestimate me, so I wanted to show them what I could do.”

Aster, intrigued, asked, “So you don’t need my power, is that it?”

Rité looked at him and replied, “Yes. I can prove myself without you. Becoming a perfect partner? That’s just a façade. It’s not genuine recognition of who I am.”

Aster pondered her words, seeming deep in thought. Whenever he grew silent like this, Rité felt uneasy. He was an unpredictable man.

Proving this, he suddenly said, “Get up. We’re going out.”

“Out? Why all of a sudden?”

Aster placed clothes on the bed and replied, “Think of it as a reward for today’s training.”

“…A reward? Do you think I’m a pet? Getting a reward for every good training session?”

Rité frowned as she asked, and Aster laughed. “I never said that. But from now on, you’ll be meeting a real pet.”

Rité stiffened in shock. “What do you mean?”

Aster smiled calmly. “Your brother.”

Rité’s eyes widened. She was at a loss for words, her mouth opening and closing without sound. Aster continued, “Keep up the good work, and I’ll reward you regularly.”

“Wait, wait. Explain this! You’re saying we’re going to meet Nox? But he’s on a mission in enemy territory—how…?”

“Don’t worry. I’ve arranged everything to ensure we won’t get caught,” Aster said smoothly. Finally comprehending the situation, Rité began to tremble. Seeing this, Aster chuckled softly.

“Are you that happy?”

“What if… what if Nox has forgotten my face…?”

Rité sprang from the bed, pacing nervously. The previously lifeless girl was now brimming with energy, as if she were a fish back in water.

Rité, looking disoriented, ran her hands through her messy hair, then suddenly went to the full-length mirror, examining her face as if to ensure she hadn’t changed too much. Aster watched, stifling a laugh.

“Your hair color is quite unique. Do you really think your brother won’t recognize you? I’ve heard that family bonds are very strong. Even after many years, they can recognize each other at a glance.”

“But I… I’m not ready to see Nox yet…”

Mumbling in a dazed, trembling voice, Rité’s eyes widened, and she shouted, “What am I saying? Rité Rainhills! Get a grip, you coward!”

She slapped her face with both hands, the sound echoing as if two personalities were fighting for control. It was a scene fitting for someone with her dual abilities. Aster, arms crossed, watched her amusing one-person show.

Finally, Rité came to her senses, rushing over to Aster and asking urgently, “What do I need to do? How can I meet Nox safely?”

“Calm down. I’ve already arranged a safe meeting place. But you won’t be able to meet for long. Nox is temporarily leaving his post to meet secretly. Now, change into those clothes.”

Aster pointed to the bed. Rité hastily grabbed the clothes. They were civilian clothes, nothing like what someone of high rank or military affiliation would wear.

For the first time since arriving here, she was wearing something other than a uniform. In her eagerness, she undressed down to her underwear right in front of Aster, too focused on meeting her brother to care about modesty. Aster watched silently, sitting on a chair, observing her transformation.

Though her training injuries had been healed, her body remained thin and delicate. Her collarbones and shoulder blades protruded, emphasizing her frail appearance. But when she turned around, dressed in a simple white shirt and brown suspender dress, Aster was momentarily taken aback.

She looked like an innocent country girl, her blushing cheeks enhancing the image. It was a stark contrast to her earlier appearance in just her underwear.

Seeing this new side of her, Aster smiled slightly and said, “You have a versatile face. It’s a good face, capable of wearing many masks.”

Ignoring his comment, Rité seemed not to hear him. Aster shook his head with a chuckle and stood up.

“Let’s go. Remember, this meeting must leave no trace. Rité Rainhills does not exist in this world. Don’t forget your role as an assassin.”

Nervously swallowing, Rité nodded.

The two of them drove through the dark night in a truck. The truck was designed like a carriage, with two sofas facing each other, typically used to transport prisoners under guard. Rité, staring anxiously out the window, occasionally glanced at Aster. He sat opposite her, legs crossed, leaning on the window frame, reading a book.

Aster asked without taking his eyes off his book, “Do you have something to say?”

Rité, who had been glancing at him, flinched. She had only sneaked a look at him once, yet he noticed immediately. When she didn’t respond, Aster raised his gaze and looked at her.

Avoiding his eyes, Rité mumbled, uncharacteristically hesitant, “Um… I have a favor to ask.”

Aster uncrossed his legs and sat up straight. After the incident with the vigilante leader, he was secretly pleased that she was asking him for something again.

“Go ahead,” he said.

“There’s a place I’d like to stop by before we meet Nox. I… just want to give my brother a gift as an apology.”

She didn’t finish her sentence, but Aster understood her unspoken words. Normally, he would have coldly reminded her that this meeting should leave no trace, but he couldn’t bring himself to do so now.

Blushing to her ears, Rité stammered, “I’ll pay you back later. I only need a little, just a little…”

Aster looked at her intently before asking, “What do you want to give him?”

In a barely audible voice, Rité answered, “Chocolate…”

Aster’s eyes widened slightly, then he let out a small laugh. Rité, her face flushed with embarrassment, quickly defended herself.

“Benyak said Nox likes chocolate…”

Her voice grew softer. “I didn’t know what Nox liked… We were so poor since we were very young that I never thought about having anything. Just getting necessities was hard enough…”

Aster stopped laughing and watched her quietly. Looking at the floor with a bitter expression, Rité continued.

“Maybe it was just me who felt that way… Nox was younger than me, so he must have had things he wanted. Kids at that age usually have toys they want. But he never mentioned it because he knew we couldn’t afford it and didn’t want to burden me…”

As she spoke, her heart ached, and tears welled up in her eyes. She felt so guilty for being a sister who couldn’t even buy a toy.

At that moment, Aster handed her something. She looked up to see an expensive designer wallet in his hand.

“You don’t have to pay it back. Consider it your monthly salary.”

Rité’s eyes widened.

The leather wallet looked extremely expensive, and it was filled with far more money than a month’s salary.

Aster chuckled. “Did you think you’d join our army and not get paid?”

To be honest, Rité had assumed so because she was a prisoner. She stammered, “But… this much…?”

“Assassins usually get paid well. If you think of it as the price of your life, this is actually a small amount.”

With trembling hands, Rité accepted the wallet and stared at it for a while. Her face was slightly flushed, and she seemed happy. For the first time, she was holding something valuable, and it excited her.

Aster watched her for a long time, finding her expression quite innocent and endearing.

She can make such an innocent face too… how interesting.

Turning his head, he told the driver, “Head to the most famous dessert shop in town.”

“Yes, sir.”

When they arrived at a charming dessert shop with a cute entrance, Rité said to him, “I’ll be quick.”

She quickly got out of the car and trotted toward the shop, her steps light and lively.

The driver watched her through the rearview mirror, and Aster said calmly, “Don’t worry, she won’t run away.”

Finishing his words, he got out of the car and leisurely walked toward the shop.

The book he had been reading was left on his seat, its hardcover bearing the word “Existentialism.”

Inside the shop, dazzling desserts were piled high in the display cases.

Rité’s eyes widened as she froze in place. The sweet smell and vibrant colors overwhelmed her senses.

Unsure of what to do, she walked slowly on the red carpet toward the chocolate display. The chocolates, covered in gold leaf and shaped beautifully, were also incredibly expensive.

Her blue eyes reflected the gold leaf as she stared at the chocolates. From a distance, Aster watched with his arms crossed.

In a room full of people chatting and laughing, time seemed to stand still for Rité as she gazed at the display case.

Aster found himself smiling without realizing it and was slightly taken aback. He touched his mouth to wipe away the smile, then walked over to Rité.

“Buy a set of nine.”

Startled, Rité turned to look at Aster.

“Why?”

“It needs to be a size he can carry.”

Understanding dawned on Rité, and she exclaimed, “Ah.” Nox would probably appear in dog form to avoid detection.

Nodding seriously, she carefully selected ten chocolates she liked. Aster asked curiously, “Why ten?”

“It’s my choice. I’ll pack nine, so don’t worry.”

As he looked at the chocolates, Aster murmured, “It’s better to include a short card inside the box, as if it were from a lover. If someone notices Nox’s absence, they might think he was trying to avoid being seen with a lover.”

Rité was surprised by his thoroughness but agreed it was essential to be cautious for Nox’s safety.

She walked to the counter and paid for the chocolates. The price for just ten chocolates was staggering, and she swallowed hard. But she didn’t hesitate to spend the money on a gift for her brother.

The shopkeeper smiled kindly and asked, “How would you like it wrapped?”

Rité, trying not to appear inexperienced, managed her expression and asked, “It’s a gift for my lover. Can you include a card inside?”

“Of course.”

Rité chose a pink heart-shaped card and, with a trembling pen, wrote a brief message.

[I love you. Forever… -R-]

She looked up at the ceiling, blinking her teary eyes and taking a deep breath through her nose.

She had so much to say, but she couldn’t risk giving away too much information and endangering Nox. Although it looked like a typical love note, she believed her brother would understand her feelings from these few words.

She chose a steel-colored box, the same color as Nox’s fur, to avoid drawing attention. Aster, who had watched the entire gift-buying process, had a slightly complicated expression.

Since the gift was heartfelt, Rité couldn’t help but keep glancing at the box, especially the card inside. Aster, shifting his gaze, spoke.

“If you’ve bought everything, let’s go.”

“…Okay.”

Rité hugged the box of chocolates tightly and left the store with Aster. They got back in the car and headed to the rendezvous point. Aster calmly opened the book and began reading again. Suddenly, Rité leaned forward and placed something on his book.

Aster paused and looked at what she had placed. It was a piece of chocolate.

“Thank you for doing me this favor. I bought one more as a token of appreciation, so it’s for you.”

Rité, feeling awkward, turned her gaze to the window. Aster slowly lifted the star-shaped chocolate wrapped in gold foil. His eyes, gazing at the chocolate, looked as if he had discovered a new gem. He seemed genuinely surprised that she would give him something.

He unwrapped the foil and took a bite of the chocolate. The blend of sweetness and bitterness reminded him somewhat of her. A faint smile appeared on Aster’s lips.

“…Not bad,” he said.

Rité glanced at him. Aster was staring at her intently, and his gaze made her uneasy, causing her to look back out the window.

“Do you… like chocolate?” she asked cautiously.

“I don’t like it or dislike it,” he replied.

“What kind of answer is that?”

“I’ve never thought about whether I like chocolate or not.”

Rité, perplexed, said, “Then start thinking about it! How can you not know whether you like something or not? Saying ‘not bad’ isn’t an answer.”

Aster’s expression grew subtly thoughtful. After a moment of silence, he responded slowly.

“You’re right… I should think about it. About chocolate. How I feel about it…”

Speaking seriously, he put his book down and stared out the window. He seemed to be deeply contemplating whether he liked chocolate or not, a topic that appeared more important to him than existentialism or any other profound subject.

Rité gave up trying to understand him, shaking her head as she also stared out the window. The truck rumbled down the gravel road, its headlights the only illumination. After their serious conversation about chocolate, neither spoke another word.

Eventually, they got out on a remote mountain path. Aster, returning to his cold demeanor, spoke.

“From here, we walk. If we drive further, the tire tracks will leave traces. The Intelligence Division can identify a vehicle and its origin just from the tire tracks.”

Rité shivered at the thought but nodded, her face tense. They started climbing the mountain in silence. Aster had chosen this place for its isolation, making it difficult to find, easy to hide in, and hard to surveil.

As Rité pushed aside branches, she asked quietly, “Where are we meeting?”

“Don’t ask anything until I say you can,” Aster commanded firmly. Rité, frustrated, resumed walking silently. Then he added softly, “It’s dangerous.”

Rité stopped and stared at him, but Aster continued walking with long strides. Climbing at night was exhausting, especially since this was not a path for people, and the terrain was steep. Her breath grew heavier, and cold sweat broke out. Yet Aster maintained a steady pace, seemingly unfazed by the climb.

The stillness of the surroundings amplified her heavy breathing, making her self-conscious, but she couldn’t hold her breath.

“Slow down, a little slower…”

Unable to finish her sentence, she gasped for breath and stopped in her tracks. Aster turned to look at her.

“We’re almost there. Just a bit more.”

Rité, drenched in sweat, glanced up at him. She knew the phrase “we’re almost there” was often a lie told by those leading a climb. She took a deep breath and resumed walking.

How long they walked, she couldn’t tell. The forest had been swallowed by darkness, and not even the sound of insects could be heard. As Rité kept her eyes on the ground, she bumped into Aster.

“Sorry,” she said, flustered.

Aster glanced back and extended his hand. Rité looked puzzled.

“What?” she asked.

“Grab it,” he replied.

“What?”

“Grab my hand. I can’t wait for you any longer. I’ll have to drag you.”

Annoyed by his bluntness, Rité glared at him. She thought about slapping his hand away, but before she could, he spoke again, as if reading her mind.

“When a partner offers help, just take it.”

Rité, reaching her limit, grabbed his hand without noticing he had emphasized the word “partner.” With Aster’s help, the climb became easier. His hand was large and rough, feeling like a sturdy rope.

Rité, exhausted, leaned on him as they climbed. At one point, she slipped while climbing a large rock.

“Ah!” she cried out, but Aster caught her and pulled her up.

Rité found herself in his firm embrace, staring up at his expressionless face illuminated by the moonlight. She quickly regained her footing and stepped away.

Aster observed her before pointing to a nearby rock.

“Sit here for a moment.”

Rité sat down to catch her breath, her heart pounding. Aster knelt before her, examining her knee and healing the scrape with his hand.

“You have a lot to learn. Your brother is like a mountain climber.”

Rité felt a strange sensation as she looked at him from this angle for the first time. Moonlight cast a silver sheen on his grayish hair.

Then, they heard a howl from above. Aster turned toward the sound and said, “Looks like he’s already here.”

Rité’s heart began to race wildly. Was Nox really there? Tears welled up in her eyes.

Forgetting her injury, she jumped up and started walking quickly. Her breath grew heavier, and her pace quickened.

At last, they reached the summit.

There, standing with his back to them on the edge of the cliff, was a man. His hair, illuminated by the moonlight, shone with a steely hue.

Rité’s eyes welled up with tears as she called out in a voice that had yearned for this moment for ten years, “Nox…!”

Startled by the desperate cry, the man turned around. He was no longer a boy, but a grown man, staring at her with widened eyes.

Emerging from the dense trees was a woman with the same eye color, her face contorted with tears. Though Nox had already sensed the presence of another person through their scent, he seemed bewildered when he saw Aster following behind her.

“Who…?” Nox began, his confusion evident.

Rité’s eyes widened as she extended a trembling hand. “Nox… it’s me, your sister… Rité.”

Nox’s blue eyes wavered violently at her words. His reaction was so unusual that Rité couldn’t take another step forward, frozen in place with wide eyes.

After a tense silence, Nox’s voice came out firmly. “…That can’t be. My sister is already dead.”

At those words, Rité felt her heart plummet. The moment of their joyous reunion crumbled like a derelict building.

Nox was denying his sister’s existence…

Such a situation was completely unexpected. Staring in disbelief, Rité dashed to Aster, who stood behind her, demanding, “What does he mean, I’m dead? What is he talking about…?”

Aster, with an impassive face, looked at Nox and said, “Eisen, your sister wanted to see you, so I brought her here with great difficulty. Soon, you’ll be working with her on a mission.”

The moment Nox heard the word “mission,” his confused expression turned icy again. Seeing this cold expression for the first time, Rité was once more taken aback.

Nox looked at her with cold eyes and said, “I don’t have a sister. My sister died ten years ago, shot in our hometown. If you’ve chosen a spy to impersonate her, there’s no need to deceive me. It’s starting to annoy me.”

“Nox… what are you talking about…? I didn’t die. I’ve never once forgotten you in the past ten years. I came all this way to find you…!” Rité screamed, but Nox, as if unwilling to listen, turned his back on her.

“I have to return soon. Please assign the mission,” he said flatly.

Rité couldn’t believe that her brother didn’t recognize her and was denying her existence. She had expected many changes due to his upbringing as a killing machine in the Carta military, but she never imagined he would become a completely different person.

Aster silently handed a note to Nox. After reading it, Nox tore it into pieces and tossed it off the cliff. “I’ll find a position close to you. We’re short on staff, so you might be able to get a spot through recommendation,” he said.

“…Alright, I’ll leave it to you,” Aster replied.

With that, Nox swiftly transformed into a black dog. The sight of him, so much larger than she remembered, left Rité speechless. Under the moonlight, he looked more like a giant wolf than the little puppy she remembered.

As he began to leave coldly, Rité snapped out of her daze and ran after him, hoping to give him the box of chocolates she had brought. Approaching without fear, Nox glanced at her warily. Rité, tears streaming down her face, held out the box.

“Nox, please take this… It’s chocolate, your favorite… Eat this and…” She couldn’t bring herself to say “be happy,” so she lowered her head. A tear fell from her eye, hitting the ground.

Nox, watching her, growled and struck the box out of her hand with his snout. The expensive box of chocolates fell roughly onto the dirt.

He then bounded down the cliffside with ease. The moment he disappeared, Rité’s strength left her, and she collapsed to the ground. The sight of her changed brother left her utterly disoriented.

Aster, standing behind her, silently watched the rolling box of chocolates and the weeping Rité.

* * *

Several days passed after that.

Since that day, Rité had become noticeably more withdrawn and taciturn. Aster sat in his office, reading the newspaper with a heavy expression, and asked Benyak, “Is Rité still in that condition?”

“Yes…” Benyak replied, his face also filled with concern. Since their encounter with Nox, Rité had fallen seriously ill, almost as if suffering from a fever, and had not left her room.

Aster tapped the armrest of his wooden chair with his fingers, making a clicking sound, then looked somewhere with a troubled expression. His gaze landed on the shelf where the box of chocolates Rité had prepared for Nox was placed. He had picked it up after it fell to the ground that day.

People often say that giving a gift is more exciting for the giver than the receiver. He could vividly recall Rité’s expression when she bought that chocolate. Her face, choosing something her brother liked instead of something for herself with her first paycheck, was dazzlingly beautiful.

Her eyes had shone with a lively sparkle for the first time, her cheeks had been flushed, and a slight smile had curved her lips. That moment when she had felt ‘happy’ for the first time was truly radiant, outshining even the golden-lit dessert shop.

After staring at the chocolate box for a while, Aster grabbed the armrest and stood up. “I need to go see Rité.”

Benyak hurriedly followed him as he walked briskly away.

When they arrived at Rité’s quarters, Aster knocked twice before opening the door. The room was dark, with no lights on. In the cave-like room, Rité lay in bed facing away, motionless. Aster glanced at the untouched, cold breakfast on the table.

“Get up, Rité,” he commanded firmly from the doorway.

“…”

Rité remained still. Aster walked over to the bed and forcefully pulled back the blanket.

As he expected, she wasn’t sleeping. In fact, her face looked like she hadn’t slept at all. She appeared more gaunt and shadowed than when she had first been captured, resembling a prisoner even more now.

“Leave me alone… just let me be…” she muttered weakly.

Aster’s face hardened. “Didn’t I promise to get your brother out of here?”

Rité hesitated before speaking in a melancholic voice. “Can he really leave? Would he even want to leave? I don’t know anymore…”

“What do you mean by that?”

“You saw it too… Nox has forgotten me. To him, I died ten years ago. Would he even want to be with me now? His home is no longer with me but here…”

Aster didn’t respond. He couldn’t respond. He stood by her bed for a while before speaking coldly again. “Get up. Are you an assassin who shows her back to the enemy and sleeps?”

“I’m not an assassin,” she replied.

Aster fell silent and then swiftly mounted her body, pinning her down. Benyak, standing behind him, looked shocked.

Aster grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to face him. Their faces were very close. At that moment, Aster felt a sharp sensation at his side. He glanced down to see a fork pressed against him.

“Major!” Benyak exclaimed in shock, stepping forward, but Aster raised a hand to stop him.

“You were careless this time, weren’t you? You didn’t notice the fork on the tray,” Rité said, her voice weak but triumphant.

Aster didn’t respond. Indeed, he hadn’t noticed it.

Normally, he would have immediately realized if a sharp object was missing. But today, he hadn’t noticed the missing fork, only the untouched meal.

Rité slowly placed the fork in his hand, directing it towards her neck. Aster asked, “What are you doing?”

His voice was calm, devoid of emotion, but his eyes showed a hint of unease. She applied pressure to his hand holding the fork, giving a faint smile.

“You told me that an assassin who fails their mission should die. So, will you kill me?”

Her expression was so sorrowful that Aster found himself at a loss for words. After only hearing her curse him to die, her asking to be killed made his mind go blank. This was far beyond what he had anticipated.

As silence filled the room, Benyak also stood unsure by the door.

Finally, Aster forcibly removed the fork from Rité’s neck and threw it across the room. The sound of the fork hitting the floor echoed harshly. Benyak quickly retrieved it.

Aster looked into her empty blue eyes and said, “An assassin doesn’t ask to be spared or to be killed.”

Rité laughed weakly. “Then do they die by their own hand?”

“Tell me what you want,” Aster demanded, his voice firm but with a trace of anxiety. In this tense standoff, Rité held the upper hand.

“What I want? I don’t know… What do I want?” she mused.

“Would you feel better if I brought Nox here right now?” he asked.

“Aster,” she suddenly said firmly, making him stop and look at her.

With sad eyes, she continued, “Make him happy. Please. If believing his sister is dead helps him, then let him believe that. That’s what I want now. I don’t want to hurt him anymore.”

Their whispered conversation was more chilling than the autumn wind. Aster stood over her for a long time, his hands gripping the bed sheet beside her.

Despite their aggressive positions, their lack of movement made the scene oddly intimate.

After a while, Aster climbed off her. Turning his back to the bed, he said, “I’m sorry your brother changed like that. No, it’s my fault. I made him that way.”

“…”

“For him to survive here, he had to believe you were dead. I only taught him how to survive.”

“…”

Aster took a deep breath and continued, “And now that method has changed. Increasing success and survival rates in team missions requires teamwork. Trust in each other. Don’t die until I find a way to change Nox’s mind.”

With that, he left the room. Benyak quickly followed, and Aster said calmly, “I need to meet Eisen again.”

“With Rité?” Benyak asked, surprised.

“No, alone.”

Benyak fell silent.

“For now, I’ll tell you what you need to do. Make sure Rité eats at least a spoonful before I return. If she refuses, force her to eat. Keep a close watch so she doesn’t do anything foolish.”

He paused before adding, “Keep her alive.”

Aster’s intense black eyes left no room for argument. Benyak answered seriously, “Understood, sir.”

* * *

In a forest terrain similar yet slightly different from last time, Aster quietly awaited someone. Soon, like a signal, the howling of a wild dog was heard, and a black dog emerged from the bushes.

Without turning around, Aster spoke.

“Nox Rainhills.”

The transformed Nox, now in human form, paused as he was putting on the black cloak Aster had hung on a tree. It had been a very long time since Aster called him by his real name instead of his codename.

Aster continued, “Rité Rainhills. That’s your sister’s name, isn’t it?”

Nox flinched. Had he ever told Aster his sister’s name? It had been so long that he couldn’t remember. Since the day he became convinced his sister was dead, he hadn’t even uttered the word ‘sister’ aloud.

Aster slowly turned around. Nox’s face was expressionless, but it was ghostly pale under the moonlight.

“What do you want to say?” Nox asked.

“Rité Rainhills did not abandon you.”

Nox’s eyes flickered with confusion. Aster, staring straight into Nox’s sky-blue eyes that resembled Rité’s, repeated firmly, “Your sister did not forget you. She never forgot her promise to you and never gave up on you.”

Nox’s blue eyes gradually reddened. After staring intensely at Aster as if in a contest of wills, Nox finally turned his head to the side and said, “Why… are you telling me this now? Didn’t you tell me back then that my sister was shot and killed in those ruins as I was dragged away?”

“Yes, it’s true that the order to shoot was given that day. I was the one who received that order.”

Nox’s eyes widened in surprise as he turned sharply to look at Aster. Aster continued, his expression unchanged, “And as you can see, I did not kill her that day. I let her live.”

Nox’s eyes grew even wider, his pupils trembling.

“Then…”

“Yes. She exists in this world. Under the same sky as you. The woman you met here last time is your sister.”

Nox let out a sound that was somewhere between an animal’s growl and a human’s scream as he lunged at Aster. Though Nox grabbed him roughly by the collar, Aster remained infinitely calm.

Nox, with trembling eyes, scrutinized Aster’s face and asked, “You lied to me? You’ve deceived me all this time?”

“Yes, I lied. Your sister has always been alive. She couldn’t die before finding you.”

“Why… why did you do that? My sister was everything to me, why…!” Nox cried out, his voice breaking, but Aster responded evenly.

“That’s exactly why.”

“What?”

The frantic Nox looked at Aster with shaking eyes. Aster, looking down at him calmly, continued, “So you could throw away everything and become a soldier devoted solely to your missions, with no attachments left. When you first joined the military, you were extremely attached to your sister. An assassin can’t succeed if they have something to return to. They can’t recklessly sacrifice their life for fear of causing pain to those they love. Someone who isn’t prepared to kill themselves can’t kill others.”

It was a statement characteristic of Aster.

“…Ha.” Nox let out a breath full of emptiness. Then he released Aster’s collar and staggered back a step. With his head hung low, Aster asked, “Aren’t you going to hit me? I’ve been waiting. It seems necessary for the story to proceed.”

Just then, Aster’s eyes widened slightly.

<To be continued in Volume 2>