"Where is Hella?"

Kim Dokja looked around and asked Hecate. Even though he couldn't spot the energetic Sinner anywhere, the signal from his shackles indicated that she was still near. Hecate answered with a blank expression, as if she was just talking about leaving her pet at home:

"She got trapped, but she's fine. I'll go back and untie her when we get this sorted out."

Then, she glanced at Yoo Joonghyuk. Right after he let go of Kim Dokja, she immediately jumped in between them, while throwing out her protective stance. She asked:

"Chief, do you know that man?"

"He's a friend. How come you two get here together?"

"He got me and Hella out of the drifter's cage, then Hella and I follow your shackles here."

Then, they finally turned to the girl in Nightmare's palm. Her white and pink attire was strange, like a mix between Western and Eastern styles. Dozens of coin-like accessories hung from her jacket, making a series of clanking sounds when she tried to struggle. In her hand was a peculiar instrument in silver.

Noticing Hecate's ice-cold gaze, the girl immediately exclaimed:

"Woah... why so aggressive? I was just joking with him. I don't really want to fight him. It's not like I have the power. I just wanted to join the fun, so don't get mad, okay? Didn't your Chief say he wanted a talk with the Drifter Camp? I'll help!"

Yoo Joonghyuk coldly said from a bit further behind Hecate:

"We don't need you."

"Well... Haven't you been away lately? I'm sure there were many changes you weren't aware of..."

The girl stuttered for a bit, and tried to make excuses. Kim Dokja chimed in:

"You've been to Drifter Camp before?"

"A few times."

"Not just a few! He is the famous Mr. Yoo of Drifter Camp! You could ask everyone around and they could all tell you how popular he is— What, why look at me? I'm helping you!"

Yoo Joonghyuk ignored her, he turned to Kim Dokja:

"The Architect asked me to bring you over to talk. As long as you are with me, none of the drifters will harm you."

"The Architect?"

"You can call him leader of the Drifter Camp."

Kim Dokja didn't seem surprised by the news, instead, a glint of suspicious flashed over his eyes:

"I thought he didn't want to see me. The group before was his people, wasn't they?"

A rare expression of tired flashed across Yoo Joonghyuk's face.

"...That kid was a special case. That's why he asked me to come."

Yet he was still late.

Noticing a dark cloud was hovering over Yoo Joonghyuk's head again, Kim Dokja couldn't help but pat him with guilt:

"Erm... It wasn't your fault, that was my plan from the start anyway."

"...You could have told me, I would never say anything..."

This time, dark clouds hung on Hecate's head. Even Nightmare's usually wagging tail hung down like an abandoned puppy.

In the next five good minutes, Dudu watched the scene of Kim Dokja squeezing every one of his brain cells to appease the two depressed people, in awe. If her mood previously was mostly anticipation from catching great news, then now it was mostly dumbfounded.

She had never seen Mr.Yoo so expressive before, probably none of the Drifter Camps did either.

After Mr. Yoo and the girl named Hecate seemed to have regained their normal composure. Dudu saw the MBCC's chief turn towards her.

"The plan has changed. I have to hide my identity, and you know too much, Sinner."

He was one thing, but the group from before had seen Hecate and Hella's faces. He couldn't risk letting them be exposed. But before he could do anything, Yoo Joonghyuk already pulled Kim Dokja to his arm, while pointing his sword in a direction. Kim Dokja could feel the energy gathered on his blade, overflowing yet compressed like a dwarf star.

A shadow fell from the sky and smashed heavily into the ground. It was a person wearing a hood, and on closer inspection, it was a woman with waist-long black hair, a belt with two golden 'K.K.' branded on it. She landed in a handsome pose on one knee, silent, cold, and stolid like a monument. Her frozen gaze stared directly at Yoo Joonghyuk:

"Let him go."

Yoo Joonghyuk didn't back down, even narrowing his eyes dangerously. Sensing the situation was about to become complicated, Kim Dokja immediately pulled his sword down and stood between the two:

"Wait! He is an ally! and why are you here?"

K.K. answered him, still maintaining her pose:

"I've been waiting here to meet up with you. Adjutant Nightingale heard of your plans and came to me. I used to live in Drifter Camp before you caught me."

Ah, so she knew too.

Kim Dokja's lips twitched, already sensing a wave of nagging coming ahead. Hecate frowned as she inspected K.K. closer:

"No restraint, no trackers... she just put you back in an uncontrolled area? What was Adjutant Nightingale thinking? Wasn't she afraid you would escape?

"I won't run away. I need to get you back to MBCC to complete the commission. Adjutant Nightingale promised a commission fee, and I have to get it... I just went back to my store to check. Those two already owe 8 months of rent and utilities, and the door is sealed... So..."

K.K. was a member of Whitestone Industries. As great as it sounded, it actually had only three members, including her. Since he was partly responsible for her boss and colleague's disappearance, Kim Dokja could feel his guilt seeped in again:

"...Say no more, sorry."

The two quietly stared at each other for 5 seconds, even Hecate and Dudu were watching them curiously. Finally, K.K. could not help but reach her hand out:

"Um...Chief... can you give me a hand?.. I jumped down too fast, and my feet are numb..."

Under the judging gaze of Yoo Joonghyuk, Kim Dokja pulled K.K. back on her feet. He pointed her to the captured sinner:

"Do you know her?"

"You mean Dudu?"

"She knows something she shouldn't. I need to know what is going on and what to do about it."

Hecate asked him:

"Should we capture her?"

"Just need to put shackles on her. I can't trust her, and we need to keep her quiet."

Dudu glared at Yoo Joonghyuk, begging for his help. But Yoo Joonghyuk completely ignored her. She had many ways to get out of this situation, like calling the drifters from around with her suona. After all, this was her turf. But with the condition that her suona must be faster than Mr. Yoo's sword. Furthermore, now that the MBCC's chief was a guest of The Architect, no need to mention the drifters, Mr. Yoo would execute her first!

"Um, wait, Chief. Dudu can be untrustworthy many times, but she is an honest businesswoman, she wouldn't...."

Sensing a spider's thread hanged down in front of her, Dudu immediately grabbed it:

"Yeah, I saved you and this is how you treat your benefactor?"

"Since when did you ever save me?"

"When you were lying unconscious in that little box, I played a long, long song to wake you up. It's all because of my healing songs that you don't have any broken bones or concussions! It cost me 10 good songs you know! That's 20,000 Discoins in total! and..."

Dudu paused for a moment, as if her lively appearance could no longer be maintained. They deflated a bit, but immediately puffed up again:

"I know the corruptor inside Drifter Camp's whereabouts. You are here to investigate that matter, aren't you? Pay up and I will lead you there!"

...Being able to make a deal in such a situation, he had to give her for that.

Even K.K. drew a cold breath as she heard the price, she grimaced at him. Yoo Joonghyuk stood with his arms crossed, fully entrusting the decision to Kim Dokja.

He indeed needed that lead, and while the shackle was the safest option, he didn't want to use it on others unless he was at a dead-end. Kim Dokja thought for a bit and started bargaining:

"10,000."

That was half of the original price. Dudu shook her head vigorously:

"No, no deal! Aren't you with the authorities? Why are you so cheap?"

"I don't have any savings. 15,000."

"No, no, this is the best deal you'll get. I'd lose too much otherwise, either pay in full or search for the lead yourself!"

"17,500, I'll get an advance on next month's salary."

"19,500! My last offer! A friendly price for K.K. and Mr.Yoo! No more bargaining! Countdown to three seconds to close the deal. Three...One!"

"Alright."

Kim Dokja made a slightly grimace expression, while sighed inwardly.

Poor Syndicate. Prices really are ridiculously low here.

Yoo Joonghyuk watched Kim Dokja take advantage of the Sinner girl with dead fish eyes. 20,000 Discoins is but a drop in the bucket, yet he still acted as if it was a fortune. A memory of Kim Dokja's throwing thousands of coins and making deals with the 'constellations' resurfaced. That man was a real menace.

A small businesswoman like her would never stand a chance.

Kim Dokja hadn't signaled Hecate to let Dudu down, so she still hovered half a meter over the ground. He added:

"One more question, and you can charge me extra for this. You do know a lot, where did you hear those things? Tell me, and I'll pay you whatever you want."

Dudu stiffened for a moment, her alertness extruded from both her expression and body language. This girl's lying skills still need a lot of improvement, Kim Dokja silently commented:

"Huh...? I'm all-knowing."

"If you were all-knowing, you wouldn't be up there. You must have heard about me in advance, but where?"

"Hmph... You can't afford the answer, and I'm not putting a price on it."

"But it's important to me."

Kim Dokja took one step forward. Suddenly, a cold breeze grazed past everyone's skin, made their hair stand on end, and chillingly brushed across the back of his neck. In this extremely deep patio, wind should be impossible.

A dozen meters away, the walls seemed to get darker. From the outline, however, it was a modest one-story bungalow with a long chimney at the back. A door had opened, and a woman leaned against the door frame. The priestess outfit on her body did not brighten the atmosphere, but only made it creepier.

Of course, it's her.

Yoo Joonghyuk began to silently calculate his chances of winning if he had to confront this woman. Out of all the Sinners he had ever met, she was one of the rare few who could counter him. However this time, the woman did not pay attention to Yoo Joonghyuk, her gaze locked directly at Kim Dokja, as if as if she had finally met the person she had been waiting for so long.

"...There's no use. A lot of people have told me about you already."

So it's her.

As he finally got it, Kim Dokja turned to face the unfamiliar woman:

"What else do you know?"

"Come in, Kim Dokja. I'm not used to talking outside."

The woman sidestepped back into the house, leaving only an open, dark door. As much as Kim Dokja was curious about the woman, he didn't follow her immediately. He turned to K.K. first:

"Do you know her?"

"I'm not sure... If I'm not wrong, then she is the keeper of this funeral home, but I have never seen her in person before."

K.K. scratched her head, looking as confused as Hecate, while Dudu was wearing a stern expression. However, what made him pay attention the most was Yoo Joonghyuk's reaction. From the moment he left the coffin, Yoo Joonghyuk always paid attention to only him and their surroundings. But from the moment that woman appeared, all of his attention focused on her, immediately on high alert. Even now, when the strange woman had disappeared behind the door, that vigilance remained undiminished.

Did those two have a grudge?

Because of their position, Kim Dokja could not see her upper body clearly, only the long black skirt and coldness that did not resemble that of a living person. Even so, he still needed to find out. As one of his feet was already on the doorframe, the airy voice of the woman suddenly wafted out from the darkness:

"I only invited the Chief in, uninvited one should not disturb us."

A bit behind, Yoo Joonghyuk was obliviously following him, showing no intention of letting him go alone. His deep voice clashed directly with the woman's:

"I will decide that."

"Hm... still as arbitrary as ever, you didn't change at all."

After that, the sound of the woman's footsteps became distant, as if didn't bother to argue anymore. Kim Dokja immediately followed her into the darkness. The door seemed to lead to a cold tunnel filled with the smell of dust and mold. Kim Dokja could hear the woman's slow footsteps in the distance. The echoes made it sound like they weren't the only three here, but also made the place seem empty.

The cold seeped beneath his skin, making him unconsciously shiver. His fingers instinctively reached forward, but were only greeted by an ice-cold wall. Something tripped Kim Dokja's toes, making him stumble. A warm and strong arm immediately reached out to support him.

The older man's cold body made Yoo Joonghyuk frown. His temperature seemed even lower than it was outside, and the thin layer of his coat did not help retain any heat at all.

At the same time, a white and slender hand catches Kim Dokja's. The owner of that hand said:

"Sorry, I was too used to the darkness. I will light the candles for you."

With a swish, a little flame flickered in front of them. He could finally see her face, beautiful and calm, both soft and cold in the lime green candlelight. She was right in front of them, but also felt like she was in another world.

"Your hands are cold. Why didn't you put more clothes on? It's rare to see people or sunshine here. ...Also, stop faking your death. It doesn't suit you."

As she finished her sentence, her unreadable gaze shifted to Yoo Joonghyuk, a bit similar to the disappointed look of Lee Seolhwa when she tried counseling him. Yoo Joonghyuk was ready to stop whatever came out of her mouth, but only a faint smile bloomed, before she turned around and continued to move forward. The lit tunnel wasn't long, as they soon arrived at the iron door at its end. The woman pushed the door open and led them into a small room. It was the main hall of the funeral home.

An emaciated woman was already in the hall. Upon seeing the white-haired woman, she immediately came closer, totally ignoring the two men behind her. She grabbed the arm of the woman with withered hands.

"Oh, good lady, you're back. My daughter..."

"She's ready."

"Thank you, thank you so much...Can I see her? Can you take me to her?"

The white-haired woman glanced at Kim Dokja, smiling. The old woman in front of him seemed too determined, and he couldn't find it in him to turn her down, so he nodded back. The priestess led all of them to a smaller, empty room with nothing but a single bed with wheels in the middle. A girl was lying on it. Her eyes closed, her body was covered with a white blanket and several white flowers. The older woman rushed toward the bed, sobbed chokingly. As she bent over her, her bony hands shakingly touching the girl's hair:

"Mia...My child..."

The girl's skin was flawless, her lips were red like a blooming rose, and her eyebrows and sideburn were neatly trimmed. It was as if she was only sleeping. The old lady checked the girl's breath with trembling fingers, only to be disappointed. She busted into tears.

"She looks alive, even looks better than when she was really alive..."

"I put some makeup on her. She always wanted this. Now, her wish is fulfilled."

"I know... She told me she really envied Eastsiders. She wanted a used lipstick, wanted to work to make money. I should've done that for her. If I knew this would happen, I'd..."

The priestess waited without expression behind, as the old lady wailed beside the bed. Her sorrow seemed to never end. After a long time, the old lady turned around and tugged the sleeve of the white-haired woman again. She looked dazed and on the verge of a breakdown.

"Lady, I know you can hear her... Please ask Mia... Does she hate me for not realizing her dreams? I couldn't give her a better life. She was born in Syndicate..."

The priestess answered her calmly:

"She doesn't have hate anymore. All her pain is gone."

"Is that true...? Thank you... Thank you..."

"You're welcome."

"Can I stay with her? How much time do we have?"

"Mia is scheduled for cremation tomorrow morning. You're welcome to stay here until then."

The mother broke down. She kneeled down, hanging on the white-haired woman's dress, and eventually fell to the ground. The priestess stopped talking. She looked up slightly, glanced at the girl on the bed, turned around, and took the other two out of the room. The door closed behind them, locking the mournful cries away.

The silent walk continued, Until eventually, countless dispersing monuments appeared in front of them. Without sunlight, this was the bottom of the deep patio of the large complex, while bridges, large and small, blocked the sky. The priestess finally stopped and turned around, facing them:

"This is the Romanesque Hall, the bottom of Drifter Camp, a place of farewell and remembrance. I'm the hall manager. I take the bodies of the deceased, make them look their best, cremate them, send them off, and inscribe the names on the memorial. You can call me Oak Casket."

She looked at Kim Dokja with her arms folded, and smiled:

"About six months ago, I started hearing about you from those Maniacs you 'eliminated'. Your shackles impressed them when their lives were coming to an end."

For one second, Kim Dokja thought he heard wrong. Even though he wasn't that much of a materialist, the concept of the soul actually existing still couldn't help but shake his worldview for a moment.

"That mother from earlier said you could 'hear' the deceased. Is that true?"

Oak Casket chuckled at his doubtful eyes:

"Hehe, they assume this out of superstition or because they want it to be true. My power, however, is only an expression of Mania."

"...You're a Sinner."

"Yes. Many years ago, I looked death in the eyes and was sent back. Since then, I have gained the ability to 'hear' the last words of some revenants. Those infected with Mania will turn into a thin consciousness field after death, like an echo, or a mirage. It's the last remnant of their consciousness, some kind of obsession. It's not as strong as the mental contamination, so people can't sense or understand it, except me."

That would explain a lot of things , Kim Dokja thought, and recalled the girl in the previous room:

"Like that girl who wanted to wear makeup."

"Exactly."

"So you learned about me by obtaining information inaccessible to the alive."

"Exactly."

"Then, can I ask you something?"

Oak Casket smiled. Her eyes curled slightly, and shifted to reflect the reverse images of both Kim Dokja and Yoo Joonghyuk:

"Will you use your shackles on me if I say no?"

"Maybe. It's quite important, concerning you and everyone's life here."

Oak Casket let out a laugh that sounded like a sigh:

"Hah... Everyone's life...Is life much of a precious thing in this world?"

A strange smile fleetingly revealed on her lips, but soon turned back to normal:

"But since it's you, I'm happy to answer."

Kim Dokja arranged the memories in his head, while slowly telling her his purpose:

"I'm tracking down... a monster. It's like an ugly, huge half, constantly oozing filth, leaving huge scorch marks everywhere it goes and awakening the contamination in slumber. It has been to the square Black Ring with numerous deaths and injuries, and I don't know when it will come to Drifter Camp. Have you seen it somewhere, or do you know what it wants to do?"

Oak Casket pondered with her hand under her chin:

"Is this thing your enemy? If you could destroy them, maybe I can read them for you. But unfortunately, they're still alive. Then it's out of my reach."

"Are there any other victims, like, say, Mia? The girl who just passed away. You said you could sense the mental contamination field left after the death of a Maniac. That means Mia was corrupted by Mania, right?"

"Yes, she couldn't bear the mental pain, was dragged into the abyss of chaos, and left this world. It was indeed the effect of Mania. But all I know is that she was not consumed by the pain of fear brought by the monster. Her last consciousness rested in a gray mirror, feeling profound sorrow for her bleak life. Sorry if this disappoints you. I can't see everything the deceased went through. I can only listen to the 'wishes' they left behind,"

Kim Dokja nodded his head in understanding, he expected as much. So he decided to change the subject:

"Did you reveal my information to Drifter Camp's forces? Do you consider me an enemy of Drifter Camp?"

Oak Casket was still smiling, but it was like the smile was frozen on her face. She seemed to have become a lifeless statue. After a long time, she spoke:

"I'm not anyone's enemy, nor will I take anyone's side. Even if people expect or request something from me, they will soon understand that I cannot do anything for them. What I have seen and heard are the remnants of people who have died. They failed to change the world while they were alive, and they sure can't do anything after they die. All I can do is listen to their grievances, do small rituals that won't change anything, make up for their regrets, and let them leave in peace. It's the only reason for me to stay here. And that applies to you too. Even if you put shackles and orders on me, I can't be of help."

Kim Dokja stood opposite her. Her words were devoid of any emotions, but therefore devoid of any deception, and have an oddly convincing feel. A calloused hand grabbed his, pulling him toward the only exit of the backyard:

"That woman won't be any help for you. Let's go meet the Architect, he will help you investigate that monster."

Kim Dokja turned his head and looked over to Oak Casket. She had put on a gentle smile again:

"Are you leaving? Please... give me a moment."

She gestured for him to give her the Bureau jacket, then took it inside. Not long after, she returned to him with a dark cloak and draped it over him. The cloak was heavy, with a zip up to his collar. Its style was typical of Drifter Camp. Oak Casket inspected him from head to toe and smiled, this time her smile seemed a little more lively:

"It's a great fit. Your identity is somewhat sensitive, so be careful. People up there may recognize you through that outfit. Not everyone will see you as an enemy, but they won't see you as a friend either. Don't expose yourself so easily."

Kim Dokja pulled the hood up. The thick cloak was definitely better than his previous one, warming him up gradually :

"Thanks, but didn't you say that you wouldn't help me?"

"It's just a little reminder."

Oak Casket took out the pendant and hung it around his neck. She placed it gently on his chest, revealing the small glass ball with a faint blue glow - it was the very Hypercube fragment he brought out of BR-004.

"...You're carrying someone's trust. It's from someone noble, who spared nothing to send you back from the realm of the dead, and passed on the purest blessings and hopes to you."

"And you want to fulfill his last wish too?"

Her eyes carried a tint of pitifulness toward Yoo Joonghyuk, then drifted back to the Hypercube pendant in her hand:

"Oh, that would be too hard. After all, you're not someone who values your life. We're all entrusted by the dead to walk this side of the world. I wish you well, too. Go for it, but don't force yourself. Let go of what you can't change. They stepped into the land of the dead just to bring you back alive."

The voice in front of him became somewhat distant, and the woman's expression was hard to read. She stopped in front of the memorial, along with the many names of the deceased. Like she was going to disappear into another world, like she would never leave.