Pink crystal fragments burst from his skin. His limbs were severed from the rest of his body, quickly followed by a trail of spiralling crystals from the vacant sockets—until they froze in the air. More shards pierced out of his skin, shifting and aligning in deliberate patterns.

  Flexible thin tissue breached its surface—encircling his crystallized head. Leaves budded along his torso and stem-like neck, carrying a floral scent.

  There was no blood, screaming, or any struggle. As it is with anyone who finally returns to their origins.

  "Now, aren't you beautiful? But I've seen better roses," Kura stated. The ceiling's crumbling ceased. A small purple needle protruded from above before retracting back through the hole, its purpose already fulfilled.

  If the man remained alert and ignored the ceiling's strange sounds, Kura planned to penetrate his brainstem with the needle, instantly killing him while minimizing the risk with Besar.

  But if he took her sights off her, then that distraction alone would be enough to safely acquire the hostage.

  "What did you do in there? Please tell me they're alive..." Fyinn's hands trembled against the dome, anticipating the worst.

  "The threat has been neutralized. The kids remain unharmed." She showed little reaction. After stepping away from the closet, the translucent dome disintegrated to dust.

  Fyinn immediately took off, running past Kura. "Besar! Juey! Ohara!" He froze in place, dazed by the crystal structure.

  He felt a hand wrap around his. Its softness was soothing to the touch, one he recognized.

  "Hey, are you okay?" she asked softly.

  Fyinn didn't move. He continued to look ahead, avoiding her gaze.

  "You're still bleeding," she whispered. "You can't be moving around like that. Take a rest on the sofa. I'll bandage you up after I dispose the other one in the kitchen."

  "Did you really mean what you said?" He finally turned towards her, blood seeping through his fingers. "That the kids mean nothing to you?"

  "Honey... It's just..." Her voice trailed off. "You don't understand. This world is not what you think it is. But I promise to explain every—"

  "That's not what I'm asking about!" He broke his hand away from hers. "Trading my son's life for mine!? You can't honestly expect me to believe that's how you truly are!"

  "I wouldn't allow any harm to befall him." She placed her hands on his shoulders. "Please believe me. I admit my approach was dangerous, but—" She paused, noticing he was still suspicious.

  "I'm sorry," she breathed, releasing him. "I'll take care of the last one. Let's talk after."

  Fyinn nodded in reluctance before walking into the closet. He was relieved to see them all breathing, but waking them was still a must.

  Kura made her way back to the kitchen, blood stenching the once-clean air. Terra, the woman who was still agonizing in pain, spiked herself upon seeing Kura.

  "That was a nice surprise you had, but your calculation was insufficient and lacking. I suppose it's only fair that I retract my decision to spare you."

  Terra clenched her lips, watching Kura approach her with sharp blades that tipped her fingers.

  "Okay! Okay! I was wrong, but I can still be useful. Information—you want information, right!?"

  Kura halted. "What's stopping you from giving false intel?"

  Terra remained silent for a moment, unsure if she had a valid answer. But her question poked a nerve. It was true she was desperately trying to buy time, but given the recent events within the organization, why should she die for them now?

  Hardly any of the higher-ups could be trusted when it was discovered he was potentially alive. So is there even a point in remaining loyal?

  "To tell you the truth—"

  "Kura!" Fyinn passed through the kitchen's entrance. "Let me handle this one."

  "Fyinn? You're still injured—don't move so much!"

  "Never mind me, I need to get to the bottom of this now. That's not possible if you kill her."

  The detective? Despite the intense pain rippling throughout her body, a tinge of hope pricked through. If I'm lucky, maybe he'll arrest me.

  Fyinn paused for a moment before seeing the impaled man. There was so much blood. He had never seen anything like it.

  She's also capable of this? Was she even human? Not wanting to get distracted, he engaged his focus on the other two.

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  Fyinn didn't pay much attention to the violet spikes impaling Terra. The emblems on their jackets were what he was more concerned with. This might be the breakthrough he needed to thoroughly dismantle the organization.

  "I was doubtful at first, but the Black Flowers really are behind this."

  "You already discovered what we are called? No wonder they wanted us to assassinate you. I take it you already know the true name behind this stupid cult."

  He actually knew who was after him? Kura crossed her arms, weariness flickering through her features.

  If he's involved with people using Huska Tools, this isn't a matter a normal detective can handle.

  "You're not planning to play dumb?" he asked, a bit surprised she wasn't going to put on an act. According to the spy they planted among their members, they would rather execute themselves than spill anything.

  "What's the point? I'm through with all this nonsense. After everything I sacrificed for them, they made all of our efforts meaningless."

  A purple light shined from Fyinn's wound. The skin crystallized before turning to a red tint. He looked at his wife, who quickly averted her gaze.

  "It's temporary. Try not to move too much dear."

  Fyinn turned again towards Terra, who kept a neutral appearance.

  "Never knew you had someone like this close by your side," she commented.

  "Couldn't agree more. But in regards to the case within your organization, does Hezekiah have something to do with it?"

  He hadn't received all the details. But a rift had developed between the Black Flowers and upper management. He couldn't meet with the spy often, but the last thing he mentioned was that their valuable tool, Hezekiah, was executed—so to still see him alive in person raised questions.

  And he doubted he would be the only one who had them.

  "You know about him too? Someone does their homework. Recently, a few teams were sent to hunt him—or the 'imposter,' as they want to call it. They must really think we're stupid."

  I'm not sure about that. Even if it was exposed they secretly kept him alive, they would've come up with a better excuse than this—unless they really thought he was dead. According to the informat, there was no public execution, and that's all the information I had. I should've apprehended him during the traffic accident, or had someone arrest him before he left the hospital.

  "Where did you find these Huska Tools? Don't you know it's illegal for ordinary people to possess them?" Kura finally spoke.

  "Of course you would know what these are. But what do you mean illegal? These are developed by Sunset Garden. And only we know about their existence."

  "Your words make no sense. It doesn't matter who makes them. It's forbidden by the Unity Council for any ordinary person to know they exist, let alone use them."

  "The Unity Council?" The girl fell silent for a moment. "I'm sorry, can you explain what that is? I've never heard of it."

  Now Kura was lost for words. Were these people really running around with tools that don't belong in this plane? And don't even know it?

  "If you don't know, then forget it." She turned towards Fyinn, who silently listened to their exchange. "I was hoping things would continue the way they are, but that may no longer be possible."

  Fyinn was about to ask what she meant until space started warping in the corner of the kitchen.

  Light bent out of place, the space twisted and unraveled until two forms began taking shape.

  Fyinn's eyes widened.

  "A deer...? And is that Piana?"

  The space around them warped back into place. The girl had her arms wrapped around the deer's neck, dangling above the floor.

  "Haha, I finally caught you!"

  "Is this what you meant when you said one was already secure?"

  "It was safer for her to be with it. It also killed one of the intruders out in the field."

  What in the world? Did I see that right? Terra observed. As much as she wanted to be curious about what was actually happening, she had another priority.

  "I was wondering why one of us was missing —auggh!" The pain had yet to subside. Faintness was setting in. "I'm more than willing to say everything. Can you do something about these spikes?"

  "Huh? Mommy? Daddy?" Piana noticed her surroundings. Blood stuck to the soles of her feet, the odor stung her nose. To her left was a man who was pierced too many times to count, and a woman in a similar state.

  Something moved in her stomach—a bubbling, rising slush. It was uncomfortable. She collapsed to the floor, gagging, getting the same sticky substance on her hands.

  "I'm right here, sweetie!" Fyinn rushed to her, helping her up. "Just focus on me."

  Piana was silent, not even looking at her father. She couldn't take her eyes away. It felt wrong to look—she wasn't sure why. None of it seemed right, she couldn't be told to describe it if asked. But she knew one thing, that the man was dead.

  "I'll take her to the other room. Don't do anything to the woman, Kura."

  "If that's what you wish."

  They're going to keep me like this? I'll bleed to death at this rate. Even moving hurts... They're not going to let me go?

  After he exited the kitchen, Hyuzz the deer approached Kura.

  A tingle streamed across her mind.

  You want to establish a mental link now? Is the matter that urgent? She closed her eyes, allowing the link to connect with her mind.

  "It's been two years, Hyuzz. I'm hurt you two don't visit often. But I can forgive you this once."

  "Your Highness, I regret to inform you of some sorrowful news." Hyuzz, ignoring her antics, cut right to the chase.

  "Stop calling me that. I divorced that man a long time ago."

  "I will never disregard the Empress of the Dark Sea Region. The King still claims you as his own."

  Terra watched the two in silence, confused why nothing was happening. But given it was these two that killed their unit, she didn't feel comfortable prying.

  "He's hopeless. Should've moved on a decade ago. Enough about him." The baby she held was still soundly asleep. She pinched his cheeks with a gentle smile before facing Hyuzz. "How's my son doing? It's about time he meets his baby brother."

  "I came here specifically because of him."

  Her heart thumped, her lips beamed.

  "He's finally thinking about us now!? I knew he would come around—"

  "He's dead."

  Her face changed. "What?" she audibly spoke, catching Terra's attention. "I think I missed a few words. Reestablish the mental—"

  "Your firstborn son Hyonda has been murdered, my Empress."