Chapter 371: A Leap of Faith and a Glimpse of Hell
On the walk back through the lamplit streets, Vi glanced at Caitlyn, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Cupcake, are you serious? You actually believe that little psycho? 'Just find any door'... that's the craziest thing I've ever heard."
Caitlyn's gaze drifted over the cobblestones, her expression thoughtful. After a long moment, she answered softly, "I do believe her."
Vi's hands flew up in exasperation. "Why? Because she… she treated you to dinner at that weird shop? That's a hell of a long shot, Caitlyn! You're putting your trust in a wanted criminal!"
Caitlyn let out a soft sigh. "Vi… back in that shop, a very… delicate-looking girl said something to me."
"Said what? You know I hate it when people talk in riddles," Vi grumbled, kicking a loose stone.
"She said that the laws and order we uphold… they're the laws of Piltover's elite. The nobles, the wealthy merchants. The only reason the common folk feel safe is because they happen to live within the city walls, where life is stable."
The words hung in the cool night air, and even Vi fell silent. She thought about it, and a grimace tugged at her lips. It was true. While they did their best to protect everyone, they'd both seen it countless times: the powerful committing crimes with impunity, only to turn around and use those same laws to crush their rivals. The irony was suffocating.
Vi shook her head, trying to clear the thought. "But that doesn't change what Jinx has done. She's still a menace."
Caitlyn's frown deepened. "What that girl said made me reconsider things. Have you ever really thought about Jinx's crimes?"
"She's never actually tried to kill anyone, Vi. Not a single civilian. All she does is cause destruction."
"What about all the theft?" Vi countered, though her voice lacked its usual conviction.
"Theft? She blew the doors off the treasury vault and didn't take a single coin. She broke into the private collections of nobles, ignored priceless artifacts, and just covered the walls with graffiti. The only things she's ever stolen are weapons components, isn't that right?"
Vi stopped in her tracks, stunned. The pieces clicked into place with an unsettling clarity. It was true. As far as they knew, Jinx had never committed a truly heinous crime. Her actions were more like terrifying, city-wide pranks. Dangerous, yes, but not malicious in the way a murderer or a thief was.
If that was the case, then Jinx was just a chaotic force of nature who enjoyed destruction for its own sake. She resisted arrest, antagonized them, and made a mockery of Piltover's public order. But… they always responded with the full force of the Enforcers, as if they were hunting a monster.
"Still," Vi said, her voice softer now, "that doesn't prove what she said is true."
Caitlyn shook her head, a weary sigh escaping her lips. "You felt it too, Vi. The seriousness in her voice. If what she said is real, she might make one last appearance and then vanish from this world forever. For Piltover, that would be a permanent solution. People can change… eventually."
She paused, her gaze meeting Vi's. "Just like I changed my mind and let her go."
Vi ran a hand through her short hair, groaning. "I don't know if you're crazy or I am. I can't believe I'm actually going along with this."
A small, rare smile touched Caitlyn's lips. "No, you're not going along with her. You're choosing to believe me, Vi. As always."
Vi scoffed, a faint blush dusting her cheeks. "Cut it out with the mushy stuff. Save that for whatever poor guy you end up with. So, are you really going back to that shop tomorrow night? To see that owner?"
"See the owner?" Caitlyn's composure instantly cracked. "Why would I want to see that man who does nothing but bully me! I'm going for the delicious food and to relax. In fact, I've already put in for leave tomorrow night. For both of us."
"What?! Hey! You can't just decide that for me! I'm not going back to that creepy optician's shop to watch you play with doors!"
"Don't worry," Caitlyn said, a hint of smugness in her tone. "We'll go to my place. That way, no one can see us. Very considerate, right? My treat, so don't worry about the cost. And even though that man is a handsome… jerk, his cooking is incredible. And it's very cheap."
"How do you know it's cheap?"
"Because even Jinx could afford a meal there."
"Alright, fine!" Vi relented. "I'll go. But I'm going to get a good look at this 'handsome man' you keep talking about."
"He's a bad man!" Caitlyn insisted, her face flushing.
"Then you're paying for my transport."
"It's just a car! Simple! But he's still a bad man! Vi! What are you laughing at? Be careful, or I'll arrest you!"
"Oh, wow, arresting a fellow Enforcer? Getting bold, aren't we, Cupcake?"
As the two partners bickered their way down Main Street, a very different scene was unfolding back in the otherworldly diner. Ren had just finished explaining the function of the interdimensional door to Lucifer, whose crimson eyes lit up with an almost manic glee.
The rules were simple. The owner, the owner's family, or anyone personally approved by the owner could travel to a world linked by one of the guests. A trip could be made once each morning, noon, and evening. One could return at any time, but only one round trip was permitted per day. The arrival point would be near the guest from that world, or in a designated safe, uninhabited area. To return, one simply had to find any door, or even an empty space, and will themselves back.
Upon hearing this, Lucifer, who had been planning to make her trip the following night, discarded the idea instantly. She was going now. She needed to familiarize herself with a new world, and more, she needed to unleash some of her magic. Being cooped up in this mundane realm was practically suffocating her.
She grabbed her phone, told Ren she'd be back around nine in the morning, and asked him to save her some breakfast to eat at the gym.
Then, with an expression of pure, unadulterated excitement, she stepped into the shimmering white light she had been longing to enter.
The rest of the night passed quietly, its final moments marked by the arrival of Yuuka Kazami. Her usual pristine appearance was marred; the hem of her dress was singed, and a faint scent of ozone and scorched petals clung to her. She didn't speak of the fierce battle she had clearly just endured, and Ren knew better than to ask. This time, she simply ordered an extra Botamochi. Learning that Yumiko was temporarily away, she said nothing more, merely eating in contemplative silence.
"Here is the payment, Ren," she said, placing a few gold coins on the counter. "Your cooking is as exquisite as ever. By the way, aren't you going to ask if I'll agree to link my world?"
Ren shook his head as he collected the coins, a knowing smile on his face. "There's no need. Miss Kazami, if you had decided to link it, you would have found a way to subtly hint at it during your meal. You haven't made up your mind yet, have you?"
Yuuka clicked her tongue softly. "Tsk… This is why men like you are dangerous. I will consider it. Yumiko can give you my answer when she returns."
"We look forward to your next visit."
As Yuuka Kazami departed, the sky outside began to pale with the first light of dawn. Perhaps because Yumiko and Lucifer were also counted as otherworldly guests, the diner had been unusually quiet that night. Ren didn't mind. He felt a sense of contentment, knowing his friends were out exploring or handling their own affairs. They would be back, at the latest, in a few days.
"Master, Master, Master! Catch me!"
A blur of white shot through the air. Ren expertly caught Cerberus as she finished another one of her practiced takeoffs. The triple demon wriggled in his arms, looking around curiously. "Eh? Where's Lucifer?"
After Ren explained, he watched as Cerberus, her curiosity piqued, trotted over to the special door and pulled it open. A brilliant white light spilled into the room. She was about to step inside when the sound of footsteps from the main entrance made her slam the door shut.
What Cerberus didn't know was that in that brief instant, a connection had been forged. On a vast, grassy plain in another world, Lucifer was channeling a powerful spell, scanning the area for strong creatures. The moment the door cracked open on the other side, a flicker of alien energy crossed the dimensional barrier.
Miles and worlds away, in an office piled high with infernal paperwork, Pandemonica felt the sudden, intrusive ripple. The Sadistic Demon, feeling utterly dead on her feet, looked up from her work, her gaze piercing the crimson sky of Hell. She pushed her glasses up her nose, her normally cool and tired expression colored by a flicker of surprise and deep doubt.
"The Boss's energy… in the human world?"
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