After verifying the newly issued IDs for Ron, Nox, and Lian, Zigh wasted no time and headed straight for his car.
"Outer, keep an eye on Asley. There's something off about him," Lian's voice echoed through their telepathic link.
Outer let out a raspy chuckle. "Certainly."
As Zigh's car pulled away from the Civil Registry Office, Outer dissolved into a swirl of black mist, drifting upward toward the ninth floor where Asley's office was located. That black creature seeped through the ventilation gaps, reforming into its original silhouette—a tall, imposing shadow of a man. The creature drifted toward Asley, who stood motionless, staring out the window.
A sharp ringtone shattered the silence. The man in the black suit reached for his phone and pressed it to his ear.
"Why are you calling me?"
…
"Relax. Everything is proceeding as planned."
…
"You were the one who failed," Asley snapped back.
…
"Whatever. When are we meeting?"
…
"The usual spot?"
…
"Fine. I'll be at your place tomorrow."
Asley cut the call. Beside him, Outer let out a low, mocking laugh. "Lian, that's how it went," the shadow reported.
Back in Zigh's place, a faint smile played on Lian's lips. "Keep watching him, Outer. This is starting to get interesting."
***
Nearby, Lexin and Devin exchanged wary glances.
"Dev, what's up with him?" Lexin whispered.
"Ask him yourself."
"You... you're always like this."
Lian's voice cut through their bickering. "You two really love whispering in front of people, don't you?"
"My apologies," Devin replied. "We were just curious—what's making you so happy?"
"Aren't we going to play together?" Lian asked.
Lexin blinked. "Wait, for real?"
Devin elbowed Lexin sharply in the ribs.
"Ouch! Dev!"
Devin shot him a warning glare, causing Lexin to grumble under his breath. Annoying, he thought.
"So," Lian continued, "do either of you have a game in mind?"
Devin looked back at Lexin, who immediately pulled out his phone to show off a racing game he had recently installed. "In this one, it's not just about overtaking. You can use shortcuts and items to mess with your opponents."
Devin tilted his head, unimpressed. "Seems basic."
"If you don't have a better suggestion, Dev, stay quiet."
Devin sighed. "Whatever."
"So, all three of us are playing?" Lian asked.
Devin's eyes widened. "I have to join too?"
"You don't want to?"
Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Devin exhaled slowly. "Fine. I'm in."
Lexin threw an arm around Devin's shoulder. "There we go! The more, the merrier."
Devin clicked his tongue, trying to shrug him off. "You're heavy."
"Deal with it," Lexin retorted with a grin.
"So, how do I install it?" Lian inquired.
Lexin beamed. "Leave it to me. Phone, please?"
Lian handed it over, and Lexin began tapping and scrolling through the screen. "Just a second..."
"Lian, while he's busy with that, let's take a seat," Devin suggested.
They sat opposite each other, Lian facing both Devin and the still-standing Lexin.
"Done!" Lexin exclaimed, rushing over. "Everything's set. You're good to go."
Lian took the device back. "Thanks."
Lexin patted Devin's shoulder. "You got it installed too, Dev?"
"I've had it."
"Then let's start!"
In stark contrast to Lexin's explosive enthusiasm, Lian remained composed and stoic, while Devin simply resigned himself to following the flow.
***
Meanwhile, on his way to the hospital, Zigh's mind drifted back to the exotic fish he had seen in Asley's office aquarium.
"That fish... it looked like a rare species. How did Asley even get his hands on it?" he muttered to himself. He really hasn't changed. Always chasing after something reckless. He shook his head, clearing his thoughts.
A few minutes later, he arrived at the hospital and made a beeline for Ron and Nox's room.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Come in," Ron's voice called out.
Zigh pushed the door open and approached the two brothers, handing an ID card to Ron. "Take this."
Ron examined the card. "That was... surprisingly fast."
"Of course it was. I was the one handling it."
Ron offered a small, appreciative smile. Zigh then turned to Nox, handing him his card. "Here you go, Champ."
Nox's eyes nearly bulged out. "Why does my face look like this?"
"Registry office filters," Zigh said.
"Drop it, Nox. You actually look better, don't you?" Ron chimed in.
Nox snorted. "Thanks."
"Don't mention it," Zigh replied.
Ron stood up, his expression turning serious. "When do you plan on starting the operation against Orleander?"
Zigh ran a hand through his hair. "I've identified the mastermind. Now we just need to coordinate the ambush."
Nox sighed. "And how did you figure that out?"
"Lian helped with the investigation," Zigh explained.
"You mean Outer did, right?" Nox countered.
Zigh paused, looking around. "Is Outer here, Champ?"
"Ever since you stepped into this room, that shadow creature hasn't been around."
Zigh felt a wave of relief. Finally.
"Zigh, let's keep the focus on Orleander," Ron urged.
Zigh nodded. "Right. When are you two being discharged?"
"Tomorrow," Ron answered.
"Tomorrow, huh? And where exactly are you planning to stay?"
"Rhea's place," Nox remarked
Zigh sighed. "You're just going to live there for free, aren't you?"
The brothers clenched their fists, unable to find a comeback.
"Look, it would be better if you stayed at my place to look after Lian," Zigh proposed.
"Why?" Nox asked instantly.
"You're his bodyguards, and you want to help me, right? Logistically, my house is the most efficient choice."
Ron closed his eyes for a moment. "We'd need to say our goodbyes to Rhea first."
"Ron..." Nox muttered, glancing at his brother.
"Feel free. I'll pick you up tomorrow." Ron fixed Zigh with a sharp gaze. "Zigh, you know why Lian left Rhea's house in the first place, right?"
Nox's gaze also turned toward Zigh, demanding an answer.
"I know enough."
"And you're sure Lian will even accept us?"
"Well..." Zigh trailed off.
Silence filled the room. Zigh pulled out his phone and tried calling Lian. It rang out, but there was no answer.
"Good grief, what is he doing? Is he asleep?" Zigh grumbled.
"Well?" Ron asked.
"He's not picking up."
"Just send him a voice note," Nox suggested.
Zigh pressed the record icon. "Lian, Ron and Nox are going to stay at the house with us. What do you think?" He hit send and let out a weary breath. "What are your numbers, by the way?"
"Our phones are gone," Ron said.
"The first one went down a ravine," Nox added.
"Huh? A ravine? What do you mean, Champ?"
"Well—"
"Nox!" Ron cut him off.
Nox shot Ron a look. "Ron, just let the Colonel know how much of a psychopath Lian can be."
Zigh let out a short laugh. "A psychopath, huh? Well, I'm just glad that black creature isn't here right now."
"You seem awfully happy about Outer being gone," Nox noted.
"Imagine being watched 24/7 by an invisible entity with eraser abilities. How would you feel?"
"Probably pretty suffocated," Nox admitted.
"Nox, watch your language," Ron scolded.
"You're surprisingly honest, Champ."
"It's just the truth."
Ron sighed. "What about you? Lian has been at your place for a few days now."
Zigh ran his hand through his hair again, looking a bit paranoid. "That... he... Nox, are you absolutely sure Outer isn't here?"
"Why are you acting like this?"
"Champ, just tell me! Is that shadow thing here or not?"
"I told you when you walked in: Outer isn't here. He's still not here."
"Can we move on, Zigh?" Ron asked.
"Can you two help me with the logistics for Lian at my place?"
"What? Why us?" Nox complained.
"Because you're his bodyguards," Zigh shot back.
"So are you," Ron pointed out.
"The fact is, you have no money and you're freeloading. You need to work."
Nox pointed a finger at him. "You really want to—"
Ron placed a hand on Nox's shoulder. "He's right, Nox. We have nothing here—not even a cent to our names."
Nox clicked his tongue. "Damn it."
Zigh smirked, looking satisfied. "Ron, I appreciate your logic. So, we have a deal? I provide food and shelter, and you help me look after Lian."
"Fine. We don't want to be a burden to anyone anyway," Ron agreed.
"Champ? You in?"
"Fine."
"Glad we could reach a mutually beneficial agreement."
"You're a real piece of work, Colonel."
"Don't grumble, Champ. Just do what you can for now."
Zigh checked his phone again. Still no response from Lian. He tried calling Lexin next, but that too went unanswered.
"Strange. Why isn't Lexin picking up either?"
Nox and Ron exchanged a look.
"Ron, I think there's a problem."
"Stay calm, Nox. Let's see how this plays out."
"One last try. I'll call Devin," Zigh muttered.
But just like the others, Devin didn't pick up.
"What on earth are they doing?"
Lian's previous words flashed through Zigh's mind. They... they better have a good excuse.
To be continued...