Silvermane Guard Restricted Zone.
A certain Zeig was carrying Abyss Flower, chatting and laughing with Gepard while scattering seeds of love all around.
Suddenly, a Silvermane Guard rushed in hurriedly.
"Lord Executor, something's wrong!"
"Huh?" Zeig turned around.
"The Supreme Guardian requests that you head to Qlipoth Fort immediately; there's an important matter to discuss."
Zeig stared blankly at Gepard.
"Why don't you become a fortune teller?"
Gepard coughed awkwardly twice. "If there's a chance, I could give it a try."
He said seriously:
"Safe travels."
"…"
Zeig helplessly followed that Silvermane Guard toward the Administrative District.
He vaguely guessed what had happened, but when he entered Qlipoth Fort, he realized he had still been too naive.
Inside Qlipoth Fort.
Cocolia held an ice-crystal spear, radiating chilling air.
Below her stood a large group of flustered and helpless Silvermane Guards, as well as… a certain blue-haired man.
Upon seeing Zeig, the blue-haired man's heart filled with joy. He quickly stepped forward to greet him:
"Big bro, you're finally here! We've been waiting so bitterly for you, woo woo woo."
Just as Sampo was about to hug Zeig, Zeig vanished from sight.
"???"
While Sampo looked around for him, Zeig had already appeared beside Cocolia.
Seeing the icy intent in Cocolia's eyes, Zeig's heart tightened. He asked nervously:
"Boss, what's going on? Did they steal vegetables?"
Cocolia frowned:
"Executor, perfect timing."
Cocolia held her spear and slowly descended from the platform. "All the Silvermane Guards returned unscathed—except Bronya is missing."
She walked up to Sampo.
Raising her spear, she thrust it hard against Sampo's abdomen!
"Tell me," she said, "how exactly should we deal with this guy?"
Zeig's eyebrows shot up. He immediately pulled out his AK from his coat and said excitedly: "What else? Empty the magazine!"
Sampo quickly raised both hands:
"Wait wait wait… calm down, you two. Killing me won't change anything—it's not like your little miss will come back just because of that."
"Where is Bronya now?" Cocolia asked coldly. "You asked me to recall the Executor, and I've already given you that courtesy by bringing him back."
Zeig's eyes widened. "So I was the delivery?"
"Now," Cocolia continued, her gaze growing even colder, "you can state your objective."
"Haha, calm down first." Sampo hurriedly stepped back, brushing the frost off his coat and smiling innocently. "My request is actually very simple. The little miss is in my hands right now. If you want her to return alive, exchange him for her."
Cocolia frowned:
"Why must it be the Executor? As far as I know, he doesn't have anything valuable on him. This doesn't fit your usual style."
In Cocolia's impression, the most valuable thing on Zeig was probably the card she herself had given him.
"He has medical skills!"
Sampo spread his hands.
"Your old pal Sampo isn't the type to set up even his good big bro, right? I just want him to go to the Underworld and treat one of my clients. After all, medical resources down there are really strained—you know that."
Zeig sat in Cocolia's office chair, fingers interlocked on the desk, brows tightly furrowed.
This guy was doing everything he could to get him down there.
Cocolia turned back to look at Zeig:
"Executor, what do you think?"
Zeig was shocked:
"No way, Boss—are you actually agreeing to this?!"
Sitting in the Supreme Guardian's seat, he stared wide-eyed: "This guy is full of tricks—we have to be careful!"
"Then just kill him when the time comes," Cocolia said coldly.
Those words gave Sampo goosebumps all over.
"Isn't that a bit too ruthless?!"
"I trust the Executor's strength. After all, even Captain Gepard has acknowledged him." Cocolia slowly turned toward the Silvermane Guards.
"All of you, withdraw."
"Yes, Supreme Guardian."
The Silvermane Guards left Qlipoth Fort dejectedly—they were the very squad leaders from the group Bronya and Zeig had previously led.
Zeig picked up a cup, took a sip of tea, set it back down, and declared righteously from the chair:
"Fine. Since it's come to this, I'll have no choice but to enter the tiger's den alone!"
Seeing Zeig agree, Sampo immediately grew excited: "Hahahaha, big bro, don't worry—I definitely won't harm the little miss. Once you're in the Underworld with me, you can take a nice stroll with her, and then I'll send both of you back up here safe and sound."
Cocolia frowned: "A deal is a deal."
Sampo readily agreed: "Of course!"
Zeig objected: "No can do, Boss—I'm requesting funds!"
Sampo was stunned: "Big bro, I'm the one doing the kidnapping and I haven't even asked for ransom yet—how are you so shameless?"
Cocolia looked at Zeig, who was calmly seated above, and frowned: "Why do you need money again? Did you already spend everything I gave you?"
Zeig shook his head:
"Not at all. I'm just worried Bronya might have a hard time down there. Money makes the world go round, you know."
Sampo couldn't help but applaud: "Brilliant. I'm the one kidnapping, and you're the one asking for money—truly shameless."
Cocolia's voice remained cold: "The two cabinets under the desk are full of Winter City Shields. That should be more than enough for you down there."
Upon hearing this.
Zeig immediately opened the cabinets and dragged out several cloth bags from inside.
"Whoa, it really is. Sampo, come help me count them quick."
"Coming!"
The blue-haired man immediately ran to Zeig's side and excitedly began counting the Winter City Shields.
"No need to count—they're sufficient," Cocolia said, spear in hand as she slowly walked toward the two.
This scared Sampo into retreating at once.
Zeig happily pocketed all the Winter City Shields.
Completely oblivious to how Cocolia's expression was growing darker.
"So, Executor." At some point, Cocolia had appeared beside Zeig, her voice even colder.
"Huh?" Zeig looked up from the chair in confusion.
"You're sitting quite comfortably."
"Yeah, this chair feels great—Boss, you really have good taste."
Cocolia nodded lightly, pressed her spear against Zeig's face, and said softly, "Get out of it."
"Roger that."
Zeig immediately vacated the chair.
"And this tea." Cocolia picked up the cup and frowned:
"How does it taste to you?"
Zeig slapped his thigh and praised repeatedly:
"Delicious! You really have exquisite taste!"
"Pour out the tea and throw away the cup," Cocolia said speechlessly. "I'll get a new one."
"…"
After casually splashing the tea out the window, Sampo below urged:
"Big bro, let's set off soon—it's getting late."
Zeig tucked the teacup into his coat and frowned:
"Set off? How? Which way are we taking to the Underworld?"
Sampo smiled faintly:
"Well, that's a little private method of old Sampo's—can't reveal it. Big bro, you might have to pass out for a bit."
Zeig stood beside Cocolia, looking puzzled:
"A private passage? Is it that complicated?"
Under the gazes of Cocolia and Sampo, he slowly stepped back.
Raised his hand.
A hazy curtain of light appeared behind him.
At the same moment.
On a street in the Underworld.
A beacon glowed faintly.
"I'll go ahead first." Zeig waved his hand and stepped into the light curtain.
Leaving only Sampo below, staring in stunned disbelief.
He clutched his hair in disbelief.
Slowly uttered:
"Huh?"
…