Jeanne woke up from her bed. Walking with sleepy eyes, she looked at her reflection in the mirror for a moment.
"I forgot to shower yesterday… I fell asleep right after finishing packing…" she thought while stretching her body.
She glanced at her short, silver-white hair, now messy, then her gaze shifted to several boxes she had packed and the few belongings she would bring for the move.
Jeanne walked toward the bathroom, passing the dining area. Her eyes fell on the wall clock.
"Six in the morning…" Jeanne let out a sigh. "I woke up too early…" she scratched her head before continuing her intention to bathe.
She took off her nightgown and clothes one by one, letting them fall to the floor without care, then turned on the faucet of the bathtub. A thin layer of steam clung to the glass surface. Jeanne wiped it slowly.
Her half-asleep blue eyes suddenly widened when she saw the area of her stomach reflected in the mirror. She rubbed her eyes as if she had seen it wrong.
"Hah?"
Her eyes widened in shock as she fell to the floor in disbelief. Her gaze locked onto her stomach, where a tattoo of a serpent eating its own tail appeared—exactly like the necklace Eugene had given her.
Jeanne tried to wipe her stomach, trying to erase it. She rubbed it. Once. Twice. Her skin turned red… but the symbol did not fade in the slightest.
Her heart pounded, a cold fear washing over her.
"This… isn't ink…" her breathing became uneven.
For a moment, Jeanne tried to calm herself by closing her eyes. "T-This is really a tattoo… but how is that possible?" she looked at it in denial. Jeanne bit her lip softly, sweat and discomfort flowing together in sync.
"This tattoo looks like that necklace…" Her expression froze. "Then what's the connection?"
TOK TOK
Jeanne flinched when she heard a knock on the bathroom door.
"Who?" she wondered in her mind.
"It's me…" a small voice of Jeanne replied, followed by a giggle. "Why are you so scared?"
Hearing that, Jeanne clutched her head and shut her eyes tightly as if refusing to hear anything, her breathing erratic and her chest tightening.
"Calm down… Jeanne…" Jeanne dragged her body closer to the bathtub and plunged her head into it, holding her breath before lifting it once she reached her limit.
Water streamed down her hair and face. She slowly turned her head toward the door, but it was silent, as if nothing had happened.
Breathing heavily, Jeanne wiped her face with both hands.
She stayed still for a moment, hugging her knees, her head lowered.
"Stop bothering me!" Jeanne gritted her teeth.
She tried to calm herself and think rationally. After a few minutes, she attempted to think about the tattoo.
"Is this because of that necklace? This is hard to believe… but how?" Jeanne slowly hugged herself. She remained silent in place. The atmosphere was quiet, with only the sound of water filling the bathtub.
She glanced at the serpent tattoo on her stomach for a moment. Then she stood up and got into the bathtub.
She held her stomach, trying to think about the origin of the tattoo that had suddenly appeared—she didn't even know since when.
"Could it be when I wore that necklace?" she was afraid of Eugene, yet somehow, she didn't feel that man would hurt her.
"Or not?"
Jeanne let out a resigned sigh. The more she thought about it, the more her head hurt.
"I don't understand…" she muttered softly, submerging part of her face into the water, blowing gently until small bubbles formed on the surface.
…
After finishing her bath, changing clothes, and having breakfast.
Jeanne stood in front of her wardrobe.
She wore a white long-sleeved top with a high collar that wrapped around her neck. On the bottom, a dark blue short skirt covered her waist, paired with black leggings that clung tightly to her legs. A pair of brown mid-calf boots completed her appearance, while a simple necklace with a serpent devouring its own tail hung on her chest.
Jeanne fell silent for a moment, her hand gently touching her stomach.
"I… don't like this…"
"Why did it appear…?"
"I'm scared of this tattoo… but I don't know what it means…"
She then took the long gray coat hanging in her wardrobe and put it on.
"For now, I have no choice but to ignore it… even if I'm a little unsure."
Jeanne looked at the time on her phone.
"Eight in the morning, I have to leave soon," she put her phone into her coat pocket.
The sound of a horn from the moving truck could be heard—it had arrived and parked in front of the apartment building.
She looked at her now-empty room, then walked out and observed it one last time.
A few minutes passed. The boxes and belongings she would bring had been loaded into the moving truck by the workers.
Jeanne stood in front of her apartment door. With a heavy breath, she forced a smile.
"Goodbye."
She left the apartment, occasionally greeting and answering a few questions from her neighbors about why she was moving.
She walked toward the luxurious car belonging to Isabella Goodwin, which had been waiting at the roadside near the apartment sidewalk.
"Sorry for making you wait, Miss Goodwin," she said, looking at Isabella sitting gracefully inside her luxurious car.
"Get in," Isabella, wearing red gloves, her beautiful golden eyes looking at Jeanne calmly.
Jeanne nodded as Isabella's servant and personal driver opened the door for her.
"Miss Goodwin, thank you for paying for the moving service."
"No need to think about it. I helped you because I wanted to."
Soon, Isabella instructed her driver to depart.
The luxurious car moved at a steady pace, leaving the apartment behind. Jeanne looked at the apartment she had lived in for so long, slowly fading into the distance.
"I haven't told Anna yet," she remembered her friend.
Jeanne fell silent for a moment, glancing at Isabella beside her. "Miss Goodwin… what would be a reasonable reason to tell my friend about this job?" she asked, trying to seek advice despite her hesitation.
"I-I mean, how do I explain this new job to her…" Jeanne scratched her cheek awkwardly.
"A reason?" Isabella, wearing a black bonnet and a gothic black dress that was both elegant and aristocratic, looked at Jeanne for a moment.
"Just say you got a job you like, and one that pays better. That's enough," Isabella replied indifferently.
Jeanne looked at the red gloves Isabella was wearing. She wasn't satisfied with the noblewoman's answer, so she decided not to pursue it further.
…
District One, Résidence Royale.
Tall houses that clearly belonged to middle to upper-class nobles.
A few minutes later, the car stopped in front of a luxurious mansion.
A towering fence of concrete and iron stood high, as if separating the world inside from the outside.
The large gate opened by the guards, allowing the car—and the moving truck behind it—to enter the estate.
"I-Is this… the place they meant?" Jeanne could only stand still, her mouth slightly open. The building before her was more like a castle than just a house.
The car door was opened by a maid. Isabella stepped out, followed by Jeanne.
She inhaled the fresh air from the beautiful garden as she was about to ask Isabella something—
"Jeanne!" Selena ran out of the mansion, calling her excitedly.
Jeanne turned in surprise. "Selena?"
"You finally came!"
"Finally came?" Jeanne frowned in confusion.
"Why are you asking? Didn't Miss Isabella tell you?" Selena tilted her head.
Jeanne shook her head slowly.
Selena tapped her chin, trying to recall. "Yesterday, Mr Leo told you to move, right? That night, Miss Isabella suggested to him that you could stay here—with me and Miss Isabella."
"Huh? Really? In a place this luxurious?" Jeanne was slightly shocked, briefly glancing at Isabella, who was instructing her servants.
"Then why not stay at the apartment provided by the organization?" Jeanne asked curiously.
Selena leaned closer and whispered. "It's scary there… lots of insects… and it's like a military camp."
"That's what I heard from Mr Elliot," Selena smiled proudly.
"That sounds pretty terrible…" Jeanne swallowed.
But something felt off. "Huh? Have you never stayed there?" Jeanne raised an eyebrow.
Selena smiled. "Never… I was taken care of by Father Virginia and Mr Leo, then joined the organization and was invited to live here by Miss Isabella."
"Then why are you spreading that rumor…" Jeanne gave a wry smile. "She was raised by Father Virginia and Mr Tolstoy?"
"Father Virginia… is that her father?" Jeanne wondered to herself, but she chose not to dwell on it.
"Let's go inside," Isabella, who had finished with her matters, invited the two of them.
Jeanne followed her, glancing at the maids lined up at the entrance, all looking elegant with intricate and refined designs.
She whispered to Selena beside her. "This is a nice place… is this also some kind of residence for Special Detectives who have Authority? And long service?"
"This is one of Miss Isabella's private residences," Selena replied.
"P-Private? One of them?" Jeanne was shocked, blinking several times in disbelief.
"She's truly a wealthy noble…" Jeanne let out a sigh, a mix of envy and admiration filling her heart.
…
Toward evening, in a narrow, dark, and muddy alley.
Eugene and Johann walked side by side, Eugene nudging Johann.
"Johann, treat me… I'm out of money," Eugene complained.
"No. You're the one who dragged me here. So pay for it yourself!" Johann replied indifferently.
"Come on… I'll treat you next time," Eugene nudged him again teasingly.
"No!" he refused firmly.
"Please, I'm begging you…" Eugene kept nudging Johann's arm, whining like a child.
Annoyed, Johann activated his mass ability. He tapped Eugene's brown coat, focusing the weight onto it.
Eugene's body suddenly became heavy, as if being pulled to the ground.
Thump.
"Your debt to me still isn't paid!" Johann glared at Eugene, who was lying on the ground.
A moment later, Eugene got up, dusting off and straightening his dirty coat. He slipped his hands into his pockets and let out a dry laugh. "I'll pay it back," he said, turning his face away.
"Damn pachinko addict!" Johann commented.
The smell of alcohol grew stronger as they arrived in front of a small, quiet bar with a flickering signboard.
The door opened slowly, and a small bell chimed softly.
Inside the dimly lit bar, there were only a few people—rough workers drinking themselves into a stupor.
They walked toward the bartender's counter and sat down. "Hello, Mr Hawk, long time no see," Eugene greeted casually.
"Two martinis, Mr Hawk," Eugene said, looking at the mustached bartender dressed neatly. The old man named Hawk was polishing a glass with practiced, professional movements.
"Can I pay later?" Eugene smiled widely.
"You haven't been here in a long time. And the moment you show up, it's just to go into debt, Vidocq," Hawk said, looking at him mockingly.
Hearing that, Eugene forced a laugh.
"Mr Hawk, have you ever seen a man wearing a white top hat decorated with feathers, carrying a red cane, dressed in a black-and-white tailcoat, with blonde hair?"
Hawk, his black hair neatly combed, stared at Eugene for a moment. "There are many of my customers who fit that description," Hawk said, placing two small glasses of martini on the counter.
Eugene glanced around the rather quiet bar and smiled. "You really do have a lot of customers, huh?" he teased.
Johann sipped his martini slowly, his expression remaining flat. "I told you this was pointless. But you insisted on coming here anyway."
Eugene laughed at Johann's complaint, drank his martini, and said, "Let's wait a bit,"
Johann snorted without replying.
Clack.
A door a few meters near the counter opened. From it, a girl with black hair tied in a ponytail stepped out, wearing an apron and neat bartender attire.
"Nao," Eugene called, waving his hand familiarly at the bar waitress.
Nao, holding an aluminum tray, smiled and approached him. "Long time no see, Mr Eugene."
Eugene smiled foolishly, reaching for one of Nao's hands holding the tray. "Yeah… I really missed you… your hands are still as soft as ever…"
He gently stroked it. "Let's get married, Nao." Eugene grinned foolishly at her.
Nao returned the smile. "Marry yourself."
Eugene placed a hand on his chest, exaggerating his expression. "This is the fifth time you've rejected me, Nao…" he said, putting on a fake sorrowful face.
Seeing his behavior, Johann ignored him as if already used to it.
BRAKK!
The bar door was slammed open, and everyone inside immediately turned toward a group of poorly dressed, rough-looking men entering the bar.
Their presence clearly disturbed the atmosphere.
A large man with strange hair and an obnoxious outfit stepped toward the bartender's counter.
"Give us beer." His words sounded less like an order and more like a command.
Hawk nodded professionally without responding.
The large man glanced at Nao and smirked. "Hey miss, do you have a boyfriend?" he asked.
Nao, clearly uncomfortable, forced a smile without answering. She briefly glanced at Eugene, who was still smiling as he drank his martini.
The large man chuckled. "Is he your boyfriend?" he asked again, looking at Eugene with a condescending gaze.
"I'd be lucky to have someone like her as my girlfriend," Eugene replied, laughing with an exaggerated expression.
Hawk, having finished preparing several glasses of beer, placed them on the counter and tray. The large man took one and deliberately poured it over Eugene's head.
"I didn't mean to spill it."
Eugene smiled. "It's fine, it wasn't intentional, right?" Beer soaked his coat, shirt, and dark red hair.
Nao looked shocked and quickly took a handkerchief from her pocket to help clean him.
"Thank you, Nao."
Nao smiled and nodded. "It's nothing."
"Tch…" the man clicked his tongue, then grabbed another glass of beer and walked back to his group.
Johann stood up, took out some cash from his pocket, and paid for the drinks—treating Eugene as well.
Seeing that, Eugene smiled. "You're the best," he said, patting Johann's back as he slowly got off his seat.
"See you, cheap Hawk," Eugene mocked.
They walked past the other patrons.
Nao carried the beers to the group's table and set them down.
"Hey pretty lady, want to drink with us?" one of them asked.
"She's got a big *ss, hahaha." They laughed without restraint. Nao gripped her tray tightly, clearly holding back her anger.
"You're right, heh."
The large man sitting beside her suddenly slapped Nao's butt. "Hey!! That's rude!" Nao, having reached her limit, threw the aluminum tray straight at the man's face.
They laughed as if it didn't matter. "Boss, she's mad at you!"
"Do you only like losers like them?" one of them mocked, referring to Eugene and Johann as they walked past.
He deliberately threw beer at Johann, soaking his clothes. Johann's already cold, expressionless face darkened.
The group laughed again, their laughter irritating. "What's wrong? Are you mad, loser?" the skinny man taunted.
Johann, who had been silent, suddenly walked toward them. His gaze sharpened. "Apologize," Johann demanded firmly.
"This is bad…" Eugene muttered, though his smile didn't fully fade.
"Does it matter?" the skinny man said, glancing at his laughing companions.
Johann, who had been holding back, finally snapped. He kicked the table, sending it flying—glasses and food scattering everywhere.
"Hey, what are you doing!?" the large man stood up, facing Johann.
BUGHH!
Johann's fist slammed into his face without hesitation—the dull crack of bone echoed as his body was thrown into wooden tables.
The air in the bar turned tense. Some patrons backed away, already knowing what was coming.
"Boss!" the skinny man shouted in shock.
Johann glared at him, grabbed him by the throat, lifted him, and slammed him into the wooden floor hard enough to crack it. Foam formed at the man's mouth as his eyes rolled back—he passed out.
"Well… this turned messy… you really can't hold yourself back," Eugene said, watching Johann.
"Are you okay, Nao?" Eugene asked, seeing her on the floor, visibly shaken. Nao nodded and ran away.
Eugene walked toward Johann, smiling with closed eyes.
"Annoying," Johann muttered.
Seeing their boss and companion defeated so easily, the rest of the group fled without looking back.
Johann and Eugene approached the large man slumped among broken tables and chairs.
Eugene took out a small square photo from his pocket and showed it to him.
"Have you seen this man?" The photo showed a blonde man with glowing red eyes, wearing a feathered white top hat.
"I don't know him!"
Johann stepped forward, staring at him coldly.
CRACK!
The sound of bone snapping echoed sharply as Johann crushed the man's hand under his shoe.
"AAARGHH!" His scream filled the silent bar. Even the drunken patrons seemed to sober up, feeling his pain—yet their eyes showed satisfaction.
"I-I… I know him…" the man stammered in fear.
Eugene glanced at Johann. "See? I told you it wasn't pointless."
Johann only scoffed, brushing off his soaked clothes.
…
At Isabella's residence, Jeanne had finished arranging her belongings in her new room.
"This room is really spacious…" Jeanne glanced around, comparing it to her old one.
She threw herself onto the large, soft bed. "This is even softer," she rolled around.
TOK TOK
A knock came from the sturdy, elegant wooden door.
Jeanne quickly stood and opened it. A maid stood outside. "Lady Goodwin requests your presence for afternoon tea, Miss Weels," she said politely.
"O-Okay…" Jeanne nodded and followed her, descending the luxurious marble stairs to the backyard.
She saw Isabella elegantly enjoying tea with several unfamiliar pastries.
She approached her.
"Sit," Isabella said briefly.
"Yes."
For a moment, silence filled the space, making Jeanne uneasy.
"Miss Goodwin… thank you for letting me stay here."
Isabella gently stroked her golden retriever. "Don't think about it too much. Are you uncomfortable?"
Jeanne shook her head quickly. "N-No! I just… still can't believe it."
"That's good," Isabella sipped her fragrant tea.
She then signaled the servants to leave.
After they were gone, Isabella spoke again. "I want to ask you something."
"Please…"
"Will you regret joining?" she asked, crossing her arms as her sharp gaze studied Jeanne.
"…"
Jeanne fell silent. She bit her lip, lowered her head, then slowly raised it—her blue eyes meeting Isabella's golden ones.
"I don't know… but I understand a little about the dangers of being a Special Detective…"
"But I'll do my best not to regret my choice."
Isabella smiled faintly, covering it with her hand. "You're quite strange," she added. "Don't regret it," she repeated softly, her gaze sharpening.
"Because in this place… those who hesitate don't survive."
Jeanne didn't deny it. She nodded slowly.
"Why aren't you drinking? Don't you like it?"
Jeanne blinked and looked at her cup. "N-No, it's not that…" She quickly picked it up and drank the fragrant, high-quality tea. "This is delicious…"
Isabella nodded. "It's from my own tea plantation. Naturally, commoners like you wouldn't have tasted it before."
Jeanne almost choked, forcing a faint smile as her gaze lowered. "Just how rich is this woman…" she thought, then added inwardly, "Well… she really is wealthy."
"What is it?" Isabella looked at her, noticing the change in Jeanne's expression.
"I-It's nothing, hehe…" Jeanne turned her face away, looking up at the afternoon sky.
"Where is Selena?" Jeanne glanced around the backyard, enjoying the gentle evening breeze.
"She's been assigned a task," Isabella replied.
…
Over the next few days, Jeanne's routine consisted of nothing but training. She was currently practicing shooting in the underground firing range of the Special Detective office.
Her bright blue eyes focused intently on the metal shooting target.
Her index finger rested on the trigger as she took a breath and pulled it.
BANG!
Jeanne's hand jerked backward. A strong recoil traveled up to her shoulder. The bullet hit the target—but quite far from the center.
"I'm still not used to the strong recoil of this revolver… just like Mr Lambert said," she wiped the sweat on her forehead with a handkerchief. Jeanne recalled the instructions and shooting techniques Lambert had taught her over the past few days.
After feeling satisfied with her training, she placed her revolver into the underarm holster.
"It's been four days of training… and I still haven't done any real assignments," Jeanne complained as she removed her shooting gloves.
She grabbed a bottle of mineral water and took a sip. "I haven't contacted Anna for four days either… and I still haven't found a good excuse…" Jeanne wiped away her sweat with her handkerchief.
"Are you bored, Jeanne?" Eugene called out as he walked down the stairs, waving his hand.
"Eugene…" she turned slightly, glancing at him before continuing, "Maybe…" Jeanne put on her white gloves, each adorned with a small silver coin engraved with a pupil-less eye in the center of the palm.
"Jeanne! Jeanne!" Elliot's lively voice echoed as he hurried down the stairs. When he reached the entrance of the basement, he caught his breath and looked at Jeanne.
"Mr Leo has assigned your first mission—with me."
"Finally."
"What kind of mission?" Jeanne asked, slightly intrigued.
"Exorcising a ghost," Elliot raised his hand enthusiastically.
"A-A ghost?"
Elliot nodded without answering further, noticing Jeanne's confusion.
"You didn't know?" Eugene asked.
"No," Jeanne replied.
Elliot added, "Mr Leo must have forgotten to tell you."
"Special Detectives don't just solve murder, missing persons, or ordinary crimes. We also handle spiritual cases—that's why we're called Special Detectives," Eugene explained like a mentor.
"I-I see… I understand."
Eugene chuckled. "Are you scared, Jeanne?" he teased.
Jeanne quickly shook her head as her expression began to betray her.
"Don't worry, I'm amazing," Elliot said confidently, placing his hands on his hips as he laughed.
Eugene glanced at Elliot and gave him a thumbs-up. "Elliot's right."
Then Eugene raised his hand slightly toward Elliot. "Mind if I join?"
Elliot nodded. "Of course."
"Let's go," Elliot said excitedly.
"Alright," Jeanne nodded quickly. She placed her revolver securely into her underarm holster and grabbed her gray coat hanging in her locker.