The Reflux Praise Association and the Black Hand.
As the story progresses in Abyss City, these two organizations are periodically encountered and intertwined in various quests.
The pitch-black coin that Rohan stole from the Elf Grand Elder and Doverman. It’s a coin issued by the group of Judas and can be used as a consumable.
It’s no exaggeration to say that the entire underworld is run by these two groups, who possess overwhelming force.
The notorious leaders of criminal organizations? No matter how much they squirm, they don’t have complete freedom.
Dig deep enough, and without exception, their lifelines are held by these two groups.
When a criminal organization grows to a certain size and reputation, a shadowy figure of irresistible power comes knocking.
They are forcibly placed in a subordinate position.
Some pledge loyalty for what they desire, while others bow their heads to survive, even if they didn’t want to.
But this isn’t domination based solely on fear and violence.
It’s true that refusing an offer from the Reflux Praise Association or the Black Hand will turn you into minced meat and return you to the earth.
However, being subordinate doesn’t mean being exploited without reason.
Most of the time, they are left to their own devices, and when they are used, they are provided with something truly tempting.
That tempting condition.
For those with physical deficiencies or special desires, the man here holds a psychological advantage.
His lab is a quiet place where you might hear a human voice once a year, if that.
But today, by chance, the silence was broken.
“Lord Hex.”
The familiar voice of a subordinate.
The skinny man, who had been staring at the monster shell in the test tube, slowly turned his head.
His face bore glasses that suited his cold demeanor, and his pointed ears proved his race, but his expression was empty. Unreadable. Holding nothing.
“A report on the Testarossa bloodline.”
“…”
The kneeling subordinate handed over the report.
The hand that moved to receive it.
Hex’s skin, revealed under his clothes, became semi-transparent with the movement, repeating the process. Bones and blood flow became visible in moments.
In some places, only the movement of muscles was visible.
From that alone, one could infer the state beneath Hex’s attire. Deeper than the hand, even organs would be visible.
“Hmm…”
After receiving the report, Hex wiped his glasses and put them back on, lightly checking the attached photo.
Having read the text and grasped the situation, Hex didn’t seem the least bit interested.
Only boredom was evident.
“I didn’t have high expectations for those hard-headed folks. But I didn’t expect them to fail even the bare minimum and end up dead.”
“Just give the order, and we’ll start tracking down Testarossa.”
Hex stared expressionlessly at his subordinate’s loyalty as he set down the report.
Among the burned bodies, there was none presumed to be Testarossa. The corpses had gunshot wounds, and the expensive items were left untouched. The killers finished the job and fled.
The general picture was clear. It was one of the outcomes Hex had anticipated.
“If they fled to Tigroba, they’re under the protection of Lord Seolho. Once they’re there, even if they escape and settle in another country, it’s the same.”
“…”
Hex had a rough idea of the procedures that would unfold if Sion Testarossa visited Tigroba.
Recovering the Testarossa bloodline that hasn’t even bloomed yet? It’s tempting, but provoking a monster like Lord Seolho doesn’t add up in terms of cost and benefit.
‘If it goes that way, it’s a massive loss.’
The trash who boasted about raising Testarossa as a weapon and exploiting Lord Seolho’s weaknesses—Hex was half-convinced they’d fail, which is why he threw them in. But having his own subordinates move is a different weight.
Provoking the monster sitting in Tigroba requires even more justifiable gains.
“Don’t let emotions sway you. A failure in diversification is inevitable, and this one is laughably minor. You know that, right?”
“Yes!”
Hex opened a test tube and continued inspecting it with tweezers.
The subordinate waited for him to finish before speaking.
“Hex, sir. And this is separate news.”
“Report.”
“The current first-year cadets at Orion Academy are planning to head to an uninhabited island.”
The next report came in.
Hex, who hadn’t shown much interest in the previous news, showed a slight flicker of curiosity.
He looked like he found this more entertaining.
“A gesture acknowledging the Monolith anomaly. Indeed, a reasonable approach.”
The reason the Reverse Flow Praise Society, which should be sprinting toward their goals, is paying attention to an academy nurturing sprouts is clear.
The former Grand General of Samhwak, the heir to the Cheonwaecheon Corporation, the youngest daughter of Tigroba’s ruler, and so on.
There are plenty of important figures whose positions need to be constantly monitored.
“Hmm…”
The value of the cadets at Orion Academy. They’re on a completely different level from Sion Testarossa, who has no power or family to threaten.
That’s why they’re tempting.
‘I can guess why they’re boldly announcing the use of an uninhabited island to the public.’
Controlling such information perfectly is nearly impossible. Instead, they’re openly revealing it to draw the attention of the concerned higher-ups, minimizing the risk of wrongdoing.
Sometimes, they become invisible shackles for people.
Anyway, it means keeping an eye on the shadows while standing in the light.
The Academy will do its best to build defenses, but considering the future, this is worth taking advantage of.
“Alright. I think it’s fine to discuss this part with Omega.”
The current issue is that Hex himself doesn’t need to step forward voluntarily.
Another head leading the Counterflow Praise Society.
If it’s Omega, who has a history with the former general of Samhwa Kingdom, he might make a move even at a loss, presenting conditions to himself.
“Inform them that the skin for Omega’s transplant is ready.”
“Yes!”
At Hex’s command, his subordinate vanished like smoke.
─And don’t forget to stick to the main roads. Don’t travel late at night just to hurry. Once the sun sets, find a place to stay and sleep early.
─You’re treating me like a child.
‘This part still sounds the best. It’d be perfect if only my voice wasn’t in it.’
Sion was repeatedly listening to the recorded call while her charger was plugged into the outlet.
She didn’t count how many times she’d listened because it didn’t matter.
She just kept listening.
Of course, there was another call from Rohan after he finished at the Academy.
There was also a call from Clara, who had safely returned to the academy city.
Most recently, Rohan, who had finished his work, called together with Clara.
“···.”
Sion wanted to be there too. She wanted to talk in the same space.
She wondered what the bookstore where Rohan worked was like. She wanted to see the historic shop where he and Clara had met.
Realizing she couldn’t do that now, her body started trembling strangely.
‘Why is it so cold? Is it because we’re entering Tigroba?’
Of course, the train maintained a constant temperature.
But outside, the world was white with snow.
Feeling the psychological chill, Sion took out Rohan’s coat, which she had been keeping carefully, and put it on.
After zipping it up, she sniffed it. The loneliness felt a little less intense.
[The Sky Train will soon arrive in Tigroba. Passengers, please remain seated and fasten your seatbelts.]
‘Finally.’
It was the announcement she had been waiting for.
Sion checked her seatbelt one last time and waited quietly. The ground outside the window grew closer bit by bit.
The train rattled and shook as its wheels touched the ground, scattering snow, and the announcement continued.
[The Sky Train has landed at Snowfang Valley in Tigroba. Thank you.]
Seeing the passengers getting up to collect their belongings, Sion also rose from her seat.
Thud, thud, thud.
Following the pouring rain, I step onto the ground. The crisp, cool air filling my lungs feels refreshing.
Click!
As proof of arrival, I snap a photo of the station and post it in the group chat before moving on.
Crunch, crunch, crunch.
I tread through the piled-up snow, heading inside the building.
The architectural style is completely different from that of Academy City.
Taking it slow might make for a pleasant time, but Sion, who had briefly lived in Tigroba, was just struggling to find her way.
‘To get to the White Tiger Palace in the capital, I need to go from here…’
I need to board another train, but the building is so vast that it’s unclear where to go.
Should I look for an information desk?
The floor is wet from the snow melting off passengers’ shoes.
Squelch, squelch. As I walk, making squishy sounds, Sion suddenly realizes there’s no one in this huge building.
“…”
Click! She opens her bag and pulls out a weapon without hesitation.
The assembly is done in an instant, and the silence is broken.
Crashhhh───!!!*
In front of Sion’s eyes, ice rapidly grows, forming a massive flower bud.
It naturally blooms, spilling out beastmen in armor and a pure white fox beastwoman holding a fan.
‘Those beastmen…?!’
Two faces Sion had seen countless times during her investigation of Tigroba.
Even if you’re not a citizen of Tigroba, these are faces few wouldn’t recognize.
A man in the most extravagant armor and a woman holding a fan approach Sion.
“I am Arhen Blizzard, Captain of the White Tiger Palace Guards.”
“And I am Yuho, the Chief Administrator.”
“!!!”
Sion is too stunned to speak, and Yuho observes her closely before smiling softly.
He nods to the Captain as a sign of approval, then steps aside, creating a path for Sion through the fully bloomed ice flower.
“We’ve come to escort you.”
