Noir remained motionless for days on end, her eyelids tightly shut, her breathing faint like a fragile thread. The wounds on her body had only been crudely bandaged; a few days ago, Lysander had come to help change the dressings, so they had recovered somewhat. Still, the restraint rings remained tightly locked around her wrists and neck, cold and merciless, like iron shackles.
Meanwhile, in the organization's main council chamber, a harsh white light flooded the space. The room was vast—disturbingly so. Rows of large screens displayed images of Noir lying unconscious in her cell, a constant reminder placed before the two who had been summoned.
Lysander entered with a composed gait, his face betraying no emotion. One hand slipped casually into his pocket as he stood upright, as if nothing here concerned him—like a machine, loyal and absolute.
Kaelith was different. She looked uneasy, her eyes unable to hide the tension within. The moment the screen showed Noir twitching faintly in her unconscious state, Kaelith's heart clenched. She didn't dare lift her head.
From the far end of the table, a hoarse, low voice rang out.
"Don't make me explain things twice."
A commander sat there, his expression cold, fingers tapping rhythmically against the steel table. On either side stood subordinates—scientists in black lab coats staring at them without blinking, some wearing mocking smiles.
"Lysander, you're still too soft. Your gaze, your gestures… Don't forget your mission. If Noir refuses to submit, she will become a test subject. And your task is to speed that process up."
"I didn't tell you to rekindle old feelings with her."
Lysander inclined his head slightly, his voice calm and seamless.
"I knew it. Noir was once my comrade, but now she is merely an object of the organization. I won't allow emotions to interfere."
"Emotion is the cheapest thing there is. If I didn't act that way, how would Noir ever trust me, sir?"
The words were precise, like a vow of loyalty. Yet deep within his eyes, a faint glimmer flickered—something no one noticed.
The commander nodded, then turned his attention to Kaelith.
"And as for that foolish girl. The only reason we let your parents live is because you still have value."
"Or perhaps I should do something… more memorable to them instead, hm?"
He paused deliberately, letting the suffocating silence settle.
Kaelith bit her lip, clenched her hands, then nodded.
"I… understand. I will fulfill my duty properly."
She said it, but her heart was pounding wildly. In her mind surfaced the image of Noir lying unconscious, the countless times she had seen that woman's calm yet cold eyes. Guilt surged within her—but the fear of losing her parents tightened its grip even more.
The commander curled his lips into a faint smile.
"That's more like it. You should all remember—Noir is nothing more than a tool. And you… are no different."
The screens abruptly went dark. One by one, they left the room, indifferent. One deliberately bumped hard into Lysander's shoulder; another leaned in close and sneered.
"Let's see what you can really do, haha."
He didn't respond.
The room fell silent, leaving only Lysander and Kaelith behind. He glanced at her, his gaze quietly piercing through her defenses.
"Kaelith. If you can't do it… then you'd better start preparing yourself."
She pressed her lips together, saying nothing. Her steps were heavy as she left the room, her heart torn apart by inner conflict.
As for Lysander—only when her figure disappeared did he finally release a slow breath. His eyes dimmed as he murmured softly,
"Noir… wait for me."
While Kaelith and Lysander were still buried under the pressure of the council chamber, outside, Specter and Orion continued gathering clues. They had returned to their hideout, handing over fragments of information they'd picked up—leaked signals, blurred images of Noir being held captive.
Doctor Aurel frowned, fingers interlaced, eyes fixed on the screen before him. Seeing Noir in such a drained condition made his throat tighten—it felt as though he were watching his own child being tormented.
Ari remained silent for a long moment before turning to her husband.
"If we only wait to find a flaw in their system, we'll be too late. Noir doesn't have much time left."
Specter nodded, his voice firm.
"Orion and I are already starting to appear on their wanted notices. At this point, the only option left is for us to take the risk."
Orion added, his eyes resolute.
"We'll gradually move closer to the main base. It's dangerous, but it's the only way. Once we're near the core, I can locate where Noir is being held."
The air in the hidden room grew heavy. Doctor Aurel closed his eyes briefly, then opened them slowly.
"And Kaelith too… that child may not even know that—"
Before he could finish, Ari cut in decisively.
"Kaelith is definitely with the organization. There's no trace of her, no clues at all. And ever since she left, our location hasn't been exposed once."
Orion suddenly realized.
"So Kaelith is a tracking device for the organization? No way—she's way too timid for that, isn't she?!"
"No killer ever says they're a killer," Specter added coldly.
"But—"
Orion tried to continue, but Specter suddenly lost control.
"DON'T BE SO BLIND! WHAT MATTERS RIGHT NOW IS NOIR!" he grabbed Orion by the collar
Orion was momentarily stunned by the intensity. Ari quickly stepped in, afraid things would escalate. Specter, realizing he'd crossed a line, released his grip.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."
Orion's face no longer carried its usual lightness. He stepped closer to Specter and said,
"Do you think I don't want to save her? You think I'm an idiot?"
"That's not what I meant. I'm just… too impatient."
Fearing the situation would worsen, Doctor Aurel intervened.
"Enough arguing. We still have a lot to do."
Orion walked away irritably and sat down at the table. Doctor Aurel continued,
"In that case… Ari and I will support you from afar. We'll break into their system, create diversions, open up the necessary gaps. But that's all we can do. You move in—we'll make sure your escape route stays open."
Ari placed a hand on Specter's shoulder, her voice gentle yet firm.
"You must prepare for the worst-case scenario. One wrong step, and everything collapses. Noir is in there… we don't have the luxury of hesitation."
Specter clenched his fist, determination burning in his eyes.
"Noir put herself in danger for us. This time, we'll be the ones to bring her back."
Outside, the night wind howled through the cracks of the abandoned building. The organization's main base—filled with traps and danger—had now become the destination the group was steadily approaching.
The battle of wits had officially begun.