"Nessley!"
"You're alive—that's great!"
Nessley ran toward the intruder holding the scissors.
"I'm sorry, Nancy. I'm just... too weak," Nessley said with guilt weighing heavily on her.
She'd felt the same way when she saw the image on the computer earlier. The guilt hadn't left her since.
"Nessley, you don't really believe that, do you?" Nancy asked, glancing toward Kaizen and Ponzu.
"Are those two holding you back?"
"Yes," Nessley replied, nodding.
"How's Leonard?"
"I don't know. But it's probably not good. Karoo did something to Leonard just now..."
Nessley looked toward Leonard's limp body.
"Tuck, can I come over?"
Tucker didn't speak—he simply gave a faint nod.
In a flash, Nessley moved.
Karoo instinctively stepped back.
She knelt beside Leonard.
"Still breathing... thank goodness," Nessley sighed in relief.
Even so, Leonard's condition was dire. Even if treated immediately, survival wasn't guaranteed.
Still... better than dead.
"Really? That's great!" Nancy exclaimed, her eyes lighting up.
Tucker let out a quiet breath.
"Kaizen, thank you."
"No need. I was just doing my job," Kaizen replied flatly.
...
Tucker turned his gaze toward Karoo.
"Karoo... can you explain this?"
He repeated the question, tone sharp.
"Explain?" Karoo's expression remained cold. "Tuck, what exactly do you want me to say?"
"Should I tell you I didn't do anything? That I just took them in? That they were victims, and I was helping them?"
"Or maybe I claim I know nothing at all?"
"Would you believe me if I said that, Tucker?"
"You already know the answer, don't you?"
He glanced at the women nearby.
"Yeah, it was me. Everything that happened to them—I did it."
"But so what?"
"I'm a noble. They're just commoners."
"We weren't born equal."
"In the United States of Saherta, we are the real citizens. They're just... toys."
"It was our ancestors who risked their lives to build Saherta. And what did these commoners do?"
"Nothing."
"Yet they enjoy the same peace and security we do."
"Is that fair?"
"Why should they enjoy the fruits of our ancestors' sacrifice?"
"Tell me, what's wrong with treating them like this? Like slaves?"
"And you—do you understand what'll happen if you let these people from the Dark Night go?"
"Your family. Your friends. Everyone you know will be marked."
"They'll all die because of you."
"So, Tucker... you have only one option left."
"Kill them."
"I'll keep your secret. No one will know what you did here today."
Tucker shook his head slowly.
"I can't. I won't attack them again. I thought they were the enemy of the country... but it turns out you are."
"How could you do this, Karoo?"
"They did the right thing. You—you were the one in the wrong!"
Karoo chuckled, unbothered.
"Me? Wrong?"
"Everyone does it, Tuck. I'm just one of many. Do you think the person who promoted you is any different? He's done far worse than I have."
"So tell me, are you really not going to kill them?"
"You'd let your family and friends die instead?"
Tucker's eyes were clouded with confusion.
Everything he'd believed in—his superiors, his duty, his sacrifices—it all seemed like a cruel joke now.
His hard work.
His loyalty.
His unwavering faith.
It had all been for nothing.
"Why is this happening?" he whispered. "What am I supposed to do now?"
He didn't know anymore.
If he kept going the way he had, he'd be protecting monsters.
Nancy was right—he'd become a lapdog for the aristocrats.
But what other choice did he have?
What could he do?
There was no clear answer.
...
Nessley watched Karoo closely.
She wanted to attack him. Not just because he was the mission target—but because, after everything she'd seen, she loathed him.
But she didn't know what Tucker would do if she moved.
Would he snap?
Would he turn on them and take Kaizen's commission again?
If that happened, she and the others wouldn't make it out alive.
Right now, all Nessley could think about was survival—for herself and her companions.
Karoo looked at Tucker. His expression softened, voice low and coaxing.
"Tuck, I know this must be hard to accept."
"But this is how the world works."
"It's always been this way."
"You're not like them. You're one of us."
"When that lord chose you, you became one of us."
"So here's what I'll do. I won't push you this time."
"You drive them away, and I'll pretend I saw nothing."
His words were nothing more than a survival tactic.
Karoo knew only Tucker could keep him safe right now.
But Tucker looked him dead in the eye—and shook his head.
"I'm not like you."
"I will never be like you."
Nancy and Nessley's hearts surged with hope.
Karoo's face darkened.
"Tuck, are you serious?"
"You'd let your friends and family die instead of killing them?"
"You're going to turn your back on me?"
"Turn your back on the entire United States of Saherta?"
Tucker didn't hesitate.
"Yes. I can't hurt them."
"They haven't done anything wrong."
"I've already made one mistake."
"I won't make it again."
"I'm already sorry enough."
...
Suddenly, Karoo turned to Kaizen.
"Kaizen... I know you."
"You took Tucker's commission before, but now—will you accept mine instead?"
"I can pay. Name your price."
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