That was faster than I expected… it only took three days
I woke up around two in the morning to the odd, rhythmic sound of ticking. My eyes fluttered open in the dimness, ears straining. The sound was unnatural—sharp, deliberate. I sat up slowly, rubbing the fog of sleep from my eyes, then glanced around my room, trying to find its source.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
My gaze shifted toward the window—and there it was.
A jet-black crow stood perched on the outer frame, barely visible against the night sky. A faint shimmer caught my eye—something was tied around its neck. I leaned in. A purple ribbon, delicate and out of place, was looped loosely like a collar. At the center of the ribbon, reflecting faint moonlight, was a small silver ring.
The ticking stopped.
I pushed the window open. The crow didn't flinch. Instead, it hopped gracefully onto my arm, as if it had done this a hundred times before. Its weight was surprisingly light. I stroked the feathers on its head with two fingers. It tilted its head toward me.
"Good boy," I whispered softly.
I gently untied the ribbon and slid the ring off. As I lifted it closer to inspect, the moonlight revealed its ornate details—small vine-like patterns carved into the band. Curious, I slipped it onto my finger.
The moment the ring touched my skin, it melted—not like metal under fire, but like magic flowing into flesh. I flinched. A cool sensation traced my skin, leaving behind a faint vine-shaped mark etched around my finger like a tattoo.
Startled, I channeled mana to the finger, and immediately, I felt it—the connection. A familiar pulse. Storage magic.
"…That crazy bastard," I muttered, eyes widening.
I knew he was eccentric—unhinged even—but I never thought he'd actually give me a storage ring as a token of thanks. Or bones. Hard to tell with him.
I focused my mana again, syncing with the storage mark. My mind slipped into the spatial pocket hidden inside the ring. It was compact, organized… oddly tidy.
Five stamina potions.
Five health potions.
A folded piece of enchanted paper.
And… a mask. Just a normal-looking mask.
I focused on the paper first. It materialized instantly in my palm, its texture oddly warm. I unfolded it carefully and read the note:
---
"Dear VIP,
Thanks to your information, I was able to clear some rats out of my fine establishment. So as a bonus, I'll let you have this ring.
Please, dear customer, don't feel pressured—it's only to show my sincerity."
—T.
---
"…Sincerity my ass."
Even if the trader didn't know who I was, I knew him. Knew every one of his tricks. He wasn't the type to give anything for free—not unless he expected something in return.
I scoffed, tossing the note aside.
That old bastard's instincts were terrifying. He could smell profit from a mile away, like a vulture circling a fresh kill.
I grabbed a pen, tore a clean scrap of paper, and scribbled a single cryptic line:
"A Caged Love, page 216."
A smirk tugged at my lips. I folded the note carefully, tied it around the crow's ribbon, and lifted the bird back to the window.
"Go on," I whispered, "deliver it to your master."
The crow blinked at me once—then launched into the night sky, wings slicing through the silence.
I leaned against the windowsill, watching until he disappeared. A laugh almost escaped me. Oh, how I wished I could see the look on the old man's face when he unraveled that little gift.
But for now, I needed rest. Tomorrow… tomorrow was going to be a busy day.
---
Elsewhere…
In the dim-lit study of the trader's office, a thick cloud of purple smoke curled out from the center of the room. A moment later, the crow emerged from it, elegant as ever, with the note still tied to his ribbon.
The trader looked up from his desk. The gleam in his tired eyes sharpened.
He untied the paper, brows furrowing slightly as he unfolded it. His lips moved as he read the message aloud:
"A Caged Love, page 216."
For a moment, he froze. Then his eyes widened. "...It can't be," he whispered.
With a flick of his finger, a worn, leather-bound book shot from a nearby shelf into his hand. The same book Isaac had glanced at last time—its cover faded, the title etched in silver foil:
"A Caged Love."
He flipped through the pages rapidly, stopping at 216. A small note had been slipped on it.
The message read:
"Sincerity my ass."
Silence. Then—
The trader exploded in laughter.
His laughter echoed across the room, uncontrollable and full of genuine amusement. He clutched the book, shaking his head.
"This kid…" he gasped, "…this kid really got me."
He had thought he was the one using Isaac. Thought he could play the clever boy like a pawn.
But now… it was clear.
He had been in the palm of Isaac's hand the whole time.
Eventually, the trader calmed down, chuckling under his breath. He looked at the crow, eyes softer now.
"Maybe…" he muttered, "maybe this kid can really do it. Maybe he's the one who can help me make that dream come true…"