"Hahaha, Little Red, Little Red, did you hear? The movie theater's about to release a new animated film, something called Three Aliens!"
"I know, I know! It was advertised in today's paper. I heard even the Great Guardian has a cameo!"
"What? Then I'm begging my dad to buy tickets tonight!"
"…"
Clara stood blankly outside an elementary school, watching children her age, her eyes flickering with complex emotions.
The kids in the Overworld seemed kind of clueless, their eyes full of innocent stupidity, but… they lived such peaceful, ordinary lives.
What was this "movie theater" they were talking about? Clara hadn't heard of it. She guessed it was some kind of entertainment venue in the Overworld.
"Hey, look! There's a little girl staring at us."
At that moment, a boy in the school noticed Clara outside the iron fence, quietly nudging his friend and whispering.
"Wow, really! Why's her hair white?"
"Hey, look, she's got a bandage on her face and her hand's wrapped up. Looks like she's been hurt a lot."
"I heard from my dad that some traffickers beat up kids, cover them in injuries, and then make them beg."
Kids can't keep secrets. Once one started talking, the others turned to look. Clara froze. Were these kids talking about her?
Being stared at by so many people was really uncomfortable…
Clara hated being stared at. In the Underworld, most people who stared at her had bad intentions. Normally, she'd respond with her fists.
But she obviously couldn't do that to these kids. Clara glared at them and turned to leave.
Hmph, she should've brought Svarog along. If that Welt guy hadn't begged her, she wouldn't have lent Svarog out.
Hmph, speaking of which, where was that new subordinate of hers? Her, the boss, had personally come to this unfamiliar place to help, and that kid hadn't shown any gratitude.
So annoying, so annoying, so annoying.
Ding ding—
Lost in thought, Clara was startled by a sudden alarm bell. A tram came speeding toward her, about to hit—
At the critical moment, a blue-haired young man yanked Clara out of the tram's path just in time. "Phew, that was close."
The blue-haired youth smiled at Clara. "Hey, little girl, what's your name?"
"…I'm Clara. Thank you for saving me," Clara said, stunned. She could've dodged herself, but out of politeness, she thanked him earnestly.
"Clara, huh? Nice name," the blue-haired youth said with a smile. "I'm Sampo. Where are your parents, little girl? How can you cross the street alone?"
"I'm the boss at home," Clara said.
Sampo looked surprised. "So, you're an orphan?"
Clara's mouth twitched. She really wanted to snap back, You're the orphan, your whole family's orphans! But calming down, she forced a faint smile. "…Yeah."
"Wow, then it's too dangerous for you to be out here alone! What if you run into a trafficker?" Sampo pulled a lollipop from his pocket. "Want one? Come with big brother, I'll take you somewhere safe where you can eat your fill."
Clara was speechless. A lollipop as bait? Even a random kid from the Underworld wouldn't fall for that.
Was this guy a child trafficker?
Clara sized Sampo up: a suspiciously charming smile, classic trafficker lines, an outdated lollipop trick…
Alright, he was definitely not an honest guy.
"Sure," Clara agreed without hesitation. She was bored anyway, and her mood wasn't great. Catching a trafficker to vent her frustration would be perfect.
"Come on, kid, this way with big brother…"
Just as Sampo led Clara away, Stelle arrived, looking around. "Huh? I swear I just saw her. Where'd she go? Was it my imagination?"
…
To Clara's surprise, the route Sampo took her on was one of the few she recognized.
It was the path their group had taken from the Underworld straight to Qlipoth Fort. Clara remembered it clearly.
If they kept going this way… was this guy taking her to the Underworld?
Clara's heart sank. Trafficking Overworld kids to the Underworld? This guy deserved to rot.
She clenched her fists, holding back her urge to act. She'd wait for Sampo to reveal his true colors before delivering justice.
Soon, they reached the underground station leading to the Underworld. Clara crossed her arms, waiting for him to speak.
"Alright, Clara, we're here." Sampo gestured toward the tram with a "please" motion. "Hop on?"
"Where are you taking me?" Clara asked coldly.
"Where am I taking you?" Sampo repeated, raising his hands. "Oh, come on, you make it sound like I'm a trafficker. I'm just inviting you home, nothing else."
"Are you really happy in the Overworld?"
Clara froze. "You already know who I am. Who are you?"
"I'm just a kind big brother you met on the road!" Sampo said innocently. "I just saw you looking unhappy out there and thought I'd give you a nudge."
"The mighty mechanical boss of the Underworld, acting like a kid who doesn't fit in up here. Haven't you noticed that yourself?"
Sampo said earnestly, "I really can't stand seeing you look so alone. Go back to the Underworld. At least there, you can live more freely."
Clara narrowed her eyes. "Keep talking nonsense, and I'll throw dirt in your eyes."
She turned to leave, but Sampo kept trying to persuade her. "Trust me, you won't fit in here without friends."
"You've got the mind and skills that kids your age don't have. You should understand what I mean instead of sulking here like a child."
Clara ignored him, walking back on her own.
"Sigh, alright, alright. If you're still not convinced, just remember one thing—buy some shoes."
Clara stopped in her tracks.
Sampo glanced at her back, then at his watch, muttering under his breath, "Why hasn't the guy shown up yet?"
Tap, tap, tap…
Just as Clara hesitated, a figure sprinted full-speed from outside the station, sliding to a stop on their knees right in front of her.
Stelle grabbed Clara's small hand with both of hers. "Boss Clara, even if you don't have shoes, it's no big deal."
"Because that way, I can always show off what's in my mouth."