"I will thoroughly search for how many things Rhine Lab is hiding—Kaltsit, are you really not curious about the principle behind my abilities, which are not Originium Arts?"
To this, Kaltsit merely rolled her eyes, a rare sight.
"Not curious, and… that little girl named Ifrit, you plan to take her away from Rhine Lab, don't you?"
Goki had not concealed his interactions within Rhine Lab and with everyone from Kaltsit and Skadi; they also knew that this poor little Sarkaz, who was treated as an experimental subject, had now grown so close to Goki that they were like father and daughter.
Similarly, Goki had not only subtly indicated to Saria and Silence his proposal to end Ifrit's fate as an experimental subject with them but had also told his family here about these matters.
"That's right. Even if I could take all the samples and cause Rhine Lab's research to temporarily stagnate, I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving her in a place that dares to cross the line—I will take Ifrit, and Saria and Silence will help me."
"You seem to have excessive kindness towards children and excessive trust in strangers—have you considered that if you do that, you will become an enemy of the entire Rhine Lab?"
Kaltsit seriously analyzed the difference in strength between the two sides, seemingly trying to dissuade him from his irrational idea.
"Don't underestimate Rhine Lab. Behind her stand countless powerful interest groups. Once your identity is exposed, you will become an enemy of this city—I once worked in Saint Foucault City for many years. The council's private army, military forces, and mercenaries stationed here, you are no match for them."
Having watched this young country since Columbia's founding, and having spent an unknown number of years as a project leader in a research institute in this city, Kaltsit had a full understanding of Columbia's power.
"You've only known her for a month, and she has no direct connection to your prey. Rescuing such a superfluous person will gain you nothing—on the contrary, it will bring trouble to all of us."
Kaltsit placed the empty coffee cup on the coffee table, her hands clasped in front of her, appearing cold and rational.
"What reason do you intend to use to persuade me to get involved in your almost impossible rescue—kindness? Justice? Or pity for an innocent child?"
Kaltsit had met countless kind people like this and had asked many similar questions.
Some good people clung to their beliefs until death, while others fell into madness, villainy, or became cautious ordinary people halfway through—on Terra, the latter were often more common. This world rarely allowed good people to survive.
"On this land, millions of children suffer at all times. You gave candy to many sick children in the slums, and Ifrit even has enough to eat and drink there, with two people caring for her—why specifically save her?"
To this, Goki merely smiled faintly.
He had already thought of the answer to this question years ago, during his time in Yharnam.
"This has nothing to do with justice; on the contrary, it's because I am selfish enough, greedy enough, an insatiable hunter—I help Ifrit because I like this good child, and I also like Silence and Saria, two upright good people."
Shrugging, he patted Goki and Skadi's little heads, gently caressing them.
"I like Skadi, and I like Kafka, and I especially like the good children in the slums—why do you think I bought Little Red Bean a guitar?"
Recalling the red-haired little Sarkaz girl who also lived with her parents in the Infected community and was active and polite when she came to the clinic for treatment, Goki smiled slightly.
Although Goki and that little girl didn't interact much at present, he had no doubt about their future connection.
"Similarly, I also like you, Kaltsit—your spirit of dedication to others, and your willingness to stand against powerful forces, make me respect and admire you."
Looking at Kaltsit, Goki also had no intention of hiding his purpose and feelings.
To deal with a thousand-year-old Old Lynx who no longer trusted anyone, Goki believed he should be honest most of the time—of course, the goal of having little Old Lynxes with her was best left unsaid.
"So, I will unconditionally help you with anything, Kaltsit—including rescuing the children from the Loken Tank who have already been experimented on and those who are about to be experimented on. They have suffered far more than Ifrit."
Saying words that made Kaltsit's eyes widen slightly, Goki smiled exceptionally brightly.
"The Loken Tank matter, you want to handle it alone, right—I should be the one questioning you why you're such a softie, Kaltsit."
Hearing Goki's words, Kaltsit also sighed.
"Kafka, didn't I tell you to keep this investigation confidential from Goki—Loken Williams's teacher is my friend; I ended his academic career back then. This matter should be resolved by me alone."
"Nyah nyah nyah, who told Brother Goki to like me and you don't—an intelligence peddler's integrity isn't that high; the highest bidder gets it, that's the rule."
Kafka, her cheeks a little red, leaned beside Goki and stuck out her tongue at Kaltsit.
"Moreover, I have already prepared the information you need for your operation and the routes you need for your retreat!"
"There's no 'you and me' anymore, Kaltsit. From the moment you first met me in Saltwind City, it's only been 'us'."
Goki winked at Kaltsit, clearly indicating that he was now relying on her.
"Yes, and Goki also has me. Goki's business is my business. No matter what bad guys there are, I can beat them all up! No need to worry—of course, I also like Goki."
On the other side, Skadi also leaned against Goki, tightly hugging his arm, which began to creak.
In her opinion, it was perfectly normal for friends to like each other.
"...Alright, I think I understand you better now, Goki. You are definitely a real weirdo—but I'm sorry, you can like Kafka and Skadi, but it's best not to have any ulterior motives towards me."
Her lips curved slightly upward, Kaltsit, though not getting the answer she imagined, still received a satisfactory reply.
"Since you will become an enemy of Saint Foucault City after rescuing Ifrit, then we might as well provoke more people—Rhine Lab, Loken Tank, Tasan Bio, Wolwocinski... I know many of these companies' unspeakable experiments, and I've investigated more dirt on them. We can take care of it all at once."
Kaltsit was not a good person, nor a kind person, but she still wanted to save everyone she could—what's more, she already had enough enemies; many debts don't weigh one down.
She was quite happy to have a fellow traveler like Goki—who wouldn't want free help?
"Then... we will be ready for battle at all times, and we will also make arrangements to deal with the divine disaster. You can act any time in the next few days."
Looking at Goki, Kaltsit nodded seriously, with a hint of respect.
"We cannot stop those on this land who wish to exploit every life, but I will never give up the fight."
Rarely, Goki saw a blazing flame in Kaltsit's eyes.
That was a will and obsession even stronger than the God of Burning Wind.
"Then... I will fight for you, my lady."
And so, after a month as an office worker, the hunter's hunt would begin anew.
However, before that—
"Brother Goki, I've worked so, so hard, shouldn't you praise me properly—how about Skadi Sister and I sleep with you tonight?"
Kafka, who was tightly hugging Goki's arm, still had a playful, cheeky expression on her face, but her skin was a little red.
And upon hearing Kafka's words, Skadi immediately tensed up and hugged his other arm, looking warily at the "little child" she had previously trusted so much.
"No, absolutely not—this is definitely not allowed! Goki can only sleep with me tonight!"
The offensive and defensive alliance was disbanded on the spot tonight!
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