#19 For Now, a Guardian (2)
Beltsmets.
Do Chae-hee scowled at the name scrawled on the paper.
From the footprints left at the scene and the traces on the bodies, she could narrow down the number of intruders who had broken into the orphanage.
The investigation so far had revealed at least two of them. That meant Beltsmets wasn't alone there. Or...
"What if Beltsmets isn't an individual's name, but an organization's?"
A chill ran down her spine at the realization.
Right now, every eye in the Awakener Crime Division was fixed on Beltsmets. Officially, Beltsmets had only committed two incidents, but both were too massive to ignore.
The auction house. And this lab raid.
Do Chae-hee sketched a mask beneath the letters spelling Beltsmets.
"The Masked Man."
This guy was Beltsmets' leader, or at least the brains. The face of the operation, anyway. His talent was probably water-based. Exact grade unknown, but considering he'd summoned and manipulated several tons of water on the spot, she estimated at least B-grade, maybe A-grade.
But there hadn't been a drop of water at this lab raid. Someone with that level of ability could've erased every trace—but they hadn't even tried.
Beneath the Masked Man, Do Chae-hee jotted down A.
The prime suspect in the lab raid. This one had smashed people's skulls with raw physical force. Footprints and stride length pegged his height at over 185cm.
Different from the Masked Man.
His identity was a complete mystery. Unlike the leader, whom she'd at least glimpsed, she'd never laid eyes on this one.
Bloodstains from the guy were found at the scene, but too contaminated for DNA extraction.
Or maybe the sample was contaminated from the start. Or not even human.
'Modified human...'
Not an impossible theory. It would explain how they hit a place no one even knew existed—with help from that modified human.
Anyway, there was this A character and another B.
B's victim had their throat cleanly sliced with a dagger. No hesitation marks, smooth cut—highly skilled with blades, the report said.
Two people confirmed at the scene. Whether the Masked Man and B were the same or not, Beltsmets had at least two to three members identified.
And the bloodstains on the floor showed the kids there had been kidnapped by Beltsmets.
Staring at the tiny, blood-soaked footprints, Do Chae-hee bit her lip.
Estimated ten kids in the lab.
Innumerable other victims besides.
The more she decoded the documents found there, the paler her face grew. The researchers killed inside were all scum who deserved hell. Those ten kids were the pitiful survivors who'd barely escaped that hell. And Beltsmets were the trash who'd kidnapped those poor victims.
"I'll find you no matter what."
So just you wait, you Beltsmets bastards.
As Do Chae-hee ground her teeth, good news came from Park Cheol-wan.
"I'm heading there."
It was their first solid lead. Do Chae-hee rushed to the scene. The kid from the orphanage stared at her with wide, terrified eyes.
Unfortunately, the kids knew nothing. Everything had happened while they slept.
Except...
"A few days before that, some kid showed up. Huge guy, but he said he was twelve."
"Twelve?"
"Yeah, but he seemed like a total adult."
Do Chae-hee narrowed her eyes.
"What happened to him?"
"Dunno."
Only four kids had records at the orphanage. No info on a fifth. But the kid insisted there had been one.
"Yeah, he kept asking us stuff..."
Do Chae-hee pulled out a photo she'd carried in her notebook forever and handed it to the kid.
"Do you recognize this guy?"
She didn't really expect anything.
But if what she'd seen at the auction wasn't a hallucination...
"Yeah, that's him!"
Lightning struck in Do Chae-hee's mind.
Han Seohyun was with Beltsmets.
"Gimme that."
At Number Four's gesture, the ketchup bottle floated lazily into the air.
Thwack.
I flicked her forehead and said,
"No powers, remember?"
"But he wouldn't give it to me!"
The kid who'd refused pouted.
"Still no."
All the kids had their talents. And they weren't shy about using them. After the first couple days of caution, they started going wild with their abilities.
The only one who hadn't shown his yet was Number One, glaring at me right now.
━That one's always got that scary face.
Unlike the other kids, who'd disarmed completely after a few days, Number One wouldn't warm up. Too adult-like, maybe.
He looked after the others well enough, but he still kept this wall up between us.
Han Seohyun and Kim Jae-ho blended right in with them. Maybe because they all had talents. The kids weren't even scared of Han Seohyun's skeletons.
"Skully, Skully!"
They chased them around, calling them "Skully" like it was cute.
Kim Jae-ho clearly wasn't thrilled. Jealous of losing the kids' attention or something—he got caught beating up a skeleton once.
━It's heartwarming, but a total mess.
Ray wasn't wrong. The base was turning into chaos. Toys scattered everywhere no matter how much I nagged, crayons meant for sketchbooks used to scribble on walls and floors.
I just shrugged at it all.
Eh, they probably never had it this easy before. I'd let it slide for now.
I was dodging the usual kid mayhem to do laundry when Han Seohyun called me over for a talk.
Wondering what he wanted, I went—and he dropped something unexpected.
"We should make a separate room for the kids."
Ah, so that's what he was thinking. I shook my head right away.
"No need."
"But we can't keep cramming them in that room forever..."
"They won't be here long anyway."
"Huh?"
"We're villains, remember? Can't keep kids around."
"Well, yeah, but..."
"Don't worry. Planning to send them somewhere better."
They were happy enough in this dump, but it wasn't a place for kids to grow up. I already had a spot in mind. The issue was getting them there safely, but I'd figure it out.
"Sticking with us won't do them any good."
I patted Han Seohyun's shoulder.
Alright, time for laundry... Another kid grabbed me.
"Hey."
It was Number One.
"Yeah."
His eyes were pretty fierce as he stared up at me.
"What are you planning to do with us?"
"Huh?"
"You said you don't plan to keep us here forever."
He'd eavesdropped on me and Han Seohyun. I scratched my cheek. Figured I'd have to explain eventually, just not today.
No dodging or lying, though.
"Yeah. That's right."
He bit his lip at my blunt answer. He looked so small and fragile, it stabbed at my conscience, but honesty was best.
They were kids, but old enough to understand their situation.
"Why?"
"This place isn't good for you."
"I like it here."
"Mm, we can't look after you forever like this."
Number One bit his lip again.
"I'll do anything. Can't we stay?"
"No."
I cut him off firmly.
"Why?"
I smiled bitterly. Trying to act all grown-up, but still just a kid.
"We're bad guys. You saw that. We, uh, kill people."
"You're still the best person I know."
My chest ached again. Yeah, considering what they'd been through, killing people might not seem like a big sin. But it couldn't be that way.
"Nah, big misunderstanding. This uncle's a bad guy, and I'll keep doing bad things. Can't drag kids into that."
"I'm only six years younger than you and Seohyun-hyung."
Thought he was ten, but eleven? Still a kid.
"Six years is huge at your age. You're too weak, got too much to learn. I don't have the spare time to teach anyone. No room for me to take responsibility for little ones like you."
I added to Number One,
"But where you're going is good. Nice people who'll take care of you and guide you right."
His face stayed dark. Worried I'd sell them off?
"I get not trusting me, but..."
"I do trust you."
After just a few days?
"Can't trust people that easily. This uncle might've snatched you with bad intentions. Always be suspicious. Especially the nice-seeming ones."
"You're not gonna sell us."
"Well, no, but."
"And I can feel it."
His pupils turned green.
"I can read thoughts. Yours are weirdly hard, but."
I stared at him in surprise.
"For real. Everyone else's, I can read."
Makes sense—I've got that Unyielding Conviction passive. Mind-reading, huh. Dangerous ability.
"Can't see details, but I know if you're lying!"
━Oh no, your natural predator's here!
I let out a hollow laugh at Ray's words.
"Don't rely on it too much. And don't use it recklessly—it's dangerous. Know your pupils glow when you do?"
"Yeah."
"Others might hurt you if they see. Be careful when you use it."
"Just have you teach me from now on."
"Can't. Sorry."
Number One stopped pleading at my firm tone, nodded with bitten lips, and walked away dejectedly. As I sighed at his retreating back,
━Come to think of it, I've never seen your pupils glow.
'Yeah, they turn black when I use mine.'
Like Han Seohyun, my pupils go black when I activate. Unlike his rippling edges, my Lie talent is seamless. Haven't checked other abilities, though.
━Gotta see next time.
I nodded. Never mattered much before, but good to know.
Whew. Better move these kids out before I get too attached. I said no bonding, but truth is, I already have.
Any longer, and it'll be hard.
But relocating them alone? Impossible.
Perfect person for the job, though.
Time to check on that investment anyway. Hope they didn't blow all my money.