Return to Southpeak
After Enoch left, the three of us decided to share a single room. Separate rooms might've been a bit more comfortable, but hotel rates in Northrica were no joke. Besides, right now... it was just us three girls. So we booked one big suite and crashed together. It even had two bathrooms, so we could shower separately.
Angela came out of the shower wrapped in nothing but a robe and hugged Frey. That beastly roar Frey let out—like some wild animal's bellow—is something I'll never forget, even as time passes. The idea that a person could make a sound like that was a total shock to me.
After that, we heard Frey's backstory. Well, less a backstory and more a love story. From the first time she met Enoch to how she fell for him. Angela squealed and shrieked the whole time, while I listened wide-eyed to sides of Enoch I never knew.
Then it was my turn. "I came here from another world. Back in my world, Eden was just the setting for a game."
"Oh, that kind of setup? Like... Dragon's Lair or something? Kyahaha!"
"Soo's a dragon, so yeah, makes sense."
The two of them didn't buy it, of course. No point pushing when they wouldn't believe me anyway.
Night turned to dawn, and it was Angela's turn. We hadn't planned the order—it just happened that way. But we never got to hear her story. The alarm we'd set when we checked in started blaring.
"What? Already 9 a.m.?"
"With the curtains all drawn, I lost track... Time flew."
Checkout was at 11. We still had two hours. But Frey and Angela jumped up like it was an emergency. Guys might roll out at 10:50 and scramble, but for women, two hours felt tight.
"...Wait, who's driving?"
"I can."
"It's a long haul... I'm basically a paper license, but I'll give it a shot? Straight roads mostly, so if it's just flooring it..."
"I can drive too."
"Soo, with your tail?"
"Hmm, I could manage barely... but Soo? Her legs might not even reach the pedals."
"I'll use my tail."
"Sorry, Soo. Just kidding."
Stepping on the gas with her tail? Frey shuddered and backed away. I thought it was cute, so I let her be.
"Anyway, I'll drive, so don't worry, sis."
"Oh... yeah... thanks!"
Frey grinned and headed to the bathroom. Left alone with Angela, she whispered softly.
"Soo."
"Yeah."
"Just in case."
"Yeah."
"Mind if I ask why you gave Salvador the power suit activation key?"
I turned from stuffing my face with leftover cold fries. Rare curiosity in Angela's eyes—but not personal. I was about to spill, but her motive piqued mine.
"Curious about Grandpa's past?"
"...You know it?"
"Kinda..."
I don't know Salvador's full history. He never told it, even on his deathbed. But piecing together player theories and community lore, I could guess.
"Not exactly."
"Then why the power suit...?"
"Grandpa loves old stuff."
"That's really it?"
"Yeah."
Angela's lips twitched, then she smiled wryly and sat beside me.
"Not curious why I asked?"
"Am."
"But you won't pry."
"You've got your reasons."
I casually fed her a cold fry. Stale, tough. Artificial sweetener and old grease—not great, even charitably. Still, she chewed diligently and smiled softly.
"I'll tell you on Enoch's return."
I watched her, fed her another, and yawned lazily. "Yeah."
"Alright, Soo. Time to shower."
"Eh."
"Oh? Skipping?"
"Home."
"The office? With the bathroom reno unfinished? Cockroaches everywhere."
"Dragons don't fear roaches."
"Saw a dead dragonfly too."
I crammed fries, swallowed, and stripped. My freed tail wrapped modestly around my naked body, covering what needed covering.
"Showering now."
"Wash your hair good. Tail base too."
"Yeah."
Roaches? Fine. Dragonflies? Nightmare. Why call them dragonflies? No clue.
After over 70 hours on the road, we finally made it back to Southpeak. Frey insisted Westtown was fine, but Angela and I had business here, so we headed straight to her shop. By the time we pulled up, it was night again.
No bad vibes or exhaustion. Must be that "home" feeling. Even fancy Northrica couldn't beat the comfort of the lower city.
"Thanks to you, Angela. Super comfy ride."
"Chatting nonstop with sis up front made it fun for me too."
"Hehe... Angela, you talk so pretty."
Frey stretched with pops, smiling a bit wistfully.
"Um... come anytime. Long way from Westtown, I know, but you're always welcome. Crash here! It's cramped, but we can snuggle... yeah."
"Eek... even if you don't say it, I might show up enough to annoy you."
"Huh?! For real?! Wait, no! Not that I hate it—just curious!"
"Replacing Eterno duties," I said.
"We visit folks who can't come to the office."
Frey's face lit up. She'd worked solo forever. Aside from rare chats with Enoch, it was all customer service. Real, relaxed, long talks? Rare. Facing solitude again felt lonely, but this gave her an excuse to connect. Perfect.
"Awesome! Come whenever! No warning needed! I'm good anytime!"
"Yeah, see you next time."
"Fun times, sis. Till next."
"Yeah! Bye-bye! Safe trip!!"
Frey bounced inside, pure sunshine.
"Frey feels like the baby sis."
"Never say that to her face."
"Yeah."
"Alright, let's head out?"
I grabbed Angela's collar as she moved for the car.
"Business in Southpeak."
"Huh? Not just an excuse to drop sis off?"
"Yeah."
"Yours was, though..."
"I've got real stuff."
Angela blinked slowly. "Can I tag along?"
"Yeah, cool."
"Okay... relieved, ahem, thanks. Where to? Driving?"
"Nah, walk."
Ignoring her relief, I trotted ahead.
"Wasteland way."
"Borrowing something?"
"From a friend."
"Yeah, friend."
Did Soo have friends besides us? The thought crossed her mind, but Angela shook it off. Too rude, even unspoken.
"Ties to the LastRall stuff."
"Yeah."
"Wasn't that settled?"
On the 70-hour drive, Wolha issues resolved. Ryu Jikwang's Southpeak branch panicked, begged other branches; Serena's side agreed to help. Wolha joins Ryu tomorrow, dispatching to Southpeak soon.
"Wish it'd wrap neater."
I grinned. Angela felt a weird chill.
"...No smashing or blowing up, right?"
"Yeah, just borrow and go."
"No sneaking or killing?"
"Yeah."
"Trusting you, sis."
"Dragons don't lie."