A few weeks have passed since that night.

  My life went back to normal but I still haven’t seen Rika.

  The authorities have completed their investigation of the mine and declared there’s nothing to worry about anymore about the rats. We’re almost ready to return to the earth mine.

  “My back—”

  “Bunchy, are you all right?”

  “Yeah, I’m just tired.”

  “You? Tired? No wonder, with that bag of grease on your back,” Sorey chimes in with a smirk.

  “Slimmy, I heard the news—you’re leaving Bunchy’s house.”

  “Yeah, I finally earned enough.”

  Josh and Sorey throw their arms around me, swinging me back and forth in excitement, though I don’t share their enthusiasm.

  “See, Slimmy? This job is finally paying off! For the rocks! Tonight, drinks are on me!” Sorey shouts, and the other miners eagerly chime in.

  “Me too?”

  “Thanks, man!”

  “Guys, the barabbas is inviting!”

  The group teases Sorey—probably the first time he actually deserves it.

  “You’re still thinking about her, huh?” Bunchy asks.

  “Yeah. I’m still worried.”

  “Well, at least she’s alive. And hey, forget about the car. You already paid all the rent this month with that money.”

  “No, that doesn’t sit right with me. I’ll pay when we get back home.”

  “Fine, if you insist. Now help me with this—it’s getting too heavy for me.”

  I lift the coil bag with ease and place it on the conveyor belt.

  As we finish moving the bags, Bunchy claps his hands together. “Good news! We’ve got TNT.”

  “You call that TNT?” Sorey scoffs at the small packs in front of us.

  “Well, yes, Sorey. These will help us make more openings in Section D. Looks like we can extract more coil by blasting new paths—but we need to be careful.”

  I pick up one of the small TNT packs. Compared to the explosives I used for the rats, these are tiny, looking more like old-fashioned dynamite sticks—three red cylinders tied together.

  Bunchy gives out orders, and as I listen, I hear these couples of weeks that things often go missing in the mines and is normal. There have been plenty of complaints, but since they’re too frequent, the company doesn’t take them seriously—unless something major messes with their calculations.

  When no one’s watching, I slip a small pack into my backpack. I don’t know why, but I have a feeling it’ll come in handy.

  “ A pickaxe is not enough” I mutter

  The explosions go off without a hitch, marking the end of the workday.

  “Whew, okay. All marked walls in Section D are down,” Bunchy announces.

  “Wait—weren’t there supposed to be one extra?” Josh asks, making me a little nervous.

  “No, I counted. I don’t think we missed any,” I say quickly.

  Josh frowns, thinking for a moment, but then lets it go.

  Sorey and Bunchy don’t seem to care—losing one or two sticks of TNT isn’t exactly the end of the world.

  The tavern feels suffocating and dull. The others are enjoying themselves, but I can’t.

  “Guys, I hate to be the one to say this, but I need some fresh air. I’m going to check out some apartments.”

  Sorey suddenly grabs my arm—probably already drunk—but before I can react, Bunchy silently pries his grip loose.

  I step outside, the cool night air a relief against my skin. It’s still early—only 7 PM.

  I would usually be happy, and extra because my birthday is in a few days.

  But for some reason this is not fun.

  “Eighteen, huh… I thought I’d feel more excited.”

  But money’s tight. I have just enough for rent and food, but nothing extra.

  “Speaking of rent… I have the money, but I still don’t know where to live. Should I get a room or an apartment?”

  I think it over. The further I go from the city center, the cheaper the places get—especially near the capital’s walls.

  I can afford an apartment, but should I? It would leave me with almost nothing saved after a month of work. A single room would be safer financially, but if Rika comes back… a small space might not be enough for both of us.

  “But will she come back?” I sigh, staring up at the night sky.

  As I walk through the crowd, I spot her—Lars. Despite the different clothes, I recognize her instantly.

  Before she disappears into the sea of people, I move fast. She slips through the crowd effortlessly, but my eyes stay locked on her. My instincts sharpen like a wolf tracking prey—she can’t escape me. I weave through the bustling street with agility, my focus never wavering.

  A glimpse of her clothing is all I need. I reach out and touch her shoulder.

  She turns slowly, completely unbothered. And no wonder—if I’m the wolf, she’s not prey. She’s a bear. No, perhaps a dragon. I can’t measure her strength, which only makes her more dangerous. She proved that night she’s on another level. But she’s with the kingdom, meaning she isn’t my enemy.

  “Lars.”

  She looks surprised.

  “Lars?” I repeat

  Her confused expression makes me pause.

  “That’s your real name, right?”

  “Yes.” Her face remains unreadable. It’s impossible to tell if she’s lying, but in the end, it doesn’t matter.

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  “It’s almost impossible to find you. In fact… I forgot to ask how to contact you.”

  She only nods. That indifference stokes a flicker of frustration in me, but I push forward.

  “I need to know the truth. What happened to Rika?”

  “Too many people. Hard to hear.”

  I grab her arm, leading us to a bench just off the main path.

  “Please, tell me about Rika.”

  She exhales slightly before answering.

  “That girl… She didn’t recover. She’s in treatment, but she will never recover.”

  My knees tremble. Memories of her flood my mind.

  Rika never smiled much, but when she did, it was real. And now… she’ll never smile again?

  “Wait—but the healer. You told me about her. Did Rika reject her? Why?”

  “She refused. She’s independent. I can’t force her.”

  “Tell me where she is. I’ll find her myself—I’ll convince her.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Why?”

  “She doesn’t want to be found.”

  “Please.”

  Tears well in my eyes. I can feel them threatening to spill over.

  Lars studies me. “What is she to you?”

  “…My younger sister.”

  “You two didn’t act like siblings.”

  I let out a small chuckle despite myself. “I know. We fought a lot. She yelled at me. Treated me like an idiot.”

  I shake my head, smiling bitterly. “But… I don’t know how to explain it. Time, the moments we shared… Even the bad ones—I miss them.”

  She sighs

  “You don't seem like a bad person, I hope to not regret this. Lets go”

  “Where?”

  “I will guide you to the high-priest. Good?”

  “Thanks”

  Maybe, just maybe those hollow eyes is just a decoration and she is like the rest of us.

  After walking for hours, we finally reached the outer walls of the city. Lars points toward a small, rundown building—its second floor lined with rooms that seem to be rented out.

  "You're telling me the best healer in this kingdom lives in that junky place?" I ask, incredulous.

  "Junky places don’t attract attention. Now, bye."

  "Wait—you’re not coming?"

  "No. Me busy."

  And just like that, she leaves. No farewell, no see-you-later. Her departure is as dry as a desert.

  "Wait—where can I find you after I convince her?"

  She gives me a soft smile as she continues walking away. But there’s something in that smile—a knowing look that says I’m gullible for thinking I can change the mind of this priest without understanding her reasons for refusing.

  "Well… doesn’t matter. I’m not leaving until she says yes."

  I step up to the door Lars pointed out and knock—lightly, reminding myself that if I hit too hard, I might break the flimsy wooden frame because of my nervousness.

  "Who is it?"

  "The rent." I say playfully, hoping to lower their guard.

  The door opens, and I freeze.

  Not a priest. A priestess.

  And not just any priestess—Tsukihana.

  The words leave my mouth before I can stop them.

  The shy high priestess I met before… she’s the kingdom’s most powerful healer?

  Thinking back, she was sought after by the Boxers, but that was because she was a high priestess. I never imagined she was this significant.

  Her eyes widen slightly, showing a flicker of recognition. She’s confused, unsure of why I’m here.

  "Can I come in?"

  She shakes her head, clearly saying no.

  But no isn’t an option. I step inside anyway.

  Looking around for a chair, I don’t find one—so I sit on the bed instead.

  "My bad. But you know Lars, don’t you? She told me about you."

  Tsukihana looks at me with her usual timid expression. It frustrates me. I want to yell at her—to tell her to drop the shy act.

  I inhale deeply, forcing myself to stay calm.

  I don’t know where to begin. Should I just spill everything? That seems reasonable… but am I in the right mental state for this?

  I exhale.

  "Tsukihana, sorry to interrupt—I mean, break in. I know it’s wrong, but please, please. I need to talk to you."

  "Okay…."

  She looks hesitating but perhaps she is thinking is already too late to denied the talking.

  "Lars probably told you about a patient you could treat. You refused. But you healed me when I was in far worse shape in the hopistal—so why not her?"

  She hesitates. "Ah… sorry. It’s just… Physical wounds are easier. But curing something caused by a drug so powerful—" She stops to clear her throat, trying to sound serious.

  "It’s like performing a miracle, and—"

  "But if Lars says you perhaps can, then that means you've done something like this before, right? You can do it."

  Her fragile attempt at being serious crumbles under my words. She’s too timid. I almost feel guilty for being so pushy.

  "Yes, but… This drug… Some of the kingdom’s high priestesses have already tried, and they couldn’t cure it."

  "I don’t get it. But if you can, that would make you famous. You wouldn’t have to live in a place like this." I cough. "No offense, though."

  "I… I… I…"

  "Say it!"

  "I don’t want the kingdom behind my back! I don’t want anything to do with them!"

  It’s the first time she raises her voice, but it’s less of a yell and more of a cute, flustered outburst. My dumbfounded expression must be obvious.

  "So you’re… afraid of paparazzi and attention?"

  "No! I just—No. Sorry."

  I grab her shoulders.

  "People are dying, perhaps now are even dying at this moment. Many already have. Without someone like you… Rika will never leave that hospital. Please, don’t turn your back on her."

  She looks directly into my eyes, her cheeks flushing.

  And now my face feels warm too. Am I… blushing?

  I quickly let go of her shoulders, my anger softening.

  God, why does she have to be this cute?

  “There has to be something…” I murmur. “Please.”

  She hesitates. “You helped me before…”

  “Yes!” I exclaim, jumping at the chance. Using the ‘you owe me’ card might be low, but right now, I don’t care.

  She lowers her gaze, deep in thought. I can see the doubts flickering in her mind. She’s considering it.

  “Yes, you would’ve been prey to those men without me,” I remind her.

  She sighs, then, in the softest voice, she whispers, “I will…”

  It’s so quiet I almost don’t catch it. I lean in.

  “Can you say that louder?”

  “I will help you.” She pauses, fidgeting. “But—”

  “But?”

  “If I ever need help again… would you help me?”

  Her request stuns me. It makes no sense. The most powerful healer in the kingdom, asking me for help? But then again, maybe she only has healing skills and no strength. Maybe that’s it.

  “Fine!” I grab her hands in excitement. “I can’t believe it!”

  “But… you have to bring Rika here,” she adds softly.

  My smile fades slightly. Getting Rika out of that place won’t be easy. They won’t just let her go—she’s basically their guinea pig. But this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

  “Fine. I’ll be back soon.”

  She blushes even more.

  “W-what?”

  “Can you… let go of my hands, please?”

  “Oh! My bad.”

  I release her hands, feeling a bit awkward. But for the first time in days, hope sparks inside me.

  “Hmm do you know how to contact Lars?”

  “No.”

  “Fine, I will find her, no matter what.”

  Leaving Tsukihana place, I started walking again to Bunchy's place to sleep. He is a good friend, but soon I will have my own place.

  As I walk I see a place renting a room with a cheap price.

  My instincts tell me to buy it, but I decline those thoughts.

  “That was an offer of a lifetime” I say with some regret in my voice

  As I walk by I can see more sign of renting of different prices

  “Damn there is a lot to choose here”

  Until I see it, the perfect place, with the perfect measurements.

  My eyes cried, knowing that place I will play my video games.

  “Wait-my video games…”

  I remember dad once told me he will take care of them

  I sigh, knowing that would have been an impossible task for him.

  “Still, it looks like is a good place”

  In section D near the walls, I found a place to live.