* * *

Nayun's eyes were special. She said she had only taken a quick look, but it was far more than that. Able to see farther and in greater detail than other people, she saw things differently from them.

"What did you see?"

Cup in hand, Jihwan held his breath again.

"There was a factory. Lots of people, working, roads leading to it, cars coming and going—and there were even streetlights along the roads, you know? But something was different."

"Hmm."

Nayun seemed to ponder for a moment, then put a piece of cake she had cut with her fork into her mouth.

"What was different?"

Jihwan couldn't help wondering. From her description, wasn't it just an ordinary factory? Her pointed mention of the streetlights suggested it wasn't abandoned, either.

"The expressions on people's faces were strange. Should I say they looked terrified, or like something was chasing them? Honestly, work is hard for everyone, right? But it wasn't that usual 'what a shitty day' look."

"If it wasn't, that certainly is suspicious."

Hyeonyul nodded in agreement. Who went to work because they liked their company? Everyone went for the money.

"It wasn't... 'I love my company,' or anything, was it?"

Jihwan asked, hardly believing the possibility. That rare breed did exist, but they were nowhere near the majority.

"'I love my company' is absolutely impossible. It bothered me so, so much that I asked the managers about that location. Apparently, they suspect it's run by villains. Based on the information you found, Hyeonyul."

"The information I found?"

He had given them so much that he wasn't sure which information had led them to that conclusion.

"You said they could tell whether a place was run by villains from its logo. I told them about the logo there."

"Oh. That information?"

Hyeonyul replied calmly, and Nayun looked as though something had occurred to her.

"Hyeonyul."

"Yes."

"The bastards who handed over your information have been kicked out. They'll never get a foothold here again. Trying elsewhere won't help, either. I made sure to put in a word."

She said it lightly, but it was not something to take lightly.

"Were you the one who informed the Team Leader, sis?"

"That's right. I'm our team's information source, you see. Of course, so is our Team Leader."

As Nayun smiled, Hyeonyul watched her as though studying her.

"Amazing, isn't she?" Jihwan suddenly asked.

"To be honest, yes."

"Sis Nayun really knows everyone. I was shocked when I found out, too. How she gets close to so many people so quickly still amazes me. It's impressive."

"I love that kind of praise, Jihwan. What a good boy. Have some more."

Chuckling, Nayun pushed another cake toward him. Jihwan raised his fork, looking pleased with himself.

"Anyway, I'll hear who the former Black Eagles who took your information are soon, and let you know."

"... You can do that?"

"Sometimes I think I should have been born in the old days. I might well have made a name for myself as an information merchant."

"It isn't too late even now."

Hyeonyul meant it sincerely.

Yujong had made a name for himself as an information broker, too. Nayun simply lacked staff. If she had them, she might be able to build an operation of truly enormous proportions.

"That's quite a compliment. Thank you."

Nayun laughed heartily. She seemed to be in a good mood.

"Maybe I saw things wrong, though."

"That's not possible," Jihwan slipped in.

"... True, but anyway, there might unexpectedly be no information there at all. Do you want to go?"

Nayun asked with a tense expression. This was the important part. They weren't on the clock right now. It was something Hyeonyul disliked, so she was being especially careful.

"Yes."

Contrary to all her concerns, however, Hyeonyul answered without hesitation.

'... Oh. He's more desperate than I thought.'

Nayun felt a strange sinking sensation.

Of course she had assumed Hyeonyul was desperate. But he loved getting off work so much, and disliked working extra hours so much that he had compressed five days' work into one. Yet here he was, volunteering to work outside his working hours.

That was how desperate he was.

All she knew was what Jihwan occasionally said about what it had been like when he was experimented on. That alone was horrific. Although it had happened long ago for Jihwan, too, he still couldn't escape those memories.

Then what must it be like for Hyeonyul?

Nayun glanced at Jihwan. He was watching Hyeonyul with encouragement in his eyes.

["I received a lifetime's worth of good fortune. I want someone else to receive that fortune, too. That's why I became a Black Eagle."]

Had Jihwan now chosen Hyeonyul as the person who would receive that good fortune?

"Then let's go."

There was only one thing Nayun could say for him right now. But when Hyeonyul immediately started to rise, she added something.

"Still, we should finish everything before we leave. No leftovers."

"Understood."

Hyeonyul sat back down and picked up his fork. That was also sound advice.

* * *

"... Around here?"

Having created a door, Jihwan poked his head through and asked.

"Oh, yes. Around here. We can figure out the exact location once we go farther."

After checking inside, Nayun stepped through the door without hesitation. She looked back and beckoned to Hyeonyul.

Hyeonyul couldn't tear his eyes from Jihwan's power. He had seen it before, but seeing it again, it truly seemed magical.

'It is magic, but how does this work?'

The formulas were incredibly intricate. He couldn't reproduce this even if someone told him to.

"Hyeonyul?"

"This power is remarkable."

Hyeonyul meant it sincerely.

Jihwan, who was already waiting ahead, stared at Hyeonyul in surprise. To receive praise like this! He was speechless. Unlike other people, Hyeonyul could actually see magical formulas.

"Well, well, Jihwan."

When Nayun teased him, he turned his head away. Normally he could have breezed past it with a smooth remark, but with Nayun joining in, he really was breaking into a sweat.

"My mind... opened up. That's why I can do it."

"I know not just anyone can do this. Some of the mages I've seen had movement magic, but nothing on this level."

Hyeonyul was satisfied with its solidity, its sturdiness, and even its comfort.

'I'd like to use this instead of an eagle.'

It was quite good.

Hyeonyul stepped out through the door. The air changed. Many factories stood away from city centers, and this one was no exception. It wasn't in the mountains. It was on the outskirts, close enough for buildings to be visible in the distance. Roads led to it, and as Nayun had said, there were even streetlights nearby.

Hyeonyul sniffed the scents drifting toward him.

"No one has used this spot in the recent past. You chose a good location."

When he turned back to say it, Nayun immediately looked at Jihwan.

"Wow, Jihwan. You're really on form today."

"Is today... some special occasion? I'm getting so many compliments."

"Must it be a special occasion to give compliments?"

At Hyeonyul's question, Jihwan immediately shook his head.

"No! It's, um, a figure of speech. It feels really good, but I'm embarrassed and a little dazed, too. That's exactly how I feel."

A slight crease formed between Hyeonyul's brows. He didn't understand.

"I mean... Hmm. Hmm, the situation is just that complicated."

"Why is it complicated? I only stated the facts."

"Lucky you, Jihwan, getting compliments from Hyeonyul. You must be on cloud nine today. Praiseworthy Jihwan. Amazing Jihwan."

Nayun seized the opportunity to start teasing him, and his fluster showed.

"Let's get going! Hurry!"

Jihwan urged them on hastily. Nayun walked ahead, laughing gleefully. She was thoroughly satisfied. She felt full without even eating.

'Sis is just like Bro Sinu.'

Thinking that, Jihwan walked alongside Hyeonyul.

After they had walked for a while, Nayun stopped.

"See that over there?"

"That's... pretty big, isn't it?"

Jihwan narrowed his eyes.

The word "factory" had given him a rough idea of its size, but it was larger than he'd expected. It took quite some time to scan it from left to right.

"... Should we call Bro Sinu?"

"Don't worry. I already did."

"... What? Didn't you tell me not to call him earlier, Sis?"

"I did, but then I remembered how big the factory was."

"Then how will he get here?"

"Probably on an eagle?"

Nayun held out her phone.

[Team Leader! We're off to do some work!]

[But I don't want to work!!!!]

She had sent an emoji of a cat hitting its head.

"The faster we do anything, the better."

"Do we need big brother Baek Sinu because of the factory's size?"

Hyeonyul suddenly asked. Four people were certainly better than three.

"That's part of it, but we need to wrap this up quickly, don't we?"

"Why?"

"Because our shift hasn't started yet."

Nayun's words brought Hyeonyul up short. Being together had made him mistake this for being at work. Precious time was slipping away right now. They had six to seven hours before their shift.

"... I'll handle it."

Even if it was large, he could wipe the whole place out within an hour. They needed to finish quickly.

"No, Hyeonyul. Stay put. You're hurt right now."

"I'm fine."

"This is what Baek Sinu is there for. And we have Jihwan right now, don't we? Baek Sinu with Jihwan around is a good choice."

"Bro Sinu will hear you," Jihwan whispered.

Hyeonyul turned to look behind him.

"He's already here. I saw the eagle coming earlier."

As Nayun smiled, Hyeonyul saw Sinu trudging toward them. He looked half asleep, as though he hadn't quite woken up yet.

"... You guys are seriously industrious. How are you not still in dreamland at this hour?"

"Aaah."

Sinu yawned widely, then massaged his shoulder.

"So, was all that delicious food you ate without me good?"

"Absolutely fantastic."

Nayun's delight left Sinu incredulous.

His gaze moved to Jihwan. When Jihwan laughed, "Ha ha," Sinu turned to Hyeonyul. His eyes were different from when he had looked at Nayun and Jihwan.

"... Right. What did you do wrong? Obviously, either Nayun or Jihwan dragged you along, didn't they?"

Hyeonyul merely blinked in silence. Should he say that was true?

"I know all about it, so you don't have to say anything. You had something tasty, and that's what matters. Let's see."

Sinu looked at Hyeonyul's forehead. A bandage covered it.

"You may be angry, but no killing, Hyeonyul."

"I know."

"I'll take care of it quietly."

Sinu smiled at Jihwan, who nodded.

"No. Neither of you."

Nayun immediately stopped Sinu. Together, those two could cause far more than mere trouble.

"We won't kill them. I'm just going to give their Achilles tendons a little touch."

"Get a grip, Baek Sinu. Hyeonyul is listening."

As Nayun's eyes sharpened, Sinu raised both hands. Honestly, he thought she ought to be more worried about Hyeonyul than him.

"All right, I get it. So what do you need me to do?"

"There's a good chance this is one of the drug suppliers Hyeonyul has been looking for."

"... Ah."

At Nayun's explanation, the look in Sinu's eyes changed.

"So I just need to keep all those things over there from going anywhere?"

"That's right."

Nayun nodded.

"Jihwan."

"Naturally, I've been getting ready."

Jihwan held out his hand as he spoke confidently. A three-dimensional image of the factory appeared over his palm. It was the same magic Hyeonyul had seen on their previous mission. Red suddenly sprang into view.

'... Oh.'

Only then did Hyeonyul understand why Nayun had said Sinu and Jihwan made a good combination. Sinu could summon swords across space. Jihwan could manipulate space. What would happen, then, if Sinu simply knew the locations?

"You don't have to do anything, Hyeonyul."

It seemed as though a gentle breeze was blowing around Sinu.

SNAP.

The instant Sinu snapped his fingers, Hyeonyul looked toward the factory. He saw a disturbance. A wave of power, perhaps? He distinctly felt something.

"... Are there no limits at all on your sword summoning?"

"Let's just say I can do it as long as I can hold out."

How was that any different from saying there were no limits? If it was unlimited, how could one fight him? Hyeonyul couldn't picture it.

"Let's go now."

As Sinu strode confidently forward, Nayun casually pulled a gun from the bag she was carrying and fired.

BANG!

"... Whoa!"

Sinu jumped in surprise, then rubbed his ear.

"There was someone outside the building. It's a tranquilizer gun."

The corners of Nayun's mouth lifted. Its range was remarkably long for the length of its barrel.

"Now let's go."

Nayun smiled, and Sinu followed with a disgruntled expression.

"You could've warned me."

"I told you, didn't I? Stop chattering and follow me."

Sinu started to say something, then stopped. How could he ever win an argument with her? He followed, yawning.

* * *

The moment Hyeonyul entered the factory, the corners of his mouth rose. Swords were aimed at everyone's throats like ticking time bombs. What an efficient ability. He could already see a few bastards who had died after trying something.

This place was run by villains, but most of these people might or might not be villains themselves. Setting everything else aside, one thing mattered.

'... They make drugs here.'

How could they conceal this smell, which bordered on a stench?

"Let's ask all the questions you want and search the place. Until our shift starts, that is. We need plenty of rest before work."

Sinu made the suggestion as though speaking Hyeonyul's mind.