13 Mink Street

Any café still open at this hour was definitely not the respectable kind. By that same logic, anyone who chose to drink coffee at such an hour probably wasn’t respectable either.

Karon stopped at the entrance and looked up at the neon sign: “Magical Fingers Above the Clouds.”

He translated it in his head, Finger Heaven...

A waiter immediately approached them, and Nio asked for a private coffee room.

The waiter glanced at the two men in mild surprise, but quickly replied, “Understood, I’ll arrange it right away.”

It was a corner room on the second floor. It was not large, but it did stretch deep inside. Near the entrance were two small sofas and a tea table, while further in was a washroom with a bathtub. Beyond even that was a round bed, and further still, a long sofa sat by a floor-to-ceiling window. A soft mat had been thoughtfully placed on the floor in front of the sofa.

The lighting was dim and reddish, creating a secretive atmosphere. The walls were covered with photos of alluring actresses, their expressions seductive and inviting.

Karon sat down on the sofa near the door and picked up a coffee cup. The rim was sticky with old sugar residue, and the inside was filled with cigarette butts.

The waiter handed Nio a catalog listing available attendants. The man sat down with the catalog and said, “I treated you to drinks earlier today, so tonight, you treat me to coffee.”

“Of course, Captain.”

“Good. Then this page, all eight, plus fruit and alcohol. Oh, do you serve coffee here?”

“Yes.”

“Add a pot.”

“Yes, sir. Are you sure you want eight?”

“I am.”

“Understood. Please wait a moment.” The waiter left to make arrangements.

“By the way, did you bring any rels?” Nio asked.

Karon shook his head.

“What a coincidence, I didn’t either.” Nio smiled faintly. “If we can’t pay, we’ll just leave you here as collateral.”

The door opened, and eight heavily made-up women entered and bowed towards Karon and Nio. “Good evening, gentlemen. We’re happy to serve you.”

Nio gestured casually. “Clean this room within fifteen minutes. That will count as your service.”

The women froze, but at that moment, the front desk manager entered and instructed, “Do as the guest says.”

The women began cleaning.

Karon found this scene amusing and beckoned the manager over. “Paper and pen.”

“Of course.”

Karon wrote down the phone number of Pavaro Funeral Home and handed it over. “Call this number. Tell them the young master is here and to bring money.”

“Yes, sir.” The manager assumed the young man was a wealthy heir who was enjoying himself, and that he simply did not bother carrying money. After overseeing the cleaning, the manager returned to the front desk and dialed the number. He expected a manor or a steward to answer.

“Hello, Pavaro Funeral Home, how may we serve you?”

“...”

***

Karon poured coffee for both of them, adding two sugar cubes to each, and stirred gently.

Nio took a sip and set the cup down. “So, are we starting now?”

“If you’re ready, Captain, we can begin.”

Nio leaned back slightly, hands in his pockets. Karon recognized the posture as defensive.

“Shall I speak first?” Nio asked.

“I’ll ask.”

“Alright.”

“Captain, are you currently facing something that troubles you, something you cannot directly resolve?”

“I wouldn’t call it trouble. And for now, I see no reason to resolve it.”

“So its existence is acceptable to you?”

“Yes. I’m trying to understand it.”

“Has it always been like this?”

“No. It began after Elisa’s death.”

“Before she passed, was this issue already present?”

“Yes.”

“How did you treat it then? Avoidance or deliberate neglect?”

“Neglect.”

Karon nodded. “Did her death remove your final defense against it?”

Nio spread his hands. “There seems to be a void within me, it’s natural to find something to fill it.”

“Can it fill that void?”

“I don’t know yet. I’m exploring.”

“Let’s put things metaphorically; Is it like a meal that requires a long time to eat, a mysterious yet alluring woman, or a thick and heavy book?”

“A book.”

“What kind? Heavy? Or do you mean the contents itself?

“Not really. Like a novel. Not captivating enough to forget everything around you, but something I can casually pick up and read.”

“So you view it as an observer?”

“Of course. It’s not mine. Why would I immerse myself in it?”

Karon took a sip of coffee and leaned back, studying the man. From their earlier exchange, Karon had begun to sense something was off. His understanding of his captain had been skewed from the very start, and that initial deviation had only grown more extreme the further it went.

“What is it?” Nio asked. “Is it serious?”

Karon frowned. “You’re not deranged.”

“Hm? Who said I was deranged?”

“...You’re playing.”

Nio’s eyes widened at once, fixing on Karon. In that instant, he straightened, his upper body lifting slightly, his arms hanging loose at his sides, like a cobra rising to strike.

Karon did not move, holding his posture exactly as it was. Only by doing so could he keep the other man’s guard from going up further.

Gradually, Nio relaxed and picked up a slice of orange. “I’m starting to believe psychologists aren’t all frauds.”

“I just know you a little.”

“You’ve been observing me?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“There aren’t many people around me I can interact with. And the ones who are interesting are even fewer.”

“I see.” Nio pointed at the fruit platter. “The fruit’s fresh.”

“Alright.” Karon picked up a slice of orange and set it in front of him. He didn’t eat it, and instead pulled out a napkin to wipe the fingertips he had just used.

“You’re not wrong. I probably am playing. Just like you said you were observing me... I’ve been observing it as well.” As he spoke, Nio tapped his chest.

Karon noticed that he didn’t point to his face.

“There are two possibilities right now.”

“Go on.”

Karon picked up the half-finished cup of coffee in front of him and poured it into the beer beside it. The two liquids, different in color, slowly blended together, causing Nio to raise a brow. “You mean after mixing them, whether it tastes like coffee or beer?”

Karon shook his head.

“Then what?”

Karon lifted the glass and placed it in front of Nio. “You can try it. In the end, it depends on whether you like the taste.”

The two sat facing each other, both staring at the murky drink.

“I don’t know,” Nio said. “There’s no way to predict it, so I can’t answer.”

“That’s the point, Captain. If you keep going, the outcome may not be something you can control... or even perceive.”

Nio smiled faintly. “Then tell me, can life itself be predicted?”

Karon fell silent.

“The Church of Reincarnation likes to preach that this life is predetermined, that everything exists only to prepare for the next. But is that kind of life really meaningful?” Nio lifted the glass and took a long drink. “Some people prefer stability. Some hate change. But you, me, everyone in our squad... we’re not like that. Deep down, there’s a restlessness we can’t erase. It won’t allow us to live a life that never changes.”

He looked at the glass again and sighed. “That tastes terrible.”

Karon nodded. “You don’t have a psychological problem, Captain. You’re very clear-headed.”

“Oh?” Nio smiled. “I thought I was supposed to be the one saying that at the end, so I wouldn’t have to pay.”

“You’re walking, fully aware, into a volcano filled with molten rock. That’s your choice; No one else can judge it. Walking in circles along a railing, numbing yourself in safety... or walking step by step into the flames while taking in the view along the way, even knowing it will consume you in the end... there’s no real difference between the two paths.”

“And you?” Nio asked. “Which do you choose?”

“I’m just watching the scenery,” Karon said.

“And your future? The end of your path?”

“I don’t know.”

Nio chuckled. “Don’t you think the unknown is the most frightening thing of all?”

Karon shrugged. “Captain, if we keep going like this, shouldn’t I be the one charging you for therapy?”

Nio spread his palm. “Light—Guidance.”

A soft halo of light appeared above his hand. He looked at Karon. “If we keep talking, we’re going to start touching upon each other’s real secrets.”

Karon nodded. “Yes.”

“I promised I wouldn’t pry into your secrets. I’ve kept that promise.”

“I can tell. Thank you, Captain.”

“But that doesn’t have anything to do with us choosing to reveal them ourselves. Maybe we can make an exchange; What do you think?”

Exchange... secrets. Karon looked at Nio. The light between them blurred each other’s features.

“If you’re willing, take it.”

Karon didn’t move. “Captain, I’m curious. Why do this?”

“Because what you’ve shown me tells me you’re worth it. This is an equal trade. More importantly... Don’t you think that continuing like this, guessing and analyzing, is exhausting?”

“It is.”

“Then let’s stop guessing. Let’s be honest.”

Karon bit his lip.

“You’re hesitating that much?” Nio smiled. “Your secret must be quite something. Worried you’ll lose out?”

“I just wasn’t prepared for this tonight.”

“Then we do it step by step; break our secrets into layers, treat them like chips on a table. We put them down one at a time. Only when the stakes match do we continue. How about that?”

“...Alright. I agree.” Karon reached out and took the light. It continued to glow in his hand.

“Then who starts?” Nio asked.

“I’ve always called you ‘captain.’”

“Fair enough.” Nio rubbed his face. “Then we should change locations. Has your servant arrived with the payment?”

“Not yet.”

“Then let’s go. He’ll settle the bill when he arrives. We’re not exactly skipping out.”

“Alright.”

Nio stood and walked toward the back of the room. Karon followed, stopping beside him at the floor-to-ceiling window.

Then, without another word, the two of them dissolved into black mist that drifted out into the night.

***

It was the same VIP car, and the captain was still driving. Karon sat in the passenger seat, looking out the window. Parts of the city were lively, but overall, it still felt half-asleep.

“You can still back out now,” Nio offered. “Once I place my bet, you’ll have no choice but to follow.”

“The whole point of a secret is that it’s meant to be shared.”

Nio nodded. “Exactly. A secret’s only real function is to be passed on. Laying our cards on the table like this saves time and effort for both of us. The moment we used Light in front of each other, this step became inevitable.”

“I know, and I understand. I don’t like letting secrets sit overnight either.”

“Oh, right. There’s still someone in that studio’s basement. An Apostle of the Church of Light. Her name’s Bertha.”

“Bertha?”

“You know her?”

“I do.”

“Don’t worry. She didn’t see you. But from now on, get used to wearing your mask. The ones who see you won’t always be your targets.”

“Yes, Captain. I’ll remember that.”

“I didn’t kill her. I’ve got her looking into something for me.”

At that moment, Karon realized the street they were driving down felt familiar. He came here often: King’s Avenue in central York City. The car came to a stop.

“I think this will interest you,” Nio said, killing the engine and gesturing outside.

Karon turned his head and looked at the sign: Lemar Pottery Studio. So that time the captain got out nearby and said he was heading home... he had been hinting at this place all along.

One night, in Lemar’s workshop, Karon had seen Nio’s portrait displayed beside Pavaro’s.

He followed Nio out of the car. The shop was locked, though the lock would only stop ordinary thieves. Nio flicked a finger, and the lock inside dropped open. As the door swung inward, the eyes of the ceramic figures to either side lit up with a red glow. Nio waved his hand, and a layer of mist dulled the light at once.

“I could’ve just had them open the door.”

“You’d better not let them see us together. Put your mask on.”

“Understood.” Karon brushed the ring at his fingertip. A silver mask spread over his face, his presence shifting with it.

At that moment, Lemar came out, holding an axe. Serena wasn’t with him, likely kept upstairs.

Karon noticed that when Lemar saw Nio’s uncovered face, his entire body began to tremble. “Y-you...?”

Nio spoke calmly. “I’m taking my friend to see your collection.”

“I thought you were long dead, and yet you’re still walking around with that face... Do you really think my studio is somewhere you can just walk into?”

“I wouldn’t mind taking your sister again. She should be older now. I mean her soul.”

“You—!” Lemar pulled out a key and tossed it onto the table.

Nio picked it up. “You can go back upstairs. Come down after we leave. I won’t take anything. You know you can trust me on that.”

Lemar shot him a vicious look, then turned and went upstairs with the axe.

Nio led Karon down to the basement. After unlocking the door, the two stepped inside. It was obvious Nio had been here before. He knew the layout well.

Lemar, it seemed, both hated and trusted Nio. It was like someone pounding against your chest while saying they hate you.

They stopped in front of the wall filled with portraits.

“Do you believe in fate, Karon?” Nio asked.

“Depends.”

“I admire Pavaro’s persistence and discipline, aAnd he recommended you, though not in the usual way. Then the shop where you made a mask out of his face... happens to be the same one I chose.”

“That’s... quite a coincidence.”

Nio took out a ring from his pocket and slid it onto his finger. This one wasn’t plastic. “You’ve been wondering what my face looks like under the mask, haven’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Then this is my first stake.”

The ring gave off a faint glow, and light spread over his body. Karon understood immediately: the mask had been removed.

His eyes snapped up to Nio’s face as Nio turned to face him, deliberately presenting his face.

“How... is that possible...” Karon took a step back.

“Surprised?” Nio “smiled. “Looks like you’re satisfied with my opening bet.”

What Karon saw was not a face, but something like a mass of congealed, blood-soaked flesh. The image instantly overlapped with the night when Pavaro had calmly peeled off his own face. “The mask Lemar made for you... the material was...”

Nio nodded. “Yes. My own face.”