Chapter 44 – A Story Only the Three of Them Know
“Make sure he’s securely restrained. There’s a risk of self-harm or suicide… so don’t take your eyes off him for a second. Understood?”
“Yes, sir—!”
“We’ll keep that in mind!”
Hearing the firm replies, Elwin gave a nod, then slowly turned away from the underground prison.
Creeeak—Clang!
As he exited, a heavy iron gate descended from the ceiling, sealing the way behind him.
Only elite Hunters were permitted access to this underground prison. Once inside, inmates couldn’t come out.
Walking down the dark corridor, Elwin recalled the conversation he had just had.
—Would you be interested in a little proposal? It’ll benefit both of us.
—A proposal? What… What is it?
—Since you infiltrated as a spy anyway, how about changing sides? Become my spy too.
—…Huh?
—A double agent, I mean. What do you say, Hake?
Persuading Hake had been easy.
—…Alright. I’ll do it. I’ll become a double agent! Just… Please pardon my crimes…!
—I understand. But someone with a criminal record can’t just return to civilian life. You’ll be under surveillance for the rest of your life—and you’ll need to work dutifully as a Hunter too.
—T-That’s fine. As long as I can… meet them again someday.
As Hake clenched his paws tightly, Elwin could practically read his thoughts.
“You were thinking about those four, weren’t you? Really…”
Elwin clicked his tongue softly.
“The power of the original story…”
Just a few days’ worth of interactions had melted the cold, assassin-forged heart of a killer.
It was astonishing. A miracle, even.
In the original LAMPAS, Hake was destined to bring ruin—breaking the magical alarm system, playing the role of the traitorous princess of Nangnang.
He was supposed to die saving the four in a moment of danger.
And now that Elwin thought about it…
The ruthless assassin, raised for killing, had sacrificed himself to save them rather than finish them off.
Irony at its finest.
“That’s why it was the right decision not to intervene too early… to guide him into meeting those four, including Melasa.”
He had invested in a sliver of possibility.
“I didn’t think it’d bear fruit so quickly though. I thought it’d take a couple of months at least.”
The investment had paid off—big time.
Thanks to Hake willingly becoming a double agent, things were much smoother now.
“Still… there's no such thing as zero chance of betrayal. Better put in some safeguards.”
Nodding, Elwin turned down another hallway.
He knew someone who specialized in putting restrictions on people—someone perfect for the job.
“Good timing, really. I wanted to see her face anyway and planned to say hello sooner or later.”
Elwin decided it was time to visit his secret allies who had assisted him from the shadows during the labyrinth incident.
***
Night had fallen, draping the world in darkness.
“……”
Inside an unlit hospital room, a young woman stood silently, bathed in the cool night air. She looked like someone teetering between girlhood and womanhood, her presence delicate yet powerful.
“Three… two… one.”
Whoooosh!
Right on cue, a breeze entered through the open window.
Her cropped lavender hair fluttered in the wind.
“You’ve come.”
She turned around.
And there, where no one had been moments earlier, stood a blonde-haired boy with bright blue eyes.
“Seems like you were expecting me, Sercia.”
“I figured you’d come by once the incident was mostly wrapped up. Was I wrong?”
“Nope, right on the mark. I’ve got business, too.”
“Business?”
When Sercia asked, Elwin got straight to the point.
He needed her to use magic that could place a mental compulsion on someone.
“I understand. I’ll go tomorrow. Just send me the location.”
“I’ll assign someone to guide you.”
Despite how suspicious the request sounded, she accepted immediately.
“You’re not even going to ask why?”
“For someone like you, I assume the reason must be justified.”
“And what’s your honest opinion?”
“…I don’t really care. I’ll do whatever it takes to prove my worth.”
Her eyes gleamed with a dangerous glint.
“In return, Elwin… you’ll uphold your promise, right?”
The unexpected bond between Elwin Krieger and Sercia Edelweiss began the day before the LAMPAS Hunter Exam.
The day she pointed her magic pistol at Gale’s fluffy-haired head.
—The window’s open… Who’s there!?
When she returned to her room, she found—
—Hello, Miss Sercia. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m the one you were looking for… or perhaps that’s the quickest way to explain it?
—…Huh?
—I apologize for entering a lady’s room uninvited. Please forgive me. I know it sounds like an excuse, but it was hard to reach you otherwise. I came the moment I received word that you’d arrived—though it’s admittedly a bit awkward.
A golden-haired young man, somewhere between boy and young adult, scratched his cheek awkwardly as he continued.
—Allow me to formally introduce myself. My name is Elwin Krieger. I currently hold the position of Imperial Special-Class Hunter—though I may not look it.
—Y-You’re…!
—I asked Gale to deliver my message to you. You’ve heard it, right?
—I have. You told me to prove it. By ‘prove,’ did you mean my ability?
Elwin nodded.
—Yes. I need allies who are strong—and who won’t betray me. I want you to be one of them. My comrade.
—…What do I get in return?
—Hmm. Isn’t it obvious? You searched for me and not any other Special-Class Hunter—for a reason.
Sercia flinched at his words.
—I’ll help you fulfill that wish you hold so dearly… revenge. So, Miss Sercia, how about we make a deal?
—…What do you want me to do?
And so, she took his hand.
The first task she accepted to prove her worth was to become his ally.
—Gale, my dear student, is still a novice at using mana. Would you stay by his side and assist him?
The second task she performed was “putting everyone at risk with teleportation.”
—I want you to gather the others and teleport them to the coordinates I provided. That place is likely shielded by a barrier cast by Zeraphe Gnaude.
—I know you can break it, but please pretend that your teleportation magic has been blocked. You’re good at acting, right?
The third thing she did was “bring Elwin in.”
—Once you’ve broken Zeraphe Gnaude’s barrier, open the path so I can enter. I’ll signal you through this device.
That was how Sercia had aided Elwin as his secret ally within the underground labyrinth.
She didn’t even call me when the Manticore nearly killed her. She waited—until my signal.
As he recalled that moment, Elwin met Sercia’s gaze. Unflinching.
She was ready to give her life for revenge. Elwin answered her.
“Of course. If not you—who else could be my comrade?”
Seeing her visibly relax, Elwin smiled faintly. A smile tinged with satisfaction… or perhaps, solidarity.
You don’t know it yet… but we’re already in the same boat, Sercia.
Their target of revenge was one and the same.
Coincidence? Or a trick of fate?
Either way, it doesn’t matter.
Whether he died or his enemy did, one of them had to fall.
I’m looking forward to it.
Another day spent with a fellow seeker of vengeance.
It was going to be a fun ride.
***
After leaving Sercia’s room, having delivered his request and thanks, Elwin headed to another room.
Inside, a man walked on crutches, bracing his body.
“One… two…”
Despite dripping with cold sweat, he never stopped moving—never stopped his rehabilitation.
“Three… four… five… Ugh!”
But unfamiliarity caught up with him, and he stumbled. He was about to fall face-first to the floor—
“…Huh? That didn’t hurt?”
“Because I caught you.”
“Elwin…?”
Duran’s eyes widened.
“It’s been a while. How’ve you been?”
Duran, the dual-wielding swordsman—Elwin’s second hidden ally.
“I’m glad the surgery went well.”
“It’s all thanks to you, Elwin!”
Duran laughed heartily, showing no hint of regret over the arms he lost helping Elwin.
That was the deal from the start, anyway.
Duran had always been ordinary—no lineage, no talent, no special skill.
But his drive to win was second to none.
That was the problem. He wanted to grow stronger—but couldn’t.
Elwin, knowing this, approached him and proposed:
—Mr. Duran. Become my informant, and I’ll enhance your body. Give you greater strength and flexibility.
—What do I need to do?
—Take the Hunter Exam. Then, using the communicator I gave you, report everything that happens in the labyrinth.
Though Duran was a hard-working fighter with grit, he wasn’t on par with other top-tier Hunter candidates.
That’s why he was perfect—he could stay hidden and feed information to Elwin.
But Elwin had worried he might end up hurt.
And that worry had, unfortunately, become reality.
“How are the grafted arms? You still don’t seem used to them.”
“Ugh… It’s tough, but I’ll get used to it with practice!”
Elwin had quickly contacted the Clock Tower and obtained high-performance golem arms for Duran.
Though artificial, they were powerful. Still, he’d worried Duran would fall into despair after losing his real arms.
“I’ll master these arms and become strong! I’ll become a powerful swordsman, no matter what!”
But surprisingly, Duran seemed more fired up than ever.
“It’s good to see you like this.”
Elwin gave a relieved smile. Duran was obsessed with strength—truly mad for it.
“…Ah, it’s already this late. I should be going. Take it easy, Mr. Duran. No need to see me off.”
“What? Of course I do! I’ll escort you to the entrance!”
Despite Elwin’s protests, Duran chased after him, wildly swinging his barely-attached arms to wave goodbye—
“UWAAAGHHH!”
Only to crash and scream in agony moments later.
Medical staff—who had been standing by just in case—immediately rushed in to carry him off to the ER.
“Haha…”
Left alone, Elwin chuckled awkwardly.
He’d seen this ending play out before, but it never got less weird.
“For Mr. Duran’s health, I probably shouldn’t visit the hospital for a while. I feel bad making the medical staff work overtime.”
With a sigh, Elwin turned to leave. The 616 batch had such overpowering personalities.
It was exhausting.
“Is this… what moms feel like raising unruly kids?”
He felt like he’d experienced a sliver of parenting pain firsthand.