On the top floor of a building not far from the television station, two figures stood. Upon closer inspection, it could be seen that they were the black-clothed man from the basement and the little girl with two golden buns on her head. However, even now, the black-clothed man had not removed his mask.

"It seems that the plan is proceeding smoothly," the little girl said in a mature tone that did not befit her age.

"It certainly seems that way. No one suspects anything, so there haven't been any obstacles. It was quite easy to complete," the black-clothed man responded.

The little girl could only shrug helplessly at this. "It's because of the high reputation of the Savior, and also..."

"And also?" the black-clothed man prompted.

"The most crucial thing is that they just want a lifeline. In their desperate situation, they don't have the luxury to doubt others. Rather, they don't want to doubt. They don't want to ruin their only hope."

"So they chose to blindly believe? Well, I can't deny that. But I have something to say."

"What is it?" The little girl tilted her head in confusion.

"You know, Ling, you're just a ten-year-old girl, yet you speak with the tone of a middle-aged man. Doesn't it strike you as strange? Well, I don't mean any offense though."

"It's none of your business," the girl, called Ling, retorted.

"Is it really okay to be so rude?"

"I said it's okay."

"Well, that attitude suits your age."

"Hmph..." Ling became angry and kicked out her right leg towards the black-clothed man, but he easily avoided it.

"By the way, this isn't the first time. Even if I wanted to get hit, it would be difficult," the black-clothed man remarked.

"Then don't dodge."

"No, I'm not dodging. It's just my body reacting on its own. But I suppose it's mainly your fault. After experiencing it so many times, it's no surprise."

"Even if your body moves on its own, try to restrain it for me."

"Ling, that's quite an unreasonable request. It's not something a person can control."

"Even if it's impossible, you have to do everything you can to make it happen."

"...," faced with the girl's excessive demand, the black-clothed man was rendered speechless.

After all, she was just a child. Taking things too seriously would be his own problem. Perhaps to divert the attention, the black-clothed man suddenly asked with a hint of confusion, "By the way, Ling, I've been meaning to ask, what is that pendant you're wearing on your chest?"

"Oh, this," the little girl said as she pulled out something from her clothes, which was hanging around her neck.

"Oh? So that's what it is?" The black-clothed man exclaimed in surprise at the oddly shaped deep blue pendant in front of him.

"What's so surprising about it?" The little girl looked disdainful at the black-clothed man's extreme reaction.

"No, it's not that the item itself is... If I'm not mistaken, this thing seems like something that can't be bought with money. Or, to be more precise, it feels like something that doesn't exist in this world, giving off an indescribable sensation."

"Well, even if you say that, I don't know."

"Huh? Ling, isn't this yours? How could you not know? Did you steal it?"

"Who would steal it?"

As she spoke, the little girl kicked the black-clad man's right leg again.

But once again, the man easily dodged.

"Don't hide, you bastard."

Seeing that her first attack missed, the little girl didn't give up. She took aim at the man's left leg and hit it hard while he was still caught off guard.

"Ugh..."

The man, who was kicked, hugged his left leg in pain and continuously hopped on his uninjured right leg in place.