"Chriss, where would you like to go?"

At the gate, Rayelle held Chriss’s small hand and asked curiously.

Chriss rubbed her palms together indecisively, offering a timid little smile.

"Anywhere is fine."

"I see. I remember a lovely little garden nearby. How about I take you there?" Rayelle suggested softly, lifting Chriss’s hand and starting to walk.

Chriss moved slowly, her frail body needing frequent pauses to catch her breath. She seemed even weaker than when Rayelle first met her.

Rayelle matched her pace without a word, strolling leisurely toward the garden.

It wasn’t far from Chloe’s house—barely a five-minute walk even at Chriss’s speed.

Soon, a corner of the garden came into view.

"Here we are," Rayelle said, standing on tiptoe to point at the garden gate.

Chriss peeked ahead and gasped softly.

"There’s a garden here?"

Rayelle tilted her head, surprised. "It’s so close. Didn’t you know about it?"

"No," Chriss whispered, shaking her head. "I’ve rarely left home because of my health. I only know Bonn City from the few times my sister took me to herbal pharmacies. I’ve never seen other places."

Rayelle’s heart ached at Chriss’s downcast expression. Such a nearby garden, yet forever out of reach.

Unconsciously, she tightened her grip on Chriss’s hand.

*For these next thirty minutes, I’ll show her every corner of this place.*

"Let’s go explore inside!"

"Mm."

Rayelle pulled Chriss along, and they darted into the garden.

The Chaos Sect could wait. Judging by their patterns, recruitment likely happened at night anyway.

For now, she’d cherish this time with Chriss.

She genuinely liked the girl—and her Extraordinary Power made a perfect battery for Rayelle’s own abilities.

"Rayelle! What’s that?"

On the stone path, Chriss suddenly stopped, stretching onto her tiptoes to point at something ahead.

"Hm?" Rayelle followed her finger.

Between two trees hung a small swing—a child’s delight.

"Want to try it?"

"Eh? May I?" Chriss blinked, hesitating as if worried Rayelle might disapprove.

Rayelle’s next move erased her doubt.

"If you want to, then yes." She smiled, leading Chriss to the swing and lifting her onto the wooden seat. "Hold the ropes tight. Sit centered—scoot back a little more. Perfect."

Guided by Rayelle, Chriss sat upright, her face a mix of nervousness and excitement.

"Hold on tight now—"

"Mm!"

"One, two—*whoosh!*"

Rayelle’s mischievous grin flashed as she shoved the swing hard, sending it soaring high.

"Waaah!?" Chriss paled, nearly losing her voice.

But Rayelle caught the swing smoothly on its return.

"Rayelle’s... being naughty..." Chriss pouted slightly, though her eyes sparkled with newfound joy—her first time on a swing.

"Again?"

"Waaah!? Just... a little push this time..." Chriss pleaded weakly.

"Okay." Rayelle nodded.

*(She’d only teased her once. Seeing that flustered face was worth it—but pushing further would feel cruel.)*

"Hold tight. One... two—*whoosh!*"

---

While Rayelle and Chriss played in the garden, battle erupted elsewhere.

"Bonn City isn’t lawless territory."

Aerin’s icy gaze locked onto the hulking, armor-clad man before her. She swung the Holy Sword.

A shockwave ripped through the air. Golden light coalesced into radiant blades.

"Hah! A twig like you dares fight me?" The man sneered, unconcerned—but his arm twisted violently, swelling into a two-meter crimson blade.

*Definitely a Corrupted.*

Aerin’s fingers brushed the Holy Sword’s edge. Their signature trait: flesh twisted to their will.

"Not Corrupted flesh, but you still look delicious!" The man’s eyes bulged madly as he charged, crimson blade whirling.

His laughter died instantly.

*Squelch.*

A phantom Holy Sword materialized beside him, impaling him clean through.

"You talk too much."

Aerin lunged forward. She knew this one—though mindless with corruption—was stronger than the Chaos Cultist grunts from the alley. *Early Third Rank, at least.* One strike wouldn’t kill him.

"*Cough*... Ambush!?" The man’s shock melted into a manic grin, as if the blade piercing him meant nothing.

Before Aerin reached him, his body convulsed. Twisted flesh erupted, splitting him in two. The impaled half was hurled at her like a shield.

"*Slash!*"

Aerin’s sword cleaved the torso apart.

But the moment it shattered—*BOOM!*—it exploded into thick blood mist, blinding her senses.

"*Disperse.*"

Aerin planted the Holy Sword upright. A golden radiance erupted, vaporizing the mist.

The man was gone.

*Big threats, quick retreats?*

Yet Aerin tracked his bloody trail—straight toward Chloe’s house.

Her expression hardened. She shot forward like an arrow.