Inside the Orphan Haven, the place had effectively become an Onassis Clan stronghold—though the decor remained unchanged. Rora sat on a small stool in the center of the hall, slightly tilting her head as she questioned the black-clad figure beside her.
"Has Shea still not given up?"
"Young Miss, Miss Shea infiltrated Elson’s warehouse last night and stole a Shadow Orb. This month’s debt can finally be repaid."
"...Sigh…"
Rora let out a helpless sigh. She wasn’t unwilling to help her sister. Removing everything from Shea’s life was meant to leave her no choice but to join the Onassis Clan.
In truth, those debts no longer belonged to black-market merchants—they’d been transferred to the Onassis Clan’s accounts. Shea was essentially paying money back to herself.
But she seemed unaware.
Or perhaps, even if she knew, she’d still repay every coin without ever bowing to Rora.
"That incident back then… Sigh…"
Childhood memories flickered—before their separation, their bond had been warm. But after their father betrayed her and Shea, young Rora had seized the Onassis Clan’s reins with ruthless tactics. Tactics that made Shea despise her. Even hate her.
Too painful to revisit. Best left buried.
Now, the Hunter was the priority. Rora had uncovered his identity: Radiant Sun Rank Hunter, codename "Silver," Abel.
*So it really was him. I misjudged him back then.*
The title "Radiant Sun Rank" gave her a headache. Fortunately, he wasn’t a citizen here—his influence was limited. She could still counter him.
But the thought of him living under the same roof as Shea made Rora gnash her teeth in frustration.
*No. I must find a way to kick him out. Fast.*
If some cliché "love blossoms over time" nonsense happened… she’d have no recourse.
*She’s mine. I was here first. I won’t let her fall into the hands of some stranger.*
"Gin, come here."
"How may I serve?"
The black-clad man—Gin—bowed his head, awaiting orders.
"Tomorrow’s Shea’s first day back at school. Lure that Hunter away. I need to inspect her bedroom… thoroughly. Check if anything… *inappropriate* has occurred during their cohabitation."
"Understood."
As Gin retreated into the shadows, Rora silently prayed: *Please, let there be no condoms in there. If I find even one…*
*Even as a Rising Sun Rank mage, I’ll tear a chunk of flesh from that Hunter with my bare teeth.*
And her odds weren’t bad. Shea had confiscated all his weapons. Unarmed, his strength would be crippled.
---
The next morning, Shea jolted awake after a night of nightmares about being stripped naked. Even while getting ready for school, she kept checking her clothes were still on.
"Shea, feeling unwell? You’ve been staring at your buttons all morning."
"Yikes!"
Abel’s voice behind her at the door made her nearly jump out of her skin. Only after confirming his harmless expression did she calm down.
"N-nothing. I’m heading out. Bye."
"Safe travels."
Abel couldn’t fathom her jumpiness. But he had urgent business: retrieving the Shadow Orb from the black market before the Tide Cultists did. Problem was, it cost roughly 50,000 gold coins—far beyond his current funds.
"Good day, Mr. Silver. I have… a small job requiring your expertise."
From the shadows emerged Gin, black-clad and holding a briefcase. He snapped it open, revealing gleaming gold coins.
"Nod your agreement, and this case is yours."
"First, tell me the job."
Abel estimated the case held about 30,000 coins. Combined with a loan from Gray, it’d solve his immediate crisis.
But what task was worth 30,000 coins?
"Patrol duty."
Gin’s "patrol" was a lie. The real goal: drag Abel along a predetermined route to delay his return home.
"30,000 coins just to patrol? Why hire me for something so simple?"
Abel wasn’t naive. Handing 300 coins to any random citizen to circle the city would draw crowds. Why him?
"Heh. Mr. Silver, this is the designated patrol map. Only you can complete it."
Gin handed over a map. The route covered Vag City, skirted the outer forests, and cut through the perilous Corrupted Land itself.
The mission: trace the Tidal Cult’s infiltration paths and uncover their objectives.
A genuine intelligence-gathering patrol. A task few could survive.
Convinced, Abel accepted without suspicion.
"Pleasure doing business."
Taking the briefcase and map, Abel set off.
Once he vanished, Gin smirked—a predator’s grin—and melted back into darkness.
"Young Miss, the task is complete."
"Return to your post."
"Yes."
After dismissing Gin, Rora arrived at Shea’s apartment. The locked front door posed no challenge. She slipped in through the balcony, scanning the modest two-bedroom unit.
Leftover breakfast sat in the fridge—luxurious ingredients for Shea’s budget.
*Seems Sister’s been living comfortably…*
A pang of bitterness struck Rora. She’d stripped Shea of everything, hoping hardship would force her to surrender. Yet Shea remained unbowed.
*Why won’t you just submit to me?*
Rora searched meticulously for anything scandalous. After scouring Abel’s room and the living area, she found no adult items. Not even a trace of suspicious odors.
*Sister is still safe.*
Holding her breath, she gently turned the doorknob to Shea’s bedroom. Unlocked.
She stepped inside, locked the door behind her, and finally relaxed. From the balcony clothesline, she took her sister’s panties. Curling up on Shea’s bed, she raised them like a sacred relic, slowly pressing the fabric to her face, breathing deeply.
"Hehe… Sister… Sister…"
