Everything progressed rather smoothly. To be honest, I could’ve done everything myself, but the group from the Cloud Reverence Guild knew the area better than I, saving me a lot of time.

’I would’ve gotten lost quite a lot of times if not for them.’

Well, I did get everything that I needed to get.

I returned to the main compound right after that. The place looked rather busy, with the other teams also returning. I paid them no mind and walked towards my own team while waving goodbye to those from the Cloud Reverence Guild.

"...It was a nice cooperation. I hope to work with you again."

They all waved back, but judging from their expressions, they didn’t seem to be too keen.

I wonder why.

’Hmm. They should be over here.’

I looked around, taking out my phone before finally seeing a certain message in the Guild group chat.

’Right, there was such a thing.’

@SethThorne We’re all on the second floor. However, you should go to the third floor. Room 3007.

"Oh."

Putting the phone away, I headed to the third floor just like I had been told.

Looking around and staring at the room numbers, I eventually found the right door. As I was just about to reach for the door, it opened on its own, and a familiar figure walked out. The moment our eyes met, her face froze up for a second before she frowned at me, her eyes cold.

I didn’t say anything and just stared at her as she walked past before I shifted my attention back to the room.

’It shouldn’t be too long until the situation is resolved.’

Oh, right...

There was also Kyle.

Since our relationship had now been more or less resolved, I also planned on having him make a ’comeback’ soon enough.

That being said, there were more pressing matters as I walked into the room, where I was greeted by the Team Leader sitting near the window with her legs crossed, brushing her short black hair.

As if sensing my presence, she turned to face my direction.

"Hmm, you’re finally here."

She looked a little different than usual. Staring at her, I noticed an unusual seriousness in her. Or at least, until I noticed the sunglasses on her face.

Why was she still...

’No, never mind.’

I looked around and found a place for me to sit.

"You called for me, Team Leader?"

"Yes, I have."

Soran nodded softly while interlocking her hands together. I already thought this before, but she really did feel weird acting this way.

"I’ve received all of your messages regarding the situation. You did a good job. The Section Chief is currently handling other matters, so I’ll be the one in charge of most of this investigation."

"...I see."

This wasn’t surprising to me.

The Section Chief was mainly here to handle the ’political’ aspects of this entire operation. There were still a lot of things that I wasn’t quite aware of as a mere recruit.

"Since I’m in charge of the operation, I need to ensure things go smoothly. From the reports I’ve received from you, it’s starting to become clear that this might not be anomaly-related."

"I’m also of the same opinion."

This wasn’t hard to infer. I also came to this conclusion after listening to everything that was being said by those whom I had interrogated.

Soran leaned back while massaging her chin.

"A cult? It could be..." she muttered, her finger tapping against the side of the chair, "but there’s a good chance this might have been done by a single individual. Taking into account what we know about their targets having the same zodiac sign and age, we can assume, to some extent, that they might be some sort of sacrifice for a ritual of sorts."

Her words were reasonable.

"But... this is merely just an assumption. There’s still not enough information. At least for now, we’ll go with the assumption that this is some sort of ’man-made’ situation."

"I understand."

I pressed my hands down, prepared to stand up, thinking that the conversation was over, but just as I stood up, the Team Leader’s voice echoed again.

"How is the Guild Master treating you?"

"Hm? Guild Master?"

I paused for a moment while looking back at the Team Leader. Why was she...? But looking at the Team Leader, I saw nothing as she stared back at me. Her expression appeared completely blank to me.

Seeing her like that, I eventually answered.

"He’s treating me fine."

"That’s good."

I was still confused by her words, but decided not to ask further. Her current expression was making it hard for me to do so.

And thinking about the Guild Master, he was actually treating me quite well. Despite all my grievances against him, he had actually operated in my best interests until this point. From the incident with the rat, Malovia, and several other matters.

If I had to describe the Guild Master’s actions up to this point, I’d say they were ’fair’.

He was rather ’fair’.

"I won’t say much more since you’re sharp. However..." The Team Leader paused, her eyes scanning me from top to bottom. Feeling her gaze, I grew a little uncomfortable as she continued, "...Don’t push yourself too much. While you might not think the Guild Master’s expectations are weighing on your mind, subconsciously, they might be. Being perfect, never failing, and everything that comes with it does end up weighing on you, even if you don’t realize it. Sometimes it’s good to take a pause and relax."

Take a pause and relax? Still staring at the Team Leader, I inwardly shook my head. If only my issue had anything to do with the Guild Master. His expectations... the idea of never failing, it never crossed my mind.

Not because I was afraid of failure, but because I couldn’t fail.

I also couldn’t rest.

I was at a point where just one wrong step would mean the end of my life. And with the fact that there was hardly anyone in this world that I could rely on, the things that were weighing down on my mind were completely different.

"You should drink, you know."

Hearing the Team Leader’s words, I was stunned to see her holding onto a bottle of whisky as she removed the lid and poured herself a cup. Looking at her, I was at a loss.

When did she...?

"Maybe you’ve got other problems weighing on your mind. To be honest, I’m not sure if you see it, but to me, it looks like something is weighing on you. Sometimes, it’s good to just let yourself go. Let your mind have the rest that it deserves."

Soran suddenly extended the cup in my direction, beckoning me to take it.

I quietly stared at the drink before shaking my head. I wasn’t really in the mood to drink.

But the moment I opened my mouth, Soran spoke over me.

"Have a sip. There are a few things that I need to ask of you."

Still staring at her, I eventually relented. There was still some time, and just one drink wouldn’t hurt.

I came to regret this decision rather quickly.

Turns out, the drink was a lot more powerful than I expected. Like a lot more powerful. So much that I blacked out almost immediately after. By the time I recovered, all I was greeted with was the sight of a white ceiling, alongside a terrible headache.

"....."

In the silence, I blinked several times.

Then, slowly turning my head, I stared at the foot that was resting next to my head.

I closed my eyes for a brief moment until I opened them again and looked down.

"Hmm... where do you think you’re touching...? Hmm..."

Something snuggled against my foot.

"....."

I closed my eyes once more and covered my face with both hands, feeling the start of my hangover.

"...Not again."