Guardians of The Damned-Chapter 35: Meeting

A few minutes earlier...

"Mira, can you get her attention? Half an hour would be ideal."

We stood at the entrance door, where Mom and Yurim were chatting away in the kitchen, unaware of us. The only one who might hear us was Yurim. I took a quick drag from my vape and surrounded us with smoke, ensuring our voices wouldn't escape.

"What's this all of a sudden?" Mira asked, clearly puzzled by my unexpected request.

"I can't explain it all, but our neighbor is more than she seems."

She paused, considering my words, before asking, "Ms. Rin's attention, or Mom's?"

"Both."

"I'll do my best."

"Thanks!" I said, quickly creating a clone. Then, I turned into mist and slipped through the small gap under Yurim's bedroom door.

Several minutes passed, and I still hadn't found anything. I moved to another room—the children's bedroom. Toys were scattered everywhere.

Two boys were asleep on the bed, still in their school uniforms. I tried not to disturb them as I searched through drawers and examined their wardrobe. I even checked behind the mirror, hoping for a hidden passage. But nothing. As soon as my mist touched the mirror, it scattered and dissipated when it hit the wall behind it.

The mirror swayed dangerously before it fell, but I managed to revert to my human form and catch it just in time.

At the same moment, my foot stepped on a building brick. The sharp pain shot up my leg, and I fell with a loud thud.

Why was there a building brick here?

--- Third POV ---

"So, Mira, how's school?" Yurim asked politely.

"It's alright, I guess." Mira answered lazily, but then her gaze shifted to her brother's clone, who was staring blankly at the ceiling. Her frown deepened when a muffled thud echoed from upstairs. Both their attention snapped to the source.

"What was that?" Yurim asked, her expression worried.

"Maybe a lost cat?" Mira suggested.

"That noise came from the boys' room," Yurim said, standing up quickly. "The windows are shut—there's no way a cat could've gotten in!" She hurried upstairs, followed by Mom, who was probably concerned too.

Mira, unsure of what else to do, reluctantly followed them, bring Sunny's clone as if to ensure it wasn't left alone. It would be odd if he stayed behind while everyone else checked out the noise.

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.

--- Sunny's POV

I sensed them coming and turned into mist, lowering my presence to the bare minimum. I slid through the ceiling gap, which was narrow—just wide enough for a child to fit. The area was dim and filled with old items. I inspected everything but found nothing of interest.

I stumbled upon a brown suitcase. When I opened it, I frowned, almost doubting what I had just discovered.

--- Third POV --

Meanwhile, Yurim and the others arrived at the boys' room. They opened the door, seeing nothing amiss at first glance.

"There's no one here," Yurim said, her frown deepening. "Then what was that sound?"

Thud!

A loud noise echoed from the ceiling. They looked up in unison.

"There's definitely something up there," Yurim said, moving to a specific spot on the wall. She pressed a button, and the ceiling opened, revealing a hidden staircase.

Yurim climbed up while the others watched below.

"Be careful," Mom called out, worry in her voice.

Yurim carefully examined the cramped space. It was filled with old items, disorganized and out of place. She scanned further, her eyes locking on a large rat. Without hesitation, a dark beam shot from her eyes, disintegrating it into nothing.

"Only a rat," she muttered, almost disappointed. "I'll install a trap next time." She climbed down and pressed the button again, closing the ceiling.

--- Sunny's POV

I was drenched in sweat. When Yurim opened the ceiling, I made sure my mist was as translucent as possible, scattering it around the area. I controlled the mist to hide behind old items and planks as she searched.

When her eyes landed on the rat— the source of the thud— the rodent startled, sensing my presence. Yurim, not satisfied with the outcome, kept scanning the area. After a while, she muttered softly, almost to herself, "I'll meet you after dinner."

I had been discovered. My heart raced, adrenaline coursing through my veins. My hands trembled, not from fear, but the rush.

---

Several hours passed before Yurim and Mom said their goodbyes. Mira led 'Sunny' out, both with full stomachs and bright smiles. Mom waved as she turned to head back home, with Mira and Sunny following behind.

Yurim watched them go from a distance, her thoughts hidden. She closed the door behind her.

---

Once inside, Yurim turned, speaking without facing me. "What do you want? Snooping around my house like some cockroach."

"How did you find me?" I asked, my voice steady, but my mind racing.

"You still need some training," she replied, her tone cool. "Though, I'll admit, your hiding technique is commendable."

"What do you know about Igor?" I asked, getting straight to the point.

"You found the briefcase. Why ask again?"

"You're sickening me," I spat.

"I'm just doing my job."

"They don't deserve this."

"That's not for me to decide. It's up to those at the top."

"Why did you go into hiding? You think Synth didn't know?"

"They already know. My disappearance? That was their order."