Chapter 54. Unwelcome Guest (1)
“…….”
Ray bent down and picked up a photograph.
The fragile black-and-white photo, yellowed with age, showed the entrance of a two-story building.
‘An orphanage?’
A hulking man in a fedora and coat stood at the center of the image.
Beneath arms outstretched to both sides,
six children stood pressed tightly together.
Though faded with time, closer inspection revealed uneasy expressions on every face.
Of course, Ray struggled to read facial expressions - he could only estimate their ages through physique.
‘Youngest seven... oldest twelve. All within that range.’
Ray kept studying the photo.
The large man’s face remained hidden behind sunglasses and a mask.
The similar attire initially made Ray suspect this was Walter from the basement, but the build was distinctly different.
The words ‘Master’ hovered above the man’s head. When cross-checked with Walter’s letter, the handwriting matched perfectly.
This man likely wasn’t Walter - one wouldn’t label themselves ‘Master’ without extraordinary reason.
Instead, the boy on the far left labeled ‘Me’ was probably Walter.
Names floated above the other children’s heads as well.
“…….”
Ray tried comparing his mental image of Walter to the leftmost boy.
But facial recognition had always been difficult for him, worsened by the photo’s degraded quality.
‘Need to examine this properly later.’
Tucking the photo away, Ray turned to a notebook.
The reddish leather cover showed peeling patches and grime from countless handlings.
Flip—
The interior pages told the same story.
Recent entries remained legible, but progressing backward revealed increasingly weathered paper, each page a step deeper into the past.
Flip— Tick.
Ray’s fingers stopped at the first entry.
「B-071. Sector 43. Maledrich. Assassination. Exit immediately after disrupting procession.」
Another page turned.
「G-009. Sector 38. Kedermony Bank. Hijack transport vehicle. Block escape routes with barricades.」
「F-142. Sector 47. Sekro Field. Establish contact. Transaction. Magic use authorized.」
Hundreds of such entries filled the notebook in Walter’s handwriting - twenty years of missions from some organization.
Flip— Flip—
The earliest entry dated two decades back.
‘Philip’s note said Walter’s mid-30s.’
Meaning Walter had served this group since his early teens at latest.
Ray kept flipping.
Most entries bore circled ‘Completed’ marks.
Except several X-marked failures:
「Sector 31. Green gemstone investigation. Kellygold Auction House.」
「Failure. No results.」
「Sector 48. Blue gemstone investigation. Gront Mountains.」
「Failure. No results.」
All failed missions involved gemstones.
Ray’s mind flashed to the Rainbow Theory - seven mana-generating gemstone fragments hidden worldwide.
‘Is Merkred’s boss also hunting Rainbow shards?’
Though hypothetical, it neatly explained the organization’s sector-wide searches.
After pocketing the notebook, Ray combed the basement.
Crumpled bedding.
Scattered clothes.
Forgotten food supplies.
Many clues about Walter the person, but only the notebook hinted at the organization.
With nothing left to find, Ray gathered his findings:
Money from garment folds.
Red gemstones in a tin can.
He paused at the exit.
Flicker— Buzz—
The lone lightbulb swung precariously in the abandoned room.
“…….”
Ray strode forward and snapped it off.
Kiiiii— Clang!
The steel door shrieked shut like a wounded beast, slicing away the fading light until darkness reclaimed the basement.
Only distant footsteps on stairs broke the silence.
Time flowed swiftly.
Through daily legwork, Philip secured a new hideout - an abandoned factory in West Junkyard, diametrically opposite their hotel.
“Thanks for everything.”
That afternoon, under skies washed clear by last night’s rain,
over a hundred children gathered at the hotel entrance.
“The thanks should be ours.” Philip gestured at the crowd. “Who do you think benefits from housing you all?”
The groups stood divided:
Philip’s hotel children at the entrance,
Ray’s sixty-strong faction outside.
Leaders facing each other, Ray spoke first:
“Transported all essentials to the new base. Just need unloading.”
“Good.”
“They’re factory seconds, but easily fixable. Practically free with our repair crew.”
“Well done, Philip.”
The robotic praise drew a snort from Philip.
‘Took my advice about praising others, did he?’
“Your remaining advance.”
Ray blankly stared at the money pouch before pocketing it.
“Settlements will come daily via courier.”
“Adjust rates anytime. Notify me when you depart.”
As final goodbyes neared, Philip began:
“Won’t see each other unless...”
“Come with me when I leave the sector.”
The unexpected words froze the crowd.
“I misheard?” Philip gaped.
Murmurs erupted:
“Hunter’s leaving?”
“He mentioned it before!”
“Can I have chips before he goes?”
Amid the chaos, Ray remained still.
“You heard right. Leave Sector 49 with me.”
“You’re... recruiting me?”
“Essentially.”
“This... I’ve never left. You’re asking me to abandon everything!”
Hotel children sighed in relief.
Philip WAS the hotel - founder, manager, beating heart.
Then Ray struck true:
“Your real goal requires leaving, doesn’t it?”
Philip’s eyes widened.
That tipsy confession after defeating Lawson’s gang - Ray remembered.
Hammerblows pounded Philip’s chest.
Ray wasn’t wrong. The dream demanded departure he’d avoided through fear.
‘This might be my only chance.’
Travel meant danger, but Ray offered magic and wit for protection.
Yet...
‘Why me? He doesn’t need company.’
After agonized silence:
“Need... time.”
“How much?”
“A week. We’re not leaving yet, right?”
Nods rippled through the crowd as Ray agreed.
He knew Philip’s hidden courage - the longing revealed when discussing savings.
Two reasons drove Ray’s offer:
First, fascination with Philip’s emotional spectrum.
Second, wanting to offload financial matters to focus on Rainbow research.
Final logistics settled, Ray turned to leave.
As his group began moving, a voice shouted:
“Thanks for sheltering us!”
The cry spread like wildfire:
“Thank you!”
“For helping us!”
“Thank you!!”
In rainwater puddles,
crimson gratitude shimmered,
mirroring the waving hands of hotel children.
